Pixie Cuteness Day!!! This is a great way to start out a Monday!!!

There's my girl!

I Heart Macro - Butterfly Parts

I Heart Macro!!!

Listing Saturday:: 47 Things that Make Me Happy

Things that make me happy.

God
My children - even when they do something naughty
My dog, Pixie Marie
My friends
Working in the hospice program with Pixie
Good news
Christmas
holidays
music
Church activities
Dancing
Singing
Working with Glass
Melting that glass into perfect bead shapes.
Working with polymer clay
Sculptures
Seeing my children smile
Seeing my children be really silly
Hitting a high D when I sing
Prayer
A job well done
Seeing what people do with my beads (amazing work)
Selling Beads
Giving Pixie a sponge bath
New shoes
New Clothes
My health
My children's health
Playing board games with the kids
Going out to lunch or dinner with my friends.
walking in the rain
Holding a baby
Visiting my children in their homes
Knowing what amazing adults my children have become
A good night's sleep
Butterflies
Birds
Cats
Dogs
The thought of joy
The thought of happiness.
Smiles
Comments on my blogs
Finding a new penny where there should not be one.
love
peace
world peace
chocolate
ice cream drumsticks

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) I bought a bag of cherries this week.  They were absolutely delicious!!  I love cherry season!


2) The garden is beginning to mature.  The daisies were late this year, but they are amazingly beautiful now.  The roses are beginning to bloom, too.  The milkweeds are attracting butterflies.  it's a beautiful summer season.


3) Beads are selling!  Love that idea!!




PS:: A reminder.  The List Topic this week is:: Things that Make Me Happy.  I'll be posting my list on Saturday.  Will you?

30 Word Thursday:: Hornets' nest

Found in the rafters.

A miracle of nature.

Perfectly shaped cells by an insect with no artistic ability

or complex brain

Only a natural calling to make these  cells

Without directions.

From Erin's Blog

Treasures Found:: Inspiration is Everywhere.

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).

Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.

Post it each Thursday.

Add your link to the InLinkz on my 30 Words Thursday post.
(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)
Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.

What inspires you? If this helps, For Your Inspiration....

What inspires you here?

Do you see colors or shapes or?

Do you see contrasts or blends or?

What is interesting here for you?

 What do you see here?

Is texture something you see here or?

Texture, color, shape or?

I see texture and color.

What do you see?

Lines, shapes or?

You tell me.

I hope this helps you.

Let me know if this inspires you.

Thanks.

So, Someone Asked Me, "What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?"

When I was four years old, my neighbor, Dolores, who was in 6th grade taught me to read.  After that, I was the teacher whenever we played school, and that included the time when Dolores played with us.  I was always the teacher. 

Of course, I was bossy and made everyone sit there and listen to me.  I even gave the rest of the kids homework, and I would scold them if they didn't do it.  Most of the time, they just laughed at me, since they were older. 

Then, I grew up a little.  When I was in first grade, I wanted to be a "fairy princess."  I remember my mother just smiling at that one.  She said that I could be a fairy princess if I wanted to be one.  Sadly, I never developed wings which seemed to be a requirement for fairy princesses to get around. 

A Tinker Bell I was not, and the last time I tried to fly by jumping off the fence, I broke my arm.  No more wanting to be a fairy princess until much later in life.

In 4th grade, I wanted to become a nun when I grew up.  I didn't like boys yet, so this was a good decision.  I hung around the nuns at school so I could learn from them.  Well, it wasn't to be.  They didn't like me hanging around, and, the next year, I discovered:: boys! 

In 6th grade, we all had our weddings planned.  We knew who would be in our weddings, where we would get married, how many bridesmaids we would have, who would be our maid of honor.  We just didn't know who our husbands would be. 

In high school, we plotted and planned.  We had our guys picked out then, but we knew we had to wait since most of them would be drafted and go to Viet Nam, so we waited.  A few got married, and their weddings were beautiful, but not like we had planned.  Some of us went on to college.  That's where my life changed.

I wanted to be a writer and teach at the college level.  I didn't take any education classes.  I knew I would earn a doctorate.  Like I said, my life changed.  I met my future husband when I was in college.  It took us almost 3 years to get married, and I had graduated by then.  I was writing at night and working in a bank during the day.  He finally proposed and we left my home for good.  We moved to:: North Dakota.  I continued to work in a bank, but now I was busy being a wife, too.  No more writing for a while.

Then we moved to Colorado where I studied to become a court reporter.  I actually worked at that profession for a short time, but we moved to Nebraska, and I was pregnant.  Now, I'm a wife and mother.  I stayed home for 14 years raising my children.  I was lucky to be able to do that.  Then, I knew it was time to go back to school once again.  This time, in less than 2 years, I earned the credits I needed to become a special ed teacher.  After so many years, I was a teacher, but I was still busy with teen aged kids and a husband.  Writing still took the back burner. 

Then life changed again.  The kids grew up and went to college.  It was just the two of us.  I taught and wrote and quilted.  I was published a few times.  This made me happy, but it wasn't a career, so I kept writing.  I wanted to be a writer.  Then life changed in a way I would never have dreamed it would.

My husband died from a cancer called multiple myeloma.  Enough said.  Life was never going to be the same again. 

A year later I retired from teaching.  The day I left, I didn't look back.  It was time!  I'm not sorry I retired.  I doubt that I will ever be tired.  Then, as I struggled with the life of a widow, I found my new passion.  I began to make lampwork glass beads.  It's been nine years, and I've never looked back.  I have loved every minute.  There's always something new to challenge me!  I am also now working in polymer clay.  That's a whole new medium!  I have been published in many publications with both my glass and polymer clay.  So now, it's art.  The right side of my brain is happy!!

What's next?  I don't know.  I'm happy, but I want to learn more.  Who knows.  You know that little girl who wanted to be a nun, well, that's not going to happen, but I'm happy.  The future is yet uncharted.  We shall see.

What do I want to be when I grow up?  I don't know.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This, That, and the Other...

I have both of these sets available 

HERE

on Artisan Lampwork Beads for Sale on Facebook. 

2)

Do you like to list?

I'm going to try something on my blog starting this Saturday.

If it is a success,

I will add a Linkz linking tool.

I will begin to post a list a week.

I will give out the topic on Mondays,

and, 

if you like,

you can post a list,

for now,

in the comments section.

If there are enough lists, listed,

I will add a Linkz linking tool.

How dose that sounds?
The topic for this week will be:

Things that Make Me Happy

Lists can be as long or as short as you like.

Feel free to publish your lists in the comments section on Saturday.

Listing is easy and fun.

3)

 I decided that I was going to do an exercise created by 

Heather Trimlett. 

I did this once before, I as I looked at the beads I made

way back then,

I realized what a good exercise it was.

Here's the link to Heather's

40 Bead Challenge.

It's great, if you follow the rules.

However,

I've already changed the rules for me.

Here is the first set of beads I made.

I followed all the rules.

The only problem was that I didn't like the colors I used, 

so,

I had to change the rules a bit,

since,

I changed the colors.

I also left the dots raised instead of melting them in.

I'm still not happy with the colors.

Well, I'll try again.

We'll see what happens.

Have you tried Heather's 40 bead challenge.

It really does make you a better bead maker.

I Heart Macro!!!!

I Heart Macro!

Summer is here!

Happy Summer!! Ten Reasons Why I Love Summer!

1. No Snow.

2. No Snow.

3. No Snow.

4. No Snow.

5. No Snow.

6. No Snow.

7. No Snow.

8. No Snow.

9. No Snow.

10.  Most Importantly:: NO SNOW!

Three Beautiful Things this Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) The roses are blooming!  There aren't that many this year, but the ones that are blooming are beautiful!




2) I have wonderful friends!  Lunch with any of them is a treat!  I had lunch with Sandy this week, and it was fun!


3) I'm making progress cleaning out drawers and closets!  This is what I hope to finish soon.  Now, I'm on track.

30 Words Thursday - Daisies

"Do you know how long I've waited?" 

said the ugly bug.

"No," said Miss Daisy,

"I've been here all day long."

With that, the bug flew away,

and Daisy smiled.

From Erin's blog::

Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).

Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.

Post it each Thursday.

Add your link to the InLinkz on my 30 Words Thursday post.
(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)
Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.

36 Things I need to Do...

I need to remember that I am a beloved child of God.

I need to love my children intensely and remind them that they are beloved children of God.

I need to hug my children often.

I need the companionship of my dog.

I need to create each day.

I need to dance in the rain.

I need to jump in a puddle.

I need to sing where ever I can.

I need go melt glass as often as possible.

I need to serve, when and where I can.

I need to skip.

I need to dance in the hallway at church when no one is looking.

I need to wear my glasses to drive.

I need to make art with polymer clay.

I need to design jewelry on occasion.

I need to appreciate all that I can do.

I need to be grateful for everything I have.

I need to eat ice cream every now and again.

I need to enjoy a thick, juicy steak.

I need to play with glass and clay.

I need to spin like a top in the grass till I fall.

I need to laugh until my sides ache.

I need to treasure my family.

I need to treasure my friends.

I need to take more pictures.

I need to live in the moment.

I need to give more of myself.

I need to kick of my shoes and spend the day reading a good book.

I need to use the Woman Cave more often.

I need to buy new shoes.

I need to buy a new skirt.

I need to go thrift store shopping.

I need to clean my house.

I need to take things to the thrift store.

I need to be a bearer of peace.

I need to give myself a pedicure.

I need to make soap.

What do you need?

Check this Out!!!

Check these out on

Artisan Lampwork Beads for Sale.

See you there!

Koi Cane from the start to the First Try

 Stage 1

Koi Cane

Stage 2

Abstract Koi

Good Learning Experience.

I Heart Macro!!!!

A crack in a tree stump!!!

Looks like a cliff, doesn't it?

I Heart macro!!!

Just Because She is So Cute--It's Pixie Cuteness Day!!!!!!!

Don't those eyes Just Make You Melt!!!!!

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) This is Pixie at the vet yesterday.  She doesn't like going to the vet.  Yet, the news is great!  She's fine!!!! Absolutely, fine!!!  Her low platelet count is absolutely normal for greyhounds.  Other dogs, no; greyhounds yes!  We think her problems all came from a bad tummy.  We're working on that now.  I'm so relieved.


2)  We had a beautiful fall day yesterday.  It was a little cool for summer, but it was a lovely day, nevertheless. 


3) Some days, I just wonder.  I really do.  I wonder why things the way they are.  Once in a while, I get an answer.  Once in a while, and that makes me happy.

The Dance of the Lawn Mowers

So it began again.  The Dance of the Neighborhood Lawnmowers.  It usually begins with the sound of a lawn mower choking. 

Brrrrrum.  Brrrrrum.  Brrrrrum.

(Today, that was my lawn mower.)

Brrrrrrum.  Brrrrrrrum.  Brrrrrrrrum.

And then my lawn mower started.

Roar!  Roar!  Roar! As I followed behind this vehicle and the grass started flying.

Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!

Then I heard the harmony.  Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Any my neighbor's lawn mower was running.

Roar! Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar Whoosh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Roar! Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar Whoosh!

 Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

More harmony came from the neighbor next door.

Waawahh waawaah waawahaah!  Waawahh waawaah waawahaah! Waawahh waawaah waawahaah!

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  The real harmony began!


Roar! Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar Whoosh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

Roar! Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar Whoosh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

Roar! Whoosh!  Roar!  Whoosh!  Roar Whoosh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

Then put put put shhhhhh put put put shhhhhhhh put put put shhhhhhh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

Put put put shhhhhh put put put shhhhhhhh put put put shhhhhhh!

Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

(My lawn was finished.)


Ruummm bum bum.  Rummmmm bum bum.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom! 

Husssssssss!  Hussssssssssss! Hussssssssss!

 Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!

My neighbor's yard is finished.

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!

Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!  Barooooom!


Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Put!  Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Put!  Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Put!

Put! Put! Put!  Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The concert is over.  The only sound now is the yappy dog barking.

What I have for sale on Artisan Lampwork Beads for Sale

Click

HERE

to see these great beads of

MINE!!!!

Hollow Beads in Polymer Clay

Each one is hollow using two different methods. 

The top two beads are beads in action and maybe the second one is, too.

We'll see.

More to come.

Room

It's a mess, but with good reason.  We're getting new flooring, so everything has to be moved out, and I mean everything.  So, I'm sorting and cleaning.  That's good.  I am amazed at all the hidden treasures I have found.  It's good to clean!

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) Even though she's still sick.  I think she's feeling a little bit better.  At times, the Diva comes back.  That's the Pixie I love the best.

2) Beads have been selling on Artisan Lampwork Beads for Sale!  I love it. Click on the link.  There's lots of beautiful eye candy.

3) Went thrift store shopping today with a friend.  We had a good time.  Of course, I had to hit Hobby Lobby, too.  Clay was 30% off.

30 Word Thursday:: Pixie Marie

Best news EVER!

Yes, there's something wrong with Pixie,

but the antibiotics are helping

The Girl!

I'm not ready to let her go quite yet.

From Erin's Blog

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).

Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.

Post it each Thursday.

Add your link to the InLinkz on my 30 Words Thursday post.
(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)
Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.

What I have for Sale on Artisan Lampwork Beads for Sale Today

Click 

HERE

and you'll go to the site.

Feel free to buy any of my beads!!  

Good News!!! So it's Pixie Cuteness Day!

Ha! Ha!

They were wrong!!

No Cancer!!!

We're not sure yet what the problem is.  It could be their machines.  A blood sample has been sent out to another lab.  The doctor wants to compare the readings.

If the readings are the same, they are going to treat Pixie for a tic borne disease with an antibiotic.

She's feeling better now.

I think she does have IBS.

So, Yes!!!

She's ok!!!

How I Learned to make Face Cane using Polymer Clay

This cane did not turn out as well as I had hope, 

but polymer clay is very forgiving, and with a little manipulation,

the cane will be better.

Last year, I purchased a tutorial from 

Layl McDill on Etsy.

You can find the tutorial

HERE.

So, I've been practicing and having fun making cane.

Here's what I do.

I prepare the "skin" clay.

I make the cheek cane.

I make the eye cane.

Here's the lip cane.

Let's put everything together.

Eyes first.

Throw in the cheeks and the rest of the face.

Add those lips.

Fill in the rest of the face.

(Sort of looks like a zombie, right?)

I've started to reduce the cane.  This is one end.  Looks like nothing now, right?

I made a cut.  It's not exactly what I hoped for, but it can be saved.

Add some hair and reshape, and it's better.  I might even add more "skin" later.

It's fun!