Classes

I took an encaustic painting class this week. For fun, and it was, lots. I also taught my last mosaic class at the DIY lounge. I'm sad to see the classes end, but looking forward to seeing the new direction Jen takes it. I've been working on an email list for future classes. I'm debating on trying to teach them at my home studio, which is pretty small, or looking to find a new space. If you are someone who has emailed me before about classes and never got a chance to take one, or are just interested in mosaic classes, send me another email, and I'll add you to my mailing list.

What I did on my summer vacation

I didn't intend to be gone from this space for so long, but with so much constantly going on around here, something had to give. I guess the blog it was....

Anyway, since my last post so much has gone on that I didn't have the time to write about. Today I am posting the abbreviated version, and planning to be back here more regularly.


+Cracked pots was great. A lot busier than I expected....looking forward to doing that again next summer.
+Took two trips to the midwest without kids. One for fun. One for a funeral, sad, but really good to see family that I haven't seen in so long.
+Successfully grew a garden. Froze a bunch, and tried pickling for the first time.
+Said goodbye to our sweet springer spaniel Porter.
+Hung out at the pool a lot.
+Went on the best family vacation. Camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, hot springs, staying in an old rustic cabin for a few days and playing more yatzee and uno than ever I thought
possible.
+Taught a bunch of mosaic classes.
+Our volvo "died" on a mountain, without cell service, not fun.
+Spent the better part of a week test driving minivans. Bought one. Love it.
+Had lots of out of town visitors.
+Spent a few days at the beach.
+Attended a couple art shows as a shopper.
+Got two boys ready for school. That's right 2!!
+Brought my work to a new store in Olympia, which is off to a great start.
+Finished 3 quilts and a couple custom orders.
+Planned another school art sale. So much work, and it's not over yet.

I'm sure there is more I could write about, but don't want to bore you anymore with all the details. I have lots to tell in the crafting department, but will have to be back for that...

It seems like all I ever talk about on this blog are the things I have to get done. I have been able to finish a few things recently, but actually finding the time to document them here has been a challenge. Cracked Pots is in 10 days. I feel unprepared, but I'm trying not to stress about it. The kids are home full time, and Matt has been traveling a ton. It seems like he is gone more than he is home. We knew this summer was going to be busy for him, so I decided not to do a lot of shows. It was definitely the right choice.
I wanted to show a couple of things that I actually have been able to finish.....
A new garden ball made from a big bag of beach glass that I scored at a garage sale.
Another new ball, this one made from a huge piece of textured mirror that I got from that same garage sale. It is really cool, but so textured on the back side, that it's not the easiest to work with.Here is my to be grouted pile. That green and blue one is made from the glass in my previous post.
Last, because there is always one, a work in progress. A baby quilt ordered by a friend. I signed both the boys up for camps next week, hoping to use the time to catch up and get ready. Wish me luck.....

This weekend we had our annual block party. I absolutely love my neighbors, and feel so lucky to live on this block.
I don't measure the success of a party by how many water balloons are thrown, but some members of my household do.
They thought it was "better than Christmas".
We had lots of hanging out with friends, and neighbors, and local entertainment too!
As if that wasn't enough to make a great day, my friend showed up with these sheets of glass. On her bike!
I haven't cut into these yet, but have been really busy making lots. I'll be back tomorrow, after I have enough sun to take a few pictures.

Happy 4th of July

Lots of kid time and not much work happening around here. Enjoy the long weekend!!

Finished!

Finally!! I am pretty happy with how it turned out, and even more happy to have the space cleared off of my table.

So, now on to the next project.... the picture below is the official "before" picture. I'm hoping this one won't take nearly as long as the birdbath did. I found a few boxes of beautiful seconds tiles that I am planning to break up and use on this space. I don't have a lot of experience with tile, but figure that it can't look worse than it does now. I'll post the progress pics as soon as I have any.
Until then, I am so excited about this weekend. I am going to see this, and this, and hope to stop in at the Recycled arts fest in Vancouver too. I can't wait!

the workbench

Lately I've been getting a lot of emails asking how I make my garden balls. I always tell people that I never just make one from start to finish, and I always have a bunch of projects started on my work bench at once.
These are a few that I have going on right now. You can see that I use a lot of different items to keep the balls balanced for a flat top work surface.
I'm always trying to find tricks to keep the glass from sliding off the sides of the balls,
or in this case, the birdbath. Having a small flat work surface makes it easier for me to add a few pieces here and there. Since I almost always have at least one helper working with me on my workbench, being able to work for short periods of time is key for me.