Walking Wounded - LOL

It is not possible to make a project in my house without a blood sacrifice.  For my studio day yesterday, I stabbed myself with my craft knife and cut myself with my sewing shears (they are VERY sharp).  Then, of course, because I am a ninny (don't 'cha love that word? - ninny?) -- because I am a ninny, I didn't bother with gloves when I pulled out my finished pieces and neutralized the acid.  Ferric chloride is a mild acid (I would NEVER do that with other acids I work with), but the acid hurt all of my earlier injuries.  I'm pleased with the etch that I got even though I was still etching at 8:30 last night.  I had a lot of trouble getting the image transferred well.  It was transferring to the copper without a problem, but then it wasn't accepting the fusible protectant film.  After a couple of calls to Frank (he's the person who invented this particular system of image transfer), we determined that because my pieces were (1) larger and (2) using 20 gauge copper, they weren't getting hot enough.  He suggested a different thermostat, which I will order today, and a couple of little techniques that I hadn't thought of.  That gave me about a 96% fusing rate and I was able to paint the rest with my resistant ink.  He thinks that I should be able to get 100/% transfer and fuse with the new thermostat and I have never gotten a transfer that is that clean.  So I look forward to getting the new thermostat.  A friend has requested a particular image and, even though that one will use 24 gauge copper and, thus will be easier to work with, I will be happy to play again.  I also have my next project perched in my head just waiting for it's opportunity to play.  So today I'll polish my etchings and darken them, tomorrow I'll drill them and wire them, and I'll have them mounted by the end of the week.  Then I can concentrate on the silk. 

Breakfast with Meghan, Sebas and Chickie yesterday was a lot of fun.  Meghan is turning into a great Mom - very attentive, and obviously very much in love with the little man in her life.  She's looking forward to moving to the U.P. of Michigan in August to begin school.  Since money is always tight for single Mom's, I doubt we'll have the chance to see much of her once she has moved up there.  We were talking about maybe taking a road trip to Yellowstone National Park as a graduation trip.  That would be SO fine.