Pallet Bench

I've been doing more home improvement things this summer than crafty things. But, I seriously think these count towards being creative, especially when trying to do things cheaply.

This pallet bench on the back porch. Now I have permanent seating for the lake view. It can also be used for so many other things: plants, a grill prop, napping bed...



This was easy to make & cheep (free pallets)!

1) Using a circular saw I cut the pallets in half, saving the middle brace for support.

2) I ended up buying 1x4 pine boards for the top of the bench. Those were just washed with stain before nailing them on. But, after getting a lot of rain, I'm going to coat them with Polyacrylic too.

Crafting

Yesterday was the first time that I've come close to doing something crafty. A friend suggested it for my birthday. We ended up watching a movie instead. I haven't just been negligent of this blog - I haven't been doing art. Well, not in the traditional sense.

The only thing I've been doing is learning the art of running: training schedules, gear, motivation, etc. I started a new blog: http://careyrunsalaska.blogspot.com/. This came about after deciding to take on training for a half marathon & a 15.75 mile run at Lost Lake, Seward, Alaska. Thanks for the jump start, Deanna. While reading this hilarious & non-threatening running book, I am encouraged to write & track my progress. It'll be fun to look back on how far I've come.

So, check out my new blog &, hey, you might feel like making a running goal too. Or at least you should be happy that you have the choice.

April 7 - Tundra Trek 9K (85 min.)

May 5 - 6.35 mi. (60 min.)

May 12 - 7.87 mi. run (90 min.) in NC, 315' elevation gain from 1111'

May 19 - Birthday run @ 10.35 miles (115 min.)

Ceramics (Semester III) Fall 2011

Focus/goals:
1) Finish the 65 pieces required.
(35 isn't bad considering my skill level. That goal was made for the most advanced in the class, who were still hard pressed. I tried everything we were supposed to: mugs with handles, soup bowls, dinner and dessert plates, goblets, and serving bowls.)

2) Finish my set designed with a theme and two unique pieces. (check)

3) Experiment with marbles, texture, copper wire (the green & black on the speckled ivory bowl), and handle shapes.

Pieces Finished: 35

[Yes, I realize those plates look like they have poop smeared on them, and I'm sorry you have to witness it. I made a mistake in color choice. Since, I've smashed one of those plates & the other is a plant pot holder, hiding the poop color. :-)]




Medium: White Clay (premixed), multiple glazes, marbles, copper wire

Ceramics (Semester II) Spring 2011

Focus/goals:
1) Throw bowls only.
2) Trimming funky shapes.
3) Light pieces, a.k.a. aggressive trimming.
4) Neat feet.
5) Taller bowls.

Pieces finished: 24

Medium: Clay (red & white)

Ceramics (Semester I) Fall 2010

Focus/goals:
1) Throw pieces worth keeping from the wheel.
2) Try anything.
3) Learn from others.

Pieces finished: 18?

Medium: White Clay

Baby's Gotta Have Cool Shoes Too

These kimono style baby booties were hand-sewn for my friend Sara-beara. She's due to have a baby girl this month - any day now!


Medium: Cotton fabric, upholstery on the bottom for padding baby's feetsies.


{Excuse the blur.}

Sometimes Dolls Get Lucky 10-15-10

I was trying to learn how to knit (again). My aim was to make different squares to practice varieties of knitting and pearling.

I must have miscounted on some stitches, because this ended up being a trapezoid, not a square. So I decided to fashion it into a doll skirt for my friend's daughter.

Cute! No?


Medium: Cotton yarn