Two Weeks Ago

I know it was a tease that I wrote in the last post - April 20th was a snow day here in Northern Michigan.  I think pretty much every school from here north to the Mackinac Bridge was closed.  The weather truly was frightful - we got about 4 inches of wet, wet, heavy snow here, and to the north, they received much more. 

Two weeks ago today, April 10th, hubby & I had to go to a meeting about 2 hours away from here.  (I know, I know - a meeting on a Sunday - I had another one last week - geesh!)  Anyway, the last remnants (we thought) of winter were still in the woods between here and there, and the fog rising off the snow in the woods made a rather eerie sight - it was soooo cool!

I had hubby pull the car over so I could get these shots - I want to use these in a journal some place - don't they just look like something out of an English mystery novel? 

The irony of that day however, was not the fog.  We arrived at the meeting site and there was still a little chill in the air, and it was a little overcast.  Three hours later, when we exited the building - bright blue skies and 72 degrees outside.  We walked outside & it was summer!!!  (or so we thought at the time)

And then, Wednesday, April 20th, we had a snow day!

Here's to a great week, everyone!

Studio Days

I'm recovering from big time oral surgery, and once I felt good enough to do something, I still didn't feel like getting out and about.  So... what's to do?  Studio time!!  Made some jewelry, made some cards, and I even spent time (quite a bit) in a new journal.  I love making time to do journaling, but just have not done this in a long, long time.  It was bliss.  I have a busy several weeks now as we near the end of the school year, so will be adding pictures sporatically to the blog, but it's getting closer to actually being spring here.

Did I mention that I had a snowday on Wednesday!!!! 

Have a great week!

Shapes and Angles

All seen on our recent trip to the Chicago Cultural Museum - it's a great place!

reflections

I saw this wonderful reflection from my hotel room window in Chicago.  How cool.

My kind of town

We went to Chicago for a couple of days last week.  Yes, I got my nails done (if you know me, you know that's something that I adore as one of life's little pleasures), and did a little bit of shopping.  (No, really, only a little bit).  We also went to the Art Institute and the Chicago Cultural Museum. 

If you read a post I did back in November, you know we went to the CCM at that time, and I saw my first Art-O-Mat.  Joy!  Neither of us could remember why we couldn't stay and look around at that time, but we couldn't.  So, this time, we devoted several hours to poking around in there.  Joy of joys, this was a place where I just simply can't wait to go back. 

We saw an exhibit on Louis Sullivan, Chicago architect.  Wonderful stuff & so many opportunitites to get shapes and texture ideas. 

We saw the stunning architecture of the building

Tiffany dome

Inlaid walls

Beauty at every turn.

And then, we went down this hallway and there was an exhibit of the photographs of Vivien Meier (I hope I've spelled her name correctly).  They are stunning street scene photographs from the 40's, 50's, 60's.  Viven's story is a very great and interesting story, and I stumbled upon her work while reading another blog.  Much to my surprise to turn a corner at the CCM and see her actual photographs.  Bliss.

Well, off to prepare to go back to work.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

New Techniques

I love trying new techniques, and lately the ones I have especially enjoyed have included fire!!  I've purchased a new torch, and this new, hotter torch has allowed me to try some new metals techniques, including my current favorite, fusing metals.  I read about this in an article by the wonderful Ruth Rae, and had to try it.  Here's a couple of earrings that I've posted on etsy, that I think came out pretty nicely. 

I also made myself a pair with green pearls and I made a pair with some pretty tiny, red facedted beads.  I think both came out nicely, too.  I'll try to get some pics of them as well.