we're back from vacation

Oh Brothers!  These two had a fun time at Beaver Creek, CO.  We went with neighbors and had more fun than we could have imagined!  Our little guy did one day of lessons then skied with us. (He has had lessons before.)  He has improved so much.  There are some great greenish/blue runs so it was fun to watch him ski!!!
We skied for two days.  This was our first time at Beaver Creek, like all the ski resorts, the views from the top are amazing.  The last run of day two was our last for the trip....see below!
G-man has been snowboarding for at least three or four years.  This year he decided to try a grind rail...he made it to the end without falling off....then threw his arm back and nailed his left wrist.  As you can see in background, we watched the basketball games while we waited.  Dr. says four weeks and he will be playing baseball!!!  

wow!!

This weekend, the boys needed a picture taken with Carl....
This one was taken January 28th, whoa, this dog might just be gigantic at the rate he's growing!

new beads

I had a really productive weekend.  I love these light pink with frit and bubbles.  On Saturday I visited my favorite little bead shop... www.mainstbeadstudio.com ....Cheryl has a 'supercute' shop!!  I am inspired to make beads again!!!
Black base with frit and bubbles.  These beads go so well with black and denim..i.love.them.
An old signature..black and white dots with a new twist.  Click on the picture to see up close.  I want to do a series of these for the Bead Bazaar on April 5th.  I think the Bazaar will be really great, lots of great people participating.  For those of you are interested I have a few discount coupons for admission.

carl & the wood floor

It's hard to tell where Carl ends and the wood floor begins!  He looks so sad, but I think it's just a Golden trait.  
He is almost 20+ pounds, seems like it gets heavier each day!  He is definately fitting in at our house, the barking is so loud it reminds me of the other boys in the house.  This dog can DIG, Carl has exposed our underground soaker hoses!  My husband says he is still in pre-school training.....think we could have some classes on barking & digging????

in search of letters

While we were on vacation, I annoyed my teen by taking "too many" pictures.  I know this isn't a new thing but I thought it would be fun to find our name.  I really like this "M."  It has almost become obsessive...the rest of the family is in on the act.  The weather is getting nicer so it will be fun to be outside and keep our eyes and minds busy!

more classroom projects

these are three of my favorites this year from our Parish Auction.  
Sometimes you don't know if something is going to turn out when you work with ceramic glazes...before it was fired the "boo" looked really bad, but I love it now.

This project is one I want to make for my basement.  I sprayed the canvas with paint and then glued on the distressed copper pieces the kids embossed.  i.love.this.

Carl.....

I'm not sure, but it looks like Carl isn't enjoying this as much as the little man!  He says, "that's a cute picture, huh mom!"  I htink it's the first time he posed for a picture, and smiled!!!
Carl is growing so fast.  He is a sweet guy and fairly mellow. He can climb in and out of a laundry basket full of towels.  It is a sight to behold!  He's picking up on potty training like a pro.  Halleluia!!!  My prayers have been answered.

i need photoshop lessons

I love this picture!!!  It really needs some editing.  I really need to learn how to use Photoshop!  The software is on my computer and I can't figure out how to use it.  Looking at textbooks is not the way I learn.  I need to sign up for a class where someone shows me how to use it!!!
This picture is for my sisters.  Mickey Mouse had this shopping list on his fridge...click on the picture to see what he needs!!!  It says the same thing mine does!?!?!

magical time

Last week we took the family to WDW.  It was magical.  This was the first time our youngest got to go.  He was really funny, he didn't want to hug the characters or look at them.  It was most fun to watch him check things out.  

Getting geared up for much creative work!  I sold bunches of beads to a sweet friend!  So it's time to get torchin'.

couple of cool plates

For our parish auction this year, we had the students draw a picture with the theme "Show Your Love."  These are two of the six fused glass plates we made out of their artwork.
Once the artwork was chosen I made large print copies and put them under the clear glass.  We used frit & blue glue and poured it right over the artwork.  Hopefully, it will be a project we can do next year.

awwwww

meet carl...

Carl is the latest addition to our family.  We got Carl on Sunday afternoon.  He is a funny guy.   A pretty good little puppy...poor little guy sure misses his family.  Not much else going on due to potty training, making sure there isn't anything on the floor, all the doors to bedrooms are closed and getting some sleep.  

gifts & beads

If you look really close...you can see all the girls he can "sleep" with!  I was worried he wouldn't like the present I made for him.  Turns out, he loved it!  The fabric is called "Cheesecake!"  It's January and I still need to put the binding on.  Until I get this project finished, I can't finish my quilt-a-long blocks!?!?! 
I'm trying to decide whether to sell beads on esty.  Is the amount of time it takes to list and take pictures worth it?  Do the beads need to be made into bracelets or left loose?  So many questions to ponder!!
I love the clear glass "flowers" on top of the beads.  They lay nicely on the wrist...so smooth.

poodle skirt.....

I kind of always imagined myself having girls.  I love to sew and thought, of course I will have girls and I will sew clothes and doll clothes and costumes.  After a failed attempt at a "Bat" costume about 5 years ago, I realized boys just don't appreciate home sewn costumes and boys costumes are just as easily purchased!
When the chance came up to make a poodle skirt, I had to do it!  This particular little girl is tiny!  Hopefully, the ribbon drawstring will do the trick for "adjustablility."  I have gotten my fix.

frozen fog

The last few weeks we have had the most unusual fog.  On the 29th, the combination of the fog, cold temperatures and wind created some really beautiful images.   The wind made the snow/ice look like it is moving.  Beautiful enough to take lots of pictures.  

happy birthday, mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!! I hope you like the present. I love how the pearls and the lampwork go together. I don't know what the little rings are called but I love how they make the bracelet even MORE cool! Can't wait to give it to you.

busy "bead"

Among other things going on around here...I have made some beads for the holidays....
I whish I could lock myself in my torch room....but unfortunately that won't happen until next week.
My goal for next year is to make enough beads to pay for a cleaning company to come clean my house. I hate to clean.
I have too many other things I would rather do than clean.
So many projects....so little time. Hopefully, next week I will catch up on all my quilt square for the quilt-a-long!!!

Oh my, triangles! I really like how this latest block turned out! I'm not sure how much I like the background fabric. It has been fun checking out everyone's blocks....my goodness they can look so different with fabric choice!

quilt-a-long

Here are the first and second week's quilt blocks for Crazy Mom Quilts~quilt-a-long. I have had some Bohemian~by Anna Maria Horner in my cabinet for about a year....it was just waiting for the perfect project! I am ready for week three!!! (I added a link to her blog over there on the right.)

You might have noticed....that is snow on my deck! The flakes are fat and still coming. It was 70 degrees here on Monday.....can't tell you how much I dislike cold weather.

so much to do!

Been busy making beads and sewing, lots of pictures to take! Some really cute caterpillar pendants for some special "Nutcracking" caterpillars. Time to overhaul the sidebar and add some new links and favorites.