Tuesday, June 29, 2010

While we Labor

Among other things, we've been busy getting ready for the July Guild Fair.  Right now Pat's in the second day of a three day class for teachers that she's taking to help prepare for the Guild's Education Outreach program.

I stopped working on waxes at 11:30 last night, then stayed up way too late with some interesting paperwork.  This morning has definitely started slower than it should have.  But I still had to come up for air and spend a couple of minutes outside.

While we Labor . . .

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Morning After . . .


We had a terrific thunderstorm last night.  This is what I found when I went out with my coffee this morning . . .

The new lilies have opened up beautifully!


One of my containers in our shady sitting area.

There was a Tiger at the watering hole!

More coleus.


Some of our lilies did survive the Winter.

The first bloom on our new mystery vine opened this morning!

These Dragon Wing Begonia's weathered the storm well.



When I was digging what's now the new herb bed Inky's little Tron friend appeared.
Are they guarding us from . . .


The Chinese Millet bloom ?!?

Monday, June 14, 2010

Special Work


Appalachian Spring
Appalachian Spring has been on exhibit for the last year in Washington D.C.
at the Appalachian Regional Commission.  It just came back home to us last week.

This custom pendant, designed by Pat and Jeannie Tracie, of The Jeweler's Workbench fame, is being delivered today.
It is constructed of 14 K Gold, Sterling Silver, and hand set Diamonds.  The mountains were textured with a .5 mm burr and the background is oxidized with our favorite jewelers' Silver Black.  (As these two photos show somehow the camera's white balance setting is still not right!)

We've been very busy these last couple of weeks.  I spent a few days on some work for the Guild's Board.  It takes time but it really feels good to be able to help such an incredible and unique organization.  We had a great time at the annual Clay Day at the Folk Art Center.  The pots that we each glazed for the raku firing turned out beautifully!

In the midst of all of our work we've been spending the weekends working on the yarden some more.  Despite how much we have to get done, I took a couple of days last week to finish the trellis project.  We had bought two climbing vines at the Market a couple of weeks ago and they've been growing like crazy.  Since I promised Laura P. and Laure S. here are some before and after views.

The view from the bench three weeks ago, new plants being watered in.

The view Sunday morning after even more plants went in and we mulched.
Only three bags of mulch to go!  The lettuce has been replaced with more coleus.

Here's the bench and Inky three weeks ago.  Mandevillas and tropicals behind it.

The bench and new trellis this weekend.

We re-mulched the paths to the wildflower area too.
The two cherry tomatoes still need to be potted up!

After I strolled through the yarden taking pictures I found Inky holding my place!


It's already over eighty degrees today and by now the wax pot should be ready for me to get to work on waxes for the July Guild Fair!  Since the wax needs to be just over 160 degrees to flow well it's going to be a warm day in the office!  But I know that at the end of the day it's going to be beautiful and cool in the yarden.  I just hope Inky and Sam will share the bench with me . . .

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Theatrical Faces and Commissions

The finished Theatrical Faces Pendant, delivered Monday!
(Once more photographed on a white background. 
I really have to get the camera's settings straightened out!)

We actually made it to the Market Saturday!  Lovely grilled scallops and lion's mane mushrooms with Pasta Mamma's rosemary pasta for dinner.  Yum!  More plants found their way home with us too.  The Ingles stores were having good sales on veggies and herbs . . .

We spent Saturday and Sunday planting.  Planting and planting.  I had almost finished re-working the sidewalk bed when the rain came.  So I have more purple basil and curly parsley waiting . . .

I'll deliver C.'s re-strung pearls today.  Violet's rings came out very well too!  Lots more photos to follow soon!