I Miss My Mom

Holidays come and go and many times we are happy to go on with life sans the holidaze. Many people have asked what I'm doing for Easter. I reply, "I don't really celebrate Easter." However, there was a time when Easter was quite warm and wonderful. It was always at my mother's house...Memere...as she was known to her grandchildren. She always did something a little out of the ordinary. This one year in particular, she made bunnies for everyone. I captured the raucous rabbits making merry at the dining room table with wine and a scrumptious bunny cake. I wonder how they really felt about that cake!

Unfortunately I didn't photograph the weightlifting rabbit she made for my "soon to be husband." She always made everyone feel at home and the food was delicious!

Spring is an especially difficult time because now my mother would be getting ready to plant seeds for the new season. I dedicate my flowery backyard to her and thank her for sharing her knowledge and love.

family news

I'm pleased to announce that Hali Diana Vieira was accepted at the University of Michigan State for fall of 2010. Who knew that we would have a Kinesiologist in the family. Congratulations Hali! Lisa...you must be so proud of your "little girl!"

Happy Birthday Hali!

Using my polymer beads in jewelry design

I finally used some of my polymer beads to make jewelry. I created two necklaces and some earrings. I may take the earrings apart to bake them longer since I have learned a great deal about clay from Clay Central and from Cindy Lietz's blogs about curing. The strength of the beads are compromised when they are undercured.

The first photo (not too clear) is a necklace incorporating three black and white beads stung on black leather cord. I used my Gizmo (Thank you Sarah) to curl sections of red art wire to separate the beads. I made these beads at Beadworks in Providence at a class that they had in late January.



The next two photos are of beads made with the faux lapis lazuli recipe that I got online. I strung the beads on Soft Flex Metallics copper beading wire. Between each bead is a copper tube flanked by 4mm Swarovski crystals. I did the stringing at Beadcache in Mansfield. As usual Jane and I closed the place Saturday afternoon.

I'll post the rest later. I really need a light box to get better photos.
Later....Sue

My HerbaLife Shake

I was introduced to the Herbalife product line recently. With my limited income I wasn't able to purchase all of the products for weight loss. Luckily a charming young woman takes her Herbalife business to my place of employment. For a small fee I am able to reap the benefits of this tasty product. I can honestly say that drinking the three different beverages; aloe water, green tea, and shake keeps my hunger at bay for hours.
Last week I purchased the shake. I have tried it with soy milk and blueberries...very thick and yummy. This morning for breakfast I used plain water (ran out of soy) and added a cup of blueberries, a handfull of strawberries, and a small piece of banana. It was a really filling and satifying breakfast. I added the points for Weight Watchers (which I am a member) and it came out to five points. It seems like a lot, but when considering it includes three fruit servings and one 8 oz. serving of water, I don't think it's all that high. The test now is to see how long it keeps me satified.

Beads and Birds

Here are some of the beads that I made using polymer clay. The black and white beads were made at Beadworks in Providence. I took a class with a woman who has made some incredible designs. The blue beads are some that Itried in the workshop...the recipe is called Faux Lapis Lazuli. When I use these beads in a design I may incorporate some beads and findings from local bead shops.
An aside...Sorry for the blur. As you can tell from these photos, I still haven't purchased my new macro/portrait lens.

I included a photo of two birdhouses. Steve made many and stained them (some are painted). Many styles have cedar shingle roofs with hammered copper at the apex. The houses range from $30.00 - $60.00.

Spring Please

We are well into February and I’m counting the days until Spring….40 to be exact. Just a little more than one month from now and we’ll be digging in the earth (I hope sooner). Steve got Friday, February 19th off from work and I won’t be working because it’s winter break…so we will be heading to Providence for the Flower Show. I hope to get some ideas for the front yard which looks so plain. This year I want to plan more so I don’t get stuck with too many plants and not enough area.

No sooner had I decided to post when I came out from under a rock and listened to the weather report. Apparently New England is going to get another chance at a blizzard. They are predicting snow to start early on Wednesday morning. I have a class at 4:00pm in Providence. I don't want to miss a class, so I'm hoping it will be canceled if it gets too nasty.

It'll be a good time to craft in the workshop, if we don't lose power. Steve has a nice supply of bird house for sale. I've been making lots of beads and would like to turn some into jewelry. I'll post pictures when the baubles come out of the tumbler.

Kat Toys

So, you just got a new kitten. Don't waste your hard earned money buying toys at a pet store! Look around the house...use your imagination. In the photo on the left are two items that are very popular with Pumpkin. The first is an empty water bottle with marbles inside and an old piece of stretchy material tied to the cap. He likes to roll it and drag it around.

The next toy took more effort to make. First I had to empty a bottle of wine. Then I washed the cork so my kitten wouldn't get high. I drilled holes in the cork, length-wise and across the diameter of the cork. I glued in some feathers and wired in a few pony beads. Much nicer than spending ten bucks at the store.

Finally...the simplest of all toys...two twist ties. Behold the video of Pumpkin with his favorite toy.