Friday, October 29, 2021

Stained Glass Studio All Set Up!! 10.29.2021

 Hi Everyone!  I hope you are having a great day!  I have been having a great day so far.  I love Friday!  Even though I am retired it just seems like Friday wraps up the week and gets you ready for the weekend!

Today I went into the studio over the garage that my girls set up for me.  There is a stained glass table up there.  They ran out of time to set this up and they don't do stained glass so they really wouldn't know where I needed my tools and supplies.  I brought up all the boxes and plastic tubs of glass that were on the first floor of the garage.  2 of the tubs were so heavy, I didn't think I would be able to do it but I did!  I started out by sorting out all the cut pieces of glass by color and put them in separate boxes.  It makes it easier for finding smaller pieces like for leaves, buds of flowers, etc. if I have this done ahead of time.  The I took the larger pieces of glass that I have by color and leaned them again the wall under the bank of windows up there.  That way when I'm making a large project I will know if I have enough glass to make the project.  I got my grinder all ready to plug in and the air filter I use is in place also.  There is a small amount of lead in the solder (I buy solder with 20% lead in it no more).  The filter makes such a difference.  I put it right by my solder iron so the smoke goes right into the filter.  I realized I must have thrown out the chemicals like flux, patina, etc.  I will have to go to Hobby Lobby and pick up that.  Oh darn I will have to go to Hobby Lobby LOL!!  I love that place!!  I will also have to get some DW-40.  I spray a few cotton balls and rub my glass cutter on that during the cutting process.  It keeps the glass powder off the cutter making it last longer.  Here are some pictures I took of the studio (please don't pay attention to the floor, I forgot to bring up the vacuum cleaner with me).

This is the table I have all my supplies on and actually cut and create the glass project here.

It is hard to see the colors of these pieces, but this helps me decide if I have enough glass for the project I'm working on.

More glass.  The 2 pieces wrapped in bubble wrap are pieces I made but the movers broke them when we moved into our Mint Hill, NC house.  I am going to repair them.  The one in front I made probably 30 years ago and love.  The one behind it is a katamaran I made for John.  He always had it in his office.  One day the chain snapped and broke 2 pieces on the edge.  I'm going to repair that and hang it in the studio.  Every time I look at it, I will think of all the good times we had.  He loved that piece!

More glass.  There is a very rich red glass there and some gorgeous blues!

This is the last wall of glass.  Mostly browns, white, black, tan, peach and light lavender.  

When I was unwrapping the glass, I found the next piece of glass (actually 2 pieces of it).  I love the blue-green glass.  I see a lake or pond in a piece out of this glass!  I might make something for myself at some time for in the family room.  I have 4 windows in there in a row, it would be nice to have a beautiful window in there.  The light streams in there almost all day-just beautiful!

I took a class on Pawley's Island recently in a plant shop.  The owner asked if I would be willing to make some plant stakes for her shop to sell on consignment.  I told her I would.  I will probably make some butterflies, hummingbirds, dragonflies, small flowers, etc.  I was also asked if I would put some on my etsy site and I probably will.  It could be a nice side job for me.  

I also have to bring all my watercolor supplies up to the studio also!  I have an idea in my head to make a very large oblong shaped watercolor for over my bed.  I'm thinking of a landscape scene.  I haven't painted anything bigger than 11" x 14".  I hope I can do it!  I also would like to make some jewelry (most earrings) for some Christmas presents at my jewelry table in the studio.  So many project, so little time!! LOL!!  I love creating!

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Happy Halloween!  My grandsons are trick or treating in my neighborhood.  They actually have a hayride for them and they trick or treat from there!  They are coming over for cupcakes after they are done.  Should be fine times!

Sherri


Friday, October 15, 2021

October 15, 2021 Friday

 Hi Everyone!  I have gardened for years.  I have grown dahlias before but this year I decided I was going to order some different varieties and grow them again.  I hadn't grown dahlias in about 20 years.  After a slow start, they seemed to come into their own and are still blooming!  Here are my beauties this year.

Cafe au Lait

Hamari Gold

Sierra Gold

Blizzard

Rip City

The tag got lost, so I'm not sure what this one is called.

I have ordered some more dahlias for more variety next year.  I'm not going to put them in pots like I did this year, they will be in raised beds.  I especially love the dinnerplate ones and look forward to growing more of those.  So pretty!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Sherri


Monday, October 11, 2021

Weekend with the Daughters and the Lake City Swamp Race

 Hi Everyone!  Hope you had a great weekend!  I did!  

Saturday both my daughters, Megan and Jenny painted and set up a craft area for me in the room over the garage.  This was my birthday present, which was in July.  The AC had stopped working up there and everyone's schedule was so busy but this weekend worked for everyone and the AC is fixed.  Here are some photos of the room all done:


The girls know I love tea.  So they made me a tea station!

This is my jewelry creating table.  On the left side of the screen is all the gems and beads on the bookshelf.  The triangle piece is a shawl loom my son in law, Kevin made.  On the right side of the picture is my knitting area.  Looks so comfy, can't wait to use it!

Knitting area!

This is my painting area.  I do watercolors.  I have more supplies I just have to bring them up there.  I really want to start painting again.  I have so many ideas!

On Saturday the boys Trail Life group held the annual Lake City Swamp Run.  The boys went dressed as The Mad Hatter (Owen) and Bilbo Baggins (Jack).  Owen won $100 for creative costume!  Jenny and Megan also ran in the race.  Megan was a butterfly and Jenny went as Sally from The Nightmare before Christmas.  Here are some photos:


Owen on the left as The Mad Hatter and Jack on the right as Bilbo Baggins.

Megan is on the left-Butterfly and Jenny is to the right of her-Sally from The Nightmare before Christmas.



Sunday I just rested and relaxed after Megan left to go home around noon.  It was wonderful!  I really enjoyed the girls and boys visiting.  It was really a wonderful weekend!


Enjoy!

Sherri


Monday, October 4, 2021

Monday, October 4, 2021-A Wonderful Autumn Day

 Hi Everyone!  Today is a "do nothing" day for me.  All the renovations are done (except for a few small things), the housewarming party is over (it was this Saturday) and I have nothing that really needs me today!  I really am looking forward to getting back into knitting and reading.  I have a crew of HVAC men here replacing all the ductwork under the house.  I have no AC today or tomorrow.  It is fine though, I have alot of ceiling fans in the house and I have an oscillating fan also.  The nights and early mornings are cooler here.  I really do love this time of year!  I had alot of fun decorating for Autumn.  Here are some photos I took:

Autumn Mantel in the Living Room.

Autumn Mantel in the Family Room.

I have a cupboard in the Dining Room.  I decided to create this little arrangement for there.  The Ironstone pitcher was my Mom's.  She bought it from my Grandmother's landlady for a quarter before I was born!  I am 62.

A little arrangment in the Family Room.

I love pumpkins, so I had to put some on the screened porch.  The white ones looked great with the fiddleleaf fig!

Coffee table arrangment.

I made these concrete pumpkins.  I have 2 others that I painted white and put them on the front porch steps.

All ready for Autumn!

I have a new dahlia blooming.  It is called Haman Gold.  My dahlias are late this year.  It is my fault though, I cut the middle stem too soon.  It had also been so terribly hot and they are not a fan.  Here is the Haman Gold:

Haman Gold

Now that all the house renovations are done, I plan on working on my gardens more.  I have some autumn sedum and a camellia to plant.  I also have an Autumn Clematis, a peony and a tree peony to plant.  I would also like to create a cutting garden and a veggie garden.  I may buy the raised beds for the veggie garden though.  I am going to have one for dahlias next year too!  Next Spring I would like to create a rose garden in a circle out in the front lawn.  I have a circular driveway out front that would look so beautiful with a rose garden.  I am, however, taking some time off after all the work I did.  At the end I was exhausted.  I also look forward to posting more on the blog.  

Off to enjoy the audio book I'm listening too (The Secret Wife by Gil Paul).  Everyone have a lovely day!


Sherri