Altered Mini Folder

 These mini envelopes were perfect for sending graduation pictures to a niece up in Montana.  They are small but made of a sturdy card stock and just the right size for about eight pictures. I altered the front and back of the envelope using graduation paper, rub on stickers, music notes and panther paws that are symbols of my sons high school days.  Now my niece can store the pictures and carry them without worrying about bending the pictures.  I did not have to leave space for the Mailing or Return Address as I enclosed the mini envelope in a box with a birthday gift for my niece.  I also decorated the gift box, only I forgot to take a picture.  You know how you forget things as you get older.  I have heard from my niece who said eveyone who saw the box loved it.  The box was decorated with a birthday theme.  She is using the box to store some of her little treasures.  

Back of Envelope



 

Mini Envelopes







Front of  Envelope



July Contest Giveaway

Wow! Can you believe July is almost gone?  It is so hot in Houston, I thought I would chill things down with a cool contest. 

In my effort to try and get more followers on my blog, I have decided to host a Contest Giveaway till the end of July.  As you may know from my blog, I love to work with stained glass.  In my July Contest Giveaway the first ten followers who guess correctly what I will make with these pieces of glass will win one of the finished item.  Feel free to mention/post this to your fellow bloggers. The contest ends at the end of this month (7-31-11).  On the first of August, I will post a picture of the finished item along with the list of ten winners.  Be sure to keep following my blog as I will be posting a few small clues to help with this guessing game.  Good Luck!

RULES:
1.  Become a follower of my blog. 
2.  Post your guesses under the comments of this post.
3.  Share contest with your fellow bloggers.
4.  Keep watch for clues.
5.  Use your imagination and have fun with your guesses.

CLUES  (Will be posted on the following dates here):
1.  July 18, 2011 - Small sun catcher with 4 pieces of glass: 1 big & 2 sml. circles and 1 sml orange piece
2.  July 22, 2011 - Kids love it, some adults do too just not to much or it becomes dangerous.
3.  July 25, 2011 - We don't see it in Houston too much. When it does hit Houston, people get excited and bundle up.
4.  July 29, 2011 - It makes the temperature drop and has the power to close schools and businesses.

Glass Cutting Board

Blue glass cutter, running plyers and shards of glass.

Every time I score and cut a piece of stained glass, I cut it on a plastic glass cutting board.  Most cutting boards are rectangle and come in various sizes.  They have a grid pattern that is lifted so that the pieces of glass fall down into the grid.  It makes it very convenient to cut the glass plus it is easy and safe to clean up those really small pieces.  The pictures above show the multi-colored shards of glass that I cut for one project.  When finished cutting I usually throw these shards away as they are too small to be of any use.

Summer Scavenger Hunt

Item #14

This castle complete with moat is now a brick and stone company.  It used to be the only Go Cart Park in Houston.  

Item #5

This hand made sign reads:  Private property. No Dumping Aloud. - It is ironic that it is posted by a dumpster, plus Aloud should be Allowed.  

Item #13 Evergreen Negro Cemetary - Former Slaves, Buffalo Soldiers and Veterans are buried. here.

AK Kelley organized the Evergreen Negro Cemetary and is buried there.  Most headstones are broken and unreadable.

This summer I have joined a Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt hosted by my cousin Maria.  Listed are 21 items I will be challenged to find.  View her blog  here:   http://gallorganico.blogspot.com/2011/06/summertime-photography-snapshot.html

1. A picture of your entire team (or a self-portrait, if you're playing alone).
2. A museum
3. A camp fire (or fire in a fireplace)
4. A protest, town hall meeting or other political activity
5. A hand lettered sign selling something or giving directions
6. A person dressed as a pirate
7. A decorated mailbox
8. Your country's flag
9. A festival or fair
10. A wooden bridge
11. A forest
12. A unicycle
13. A cemetery of historical significance or with an interesting story.
14. A castle
15. Graffiti art (not just graffiti and not just a wall mural)
16. A building made of metal or glass
17. Rain
18. A person sketching or painting outside their house
19. A beehive or an ant farm with live ants
20. A handmade roadside memorial or shrine.
21. A rooster

Below are a few photos I have taken.

#20 Roadside Memorial on East Houston Road

#15 Railcar on Liberty Road

#8 Driveway in Seabrook on 4th of July

# 17 Rain from my front porch

#21 Rooster in 3rd Ward area.

#2 New Buffalo Soldier's Museum under Renovation

 

Let's do that again!

Dad was a tall, dark, heavy set, good looking man with very dark black hair.  Ever since I was in grade school all through my high school, I remember him wearing suits to work. He was promoted to Detective in the Burglary & Theft Division of the Houston Police Department and was given a take-home vehicle.  He would drive me, my brothers and sister to and from school in this unmarked police car.  It was equipped with a police radio, siren and had an engine built for speed.  There were a few times that we would be late for school so dad would run the car hot. (police lingo) Driving over the speed limit and over the railroad track humps would send the car flying in the air.  Somehow the car would land on all four tires and we all would yell and scream, "Let's do that again!"

Dad In Action

One late night Dad, mom and I were on our way home from the Knights of Columbus.  As dad started the unmarked police car, the dispatcher on the police radio announced a burglary in progress at an address just a block away from our location.  Dad told us to put our seat belts on and to hold on.  He put the car in reverse driving out the parking lot and for half block, put it on drive when he got to the intersection and drove at a high rate of speed for the half block into the parking lot of a convenience store.  While driving like a bat out of hell dad told us, " No matter what happens, stay in the car."   As we drove into the parking lot I saw a young security officer with his gun drawn on five guys with their hands in the air facing the store window.  All at the same time Dad opens the drivers side door, pulls out his off-duty revolver out the back of his pants, and jumps out the car, yelling "Police Officer, Police Officer" while showing his badge.   In seconds, we are surrounded by police cars with lights flashing and sirens blaring.  As officers passed our car they aimed their flashlights at me, sitting in the back seat of the unmarked car.  This was the first time I had seen my dad in action and as you can imagine, my heart was racing.  I told my mom I had never seen dad jump out the car so fast. On our way home dad told us the security guard had gone to the convience store for a cup of coffee and saw these guys robbing the store.  He surprised the robbers when they came out to find the guard with his gun drawn on them.  He said he was glad my dad had driven up when he did because he was outnumbered and scared.  Dad said the other officers asked if I was involved because they saw I was in the back seat.  That night I had trouble sleeping, thinking about what could have happened.  From that night until today, I have a great appreciation for what these great men in blue do on a daily basis and I was forever thankful to God when I would see my Dad come home from work.

Dad's Love

One late night dad came home to find me in the kitchen washing dishes and crying.  Earlier that evening Mom and I had another argument and I was angry at the world.  Dad told me to go to bed.  I told him I couldn't because I had to bake a cake for the school bake sale the next day.  He said go to bed and forget the cake.  As I cried myself to sleep I could hear him washing the dishes for me.  I finally fell to sleep when I was awakened by the smell of chocolate.  I went into the kitchen and there was dad, icing a chocolate cake for me to take to school.  He sent me back to bed where I cried myself to sleep again.  Only this time they were tears of joy, because I knew my dad loved me.  It was not the best decorated cake, but I knew that it would be delicious because it was made with alot of love.

Santa's House

Santa's House
These christmas ornaments were made using only two shapes of glass to build Santa's House, a two inch square for the bottom and a triangle for the roof.  These ornaments are double sided.  A christmas tree on one side and santa/snowman on the other side.  They are made using scraps of stained glass and old sheet music.   First I cut two inch squares out of sheet music, and dyed the sheets using water colors.  Once dry, I stamped a small christmas tree and embossed with green embossing glitter on one side and added silver embossing glitter to look like snow.  On the other side I glued a small picture of santa/snowman and embossed silver glitter to look like snow.  When completely dry, I sandwiched the piece of sheet music between two pieces of  clear textured stained glass.  Finally, I soldered the triangle roof and the two inch square to form a small house and added a ring on top for hanging on your christmas tree. If you like these, look for my Christmas in July Special next month.  Click on the picture to get a bigger view.

Fallen Bird Nest



Texas Tumbleweed or Bird Nest?

 It's been 57 days without rain here in Houston.  I have a yard full of dry hay instead of green grass.  The mornings have been cloudy for several days but by noon those clouds are moved north by the winds.  Today I came home to find this bird nest in my front yard, apparently blown down by the winds.  I thought, how sad for that little bird who worked so hard to build that nest for her eggs and to just loose it all by the wind.  The nest caught my eye because it is made of dried grass and it reminded me of a Texas tumbleweed.  I took the picture because I like how the nest and the dry grass in my yard blended  together.  From a distance you can't even see the nest, it kind of just blends into the yard.  As a self proclaimed artist, I'm thinking "What can I do with that nest?"  I thought of making a hat with it, not to wear of course, just as a piece of art.  What would you do with it?  Any suggestions?

Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)

This Easter we had our traditional easter egg fight.  It is a mexican custom to crack colorful confetti eggs on unsuspected heads. But be careful whose head you crack because paybacks can be hell.  We had a wonderful time with family and friends.  I would estimate we had about 25-30 dozen confetti eggs.  Thanks to Mother Nature for supplying lots of wind that day.  We did not have to rake up all that confetti.

TEXAS STEP STONES

The St. Ambrose Bazaar was a success.  I sold all the Easter baskets and some of the stepping stones.  Just had one Texas Stepping Stone left.  I decided to donate it to a silent auction for Our Lady of Guadalupe School.  Last night I received a call from someone who saw the Texas Step Stone at the bazaar.  This weekend I will be busy making two more Texas stones.  I LOVE TEXAS!

My Little Boy Growing Up To Fast

Seems like just yesterday I took John by the hand and walked into the elementary school down the long hallway to his first classroom.  Like many first time moms I cried on my drive back home.  It was not until fourth grade when John was diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).  Back then I was in denial of him having this disorder, thinking once he learns to read better,  he would outgrow it.   After much deliberation I went ahead and put him on medication.  My decision did not come easy.  It was a close family friend who convinced me on the meds.  Her teenage son who was also diagnosed with ADD had taken his life and she like myself did not want to put her son on the meds.  To this day she wonders, if he had taken the meds would he still be alive today?  Now that John is a teenager, he refuses to take the meds and continues to struggle through high school. So here we are, a month from John graduating from high school.  Where did the years go?  My son has grown up to fast.  I continue to pray every day that God help John throughout his life as he continues his education.  His plans are to attend Houston Community College then to graduation from Sam Houston State.  Whatever life brings,  Juan and I will always love, support and hold his hand if need be.  No matter how grown up he becomes he will always be my little boy.   

Change Happens

There is a saying here in Texas "If you don't like the weather, just wait awhile, it will change."  Sunday evening I wore a skirt and sandals to church.  An hour later I wished I had worn pants and shoes.  Monday morning I went to work wearing another skirt with sandals.  By noon I went home and changed into sweat pants and tennis shoes.  Monday night we pulled out the covers to keep warm while we slept.  This morning I dusted my boots and put on corderoy pants with a sweater. Here it is ten o'clock and the sun is shining warming up the day and yet the teachers and students are complaining that the rooms are cold, so we turn off the air conditioner.  I know that if I wait awhile, they will be complaining that the rooms are hot.  In life, change happens.  You have to be prepared to change with it.  If not, you too will be complaining.  To be prepared for the weather change, I keep a jacket at work.  As for changes in my life, I try to keep prepared for whatever life has to bring and think of any changes as a positive instead of a negative.  Thinking positive makes it easier to adjust to any changes in life.  After all, without change, life would be boring.   Here in Houston, the weather has changed again, it turned out to be a beautiful day.  I think I'll go out and enjoy this nice weather. How is the weather in your part of the world?

Stepping Stones/Yard Art

SOLD

Spring is my favorite time of year.  That is when things come to life.  Birds sing, flowers bloom.  Well some flowers, not mine.  This is the time I like to go outside and work on art projects like these stepping stones.  I purchased the cement stepping stones from my local hardware store.  There are several sizes, I chose the 12 x 12 because any bigger they get heavier and harder to pick up.  The hardest part of making these stepping stones is choosing the color stain glass.  I  have already told my sons they will go with me to unload from my car.  I sure hope I don't have to load them in my car after the show.  They do get heavy. 

Yard Art

While doing yard work, the boys came across these scalloped broken cement bricks used for landscaping.  Instead of throwing them out I decided to make some yard art.  I hope to sell them at my next show at St. Ambrose on April 17.  I have more blank cement bricks to create art.  I just do not have enough time to finish them all by next month.  We also found some rocks that I have washed and cleaned.  I have something in mind for those rocks too.  I have now asked my neighbors for broken cement or rocks they don't want. 

SOLD

SOLD

Apple

A student gave me this perfume for my birthday in January.  The name is Red Apple.  It comes in this really cute bottle and smells good - not what you would expect.  It does not smell like apples. LOL  :) It looks cute on my desk.  Can you find me in this picture?  Look closely in the leaf and in the top of the  bottle.

Fish Fry

Two years ago I started inviting my brother's family and my godmother's family for a fish fry every Friday during Lent.  As good neighbors often do, each family called asking what could they bring to the dinner.  Since I provided the fish, shrimp and fries, I ask one family to bring a dessert and the other family to bring a covered dish.  After doing this for a couple of weeks, we decided that each family would take turns hosting the Fish Fry in their own home.    It would be up to the Host Family to decide what they would provide as the main dish and the invited families to bring a covered dish or dessert.  Some Friday's would be cheese enchilidas or bean tostadas or any other dish as long as it was not meat.  It is up to the Host Family if they wanted to invite others to our Friday Fish Fry gatherings.  Last year another family was added as a Host Family.   As life goes on, and certain situations happen, sometimes a family can not Host the dinner.  No worries - there's always someone willing to take on the challenge as Host.
This Friday was my turn to Host the Fish Fry.  As Host, I invited my brother Ruben and my brother Jesse and his wife Janie who celebrated a birthday this week.  The challenge was sitting 15 people to eat at the same time.  But my biggest worry was having enough fish for all my hungry guest.  Since I am off on Friday's I had plenty of time to batter the fish and shrimp.  Thanks to my husband who came home early from work to do the frying outside.  It turned out to be a nice evening with no television, plenty of laughs and interesting conversations and most important plenty of good food.

St. Patricks Day

Multi-colored green stain glass pieces

I want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.  My day started out with me fishing through green pieces of scrap glass to finish a garden stone that I am working on.  The stone is a broken piece of cement from my garden.  I placed a butterfly made with stained glass in the center of the stone.  The green glass was used as the background to represent grass. I keep most of my scrap glass to use for mosaics.  I have several plastic shoe boxes to hold different colors of glass but I keep all the same color in one box regardless of texture or shade.  It's alot of fun to see what one can create with broken pieces of glass and broken cement.  Plus I like the idea of recycling and saving money.  Tomorrow I will start grouting as I have about ten pieces that are ready for this next process.  I will post pictures of the finished stones when they are finished.  Hope you all had a Happy Saint Patrick's Day.

Pictures at Mi Tierra

Pictures of Juan & I at Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio. It was a short one day trip but enjoyed the ride, music and bonding with my fifteen year old son, who also took the trip with us.

Repujado

This past Friday I drove to San Antonio to take a class in Repujado at Stamp Antonio Arts  http://www.stampantonio.com/.  Repujado is a spanish word at means to push.  Some may know it as metal pushing or metal embossing.  For this class the medium we used was pewter.  I was one of five students who had not taken the Introduction To Repujado Class.  But I have had some experience at embossing on soft copper and silver sheets, which is why I was allowed to take the class.  The other students brought some examples of their previous work.  I on the other hand did not have any examples because what I did make I gave them away as gifts. The instructor, Thelma Muraida, http://www.thelmamuraida.com/ was very informed of this craft and gave a little history of repujado and of the mexican game of Loteria, which we call Mexican Bingo.   You see the image that we embossed was picture #41 La Rosa from the Loteria game.  Thelma showed us how to create depth, texture and how to show details of  the rose.  She also kept reminding us to let our tools do the work.  Thelma was an excellent teacher with lots of patience. She did stay at the end of class to answer a few questions I had and  made herself available for any future questions.  I enjoyed the class and came home with a nice piece of art that I love and plan on mounting.  The only thing I would have liked is to have more time to patina and mount La Rosa.  There are about 50 pictures in the game of Loteria, I wonder which I will choose to push next.  But this is not just limited to the pictures in the game.  The images are only limited by your imagination.  By the way, if you are ever in the San Antonio area, I recommend stopping into Stamp Antonio Arts.  They are a One-of-a-kind Art Rubber Stamp Store and More with very friendly customer service.