Altered Books

Kate came by yesterday. We were talking about art-making -- hers and mine. She asked if I've ever worked with altered books. She described how you take an existing hard-back book and modify it by cutting into it, gluing pages together, collaging, painting, whatever technique to re-purpose the book and make something totally new. The idea made my heart sing. I called my sister while Kate was still here, pleading with her to go to a free swap shop to pick me up some materials. This feels very exciting. I love collage and have been yearning to work more 3-dimensionally. Bingo. I think I'll start with a kids board book which has heavy, thick pages. It's really fun to be with other artists -- the ideas just fly. Can't wait to get started.

I've rested up this weekend and am feeling better. Last night I ventured out to see my god-daughter Laila who is now 4 months old. I asked her mom Vanessa if Laila needs anything just now. Vanessa suggested that a wonderful gift would be to make something for her. So that will also be another project.

Today I gardened, mostly cleaning up and enjoying what is beginning to burst through the ground. Working in the dirt is so "grounding". That's the best word to describe it. It was in the 40's, windy, not all that comfortable. Yet I really enjoyed pulling away the dead, the spent, to see what is new and fresh. I love how you can count on forsythia to bloom the first week in April.

Around noon I met my sister and we drove out to my brother's for Easter. It felt just right, not the usual holiday angst that I experience. There were 11 of us. I so admire both my brother and sister for how they are raising their kids. My brother dug up some rhubarb for each of us. We all love gardening. Must be growing up in rural Iowa. We had a wonderful afternoon together. A happy day.

Tomorrow it's back to treatment. On Friday I will be halfway done.