Gifts from the Heart.....

I did not have nearly as much time as I'd hoped for over the past holiday season, but I did manage to squeak in some glass time! Not much....but a bit.  Any time I can do that, it's a victory for me.  I knew I wanted to give a few things to some loved ones, so I'd been thinking about some ideas and brought them to life.

This is a snow flake made for my son's girlfriend.  This was not my pattern. I found it in a book of colorful sun-catchers, but using a blue diamond, with iridescent glass along with glue chip and nuggets, sure made it look like a snowflake.    My daughter made several different designs from this book, all in glass similar to this, and gave them all away as gifts.  I think the recipients were quite pleased, from what she said.  I know my son's girlfriend seemed to like hers.

I should have gotten a better picture of it, perhaps back-lit, before I gave it away, but was running short of time and snapped these two shots before wrapping it up.  

This pattern was my design.  I drew it up one day and decided to go ahead and try and make one.  This one in particular was a gift for my niece and her family, who really like all things ROBOT.   I will for sure be making more of these, perhaps to sell to other robot fans, ha ha.  (I know you're out there.....!)

This was also my design, and I have more of these sweet seal faces to make, but out of the three I made, I gave one to my nephew and his family, and another to our dear friend, Amy, and I still have one available.   I  would like to make some in different colors, and perhaps with a patina too.  These were not really as easy as they look, but I think they came out kind of cute!

This one is a bit different than the one above.  Note the eyes are bit wider apart in this one, and it kind of changes the look about them.  I had made one before which had much longer  whiskers, but decided to clip them at the edge for longevity, ha ha.  The longer-whiskers just don't stay in place well, so I tacked them at the nose, and again at the edges of the cheeks.


Thanks for stopping  by!

Our Wildlife Adventure

Every once in a while, I get a little silly, so if you don't do "silly" you might want to skip this post.


With my two trusty sidekicks, Hannah and Blue, we set out paddling one day in our sturdy little canoe, ready for a big adventure.

Bon Voyage!

As we began our journey, we paddled out and were soon joined by playful dolphins who led us to a strange new land.  As we paddled to shore, we were greeted by seals!

What a beautiful place!  As we made our way along the path, it was clear we had arrived in an area rich in wildlife!  The lizards where everywhere, and quite large, too.  "Wow, is that an ALLIGATOR?  Watch out!!!"

Whew!  We almost met our fate in an encounter with the lurking 'gator.  Luckily, our Guardian Angel was on duty and definitely watching over us.  "Thanks, Angel!"

"Aahh, I got your back, guys."

This new land had an abundance of winged creatures, from the small to the wise, and regal!

Of course, where so many birds gather, there are bound to be predators.  Sure enough, we soon spied them lurking about, just waiting for their chance to pounce and grab a quick meal.  Watch out birdies!

Truth be known, since Hannah and Blue ARE dogs, they were naturally inclined to want to chase these lovely CATS, but as they started to approach, they heard a thundering of hooves, and narrowly escaped being trampled by this fierce, runaway stallion and dangerous, charging moose!

The dogs scurried back to my side, and were quite shaken. We then heard uncontrollable laughter coming from a near by tree when something suddenly went whizzing by our heads!  A rather large monkey was hurling bananas at us!  "Quick, run!"

Off we ran, putting distance between us and that crazed monkey, when I stumbled over a rather large rock.
"Hey, wait a minute, wasn't that rock just moving???"

"Sorry dude, I hope you're ok!  Wow, we need to get back to our canoe right away.  Come on Hannah, come on Blue, let's get out of here!"


We were quite happy to spy our canoe, but it had drifted out to sea a bit.  Thinking we may be stranded, we were just about to give up all hope when along came this friendly giant sea turtle who said to hop on his back and he would carry us out.

What a relief!  We were going home.  As we approached our canoe, we were startled when up popped this dangerous, sword-wielding pirate, yelling  "AARGH!  Give me your dog cookies!"

He was so fierce and dangerous looking!  Just when we thought he'd make us walk the plank, a silver bullet-like flash whizzed through the air, hooked the pirate, and pulled him down into the depths of the sea.  It was our friend, the barracuda, who'd heard from our Guardian Angel to be on the look-out for us and help us safely return home.  "Thanks, Barry!"

Finally, safely back in our trusty canoe, we were ready to head home.  "Hmmm, which way do we go? Is it that way, or the other way?"

"Follow me," said the mail dolphin, who suddenly appeared next to us.  "Through rain, snow, sleet, and ice, the mail must get through, and so will you!"

Whew.....it sure helps to have friends!


(Thanks for going on my crazy journey.  Until next time.  ♥  J)

Oh Blue....

Tonight I came in my room and picked up my laptop to check my favorite sites and blogs.  As I laid back on the bed, I was joined soon by the dogs, Blue and Hannah.

Blue

Hannah

The soft, cool night breeze gently flowed into the room, and I noticed Blue lift his head and drink in the smells of the night.  All of a sudden, he LEAPED onto the bay window in the room and I thought he was about to charge through the stained glass window to get outside!  Now this would not be quite so worrisome if we were on the ground floor, but we were in my 2nd story bedroom!

I could, by now, hear something creeping about on the fence below the window, rustling through the plants and vines that grow along the fence between our house and the neighbors.  About this time, Blue had exited the bedroom and timed it so that he was planted by the front door when our son walked by and, thinking he simply needed to out to potty, opened it up, letting Blue charge out like a bullet!

"Oh No,"  I thought, as I heard it all unfold....."he is going to catch whatever is out there, poor unsuspecting critter!"  Well, I heard Blue take a flying leap and hit the fence, but whatever it was must have heard him charging and slipped down the other side, just in time!  Whew!

I scolded out the window, "Blue, you leave it!  You give kisses, be a good boy!"  (Yeah right, I'm SURE he really listened to me!!  Hmm, what would Cesar do?)  Although soon enough, I heard Blue out by the front door, so in he came and reclaimed his space next to me.  But that nose is still twitching, searching for those sweet smells, as he lifts his head and turns toward the window.

And our shepherd Hannah?  She has no part in critter chasing.  She is truly a regal lady!   For her, it's much easier to glare at me until I get the hint that she's ready for her evening treat!   Ah the sweet life of dogs.  Gotta love 'em, and yes, we truly do.

Romping at the Toro Canyon dog park