The Monster Under the Bed

Some time back I posted about taking a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) class from the master of the masters, Sherri Haub. Since that time I have made a few pieces, but I have always used a friend’s kiln to fire the clay.

I have always be seriously chicken of fire, flame, and okay I will admit it, anything that gives off heat. I quit using electric blankets because I was afraid they would catch the house on fire….

Well….my friend Marika has been torching her PMC since taking the class. She is all about the flame… She has taken some metalsmithing classes and can wield a mean Crème Brûlée torch. She has been gently coaxing me to try it…

So, at the last bead show I bought a torch and heat tile from the tool man. I kept it under the bed in my jewelry studio, but sticking out far enough that I could keep an eye on it.

Marika: Have you torched yet?
Cindie: No, I don’t have a fire brick and I don’t have butane.
Marika: You should get it. It isn’t that big of a deal.

So I went to Freshman’s downtown and bought the fire brick and butane. I stored it in a cool dark place just like the box said, right under the bed.

Marika: Have you torched yet?
Cindie: No, I have stored it in a cook dark place.
Marika: You should do it. I will send you a step by step guide.

I read through the step by step guide. It doesn’t say whether you have to set your flame at 2” long or 5’ long. After all I don’t want to get too close to the flame. Hmmm.. I don’t think I can do this.

Marika: Have you torched yet?
Cindie: No, I am trying to completely research it to make sure that I am doing it right.
Marika: You should do it. Here, I will send you a YouTube video on how to do it.

So I watch the video and see the flame thrower. Hmmm. That looks pretty scary. What if the butane leaks and causes an explosion? What if I accidently catch the desk on fire? What if my room isn’t ventilated enough and I die from inhalation? Geesh.

Saturday morning I wake up and decide this is the day I become a flame thrower. I prep the room. I get everything even remotely flamable off my table. I open all the doors and windows in the entire house. I crawl under the bed in the jewelry studio and pull out the beast – the monster of all monsters – the flame thrower. I read the instructions. I reread the instructions. I put butane in it. I put on my protective eye wear. I take off the child lock. Lord almighty, I am sweating. I pull the trigger. There it is - - the blue flame. I watch it for awhile. I hold the monster flame thrower in my hand to get used to the feel of the power in my hand. Then I turn it off. Whew. I pull the trigger again. I lit that little silver clay sucker right on fire and held that flame for two minutes. It was done. I torched.

Cindie: Guess what.
Marika: What?
Cindie: I torched.
Marika: You did???
Cindie: Ya, no big deal.

I am now officially over my fear of the monster under the bed ~ the torch.

Grandma's "C"

The other day I was sitting in my jewelry studio and there was a discarded piece of wire on my desk. It had a loop in the end and then it kind of curled around. Looking at the piece of wire, I was reminded of how my precious Grandma would write my name. She would loop the top of the "C" and loop at the bottom.

I took that discarded piece of wire, and formed it into my Grandma's "C". I hammered it into shape, added a crystal quartz rondelle to the bottom, and oxidized it. This is what Grandma’s “C” looks like.

I have always attributed my creative nature to my precious Grandma who nurtured it in me. She is the origin of many things good and right in my life ~ primarily my mother, but for many other qualities as well. When I wear my Grandma’s “C”, I will be reminded of her inspiration to me, her profound faith in God, and the beauty that comes with age.

Muah Grandma!

Breaking up is Hard to Do

You know the song - - - oh didn’t you just swoon to Neil Sedaka? I still see him just like this:



So, I am going to be starting a remodel on my house and I got a few bids. I really liked one contractor. I think I even bonded with him (in a contractor/client sort of a way). Anyway, when the third bid came in substantially less than my original contractor, I felt horrible. But hey, that extra money would come in awful handy when I am also trying to get windows installed.

I called the contractor and the conversation went something like this:

“Hi Boris (okay, not his real name – I made it up), this is Cindie.”
“Oh Hi, Cindie. We sure are anxious to get started on your kitchen!”
“Ya, about that. So I have decided to go with another bidder.”
“What do you mean another bidder? What did we do wrong?”

Cue Neil Sedaka

I actually found myself saying, “Oh Boris, it isn’t you. It's me.”

Geesh, breaking up with a contractor is just about as bad as breaking up with your boyfriend!

Father's Day

What a great opportunity this year to spend Father's Day with my daddy. It was a quick weekend up and back to Boise, but priceless in the time that we spent together. Saturday we went to the movies and saw the new Star Trek movie. My mom was a good sport and went along. She never quite "gets" why the Klingons and Romulans have to look "weird". Okay Mom, that is Star Trek... they are aliens..... Anyway, Mike and Shelly and Mom and Daddy and I got into the theater with our ginormo trough of popcorn, two cokes and candy that Shelly smuggled in (sorry Shell, I ratted you out.) For those of us who are true Star Trek fans you know what I am talking about here - - I thought it might be difficult to jump from this:



















to this:






















Ummm you know, not only did I jump ~ I kind of leapt - - - ya, it worked.

What a great time! We went from that movie adventure to a groovy time (man I haven't said that in a long time) at home laughing, playing games, and just all around silliness.

Sunday brought a yummy barbeque with the entire family to celebrate the dads. My two brothers who are incredible men and fathers...






And then my daddy. The perfect example of a father. He is a godly man of honor, integrity, and humility. Besides being able to fix ANYTHING - - he also makes a mean potato salad.





I love you Daddy!

Muah!

Draykin - He Fick it!

Okay so I know that title sounds a little strange...but that is Maycie speak for "Drayton, he fixed it!"

So the other day I put a lovely 13x9 of brownies in the oven and put the timer on for 35 minutes. Thirty five minutes later I wasn't smelling any of that eewwwy goooey chocolatey luciousness.... Ummm no. The oven had heated up to maybe 90 degrees. The stinkin oven broken. . . .again. . .

Now this isn't just any oven. This is a circa 1961 General Electric brown beaut. Check this little darlin out:



Well.... so Jake took the lower element out and sure enough.... electrical issues.... again.

Cue rescue music.

Ashley calls Drayton, and along comes Mr. Rescue with his tool belt. I know girls... hold onto your seats.... a boy and his tool belt.... Okay, well he wasn't actually wearing the belt - it was sitting on my kitchen floor. ANYWAY, Drayton to the rescue. He fixed the oven. Now what do you think he can do about THIS stove... circa 1961 too...




Thanks Draykin!

Muah!

Mr. Ginormo

So there I was watering my hanging flower pot, picking off the dead blooms, just basically minding my own business. And what before my wandering eye should appear? A prehistoric monstrosity of a dragonfly, trying to blend into the greenery. Okay – nice try Mr. Ginormo ~

Ashley was kind enough to photograph Mr. “Leave me alone I am drying my wings.” I was way too freaked out. Good grief I almost deadheaded him!

Okay I am going to go faint now....

Cherry Cheesecake Crunch

1 cup quick oats
1 Super Moist yellow cake mix
2/3 cup butter cut in small pieces
1 (20 oz.) can of cherry pie filling
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (softened)
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla

In a bowl, mix together oats and cake mix. Cut in butter. Spray the bottom of a 13x9” pan. Pat 1/3 of the dry mix in the bottom. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a bowl, whip together cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla. Spread over the top of the cooked crust. Top cream cheese mixture with the cherry pie filling. Pour remaining dry mix evenly over the top of the cherry pie filling. Bake at 350° for an additional 35-40 minutes.

Serve with whip cream or vanilla ice cream.

Variations:
Apple pie filling, strawberry pie filling, or mixed berry pie filling. Can add ½ c chopped nuts or ½ c toasted coconut into dry mixture.