Sharpening axes

As larmer and Isabel and L passed through our flat this weekend (an extra day in London courtesy of the airlines, hurrah!) he mentioned an expression attributed to Lincoln: If I had nine hours to chop a tree, I'd spend six hours sharpening the axe. (assorted versions online)

So today was the day we'd make a silk banner for Crown. Got the silk, got the silk paints, got the stretching frame, just need...

- to clear the living room to lay stuff out (1 hr Genevieve - just back from a revel, and just had guests)
- to clear the kitchen counter to accommodate a banner 2.6m long (1 hr Genevieve - dishes, putting away stuff, tidying)
- to fix the frame with reinforced corners so it stayed square (1 hr Robert)
- to press the silk (20 mins Genevieve)
- to measure the banner frame (<2 mins Robert)
- to cut out the silk (20 mins Genevieve - takes awhile because I pull threads to get straight of grain before cutting, and this silk is very fine)
- to roll out the craft paper and plan the banner full size (1/2 hr Robert and Genevieve)
- to pin the silk to the frame (1/2 hr Robert)
- to measure out the banner on the silk (1 hr Robert)
- to draw and cut out templates for charges (1/2 hour Robert)

...before we get to actually apply any paint to silk.

So it feels like I spent a lot of time sharpening today.

Good thing we really like heraldry.

And despite my best efforts, the kitchen surfaces are still cluttered, the living room is still cluttered, though differently cluttered from this morning, the ironing board is still stacked with stuff, and I still have laundry drying.

And it's freaking freezing in our house. This stupid cold snap seems to be seeping through the cracks everywhere, and we can't keep our space warm enough for comfort. Haggis gave up on us providing any laps, and nested upstairs all afternoon.