Carry On

I needed a dose of lovely history today. I'm trying to edit the things that I've been harboring in my circle of importance this week to edit my pattern. I am indeed in control and now that I have an empty circle, I'm going to fill it with things that really are important and will add to true happiness and well being. To flourish. As I watched this video, I longed to be in an environment such as the delightful bookstore where the poster was found. I hunger after such a life that the owners seem to have. Now I realize, that I often am in that sort of environment, and have the power to make my heart and mind that kind of environment. I will hold the message of this bygone poster close to my heart and carry on in brighter days. 
Enjoy this video and article from The History Blog.

Original ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters on AR

Coptic Binding

So I finished my first Coptic binding in my bookbinding class! I think it turned out pretty nice :) At a second-hand store, I bought a history book about dance and tore out some lovely prints to use on my cover.

The front is a costume concept and the back is an early attempt at dance notation. I had to dye the back cover sheet to make the colors match the front. For the dye, I used water, vanilla extract, and chamomile honey tea. I set it in a plastic container overnight with some parts sticking out of the water for a more aged effect. I then took out the sheet and left it on a towel to dry while I went to classes. When I came home, it was completely dry and I was able to cut and paste it to the back cover-board. The rest of the book was pretty straight-forward. 

The sewing was difficult at first, but quickly my hands grew accustomed to the repetative movement- in and out of the signatures, back and forth. I did the sewing while I watched the 2009 movie, The Secret of Kells. I really enjoyed the movie. The textures that come out through the bright color and line-work of the animation were lovely and pushed the storytelling to a higher plane of aesthetic. PLUS it is all about the making of a beautiful and magical book. How appropriate! You really should watch it!!

Ohh Waldo

Oh my how I love this!!
http://outnback.com/ posted this on facebook with this caption, and I had to share it with the world!

Take your sweetheart somewhere nice for Valentines day! If you need anything for your valentines adventure come visit us!

Admiral Russell R. Waesche

My first Wikipedia contribution! Admiral Russell R. Waesche is my Great Great Grandfather's cousin. He was the Admiral of the US Coast Guard for many years. I got to add a few things to his page and I'm pretty excited about it. Check it out HERE. I love doing Family History!

George Henry Waesche Family: Young Immigrant

George Henry Waesche Family: Young Immigrant: Charles S. Albert who, at the funeral of Metta H. Maud said, "He that stands on the other side of birth to send us here, stands also on the further side of death to receive us there ." My great Aunt Margaret B. Waesche lamented that so much of our stories are lost over time, but she rejoiced in the belief that we would meet again.

It is such a comfort in knowing where those we love are and what they're up to. This scripture was one of the greatest comforts to me after my father died:

Alma 40:11 Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of ^ahappiness, which is called^bparadise, a state of rest, a state of ^cpeace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Check out the video  from the “What Happens When I Die?” on mormon.org. I really love hearing the testimonies of others. 

My other Blog is officially going now. It's about my ancestors from Maryland, the George Henry Waesche Family. Take a look!

carrollcountywaesche.blogspot.com

Leonardo da Vinci, handbag designer

This caught my eye as I was going through my Google Reader this morning. Think its an accurate interpretation of the draft? 

Material history, if you haven't noticed, is a passion of mine. How wonderful for designers to have had access to the drawing, so that they could bring this design through the centuries. I wonder how often old designs and plans will see the light of day in this century for the first time. This really tickles my fancy; perhaps I'll keep my eyes open for sleeping dreams such as this in my wanderings.