December 1

Hard to believe it is December and in 30 days we will ring in a new year.

Today will be filled with chores that should have been done about a month ago but somehow life got in the way.  Must put away the pool filter, and make sure cars are prepared for the colder weather heading our way.

I have been busy inside turning the train room into a studio.  Every day I do some more rearranging.  It is a bit sad that a 15x18' room doesn't quite hold all my goodies.  Does this mean I am a major hoarder - yep it sure does.

Of course once I get all the trains boxed I can add some shelves for my storage cabinets and that will give me a lot more room.  It just takes time and energy - the energy part seems to be the problem at the moment.

Well perhaps I will post some pics tomorrow after I upload them from my ipad & camera.

Off to get lots of things done today.

Enjoy

I survived the pool closing...

Yesterday the plan was to close the pool so I was skimming the leaves and somehow, after 35 years, lost my balance and fell in.  I came out wet but fine.  The funny part was that I had pulled the ladder out earlier in the week so luckily my neighbor was outside and came to my rescue.  The water temp wasn't even that cold.

As you can see there is a deck all around the pool and a railing.  I think the deck was wet and my shoe stuck and the rest is history.

Now for some news on my studio.  I have actually cleaned off one of the tables and can begin to start loading some items.  Think the clay over will be one of the first since it will be getting too chilly in the basement where I have it now.  Most likely the move will get me re-started on my clay adventure.

Well need to get ready so I can help a dear friend get down the steps to head for a Drs appt.  She is almost 90 and is having trouble walking.  She is just the dearest person and I pray this Dr. can help

Do Over Challenge

Well this was my first real challenge and I have to say it was so much fun.  Got to try out my Vintaj inks and let my creative juices flow.

So here is what I started with

And this is where I ended up

I took the smaller washers and made them into earrings

I still lack in photography skills but getting better.  I used a dragon fly & hearts from B'sue Boutiques, tried my hand at wire wrapping some beads and voila - still have some washers left over.  I painted them shades of green on  one side and shades of blue on the other.  It was so much fun.

Trying out different forms - the room has sky lights so I do get some wonderful sunshine.

Close up view of my painted washers

Now please visit my fellow challengers...

Thanks to Jeannie Dukic for supplying the necklace and hosting this challenge

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Miranda Ackerley http://mirandack.com/

Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/

Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Kelli Jacobson http://www.creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/

Dagi http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Gerry Nickerson http://gersgems1.blogspot.com/

Charlene Jacka http://clay-space.com/blog

Birgit Klughardt http://www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com/

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Debbie Beechy http://beetique56.blogspot.com/

Cilla Watkins http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

Carolyn Lawson http://carolyncreationswa.blogspot.com/

Micha Sorensen http://tulipsandpine.blogspot.com/

Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com/

Donetta Farrington http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/

Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com/

Rita Avila http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Where did September go...

Cannot believe it is Oct 3rd and it is quite warm and I still haven't closed my pool.  It just signifies the true end of summer (even if I don't use it) and I hate that feeling.  I love all the seasons, trying to imagine living where the weather is pretty constant.  Ah well maybe one day I will get brave and move.

Still boxing up trains and I have a ton more boxes to bring inside.  But if I just take it one day at a time it will get done.

I have know this all my life but I never learn.  Too many projects going on at the same time.  I look around, get inundated and kinda stop everything, plus I am a true procrastinator.

So back to the job that pays the bills.

Enjoy the day

Gerry

Pantone Bead Swap

Well I am finally getting around to posting the pics from my partner, Fen Li of Bead Flora

This is the close up view of my goodies

Here is the overall picture

Of course my picture taking skills sure need to be improved but practice makes perfect.  Now to see what I will create with my goodies.

You can find Fen's blog @ beadflora.wordpress.com

Thanks for looking

From a train room to a studio

Before my husbands passing in 2001 we added a room onto our home because of our love of toy trains.  The room is 15x18 with a bay window looking out at the pool and creek, 2 regular windows near the end of the room,  plus 2 sky lights giving the room plenty of natural daylight.

I kept the room pretty much as is until earlier this year when I finally decided to sell off the trains and convert the room to my studio thereby having all of my jewelry making paraphernalia in one central place.

Phase 1 in full motion today.  Now I need to start putting the trains that have boxes together and store until I can get them photographed.  Still not sure if I will use ebay, craigslist or local train shows.  It will be a major undertaking as I am finding trains everywhere in this house.  Of course there are some that have quite special memories and will remain on display.

At first I was going to sell the 2 tables that made up the layout (each are 4x8) then thought no I will use them as my work tables.  I have stools I can use since they are higher than a standard table or I can stand if need be.

With the natural light from the sky lights perhaps my photographing skills will improve.  The room also has a pretty strong exhaust fan so that will also help when baking my polymer clay.

It will be a lot of work but when its done I think it will be well worth the time and effort.  The tops are just plywood so I think I might do what B'sue has done for her worktables and try some collage and then polyurethane.  The tables were built on site so if I ever decide to get rid of them there will have to be a dismantling party.