Judy A Goddard, Artisan

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wednesday Blog

The Farm
About half of my garden has now now gone to seed. But that's a good thing! Having only purchased Heirloom Seeds this past winter, it's exactly what I've been waiting for! We've had a wonderful bounty of lettuce, peas and beans. The broccoli, not so much. 80( I started out with 12 healthy seedlings. Most were gobbled up by some yucky looking caterpillars. But 4 remained to grow into lush plants. But of those 4, only one developed a head! So, I carefully watched it and saved it and let go to seed. The only problem was, when the flowers dried up and fell off I couldn't find any seeds! I think I waited too long to harvest them. By the time I went to do so the pods had already fallen off. Next year I need to look for things that look like they might be unopened flowers that have turned brown. Apparently they are the seed pods. So, I live and I learn.

Tom Thumb Lettuce

pole beans, Kentucky Wonder

snap peas

Ah! Next years harvest, safely put away! Next February, when my mind turns to the growing of things green, I can gaze at my seeds and smile.

The Cabin
Last fall, while wandering through Lowes, we stumbled upon a display of outdoor braziers and indoor wood stoves. I fell in love with this funky little cast iron number, and since it was relatively inexpensive, we decided to buy it for the cabin. Since I live in the woods and we need to cut fire wood anyway, we figured it would be a great solution to the "electric space heater problem".

Tom priced stove piping and discovered that it's (to us) astronomically expensive. So, being the mason that he is, he is building me a chimney! And, right beside the steps on the deck is the beginning of a respectable wood pile. It's up on blocks because every once in a blue moon the creek floods and we wouldn't want our hard earned firewood to float down to the sea!

The Cane Cozies
I'm working away on the concept of the Cane Handle Cozies. I'd figured out a way of attaching buckram to one side and then using velcro as a closure. I wasn't happy with it. It was still bulky and I didn't like the way it looked when it was fastened. So, on I go, looking for the perfect solution.

The Biz
11 days and counting down to my next craft show. It'll be at the JCC of LBI, in Surf City, at the Fire House. I always feel like I won't be ready. I'll be ready!

Monday, August 8, 2011

My Leap of Faith, Leap of Faith.

The Biz

How exciting is this! I've been included in a list of entrepreneurs who have taken a "Leap of Faith" I'd love it if you go and take a peek at the article. (I'm # 54) It's my first time participating in something like this. Makes me feel kinda proud! Here's hoping it's good for business!
Just click on this link;
http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/08/08/how-64-entrepreneurs-have-taken-leaps-of-faith/
http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/08/08/how-64-entrepreneurs-have-taken-leaps-of-faith/

Dr. Shannon Reece

The Farm

And... Poof! One chick becomes five!

The Art

I spent yesterday afternoon trying to sew cane handle cozies on my sewing machine. Of course, the tension on the bottom, inside the workings went all wonky and I ended up spending a frustrated afternoon! So, one of today's tasks it to solve this and get on with sewing my cozies.

I pulled a muscle in my left shoulder over the weekend. I don't know what I did, but it's a darn nuisance! As it's early morning, I'm hoping it loosens up as I move around.

Friday, August 5, 2011

New and Amusing, at least to me.

THE FARM;

If I named my chickens I'd call her "Pinky"

We have achieved chick! I walked into the Spare Oom this morning and found this little beauty waiting for me!

How exciting! Now we have to go to the feed store and buy a bag of
"chick starter" There will be sisters , and probably a brother or two. This makes me happy!

Last night Tom and I took a stroll through the veggie garden and found these wonders! That's our first tomato!

You see, this is our first successful garden in many years. In 2000 we got our goats and then we had to adapt to the learning of curve of, "if goats can find a way out, they will." and the first place they would head was the veggie garden. Then, in 2002 I became sick with Lyme disease and was ill for 4 years. So there was no gardening during that time. Last year we tried again but were not so successful. THIS YEAR we decided that we would make a team effort, work together and see if we could really make it work this time. Jeepers! Such lushness! And yet another learning curve of, "how can we make it better next year!?!"

THE BIZ;

I've been working on a new idea. I'm developing what I call a "Cane Handle Cozy" My first attempt was a knitted cozy that slipped over the handle.

When I asked people's opinion, the number one concern was the that the cozy would be slidey and folks would be uncomfortable, fearful of their grip slipping. And they were slippery that way.

So next attempt is made of handmade felt, lined with rubber. It sure doesn't slip! I still have to tweak it, but I should have a finished product really soon.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A Visit to the Maine School of Masonry

This past May Tom and I drove to Maine to visit with my sister, Ginni, and her husband, David. On the day that I went on my "Progressive Loon Hunt" David introduced Tom to Steven Mitchel, owner and head dean of the Maine School of Masonry. One, Steven says, of only two private post high school masonry schools in the country.

On our way out of town, driving to visit with Tom's cousin on the coast of Maine, we stopped by the school, in Avon. I got to meet to Steve and take some photos of his student's recently completed final exam projects.

He gave us a tour and showed us the dorm rooms he had built into the school building. He has beds for 8 students. (Sorry, no photos of the dorms.) The students can simply roll out of bed, drink their coffee and enter the class rooms without ever going outside!

"Mitch" as he is commonly called, is a great guy with a love of the craft and a love for teaching. When he talks about his students you can see it.

If you'd like to know more abou the Maine School of Masonry just click on the link!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

What's New.

THE FARM

19 days ago I began putting eggs into the incubator that I borrowed from a kindergarten teacher friend of mine. I was soooo careful to set it up right and follow all the directions. I marked on the calendar when I was supposed to take the first egg out of the turner and place it gently on the screening on the bottom the incubator. This morning, I stretched and rolled and thought, today I move the first egg! And in a terrible blast of cognition, I realized I had NEVER put the water in the reservoir at the very bottom! I have probably cooked all my chicks. (no exclamtion point. It's too sad for an exclamation point.)

Well, I'll move the egg anyway, AFTER I put water in the reservoir. And I'll begin putting new eggs in the incubator today. Maybe in another 21 days I'll have chicks. Who knows, maybe I'll have a new chick in 3 days. It's been very humid here. Only God knows. We'll see.

THE BIZ

I visited festivalnet.com on Saturday and found a craft show listed in Surf City on Long Beach Island. It's being put on by the JCC of LBI on Sunday, August 21. Just for ha has I emailed them asking there were any open spaces, and, Shazam! There were two spaces left! At $55 I felt it was worth the gamble and I bought one. Now I have 3 weeks to prepare. Eek!

THE ART

L'Chaim, To life!

Acutally, I had been thinking about painting so Jewish themed canes for quite a while now. So, Saturday afternoon I drew up 3 new designs and I've been diligently working away at them. I personally love them. But, I personally love all of my canes.