PostCrossing and postcards

I collect postcards and love receiving them in the mail (I love receiving "real mail" no matter what it is since it is not a bill or ad).  Several years ago I learned about PostCrossing (“send a postcard and receive a postcard back from a random person somewhere in the world!”) which has helped my collection grow.  I also enjoy seeing the postage stamps from around the world and the airmail stickers in various languages.  This is the postcard I received this week from Germany.

  

Texas Trip - Part 1: capitol building

Earlier this month, John and I traveled to Texas for 10 days.  We visited several cities {note: blog entries about the trip are not in chronological order}.  While staying in San Antonio, we did a day trip to Austin to see the state capitol building.  There is also a visitor's center for the capitol with lots of interesting information about the history of the capitol and of Texas (the building is designed by a man from Iowa and search the 'net for XIT Ranch for the story about how some Chicago guys helped "settle" Texas with the world's largest ranch).

Inside the dome

 

Info about the rotunda floor representing the flags flown over Texas.  We had learned at the Alamo in San Antonio how Texas has been a part of six different countries.

Walking around the building, I noticed the ornate, protruding door hinges.

The ornate door knobs and hardware also caught my attention.

  Look at the open hinges of the door (you can click on the photo for a larger image) and you can see the inside says "Texas Capitol".

After our visit, we found our personalized Texas Rangers badges (no, we didn't buy them).

Spring (or Summer??) has arrived

We returned to Ohio from our trip to Texas this past weekend to bare trees.  Then a couple days ago, all the trees in the neighborhood were showing their buds.  It seemed to have happened overnight.  Although spring officially began on Tuesday, central Ohio has had 5 days this month that tied or broke record high temperatures ...and today could be the 6th.  I think the average temperature for this time of year is around 53 degrees but it has been in the mid-80's the last couple of days.  Luckily a cold front is coming through tomorrow evening to cool things off.  I hope they aren't severe storms as the ones last weekend created a tornado warning and some hailstorms in the area.  Not quite the welcome home I wanted. 

Spring Equinox!

I have been on an unintentional hiatus from blogging.  I have ideas and subjects for posts...but haven't been writing them.  It is spring and I am taking on the challenge of blogging again.  Blogger has changed format so it may take me a bit to adjust and figure it out.  I prefer to post with photos instead of just text to make the entry more interesting and visually appealing.

This blog has been a combination of arts/crafts, travel, and whatever else comes up.  It started as "hey, I can write a blog" for an entry.  Then months later I used it to share my experiences with my family while traveling in China.  When I returned, I posted about house-hunting, doing improv comedy, some art I created, and other miscellaneous things.  

I had considered doing different blogs by subject...but that would be more for me to keep track and post on.  Simplicity is what I need.  Depending on what draws you here (I don't have very many readers anyway at this point), you may find new topics or ones that don't interest you scattered among all the entries.  Think of the variety as a way to learn new things and expand your horizons.  

Expect to see entries about arts/crafts (creations, inspirations, swaps, challenges, experimenting), creativity, travel, dealing with a wheat-free diet in Western culture, progress on my projects, exploring my/the world, being a homeowner, learning new things, trying new things, and anything else that pops up and I deem blog-entry worthy.


Thanks for reading and I welcome comments!

Copper Enameling

Currently I am taking a copper enameling class through the city's parks & rec department at the Cultural Arts Center. I am a newbie and it took me a bit to get adjusted to the medium (glass powder and copper) and using the extremely hot kilns (1500 degrees F). I have learned a few techniques so far and my instructor wants me to do cloisonne before the class ends.

Photo below: the selection of glass powders

Photo: the row of kilns in class with a variety of trivets and trays stored underneath (used to hold the pieces while in the kiln)

Photo: a peek inside the kiln

Photo: my very first piece - playing with the colors and using the "paper towel stencil" technique (don't know the official term) with some of the copper still showing; this piece has 2 layers on the back (for support) and 3 or 4 layers on the front

Photo: my 2nd piece - a fall forest with the last firing a "sugar firing" where the powder doesn't melt completely which adds texture to the canopy of leaves; this piece has 2 layers on back (for support) and 6 or 7 layers on the front (took 2 class sessions to complete)

I have started on my 3rd piece (4 layers so far - and that is just the back and the basic background) and I will be painting with the powders. I don't draw so hopefully the image will turn out okay. I am making a small medallion for my husband to attach to his new home-brew system that he is making. I will post a photo when I complete the piece.

Wheat Allergy

A week ago I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy. I had been suspecting gluten but did not expect to have such a strong reaction to the wheat allergy test. I am still in shock and disbelief. Eating wheat-free in western culture is a challenge. Wheat is in many foods - some that I would never expect to find wheat or wheat parts. Right now I am totally avoiding breads & pastas and once I get wheat-free otherwise, I will explore the world of non-wheat flour.

I am learning that besides the obvious flour, cous cous, noodles, cereals, crackers, and gravies, many foods have or may have wheat including soy sauce, honey-roasted peanuts, soups / chili, licorice, and fake crab meat. I have heard root beer is bad for wheat allergies but I don't see any wheat ingredients. I definitely have to read the ingredient list of everything I purchase now.

I am relying heavily on corn & rice flour based items and nuts to fill the wheat hole in my diet. I am eating more Mexican cuisine lately and doing basic meals of grilled meat (my husband LOVES to grill), veggies (roasted/steamed), and rice or potatoes. My husband has diabetes so he can't eat much of the foods made with corn, rice, or potatoes. We may be having separate side dishes and not always overlap our eating habits. I have not meal planned much in the past but may have to get into the habit of it.

Gluten-free is not the same as wheat-free. It is amazing how many people - in restaurants - don't know this. Some think if an item is gluten-free, it is wheat-free. Not necessarily true.

Although I avoid fast food as much as possible, I was curious about their ingredients. I was surprised to find that McDonald's has wheat in their fries and grilled chicken (Burger King and Wendy's do not).

The silver lining is I am conscious of every food I put into my body and am no longer eating some of the less healthy foods (i.e., breaded/fried items). There are still plenty of wheat-free junk food items unfortunately.

Stampin' Up!

Since I saw my first rubberstamp in college, I have been hooked. Recently, I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Below are some cards I used as samples at my first workshop. I also list the supplies used to make the cards. If the supply has an * next to it, that item will be available only until June 30, 2011. I have a website on which you can order items or check my calendar of events. On my website is the complete list of rubberstamps and accessories being discontinued after this month (order by June 30 - rubberstamps will be available the whole month while the accessories will be available while supplies last). Contact me if you want to learn more about rubberstamping, the supplies, techniques, or how to host a workshop (& earn free product).

Stamp set: Lovely As A Tree
Paper: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Woodland Walk* (Designer Series Paper)
Ink pad: Soft Suede
Marker (to color the white ribbon): Old Olive
Other: 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon Whisper White (colored Old Olive with a marker), Word Window Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (need a die cut machine to use the embossing folder)

Stamp set: For All You Do
Paper: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise Pattern Designer Paper
Ink pad: Melon Mambo
Other: 5/8" Satin Ribbon Whisper White

Stamp set: Fun & Fast Notes*
Stamp wheel: Fast Flowers*
Paper: Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink pads: Basic Black, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise
Other: Blender Pen or Aqua Painter

Stamp sets: For All You Do
[Note: the Happy Birthday is from the set Something to Celebrate (hostess only) and is no longer available - sorry!]
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Ink pad: Rich Razzleberry