Creative Color

Today was the long-planned trip out to Newbury Park to The Creative Castle, one of my very favorite bead sources.  After all, it was the last day to use their 40% off one item coupon!  And I'm not missing that opportunity, thank you very much.

In all honesty, my most expensive item was a tool:  A bench block on which to pound metal flat. I had the little anvil; I had the hammer.

It was time to get the bench block. 

But of course, I noticed the rawhide hammer there, and I'm not sure what that's used for vs. the soft side of the hammer that I have, but I'll explore that mystery on another trip out.  I spent a lot of time with them, asking questions and having techniques explained.  And Corine was so kind as to save and give me a couple of Shelly Neimerow Mermainds because she loved my mermaid necklace so much (I'm not going to picture it here because I'm entering it into a  juried competition and I'm afraid if it's on line first, it may be disqualified), she thought I should have the chance to make another.  I will to, and then probably gift it to her for giving me the bead and teaching me the technique.

Janna, who taught me wire wrap, gave me a piece of "tacky tape."  I was going to buy some after she explained about it, but they were out so she gave me a bit from her own supply. 

I had planned to buy some pink beads (yes, for you Suzanne if you're reading), and some pink cord too, just in case I need it, and some of their plated pewter alphabet beads to experiment with, but then was so enamoured with their wall of seed beads in size 8 that I went wild.  There too, there was a special.  Buy 5 packets and get the 6th free.  So I bought 5 and then chose out a sixth.  Then I saw another color I couldn't live without, and another and another, so I bought another 5 and got yet another one free.  The same cycle happened four more times, and this is what I ended up with:

Lots of new colors with which to produce many beautiful items.

I spent more time out there than I had planned to; my scheduled trip to the Post Office will be delayed until the morning.  Fortunately, it's only Sunday today anyway.  There will be no effect on the delivery of this package.  And yes, Wilda, if you're reading, this one is for you.

* * * * *

Last night, as has become a tradition as of late, Eric, Gabby, & Miles came over for dinner.  Usually Eric brings along some take-out, but this week, I made pasta and my home made vegetable sauce.  I cooked regular pasta for the Splaver clan; for me, I decided to cook my Squid Ink pasta.  Miles was very intrigued by the fact that I was eating black pasta.  He decided that he would like to try some.

The verdict?  "It tastes just like regular pasta!"  I assured Miles that it was true, it did taste like regular pasta.  The reason for eating squid ink black pasta is for the coolness factor.

*  *  *  *  *

What is it with men?  They have a discussion about growing a mustache.  Immediately, they have to grow one, and they're not into delayed gratification.

 

And like father, like son.

 

 

* * * * *

I am not feeling well this evening, and in a serious way.  I thought about maybe abandoning the post a day task, but February is so close to wrapping up that I decided not to.  So I gathered the dogs, one of which was busy and did not want to be gathered.

 

I herded them to the front door to go outside, and discovered that there is a new dog toy in play.

 

That's right,  dogs now play with zip lock baggies.









And there's no shame in this crowd.  Lucy quickly laid claim to it.

28 post in 28 days.  Today is day 21.