Calm Before the Storm?

April is almost done, it has been a month of bubbling turmoil to be sure. But despite the undercurrent of stress the real chaos will begin in a few weeks. At the beginning of the month we moved Pat's dad to an assisted living facility in VaBeach. Let's just say that this has been the most stressful situation we've had in years. It's been emotionally and physically draining for all concerned. 


We were pleased to sell our house here. The closing was a complete 'goat rope'  it was finally been resolved & we are now renters until May 31. WHEW! Our realtor said in all her years she has NEVER had a situation like ours. 


The month has had some good points too, Easter was lovely & several occasions to hang with friends before we go have been great.  Tomorrow (April 28) Rachel will receive her confirmation into the Catholic church, with our good friend Stefanie Salazar as her sponsor. That is a beautiful blessing that Rachel (& me as  a catechist) has been working toward for a long time. 
May begins in a few days, kicked off by Pat's trip to Europe for the NWC. I look forward to writing a few more posts and I have entered a "Happy Hour Blog Hop" to inspire more frequent posts. The theme of which is to make jewelry inspired by a cocktail. I assume I have to sample as I create..... Sounds delicious :-)

Flowering Ajuga  from my front yard

March Madness...

It's that time of year here in Virginia, after a very mild winter Spring has sprung with her full glory. Beautiful Forsythia, tulips and my favorite, Red Bud Trees paint the landscape with their beauty. All this spring fever combined with some polymer clay inspired me to try covering real hen's eggs with pattern & color. 

I am pleased with the result so far. I wonder if anyone else will think they are cool.

My family is getting tired of scrambled though... you can't save the shells when they ask for over easy!

Bead Soup

I'm planning on jumping into Lori Anderson's "Bead Soup" Blog Party/Hop  this summer. I am excited to send some of my polymer clay beads and a focal to a partner and see what they create.
More info to come......

See more here  http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/03/announcing-6th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

Here is the tag.  

Mokume Gane Tutorial

For the last 2 years or so I have been having a love affair with Polymer Clay.  I ADORE this stuff! It's so versatile and does so many amazing things. 


One of the many techniques I've learned is "Mokume Gane". Mokume-gane (木目金) is a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns. Translating as BURL metal, the name was borrowed from one type of pattern created in the forging of swords and other edged weapons. 
This Japanese art  form has been translated into clay and it works beautifully. I have to say that this is my favorite  technique because you never really know exactly how it will turn out. 
I love the surprise and the "one of a kind-ness"  of it all.
I am going to share this, my first ever tutorial so that others may find some enjoyment from their creativity. Good Luck!

Premo Clay makes great Mokume Gane  Choose at least 3 colors for the best effects.
For this project I used 1/2 block silver
1/2 block cobalt, 1/3 block Navy, 1/3 block pearl and 1/4 block denim

Porcelain figurines make a great base platform for polymer clay

 Condition the clay completely till it is pliable and soft. Run sheets through the pasta machine on the  thickest setting and cut sheets into fairly uniform 2 in x 2in squares.

See the pasta machine at right

Begin stacking the clay in layers, I choose one corner to align all the squares ( see left side)  Gently press out any air bubbles between layers ( some are visible on the top & need to be removed)

When finished stacking, trim off ragged edges with a tissue blade or polymer knife ( save the scraps)

Choose a variety of tools for different effects,  for example, nails, wine bottle cork, bone folder,   fondue fork, wavy clay blade, pottery tool~ really anything!

Let's poke some holes!

Silver side

Flip it over and poke some on the bottom too

Begin to reform the block by firmly pressing on all sides of the cube  until it becomes a compact cube

This time use the bone folder to add deep gouges to the cube

Gouge in both directions

Flip it over and gouge the bottom too

Form it back into a cube, then use the fondue fork to pierce both sides, reform into a cube

Use the pottery tool to cut down into the clay, on both sides and always reform it back into a cube after you are done

Poke a generous amount of holes on both top and bottom using a needle tool

Reform one last time into a nice compact cube. This ended up being appx. 2 in x1.5in

Place your cube on a ceramic tile and freeze for about an hour

Once frozen use your blade to shave super thin layers from the top and bottom of the block. (this is actually the side just to show how thin to shave, you should  flip it on it's 'side' & shave from the '"top")
Lay the thin slivers and slices on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper

Once all the clay is sliced you can begin to carefully piece the surface together 

 Gently  but firmly press the slices together to cover the surface completely. Make sure to eliminate all air bubbles  I use a test tube as a tiny rolling pin to smooth as much as possible

cover all surfaces~ front, back & sides

completely covered, carefully smoothed and ready to bake

Bake at 275 for 15-30 minutes ( or the time & temp recommended for your brand of clay)

Once cool, sand your pieces using fine grit sand paper. Wipe with damp cloth to remove dust.
Apply a thin coat of Future Floor Polish. Do not allow bubbles in the surface of the polish, allow to dry completely.
A second coat may be applied as needed.

Voila!

This color series is called "Santa Maria"

Thank you

Moving 2012..

Well it's now February 2012 and our current Casa De Everly is now officially on the market. Thus begins the seemingly never ending constant of military life ... the move.

Moving is a bittersweet process, exciting, wrenching, stress filled and pleasant all in one cyclone of activity.

Currently we are in what I call "stage one". The house is on the market, which means constant cleaning and freaking out about a glass in the sink or some toothpaste stuck to the faucet. Don't get me wrong, I love a clean house, but I despise house cleaning. I never understood those ladies (you know who you are) who find cleaning 'relaxing' or 'theraputic'. To that I say~ gag me! I would much rather curl up with a great craft project, read a book or take a nap than scrub a tub or god forbid, mop a floor. The only 2 house cleaning tasks I don't mind are vacuuming & laundry, although more often than not clothes get a few "extra tumbles" to get the wrinkles out before folding.

We have a few more challenges this time too. Pat & the kids are all in school till June, and we have to make arrangements for Pat's dad who currently lives with us to move to a senior community. Our time back in NoVa/DC has been good, but I am SO ready to be back near the ocean, why else would I marry a Navy man?

I'm off now to scrub something....

Christmas Newsletter 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Casa de Everly!It’s been a busy year. Punctuated with two awesome family reunion vacations to Mexico & Tybee Island, many get-togethers with friends, Pat’s 20^th USNA reunion in Annapolis,  & a VA Earthquake to name a few.
  In July Pat said goodbye to the Pentagon, took some much deserved leave, and in August checked into the National War College in D.C.  Adjusting to student life has been good and we have all appreciated the change of pace this tour offers. We already know our next PCS will be in June 2012, once school is finished.  Pat was chosen for a bonus helicopter command with HSC-2 in Norfolk, VA.  We are thrilled and honored. Not only to be part of a squadron again, but also looking forward to being in the Tidewater area for another tour.
Pat remains a dedicated runner, participating in several races and training and completing the Marine Corps Marathon in October.  He finished with a time of 4:05.
  JP is a Junior this year & still growing. He is currently 6’4.5! Driving permit in hand he practices every chance he gets. This year he got his first real job working at Cox Farm. He parked cars by day and scared people in the corn maze at night. He continues to pursue Tae-kwon-do and enjoys the challenges it offers.  He is an avid ‘Magic’ player and has branched into ‘Warhammer’ territory.
  Rachel is in 8^th grade this year.  Drama productions, honor roll, Confirmation II, and playing in several different volleyball leagues keeps her busy.  Her big news is that the braces finally came off! Popcorn & Starbursts are back on the menu.
  Tammie is still the chief cook, dog walker and taxi driver of this crew, but managed to find time to start a little side business~ crafting jewelry and house wares under the “TTE Designs” banner.  Selling via, Facebook, Etsy and several craft shows has kept the ball rolling.  Additionally, teaching Rachel’s Confirmation II and being responsible for taking Pat’s dad to numerous doctor appointments fills the calendar.
We wish you all many blessings in the coming year.  Thank you for being part of our lives.  The good memories of family and friends are what
makes life rich for us.  If you are in the DC (till June) or Norfolk (after June) area please look us up, we’d love to see you.Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 From Pat, Tammie, JP, Rachel ~ &Dixie

TTE Designs

TTE Designs started with the encouragement of family & friends. I have always been crafty, growing up with talented parents who always made all sorts of things. I didn't realize that not everyone did that till I was in high school.  I had some great art teachers along the way too and have always had my hand in something of interest.  Personally I'd rather make it than buy it. 
In the past couple of years while on Guam I started making Guam-centric greeting cards that sold at the AAFB gift shop. I also made jewelry for myself and to give away.  After we moved back to Virginia at the urging of my friend Lora & my husband Pat. I signed up for my 1st craft show in March and the rest of this year has been a growing snowball of learning and growing.  I focus mostly on jewelry and polymer clay items, but I am always interested in all sorts of things. Now it's December, I've done 8 shows , some with friends and some alone. I find great satisfaction in making something that someone says "Wow I really like that" & " Can I buy that?" WHO KNEW?? Plus once they buy it I can buy more goodies to make something else!  So once the holidays are done I'm certain that I will get back in the craft room regularly and create.  I guess I need to start thinking seriously about making this thing "real" but for now, it's just for fun.

Sodalite & silver

polymer clay pendant & earrings

Polymer clay ornament

multi semi precious gemstones