Enjoying the snow

We were very fortunate to get a foot of snow last weekend. 

I dug out my snowshoes for our afternoon walks. I walk twice per day, but my morning walk is during a pre-dawn hour. I'm fearful of stumbling in the morning darkness, so mornings are restricted to walking on the plowed road. There isn't much traffic at that hour.

Reuben, my reliable walking buddy, and I are waiting for the 

winter solstice and 

anticipating the time when each day increases in light length.

Reuben wasn't too sure about going through the fields, 

but after I broke the trail he was a bit more enthusiastic.

Much time in the last week has been spent trying to stay warm.

One lap of this field helps in that endeavor.

~ Julz

Oh my stars

;-)

~ Julz

Growing a Forest

In past years I have created small trees for gift decorations and ornaments using stained glass.

Here is an example - 

This year I have decided to fuse a forest of trees for the holiday.

These trees are wrapped in copper wire and then fused.

I love that each one is unique.

Some even have snow:)

They will look festive in a window, on a tree, or decorating a gift.

I have started the season by composting the pumpkins and displaying some greens outside, but no decorations inside the house yet . . . except for my small, fused forest.

~ Julz

More Cabs

I had the time recently to drill more cabachons from my mesh melts and get them polished.

Fresh from the kiln this morning- not even cleaned.
I am so excited with the results.

I tried to get a good picture in the sun.
Too much shadow, but it shows some of the detail I am not able to get in other pictures.

Another picture of the cab group before I glued on the bails.

A close-up of one cabachon.

~ Julz

Cabs

The cabachons took an extra day in the kiln. The first fire polish didn't polish them quite enough, so I changed the schedule to go a bit hotter and a bit longer.

Now they are nice and shiny.

 - here is my drill on the drill press. This is one of my better auction buys for just $7 a few years ago. It works great.

And here is the mesh melt - or what's left of it after cutting out the cabs.

~ Julz

red bird

One of my favorite birds is the Cardinal.
This bird brings such a bright spot to our Wisconsin winters. I love seeing and hearing this bird in my yard.

My goal was to create one that would also catch the sun and sparkle.

~ Julz

new window flowers

Lately I have been creating and changing the flowers that will catch sun while hanging in windows.

I thought they would work great as stocking stuffers or added to gift wrapping as decorations.

Tonight the kiln holds some cabachons made from the mesh melts that I made a few weeks ago.

I ordered and just received a new core drill bit that will drill a circle that is bit larger than an inch. I was so excited as I drilled circles from my melt.

I then cleaned up the circles and put them back into the kiln for a polish.

I can't wait to see them.

~ Julz

Flower sun catchers

A new picture in the sunlight of the flower from yesterday. 

Plus a few new flowers fresh from the kiln.

Happy Monday.

~ Julz