What becomes of bullies when they grow up?

If you know me, you'll know how much I enjoy reading. I'll read anything; fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, etc. I read for two reasons. One is for entertainment, the other is for knowledge. My most favorite reads will combine the two.

Because of my interest I'm always searching for something new. On the internet this morning I read a Washington Post review of "WHIPPING BOY The Forty-Year Search for my Twelve-Year-Old Bully" by Allen Kurzweil.

Bullying is in the news lately but certainly is not new. It has been around for a long time. Like most everyone, I've been subjected to bullying in my life but I'll leave that subject for another time.

I found this book review interesting. After reading the review, I'll not read the book. It seems too much of this non-fiction book is not about the title. The reviewer however pointed to a condensed version of the story published by The New Yorker last November.

If you have any interest in the topic you might enjoy this. The conclusion I came to surprised me. If you are able to add a comment below please do so. I'd like to know what you think.
Newyorker Magazine "The Whipping Boy"

Recycling boxes from the pantry!

A new semester of crafting started today. Our instructor sent a message asking us to bring empty boxes from our cupboards - the more colorful the better.

My selection of boxes

She demonstrated the craft. Create a bird using the cardboard and other misc paper by ripping the paper; then hot gluing them piece by piece.

I started with the "Softasilk" Cake Flour Box

After making a body we inserted some stiff wire to use for legs.

Only one toe so far on this bird.

More ripped cardboard and paper to make tail feathers and a head.

Here's my finished bird: I think his toes are too small though - he keeps falling down!

Carol's bird named "Determined!"

We are talking about continuing this project by making a platform of some type for our birds. Check back next week to see what we came up with.


Here is a collage of most of the birds made by the crafters:

Linoleum Block Carving & Printing - a Craft Club's project.

Several weeks were involved in learning this printmaking technique in which a sheet of linoleum mounted on a wooden block is used for a relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp V and/or U-shaped chisel, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller and then impressed onto paper.

My "Angel" pattern was traced onto the block; then outlined with a marker

Carving away the linoleum not part of my pattern

A variety of colors of inks and papers were used for printing

Our prints waiting to dry.

Memories of Lena lives on in Santa

An elderly woman named Lena passed away this year. This photo of "Santa" was created by using Lena's personal items. Fur from a coat; a table cloth; a holiday scarf; a broach; a salad bowl etc.

The story and Santa as shared by a member of my Craft Club is this:

Her "Santa memory" arrived recently in the mail and was a surprise. An artist friend of the family was hired to create one for each member of the family. We didn't take it apart, but could see the base is a small wooden salad bowl turned upside down. The body is actually a stuffed paper bag glued to this bowl then decorated with personal items. The head and face may be made of clay or paper mache and painted.

I'm so impressed with the idea and wish I had thought of this when my mother and mother-in-law passed. Not too late after I pass though...just saying.

A Felting We Will Go...

Needle Felting is a technique recently learned at craft club. Some wool, a special needle, a piece of foam and an imagination is all that's needed.

A store in my neighborhood - Fiberwood Studio - sells a colorful selection of wool. It took very little wool for my animal projects so it was not expensive at all. I did invest in a couple of needles but with a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby that also was inexpensive.

Here are a few finished projects I'll pass on to the grandchildren this holiday season:

These next four are pages of a "Pocket Book" for the 1-year old: