Back from Sunny CA

Looks like my daughter will be attending college in California!  Look at these views...not too tough to take.   She really loved Cal Poly University.  They offer some beautiful facilities and San Luis Obispo looks to be a wonderful town.  I hope we have enough money left to go visit her!  Better up my production of dolls and jewelry.

Here is a little heart assemblage that I made from papier mache, plaster and solder for a swap in my jewelry workshop group.  Hope she likes it!

It's That Time of Year Again!

 The Smith College Bulb show in Northampton, Massachusetts is in full bloom and my lady friends and I make a point to drive down and see it each year.  It is our traditional welcome to spring.  The pinks and purples were especially lovely this year.  These pictures were taken on my iPhone camera and I have to say I am loving it.  It is so easy to have with me that I find myself taking lots more pictures.

 

My Northampton shopping and flower appreciation buddies.

This was my favorite flower this year.  I love that peachy coral shade and the ruffles.  I would like to recreate this in tissue or crepe paper but Mother Nature can't be beat!

There is a lovely little indoor shopping market with lots of wonderful independent shops in Northampton's thriving downtown.  This is on the bottom floor and is one of my favorites.  It's filled with quirky stuff.   Had a great whoopie pie at the Queen Bee Cupcakery also.  There motto is "get buzzed" at the Cupcakery.

We would have spent more time downtown if it hadn't been for those pesky parking meters!  I don't think the city should have them.  It doesn't encourage leisurely shopping.   All in all a great day.

Newest Miniature Art Book

My newest soldered creation.  These are quite labor intensive but so satisfying to make!  Don't know if I could sell them or not.  They are little jewels.

Valentine Sweet

I have made this little palm size book from soldered metal and plaster pages after taking Stephanie Lee's  class called "Handbook of Elements".  The books shown in that class are scrumptious and it is so much fun to learn new techniques that combine all the vintage elements I adore.

The spine has been embellished with lots of vintage mother of pearl buttons.

 I added hand dyed pale pink cheese cloth embedded in the plaster pages for extra color and texture.

This was pretty paper napkin that I separated the outermost ply and adhered the tissue to the plaster.  I love this effect because it becomes part of the substrate and is seamless.  Working with plaster is so much fun.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Just For Fun

I had fun making these little Art Quilt Pendants based on an idea from Rebecca Sower in an old issue of Belle Armoire that I had.  These were fun and quick to make and there are so many possibilities.  I love combining all the colors and using these these hand dyed silk ribbons that I got off of Etsy.  The combination of old fabric and hard metal and beads pleases me.

Newest Creation "Blush"

This is what I have been working on the past few days.  I made the soldered charm sometime ago and knew that it needed just the right chain.  I made some unusual wrapped links with leather, lace and beads and used fresh water pearls in the palest pink.  It is a very romantic necklace and a long one too at 17 inches.  Very Downton Abbey-ish.   I think Lady Mary might like it!

The pouch was an after thought because well...presentation is everything.  Available in my Etsy shop.

Giving In to Strawberries

I know that you are only supposed to buy fruit in season but after a long winter I am always seduced by the Florida strawberries in the market and although they cannot be compared to local June berries, some of them are not half bad.  When I ran across this recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Cake from The Pioneer Woman on Pinterest I couldn't resist giving it a try.   I am bringing it to a friend's house for dinner this evening and hopefully it will be yummy.

I used my new King Arthur baking pan with the ridges that are supposed to distribute heat evenly and it worked beautifully and the cake popped right out.