Uniform no more

Tomorrow is the first day in a year that I will be going to work not in a set uniform. I've almost forgotten how to choose outfits that look nice and are comfortable. It would be so easy if I just put my clothes together in stylish combinations and hung them in the closet...maybe that will be my new thing...that will last a week...lol. It's summer, and that means it's HOT. Though, I'll be in an office of unknown temps adding another variable to my dilemma. I've planned what I hope will be a temperature wise outfit. I have a feeling that I will be taking some kind of cardigan to work to leave there for chillier temps. I do remember that the room I interviewed in was COLD!!! Though my soon to be new office was just perfect.

I know this post was not very interesting, I'm just trying to get into the habit of posting to my blog. Something that I find very interesting is that I'm getting closer to soldering on my newest stained glass window. It's for my mother, and it's a bird of paradise. I love it, and can't wait to see it with the light shining through it. A couple of the colors of glass appear so close in color with no light behind it that the true beauty of it has not been seen yet. I'm hoping that Tuesday will be the day that I get to see all the colors in their glory!!! It's so very exciting. I mean, even more exciting than peeling the pattern pieces off after grinding them down to their final shape. :-)



There are a couple of pieces (four to be exact) that I will be recutting and foiling before soldering. I discovered that trying to grind glass while exhausted is not a wise move. At least it was only four pieces, and that I noticed this defect now and not when my window is soldered....or I'd be getting a lesson in stained glass window repair. I'm sure that lesson is in my future, however, I'd like to complete a big window before I attempt repairs.

At any rate, I'm off, I just thought it would be fun to actually include a picture in a post...though, I have yet to figure out the whole Google+ thing to post pics from my phone since I blog from my phone most often (this post exculded from that last statement).

Time of my life

Last night I had the time of my life grinding away little crazy glass shapes. I've only got three more pieces to go. Then I can really begin the process of copper foiling. Had it not been for the two hour time limit on class last night I would have kept on going into the wee hours of the morning. ;-) I never think to take actual pics of what we are doing while we are doing it...so a picture of the end result will have to suffice! I am however collecting supplies for my next one. So since I'll be working independently in my own home, I'll be able to take pictures of the process! Kudos to a wonderful teacher. I'm lucky that our paths crossed and I've had this opportunity to learn from a great master!

New glass

I went to Hobby Lobby today after work with the intent of buying a magic runner. I was placed in the unfortunate situation of not being able to buy the object I desired. However, the stained glass section of this particular store was enough to keep me intrigued. I left the store with another piece of glass...my second now. I know my teacher will encourage me to buy wholesale with her...and I will in time. But for now...a 40% discount is enough to keep me going back for a few pieces to have now.

Google+ woes

So here it is, June 2nd and it's been awhile since I've blogged. Part of that is due to the fact that I do most of my blogging from my phone and I've not yet codified out how to add photos to my posts from my phone. It should be easy, but alas I cannot figure out Google's Google+.

In the time I've been separated from my blog I've been busy getting a new job. Yes that's right. I've got a real job and I'm beginning my final week of employment at the Phoenix Zoo. I'm sad that I won't be seeing my wonderful zoo family every day...so I'll just have to make more of an effort to stay active with them. Shouldn't be too difficult once I get in the swing of things with my new job.

I've also been staying active with stained glass. Yes that's right. Stained glass. It's awesome and takes my mind off stressful things and allows me to focus on the perfect score. Which I've begun to achieve with the Cadillac of glass cutters!!! The Gryphon Pistol Grip Glass Cutter has given me some totally awesome scores so far. I cannot wait for the millions more from this beautiful tool.

Until next time. I'm back to cutting glass.

Just an inch off the top

My laundry room (or rather closet) has been in need of some organization. That need required the knowledge of my friends on Pinterest! So the search began. I began pinning just about every idea (those relevant to my space and those dream rooms) to possibly combine the best ideas from all the amazing pins. For those who know me...I never just jump right in to design elements in my home. This is something that must be both functional and practical as well as pretty!

I really liked the idea of putting a shelf resting on the back of the washer and dryer for things I use such as detergent and the like. Seemed easy enough. I learned from a very young age is that you measure twice cut once ( thank you Bob Vila). So I got out my measuring tape and got to work. The closet itself measured 5 and a half feet so I took that knowledge and went to my local Home Depot. I manage to pick up a piece of MDF relatively cheaply and brought it home to cut. I am no stranger to power tools so I did not hesitate to cut it myself! However, all the power tools are at my mother's. So I headed over there and made my cut. I brought my cut board home and brought it into the house to the closet. Much to my dismay the cut that I made was not quite short enough. Thankfully I was able to cut off another inch I make the board fit perfectly. Thanks Pinterest for the wonderful idea. I now have a new shelf that's not a permanent fixture in the closet yet keeps my supplies neatly stored but close at hand.

February 2013

The month of February just flew by. It seems like only yesterday was February first. The coat that I started is finished. I will post those pictures very soon. A coworker of mine agreed to teach a few of us that work at the zoo how to do stained glass. I've only had 2 classes and I'm completely addicted. My once debilitating fear of glass cutters is now gone thanks to Susan. And this week she even picked up on how much I already love it and sent me home with glass to try cutting by myself. I did pretty good until I got to 1 tricky peace. But the third try was successful! I can't wait until this piece is finished and I can start another 1. Which I've already started designing for my photograph I've taken. Susan agreed to help me with the design from the photograph since you have to be careful not to put too much stress on the pieces themselves. I just have to remember next Tuesday to go early so that I can get started on the grinder which will become my friend that week. I will also post pictures of my stained glass piece as soon as I can! Until then...

Easing the Pain

My four legged son is growing old and achy. I've noticed over the last few days especially that he's been limping. I've been looking into the many possibilities of treatments mostly over the counter as I currently don't have pet insurance. Joint issues are typically something that occurs when our friends age. I was thinking glucosamine as a treatment. I'm hoping it helps. As it stands right now I'm giving him aspirin as a band-aide. He's tolerating that just fine so I'm hopeful that my next course of action is just as successful. Does any one have any other suggestions or helpful tidbits on the subject?

My day with the fishes

After an afternoon at an Italian Restaurant called Marcellino Ristorante, it has come to my attention that raw salmon and weeds covered in a light lemony goop is actually quite tasty. It is possible that this conclusion is the result of the wine that was served with said fish and florae. Needless to say, it was quite the experience and I'm glad that I got to share in it with my mother. I'm sure that the menu will not be a habitual event, however, I may revisit the fine establishment with the appropriate company.

A whole lot of buttonholes!...maybe...

Sewing is such a fun, relaxing past time of mine. Anytime I feel the need to just completely zone out I work on a sewing project. Either something super easy or super involved. This project that I am working on currently requires buttonholes. This means I get to learn a new skill on my sewing machine. What fun....time to surf the web for the how-to. I just wanted to write a quick entry to get myself in the habit of updating my blog! Yay me!!! The tutorial said it was easy...however, I'm not so sure that it the case. I tried to follow the tutorial that came with my machine, and I'm thinking I've missed something. Back to the drawing board!

Back again...

I am back again for a second go around at this blogging stuff. I'm going to try to commit to writing two posts a month. So we'll see how it goes. Since last being on this blog, I've become quite addicted to Pinterest. Needless to say, it's the most amazing thing ever. I have also discovered Etsy. While I have a few items posted there, nothing has been selling. Which is why (thanks to the advice of a fellow Pinterester and blogger) I have decided to be a bit more active here. If it all works out, I'll get myself into some lucrative habits...so here's hoping! Until later! Be well.