Trying a New Technique & Bird in the House.... again!!

Yip, we had another bird in the house! Still haven't discovered how they get in, not that I blame them, it is sooooo cold outside.  5 degrees today, brrrrrrrr!!

I was snuggled up under my blanket kinda snoozing on the couch, one eye on the tv when I swear a bird flew over my head.  What the...... Senior moment?  Nope, real bird!! The cats racing down the stairs sounded like a herd of buffalo..... they really wanted that bird.  Oh no, not again!!  I scrambled to my feet and began the chase. After following him through 4 rooms, cats in hot pursuit, he ended up perched on the transom above  the door in my office area. (See him sitting up there?)  I threw open the door grabbed the broom and striking a Babe Ruth pose I was ready to bat him out the door if he tried flying back into the room.

No doubt folks driving by thought I was nuts for having my front door open..... and holding a broom like a bat.  I am a source of entertainment to our neighbors, makes me wonder what they are going to talk about after we move.

I finally managed to use the broom to shoo the bird out the door and at the same time keep the cats at bay.  Pretty easy this time.

I have many breakable, hard to replace items sitting around so these bird invasions are traumatic for me.  The bird usually doesn't knock anything down but my darn cats will.  As usually I was yelling for help from the guys upstairs and once again they slept through the whole thing.

To give you an idea of what I have sitting around here is one corner of my front bedroom.... filled with stuff I do not want broken.

See why cats racing through the house gives me the willies?  Most of the time they are pretty good about staying off the furniture... but there is no stopping them if they are after a bird..... or a mouse. Yes on occasion we do have a mouse in the house.... at least they stay on the floor.... and our little female cat catches them in no time flat.

Fortunately I got the bird out before it flew upstairs.  What a relief.... after that adrenaline pumping experience my nap time was over......  No more birds please!!

Okay on to more important news!!

Our move to Eureka Springs is moving right along. We found a delightful little cottage, made an offer and it's been accepted.   So Exciting!!!  It's a much smaller house than this one but it is very nice.  It is a completely remodeled cottage built in 1900 and the location is PERFECT!!  The view overlooking the town  is TERRIFIC!!  I will show you photos after we move in... it will be a couple months. Hubby still has to retire and I have to pack, pack pack.  The streets are so narrow and squiggly I am not sure how we are going to get our furniture in there but my family assure me it can be done.   We'll see.

Okay, now on to clay.

 I haven't had a lot of time to play with clay.  A while back I did try out a new design technique with PearlEx that I like very much.....

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Two of the beads are made from scraps, the rest are air filled. I do like using the "air filled" technique, they are light as a feather and don't add much weight to a necklace or earrings.

Same techniques, different shapes and colors.

A couple tiles from scraps..... I do love those scraps!!

 I am now working on beads.  My studio is to cold to stay in there for very long so I got a tray, some scrap clay for bead guts and a few canes. Settled down in front of the television, put the tray on my lap and made these.   They haven't been cured yet.  I need to drill holes, put them on rods, then pop them in the oven.  Did I mention my studio in my new house has heated floors..... how cool (or hot) is that?

 Oh, and I made a pendant from the end piece of a cane.

I purchased a new extruder from Kimberly Idaiski called the Czextruder made by Lucy Clay Tools. It looks good and its gotten good reviews. I am anxious to give it a try, I am hoping it will extrude Pardo Art Clay.... stay tuned for the results.


That's it for now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Inchie Time!!

Brrrrrr.... it is soooo cold here...... like minus 7 degrees!  and there is a foot of snow outside.  I will be staying in today.

I haven't been able to clay much the last couple weeks what with the holiday festivities, my sons visit plus two baby showers for my soon to arrive great granddaughters. Both babies are due in February.  I rested up for a couple days and now I am ready to clay. I made a big pot of chili yesterday, that should keep the guys fed and  I can clay all day.  My studio has big windows so it is a little chilly but I think I can manage.

First I want to show you my inchies.  I love swaps, I love making pieces to share and I  get a big kick out of opening the packages filled with all the little treasures.

I signed up for 4 groups, here are the ones I made.  Click on the photos for a closer look

                              The first set is little birds. I used PearlEx to add a little shimmer.

                    Second set is little fans.  I used wire for the handles and PearlEx for the shimmer.

Fly a kite is my theme for the third set. 

I decided to try mini scenes for the last set.... half are country scenes and the other 6 are sailing scenes. 

And here are the sets I received 

Interesting assortment in the first set, I especially like the dainty flowers. 

Check out the textures in this set..... isn't that little owl cute?

This is an interesting group with lots of variety.... another little owl and a cute little duck, what fun!!

And the last group is fun too..... check out that snowman.... perfect for the season!! 

Close-up of the snowman.... he's pretty cool!

I am going to use most of the inchies on containers for my tools so I can see them everyday.  One of my favorites was made by the swap host, Jael, I am going to put it in a bezel  so I can wear it as a pendant. 

It was a fun swap. Now I need to get the hearts for Kim's heart swap mailed.... I will show you those next month. 

I am going to go clay now.... my goal is to make several pairs of earrings but that may change when I get started...... my muse doesn't always follow my plans.  I have been admiring Alice's large wall pieces and am tempted to try one myself,  a theme with textures has been rattling around in my head...... 

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.  

Stay warm and thanks for stopping by.