This blog is about beads, people who make beads, my life, my dog, my friends.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Three Beautiful Things This Week!
1. Had a lot of wonderful memories visit this week. They made me smile. I love old journals and photo albums!
2) New refrigerator was delivered and in place. Love it!
3) I shaved my legs! That's awesome! It was so warm here this past week. They needed to be shaved!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
30 Words Thursday:: Memries'
Oh, the power of memories!
How good they were!
Now preserved on paper,
in albums,
and
how young we were then!
Places you never thought you'd be.
Memories for all to see!
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.)
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
That Little Stinker Fred
Fred is the new "Grandcat" in our family.
Jenny adopted him because the other little stinker
Marvin
kept waking her up every night to play.
Marvin was not satisfied with Jenny getting up and resting on the couch.
Marvin made it very clear to Jenny that she must engage with him in play.
She was exhausted and knew it was time to find Marvin a new brother.
She found Fred at a cat rescue.
He's a big kitty.
He has been in foster care twice since he was rescued.
He was found last spring after surviving a Minnesota winter on the streets.
He had frostbite.
He's tough, but he's a survivor.
The rescue group said that he didn't so well with big dogs.
Pixie, at 70 pounds, is a BIG dog.
Fred is 13 pounds.
He does not like Pixie.
When Jenny brought Fred home for the first time,
Fred inspected, and, I think, approved the house, then
HE
CLAIMED
THE
STAIRS.
When Fred is here,
Pixie is not allowed to go up or down the stairs without his approval or the humans protection.
He has yet to give his approval, so, Pixie's humans must provide her with protection.
She is genuinely afraid of him.
Marvin could care less, but Pixie cannot go up or down the stairs.
Yes, it's exactly like that video.
Take a look!
That little stinker, Fred!
That little stinker, Fred!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The Question on Facebook...The Answers, too!
The question I posted on Facebook was::
"If 'Joy' were an object, what would it be?"
The answers were wonderful!
I thank all the people who answered.
Here we go!
More Joy!
One or all of my critters.
Grandbabies!!!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Retirement!
Schnauzers!
Schnauzers!
A rising balloon or a bubbling fountain
Chocolate!
Total satisfaction
My husband
A happy, healthy heart
A great cup of coffee with a fabulous mug made by an artist.
A great cup of coffee with a fabulous mug made by an artist.
Grandbaby
grandbaby or puppy
grandbaby or puppy
^^^^^^
Books. Or wine.
A bouncy ball bought with a quarter you just found on the sidewalk
Yarn
The ocean and all things in it and all manners of interacting with it.
A bench with two friends sitting on it.
a bubbler
The rushing water down over the rocks in the forrest, with a special friend!
A laughing baby!
Babies laughing
A laughing baby!
Babies laughing
New beads!!!
Justin Wigglebutt!
Justin Wigglebutt!
Definitely chocolate!
Keeping up with family and friends on Facebook
All of the above! (Especially the chocolate and the puppy)
All of the above! (Especially the chocolate and the puppy)
My pets with dark chocolate!
My Harley and miles of open road!
A warm fall day with the color of Amber, gold and Crimson on the ground... And a football being passed around while we play in the gorgeous colors of leaves.
Knowing all of your bills are paid and having enough left to treat the grandkids to dinner and a movie!!!
Knowing all of your bills are paid and having enough left to treat the grandkids to dinner and a movie!!!
Sandy beach and warm breezes
Baby belly laughs....licks from a doggy who loves me.
I think I answered incorrectly. I guess if "joy" were an object, to me it would have to be a puppy yawning...cuz everyone knows, there is nothing better than PUPPY BREATH!!!
Glass
Hugs from Zack
Glass
Hugs from Zack
My family and friends
A puppy
A sunrise over the water.
A ride on a Harley
The sand below me, the sky above me & the sea in front of me on an almost empty beach last Sunday.
Grandbabies!
My dogs!
Hard to choose, but can I pick 3? A purring kitten, a perfect strawberry, a dive in the Ocean (although the last is an action).
Sitting by the ocean.
Sitting by the ocean.
So, what's your answer to the question?
Monday, January 26, 2015
A Little Too Much Enthusiasm
If you are a regular reader here, and I hope if you aren't, you become one,
you know that I have tendonitis in my wrist that will require surgery next month.
In the meantime, it doesn't matter what I do,
I always hurt.
So, I decided that it's time to get back to clay and glass.
Today,
an easy day,
I decided to work with clay.
I wanted to make a
BIG
HOLLOW
BEAD.
I'd say this qualifies as a
BIG
HOLLOW
BEAD.
It's almost the size of a baseball!
OH.
MY.
GOODNESS!
Yes, my hand hurts.
It always does.
Tomorrow will be the test.
OUCH!
This will be my entry for Katie Oskin's
2015 Polymer Clay Challenge this week.
Was it worth it?
YES, IT WAS!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Three Beautiful Things This Week
1) Surgery is scheduled, but I have to wait until February, however, the hope of being pain free again awaits! Yes!
2) DD is home again with kitties. I have to laugh. Fred is guarding the stairs, and Pixie knows better than to go up the stairs without his permission or my protection!
3) Looks like the winter thaw is going on just a little bit longer. Winter is at bay with temps in the 40's, and it feels so warm, but, let's face it, 40 is still cold. Silver lining, winter thaw.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
30 Word Thursday:: Polymer Clay Challenge - Week 3
This is my entry for week 3 of Katie Oskin's Polymer Clay Challenge on Facebook.
He's a little critter named Raymond.
I like his little flower butt.
Isn't he cute?
Taken 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 the verse and vision others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Today is the Day!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Three Beautiful Things This Week
1) Memories preserved. How I miss these people! I was born into a crazy, amazing family where I was loved so much! Everyone should be so blessed!
2) We are experiencing the "Winter Thaw." Temperatures are climbing above the freezing mark. This is so nice in January. The best part, it happens every year!
3) There are deer tracks all over my front yard. I wonder what they're finding there?
Thursday, January 15, 2015
30 Word Thursday:: My Purse
My purse is full.
I don't have a lot of things in it,
but the ones that are there
are big!
Prayer books, rosary, check books, diabetic testing supplies.
Yes!
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 the verse and vision others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.
Come Join the Fun!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Writer's Block, Sore Wrist, Polymer Clay, Glass, and Beads....That's a lot to talk about, or not!
My wrist is still sore. I have another doctor's appointment next week. I just want this to get better. It still hurts. Ouch! Like I said, I'm stuck here, too.
Polymer clay is sitting around waiting to be made into something. Problem is, even if I carry the clay in my clothing to soften, and I am very gentle when I work the clay, my wrist hurts. It's very sore now. I wish it weren't, but some days, you just have to do something. Today was that day, but I think I'll be sorry tomorrow.
Glass:: I only wish I could turn a mandrel with my wrist. No chance. I am so sorry for that. I love glass! I want to melt glass. Looks like it's going to be a while yet.
Beads:: I want to make beads. Yes, this is a whine, and I would like some cheese with it. Ouch! My wrist hurts even as I type. Ouch!
Whine over. What's new with you?
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
I love that Nose!!!!
I love that nose!
Wet
Cold
but the most beautiful
Nose
I've ever seen or felt
at
2 AM
Bumping my face
just to say
I Love You!
Sighs
and
Kisses
at
2 AM
then back to her couch she goes.
I love that nose!
It's a beautiful nose,
almost like a rose,
soft and sticky
Oh, I love that nose!
Monday, January 12, 2015
As I get ready for Downton Abbey to start, I write this blog. So, it's Pixie Cuteness Day!!!!
I've hit a bit of a time crunch and a writer's block,
so here she is!
Pixie Marie!
Such a diva!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Three Beautiful Things This Week
1) Pixie found the only sunbeam.
She sighed.
2) It's very cold outside, but, if we didn't have this cold, we wouldn't have spring.
3) New story at 365Catholic.com
Click here
Thursday, January 8, 2015
30 Word Thursday:: Walking in a New Mexico Stream
We were teenagers then.
We went on a picnic,
Took off our shoes,
and
Walked in a New Mexico Stream.
Yes, it was a long time ago.
We had fun!
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 the verse and vision others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30 Words Thursday: Grab an image (preferably one you shot or one you have permission to use). Write exactly 30 Words (no more, no less). Post it.
More Fiber Beads
See what I mean?
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Working on my Wrist and Beads that don't hurt much to make
The next appointment I was scheduled for was January 23rd. Still two weeks away! Okay. I'd wait, but a friend suggested that I call and try again. So, I did.
Here's what happened. Are you ready?
Receptionist, further called R::
Of, course, I'd be happy to put you on a call list. Give me a second while I call you name up.
Me: Great! Thank you!
(Pause)
R: I'm sorry it's taking so long. We're having troubles with our computer system.
(Pause)
R: You know what? He's here today. If you can be here by ten, he'll see you then."
Not only was I there BEFORE ten, but there was no complaining as I waited in the lobby and room for him to come in. This has gone on for over a month now.
The doc ran a few tests on my wrist and arm. He said, "We're going to shoot you up today with cortisone and Lydocane. If that doesn't work in two weeks, call me. We'll schedule surgery."
He was gone that fast. He came back almost as quickly and gave me the shot. It's still sore, don't get me wrong, but it feels better already. Hopefully, this will take care of the inflammation. We'll see.
Now, what does this have to do with the beads?
I made these fabric beads with very little pain.
If my wrist still feels this good later,
I'll make more.
Do you like them, too?
We'll talk later.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
3 Reasons to Develop Good Habits:: or :: What I've learned by making Mistakes
If you don't know me, I make both glass beads, polymer clay beads, sculptures, and jewelry using my handmade beads.
I developed some bad habits and this is the result:: acute tendinitis of the thumb. The inflammation is spreading into my hand. I can do nothing without pain right now. This is my dominant hand, and it hurts! What did I do wrong?
I. OVERDID. IT!
Reason #1: Don't over do anything. You might hurt yourself.
Know when to stop. If there's pain, quit.
2) Shaping and decorating a bead or sculpture requires muscle memory. If you allow bad habits to creep in as you work, your body will develop muscle memory that does not lead you to making a quality product. You get used to doing something one way, and you do it over and over and over again. The results poorly shaped and formed beads. Ask me how I know this. It takes 6 weeks to break an old habit and develop a new one. That's a lot of correcting you have to do. I've done it, and now I work hard to make sure that when I make a bead or sculpture, everything I do is right. Yes, you forget from time to time, but it does show in your work.
3) There are many times when I've looked at my work and said, "That's okay. That's what we call creativity." Yes, a mistake can be a happy one, but many times, if you don't catch a mistake it will glare at you through the finished product. When I am not careful and do not check my work, mistakes slip by. Some of them will work out for you, but there are others that can't and won't make your product saleable or collectible.
When you make glass beads, a crack in the glass might not show up right away. Cracks have many different causes to them, but the usual cause is cooling the bead too quickly. I have made beads, cleaned those lovely beads, taken pictures of the same beads, and posted those beads online only to find or, worse yet, have a potential buyer say to me, "Is that a crack in the bead?" Oh, my, goodness. That bead almost went home with someone who would, reasonably be very unhappy with their purchase if it cracked and broke.
The habit of not checking the wording on a listing, or the holes in a glass bead, or making sure that the polymer clay bead has been cured at the correct temperature can have serious consequences for an artisan. Creativity has it's place in the world of the "Happy Accident," but sloppiness doesn't. Everything is worth a recheck in the world of "artisan crafting."
Check and recheck your work, no matter what it is you do from the art of cooking to the art of writing.
There's a lot to be said for developing good habits no matter what you do. Think about good study habits and how important they are to learning. Think about good sleeping habits, and how important enough quality sleep is to good health. Think about eating habits. Too much sugar and fat, and guess what? You put on the pounds. Extra weight is hard to loose. Ask me how I know. No, don't. I can testify that it is. It's easier to do things right the first time than it is to have to do them over and relearn what you already know, at least, that's how I feel. What do you think?
Monday, January 5, 2015
For Once I Didn't Procrastinate, and I'm Glad!
I am a terrible procrastinator in some areas. I wait until the last possible minute to pay bills, and I mean the last possible minute. Emphasis on MINUTE.
I wait until the last possible day to pay my taxes. I've even had my accountant file and extension. Do you see a trend here?
When I have to travel, I wait until the time has come to leave the house to pack. Yikes!
However, I didn't procrastinate for these two challenges, and I'm glad! I think these will be interesting challenges.
Now, I have to tell you a little bit about these crosses. I sort of cheated. I have tendinitis of my thumb, and it's been bothering me for about a month or so now. Leaning more towards the or so. Ouch! I have another doctor appointment today. We'll see what he says. Anyway, I made these crosses before this tendinitis had fully kicked in, so I added the finish instead. I hope that's okay. I'm working more towards a slow recovery, and I hope very, very soon!
So, more later.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Three Beautiful Things This Week
1) Sometimes change is good. Change wakes up your spirit and stirs your soul.
2) Being home at 9 PM on New Year's Eve, good. Having fun with friends, good. Girl child sick, not so good, but she's better now. That's good.
3) Fred, the cat, quit hissing at Pixie. Good. A good time was had by all.
Friday, January 2, 2015
My words for this year
In 2014 and 2013 my word was the same:: HOPE. I decided this year, that a change was needed. I know you see the candy on the right, but, my word is not CANDY, although, that would be a fun word, wouldn't it?
In spite of the fact that the practice is to choose one word, this year, I have chosen two words::
Saturate and Absorb
Both words are both nouns and verbs. I like that. Both words elate to art. I like that, too. So, why, saturate and absorb.
Let's begin with ABSORB. Our days can become very tense. Although 24 hours in length, the time flies. It is difficult with so much stimulation to absorb what happens in our days and make memories.
This year, 2015, I want to ABSORB as much as I can about each day. I want to think and remember.
One of the ways I will do this is to, literally count and record my blessings each day. I will absorb, more efficiently, the precious gift of life.
When I make things, when I make art or simply craft around, I want to SATURATE my work with color and with me. I want my work to stand out from others simply because of the saturation of colors, shapes, and sizes. I want my mind to be saturated with kind thoughts and words. I want to live my life to its fullest!
ABSORB AND SATURATE
What is your word or words for 2015?
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Resolutions! Smesolutions!
THEY
DON'T
WORK!
Neuroscientists have found that in order to develop a new habit or change and existing habit,
the time frame in which you must work is
6
weeks.
This is what resolutions are about::
Changing or developing
NEW HABITS!
Listen to what you hear this New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.
"I'm making a resolution to loose weight this year."
"I'm making a resolution to run a marathon."
"I resolve to read more."
"I'm going to save money."
By day two or three, these types of statements are usually forgotten.
In order to change a behavior and develop a new one to replace the old one,
you must
ENGAGE
that which you want to change and replace it with a different behavior.
Anyone can say, "I want to loose weight this year."
In order to succeed, you must develop a plan to loose that unwanted weight.
In developing your plan, you must hold yourself accountable.
Here's how you do it.
State your goal giving your self a reasonable time frame in which to work, a reasonable goal to achieve, and a means to achieve your goal.
This is your basic goal.
By the end of January, 2015, I will loose 8 pounds.
The next question to ask yourself is:: How will you achieve your goal?
I will loose 8 pounds by::
logging the food I eat in a notebook,
calculating the calories I ingest,
and
eating the recommended amount of calories per day.
Again, this is reasonable.
You've set a basic goal. Now you are telling yourself how you will achieve that goal. That's accountability.
I will weigh myself once a week and log my weight, weekly.
I will calculate the number of pounds I lost.
I will add walking to my daily exercise plan.
I will walk for 20 minutes per day.
Now, you have a plan!
This plan can be developed more definitively.
I have only given you a framework in which to develop your plan.
Resolutions are only words.
Goals are actions!
Through developing and planning our goals, we hold ourselves responsible for our actions.
Change might take longer than six weeks.
I don't know, but as soon as we see progress being made,
we are reinforced and able to work harder towards our goals.
Resolutions! Smesolutions!
Goals change habits.
Words are just words.
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