Category: Rituals and Traditions

Gift of Amaryllis

Received an Amaryllis bulb for my birthday in November. Predicted the flower would open today, Valentine’s Day. Wanted to use it for a Valentine greeting.

Valentine Greeting

Looks a tad like a heart. If you squint a bit.
I embroidered the background for a piece. Didn’t quite work. Maybe someday it will find a home.

Sunday, Valentine’s Evening
Moved to a warmer and safer location overnight.
Amaryllis Sunday Night

Monday Early Morning
Moved the plant back to the warmest spot in the house.
Amaryllis Monday Morning

Can see the white Brugmansia flowers outside. The Brug is a Brazillian White that I grew from seed. We try to keep it to 6′, but currently is over 10′.
Amaryllis Monday Morning

Monday Nearly Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Sunday Afternoon, February 21

The weight of the three flowers is too heavy for the potting mix and pot. To the right is a bamboo stake in a pot of heavy rocks. When the fourth flower blooms, probably tomorrow, the weight of the flowers should be distributed a bit better. May not need support.

Amaryllis

There is bamboo yarn inside a handkerchief to support the plant. The handkerchief should protect it from being cut or damaged by the yarn.

Used the Instants Photo Editio‪n‬ app to make the Valentine greeting.

What Happened?

I found the bits next to the tissue box in the bathroom.

Flaking Results

When I looked up, I realized one of my pieces was damaged.

This was the piece. It is part of my Cleanse Your Palate Series, No Guilt.

Bird Head

The image was taken by Sharon Tetly when the work was on display at Western Nevada College.

The piece has pit-fired components. The bird head is hanging from a strand of pit-fired beads. Of course there is code in how the beads were strung. The beaded piece references chaplets. The idea was to remove the chaplet, hold it, and repeat, “forgive yourself” for whatever perceived wrong.

The piece is hung in the guest bathroom. It actually has been in the same location for several years.

There are a few of the same pit-fired beads in my stash of beads for comparison. Maybe tests.

Pit Fired Beads

The pit-fired beads and bird head have all fallen apart.

Damaged Pit Fired Beads

Damaged Pit Fired Beads

I removed the chaplet, but haven’t yet warmed to how the piece looks without it.

Damaged Pit Fired Beads

Why did the beads fall apart? My initial thought…the flaking off of the surface is the result of humidity. Why now? Most likely it was a gradual process until the point that flaking occurred.

Am I upset? No, more curious about how the damage occurred, how to prevent it in the future, and how to make it occur if I want to age a piece.

Christmas Ornaments and More

Santa

German Blown Glass Ornament

Pincone

German Blown Glass Ornament

Rabbit

German Blown Glass Ornament

Rabbit

German Blown Glass Ornament with Star Wire Hanger

Enamel Rabbit Ornament

Enamel Bunny Ornament

Enamel Rabbit Ornament

Vintage Family Ornament

Vintage Family Ornament from the 50s

Favorite Drugstore Ornament

Favorite Drugstore Find

Carved Rabbit Ornament

Carved, Up All Year Ornament

Carved Rabbit in Spice Rack

Carved Rabbit in Kitchen Spice Rack

Carved Rabbit Ornament

Carved Mate, Up All Year Ornament

Carved Rabbit in Spice Rack

Carved Rabbit in Kitchen Spice Rack

Lantern

Lantern Christmas Gift Decorated by My Niece, Nephew, and Their Dad

Ornaments in Freezer

Happy New Year from Shell Beach

It was a beautiful day at the beach…

Beach

until the rogue wave got me!

After Rogue Wave

John was in the moment and missed the shot.

The wave was so powerful, I thought it was going to topple me over.
Had to empty my boots three times!

Dangerous Waves Persist Along Central Coast Beaches

The high surf persists along the Central Coast, where the advisory issued Tuesday has evolved into a warning.

Breaking waves are expected to be 15 to 20 feet tall and swimming is considered dangerous. The risk of drowning is exceptionally high due to the strong rip current.

I checked the tide app and read the tide report.

How did I not read about this before visiting the beach???

Work in Progress–Mom Penny Memorial

The memorial piece will have a penny dated for each year of my mother’s life.

I have a stash of pennies, but did not have one for each year from 1930 to 2018. Found a coin shop in town that had reasonably priced pennies to complete the piece.

Stacks of pennies

Interesting that 1943 is a steel penny.

1943 Steel Penny

Memorial

Loom Knitting Pleated Pattern with Undyed Wool

Memorial

Today will have completed 35 rows of 89 rows for the pennies. Will need to knit a bit more for overlap.

When the loom knitting is done, the pennies attached, and important years indicated, a box will be made of cedar as a home for the memorial piece.

Previous Penny Project Post

Tim 50th Birthday

Normally I would work all day to complete a project. But I have to limit my (repetitive) working time to five rows per day. I had surgery on my hand in June, with some working too much too soon complications. Developed scar tissue with extreme sensitivity. Still working to gain back finger strength and manual dexterity.

Dash enjoyed helping with my favorite desensitizing therapy.

Desensitizing Therapy