Rooster Window is started....

I wish I could take credit for drawing out the inspiration rooster but I can't 'draw'.  I can however google rooster images.  I enlarged one I liked and worked it out.  One of the things I love most about working with stained glass is how forgiving it is.

If a person is a perfectionist (and I am not) then you can get great attention to detail, great lines, etc...  For me, all I have to do is have an idea and then it fills in all on its own- lol/

I am not sure I am happy with the 'wing' it may or may not get tweaked.

I found a couple of 'fancy' pieces in a yardsale purchase.  I added two to this window for interest.  I like how the diamonds 'twinkle'!

As of tonight, everything is cut out.  I need to grind most of the background pieces.  Then I can foil everything.  Hoping that by next weekend I can start to solder this new keepsake together.

This is my first project done by myself.  So far, so good.  The next couple of project will be way smaller- lol!

Work day for the new flooring has started!

Hubby bid and won 1600 sq ft of oak flooring.  Looks like our 'plans' to do the upstairs are officially ON!

My office is totally cleaned out.  (except for the stuff on the walls)  Many thanks to our oldest son's family for offering up grunt work.  It is had to believe I can pack so much in a 12 x 12 room.

Bonus--we had time to clean out the Kid's play room too.  Plan is after these two rooms get floors down we can move our bedroom into them temporarily.

I had to shuffle the dinning room table to up under the breakfast bar to open up room for my 'office'.

Wish me well as I sort though files and misc.  (maybe tomorrow- lol)
I think I can make it work for a short term.  It beats moving all this stuff up and down stairs.
My sewing/craft areas don't have to get compromised while working on the floors-  win/win

One thing leads to another! Dolls cont...

Yesterday I shared about my Thrift shop 'find'.  What is a new doll collection without a place to display them?
Thanks to Craig's list I was able to find two newly listed display cases.  Hubby was actually in the area of the seller last night and stopped by and picked them up.  How is that for timing!

These pieces were not expensive so they will be perfect to gift to the grand-daughters when the girls get a little older.  Karlee spent the night last night and helped me clear out a place in my bedroom for both cabinets.
The one on 'my' side of the room will be filled with dolls.  The one on hubby's side of the room will most likely remain empty.  I offered to go shopping for more dolls to fill the second one and he said NO! 

Maybe he will change is mind- lol

Thrift Store Dolls- Merry Christmas to me!

Today I ran in to my local Thrift Store to 'see' if they had any bowling balls or microwave trays (Don't ask!)

First thing I see is these beautiful Disney Princesses.  I took a quick look and fell in Love.  I can justify the expense if I purchase them for one of the grand-daughters. It is the Holiday time btw.

I think I was hoping they would not still be at the counter when I was ready to check out.

Three bowling balls and two microwave plates later, I get back to the counter and the dolls are still there!  I dig into my wallet looking for a check.  Kinda hoping I don't have one so I can have a way out.  The gal at the counter, laughed at me and said, : You know We take Debit cards too...."  (I didn't know that, now I can NEVER be trusted to go back in alone-  there goes my NO BUY)  I told her Thanks for the info but I was holding out for the excuse that I might not have a check.  Soon as I said those words, I 'found' the check I keep for Emergencies- you know the one for if I find beautiful Disney Princesses!

Of course these will eventually be given to Karlee and/or Breely, their mom Kelly might get first dibs, but for now they are all posing on my dresser.  I am off to Google 18" Brass Key Porcelain Dolls to see if I can find out more about them.

I might have to Google for a small collectable glass cabinet too!

- cw

stained glass is finished and hung!

At 9:00 this morning, Carl, Mike and  Scott  worked to get the stained glass window hung in the new addition to the church building.

This was (and may forever be) our first collaborated effort in doing any thing creative.

Special Thanks to my good friend and mentor Connie for putting up with us as she taught us the skills to do this masterpiece.  I know she could have 'thrown the whole thing together in a couple of days' but she encouraged us to work at our own pace and we enjoyed the journey.

I know there are no stained glass police, just like there are no quilting police.  Just the same, I have to brag and say that this looks good from the road. 

It was quite hard to get a photo of the guys working.  The sun coming in through the glass is so bright it is almost blinding.

The sun really is so bright coming through the glass that this shot makes the colors look clear.  I used photobucket to crop this picture and add the caption.

We ended up taking the window down and added a layer of pellon to diffuse the direct sun light.
I really like the pattern hubby came up with so I think we will do this again with a different glass.  After we all hold our breath while the second window is being made, this one can get moved to an inside wall.  Maybe then it won't blind you when you get to close- lol

Finally finished, 3 ft x 5 ft.  What a fun first piece!  Remember to wear your sunglasses to Sunday service- lol

Connie's Bow Ties

 Guess what got quilted last night~

Connie, I hope you like this, almost ready to snuggle under!  Binding still needs to be done :(  - cw

Deb, this one's for you!

How fun is this quilt!!  Good friend Deb H found this pattern in one of her favorite quilt mags.  We used a GO strip die to cut yardage and the Triangle Die to cut 1/2 sq. triangles.  She brought her orange and blues and raided my stash to fill in.  Fats can go a long way in making a controlled scrappy sing.

I am so excited to get to see this beauty one step closer to being gifted as a snuggle under HS Graduation quilt.  The more I look at this pattern the closer I am to cutting out one for me.

Deb bought the orange sheet I used on the back from our local Walmart.  I am going to have to check to see if there are any more.  I love this color!!

When I remember the name of the pattern or the mag it is from I will let you know.  be good  -cheryl