My first experience with clay

Well maybe not my first - I remember making a little dish for my parents when I was five. 

My newest thing to drool over has been clay crafts and I especially loved the idea of paper clay. So I thought I would try and add paper clay to some of my felting projects. I love birds on a pedestal so that was my first experience. It was a fail. Maybe I didn't mix it correctly or maybe I didn't like getting my hands so messy but whatever it was it was awful. The good news is that I didn't quit...yet. I went out and got already mixed air dry clay and what a difference.

First pedestal attempt...It was lumpy.

More money spent-new clay and I couldn't resist the mold using my
40% off coupon:)

This clay was so much easier to work with and wasn't messy and I even think my hands
were smoother after working with it. Is that possible?

My first clay pedestal and beak.

I love the crackle look. I painted the pedestal white, added the crackle paint, let it dry,
added gold paint, wiped it off, added some glitter and a coat of varnish. 

My Needle Felting Pad

Just thought I would share my solution to the messy needle felting pad dilemma. I have tried several different pads but they all eventually get full of colored fiber that then spreads to my project. Ugh!!
So my little epiphany was to stack my old pads and then cover them with a pillowcase that can be taken off and washed after each project. I also like the added height since I sit on the couch to needle felt.

My first pad is the thick one in the middle. It adds height to my pad.

The white ones on the top and bottom are soy mats which I really like because of their
texture and density.

Cheap pillowcases with a looser thread count work best.
I can flip the pillowcase over several times.

I would love to hear what other needle felters do for their felting pads.

Wet Felted Coasters Finished

The pieces of felt after they are wet felted but not yet
cut out.

Back in December I posted about wet felting some coasters. I thought I would
share pictures of the finished coasters after they were dried, cut and shaped.
The aqua and green piece ended up having streaks in it so I didn't use it.
The blue and gray I did at a later time. 

All natural - no dyes.

I don't know why but yellow and gray have become
a favorite color combo.

My Polar Bear goes to Moscow

The Russian Bear

 I was excited to have my Polar Bear go to his new home in Russia. I love feeling like you can connect with people all over the world through Etsy. I really am sooooo EXCITED - something I made, a polar bear went to Russia.  (Big Smile!)
Okay, I am calm and now I just thought I would show off my bears.

My first bear (that I am not selling) helping me
make a new bear.

My completed new bear.
He is in my Etsy shop.

Kaden's Birthday

Pretty bad when you forget to post your grandson's birthday pictures. So, I am a few lot of months late - where did the time go??  Anyway they are too cute to not show these sweet pictures. I also have to show off the monster cupcakes my daughter made.  I especially love all their colors.

Almost the whole gang!

Monster Cupcakes

Kaden is loving his Mommy!

Success!
Kaden wearing the birthday crown I made for him.
He liked the cupcake more.

Broden's Bear Blanket

 In December I started a blanket and hat for my new little grandson, Broden.  I did get it done just in time:) Well, really I had to redo the hat because it was too small. My daughter tried to get it on his head but it just wouldn't go. It is hard to see in the picture but the blanket has a hood in one corner with the face of a bear. The yarn is incredibly soft.

Before and After

Little Broden on his bear blanket.

Facing trials

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know

that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." James 1:12

This beautiful Cardinal is a bright spot surrounded by a lot of
dreariness.


I have been facing a few trials these last couple of months and have faced some real dreariness of life but I have also had the joy of being able to look to God for the beauty in the trial and to know that He is asking me to stay faithful and persevere through this time as He works all things out. I have so much to be thankful for. 

February and Grandbabies

My February was a very special month spending almost four weeks down south with Sarah and her family. My newest grandson was born on Feb. 13th and I had forgotten how much energy is needed to care for three little ones. I kept trying to remember what it was like when my oldest three were that age and I can't. I am so glad I got to spend so much time with the kids and to get to know them better. There are a lot of challenges to being a long distance Nana.      
               So here is a picture overview:)

Making Valentine cards for Mommy

Outside the hospital room.

Meeting our new little guy.

Kate stirring the playdoh.

Playdoh fun.

I made some felted bowls to match my granddaughter's room in all my spare time:)

Our Daughter Martha

A breath-taking view.

 Our daughter Martha is in Mexico for a year working with a ministry that helps churches build homes for local families.

http://marthakeese.blogspot.com/

We enjoyed our time with Martha during our family Christmas celebration. Our prayers are with her as she seeks God's guidance for her future in missions work.

Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Making Wet Felt Coasters

Dyeing the wool.

I am getting so I really enjoy making these coasters. Color combos will pop into my head and I can't wait to make them into something. The red and brown ended up reminding me of chocolate covered cherries.

Off to cut them. I hope someday to use the scraps for ATC's.

Our trip to California

Finally made a trip to visit my Mom in California with an added bonus of also visiting Martha who is down in Mexico with Caravans Ministry. It was just Katelin and I - we left the guys at home, Theodore finishing up his semester and John was working. 

My Mom just before her Christmas Luncheon on Friday.

She had everything beautifully decorated.

A highlight of our visit was a trip to Christmas Around the World
in downtown Bakersfield.

Just a few of the over 600 Nutcrackers

There were 40 countries represented with Christmas trees
decorated with traditional ornaments.

A fast overnight trip to San Diego to see Martha.

This was an unexpected sight. We took a little detour and walked around near
the museum for the Midway Aircraft Carrier.

Bob Hope entertaining the troops.

Kate is enthusiastic.

Lunch with Martha just before we said goodbye.

Back in Bakersfield - I had promised Kate a trip to Sweet Surrender for
some cupcakes. Fun store.

Another accomplishment was finding a new 'old' couch for Mom.
This was just so unexpected to find just about exactly what she
wanted and to find it so quickly and at the right price too!
It looks perfect in her home.