We just had a wonderful holiday weekend and I hope you did too.  Craig took Thursday off so we had four days together.  We basically stayed home and played around in the pool.  I worked in the garden and Craig cleaned the garage.  We attended a beautiful wedding on the Fourth of July and had a great time.  Ben had spent the night at my inlaws, so we had Sunday to relax.  Now that the garage was clean, I spotted my pottery wheel.  I got inspired to sit down and throw.  It has been a year since I’ve stopped going to class and I miss it terribly.  It was rough at first because I have a kick-wheel and it took quite a bit of effort to get the wheel going the speed I wanted.  I’m 27 weeks now and my tummy was definitely in the way a bit.  I managed and enjoyed.  I wasn’t rushed so I decided to make a nice salad bowl.  You can never have too many of those.  It felt really good to get back into the clay and the process.  It is also nice having my own wheel because I can just leave my work on it till the next day.  A luxury you don’t have when you have to work at a studio.  I was really pleased with my bowl so I will share:

                                   It will stay as greenware (unfired) till I find the time to get back to the studio.  Who knows when that will ever be.  I already have an office full of stuff that needs to be fired, glazed and fired. 

I also mentioned that I spent a lot of time in the garden.  The bunnies are doing great.  The Mommy sits close by under our hydrangea now keeping her babies protected. 

                          I even spotted her nursing in the nest the other day.  Couldn’t get those pictures though – sorry.  We peeked at the babies and they are so much bigger now.  They have fur and their eyes open.  It is really amazing.

The garden has been doing great.  Things are just growing and growing, even the weeds.  I pulled about 50% of them but jeez, it is hard.  My pole beans are the BIG show right now.  I never planted them before and don’t even know how large they are supposed to get.  Does anyone know? 

                          It really has been a lovely Monday so far.  Ben has been sleeping since 2pm (4:30ish now), I was able to trim (finish off the bottom) of my bowl and reflect on the nice weekend.  Getting back to throwing is huge for me.  It makes me feel good.  I suggest you all find something that you have dropped and try it again.  It does wonderful things for the body and soul.

Started on my garden today.  I only got a quarter the way through though.  Better than nothin I suppose.  A lot of grass is actually growing in there and that was time consuming to remove.  I planted a couple of dahlias (too early) but I needed to because they were dying in the pots I had them in.  I hope they make it. 

AND…..

I also dusted off my pottery wheel today!  I sat down and threw myself a small pot.  I was surprised that it all came back to me so quickly.  I haven’t touched clay for over a year.  The only thing I found difficult was the kick-wheel.  It’s hard to keep that cement stone turning.  I didn’t quite have the speed but whatever I did was enough.  There is a cute, little pot sitting in the garage now.  I’m psyched about it.

I’ve been working hard at the pottery studio this session.  I made lots of planters for this summer to hang and put on the deck.  It’s nice to be at the point where I can say, “Ok, I will now sit down and make a blank.”  Before, I would sit and try to center a hunk of clay forever and then try to see where that lead me.  I love the feeling of making progress.  Here is my latest….a small pitcher for soy sauce and bowl.  It charming and I can’t wait to use it.

Here is some of my new work. Two bowls. The bigger one is great for serving and the small one…well….

I made that one for my little cookie monsta. He knows I made it and everytime he eats out of it, he puts his little hands around the bowl and says, “Mama”. With his husky voice it sounds so darn sweet.

Have a great weekend!

Spent the entire day at the pottery studio yesterday.  It was the last day to throw stuff.  The session is wrapping up and now we only have two weeks to finish up anything that needs to be trimmed or glazed.  I managed to throw a pitcher and a mug.  The pitcher is my biggest piece yet.  I need to think of a cool glaze combo that will do it justice.  Pictures of the finished product will definitely be posted. 

This is a picture of my friend Marion trimming a beautiful bowl she made.

Started my pottery class on Tuesday.  It was great to get back into it.  I felt as though I lost a lot of technique so it was back to the basics.  I found my hands were too stiff and so was my posture.  I managed to make a couple of pieces but I certainly wasn’t happy with them. 

This was a little, round bowl I made last semester.  I loved how the glaze came out.  It is one of three.  They are going into our new bathroom.

Chip and dip

Originally uploaded by minaypal

My Mom put in a request for a chip n’ dip bowl. It was the second time I made one. It is technically better than my first but isn’t as large. I love the way the glaze came out though. Mom loved it and I know it will be put to good use because she knows just how to fill it!

Click on the picture to see it larger in flickr.

This bowl was almost lost.  It was about to collapse due to too much water.  I let it set and then salvaged it.  Now, I LOVE it!

I’ve been taking pottery classes for almost a year now and I’m completely addicted.  This was one of my first mugs.  Sure it has some defects but you know what?  I love it!  I look forward to Craigfast (Craig makes the worlds BEST breakfast every weekend if you didn’t already know – drool) all week long so I can sip the best coffee from this here mug.