A lot to share.........

A lot to share.......

Wow, I have a lot to share with you all in blogland. What a glorious weekend....beautiful weather! It's been a busy time in the studio as of late. For a few weeks I felt like my creative muse had abandoned me, but apparently the muse needed a vacation. I'm going to start by sharing the inspiration for a few new pieces of altered art jewelry. Last weekend while I was planting annuals in my pots for the back porch I thought I saw a bird fly out of my hanging fern but you know sometimes your eyes play tricks on you! So after I got finished planting I did a little investigating. and ........

Sure enought right there in the middle of my fern was a birds' nest! We've been learning how to cohabitate with each other this weekend as I spend a lot of time on the back porch. It's my outdoor studio/library/computer room/entertainment area so I'm not leaving it for one itty-bitty bird! She's adjusting as I am also.........I think she's really liking my music selection today, I've got a little Duffy, Michael Bubble, 10,000 Maniacs, Nina Simone, Bag of Toys, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullen.

Inspiration!

Nature is almost always the inspiration for my art. That little bird inspired me to make these altered poker chip pendants.....

These little "tweeters" are ready to go to the Time and Again Shop in lovely Greenville, Pa. but if you see one you'd like (7 bucks, free shipping) just email me and I can put it back for you.

I smell something grilling, get the extinguisher!!!!!!

Hey! Time to eat! I just had to share my delicious grilled eggplant, garlic, ricotta and romano cheese pizza with you! Grill the egg plant slices first. Roll out dough into small pizzas, brush with olive oil and place oiled side down on the grill. Grill for 1minute 36 seconds. Brush the top with olive oil then flip. You have to be quick so have your toppings ready to put on as soon as you flip the dough!

Yummy grilled dough! It's crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. I get it at WalMart. It's in a bag for 88 cents by the WalMart pizzas. One bag makes four, 6 inch pizzas.Quick! Spread on the grilled garlic pieces followed by the ricotta then a sprinkling of romano cheese. Next top with grilled eggplant slices and sprinkle with kosher salt. Boom! It's time to take it off the grill and eat it!

What is it, tell me please!?!?!?
Ok, full stomach, now back to work! This is a little altered art necklace that you'll never guess what the base is made of. I'll give you a few hints......it's thin but strong and it was invented in 1913 ...... it was used a lot in the 1930-50s, especially in diners, it's still used today and it was even used on the Queen Mary ocean liner in the Art Deco decor! If you make a comment guessing what it is and you guess right, I'll make you a necklace similar to the one below! You have until Wednesday so put on your thinking caps. I'll pick 3 winners from the correct answers.

The cool thing about this pendant is that it's reversable. Just flip it and you have two different necklaces. I measures 1 and 3/4 by 2.5 inches. I'll be posting a tutorial on how to make it on Wednesday and also reveal the mystery material.

Bigger......
Lastly, I saw an old friend this morning that I haven't seen in exactly a year. We went though some tough times together last year. I was so happy to see her and there hasn't been a day that's gone by that she didn't pop into my thoughts. She is doing well now, so am I, which reminds me of one of my favorite sayings......"we are so much bigger than anything that can ever happen to us".

I hope all of my friends in blogland had a wonderful weekend! Remember, tomorrow the winner for the altered key will be drawn so enter in the previous post.
Smiles-
M