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) Snow is beautiful.


2) Popcorn tastes amazing!


3) I like popcorn much better than snow.

30 Words: Winter Scenery

30 Words:  Winter Scenery

I guess that we can expect nothing more at this time of year.
Snow! Snow! and more Snow!
February is almost here.
There’s more snow to come.
Oh, no!

Taken from Erin's Blog

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image.

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.

Click

HERE

to go to 

Treasure's Found Inspiration is Everywhere

Learning to make cane is difficult enough but when you aren't happy with the results...Easy Peasy Cane from Cane Tutorial

I've made enough cane right now with polymer clay that I can truthfully say, some of it is really bad!

So, here's what I do to make new cane from old cane. 

It's easy, and I often like the results far better than the original cane.

I pull out canes at random that I did not like or did not turn out well.

I cut this cane into segments to make it easier to work with in the new cane.

I begin to build my cane by using the segments pressed against each other.  This cane will be round.

Cane is almost ready.

I added a layer of black and reduced the new cane made from old cane.

Ta-da!

And I like this much better!

Easy Peasy!

Now, show me what you do with your old canes.

Made Any Good Lists Lately?

Listing is an easy way to remember things.  Write it down, and you can always refer to your list to remind you of what you need to buy, what you need to do, who you need to meet and when.  That list can go on and on.  As a writer, the late Erma Bombeck used to say, "I list, therefore I am." 

Listing can be both fun and practical. Listing has it's benefits as a time saver.  However, if you are an art journaler, listing can become an outlet for your creativity and very therapeutic. A scrapbooker can also make lists look beautiful!

Remembering this, I'd love to hear about your lists!

Here's my newest list.

Spring

Green
Warm
Rain
Sweaters
Jeans
Sandals
Flowers
Buds
Cleaning out flower beds
Dried weeds
Bugs
Worms
Open Windows
Cool Nights
Warm days
Walks
Trees
Light Green
Leaves
Puddles
Lawn mower
Exercise
Fragrant
First Flowers
Violets
Sunshine
Dandelions
Nursery
Herbs
First Flowers
Bees

I Made Me Some Tools This Weekend!

Polymer Clay Tools Using,

You Got it,

Polymer Clay.

All I did was to follow the directions 

HERE

from 

Blue Bottle Tree.

Click

HERE

to see her Etsy Store.

Selfie #4 - Be prepared! Accupuncture

It's Time! It's Here. The First Reveal of Jeannie Dukic's Echo Creative Club, and I am on the Team Chosen for the First Reveal!

So, guess who forgot to take before pictures?  "Yes," she said, "Shuffling her feet.  I did."

However, when you see the piece I designed for this reveal, you'll see some beautiful rose colored polymer clay beads.  Those are the beads I received when I traded with Jeannie for this reveal.  They are beautiful!  They are also my favorite color!!!

The reveals for Jeannie's Echo Creative Club begin each year, in January.  I was privileged to be chosen to participate as a designer this year.  How awesome is that?   I was thrilled to find out that I would be part of the team that reveals in January!   WHEW!!!!!  Before we get started, I want to share some links with you so that I don't forget later.

Here's a link to Jeannie's blog:  Click HERE 
(I think you'll really enjoy it if when you read her blog.  I am amazed at her incredible energy!)

Here's a link to Jeannie's jewelry site: Click HERE
(I know you'll love what you see!)

Now, one more special treat for this reveal! Christine Stonefield is also going to be a part of this reveal.  You can find her blog HERE!  (She took before pictures!  Oooooops!)  So make sure that you get to her blog, too!  You will love her blog!


Now, the time has arrived for the reveal!  Drum Roll, please!!!!
ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta....ta!

I designed this bracelet using the rose colored beads from Jeannie.  Since I like sparklies, I knew this bracelet had to have some sparklies.  I also like "easy on" at my age.  I decided to make this bracelet an "easy on" bracelet with  Memory Wire.  I chose the oval shaped memory wire.  That's fun, and it's a little bit different.  So, are you ready?  Here goes.

 "Not Rose Colored Glasses, but a Rose Colored Bracelet."

I am thrilled with this bracelet!

I plan to donate this bracelet to 

Beads of Courage.

Thank you, Jeannie for allowing me to participate!

Now, all of you, off to check out Christine's blog and Jeannie's, too!

Thank you for stopping by!

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 feel blessed, that in spite of the bitter cold, that Pixie and I are warm.  I know that there are people who are suffering from the cold.


2) My ankle is healing!  I realized that I haven't taken any pain medication since Tuesday!  Yes!


3) The best news is that the vet confirmed that Pixie does NOT have kidney failure.  She has GERD.  She's on a medication for it.  Whew!

30 Words: Sunset on a Frozen Day

The sun is frozen in the trees.

I think it's stuck until spring.

The earth moves.

It twists and turns.

Groaning as it frees the sun

That is frozen in the trees.

Taken from Erin's blog:

 

"The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image.

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."

 

Won't you join us?

 

30 Words

Full Moon

I
never
knew
that
the
moon could explode.
I’m
not 
sure
that
it
did explode,
There
is
such
brilliance
in
the
moon
in the early hours
of a new day.



Come join Erin and the rest of us.

Here's what you do:

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image.

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

Post it each Thursday.

You can then join the rest of us by adding your link on Erin's blog

Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere

Click HERE to go to Erin's Blog

Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.

So, I Joined a Popular Exchange on Lampworketc, and Accidentally put Myself into 2 Groups!

The idea behind "You Pick," which is now in it's 14th run,

is for each person to submit a photo and the rest of the people in the group draw inspiration from that photo and make a bead.

There are usually 16 people in a group, 

so, unless you make yourself a bead,

you make 15 beads for other people.

You receive 15 beads from your group.

Well, I accidentally signed up for two groups this time.

So, I will be making more beads than I expected.

However, this is a fun exchange.

It helps to inspire and develop creativity.

I am in both Group 1 and Group 3.

There are 16 people in Group 1 and 13 people in Group 3.

So, that's 29 beads to make, and I had better get started.

Here are the photos I am going to be inspired by this time.

Group 1

Group 3

This is going to be fun!

I've Got Headpins!!

My latest headpins in my Etsy store.

If you would like a closer look at them, click

HERE

and you'll see all of my headpins.

I'm adding more.

I guess I didn't realize how low I was.  

See you tomorrow.

This, That and The Other.

1) I just listed this set in my Etsy Store.  Click
HERE to see it.  These polymer clay beads remind me of those beautiful paper beads.  This set of beads is very light weight.


2)  Anybody journaling out there?    I'd love to hear how you feel about the act of journaling.  I'd also like to know if you are using any of the prompts I posted.

3) Our temperatures reached 40 degrees today.  That is AWESOME for January.

4) I was a little worried about Pixie this week.  The vet tested her for possible kidney failure.  She's had a terrible case of bad breath and she was burping a lot.  The burps were sour.  I was concerned, but the blood work came back a outstanding.  Everything, including her thyroid was in the normal range.  Now, she's on Prylosec.  She has acid reflux!

5) I'm in a head pin exchange on Lampworketc.  I had planned to show some today, but the photos were not very good.  Tomorrow I shoot again, so soon, you will see shots of headpins. 

That's all.  What would you like to say?

I Heart Macro - Candle Love

Selfie #3 - With Katie at Perkins

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)  Not much snow this week, but a lot of wind.  The blizzard we had was nice.  I got a lot done. 

2) A store in town is selling my soap! 

3) Looking forward to a baby shower this weekend!  It should be fun!

30 Words: Eye of God

 Eye blazing 

Clouds part

Powerful, Mighty

Beyond words

Beyond time

Beyond Space

Ponder the light

Strength

Hope

Courage

Nurturing

Warmth

Caring

Forgiveness

A gift

Could this be the Eye of God?

Getting Ready for the Blizzard

We're not supposed to get much snow--an inch to an inch and a half, but we are supposed to get strong winds to go with the snow.  That's why we have a blizzard warning.

As I write this, the snow has started to fall and the winds are picking up. 

I have food.
I have good reading materials.
I have lots of glass to melt. (If it's not too cold, I'll do some melting during the storm.)
I have to charge up my computer, Ipad and Iphone.  Okay I can do that.
Warm blankets on the bed.
Will I even change out of my jammies tomorrow.  (Yes, I'm writing this yesterday.  The photo is one I took during our last storm.)
Pixie has food and treats.
We're ready for our day.
I know I'll enjoy my lazy day.  I hope you enjoy yours!

Look What Showed up On Facebook Yesterday! I want this!

Wow!
Here's the link to Nicole's store.  Click
HERE

The mixer is not included, but if you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer that will save you some money.
The cost to paint your mixer is
CLICK HERE

Wish I had the money!
AWESOME!

I'm Raising Cane!

I recently joined a new Facebook Group called 52 Weekly Cane Projects.
The objective of this group is to learn how to make canes.  Each week there will be a link to a new cane project.  I joined when this group began, but I didn't catch up until this weekend. 

This pink cane is one of the second week's projects.  It was developed by Betina Welker and it's called the Pixelated Retro Blend Cane.  

The cane always looked so difficult to make, and although I didn't get the blend right, I do like the result.  I also found out that it wasn't so hard to make! 

The Mosaic Cane, developed by Elissa Powell was easy to make, and it was fun.  I saw some beautiful canes posted in the group.  Mine was very bright in comparison, but I am happy with it.

Now, the spiral cane is a basic cane.  I embellished my spiral with more spirals.  This should be interesting to use.  I used white and translucent clay for this cane. 












Other than a basic skinner blend, I am caught up.  Since I know how to make a skinner blend, I think I'll skip that one.  Now, it's on to bigger and more complicated canes.  Yikes!!!!

Let's Start the Week the Right Way - It's Pixie Cuteness Day!

Those eyes never change!

Beautiful!

I Heart Macro! Guess What it is!

Melting Snow?

No.

Newly fallen snow?

No.

A cracker with coconut butter!

Selfie #2 - Photo Bombing Pixie

I surprised the girl!

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 big news is that the doctor said that my fracture is healing and I should be fine in 6 weeks.  Pixie and I go back to our  therapy dog work next week with hospice.


2) We finally got above zero in this big freeze.  Feels like summer again!


3) Lunch and fun with friends this week!  A great time was had by all!

So I had another Idea, and that can be dangerous! Although, I have to admit, this time, it was a good idea.

Ancient text?

A long lost love letter?

Terrible handwriting?

None of the above.

This is what became this...

 

Sooooooooooo,

What do you think?

I think I like them.

Coming to my Etsy store soon!

 

Easy Peasy Rolled Polymer Clay Bead Tutorial

I was watching a tutorial on You Tube on how to make a paper bead.

The beads were beautiful and easy to make.

All of a sudden,

I realized that this technique would probably translate easily into polymer clay.

Here are the results.

Here's what you need to make these rolled beads.

Supplies:

pasta machine

small bamboo skewer or mandrel

polymer clay

blade

acrylic roller (maybe)

Condition polymer clay in the pasta machine.
 

Using your pasta machine, roll out clay on a medium setting.  I use an Atlas machine.  For me, that setting is either a 4 or a 5.  I like 5 the best for this bead.
 

Cut a rectangular sheet of polymer clay about 3- 4 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
 

Using your blade, begin by cutting a long triangle of clay from the top to the bottom of your piece of clay.  I can usually get 3-4 pieces of clay for rolling this way.  How many pieces of clay you get is determined by the bottom width of the triangle. 
The smallest width of your triangle can simply be a point at the top.
 

Separate the triangles.
 

Lay out your first triangle with the larger end near you.
Place your bamboo skewer on top of the large end of clay.
Begin to roll your clay starting at the bottom. 
 

When you have finished rolling your clay, gently press the top of your triangle to the rolled bead so that it doesn’t pull apart.
 

 Remove the bead from the skewer.

 Bake according to manufacturer’s directions for one hour.  I cover my beads up with a sheet of aluminum foil so that they don't burn.

Let your beads cool.  They will harden up when they are cooled.When your beads have cooled, you can add a patina to your beads and a sealant.  

I love the look of these beads!

Journal Prompts

Remember when..

2) I've never done this before.

3)  The best day of my life happened when I realized...

4) The worst day of my life happened when I did...

5) I knew I needed to take the first step, so I...

6) When it was time to change things I...

7) The last time I was sick I...

8) My best friend and I argued because...

9) I knew it was the wrong thing to do, so I...

10) I found myself asking...

11) I didn't think what anyone said mattered until...

12) I was going to join a group but changed my mind because...

13) I don't like to journal but I found out when I journaled I...

14)  I was shocked to learn....

15) When I was in fifth grade I...

16) Life is so short so I....

17) I only turn off my phone when...

18) The first time I...

19) The pictures convinced me that...

20) I made a resolution to...

21) The end of the day was surprising...

22) I made the right decision when I...

23) I made the wrong decision when I...

24) It was enough enough to begin, but it was hard when I...

25) At the opposite end of the tunnel I found

26) I love the way it feels when I see...

27) i heard what you said, but I...

28) It made my day when...

29) I opened the door carefully to find...

30) I love to make....

31) I shut off the alarm and went back to sleep...

The Art of Journaling

I began to journal when I was a teenager.    Journaling has been an important part of my life for many years.  I have kept  poetry journals.  I have kept heartfelt journals about my life.  I have kept recipe journals.  I have kept prayer journals.   I have kept dump journals.
I have kept art journals.  I have kept photo journals. I have kept list journals.  I have kept gratitude journals.  Each one has served an important purpose in my life. 

The good thing about keeping a  journal is that you can spend as little or as much time as you choose.  You can turn journaling into an art form with art journals.  You can make lists as you journal.  No matter how you decide to journal, you will need something in which to write.   You can use a beautiful journal which you purchase, or you can use a simple lined notebook.  You can hand write a journal or you can use your computer to record your thoughts.  Journaling can become a history of your life, or it can simply be your observations of life.  If you have a minimum of ten minutes a day or a week, you can capture your thoughts on paper, real or virtual. 




So, how do you begin to journal, if you've never kept a journal before?

1)  You need a piece of paper (virtual or otherwise) and a pen or pencil (virtual or otherwise.)  Feel free to use what you have handy.  Index cards work well.  Notebooks work well.   I use my IPad to journal. 

2)   Make a decision.  Will your journal be something public (like an online blog) or private.  Privacy does require some thought.  Protect your computer or tablet with a password.  There are some great Apps out there for journaling.  Just check the App Store and see what you can find.  Lock your handwritten journal if you want privacy or put it away where no one else can find it.

3) Begin to write.  Set your timer for 10-15 minutes.  I recommend you write everyday, however, if you don't feel you have the time, then write 2-3 times a week.  No matter what you choose to do, write consistently.  If you art journal, you can make some beautiful journals, but, if you're like me, you might be drawing stick figures, and that's okay, too.  Whatever works best for you, works best!  Keep to the 10-15 minute time frame if that's all the time you have. 

4) Make your journals meaningful to you.  If you're journal is meant to track weight loss, then that is meaningful to you.  If your journal is meant to record your writing, then that is meaningful to you.  If your journal is meant to record your family's history and tell something about those in your family tree, then that's meaningful to you.  If your journal is a list of daily activities, that that is meaningful to you.  The critical part here is to decide the purpose of your journal and work from there.  The meaning and purpose of journals can change, and that's okay.  As you write, your journal can take you places that you didn't expect to find.

5)   Unless you're publishing your journals, don't worry about grammar and punctuation, just write.  You might find yourself writing for much longer times than ten minutes.  If you have the time, that's great!  If you don't have the time, stick to the ten minute time frame.   Write and be happy.  Find your voice in lengthy pieces or in lists. 




I like to look back on my journals from time to time.  I am usually amazed at the growth that is shown in my journals or the common sense I used in not pursuing the object of my growth! 


Do you journal regularly?  Do you want to start keeping a journal or are you just stuck?  Tomorrow, I will be posting some prompts to help you get started or unstuck.  Let me know how it goes.

New Work

Here's some new work.

Some of it is listed in my Etsy Store,

I hope to list it all soon.

 

  Critters!

Polymer Clay

Birds!