My Interests.......for today anyway!

These days I don't seem to have enough time for all I want to do! Besides work at Touchstone School, I currently have several projects and hobbies I'm spending time on.

Landscaping

I've been rennovating a huge area in our yard. Out went multiple junipers (hate them!), a massive laurel, equally massive viburnam, and several other shrubs. In went new block retaining walls and steps. Thanks to my strong-backed husband for all the digging and hauling! Now I'm working on replanting - using mostly Oregon natives and other hardy plants that will grow well in clay soil with rainy winters and dry summers. October is an ideal month to plant shrubs, perennials and ground covers and I'm trying to beat the rains by getting all my new plants in the ground!

Jewelry Making

My boss introduced me to a fun and creative way to create jewelry charms using collage and soldering techniques. In a workshop with artist Maggie Raguse we sandwiched vintage manuscript letters between glass and a mirror then wrapped the edges with copper tape. Maggie and her trusty assistant Chris will silver solder the charms and add the chain and crystal embellishments we selected. I can't wait to get my pearl chain with its intricately drawn C. I'll be making some spooky Halloween charms next week with vintage images and text.

Quilting

I'm still in the process of getting my quilting room set up the way I want it. Now that I've got the Ikea tables -- with light box! and it tilts! -- in place, I'm working on painting, framing, and hanging a pegboard for all my tools. It will be such a convenient way to hold all my cutting tools, rulers, gadgets, and bins.