This past weekend

 We had a huge pottery festival in Seagrove, NC.  Thank you to everyone that came out!!!  I was going to take a picture of my booth, but I got side-tracked.  This is what I ended up with.....

 

Some of my favorite t-shirts

I just got a new catalog in the mail that has tons of t-shirts in it.  Personally, I don't wear t-shirts with stuff written on them, but they are always fun to read.  So, I thought that I would pass along some of my favorites.  These are in no particular order (but #5 fits so many people in my family).

1. Empty Promises, Calculated Betrayal, Sociopathic Greed. Just another Monday.

2.  I'm sure you mean well.  But, I'm not sure you are well.

3. Just another Poo Flingin' day in the jungle.

4.  If you met my family, you'd understand!

5.  I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick.

6.  Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for much, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

7.  I hate it when my cat thinks outside the box.

8.  Buckle up, It makes it harder for the aliens to snatch you from your car.

9.  Destined for Greatness - just pacing myself.

10.  Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

But the one that probably suits me the best:

My life is loosely based on a true story.

FInally OPEN!!!!!!

Today we decided to unofficially open Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts!  Here are a couple of pictures to show you a little of the store.  We still have a lot to do, such as finish the pedestals for all of the featured artist's work (Warner Hyde), and still need to hang some artwork on the walls.  But, I am finally open for business!  Thank you to everyone who has helped, particularly my husband - I couldn't have done it without him!!!!!!!

 

Our Newest Family Member

When we moved out to Pittsboro John promised that we could get a cat.  Since Nancy and I are terribly allergic to cats it would have to be a completely outdoor cat.  We said after Clint builds a cat-house then we could go to a shelter and find one.

Clint worked hard at creating a plan, buying materials and then building a custom cat-house.  One side is the front entry that leads to a hall-way and then to a separate bedroom.  It has a cover area for the food bowls and a hinged roof for easy access.  He even put shingles on it.

About a week ago, John and I were driving down the road and there was a cat laying in the middle.  At first we thought that it was dead because it didn't try to get out of our way.  (we have since discovered that it is deaf and probably just didn't hear us)  We stopped, got out of the car and the poor cat limped over to us.  Nothing but skin and bones, meowing very loudly.  We went back down the drive and got it some tuna and milk, which it ate every bite.  She has stayed with us ever since. 

She such a sweet lovable kitty and she doesn't seem to mind Biscuit at all.  We are not sure Biscuit thinks to highly of the new family member, but Biscuit already makes sure the kitty keeps up on walks and makes it safely back.  

Here is Biscuit moaning at the cat.

Big BIG NEWS!!!!

I have been wanting to share this with everyone, but I didn't think that I should until it was a "done deal".  Now it is...
John and I have bought a little building in downtown Pittsboro, NC.  We will be opening up a shop called "Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts"  Since John and I are artists we will be selling our work that we make.  We will also be bringing in other artist's work.  We hope to have a new 2D and 3D artist featured each month with a reception. 

There is so much work to be done.  The grand opening probably won't be until November 1st.  Here are a few pictures of the building before we start work on it.  It was a coffee and book shop before.   The hardest part is will be trying to remove the center bar area.  It is made with 2" concrete top.  Cute for what it was, but it takes up way too much room.  Plus, for an art gallery the walls need to be rather plain, so I will need about a hundred coats of paint to cover up these walls!!! 

Behind the yellow wall to the right is an office.  I am going to use that for my glass and jewelry studio! There is a skinny storage area across the back of the building which will help.

This is a link to google earth that shows the front of the building.  I forgot to take a photo of it yesterday. Our building is the one with the purple shutters.  (The address is 80 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=80+hillsboro+st+pittsboro+nc&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=80+Hillsboro+St,+Pittsboro,+Chatham,+North+Carolina+27312&gl=us&ei=LihfTISXI4SglAfL5J2rCA&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA&ll=35.721409,-79.177115&spn=0.000466,0.000862&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=35.721314,-79.177126&panoid=prDERewHlgOrGBGPgk2iIg&cbp=12,85.11,,0,4.3

  Although it may be slow, I am sure that I will keep you posted on the progress.   We are very excited!!!!

Wednesday Window

She looks so happy just resting in the cool greens. (I took this on Sunday morning.)

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

I am a terrible mother, I couldn't find any baby pictures of Nancy (they are all packed away).  This one is when she was about two years old.  Today, July 28th she turns 19 years old!!!!!  I can't believe how my little baby girl has grown up into such a young lady.  I am very proud of her and everything that she has accomplished so far in life.

Wednesday Window

Put another quarter in, please!

Mom, I am bored...

Today both husband and son didn't have any place to go. My husband napped and my son slept till after 3:00pm.  The van was in the shop for repairs so there was no place to go. Finally, my son got up and decided to take a shower.  This is what he did first...

It is amazing how one can become creative when they are bored.  He used a dry-erase marker to draw the Mustang on the shower wall.  I love it!

Nature at the Studio

We were finally able to take off on Saturday and spend a little bit of time at the studio.  We really didn't do any work, but was able to enjoy the peace and quiet and a little bit of nature. 

One of the mommas came up with her two babies.  It seems that all the deer there have two at a time. 

Then John had to stake the sunflower up some more, because it had grown a bit just from Thursday.

Clint caught a skink.  Not sure how he did, because they are so fast!  Then he caught a toad.

It was so relaxing.  We grilled fish and then played Scrabble.  Finally, we decided to spend the night, even though we hadn't packed.

And this morning we found this beautiful moth.

I can't wait to go back!

Wednesday Window on Thursday

Clint took this picture today of our sunflower.  We hope that it will make it to the sunflower contest judging which is at the end of the month. (and no, miracle grow has not been added =)

Wednesday Window

John was out working in the yard on Monday and came across this lovely dragonfly.  It is amazing how the center colors look like a butterfly.  There is even a second set of "eyes" half way down the back.  Two for the price of one!

Wednesday Window

Just a few casings from when Clint and I went out shooting last week.  Clint built the cool sculpture - thought that it should be about 30 feet high!

Dear Grandmom

This past week I helped my Mom by going through some old boxes of stuff.  I came across this letter and thought that I would share it with you.  It was a letter that I wrote to my Grandmom - "Gran" as I called her.

Dear Grandmom   2/23/76

Hi how are you doing? This is a lettle asking you some queshtons.  A lot of them. I sher do love you you no that?  Can you fish and get a lot of them? I can! 

I was sick on Fed. 23, 1976 it was not fun this is the day I rote this letter to you.   

I Love you I Love you I Love you I Love you I no I said that four times I jost Love you.

Here is a story a made up.  A mouse was making a mud pie in the annual slowpoke race when he was picked up by an elephant in a yellow canoe who gave him a lift to a haunted house where a goat was chewing bubble gum.

Love casey

Ok, it was the 70's....  I went by the name "Casey" (one of my many aliases).   I was seven years old at the time.  Now what do you do when you come across something like this?  It wouldn't mean a thing to anyone, but me.  But, I just can't seem to throw it away just yet.  Maybe I will save it and let my kids decide when they have to help me clean out all of my clutter that I have been collecting over the years.   Good idea!
 

 

Bribery

I have to use bribery on my son quite often, if I ever want to get a picture of him.  He has never wanted his picture taken and I have thousands of pictures where all you see is his hands in front of his face. 

Well, he has been begging us to take him to Ginza Japanese restaurant.  So, on Sunday we told him that we would go.  Just before getting into the car I told him that I wanted a picture of him or else we weren't going.  A mother has to seize every opportunity she can!

Wednesday Window (a little late)

I love my house so much, it will be hard to picture us living somewhere else.  But, I am starting to dream about what my new house will look like.  I heard back from one of the contractors today, and it didn't sound good.  I was really hoping for some lower figures.  Maybe one of the others will be able to do it in our price range.

But in the mean time I can dream.  This is what I would like my kitchen and bath to look like....

nothing too fancy, but clean lines and natural wood.  I want to make ceramic tiles for the backsplashes. 

Wednesday Window

One of the very first things that John ever bought for me was two needlepoint kits.  I had told him that I do counted-cross stitch and he thought I would like these.  One was an eyeglass case kit and the other was this change purse kit.  I made the eyeglass case right away.  But, last month while I was packing I came across the change purse kit.  I had completely forgotten about it.  It is a "Stitch & Zip" kit, where all you do is the needlepoint on it and I was able to finish it last night.

My goal is to try and complete any projects that I have before starting something else.  I now can mark another project off of my to-do list!  It feels good to complete something, even if it is little.  Plus, it only took 9 years to get around to it, but at least it is finished!!!!

New Dresses

I love the smocked top dress that they sell at Victoria Secrets, but I do not like the $60 price tag.  A few months ago, Nancy and I went to JoAnns and we bought a bunch of material.  I was able to make six dresses for $90 - that is $15 each!  I really like the black and white print of the one I have on.  I wore it with black and silver flip-flops while John and I were running around shopping and doing some errands.  But, it looks good with my white high heels and white shrug for a little bit dressier look.  I made a few short dresses and a couple of the maxi dresses, too.  I made a long version of the bright yellow and orange dress for Nancy (which had pinks and purple, too).  

Camcist

What?  What is a Camcist?

Yesterday we had our carpets in our house cleaned by John Hurst (919) 795-9032.  He did a great job.  You do not realize just how dirty your carpets are getting when you live with them every day.  But, since we are trying to sell the house we figured we better get them professionally cleaned.  Like I said, he did a great job and I was also impressed with the cost.

But, carpet is not what I wanted to talk about - it is the Camcist.  John Hurst is also the inventor of the Camcist.  I had to ask what this thing was.

(The following is taken from:  http://www.ideabuyer.com/ipavail/camcist-camcorder-aiming-device)

The "Camcist" is an aiming device (frame) that attaches to the tripod assembly of any hand-held camcorder.
Invented in North Carolina by a father (John Hurst) who realized while videoing his children's activities, that he was unable to enjoy the game and capture video footage simultaneously.

The Camcist has five advantages to the camcorder user:

Benefits of Using the Camcist:

1) allows the user to watch an event and video at the same time
2) eliminates the need for the LCD screen and subsequently while saving battery power

3) stabilizes the video
4) eliminates eye strain related to LCD screen
5) eliminates LCD glare from any light source

Sometimes the simple ideas end up being the best.  The product is also made from laser cut steel so it is made to last.  John did not ask me to promote his product, but I believe that it is a great idea and deserves to be mentioned.  

If you want to purchase one, contact John Hurst at hlmobile@aol.com or write to him at P.O. Box 272, Rolesville, NC 27571

They cost $24.95 from B&H (+shipping and handling) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Other-Camcorder-Accessories/ci/1873/N/4294548329, but if you buy it directly from John and tell him that you saw this on my blog, he will give you a little discount. 

Wednesday Window

The house went up for sale on Sunday and we already have had two showings.  How many does it take to sell?  I wish I knew the answer.   I think that is going to be the hardest part, just not knowing "When".  I will miss my house.  I have always loved it, but I know that being out next to our studio will be so much better.  And a "house" is just a structure -  I know that we will have a wonderful "home" no matter where we are and what we are living in. 

Wednesday Window - Auction

Instead of my typical Wednesday Window I wanted to put up a link to an auction.  It is to help a family in need during a very difficult time.  Please check it out at  http://fabulousfunfinds.blogspot.com/2010/05/hailey-angel-silent-auction-rules.html

To see all of the items you need to scroll down after reading the auction rules and all the items will be shown.  This auction is for May 12 and 13 only, so hurry over to the site and place a bid!!!!

Wednesday Window

I just want to thank everyone who came out to the Sanford Pottery Festival!!!!! It was a great show. And a THANK YOU to Don, for letting us be a part of it!

This is a picture from our booth in Greensboro two weekends ago. I forgot to take the camera to the Sanford show. But, it was set up pretty much the same.

Sanford Pottery Festival

Please come by and see us at the SANFORD POTTERY Festival 

  May 1 & 2, 2010

At the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, 1801 Nash Street, Sanford, NC

visit www.sanfordpottery.org for more information.

There will also be a wine tasting and chocolate event!!! 

Wednesday Window

John planted some new "deer resistant" plants in our garden.  The top is Silver Swan Euphorbia and the second is Blackbird Euphorbia.  The way it puts out its flowers is really incredible.  Keep your fingers crossed that the deer don't like them. (the pics are not mine - but I wanted you to see what kind they were).

Wednesday Window

Please join us at the 2nd Annual SEAGROVE POTTERY FESTIVAL, being held at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex,

Greensboro, NC

Friday, April 23- 12pm - 6pm

Saturday, April 24 - 9am - 6pm

Sunday,  April 25 - 12pm - 5pm

We are booth #62.  Come by and mention that you read this on my blog or FaceBook and we will give you 20% off!!!!

check out www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com for more information on other potters.

www.liquidambarstudio.com

Wednesday Window

This is one of John's pieces that came out of the kiln yesterday.  I just love the texture that he has added to it.  The piece is slab built and has a Blue Rutile glaze.

Father of Nations

Father of Nations is finally finished!  I was able to cast Barbie heads in different colored glass.  They have copper wire fired into them and then I glued them into his head.  I hope the image isn't too obvious, but I did want a literal meaning.  He has a strong square jaw, but such caring eyes.  He is the mate to Birth of Nations that sold back in December.  She had cast GI Joe heads.  I think they make a great couple.

Hike down to the river

Since my studio is near the Haw River, we usually walk down there everytime we are at the studio.  But, today we had a visitor, which was nice.  Check out his blog at http://mygameitsyourmove.blogspot.com/2010/04/all-about-haw-river.html He got some good pictures while we were there today. I will have to steel some pictures from him.

Gluten Free Monkey Bread

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package dry yeast
3 1/2 cups All Purpose Gluten Free Flour (Bob's Red Mill)

 topping:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I didn't add these because my son does not like nuts.)

icing:
1 1/2 powdered sugar
2 tablespoons of milk
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan; heat until butter melts.  Cool to 110 degrees.  Add yeast; stir until dissolved.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Combine flour and milk mixture in a large bowl; stir until blended.  Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees), about 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Note: gluten-free flour will not rise the same as regular flour. Therefore, it will be more dense than regular flour.

Shape into 1 1/2" balls.  Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Dip each in melted butter and then roll in brown sugar mixture.  Place in a 10" non-stick bundt pan.  Mix any left over butter with the sugar mixture and spoon over the top of dough. Cover for 45 minutes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.  Cool for 5 minutes and then dump out.  They will not stay in a nice ring, but will be more like donut holes.

Mix three ingediants for icing and spoon over top.  If you like the icing thicker add more sugar.  Keep the icing in the refrigerator after making.

ENJOY!