Crafts and Surprise Visit

My sister and I surprised our brother with a visit on his birthday.  And we did a good job of surprising him.  Woke him up from his afternoon nap and we didn't get shot for breaking and entering!  We were in Texas after all.    It took him a bit to realize the two strange women standing in his living room were his sisters.   He said it was the best Birthday ever!  I'm glad we were able to spent time with him and the coolest SIL ever.  They live beside a lake.  It is peaceful and beautiful.   Until, the most wicked lightening/thundering/wind storm hit.  We were there for the 'unusual'  weather.  Of course we were!   Anyway, I took some pictures of the lake and storm.  Where are the pictures of the people?  Good question, I was too focused on eating Texas food and not on my camera.

This picture is from the deck looking down to the lake.  I sat out here and had coffee a couple of times.  Even when it was cold.  There are all kinds of birds to watch and it is very quiet.

 This is a close up of a house being built by a man from Germany and a reality show he is doing of the progress.  All you can see is the tower and the dock.  We did drive(read sneak) down his drive to see the house and it is going to be beautiful when done.   This is actually on the other side of the lake from my bother but we would pass right by it on our way to town.

This is another shot of the lake at a friends place .  We just kinda barged in on their dock and they invited us over for an 'amazing' dinner.  They are both excellent cooks and their son is a chef.  They were very nice people.

 The next picture is of a storm we went through on our way to a 'real' German dinner.  Oh my goodness!!!!!  It was in a little German town with an interesting history.  This was our last night in Texas and I was wanting one  more day for more of the wonderful food we had in this short week.  And of course to visit with my brother and SIL!

 This little dog was my  mother's and this was what I did a lot of.  She is the sweetest little girl and was the best companion to my mom.  Notice I got a picture of her.....

 The travel mug is what I painted for my brother.  He likes to fish.

 While in Texas we went to Hobby Lobby!!!!!   Love that place.  I got the drawer pulls and thought they would be cool to use on my Family picture wall.  I think a small picture hung with black ribbon would look good on one of them.  I love the way it looks.  May have to get some to spell Ball to put on the other end of the hallway.  Maybe not, it might be too much??

 This is my first glass fusing piece I did at the new craft center.  I will be doing more work in glass, something about it makes me happy.

Thats all folks!

Catch-up Post

When you wait a few months before up-dating a blog, it gets confusing to create an interesting one. There seems to be too many things I want to put on the blog, so, why did I wait so long to up-date? Good question. Anyway, here is an assortment of things I've done and places I've gone to. I hope to do better about up-dating in the future. I do have some new things I am 'wanting' to do, don't know if I will be able to accomplish them or not. Time will tell.

This is a painting that Sherie requested. I like the way it looks in this spot.

The wrap bowl is for a friend as a thank you gift. I do like making these.


I did this painting for my bedroom. I had seen this idea in a store and decided to try it myself, I am very happy with it. The bird is actually the blue bird that is on my header.

I decided to repaint my kitchen wall that I had painted a faux brick a few years ago. I loved the brick look but it was like one day I got up and just had to repaint it. I'm just glad I like the way it turned out. This is before.

Another before.

And ta da......after. I love it!

Another after.

This is something I just kinda played with. It was a new brand of paint I was playing with and I decided I liked it too! It is Golden Heavy paint and with a glass bead gel over it. I do like color in case you were wondering....

I took a beginning glass class and made these flowers. I really expected them to be tacky, but, I
did like how they turned out. Hopefully I will do a few more classes with some pretty projects.

Made this skirt. I hadn't really done any sewing for quite a few years, so this was an easy pattern and I absolutely love it. I want to make one for winter out of a light wool, maybe..

A very sweet young woman, a friend of my daughter Sherie, gave me some knitting markers she had made. I wish I had taken a picture of her package before I opened it. She did a very professional job. Since I'm not a great knitter I decided to make them into a necklace. I did so without changing her markers in any way. So, if I ever get good enough to use them for the markers they were made for, I can.
I did get pictures of the packaging she made, to show.

I made the necklace and just used the markers as a drop. I love the way it turned out. It is jade and silver.

The picture below is of a new project I'm working on, I might succeed and then again I might not. I am enjoying trying.

Last time I was in Germany I saw tumbled glass used in landscaping. After much searching I finally found a company I could order it from. Something you may have guessed about me. I love glass and I love color......

The rest of the pictures are taken on outings or trips.



The following were taken in San Francisco at the Japanese Tea Gardens. This day was a record breaking hot day for San Francisco.....

You can't really appreciate how tall this bridge is from this picture. Just notice Sherie is walking sideways and holding on.

And she made me go up too.

This is on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge looking back across to San Francisco.

The following pictures were taken in Monterey and Carmel on a visit to see my granddaughter Corrie.

I wonder if the seal get to actually ride in the boats.......

It was one of those beautiful Monterey days.

I got to stay in the big yellow B & B years ago.

Corrie and I went to our favorite cheese shop in Carmel and got cheese and crackers and ate on the patio. Because we (I) was silly enough to wear the cheese hat; our picture will be on their website (so they said).

Corinnea this dog reminded me of Brink....

Can't have a beach without at least one kite.

These were two dragon kites. They were very cool in the way they moved.

Carmel Beach.

Monterey Greek Festival

I want the huge jar and pillar

Our token pictures.

Silomar Beach.

Marina State Beach.....

Surfing USA

GOOD BYE!!!!!