Easter Shoes

So, it was Easter in Bountiful. I decided this year I wasn't going to buy any candy for the Easter baskets - - but then it was those darn Reese's eggs that got me... and of course the boys needed gummy worms... But for Maycie, I didn't want the candy thing. So I stocked up on PacPac (Maycie's word for Dora the Explorer) and Finding Nemo fruit snacks, raisins, a play purse, her very first pet ( a goldfish named Nemo), and her new little "Bawbi" (Barbie) dress up shoes. At first she wasn's so sure about those shoes ~ but as soon as we got those on her - she was clicking around all over the house in them. Who cares if they don't fit? They totally have bling on them and they click when you walk don't ya know....

All in all we are hopeful that Nemo survives and that Maycie has plenty of days of play in her Easter shoes!

The Pups

Last week I took Maggie and Scooter, the pups, in for a dental cleaning. I was so taken back when the vet told me that they were reaching their life expectancy. Huh? It was then that I realized they are both 9 years old. Wow, not so much the pups anymore. Mindie, my childhood pet dachshund was 13 years old when she passed into puppy heaven. I can’t bear the thought of losing my little Magdalena. And as much as I complain about Scooter, I would miss him too. Throughout the years I have always tried to get someone to take Scooter. Whether it was Mike when we divorced, or whether I have tried to cajole my nephews into taking him (I secretly know that Sammy would take him in a heartbeat), or telling Jake that when he moves out he must take Scooter. It will be a horrible, horrible day in my life when those pups join Mindie.

Maggie and Scooter in their younger years sporting hats that Ashley had made for them.

Maggie today, sporting a little bit of gray.

We have always teased that we should get a little bit of a touch up color for her. Good grief, a girl needs a good colorist doesn’t she?

Muah!

March vs. January

Is it really March 29? It really feels like January 29! My little weather center here in the kitchen that tells me the ambient temperature inside and out. It indicates that it is a toasty 70° inside and whhhaaat??? 31° outside. Huh? Yesterday it was 70° and sunny. This morning at 2:00 a.m. I was awakened by a howling fierce wind. “It” was coming. Round about 9:00 a.m. all was quiet and then it came, five inches in less than an hour. My poor little gnome didn’t know what to do with himself. His little built in solar lamp was completely snuffed out. What does one do to entice Spring to her realm??

I thought about the garden the other day... now I am glad it was just a thought.

Good thing that Jake got out yesterday and fertilized the lawn when it was 70° outside!!!

Come on Spring....

Quail in the Garden

So this afternoon I was standing in the kitchen staring mindlessly in the backyard. My attention was drawn to the fence where a quail couple was taking a Sunday afternoon stroll. They were so beautiful. The male kept watch as the female pecked around the backyard looking for anything that resembled food. They will begin to nest soon. Last year I had this nest in the front yard! I have a pot that looks like it is overturned that sits out in the front planter. Mr. and Mrs. Quail decided that it was the right place to nest. I learned a lot about quail that year. I learned that once the babies are hatched they never return to the nest. They also are able to run the minute that they are born. I can't wait until Spring!

When Did it Happen?

I remember a little boy who loved Barney. I know he would die if he knew I was blogging about this - but he really did have a Barney the Dinosaur t-shirt. He loved to ride his bike and throw rocks in the creek. And yes, he ambushed kids walking to school. He rode on the fire truck with his daddy in the Peach Days parade.

One day he started skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. He turned into a great baseball player. He was mowing the lawn and shoveling the snow. The next thing I knew he was driving and working.

Turn around once and he is walking. Turn around twice he graduates from Jr. High. Turn around a third time and he is a handsome man going off to a Valentine's Day dance.

My precious baby boy - - - when did you grow up to be this handsome TALL guy???

First Work

I totally meant to put pictures in of the things I made while at my class. So here they are. A couple of them I used with molds and the rest I textured and then either cut them out by hand or used a cutter. I am not so sure I like the bright silver of these charms, as I am a more oxidized sort of a gal. I will wait to do this until I find the right project for these items.

This was way fun, and I am excited to explore this avenue a bit more. Stephanie, Julia (two of the ladies I met at the class) and I are going to have a play date soon so that we can create together. That is a really fine thing - inasmuch as Julia has the kiln.... niiiice. I can't wait to experiment! I have bought the new clay and have decided that I will use found objects for texture. Upcoming items soon!

Me and PMC

What a great opportunity I had a couple of weekends ago. Do you ever feel like things happen for a reason? Like you are in the right place at the right time? Like karma smiled at you? Like… well, you get the picture. So it was with me. I have wanted to take a PMC class for some time now. PMC you ask? Precious Metal Clay. For those of you who are jewelers you know what this is, for those of you who aren’t, precious metal clay is made from microscopic fine silver particles, a non-toxic organic binder and water. It is worked like clay then fired in a kiln. ... What is left behind is 99.9% pure silver in whatever shape you created. Remember your days with Play Doh and there you have it. Let me tell you I made some of the best Play Dough spaghetti and meatballs you have ever tasted – it was only natural that I would want to dabble in PMC.

ANYWAY… I started looking into a class and I happened upon Sherri Haab’s website. Sherri has written 17 craft books, six specifically geared toward jewelry making and design. She is one of the leaders in the industry in the use of PMC in terms of crafting and design. As I read more about her, I found that she lived in Utah. I fast forwarded and found that she was teaching a PMC class here in Utah - - the upcoming weekend!! Wow! What an opportunity! I made a phone call – got in the class, and before I knew it, Marika (my friend and business/bead sista) was booked on a flight to attend the class with me.

What an experience, in more ways than I can describe in this post. I had the opportunity to learn a technique from one of the foremost teachers in the business, and to meet some of the most incredible people! I am excited about the new avenue in jewelry design this has opened up for me, and for the exciting new friendships that will develop.

I am so thrilled for the opportunity, grateful for the experience, and excited about this new adventure!