Thursday, June 16, 2011

Eyes Wide Open



I got out and took a few pictures recently; something I deeply enjoy! It is a great reminder that if we just look around, we'll see the beauty in the little things and yes, the majestic things, that surround us in our every day lives.  They're ours to savor if we just take the time to see them.  We so often get preoccupied with what we  want, we fail to appreciate what we have.


It had been years since I had walked this stretch of beach at Rincon Point

The surf was  flat, but perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, and for the little one below....

Although he doesn't look happy here, you should have seen his joy and excitement when he got back to the beach.
He thought he was something else!





 








I love these odd-looking little donut mounds of blooming flowers on my dog-walks!





Fresh picked produce from our very own garden, new this season to our yard!



My sweet Hannah, enjoying a moment on our walk.


Although my focus was on the sea gulls, I was delighted to discover the dogs in their jackets in the back ground!

The joy we feel to see the dogs' joy while romping at the dogpark!  So worth the effort to get them there!


Carpinteria Point, captured with my zoom lens...


I wish you many, many, happy tomorrows, but don't forget to treasure today, for it is really all we have.....





Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Wedding Gift - Finally Ready!

I finished The Wedding Gift recently -- yay!!  I am so happy I actually finished it because it seems I ran into one obstacle after another, almost as if this project was NOT meant to be, ha ha.  The last obstacle was, I had decided to frame it in zinc for added support, but couldn't find my zinc saw.  It must have grown wings and flew away....  I tell ya, where things disappear to around here, I have no idea.  Must find that black hole and seal it up, and soon! 

Long story short, my hubby went out and got a blade for his chop saw since I wanted to mitre the corners, so I was kind of on his time line for doing that since I'd never used his saw and he wanted to do it with me.  Well today was the day, and once we had the zinc all cut to fit, I hurried into my glass studio to get it soldered in place. 

Of course, I then had to touch-up a few other solder lines, solder on the hangars, then get it all scrubbed and clean so the patina would stick.  Applying the patina was a bit more tedious as I had to use two different kinds.  The patina I use for my solder and lead will not work for zinc.  Luckily, I was aware of that and had picked up a bottle of the kind I needed.  It was a bit difficult applying it.  I scubbed and scrubbed on the zinc, but it seemed quite resistant to accepting the patina.  I kept at it, and eventually, I had a finish on it that really enhanced the whole look.  It gave it a bit of an antique look in my opinion.

At any rate, the bride has no clue this gift is about to be delivered.  In addition to just being married, she just recently graduated from nursing school too, so I guess this will be a combination gift. 

I hope she likes it.  Just because I like to give these does not mean the receiver will like it.  I think some end up stored away, or given away...but...that's ok.  These come from the heart and beyond that, I have to just let them go.  My daughter assures me this gal will most likely love it.



On my light-box


A night-shot, to see the glass texture better


It measures close to 14 x 14"


In natural morning light


Two projects on the horizon, and mostly still in the "thinking-about-it" stages:

1)  I am donating a piece for a fund-raising event.   This one will have a theme involving surfing.  Don't know yet if it will be a beach scene or an actual surfer on a wave.  I am leaning towards doing a wall-mountable mosiac project, framed in teak wood or perhaps even bamboo.

2)  I learned recently that a very dear friend of mine eloped, and I want to make her something.  I am comtempating an Orchid panel with some beveled glass pieces perhaps.....hmm.....lots to think about!

Until next time ~ Thanks for stopping by.

♥ Jan