Art Challenge Day 1: Forging an Iron Heart

We've been challenged to post 5 days of creative endeavors, so we're starting the week off with an iron heart project in honor of Valentine's Day.  Jeff took advantage of some warmer temps and headed out to the forge yesterday to make two hearts; this is his own design and a very popular piece.  One has been spoken for, but the other is available. Just let us know if you are interested...

And, here's how the pieces will look when they are finished.  Lovely!

 

Another Snow Day...

 

 

Friday in Focus: The Herb Garden, After a Snow

Winter is a great time for an art class!

More art from our boys' art classes! Plus, an admiring cat!

A Snow Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Lovely Art Chocolates and a Broken Toe...

Happy Valentine's Day!  My kids made some wonderful art!  They also got chocolates from grandparents and, unfortunately, a confirmation of a broken toe from an intense game of dodge ball ...

Friday in Focus: And They Dance

A Few Favorites... Demo Season is Fast Approaching!

 

"Wetland Reflections" Awarded 1st Place Honors

I just learned that this photo, "Wetland Reflections", was awarded 1st place in the "Garden Views" category for Washington Gardener magazine this year. It was taken with my Nikon D7000 at Huntley Meadows Park.

Friday in Focus: Green Spires and Blue Sky

First Crocus

Winter Pursuits

I continue to try to weave.  Actually, weaving isn't a problem.  I love to weave.  Warping the loom, however, is a challenge that I haven't mastered by any means, yet.  Jeff says that there must be a tool or two that we are missing for the warping process! 

I've worked on a new packaging for my soap.  Shown below are a lemon/rosemary, milk and honey w/ oatmeal, and peppermint.  I just spent the morning making up a batch of lime/ginger.  I can't wait to try it in another month (the soap needs to cure for at least 4 weeks).

I've also been learning to dye with natural powders, using the beautiful white wool from Morehouse Farm.  So far, I've worked with sandalwood and cutch.  I need to figure out Glauber's salts, which I read were used in the 18th century....and I also don't have a good understanding of when to use cream of tartar, etc...  There's a lot to learn!  

Because I suddenly have a growing stash of wool,  I've also taught myself the basics of knitting in the round as I try to make a pair of wrist-warmers.  So far, so good.  At least I'm not knitting inside out!  That's a major improvement!

Spinning is still on my list to work on this winter....

Friday in Focus: Freshly-Dyed Wool Drying on a Rack

The dye was sandalwood.

Ironwork Photos

Unfortunately, it's quite rare that I take photos of Jeff's ironwork -- usually, he makes something for commission and it's gone before we think to document it!  Here are a few photos of pieces he's made in the past few months...

Friday in Focus: Raindrop

Jeff Loves His Drawing Class

Jeff taught a blacksmithing class this morning and then took his own drawing class this afternoon.  We are really trying to make the most of the winter "off season" to learn new things.

Friday in Focus: Nature's Fabric

Finishing a Trivet

When Jeff worked at Colonial Williamsburg over Thanksgiving, he made a very nice trivet.  Today, he finished the piece.  It looks great!  And, as I type this, he's got the power hammer going for the 1st time....

Fun Friday Projects

I could chat about my legal work (actually, I can't chat about that)...but it's more fun to show you my other projects from the morning:

Friday in Focus: Stairway, Railing, and Shadows

New Soap Available at AHS

Yesterday, I dropped off three batches of soap for the AHS' River Farm Gift Shop.  The three types are: Lemon/Rosemary, Lemongrass/Tea Tree/Lavendin, and Lemongrass/Tangerine.  I think I am partial to the Lemon/Rosemary but they all are very nice, refreshing combos for the New Year!  The store is open Tuesday through Friday....

Friday in Focus: Entering the New Year

Scenes from Our Holiday Travels

St. Augustine stole our hearts.... What a special place! 

Ft. Lauderdale (the Bonnet House and Flamingo World): 

Savannah -- we only had an hour....we have to return soon!