Friday, June 28, 2013

Time to say goodbye to my Dell desktop...

This is my Dell desktop I purchased in 2002 or 2003.  I got a dual DVD/CD recorder, two hard drives, good graphics card and sound card.  Upgraded memory and it was super fast!  I had loaded it up with great software and never ran out of room on the hard drives.  I loved watching movies on it and loved editing photos.  I ran dual monitors and added many peripheral devices with this desktop and he handled everything I threw at it.  One of the DVD drives doesn't open anymore, several of the USB's don't work anymore, it's super slow, I can barely connect to the internet, and it's big and gathers lots of dust.  I will miss all my cool software and how easy it is to use the scanner and printer.   But as you know technology is so amazing that this dinosaur has outlived his use even with all the upgrades I've done over the years.  I haven't been using it much except to edit photos since it has millions of Photoshop goodies and tons of fonts I'll never replace.  Have you seen the price of Photoshop software these days!  I backed up all my goodies and unplugged Mr Dell Desktop.  Sad day but looking forward to his replacement.  Stay tuned, I'm saving my pennies. 
 



Reading glasses pin holder

 
My friend Joni gave me the idea to make eye glasses holder, pin on style.  Here's what I came up with using scraps I have laying around on the studio table. The rectangle metal piece has the Eiffel Tower etched on it.  It's hard to see.  I like how it turned out and I will be making more of these.  I haven't etched metal in awhile and I do it all in batches.  I may have to buy some etching solution since mine is old.  I'll keep you posted.
 
 
 
I put it in a little box and sent it off to Joni.
 
 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Summer swimming

The twins, Olivia & Addison stopped over to swim.  They're two years old and they love the pool.  I got them some life jacket swimsuits and that makes me feel so much better about them being around the pool.  I also got them a slip & slide and that was fun for them.  I can't believe how they're growing. ..it's so cool to hear them say my name, even if they are screaming it.  It really is awesome to watch them grow up. 
 
I think I put on their suit backwards?? 
It didn't matter to them.

Aren't they so so so cute

Maximus was loving on Addison while Olivia was enjoying the water slide.

Friday, June 21, 2013

One of my favorite necklaces

I made this necklace several years ago.  In my visit with my Tia Mary last year 2012, my Tia loved it so I knew she needed to have it.  She was so generous with me and my family on that visit it was nothing to give it to her.   One thing though I forgot to photograph it.  I was lucky enough to pay a visit to Tia Mary last weekend.  She still loves her necklace and so do I.  Now to make myself one when I get back into the studio!





I had fun showing Tia Mary my new stuff and guess what??? 
She bought my Saint Teresa necklace.  I'm so happy to pass it on to her!



Thursday, June 13, 2013

Babies means baby showers means baby toolbelts!

Baby showers this time in my life are mainly my good friend's grandbabies. 
The PINK one is for baby Peyton, she's due end of July.  It's my friend, Debbie's first grandbaby.  The baby shower was very nice and fun.  The new Mommy is adorable!
 

 
The BLUE tool belt is for Oliver's dad, Stevie, as I call him, I think he's now STEVE.   I've know Stevie since he was a baby.  I met his mother, Kathy, the first month of my job I had for 25 years.  She had just had Stevie and returned to work & shared my first office with me.   She's an awesome Grandma!

 

 
I got the canvas tool belts at Lowes, but really didn't like the logo, so I painted over it and I like the way it looked much better.  I shopped at dollar stores, Walmart, and Lowes for the stuff.  One place I had never been to was Baby's R Us, omg what an overwhelming place!  I went looking for a basic rattler, cloth diaper pins, and diaper changing pad thingies.  I just had to walk the isles to see what the heck was in this store...everything and I mean everything is there.  I must confess most of the stuff I had no clue what it was or what it was for...haha.  I couldn't find a basic rattler but did find the changing pads and pins.

Sneak peek on rock rings

I got these stones in Flagstaff, AZ, but I really didn't pay attention to the names of the rocks.  I just liked the look and shape of them.  I needed to make sure they had a flat bottom so I could solder them to a metal ring band.  I'm back in the studio, they're soldered on to the bands, put a patina on them, just need to clean and polish.  I tried them on and I love love love them.
 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

In the Studio today...soldering iron is hot!

Working on some cool stuff.  Eyeglass holder and some rings with big stones....photos to follow!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Eyeglass holders....hummmm?

Joni has a creating idea for me...reading glasses are annoying...put on, take off, put on, lost them, can't remember where they are, hold them in your mouth, stick in bra cleavage, on your head like a headband.   I don't wear readers myself but I have to take off my regular glasses all the time to see up close.  So, I'm gonna see what I can come up with...stay tuned.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Took a road trip to Flagstaff, mainly to see good friends and their son graduate from Flagstaff High.  A few things about the graduation, it was full, it was colorful, it was warm inside the dome, it was emotional.  The welcoming was spoken in four languages, English, Spanish, Navajo and Hopi.  That was so neat.  Also, all the Native Americans were in their traditional dress.  I was honored to celebrate with all the graduates and their family and friends.  I was a great weekend
 
Sean with his proud Mom, Tanya!
 
Sean receiving his high school diploma
In addition to Sean's graduation he enlisted in the Army and participated in ROTC.  We were invited to his swearing in ceremony.  All so serious for Sean but all so emotional for his parents and sister.
 
Sean being sworn into the Army.
He leaves for boot camp in July!

Main interchange, lots of signs and confusion.

Winston dog and I taking a break in the shade.

I looked up and saw the angels watching over us!
 
Winston dog wasn't allowed in the house
but he was a good sport about it.

Sewing up heart garland

I'm making heart garland for a wedding reception decoration.  I'm not sure exactly where all it's going to be used.  One place for sure is the sweetheart table.  It's to be draped in a scallop design on the front edge of the table.  Should look nice.  The bride typed up love related quotes and I printed up 20 pages and punched out hearts, lots of hearts!
 
 
 
 
I sewed up a sample of hearts going horizontally and vertically.  I'm not sure if she plans to use hearts as a back drop but I would vote yes on using heart garland both ways throughout the venue.
But, that's just me...can never have too many hearts.
 
 
By the way, see the cute heart/flower/love painting???  Don't you just love it?  It's a painting by Emily Costello, find her on Facebook and see more of her artwork.  It's so colorful and fun.