Life is Rosy

When I don't take the kids to the community pool, they act like the world is going to end.  Boredom will swell up and take over their entire existence.  Despite pricey video games, computer games, satellite tv, netflix, a huge shady yard, and all sorts of plastic crap, life goes down the toilet if we do not go to the pool.

So I've just barely gotten three things done since my last blog post.

Clip-on Rose Earrings for my shop


Bigger flashier clip-on Rose and Ivy earrings for myself


a large rose brooch created for a customer who needed one a few inches larger than the rose brooch that was already in my shop.

Self indulgent summer jewelry and bad bugs

Battling Bad Bugs (japanese beetles) on my fruit trees.
 

Making flippant, flamboyant, frivolous foam clip-on earrings with my daughter.


 

and a self-indulgent gold tendril for my own navel.  Sorry, I couldn't think of any alliteration for that one.

This is the whole reason I got my navel pierced about 18 months ago.  I don't actually run around with my belly showing.  I wanted a little tendril-y gold vine on my belly.  I started off with the surgical steel starter ring.  I moved to a 14k gold commercial navel ring when the surgical steel got irritating.  Finally, I took the time to make what I wanted for myself.  I might hang little beads off the inside loop, not sure yet. 

The rest of my time has been consumed with family obligations, entertaining the children, chauffeuring the children, housework, feeding the family, yardwork, etc...

Morel Brooch and Summer Family Fun

When the kids are out of school, I get to sleep later, but the rest of my days fill up fast.
I finished one of the morel mushroom chasings from the Tunnel Mill workshop and turned it into a brooch.
 

I love the texture and the funky forms.  If you want a different view of mushrooms, colorful, funky and psychedelic, take a look at this great "Psychedelic 'Shrooms" treasury that I put together on Etsy.

We've been swimming a lot in the community pool.

From dreadlocks

and I've been modifying some mannequins for an upcoming exhibit at The Pumphouse in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

From dreadlocks

You can click on the photos to get a larger view.

I'm enchanted with my yard and gardening projects.  I'd be happy to do much more, with more time and money.  Isn't that always the way it is?  I have gotten some great photos along the way.  I love playing with my macro lens.

From Yard and Garden

Again, click on the photo, or the link below it, to go to the entire garden set.

The kids took a fun cookie decorating class.  The first photo shows a project they did in class.  The second shows some Mi-Del gingersnaps that my daughter decorated at home after the class.
 
I love her fun little faces.

This week:

• I will finish up with the 4H Spin Club, Creative Endeavors.  They finish up by learning how to make a basic silver solder join using a small butane or MAP gas torch. 
• I will decoupage two more plastic display mannequins with interesting botanical themed elements.
• I will try to get into the metal shop to work on a few projects that I'd love to finish up.
• If I can't get into the metal shop I will work on fiber art jewelry.  I've got some ideas for clip-on earrings, necklaces and brooches that are calling to me.
• I'm sure we will spend lots more time swimming- good exercise and good for bored kids.

I'm not sure I can get all that done, but I will have fun trying (or get worn out.)