Satisfaction

As a carver, do you know that hopeful moment when you ink up one of your creations for the first time? The stamp's roughly carved, and although you can see the shading from the transfer, there's still quite a bit of doubt about the overall effect.

The pressing question: How will it look?

So, if you're me, you just can't stand it...you have to know! You pick the ink color, you daub it on, you scrounge around for some scrap paper, and then....the moment of truth! Stamp hits paper, you lift...and then?

Well, in this case a sigh of great satisfaction. I am in love with my Satchmo stamp for the Winter Holiday music ring. Even though we're not that religious, I am a sucker for Holiday music (all kinds). And this album, Christmas Through the Years, is one of my perennial favorites. If I was stuck in a retail store from November 15th to December 24th at 6pm, required to play only one holiday music album over and over all day while maintaining a cheerful demeanor, I think this is the one that perhaps would not send me off the cliff.

I'm glad I did Satchmo justice. But, lest you think I've gotten a big head, I put ink to stamp earlier for my quilt block and the result? Blech! I was going for lots of tiny detail. It looked okay on the stamp, but the image? Double Blech! I'm going to recarve it. If I send them out and I'm not satisfied, I never am happy. It's much better for me if I take the time to recarve, even if it's a bit late going out.

But for now, I can look at Louis and be happy. And he's not due to ship out until November 9th, so I have plenty of time to forget where I stashed him.

Terrors of Telge

This week, Mother of Five and I had the chance to go check on a few existing boxes and plan our annual additions to the Terrors of Telge. I even planted a box or so for this year's haunting season.

Two years ago, we held our first small Houston gathering at Telge park...and the Terrors of Telge were born! Unfortunately, when it came time for the gathering itself, I was throwing-up ill and missed my own gather. But, my husband and kids went, and had a blast!

In the intervening period, plenty of new boxes on the terrors theme have been added to the park. And, unfortunately this spring, with record rains, we lost a few of the ones along the creek side. It's always fun to see what people come up with, and what new Terrors are lurking.

Right now, things are great at Telge. All the trails are dry, and the mosquitos are minimal. Great boxing weather!

One of my favorite all-time plants, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, is at Telge. Its last visitor was in November, 2006. It always amuses me when people whine about not having frequent enough visitors to their boxes. For me, that's just the norm. Even though there are lots of boxes in Houston, a lot of them go long periods unvisited. That's why I try to let go after I plant. In my book, you plant what you love, and hopefully how ever many visitors you do get will enjoy the experience; everything else is out of your control. There are people who love my boxes, and probably people who don't. I plant for myself and those who enjoy what I do.

MS' Frankenstein has some pretty tricky clues (on purpose) that have tripped more than one boxer up. But, I love that box and I'm happy to report that it's alive and well and just waiting to be found by someone who wants to try and conquer it.

Who will be the next to brave the Terrors of Telge?

Last Minute Clues

Well, I didn't even manage to get all my existing OZ boxes planted (I walked around a certain trail forever looking for a spot for TikTok), but I had to do one last carve this evening when inspiration struck.

If you're at the gathering tomorrow, tell me who is the Real Life Wizard of Oz and I'll get you some special clues. If I'm not around, Mushroom Hunter should have them, but he'll be there a little late as soccer field glory calls.

If you're having trouble thinking of the Real Life Wizard of Oz, it may help if you know a little bit about me.

~dewberry

Off to Find the Wizard