Wordless Wednesday 12/22/10

A final day of featuring members of my Fire Diva Team.

Shepherd Creations

Babs Beads

Silver River Glasswork

Finally, some work of mine.

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday...when you schedule the post for the wrong date)

Another day of beautiful creations from the Fire Divas.

Hollys Folly Glass

Tease Beads

LA Jewelry

Amy Sims Designs

Ugly Duckling Beads

Isinglass Design

Glass art by Melanie

My New Tool

I am learning how to use my new lentil press from Jim Moore. So far I am loving it!

Even my husband was impressed by the quality of construction. I have told you before that my husband is a master craftsman. He can create anything. So for him to say how well made this tool is says A LOT. He even thought the cost was well worth it. I would have to agree that this tool is a beautiful creation in and of itself.

I have only had a little bit of time to create a couple of beads using it and I am more than happy with the way they turned out. This is a deep press, meaning that it requires quite a bit of glass to fill the lentil shape. I didn't use enough glass with a couple of beads and they didn't turn out quite right. But the ones I am showing you here, are just right.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pumpkin Spice Martini

I had some Facebook friends interested in this recipe so I thought I would share it here. I think it is perfect for sipping at some of those upcoming holiday celebrations.

The original version of this recipe came from a recipe by Sandra Lee on the Food Network. Her recipe made a pitcher full, so I modified my version to create a couple of glasses. Sandra Lee's recipe calls for cranberry-flavored seltzer and I could not find that in my stores. So again I modified the recipe to include cranberry juice and seltzer water.

This recipe makes enough for 2 martini glasses.

2 ounces orange vodka
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 1/2 - 2 tsp simple syrup (see recipe below)

Put ice in the cocktail shaker. Add above ingredients and shake it up. Fill martini glass 1/2 - 2/3 full.

Top off glass with seltzer water.

Pumpkin Pie simple Syrup
1 c sugar
1/2 c warm water
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice*

*make your own pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

In a small pot heat all ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy and drink responsibly.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday 12/8

More work from my Fire Diva friends

Judith Billig of Icarus Beads

Rivers Edge Glass

Spawn of Flame

Beads by Clare Scott

Susan Lambert

Dorset Hill Beads

The Tree that Inspires Me

The tree. As I pass by on a beautiful, clear sky morning.

I love this tree. I pass it everyday on my walk, sometimes I pass it many times in a day if I am driving by too. It ALWAYS captures my attention. I particularly love the tree when the leaves are off it. I find I am drawn to it on clear, cool nights, with the moon lighting it up. It speaks to me on some level. I'm not sure I can explain why. I see age and wisdom in this tree. I see strength and beauty. I see it embracing anything and everything that comes its way. I see this tree embodying grace.

Just some of my work that has been inspired by this tree...

My hope is that people will leave this tree alone and it will continue to stand strong, towering over our road.

Wordless Wednesday

Featuring some of my favorite art glass pieces from a few of my Fire Diva Friends.

Amy Houston

Lori Bergmann

Karen of Giapet

Janel Dudley

Lauren of Maybeads

Lara Lutrick