The carwash

I had to wash my car when I got back. I love going to the carwash. And I was sitting in there and the water and the suds started up and I saw these patterns in the water. Now before you say you think I have totally lost my marbles, look at what I saw. These photos are in the order I saw them.

Each one is different. The water is beautiful to me. Maybe I was tired, coming down from being excited and full of adrenalin from Artfest and all the driving to and from but I did really enjoy my soothing time in the water and suds.

I got a couple of pictures emailed to me from my students.

Brenda Kessler’s bird.

She says it makes her happy to wear it. Yay! I've done my job.

You know what has been really fun for me about seeing my first students’ work is that I had an idea and then other people wanted to make it and here are all the pictures of them. I am so tickled by that. The other part that is fun is having a project that is complete when you walk out the door of the classroom. Thank you to everyone who took my classes. I got to experience my medium in a whole new way. I got to see all these different birds, from the personalities that formed them. Bravo, I am clapping for all of you!

Here’s another wonderful picture of me with old and new friends.

Mary Kirkou-Cameron, me, Stephainie Rubiano, Judy Wise, Vicki Lum, Lisa Bias (on the stairs) and Dori Melton (our Artfest virgin).

After I got home my daughter and I had a date to go out for afternoon tea at a pretty place called “Buttercream” on San Pablo Avenue in Albany, California. Isn’t she lovely in all her 14 1/2 year glory?

We had so much fun. First tea with quiche, 5 small pastries that we shared, lemonade and I had a cappuccino. Yum! Then they brought us this little teaser that they were trying out to see if they would add it to their menu in the future.

They were delicate little 1 inch lemon cakes dusted with powdered sugar. What, only 2? We both voted YES! (she did roll her eyes at her crazy mom for taking a picture, so I had to keep it down to a minimum, I embarrass her so)

Then we went to all these cute little shops on Solano Avenue. Of course, a toy store because she is only 14. But our favorite store was ”The Bone Room” where they have real skeletons of animals, insects, people. Yes, human skulls and teeth of all kinds. The guy at the counter, I think he was the owner, said I could take a picture of two of their framed items, if they were fro my use only. Here they are:

A striking irridescent butterfly

and some cool beetles.

On to something different now.

I was struggling with trying to put the snap on the leather of this bracelet I made. I figured it out though and I think it turned out pretty cute.

I made a carved mold from polymer, then rolled out the PMC over it to make this impression and after it was fired, tumbled, patinaed and polished I attached it to the leather with tiny eyelets. The leather wraps around twice. I attached a snap with an interesting thing that looks like a crop-o-dial. I didn’t think to take a picture of it. I will post it sometime when I make something with it again, but in any case it is a leather punch and I got it online at Tandy Leather. I think I am going to give this to a teenager.

I’m showing you all these things now because Saturday morning I’m leaving on a trip to Europe with my husband. We are leaving our kids in my sister’s care and going for two and a half weeks.

So, I’ll be in London first for 5 days, then Amsterdam for 5 days and finally in Paris for the last 5 days. My husband made reservations in really nice hotels in each city. I am so lucky! And we are going to walk, walk, walk. I even mentioned the Paris flea market to him. He’s got it all printed out on 3 pages like a calendar with the important things written in and also big spaces where we can go wherever we please.

Laurie Mika says I have to go to the British Library and here and I am so going there to see some illuminated manuscripts, the Magna Carta, the original Alice in Wonderland. I wonder if they let you take pictures of them.

We are going to walk and eat, walk and eat.

Then we’ll sleep some and start all over again in the morning. He says he is going to do Bikram Yoga in all three countries and in Paris he is going to take a class in english and also in french. Notice I said ‘he’. That’s because I am going to walk and eat and shop while he is doing yoga. Also I am going to meet up with Kelly Harcus and we are going to have tea, talk, walk or shop or even all four.

In each of the three hotels there is internet access and two hotels have a computer in the room. That is so great because I am addicted to the internet and maybe I can post a little hello to you all from there. I’ll take my camera cable. Maybe I can even get some photos in there. I’m so excited!

Oh, do you want to know why we are going? Sure you do. Because we both turn 50 this year and also in a few months it will be our 22 year wedding anniversary. Of course the value of the dollar has gone down, but we don’t need much. Airline tickets, check, hotel, check, a little spending money, check, internet access, check, camera, check, new journal to paste all the little bits and pieces I am going to collect into, check and my boon companion who has been learning a little french just in case. I never thought I would ever get to Europe with him. He has always hated to travel long distances and flying makes him tense, but he is so excited. I wonder what happened.

Anyway, here are the last two things I have to show you, because I can.

When my son was little he liked the state quarters and someone gave him this book to save them in. Hmmm, maybe it was me. (something inside me says that is all bad grammar, but this is America and we can do it like that - creative license, yeah that’s it) I have saved every quarter and I just got the last one for 2007 - Utah. Look!

Only 1 more year left! It feels like an accomplishment even now and it’s not even finished yet. Well, I’m just like that now, I enjoy the lead up to finishing of anything. Then I enjoy it when it is finished, and again after it’s finished I remember how I did it and enjoy thinking about it and how glad I am it’s done!

And look at this cool, cool bird.

I did! I won another ebay auction from cart before the horse. Are you impressed? It’s just fantastic! Such personality! Now I have 3 birds!

This is my year! So now I am going to go shake my camera at the Tour Eiffel!

See you when I see you!

Comments

[dori]

yeah you've lost your marbles but in that good way that only an artist can! the water is indeed beautiful.

Love that photo of us at Artfest! Thanks again for taking such good care of this virgin.

Grace is indeed lovely.. in full bloom.

Oh, I love that little leather bracelet! It turned out great. Did it work the way we thought? I wanna make some with flames. hee hee.

And lastly, have a wonder, fabulous, awesome time in Europe. I will eagerly await the posts. I can just imagine you with your pink iTouch. I'm working on Todd for my birthday. xxxoooxxx, dori

[Vicki]

WOW Love the pic's, and especially the bracelet with the clasp!
Vicki

[Deryn Mentock]

Oh, Catherine! Have a wonderful time! I can't wait to see what you find at the Paris flea markets...

[denise]

yes have a great time...I can not wait to see pictures and also your journals when your done.

That bracelet is cool...
Have fun!!!!!!

[Cindy Dean]

Love the pictures in the car wash. They are always so much fun to go through. Not that I get to do that anymore...my hubby would kill me if I took my car thru one.

Sounds like you had a blast with your daughter. She is very pretty. I love her glasses.

I am so excited for you going on your trip. I am sure you are going to have the time of your life! Take lots of pictures to share with us!

[Lisa]

Don't forget the cemetary in Paris!!! It is gorgeous and well worth the visit to see all those famous people!!!! Pierre Lanchaise? or something like that! I so love Paris!!!!!! Have a wonderful time Catherine!!!!

[Lisa]

Oh yeah.... the photos in the car wash are way cool. Your daughter is way cute (not that I bat that way) and I TOTALLY love that bracelet!!!! Okay.... I guess I said it all. For now.

[Maija Lepore]

Only an artist can veiw water and suds that way! Your daughter is beautiful - what I would do for flawless skin like hers! Youare so lucky to have secured the bird from cart before the horse. Everything that couple makes, rocks!! Have too much fun in Europe, and take some good notes for me on Paris - I'm heading there in Septemebr!

[Frivolitea]

Have a great time on your trip! I can't wait to see what you come back with!

[Nan]

Love the bracelet - love the bird and really love the pictures from the car wash!!! Who'd a thunk it? Next time I get my car washed I'm going to snap a few myself!! Thanks!

[Jamie]

Wow! You must be in London now if I got the timing correct on your schedule. I'm sure you're having a grand time. Paris in the spring? Oh la-la! :-)

I'm still gathering my thoughts and photos to post about ArtFest but I wanted to pop in and give you a big cyber hug. It was really great to finally meet yo in person. I look forward to the next time and hope we can spend a little more time together.

I have seen SO many cool things come out of your class, Catherine! You did a great job sharing your metal clay love with your students. Excellent job!

There's also a great flea market in Amsterdam - or at least there was about 30 years ago. I think it's either called Waterlooplein.

[Jamie]

My fingers couldn't keep up with my mind. Yes, it's called Waterlooplein. I hope you take lots of photos. Happy travels.

[minnie]

catherine, i can't wait to see your photos of your trip....how exciting....i think of you often, when i look at my hand....i am crazy busy trying to make jewelry, and do some shows.......love the bracelet on leather...and the carwash....we have one of those, it is so popular there are 30 cars lined up....