Other Nonsense

When we were little, our mom kept us from being bored during long summer days by helping us make something called "Idea Cards." We were each given several 3x5 cards onto which we wrote an idea of something to do, illustrated it, and strung them all together on a binder ring. Thus, when we got bored, we could simply take the Idea Cards of their hook and flip through, deciding whether "Bikes!" or "make a zoo" or possibly "Spy on the boys" appealed to us.

As a grownup, I think the concept of Idea Cards is a great one. I don't get bored all that often, but sometimes it's difficult to come up with an day of entertainment off the cuff when the opportunity arises. It's easier to flip through the options and decide on something everyone can agree on.

As I have a moment here and there, I'm making a series of "idea cards" for Cincinnati. It will be helpful later, but it's also helping me learn what things there are to do in the area. It's a little more technologically advanced, this "grownup" version of the cards - it's cross referenced, and one can search by details like restaurants, and types of entertainment, but the concept is the same. I'm enjoying the research and putting it all together. As I recall, some of the entertainment is in the journey---as evidenced by the idea card labeled, "Make more idea cards!"
_______________

I did actually make some cyanotypes while the sun was out a while back. As a first round, I think they were moderately successful, though I do need to find a timer, so I don't have rely on the less accurate "remember to look at the clock and then rush because you've gone a minute over" method. I'm not going to post really specific photos right now, because some of these will be Christmas presents for folk who occasionally stop by here. But here's the gist. It was good fun.

Here is my print developing area, with tubs for a rinse, a quick developer made with hydrogen peroxide, and a tea/coffee toner, which I didn't end up using much. And the uber high-tech printing itself, on the, uh, garbage bin and back porch rail. Heh. It worked fine, though. Most of the pictures required around 12 minutes, but I'm sure on a really bright day they might have needed less. There are myths about cloudy days having as many UV rays as sunny ones, but I'm not sure whether that's true or not. Then there are the cyanotypes hanging up to dry in the basement (Jane, don't look too closely!!), and finally one close up of a building in Brugge, Belguim. I'm not decided on whether I want to clip out the ragged edges of where I painted on the sensitizer or not. Maybe it depends on the image. For this one, I clipped.

I need to make more paper and wait for another sunny day, but next time around I think I'll have a better feel for what kind of exposures they need. Also, I'll be more vigilant about using deionized water for rinsing, since some of the cyanotypes had some mineral streaks show up.