My Birthday Weekend

I had such a fun birthday weekend. On Friday I went to the Monthly Get Together at Graceful Custom Studio in Gilroy. It is nice to spend time with people who do lampwork, especially when it's Jelveh and Grace. Jelveh did a few lampwork demo's and Grace had plenty of food to snack on while watching. (I also stopped by Napa and brought my favorite Macaroons to the studio.) I can't say how much I enjoy spending time with Jelveh and Grace they are such wonderful people.
Sunday was my actual Birthday. After telling people for the last year I was 33, I finally did turn 33. (The senility is already kicking in folks.) My husband made the best French Toast for breakfast, then every hour or two he would have me open a present. The first present was a tripod I have been wanting, but unfortunately it wasn't the right size for my camera. ( It's the thought that counts, and we can use it on a different camera anyway.) My next two presents were cupcake T shirts from Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/dressingOnTheSide. Love them.

I also got a pair of jeans. I need jeans desperately, mine are old and starting to rip or are too big.

My next presents were books. I read all the time and and am always running out of books to read. These are perfect for me. (I read Chelsea Handler's first book and it was pretty funny.)

Then that night we went to dinner with my dad. Of coarse he had to tell the waitress that is was my birthday, so they did the whole embarrassing birthday production. When we were finished with dinner my dad gave me a present.

He got me a replacement Kitchen Aid! I appreciate it so much, I know how hard the pink is to find and how expensive they are. I have the best dad. (Please remember I am a spoiled only child.) :)
I am so happy to welcome my new baby into our family. I brought her home, sat her on the kitchen table and gave her a hug. I feel a little guilty about pushing her older sister to the side. I love my original pink Kitchen Aid. I got her from my grandmother-in-law several years ago. I loved her so much she no longer has lower gears and sometimes smells like she's burning when I use her for long periods. (I use her almost everyday sometimes twice a day.) So I am putting her out of her misery and sending her off to storage, where she can grow old. I plan to teach my new one the ropes this week when I make cake for my son's school carnival. (I will post pictures.)
Thank you to my family for a wonderful birthday. I appreciate the time, money (Dad you spent way too much), thought and love you put into everything. I can't thank you all enough. I am so excited to be 33 ......again.

Happy Easter

An Early Birthday Present

My friend gave me my birthday present early. I love the baskets she makes, they always have a theme and are very creative. Now let me introduce you to one of the gifts....my new Juicy shoes.

I Love Grapies

These are "Grapies". Actually they are Lupine.

I have been obsessed with "Grapies" since I can remember. When I was around three years old I remember visiting at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa said to me "You want Grapies we'll get you Grapies." He walked with me around their property (5 acres) picking all the Grapies they had. When we were done I could barely hold all the flowers in my arms, there were so many.

Me, Grandpa, and Sam

Today when I was dropping my son off at school the sky is blue, the fields are green and Grapies are starting to bloom. I always remember my Grandpa during this time of year. So today at the torch I will be drawing some inspiration from him.

I Love Productive Days

Lets see... photography, beads, dinner, school play, Jr High dance, and last minute cupcakes for a school friend. Yep with the help of all the family we got it all done. Yea!
So, I bought a book the other day on photography, and with the weathers help, I had a chance to do some of the exercises in it. I think it has already started helping me. Even after my photography class I am still having problems with all of the bells and whistles on a manual camera. I swear there is an obscure button pushed somewhere that is causing blurry photos. (There is NO WAY it could be me shaking) :) So here are a few of my practice photos. This weekend we are going camping at a beautiful location and I want to get some great shots this time.(Typically I take about 200 pictures just to weed out the half of them.)

Now, my beads. These are not really my style, but they are based on an artist that I love.http://www.sorsdahl.com/#ecwid:category=0&entryPage=Y&mode=category&offset=0&sort=normal Remember these are my very 1st attempt. I am not trying to make his paintings on beads, I just want the same feel as the paintings. I think they came out pretty good for my 1st try. I do have ideas to improve them next time, but I am happy with them.

I still need to figure out how to take pictures of them. Errr :{

My son's school has a Patriotic Play every year and I always love it. They do the same skits every year, but the thing I love is the songs they sing. The fact that a public school in California sings Lee Greenwood's God Bless The USA makes me smile. The other song they do I don't know the name of ,but they have a screen behind them that shows images of the United States and mixed in are photos military family members of the students and teachers. It is a very touching performance and I it reminds me how lucky we are.

Alright I have a ton of things to do to get ready for this camping trip. Be ready for tons of photos in my next post.

Homework

I have been doing homework for my photography class and a little homework for my lamp work. I'm not sure about this photography stuff still, there is so much to remember. I still don't know about all the numbers 1/200, 5.6, 800, etc. I am a perfectionist as I think I have stated before, and when I don't get things perfect the first time I freak out. So I am taking a breath and continuing to try.
As for the beads. I am trying the new glass, and surprise surprise it's not turning out the first time. I was expecting a rainbow of color to appear on each bead, well the ones I encased turned out okay. So I am continuing my homework with the glass. I am experimenting again tonight and hoping for better results
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