Wood Jasper and Copper

I am still working with the copper chain. In this piece I have combined it with large 15 mm x 20 mm rectangular wood jasper beads. these beads look so much like wood!

It took me many many tries to photograph this necklace, and to be happy with the results. I took this photo outside on a piece of an old copper water heater. It has started to patina, and looks wonderful with the necklace.

Red Eared Turtles

When my nephews were young, their parents bought them two tiny little red eared turtles. Twenty some years later, my brother and sister in law still  have one of these turtles. A pet that just keeps going..... something to consider when buying your child a pet...

Needless to say, he is no longer tiny, and needs lots of loving care!

Woven Paper

I have been saving old lotto tickets for some time, to experiment with. At first I just sewed two tickets together end to end, then cut them into strips and wove them. It worked but it made a flimsy woven sheet. I then sewed some tickets together end to end, then cut them in half lengthwise.

I folded these strips in thirds and sewed them. They gave me something with substance to work with. I like the weight of the woven sheet, and like the look of the sewn stitches on the paper.

Chunky Copper Chain

Last week my friend Kathy sent me some copper chain to try out. I have never worked with chain before, so it is a bit of a challenge for me, and this chain is large and chunky!

I have combined the chain with vintage yellow and white swirled glass beads. Very simple design. I have just listed this necklace in my Etsy shop.

English Cucumbers and Sweet Basil

I returned home yesterday from my trip away. I am slowly finding some energy, the 11 hour bus ride home wore me out...

I was very surprised when checking out the greenhouse yesterday afternoon to find an abundance of cucumbers and that I have to get busy making pesto. I just picked 8 large English cukes, so I better find some friends who like them! 8 is a bit much for the two of us to eat. Does anyone have any great recipes for cucumbers? 

English Cucumber ... Carmen .... greenhouse variety

Sweet Basil

Silkworms versus Wolves...

Yesterday morning when I signed into Etsy from Megan's computer, I was excited to see my treasury on the front page! Quite a few pieces sold from the collection, always  a thrill!!

Is This a Cicada???

As Mark was getting ready to leave for his run, sitting on the back step, tying up his running shoes, he heard what he thought was a large bird plop landing on the greenhouse. It wasn't, it was this large bug. Of course you cannot tell the size of it in my photos, but I an not really that fond of large flying beetley type bugs.. I didn't want to put my hand near it.

I looked through my insect book, and  the closest I can guess is some type of cicada.

Look at its pretty lacey wings!

I would hate to have this little creature land on me, it would set me off screaming for my life...haha! Ewww!!