New template, etc.

I'm in the process of redoing my blog:  New template and a lot more.  Just need time and a sharp mind to figure it out and decide what I want.  In the meantime here's this boring template.  I had to give up and contend with housework, etc. before I got very far with the revamp.  If any of you have any good ideas or tips to make the transition easy I would appreciate it. 

More Bird Baths

I'm still recuperating from knee surgery, but find the energy once in awhile to work on my garden art.  Last week I finished two bird baths.  As you can see in the photo one has a solar light in the bowl.  One of our local nurseries purchased six items about a month ago and the manager has asked me to bring in more.  I'm so glad I've found a place for them.  They're so large and heavy that I've been reluctant to list them in my etsy shop.
 



Working on these decorative, but useful, items is so therapeutic.

I can spend hours looking at my stash to see what would look best together.

The Songbird

The precious wife of our pastor went to Heaven on June 21st.  She had one of the most beautiful singing voices I have ever heard.  She was our music director for many years, even after she had to go on oxygen 24/7.  To see her and hear her melodic voice every Sunday when she had so little air in her lungs was strictly a God thing.  Her memorial service was attended by more people who knew and loved her than any other such service I have ever attended.  My husband asked me to write a poem in memory of her.  He read it to the congregation at the Sunday, June 23 worship service. 

The beat of the heart went quickly still,

but silence of the voice was not God’s will.

The songbird is singing in the heavenly choir.

Though her weary body too early grew old,

the silver voice flows along streets of gold,

her new body draped in heavenly attire.

Praises are offered at Jesus’ feet,

swirling and rising, never to retreat.

The songbird is singing in the heavenly choir,

her new body draped in heavenly attire.

 copyright 6/13  Laura Crumm

I've been treasured

One of my glass garden flowers has been featured in an etsy treasury. Thank you, Beth.

'Golden Times' by bethglass

Fine Art Photography - color... libertadleal $30	Dichroic Sparkle Bead Lampwo... glasslight $36	Vintage 60s 70s Watercolor F... CkshopperVinta... $25	Handmade lampwork glass foca... dancingstarbea... $16
Water in the Desert Handmade... ninaeagle $20.99	Alive Glass - Ivory Notos B... aliveglass $200	Mother and Child necklace Gu... RainforestNeck... $14.5	Hollow Stoneware Tribal Bead... Clayworksnh $15.95
Garden art, glass flower, pl... RecycleRoom $30	Landscape Painting: Red Hori... JuliaDickensAr... $200	Lampwork Beads Art Glass Han... HeatherBehrend... $13.99	Felted wool egg or ball G Kl... astashtoys $12
Swarovski Chili Pepper Coppe... NataliaKh $23.77	Turkish Blackgoats Cicim Kil... Istanbulcolors $320	Golden Dichro Butterfly: Le... PrincessPeggy $22.5	espresso cup duo, black gold... LightaFire $24

Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.

New Garden Art

I've been busy trying to get enough garden art made to list on etsy as well as some larger items to sell, hopefully, to local nurseries.  There are times when I wish I could be cured of this addiction when I have to tiptoe through the glassware on my studio floor.  When most people see vases, candle holders, plates and dishes I see glass flowers, bird baths, totems and solar lights.  

I've been wanting to open another etsy shop for paper crafts...photos, wall decor, note cards, etc., but I can't find the time.  Maybe this fall I can slack off on the garden art a little and concentrate on the paper crafts.  

Here's some garden items that I finished this week.

Vintage amber glass solar light

Bird Bath

Solar light

Sweet Garden Lady

Slagit Valley Tulip Fields

It's been a month since I posted here.  Not from lack of interest, but mostly because I wasn't able to access my blog.  It was a simple problem with a simple solution.  Thanks, Ernie, for the solution.  

I live near the Skagit Valley in western Washington state.  This is where tulips are grown and shipped all over the world, even HOLLAND!!  Can you believe that??  Each year the area holds a tulip festival that lasts all through April.  The acres of tulips fields blooming in various colors is a sight to behold.  Over the last 15 or 20 years they have grown into a worldwide attraction.  According to an article in our local newspaper there were 50 states represented by visitors and 81 other countries this year.  Feast your eyes on a few photos I took.

Jigsaw Puzzle Picture

My husband received a jigsaw puzzle as a gift.  He spent quite some time last winter putting it together.  It was so beautiful when it was finished that we decided to frame it.  We hadn't framed a jigsaw picture before so I searched the web to get instructions.

First we had to get all the pieces stuck together.  I used Mod Podge for this step.  I poured it on in strips across the finished puzzle.  Then I used an old card, similar to a credit card to spread it evenly over the puzzle.  Any excess was scraped off.  I put a second coat on after the first one was dry. 

Next he went to the lumber yard and purchased lumber to make the frame.  After he had it built he brought in stain samples to get my opinion on the best one to use.  When he showed me the one you see in the finished product I told him THAT WAS THE ONE!  I thought it was perfect

I purchased a foam core to to fit the frame.  He slipped the puzzle onto the foam core and attached the frame.  It's now hanging on our living room wall.  This project was so rewarding.  If you have a jigsaw enthusiast in your family, give it a try.  It would make a great gift.