Some New Things

Finished three glass pieces over the past week or so. A repeat one of the Northern Sunrise (in the exact same colors) that Simon wanted and also a soccer ball and red airplane he talked me into making for him. Periodically I'm going to move the slideshow of the craft pictures so it's near the top of the posts - will make it easier to find and view. And I've been keeping it updated with pictures. If you come 'round and take a look every now and again, you'll notice I change the date above the slideshow when new pictures are added...and sometimes I change the color of the date too:)

Other than that, I (yuk) cleaned the basement yesterday. But the plus was that I added a second crafting work station! Now I have plenty of room to stretch out while working on stained glass projects. Well...at least for now. I already have it filled with pattern traced glass for my next project. Today Dan made a nifty little gadget for me so that it's easy to cut the zinc channel used for straight-edged projects at a neat 45 degree angle. I have yet to try it out, but he did and it works great!

Photo Album Addition

A new photo album was added this evening (click on the Link at the right). We now have some pictures of our sweet pea, Amelia. She's 8 months old already and growing so fast! Yesterday she came over with mom and papa and she was all smiles. It won't be long before she's walking and talking and getting into Simon's stuff. But that's what little sisters are all about!

Simon spent the weekend with us. He was busy making aliens with his new toy, Martian Matter Alien Maker. I suspect there are nearly 20 aliens in his toy closet here! He really liked the Northern Sunrise sun catcher so I promised to make one for him. Will set to doing that when I get my current project done - an antique rose in the round. Have the glass cut out for that and just have a bit of grinding to do yet before wrapping it in copper foil and soldering it together. I had wanted to make the rose pink, but didn't have enough of that pretty dark and light pink glass left. So, cut the rose out of solid red instead. Something tells me I'll make another trip to the glass studio for more glass before the week is over. There are so many really cool pieces of glass there that I just can't resist picking up a couple of interesting pieces along with pieces I want for specific projects. Simon also wants an air plane and soccer ball sun catchers. He is going to keep me busy! And I have my eye on doing a desert sunrise one for myself too. I am on vacation this week but am not sure I'll get all of them done by the time I have to head back to work next Monday.

We've got snow in the forecast again for tonight...keeps me thinking about Florida - a lot! I can see myself as a snowbird some day - traveling to Florida for the winter months. Happily it IS spring (at least that's what the calendar says) and with temps in the 40's for tomorrow, the snow won't stick around very long.

Picture Slideshow

Tonight I found this new slideshow thing available so I thought I'd put the pictures of my sun catchers in this format. So...now everyone can either view the slideshow (and check it out every now and again for newly added pictures) or...click photo albums under Links.

Today I finished the Easter Egg Angel and added the picture to the album (and slideshow). I'll be working on a sunrise scene next. Bought the glass for it today and also picked up some new pattern books. The store owner, who happened to be our class instructor, (and Dan too) keeps asking me when I'm going to do something big - like a window. Well, first I have to decide which window.

Since I have some vacation time over the next week and a half, I plan on doing a lot of crafting (and cleaning).

Could it be Spring???

If you've taken a look at my Sister's blog, Quilted Comfort (see Links), and viewed the beautiful cherry tree in full bloom and...wished even one tangible sign of spring were visible where you live - like I have - Take Heart; subtle signs are all around!

Here in this corner of northeastern Wisconsin, the snow cover is less than half of what it was a week ago - there's been much melting over especially the past few days and we now have huge patches of bare ground visible. The colors have changed from black and white to brown and white. The birds are around again, playing and fluttering in our bushes by the deck. Their chirping and songs are a delight. And then, yesterday I saw something I was not expecting mid-March...my tulips have begun to emerge from their long winter's rest deep in the ground. Granted, they are only up about 2 inches and there are no blooms yet, but this sign of new life is energizing and so appreciated after the long, cold, and very snowy winter we've had here.

We do temper our enthusiasm with a dose of reality though by saying, "It IS only March and this IS Wisconsin...we CAN still get lots of snow yet". But I for one do hope these subtle signs of spring and all the new life that is just waiting to burst forth will continue to emerge with abundance over the next week and month...akin to what our journey through Lent is supposed to be all about...

Craft Update

Another day, another sun catcher...another angel.

"Grace" is her name and she wast made for my dear friend, Bette as an Easter gift. It's been a slow few days as far as crafting goes. Been working and over the weekend Simon was here. My hands needed the rest anyway.

I'm keeping an online photo album now. So far all my sun catchers are in it and...who knows what other pictures will surface in the future??? Anyway, check it out under "Links".

Friday Chatter

Oh darn, duty called today and I had to do some of that dreaded housework. But now the carpets are all shampooed and looking good again. Afterward I went into town to pick up a few things and did make another stop at the Glass Studio for three items...no new glass this time. When I got home, I set to work on finishing the angel I had begun yesterday. It will be a birthday gift for Aunt Peggy. (Picture coming soon as it was too dark outside by the time I finished to get a good shot.)

I was so engrossed in the project that I even forgot to eat lunch! Well, supper was put on hold as well because my daughter called to ask if I could babysit Amelia tonight. She and Ryan wanted to go out to eat, something they hadn't done since Amelia was born...in July! Given the choice between babysitting "Sweet Pea" and eating supper, well, Amelia won out. The little dear slept soundly all the while I was there. Simon was off on a sleep-over birthday party. But he will be coming over tomorrow and staying over night. That's sure to make for an active weekend.

Speaking of an active weekend, it will also be a semi-work weekend as well. Have a four hour morning of reflection at work tomorrow and also have to teach a class on Sunday - but only for one hour. Seems real weekends off are few and far between at times.

By the way, I did take Sara's birthday gift along tonight even though her birthday isn't until tomorrow. She loved the hummingbird and flower sun catcher!



8 March:

Here's the picture of the angel. This one was put together with copper foil and solder. Then a copper patina was put over the solder and shined up with polish.

Yesterday's Project

Yep...it was the bowl of apples. Just need to add the hanger rings yet...

What's next? I'm thinking the daffodil. Feeling the desire to see some spring amid this snowy landscape.

9:15 pm: Oh yeah...just checked out my sister's blog (linked on the right). Talk about spring! Beautiful cherry tree in full bloom!!! Makes my tree in the background of this picture look so bare. Well, until spring arrives here in Wisconsin, I'll just have to keep on stained-glassing! Did start the daffodil today but got sidelined into working on an angel, yes, holding a flower! There's another birthday coming up...

The Week...So far

It's been a mixed up sort of week...and it's only Tuesday! Late Sunday afternoon it started raining. In the evening we had lightening - kind of unusual for early March in Wisconsin. By Monday morning the rain had turned to sleet and then to snow around 6:30. That made the trip into town to take one of our dogs to the vet rather slippery. But we made it, safe and sound. I opted to to into work later that morning since I had to teach my class both in the afternoon and evening. By the time I got home I was bushed. No stained glass crafting on Monday. And my hands and fingers got the rest they needed.

Today I again opted for a late start to the work day. About half of my afternoon class had decided not to make the drive on Monday because of slippery roads, so I offered a repeat class this afternoon. After work I headed into town to the glass shop and picked up several new pieces in various colors. I have three new projects in mind - an oval with a daffodil, a bluebird, and a basket of apples. Not sure which I'll start with, but am leaning toward the apple one. I do have all three of the patterns cut out and ready to go but didn't do any work on them yet. So...my fingers got one more day of healing (just some nicks). Did manage to get some laundry done before heading to work...wonder if my sister's washing machine is fixed yet...

Tonight I attended Evening Prayer followed by an appointment. Made for another long day, but both these days have been enriching and nourishing in various ways.

Wednesdays are typically my day off and tomorrow I have some special plans...I'll spend some time in the afternoon babysitting Amelia. What a joy that will be! Oh yes, I do plan to do some stained glass work too, so I had better decide which of the three projects will be the first to get cracking on. It will be good to get back to crafting and besides, other than the time I'll be with Amelia, I plan to stay put at home since it's supposed to snow...again! Oh how I long for spring or to be on the Florida beach watching another sunrise like the one pictured top right!!!

Crafting Weekend

A few more sun catchers to add to the collection. These are the "simple" ones I have made that will be saved for the church fall bazaar. All were done with lead came. I completed the girl and lady bug yesterday. The apple was done last Thursday.

My craft area was in dire need of reorganizing so, on Saturday that's just what I did. And I installed one of those under-the-cabinet lights over the area where my glass grinder is located. What a huge difference that made!

Not sure what my next project will be but I have plenty of patterns to choose from. Think, though, it will be something more challenging that these three pictured here. But that project, whatever it will be, will have to wait at least until tomorrow...it's a busy day for me today as I am in the midst of teaching a class on Monday afternoons and evenings. That leaves little time (like none) for crafting. But that's OK, my fingers and hands could use a day of rest!