Birdyhead

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Southwestern Family Road Trip

It's been many years since I've driven across the Southwest. Earlier this month me and Ash, Theron, Oli, and our friend Vanessa drove to Albuquerque for the annual conservation meeting. Ozge and I had a booth for IVS and Ashley had a booth for PACCIN. We rented a mini van and filled it to the brim with display furniture, products, and snacks. Note to selves, Cheez-Its are delicious but no substitute for real food. On the way back we GOT OUT OF THE CAR and ate food. It was fried but it actually made the trip easier.

Here is Oli taking a load off. I can tell it's when we first got there because the decorative pillows are still in place.

Here's a shot of the IVS booth. This was the first year we took credit cards at the booth. It was nice to see repeat customers. It was also great being able to bring our clothing rack and 2 grid display stands without the worry of shipping.

This is Ashley at his booth educating everyone to the amazing resource that is PACCIN. Next to him is our friend Liz who has launched a non-profit called Indigo Arts Alliance that makes grants to people, not just conservators, to help fund professional development.
Booth sitting occupied two days but we had help and were able to get away during that time to see talks, and the day after our booths closed there were still sessions going so we were both able to attend presentations we wanted to see. It was amazing how fast the time went. We didn't really have a chance to see much around Albuquerque.

On the way back we decided it was better to get out once in a while, not just at the gas station. We stopped at the dinosaur, Indian, petrified wood trading post.

Theron refused to stand with his back to the dinosaurs. Inside the trading post he got himself a piece of petrified wood and a necklace with a "mood" tipi pendant.

In spite of all the cheapy tourist souvenirs there was actually a room of the good stuff and a nice selection of kachina dolls by artists I know, having been recently immersed in the subject, are well respected. Outside there were these interesting pieces of glass and larger chunks of petrified wood.

We stopped at one place that had interesting sheet metal statues - I don't have a picture, maybe Ashley took one.

Here's Oli being a good dog.

And misc, this is a quilted notebook cover I made as a graduate present for a student I helped with her thesis.

Oops, the back is rotated - oh well.

While driving through Arizona we sang along to the Eagles song about standin' on a corner. Yay for satellite radio.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Odds and Ends

Ashley's been working out of town and state a lot lately. It makes Oli anxious as he is a family dog that needs the pack all together. Here Oli welcomes Ash home with his killer smile.

Speaking of the sweet dog this is his "I'm very ready for dinner, please" look. He's ever so polite.

Theron and Oli watching Adventure Time - a boy and his dog watch a show about a boy and a dog.

Sweet doggy

Bibs I made for a little girl who is arriving soon

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Winter

Queen-size mossy forest floor duvet. Cotton-silk top batik-dyed by friend, Joanne. Backing is raw silk.

Pocket tissue holders for Theron's school's holiday boutique.

Tiny ivory carvings from the Arctic, on my table at work.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Good Night, Archie Bunker

Takes his ice cream bowl to the kitchen, shuffles through the living room, "I'll be on the can" he announces.

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Hot Enough

108 degrees F in Bakersfield Monday. We took the dogs to Caliente Creek to cool off.

Oli taught Eric that water's fun

My goodness there was a lot of moss.

Theron poses

Poses again

Monday, June 13, 2011

Because

First, the conference went well, even though my two partners were MIA - Ozge had a baby that Friday and Rebecca was on her honeymoon - the nerve!

Some of our new products included leather tool rolls in right and left hand friendly styles.

I also designed a tool holder that opens into a caddy. It was duly admired and sold out.

Next was the AIC to AIC (American Institute of Conservation) dishtowel calendar sold on a hanging dowel.

Things were great - sales were strong - can't complain. Fortunately Molly was available to help me while my partners went about having private lives (Thanks, girls!!!!). (Just kidding!!)

As life gets back to what passes for normal our unique family dynamic comes back into play. Example: get assigned to bring a dessert to a going away party. Desserts on Top Chef are the kiss of death but in the normal world that's the cherry assignment. I decided to make cupcakes as Americans seem to like cupcakes lately. I was reminded of a Martha Stewart project where she stuck flower-frosted minicupcakes into a foam sphere. So pretty. Then I thought, hey, I have styrofoam. We have a styrofoam head we used to display safety goggles at the conference. So I started putting toothpicks in the head to plan.

This is where it begins. Ashley sees the insanity and keeps his distance. He evaluates the cost, because no matter how much he backs off it still affects him - will it be time? Neglect of the family? multiple trips to the supermarket? Mess? He waits.

First I made the batter for the "Best Birthday Cake" from Smitten Kitchen. Poor Ash went to 3 stores looking for mini cupcake papers.

I also wanted to make jello oranges from Not Martha because I knew there might be kids and the oranges were a big hit at Theron's birthday party 2 years ago. Anyway this was the beginning of an inspired design

The Hershey's Kisses were the result of insomnia. I love them.
Anyway, I thought we still had some food coloring sprays I could use to color the plain, whipped cream topped cupcakes. Ash said they were gone, I said, okay, I'll use food dye and suddenly Ash said, No - that would be great! And that's when it happened. The surrender. I love this part. It happens every time. I have dream, it only goes so far, and Ashley takes it to the next level.
So everything was done but he thought it would be better to do the "painting" at the last minute so about 3 blocks from our destinations we pulled over so that Ash could spray paint the cupcakes on top of a hedge.

Theron was allowed to spray paint the extras. Jello head was a big hit. And delicious. Thanks Ashley - who could have guessed when I married you that you would be such an awesome partner in crafting?