great news!

Paul gained 4 pounds! It is weird because it didn't seem like he ate much, especially compared to the previous 2 week period when he gained nothing. He is also going to stop taking one of his medications that is supressing his immune system. This could be a critical time while we see if there are any reactions to his new marrow. With his immune system suppressed it couldn't fight the transplant even if it wanted to. So we will keep our fingers crossed that nothing happens.

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I made a new blonde doll and I experimented with some new design changes. I used appliques for the eyes and mouth instead of all handstitched and then machine sewed around them. I can get more consistent results this way. I also tried an arch stitch from my machine for the eyebrows - but the jury is still out on that. :P

I also made a cute tutu for one of the other dolls.

Bound to happen...

So after last weekend when I was all gung ho on the chicken coop/glass studio and all of the work I did on it that I wouldn't typically do... of course I didn't leave unscathed. The entire week I was fine until Friday. I was out running a couple of errands and all of a sudden it felt like something was in my eye and it was watering like crazy. About 20 mintues later I drove half way across town to my eye doctor and my eye was still watering and was hurting really bad. A couple of doctor visits later, with numbing drops, dilating my eye, flushing it, having to wear a protective eye bandage and 2 days of not being able to open my right eye - only to find out there were some very tiny insulation fibers stuck in my upper eye lid. My cornea was getting scratched and that is why it hurt so bad. Luckily it is about 90% percent better now. Still a little soreness and blurred vision - but it will heal. :P So no new pictures of that because I haven't been out there. Paul however, has wired the outdoor fixture, the junction box, and 4 outlets. Thanks babe! :)

I have a project coming up for the Mont Vernon Artisans that I will be incorporating a handmade doll. I had been wanting to try and make one for quite awhile so this gave me the little push that I needed. So far I have made 3 of them. The first one I won't even show you a picture of - that bad! But I was able to see where I needed improvements and changes. So these 2 little girls are the latest ones.

During my last glass class I started working with borosilicate glass. That is a much harder and slightly more difficult rod to work with as opposed to the soft glass I had done previously. But all the effort is so worth it! The colors turn out amazing. There are different reactions depending on how hot you fire it and where you place it in the flame. Here are just a couple...

I also made a set of earrings that turned out really nice. I will have to share those later. So if you couldn't tell - I've been busy! Tomorrow is hospital day. Have a great week everyone!

Moving forward...

So Paul took a big step yesterday and ventured out into the world! He was given the ok to go into one of his favorite stores - Lowe's. We needed to pick up some things for my glass studio and Paul couldn't wait to go there. Sorry the picture isn't the clearest, but it was taken with my phone.

And I also have a sort of before picture of the studio. In it's former life it was a chicken coop. A nice chicken coop! I didn't get a picture of it full of stuff but this is while Anita and I were working on it. We did a majority of the insulating with a little help from Paul and Anita's husband Dave.

At the end of the day we got a majority of the wood paneling up too. I even used the circular saw myself to cut several pieces! Look out Bob Vila! :P Next up will be finishing paneling and then painting!

I should be in bed...

But I can't sleep. So I will give you all the latest and greatest around our house.

Paul had his appointment in Boston this past week. His numbers are rising and he is doing well, although he didn't gain any weight. I thought for sure he would have been up a couple more pounds! He has been doing some physical activity so he might be burning off more too. With the weather warming up he is itching to be outside getting things done. And he is - just more slowly and with more breaks. :)

Alayna has been a busy little beaver. Every Thursday we have our kids Jamboree class at the Y. It is a child/parent class that we joined with Anita and Lina. She has been twice so far and is getting the hang of it. After our last class we also had an appointment to tour a local preschool, Little Einsteins. It seems early to be thinking about this but there are only 2 spots I would want her to be, Montessori or Little Einsteins. And of course they are coveted schools with limited openings and waiting lists. I put down a deposit to hold her place for Fall until I can tour the Montessori. Our little girl is growing up so fast! Makes me sad.

And I have been making beads like crazy! I don't have any pictures to post of them, unfortunately - my sister has been snatching them up as quick as I can make them. :P My instructor sent me a message saying she had seen my latest batch and they turned out awesome. I am really excited to see them this Tuesday. My class will be ending at the beginning of April so I am probably going to set up my own little studio here at the house. I will take pictures of that soon too.

We hope that you are all doing well and enjoy your (hopefully sunny) Sunday!

You're how old?!

Today is my babycakes birthday!

We woke up this morning to several inches of snow! After the gorgeous weekend we had and the majority of our snow melting, I was hoping it would all be over. No such luck. But I made waffles this morning for the birthday boy. And hopefully I can head out later to get him a calorie laden cake!

Full bellies...

Tonight for dinner I made a really delicious pasta bolognese and was so excited when Paul finished his whole plate! He also ate 2 breadsticks. This is the biggest meal he had had in months! And then for dessert he even had a little slice of strawberry cheesecake. :)
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Last night I was able to go to open studio at the arts center and make some more beads. I will get those when I go to class tomorrow night. But while I was there... I got most of my beads from last week! Have a looksy!




The bead above is the best one I did. You can't tell from this picture but it looks kind of like a marble. I used 3 glass rods - aqua, brown, and clear. It also turned out well in that it is symetrical - which is quite tricky for a beginner like me!


If the bead isn't turning out quite right you just get the smashers and make it flat! :P

These beads are ok - but I don't care for the coloring. I like it better mixed with clear which I figured out towards the end of the class. And the single black bead is too small to be a focal bead but would go good mixed on a bracelet.

This flat bead also looks better in person.

Wishful thinking...

Well, we are once again buried under snow and the temperatures have dropped. In hopes of Spring soon arriving I changed the wallpaper of our blog. Think warm!