What I've Been Up To....Bojagi!

I started a new bojagi project using the gorgeous silk I had bought at the hanbok shop shortly before our return to the States.  It was the first time the silk had been out of the package since I bought it and now I wish I had bought more!  It is gorgeous and so easy to work with.  It's timeconsuming because you are cutting each section as you go and decide what you want.  I am also handstitching everything which also takes alot of time.

                                              Here's a closeup of the bojagi piece.

Last weekend my niece had a garage band concert in my sister's garage.  Rocketman and I went over to check it out.  We found out quickly that we aren't cool anymore (I think that happened a long time ago).  We didn't stay very long because Rocketman was unconfortable with all the stares.  We were clearly the oldest there by a few decades.  I did manage to video one song before Rocketman dragged me out.  It was wonderful seeing all the creativity!

Have a listen:

Hanji Bracelet

My next hanji project was covering a wooden bracelet.  The first thing I had to decide is what pattern I wanted to use on the bracelet.  I'm slowly scanning my hanji patterns and then I just have to print off the pattern when I need it.  I thought this one would be great.  It's a simple pattern and wouldn't take me too long to do.

I cut out the pattern using gold hanji paper.

This is what it looked like all cut out.

 This is the bracelet I used.  I had bought a bunch of these and never used them.  A common problem you will find in my craftroom.

                                          Here is the bracelet covered with hanji paper.

 Here is the finished bracelet.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.

We also bought a new patio set for our deck.  This was the first time we didn't go with a reallly cheap set.  I was so tired of the tables breaking and the sets only lasting a few years.  This one we bought at Seasonal Concepts and it comes with a gas fire pit.  We weren't looking for that but when Rocketman and I saw this set, we knew this was the one.  I've never had comfortable chairs before and these chairs are not only comfortable but they rock and Rocketman loves to rock.  I see a lot of days spent on this deck.

Big news here!  We have a visitor coming from Korea.  Hellena is coming for a week from April 29th through May 6th.  We are soooo excited.  I can't wait to see her.

Hanji Coasters

I finished the two sets of coasters that I started last week.  It took me a lot longer than I had anticipated.  At my hanji class in Korea, my teacher always had all my hanji pieces cut out for me so all I had to do was sit and glue.  Now that I am home I have to cut out the pieces and it is timeconsuming.  Another difference is that when I did hanji in Korea, I went to the hanji class to do it.  Now that I am home I can get distracted a lot easier.  I have laundry going or the phone rings or I need to mow the lawn.

The coasters were entirely cut out and glued by myself using supplies I had purchased in Korea.  The coasters above were finished with a glossy varnish.

These coasters were finished in a matt finish.  I'm really happy how they turned out.  I have put them in my Etsy shop if you are interested in purchasing them.  Now I'm ready to try a box.  I brought a lot of forms home but I may go through them quickly.  Luckily, my Korean girlfriends can call and order more for me if I should run out.  I also bought a lot of hanji paper which should last me a long time.

Hanji in da House!

I finally got everything unpacked and put in its place.  I finally had time to do some hanji.  I've missed it so much.  I'm starting with some coasters.  I cut out paper for two and used my hanji glue to apply the paper pieces.  They are drying right now.  I'm going to cut out the design you see on the lower left of this picture which will go in the center of the coasters.

It felt so good but it also was a little sad.  As I sat in my craftroom gluing pieces in place, I missed the chatter of Korean that would go on around me when I took classes in Korea.  I miss the delicious homemade lunches that they would share with me almost every day.  I miss that bowl of rice and the mounds of kimchi which I couldn't seem to stop eating.

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  I went to Noah's Kindergarten class to read a book on Korea.  I also brought some samples of things I had made when I lived there.  I was in the middle of my reading when an alarm went off.  I was thinking it was a fire drill but the teacher told me and the class that it was a "lockdown drill."  The kids crowded into a corner of the room while the teacher locked the door and shut off the lights.  We sat there (me too) quietly for about 5 minutes until the all clear was given.  It just made me sad to think that we really are living in times like this.  When I was their age, the only drills we had were for fires and tornadoes.

I finished the book and answered a few questions.  Noah showed everyone the Korean words that he knew.  His teacher was really impressed.  I've always answered Noah's "yes" and "no" questions in Korean.  I also brought the kids a Korean cellphone charm to take home.  I gave the teacher one of my Korean "Love" pendants.  Then she told me that this had been fascinating to her because her sister was a Korean adoptee.  I just happened to have a second necklace so I gave her that one for her sister.

Noah got to escort me out of the building.  I forgot how many times he hugged me and said he loved me.  I will never get tired of hearing that.  I would like to do craft classes in Noah's classes as I did when his mama was a little girl.  Those were some of the best times of my life.

Grandma Days!

I spent last week with our youngest grandson, Ezra, while his older  brother and folks were in Florida.  Little Ez was grounded by his ENT because of fluid in his little ears.  We had a great time and the week really flew by.  I totally forgot what it's like to take care of little ones.  We started out by taking a trip back home to visit family in Illinois.  He was great in the car and didn't fuss at all.

He was the center of attention everywhere he went.  This is at my parent's house with my nephew and niece.  We were in Illinois for just a few days because Rocketman had to get back to work.

Of course we had to go shopping.  Little Ez had never had a pair of Stride Rites like his mama so off we went to the mall one day to take care of that.  They have sooo many cute shoes now.  When my kids were that age you could only get them in white.

 He loved his new shoes.  We also made a stop at Carters and they were having a 60% off sale. We did some major shopping there.

Honestly, I turned my back for a minute.

 We brought him back to his house to wait for his folks to return.  Here Ez is watching a little Pororo on Grandpa's IPhone.

                        Finally, they arrived and Noah was so glad to see his little brother.

Happy 6th Birthday, Noah!!!

My hanji teacher gave me a hanbok for Noah right before I left Korea.  It was in our ocean shipment so I only just got it.  I had Noah try it on and it was only a little big.

He loved wearing it.  I still can't believe this little guy is 6!  Happy birthday, Noah!!

What I've Been Up To

Babysitting!  It started out last Wednesday when I picked up our grandson, Noah.  He was going to stay with us until Friday when I would drop him off and pick up his little brother, Ezra.

We live about 45 minutes from the Mall of America and I hadn't been there for almost ten years so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to see what had changed since the last time I was there.  I knew we would spend almost all of our time in Camp Snoopy, I mean Nickelodeon Universe.

Our first ride was a roller coaster which swung you around as you went.  One of the lenses of Noah's glasses popped out and luckily landed on his seat.  So we took a quick trip to Pearle Vision Center to get his glasses fixed.

LegoWorld is right next to Nickelodeon Universe and when Noah saw that on our walk back we just had to stop.

                         He was in heaven and Grandma did some damage to her credit card there.

 

We also stopped by Build A Bear and Noah made a bear for himself and his little brother.

                                           Then it was back to the rides and did we ride!

    

I really wanted to eat at Bubba Gump's.  I LOVE shrimp but Noah was not having it so we ate at a food court.  I got him a slice of pizza with milk and I got a sandwich.  I had just sat down to eat when Noah announced he had to go potty and right now.  I tried to get him to eat as I was slamming my sandwich to no avail.  So I piled everything back onto the tray and walked to the nearest bathroom tray and all.  I stood there hold the tray while Noah used the bathroom.  He wanted to go into the men's but I never allow that.

I got some pretty strange looks as I stood there waiting for Noah.  What was I to do?  Noah came out and washed his hands and off we went to find a seat again and this time finish out lunch.

We had a blast.  On Friday I drove him to his house and picked up Ezra for the week.  He has fluid in his ears and couldn't go to Florida with his parents.  I am actually doing this while he is napping.  We take him home tomorrow.  I'll blog about that next after a good long rest.  I had forgotten how exhausting little kids are and my house looks like a tornado has come through but we've sure had a lot of fun.