Garden Woes & a New Polymer Clay Cane

As you can see my cane muse is on vacation. Not sure what I had in mind when I put this together.

 Here's some canes I made from it. I'll make tiles tomorrow.

You have to be a glutton for punishment to try and garden in this lousy part of the country. It's a constant battle against heat, humidity, storms, mosquitos and weeds. The hot weather arrived early this year, temp's in the upper 90's and high humidity so when the last couple days we had cooler weather, low 80's and fairly nice humidity, it was almost nice to sit outside and enjoy the flowers.  So what happens?.... the annual invasion of the Japanese beetle.  They are like locust they devour all the pretty blossoms.

This is one of my favorite garden pots. The purple and white flowers are called "Cup and Saucer". They are a double bell shape that kinda looks like a cup and saucer. What  fascinates me is both colors are growing on the same plant.  The beetles haven't attacked them yet, but I'm sure they will.

I can't remember the name of these, they are perennials and have been growing in this spot for several years.  This is what they looked like a couple days ago.

This is what they look like now.  Well not really, there are a few blooms and leaves left in this photo, by now they are completely striped to the stem.

This is one of my cone flowers... see the happy bumble bee? I haven't seen any honey bees this year but quite a few bumble bees. They just wander around on the flower and take a little pollen. 

Not beetles, they are chomping away on the petals and will soon be devouring the lilies.  The trumpet flowers on the gazebo are covered with them and I even found some on the petunias... which they usually leave alone. Needless to say I am not a happy camper.  Time for a Bloody Mary. 

Rainbow Skinner Blend Beads and Cane

It was to hot to go outside today so I concentrated on clay. I think the heat is frying my brain.

My pasta machine motor hasn't arrived, I know it's on the way so hopefully it will be here soon.  I made do by feeding the clay in with my left hand and cranking with my right. I'm left handed so I normally crank with my left, it was a little awkward but I got the job done and didn't mush a single finger.... came close a time or two. It felt like that coordination test where you pat your head with one hand and rub your tummy with the other. (Not as easy as it sounds.... go ahead, give it a try.  See, I told ya.)

Click on the photos for a closer look.

First I made a Rainbow Skinner blend using Kato Pearl that I tinted with Premo and Fimo Classic. I used the black button as a mold and made these two round tiles.

I accordion folded the skinner blend strip then use the pieces that I trimmed off the sides to make the tube beads and the flat tile.  The round tiles are reversible, this is one side....  I was going to show you the other side but I somehow deleted the other photo and can't figure out how to put it back in the proper order.... you'll just have to take my word... the other side is pretty too.   Lordy I hate being so computer illiterate! Just when I think I have things figured out they  "new and improve" and I'm in the dark again.

Here are the canes I made.

Colorful Polymer Clay Canes

Grouping of canes I made to use in kaleidoscope canes. I achieved these pretty colors by mixing Premo colors with Kato Pearl. I always make at least one "what was I thinking" cane, in this case the triangle with the blue blob.

Click on the photos for a closer look.
The assembled cane before reduction.
And here are canes I made from it. They don't look like much here but the tiles I made are pretty cool. I will get them sanded tonight and show them to you tomorrow.

The little clown is an egg cup, he wanted his picture taken and he looks good with the canes. I plan to use him as a model for my next cane.
I like gardening in pots, they are easier to weed. I don't know how the weeds get in the pots, but they do. Don't you love the little white ballon flowers, the buds are so cool. I got some in other colors too.... purple, yellow and orange... so sweet!

The trumpet vines on the gazebo are in full bloom.... time for the hummingbirds to arrive, they love the trumpet flowers.

I Beat the Deadline. Yahoo!! & Made a Necklace too!!

Finished our taxes one days ahead of schedule.... even got them signed and in the mail. I have spent the last 10 days preparing tax returns for all the kids and grandkids... not fun this year as most everyone owes money and I don't like being the bearer of bad tidings but at least it is done and I don't have to think about it for another year.

In between filling in forms, schedules and work sheets I took little breaks and worked on a mostly colored wire asymmetrical necklace. I did use the polymer clay bicone beads that I posted earlier.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I used matte finish purple seed beads on the wire doodads.

and a cultured freshwater pearl in the center of the pendant. I like the 3-D effect of the pendant.
The chain in double links of green and brass wire.

Polymer Clay Buttons to Beads

I'm still slogging around in my basement. The cleaning is slow moving as I keep finding things that distract me. My latest find was a box of large coat buttons, many with attractive designs.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I like the pattern on this button, it is simple but very attractive. I was running scrap clay through the pasta machine and liked the copper look so I used it to make a couple tiles.

This large coat button has lots of texture so I used it to make the hollow pendant.

In between playing with clay, cleaning the basement (actually I'm making a big mess down there) and doing a little yard work I made a few wire doodads.
I made a necklace using one of the "copper" tiles and the blue wire doodad strung on dark blue waxed cotton cord. I have dozens of large buttons with fun designs, good thing I saved them, right?

Polymer Clay Gertie Pentant

Today is my sons 40th birthday. Wow, that is such a surprise..... it just seems like yesterday that I turned 40 myself. He is our youngest. He grew up to be a kind gentle man that has made us proud. Happy Birthday Brad.

I have a cute stamp with three figures on it, I used one of the ladies to make this pendant. I gussied her up with PearlEx powder, used green Swarovski rhinestones for her eyes and curled her red clay hair. She's no raving beauty but she has lots of personality. Her name is Gertie.

Polymer Clay Colorful Mica Shift

Today I had a good time playing with texture stamps and mica shift. I have lots and lots of rubber stamps and texture sheets so decided I'd better use them more.

For the first one I tinted Kato Pearl with Fimo Classic Bordeau Red. I ran it though the pasta machine to the thinnest setting. I then went through my tub of mixed colors and found a small amount of lime green that I decided to use for the bottom sheet.... which I rolled out #1 on the PM.

I made the lime green by mixing Kato yellow with a small amount of black and then added white. I know I should write down proportions but I never do. I kinda mix colors like I cook, a pinch of this and a pinch of that until I get the color I want.

I put the thin sheet of pink over the green and ran it through the PM on the #1 setting. I then pressed the texture sheet into the clay. I always let my clay rest for at least an hour before I start shaving off the top. I know other can get a clean cut without waiting but I can't, it always mushes when I shave too soon.

I made the tube bead with the left over clay and added eyelets on each end. The hole is large enough for satin or waxed cord. I plan to attach the pendant to the tube with wire.

I know the colors are a little strange but I like em, hope you do to.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

For the last two I used the same sheet of stripes that I used to make one of the earlier pictured ink pens. I tinted Kato gold with a little bordeau red for the top sheet, gives it more of a bronze look. After I shaved off the tops I cut out the shapes with an exacto knife and set them aside to prepare the background sheets for each one.

The one on the left has a textured background, I laid the mica shift design on top and cut out a shape I liked and it was ready for the oven.

For the one on the right I made a striped background. I then positioned the two paisley pieces where I wanted them and cut out the shape. The all gold one is the piece I sliced off the top, I usually don't get that clean a cut but I've been trying every since I saw it done by friend Kathi of Dragonsglass.com . I then removed the two pieces and cured the background piece so I could sand and buff, much easier than trying to sand around the two top pieces. Once that was done I placed the two pieces back in place, baked, dropped them into a ice bath, waited 20 mintues and then sanded. There is glitter that doesn't show up well it the photo... you can see it better if you click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Mostly Red

I placed a clay order with Monro Crafts wednesday and much to my surprise it arrived today. I ordered a couple Lisa Pavelka texture sheets. I've wanted her "Curly Q" pattern for a long time.. every time and every place I order it it's always sold out ...but today I got lucky. I used it to make the round pendant... pretty cool, right?

Polymer Clay Mokume Gane Tiles

I was doing a little cleaning today and while organizing my stamps and texture sheets I decided to make some Mokume Gane tiles to use with beading and wire.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

This has always been one of my favorite stamps, I think he is so regal.
This trio of bugs should make an interesting necklace don't you think?
I am going to bead around the Koi Fish and the Seahorse. The one in the center is slices from the seahorse, I just thought it was neat.