New Pyrography Gourd

This is another Zen type gourd with different patterns in odd shaped spaces all over the gourd.  The top was cut off so that it could be used as a liquid container.  Grab hold of the neck and pour.

I had purchased some dye to use to add color to gourds and I wanted to try it out.  Interesting.  It looked good on some patterns and not on others.  It is always a trial run with gourds.  You never really know how it is going to turn out.

Safety Tips from the American Red Cross for Surviving the Heat

*Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).


*Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.

*Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

*Eat small meals and eat more often.

*Avoid extreme temperature changes.

*Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

*Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

*Postpone outdoor games and activities.

*Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.

*Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.

*Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

*Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

I actually got the tips from another blog that I read.  It has a lot of good information.  Link is below

In Case of Emergency, Read Blog

 

Stay Cool!

 

Beth

Happy 4th!

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!  Nearly all the activities...We have a July Jubilee every year...got rained out.  The rain has stopped but it is very muddy.

Found this in some saved emails.  I love Texas!!!

Finished Stool

Thought I had better get up off my .....and show off this finished stool.  I love it just like it is.  It is very heavy and aged.  I told my boys they could sit on it.  They looked at me like I had lost my mind.  Like Grammy we are going to sit on it anyway "Why are you saying this".

I think it is indestructible.  I am sure they will put it too the test.

All The Wrinkled Ladies - More Things to do when you're bored

This my theme song from now own.  I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Emergency Management for Pets

I read this blog and it has some very good information gathered about emergency management.  Everyone expects the government to take care of everything and I am on a mission to get people to take of themselves for at least 72 hours.  We must think ahead and be prepared.

http://incaseofemergencyblog.com/

Today's post was about planning for your pets because most people will not leave their pets behind.  I am one of these.  Love me love my doggie!

Clorox website

Clorox has this great pamphlet that you can download.  I am big into Emergency Management.  Everyone should have an emergency kit.  Be prepared to survive 72 hours without any outside help. 

http://www.clorox.com/our_story/understanding_bleach/simpleandsurprising.php

There are many other places to teach you how to prepare.  I will try to post some of these in a day or two.

Second Part of THE BENCH!!!

This is my favorite tool.  It has changeable parts; a drill, jig saw, a little skill type saw, & a sander.  This was my Christmas present a couple of years ago.  Best one ever.

At some point I even had to pull out the big guns.  The dreaded Skill Saw.  Big scary noisy thing but everything else died and I was determined to get the pieces cut out.

So I put it together.  I changed the length to fit the top piece that I had and put a 2 X 4 as the center brace.  Just thought it would stronger and easier to hit with screws.

This is it unpainted with putty in the screw holes and no top piece.  I did countersink the screws.  Not well but I know how now.  This thing is so heavy I can hardly pick it up.  I used a 2 X 12 on the top which is really heavy.  I didn't adjust the side pieces when I changed the length.  They were just a hair short so I used them anyway.

Painting Comes Next!

Building a Bench

There is a blog that I have been following called Knock Off Wood.  She give you wonderful plans for simple and some not so simple to build.  They are just so great.  Wish I had seen it years ago.  Of course she wasn't born then.

But anyway I have all these tools.  I love tools and hardware stores and gadgets.  Love it all. I could wander around in Lowe's for hours.  Just looking and wondering what does that do!

So I decide that I was going to build something.  All by myself.   She has the plans on Knock Off Wood, shopping list, and tools needed.  I wanted to learn how to countersink a screw.  She tells you how to do that too.    (Plans Here)

From Better Homes and Gardens

I wanted to use some old wood we already had especially a huge 2" X 12"  that had some character. (This was kind of a mistake.  Too heavy.)

I had lots of problems.  It's amazing what is common sense to my Honey does not in any way come into my mind.  Which means I do a lot of things the hard way.  Taking me twice as long to do anything.

Finding all the tools was a big problem.  Because I haven't been using them and tend to base coat in the room where the tools are they were scattered or on a shelf way above my head.

These are some of my tools.  I had to pull old nails because I was determined to reuse wood.  I also figured out why this was not always a good idea.  Sometimes old wood will not hold a screw.

Ana says to cut your wood first and measure.  I did this but I changed the length of the bench and did not always adjust all the pieces accordingly.

Sassy was helping but lost all interest when things got noisy.  Tomorrow I hope to finish this story.  I thought it was funny but you probably had to be there.

The Mom Song Sung To William Tell Overture : The Coolest One

The Mom Song Sung To William Tell Overture : The Coolest One

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This is too funny and so very right!

Everyone have a great day!

Hugs Beth

Zen Gourd

I did another gourd.  Surprise!  I call it a Zen Gourd.  Combining pyrography and Zentangle drawing.  I think that is what it called.  It is styled after one I saw on the Arizona Gourd site.  I thought it would give me some practice and advance my skills a little.

I know it's crooked.  I just like this picture.

Have a great weekend all!

Pyrography

I have started doing pyrography.  I had all the equipment but got mad at myself one day and put it away.  Anyway like anything you want to do well you should practice.  Mostly I want to work on gourds but have been doing some other things for practice.

This is a scrap gourd (it was cracked) that I was playing with.

These are a couple of small pine pieces

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Small pine box that I had on hand.  Everyone told me pine did not burn well and they are very right.  This box especially.  It had hard spots and soft spots.  So it wouldn't burn and then it did.  Such a mess but it was fun.  I also used a little colored pencil for some light color.

This is one of my favorite blogs to read in Google Reader. It always let's me know that I am not the worst off in this world.

He even has written a book with customer quotes & rants

http://notalwaysright.com/

Very Funny Stuff!

October Project

This is my project for me for October. It is painted on Roc Lon Material which worked very well.

This is the Santa box but it is not finished. I got a little further than this picture shows and hope to finish soon.

These are the white rose I did. It is not finished either. Just need to varnish and put a trim on the edges. I just couldn't wait to post it.

These are the pink rose. I didn't photograph them well but they look great even if I say so myself. I learned a lot from Trudy.

I haven't been a very good blogger lately but I plan on doing better.

I went to a seminar this weekend with the Alamo Decorative Painters in San Antonio, TX. Had a great time. My friend, Gerrianne, invited me to stay with her. Could not ask for a better hostess. They have a beautiful place. I felt just as comfortable as I could be at home. I can not thank her enough.

Trudy Beard came all the way to Texas just to teach us. It was like we had know her for years. Of course I had been following her painting for years but there is nothing like being taught by the real thing.

These are the pictures that I took. I didn't take near enough but I get so entralled with what is happening that I forget to take pictures.

This is the chicken shirt that I painted. It's a design by Doxie Keller that I purchased at the Houston Expo last year.

I have had a terrible time finding a shirt to paint on that didn't cost a fortune. This is just a cheapo shirt from WalMart and it was great to paint on but too big.

I just wanted a casual fun thing to wear and paint with the Folk Art Fabric paint. They are a dream to paint on fabric with but I still haven't developed that loose style I would like to have. I will keep trying.

Not the best shot of me. We were on our way back from San Marcos, TX and stopped at an outlook area to look at the scenery. It was a beautiful drive.

Ornament

This is the ornament purchased from Della and Company. It is metal and is a slightly puffed pear shape. Hand painted by me from Della's pattern. The ornament is 3 inches at the widest point and 4 inches tall. I have a couple more ornaments shaped like little three part trees. Hopefully I will get those painted soon.

I have been working on another tray painted Heather Redick style with stroke roses. It is a much harder pattern so it may take awhile. I meant to take in progress pictures but I get so involved that doesn't get done.

Until next time Ya'll

Beth

Attention Please

Della and Company is a special place for items to paint. They are unique, very well made, and priced well. I purchased and ornament & pattern pack at the Houston Expo last year. It painted well and her directions were easy to follow. Meaning it looked like the picture she had when I got through painting. I hope to post the pictures shortly.

The reason for this post is that they are having a sale. Just got the email today. Check them out for yourself.

http://dellaandcompany.com/