A bit of everything

So it's been a while. And a bit of everything. Nice autumn colors at the dog park. First frost. Dogs really feel much better and more playful compared to hot days. For us it's not so fun because much more mud in the house. But we (dog people) are thinking positively it's not +30 and not -30 and it's good enough :) 

 Me                                   and mini me

Thanksgiving was very appreciated mostly by Archie. He got full turkey, well... it's the cheapest and best quality raw meat available and the offer doesn't last long. So we cut it into smaller pieces to prolong the pleasure. Such an awful dog's life :)

 

Some excitement came from small, but very cute Cobourg town. The owner of local art gallery/shop suggested to bring in some of my jewelry and slippers. Check this gallery/shop out, really really very cool place. Full of local artists' work, some concerts and exhibitions happen there too. 

Some things from kiln .... 

finished locker from the post below

  

 

forgot that metal clay doesn't shrink too much, instead of earrings, got two pendants, but with beautiful kiln patina

... some experiments. Not sure if I like them or not. Tried a new form and a new closure for locket. Mighty internet has it all. Was looking for 2-3 mm magnet - found it :) here is the result

magnet closure

Felting experiment wasn't very successful :( Apparently my felting table is not big enough for long booties/slippers (that was not smart of me not to think about shrinkage, when constructed table), but I prised myself for being smart and thinking about waterproof basement floors :)

 

And the biggest excitement was - I made my concrete table lamp work. If you remember my attempt of using all kind of leftovers from reno, this was made from bathroom tiling thinset and plumber's piping work leftovers. Metal color spray was applied, lamp cords from ikea, shades made using balloons, PVA glue and jute twine. But the most important question was - how to connect all four bulbs into one connection without blowing fuses. I would say "Don't try that at home", but it wasn't too dangerous as I thought, problem was, that this time internet wasn't too informative or let's say very clear, because that part in high school I definitely skipped out. But anyway, it works, just need to tidy up all connections

 

Back to life back to reality

As the "Soul II Soul" was singing - Back to life back to reality...So... the reno "condition" ended and I'm pretty happy with the results. Just a few decor touches, but already usable :o)

 before and after

 Now back to metal clay...

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do more complex items from homemade metal clay, so tried a few boxes/lockets. It's harder (messier) but possible :o)

And with "normal" metal clay I made a try to incorporate "clay" bezel into copper wire. I like the result.

...and felting

 

A bit out of practice, so the sizes were "dancing" from too big to too small. But I tried a new wool and that can be a reason too.

 

Busy times

Of course the reno continue, and here are the proof -my very own “Red Room”. As we remember from Soviet Union era (it was room dedicated to V.U. Lenin and all other ideological things):o). In reality this is a very proper way to waterproof the shower. Liquid membrane called RegGard.

 A lot of tile cutting and installing, grouting next. 

 Also a little reroute from the basement projects – backyard rest area design. And of course it should be original, handmade and simple. School is over so I've had some help. Left a few things to pick up from IKEA as a back cushions and a glass table top, also I've found there some solar-powered lights, that gave me some ideas about lightening the area. We'll see...

Meanwhile life is going on and Jazz Festival in Montreal was calling and friends there were waiting to see us, so we lightly packed our bags and headed for fun trip to the north. What can I say, the organization and mood - perfect, you really feel the vibe. But some lessons learned - 1) must have folding chair (we are not getting younger and back problems let us know about that), six hours on feet and I was feeling every minute passing by, 2) it's a good idea to visit some paid concerts for more jazz and quality. But at the end we left Montreal with good impression and told our friends that we'd be back :o)

 

Joke for this post. A few weeks ago we had a sudden plunge in temperature - from + 35C to +10C. On my way to dogs park in the morning I met my neighbour and complained about the cold. He as always optimistic told me "You know why Canadians have big closets? because we do not separate summer and winter clothing" :o)

 

Woofstock 2013

Taking some off from "reno condition" and spending some fun time at Woofstock 2013 downtown Toronto. It's a blast for the dogs and theirs owners. To see all kind of different breeds and different sizes.  A lot of new treats to try or buy a good homemade ones for half of price. Enjoying to see "dangerous" breeds behaving as petting pillows or big lap dogs :o) That says a lot about good education and training. Archie was busy meeting a new dogs, tasting new treats or sniffing for leftover on the ground that picky eaters refused to taste, not Archie. He is a medium sized vacuum cleaner :o) The worse parts were where the  booth had their samples placed on the ground in big bowl. Archie's reaction was "OMG it's all for me! Yay!! " Then I really needed a lot of physical power to drag him off.

First needed to refresh after long drive to downtown. Subway services were partly down so Archie had his first bus ride.

 Then meeting a new faces, sizes and colors

Doggy heaven. "I want this, this and this"

"Hey buddy are you sick?"

Doodle meeting

Doggy fashionistas 

Popular transportation

Say "Cheese"