What a Great Day!

I had one of the nicer Studio Days that I have had in a long time.  After starting out doing some errands for the shop, I stopped by a local hardware store that happened to be on my way to my box supplier.  It was just on the off-chance that they might have the perfect screws to mount my etched copper plaques to my box lids - something that I had been unable to find at the larger "big box" hardware stores.  Amazingly enough they had exactly what I needed - exactly!  I was so happy.  Today I'll put one of the screws in my digital caliper and determine the size of drill bit that I need to use for the holes in the metal.  I can then begin the final processes for the front disc and I can mount the plaque to the inside of the lid.  The plaque translates the Sindarin text of the front disc. 

I then went on to my box supplier.  She opened late because of some health problems that her DH had the previous evening - a kidney stone - very painful and an expensive hospital bill for the after-hours Emergency Room visit.  I found four boxes that I fell in love with, after more than two weeks of buying nothing.  And she was a sweetheart and gave them to me at no charge.  I showed her my etched plaque which I happened to have with me and she loved it!  She wants to see the finished product - that won't be a problem at all, since I'll have some time when I am photographing it to bring it over for her to look through. 

And finally I got home and applied resist to my silk, took my courage in hand, tested some colors along the excess borders of the fabric, took a deep breath, and started painting my silk.  It turned out absolutely fantastic!  I am thrilled with the colors and how they dried.  Tonight I'll set the colors and wash out the resist.  Then I'll look very carefully to make sure that I don't need any touch-ups.  If not, I can mount the silk onto the stiffer backing and begin the beading and embellishment segment.  That is the last segment necessary for the box and so I'm starting to wind it down.  If I can get the beadwork to look the way that I envision, this project will exceed my expectations - count me happy!