Monday, March 31, 2008

Into the Wild

Last night I watch a movie called Into the Wild. I do have to say that it was one of the most incredible movies I have seen in a long, long time. It makes you stop and think about your own life and what if, just what if, you were him. How would you handle yourself...what kind of lives would you hurt in your quest to live free in the wild, off of nature itself.

Let me entice you with a review I read...

For those unfamiliar with the McCandless story, he was a young college graduate who essentially abandoned the comfortable trappings of a middle-class life to become a homeless tramp roaming across the western United States, personifying the spirit of John Muir or Henry David Thoreau. He kayaked through the rapids of the Colorado River with no training whatsoever, lived in the desert by himself for months at a time and ultimately hitchhiked to Alaska where he would eventually starve to death in the wilderness.

Emile Hirsch is McCandless and gives the first great performance of his career. Whether it’s the influence of the uncompromising Penn or simply the maturation of a young performer, Hirsch seems like a different actor in this movie. Gone is the adolescent bluster displayed in Alpha Dog and Lords of Dogtown. What remains is clear-eyed control and serenity. That he cut his weight down to a skeletal 115 pounds is testament to the utter commitment of his performance.

In supporting turns, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Hal Holbrook, Kristen Stewart and Brian Dierker all shine. Vaughn has never seemed particularly comfortable in his dramatic work, but here he disappears into—of all things—the role of a grain harvester from South Dakota. Keener, often so perfectly cold, is the warm, earthy maternal figure that McCandless never had while Holbrook is heartbreaking as a lonely, old retiree who befriends McCandless and ultimately comes to regard him as a son.

Penn spent ten years trying to convince the McCandless family that he was the man to bring their son’s story to the big screen. Thankfully, they finally agreed. With Into the Wild, Penn completely fulfills the promise hinted at in his earlier work. He has written a superb, difficult script; directed actors to marvelous performances and created a supremely ambitious film that is almost defiantly visual in the best tradition of Terrence Malick. I am happy to give it an unqualified rave and encourage everyone to check it out.



This is a real photo of "Alex" that was in his camera undeveloped when they found his body. Pretty amazing that he thought to take his photo of himself in front of his home in Alaska...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sell on Sunday

Well, I decided that I would put some pottery that I have been hording for the shop on etsy today. I figure it isn't making me any money just sitting around and I would most likely be able to reproduce it. Maybe not exactly, but close enough. Here is some of the things that I will be placing on http://www.thistlefarm.etsy.com/. I think I may take all the profits from it and keep them in my account and try to build it so that if indeed the shop next door falls through, we can do something with the garage to make it into a shop.

I woke up this morning and created a plaster mold from a tile I made. It is for a girl style bank. I also took photos of the pottery, fed the fam, took a shower, and now ???? (this is all before 9:30AM).

I just had to publish this photo. It was taken on Easter Sunday at my sisters house. It almost looks like a pussy willow bush but it's not. She said it was a birch tree. I just love how the sun is shining on the buds.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

A bird vase...

Wednesday night I went to pottery on a mission. I was in a crabby mood from the weeks busyness, so I was on a quest for something BIG! It all started with a 6 pound lump of white stoneware clay and the wheel. I immediately knew what I wanted to create but was going through the process in my head. I threw the bottom of the vase within the first 1/2 hour of class. It may seem like a long time but from the throwing stage to the fine detail of smoothing it all out, it does take a while.

After that I then threw the top part with about 4 pounds of clay. I let them sit overnight to firm up a little and when I went back into the studio on Thursday morning, I uncovered them to firm up even more. I loaded the back part of the studios gas kiln with Terri and then began to attach the two pieces (total of 14-1/2"). When the two pieces were finally attached and smoothed...it just needed something more...

This morning I started drawing in pencil on it and then proceeded the carving process. After about an hour of carving, my arm was ready to fall off so I took a rest. My intentions are to carve the whole top part and sort of taper the carving off towards the bottom. I think maybe a transparent grass green will be nice for the glaze color.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Dream a little...

I do still have a dream about opening up the shop. I am NOT giving up!! To my dear friend Michelle...THANK YOU for all your hard work you are doing to try and find some sort of loop hold. To my wonderful and supportive husband Todd, THANK YOU for your persistance!! Also to Graydon, I know you are disappointed but we will make it happen somehow!

For now, I will continue this blog to show off my creative thoughts and designs. Since the denial, I have had many, many ideas. Maybe this is the something good out of bad.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Home, at last


Well, I'm home finally and one of the best things about owning a pet is how comforting they are to you when you have had a crappy day. I was sitting at the computer checking a couple of things, when Holly climbed up on my lap for a snuggle. The camera just happened to be there so I snap a quick pic. Of course she acts all nice and lovey and then BAMMM, she bit me on the arm. People say that's what a torti is all about. I wish someone warned me about that. Not that it would have changed my view on her when I got her but....

Well, I was suppose to work this afternoon but with the time, I was really pushing it. Hopefully they will not mind and I can do it tomorrow afternoon instead. Other than that, I am drinking a cup of coffee and....OK, I just heard a loud noise, I need to go investigate.....I'll be back.

Well, found out what the noise was. My washer is going and with the vibration, it knocked off the clothes detergent and it leaked all over the floor. The frugelness of me scooped it all up and got most of it back in the bottle. Good grief!!!

I think I may go veg for a while...I need it. Ta-ta!

????????????????????

Sitting pondering what to call this title, I decided to leave it as question marks because not only it is what I am thinking, but how I feel.

We went to the town meeting last night and to make a long story short, they denied me totally for the shop upon reason that I do not live there. I do have to give them credit though, they really tried to make it work for me but the way the law states it is not considered a home based business because soley for the fact that we do not own it and we do not live there. Todd tried and tried, Dawn and Kevin Worden tried, Michelle Timms tried and Denny and Pat Toaspern tried. They were all there in my support last night and thank you to all of them!!!

Well, I really am not sure where this is going from here. Todd and I are going to try and go to the town again today at 4:00. They have a town board meeting and last night after the meeting, he looked up a ton of things online and found something that may work. It is a long shot but maybe .... Other than that, we brain stormed about turning part of the garage into a studio/shop. For me it seems like a logical thing to do but Todd is hestitant, I think because of the cost. I guess I thought it might be about $500 to stud it out and put insulation and drywall up but he said more like a couple of thousand. I guess he is right. Me not knowing how much things cost...especially building materials, I guess it make sense.

Well, today as well as yesterday shall be a fun one. I am getting Graydon off to school and then I am heading out to my grandfathers funeral, then I have to work and then to the meeting. Ugh!!

Also, a very Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Todd!!!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Quick Post...


Well, just a quick post before I have to leave. I am off to the studio this morning to work. I guess the gas kiln is being loaded and run on Thursday so Maryanne (my teacher) would like me to glaze, glaze and glaze today. We have a bunch of things coming up. We have first Friday in Binghamton at the Metro Center. We also have our spring show coming up as well as Earth Fest. Busy, busy, busy!!

Yesterday was nice and quiet. We went to my sisters house for Easter morning breakfast and an egg hunt with the kids. It was fun and they had fun being together. Afterwards we came home and I puttered for a while until I settled on glazing some pottery. Boy does that take a long time. I think I have about 3 hours in and I'm not even finished yet. I am hopeful this afternoon to load and run my kiln. I need to stock up!!

Here are the pics of the shirts and headbands I made...they look so cute on the girls.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Saturday night...

Oh what a night...

Well here it is 9:03 PM on Saturday night and I feel like I should be sewing or something but I am glued to the computer. I searched around in etsy and a couple of blogs that I keep up on. I'm nosey like that. Graydon is asleep anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Easter Bunny. Although he still believes in him, he would not get his pic taken today at the mall. He looked at me in a cross eyed fashion when I brought it up.

Today was a busy but fun day. I was up at 6:30, made my self a small pot of coffee and couldn't figure out why I was so tired and falling back to sleep on the couch by 7:30AM. Duh...I bought decaf by accident yesterday at Wegmans. Silly ole' me....

When I finally was up and around, we headed out to the mall at 10:30. Of course stopping at my fav, Dunkin' Donuts on the way. Todd needed a sport coat for next weeks trip to Vegas. No, not to gamble but to wear during a trade show. We scored big time at Penny's. A $150.00 coat for $60.00, yeah us!! I got some new sneakers which I desperately needed. Mine were starting to break down and giving me major leg cramps after wearing them to work. Graydon got a couple of new games for his "new/used" PS2. He loves it...he deserved it for doing really good on his report card.

Well, we got home, walked the neighborhood getting signatures for Tuesday nights meeting with the town. We had a really good result. Everybody is in favor for us to open the shoppe. Now hopefully the town will give in!

Other than all that, I made Shea and Ahne a couple of shirts (not the shirts) with appliques on them along with matching pony tail holders and headbands. I am hoping to get them in it tomorrow and take a pic. I'll post it later.

Well, I'm off to hopefully find a good movie on TV. I need some downtime...

Friday, March 21, 2008

Quiet.

I've been a little quiet this week. I have just been plugging away at little things. I made more headbands and hair ties and started a new purse. It is basically the same first tattoo one but a little more stable in design. If it turns out well, I'll be producing more in lots of fun patterns, even applique designs as well.

What a wintery mess it is outside. Thursday I went to bed with it raining so hard I thought it was going to come in through the roof. I do love to sleep while it is raining, it soothes me. When we woke up it had snowed and has continue to snow since. Not a lot of accumulation, but very windy and cold...burrrr!!! It is flurrying out as I write this now.

Today is a quiet day also. Off to the grocery store to stock the bare shelves, and then home. Not too much of anything. Maybe I'll dabble a little in some pottery today, I have an idea brewing!!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Frosty Cold











What an incredible sunrise this morning. As soon as Todd told me to look out the front window, I grabbed my camera and ran outside to snap a few...

I woke up at 6:00 AM and finished a costume Miss Olsen (Graydon's teacher) and I have been working on since yesterday afternoon. It's for a play that is tonight at the school. She is the big bad wolf and we made her ears, mask and tail. I have to get fishing line for the tail to hold it upright. We are going to pin the fishing line from the top of her tail to each of her shoulders. I think it will make it look great...nice and swishy!

Well after going to school this morning I am off to my aunt's house and then to the doctors this afternoon with her. Tonight is jammie night at school so my day is pretty full.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Just another day...Saturday




Well, here is is 3:35 on Saturday afternoon and I feel like I got something accomplished but not much. I started making headbands about 8:30 this morning and with many breaks in between, I have successfully made and labeled 9 along with a matching pony tail holder. I know I would have gotten more done but it's just one of those lazy days where I would make a couple, go and watch the end of Survivor, make a couple more, watch Graydon blow these awesome bubbles outside ... yadda, yadda, yadda!!

I guess we are up in the air with plans tonight. I would like to go out to eat so if I can rouse Todd from his slumber and then get ready, maybe we'll head out. I really don't feel like making dinner tonight.
I thought I would post a few cute pics of Callie. She was hanging out last night in the kitchen with me so I grabbed the camera and these are the pics...

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Today...Thursday




Awaiting the arrival of a friend of mine, I thought I would give a quick blog. Yesterday was another day off. Boy I think I am getting spoiled. My person was out of town so that lead to a free day and today as well. We heading on down to Endicott to pick up a vintage table for the shop. It's kind of cool...and at $24.95 a steal. It has a formica red top (if I can remember correctly), metal legs and vinyl white and black seats. Very cool and chic...

After that who knows where the car will take us...maybe to the antique store on the Ave. that my cohoart has never been to and want to go. Across the street is a adoption place for kitties and a few doors down a cool pet store that has birds, sugar gliders, puppies, reptiles, spiders (YUCK) and anything else you can imagine.

Yesterday was a productive day. I threw a bunch of things, a batter bowl, mug, soap dish, globe, plates....made a cute purse. I made up the pattern from a couple of ideas I saw and it turned out so cute, especially using my adorable tattoo material. I will certainly will be making more of these! Last night was pottery...I attempted to make a lamp, the very first one I have actually completed, I also made a platter, small salt and pepper dishes and glaze some pieces. Whew....

Graydons tooth is finally coming in. In the photo it is his right side next to his front tooth. After a year and a half, it's here!! I had to snap a pic to honor the occasion!

Well, better run...she should be here any minute!


Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hot diggity dog!!


Well, what do you know...it's working now!! Yippppeeeee!!


Here is a project using vintage tattoo design material. I LOVE this purse. A couple of things I am going to change but all in all it is a keeper!!

Frustration

So, I guess I need to vent! Here it is, Tuesday and all weekend long I wanted to post some new and exciting things I have been working on. BUT...for some reason this site will not accept my photos and it serves me with a google error. Humph!! Why all of the sudden now. If any one has any ideas please let me know. I am about ready to pull my hair out!!

Last night I went to the town for another meeting regarding my shop. Well, low and behold they all rejected me except for one person. I was so beat up and frustrated when I left there I started to get upset. Todd calmed me down for the most part explaining that it was their job to obey by the laws. Phooey!! My neighbor told me that they rejected her parents during this round but then let them continue with their plan during the next meeting. So, now I have to wait until the 25th to see if it is a go. I am trying really hard to not let it bother me and ruin my creativity that is going on now. I still want to forge ahead with plans...and product!!

So, upon working today I guess I wasn't paying attention and sprained my ankle on some steps. To add misery, I hit my pinky finger on the banister and bruised the heck out of it. Only me...only my luck!! I guess my ankle is ok. For the first minute it hurt like heck but I squeezed it hard, not only to reduce the swelling but also to stiffle me from crying out. It is a little sore now but nothing bad.

My kiln is going with a load of bisque ware. I have at least two more loads of bisquing to do. I have been on a roll lately and I want to keep it up.

Well, on that note I shall go. Hopefully I can figure out what is going on so I can post some pics....

Friday, March 7, 2008

And yet it's still Friday...

Well, another post from me today. Upon taking que from my friend Nancy, here is a self portrait. I guess this look says it all...

A Friday!!!



Today is another day off...yipee. Ahne (my niece) is here visting for the day. The girl cracks me up. Right now she is having fun sharpening pencils using the electic pencil sharpener. I picked her up at 9:00, we ran a few errands, came home, painted some pottery, ate lunch, watched 5 seconds of a movie, played with some webkinz, and now....???? I think we may head to the barn to see the critters. We are picking Graydon up at 3:00 so he can spend some time with her.

So, that's about it for now. I'll check back in later...




Thursday, March 6, 2008

Oh What a Beautiful Morning...



Oh what a beautiful day....I love days like this. The sun is shining, it is pretty nice outside (fleece weather) and I was able to stay home all day long. I finished carving the bank, trimming pots that I threw last night (bummer I broke the rim on one), cleaned the basement pretty much, threw some more and now a quick post before I go get Graydon and then to get our kitty, Holly from the vet. She had some surgery yesterday and spent the night with Dr. Sue.


The basement, oh the basement! That is where I create most of my pottery pieces. It isn't all that bad and I am sure it could be worse but I feel like I am in a dungeon down there. At least I took the small TV down and rigged up an antenna so I can see the screen. I need to get some more shelving and all will be good.


I went next door to the "shoppe" today to have a peek around. I guess I just had to go and collect my thoughts. The old store cabinet that I picked up from my grandmothers house last weekend will fit nicely in there. I thought it might be too big but I think it will work. I just need to get some plexi cut for the front and sides and top. This will be part of the check out area I think.


Well, I guess I have to go and clean myself up. My fingers are still a little pruney but a little lotion and all will be fine.


The pics are of my messy wheel from today and some items that are awaiting bisquing...maybe I'll get to that this weekend. Taa-ta!!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Couldn't Sleep...






Ughh...I have so much on my mind that half the night I just stare at the ceiling and think of things. When things pop in my head it's like a slow moving movie. I see something, think it out step by step and then figure out how to produce it. That's what happened with this bank I am making. I was thinking about my new nephew, Fred and I wanted to create a bank for him. Instead of my typical banks I have made in the past, this one is carved and has images of cars and trucks. I stamped them on and painstakingly carving around them. This is the prototype so hopefully the next ones will go by much faster.

The other things in the front of the bank are magnets. I has some spare clay left over so I always make something smallish...

I have to work all day long today to make up for our snow/ice day we had yesterday. Graydon and I did not get out of our pj's all day long. It was so nice to hang out with him. Today though I would rather be home creating. Yesterday I made him a glove stuffed dog that I saw on the Martha Stewart Show. It is kind of goofy looking but he likes it.




Well, off to get ready for my day...

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

I saw a robin!!!




Yeah...even though we are getting an ice storm today...I saw two robins!!! A couple of them are taking refuge under a large pine tree next to our house. Could spring be right around the corner??? I like the downtime of winter, being all cozy in the house with layers on but part of me just loves the fresh spring air and spring flowers.


I have been busy the last day or so cleaning up the house and arranging Graydons bedroom. Out with the old I say! I also have been creating some felted items. I started on Saturday while watching movies all afternoon. I took some leftover wool yarn I had and knitted a purse. I then put it through the wash two times and magically it felted perfectly. It's not finished but you can see what it looks like under the birds. Then Sunday night I created the yellow bird and yesterday the white bird. They aren't done yet either...they need their little wire legs and then I think I might mount them on a wooden block. Felting is so much fun but time consuming. I love to try new and interesting things.
Today I may work with some clay. I have a baby bank idea brewing in my head....