Day 15: I've made my first leaf; still need some heatable epoxy to attach it to the tree.
I'm pleased how well the quarter baked into the mouth and onto the front fingers.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Money Tree
Day 13 & 14: no sculpting done!
Day 15: I've made my first leaf; still need some heatable epoxy to attach it to the tree.
I'm pleased how well the quarter baked into the mouth and onto the front fingers.
Day 15: I've made my first leaf; still need some heatable epoxy to attach it to the tree.
I'm pleased how well the quarter baked into the mouth and onto the front fingers.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
All Creatures Great and Small - Update
Sunday:
Went out for another look on Sunday:
I feel so bad for "my" goose. His duck companion appears to have left him and there he was all by himself. I added some bird seed to the cache from the other day although I'm not sure if any was eaten. I'm just glad the weather has turned mild but even so he obviously encountered ice that he needed to break thru. Can you see the trail that he's made in the icy water...
Here's some Canada goose facts that I've found while investigating how I can help him....if I needed to:
Canada geese usually start migrating south when the ground begins to freeze in the fall. The trip to the wintering grounds is a quick one ...scientists have tracked geese that have flown up to 1,000 km in one day! They also think that the characteristic “v-shaped” flight of geese migrating serves two purposes. First, it creates an aerodynamic current of air along the lines of geese that makes it easier for individuals to fly. Second, it may allow for better communication and unity of the flock while in the air.
Most people only hear the trademark “honk” when geese make noise, but apparently they can communicate with as many as 13 different calls for things like greetings, warnings and contentment. They may be one of the most talkative animals after humans.
The Canada goose is a very family-oriented bird. Usually in their second year of life, they find a mate and stay together for life. But if one mate dies, the other will re-mate.
In spring and summer, geese concentrate their feeding on grasses. During fall and winter, they rely more on berries and seeds, including agricultural grains. They’re very efficient at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. They spend up to 12 hours a day feeding.....no wonder they foul so much, making them an unanticipated urban nuisance!
Their life expectancy is about 20 years
They can weight as much as 25 pounds.
Migration is a learned process.
The migratory flight range can be 2 to 3 thousand miles.
Natural predators are foxes, raccoons, owls and snapping turtles
Goslings can fly approximately 2-3 months after hatching.
During June to late July (molting season), adult geese lose wing feathers and are unable to fly.
Generally by early August all geese (except injured geese) are able to fly.
Monday morning I went down to the lake again. If "my" goose was still there I would have called the wildlife sanctuary in the hopes that they would know what to do. But the lake was empty! I'm so glad!
Went out for another look on Sunday: I feel so bad for "my" goose. His duck companion appears to have left him and there he was all by himself. I added some bird seed to the cache from the other day although I'm not sure if any was eaten. I'm just glad the weather has turned mild but even so he obviously encountered ice that he needed to break thru. Can you see the trail that he's made in the icy water...
Here's some Canada goose facts that I've found while investigating how I can help him....if I needed to:Canada geese usually start migrating south when the ground begins to freeze in the fall. The trip to the wintering grounds is a quick one ...scientists have tracked geese that have flown up to 1,000 km in one day! They also think that the characteristic “v-shaped” flight of geese migrating serves two purposes. First, it creates an aerodynamic current of air along the lines of geese that makes it easier for individuals to fly. Second, it may allow for better communication and unity of the flock while in the air.
Most people only hear the trademark “honk” when geese make noise, but apparently they can communicate with as many as 13 different calls for things like greetings, warnings and contentment. They may be one of the most talkative animals after humans.
The Canada goose is a very family-oriented bird. Usually in their second year of life, they find a mate and stay together for life. But if one mate dies, the other will re-mate.
In spring and summer, geese concentrate their feeding on grasses. During fall and winter, they rely more on berries and seeds, including agricultural grains. They’re very efficient at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. They spend up to 12 hours a day feeding.....no wonder they foul so much, making them an unanticipated urban nuisance!
Their life expectancy is about 20 years
They can weight as much as 25 pounds.
Migration is a learned process.
The migratory flight range can be 2 to 3 thousand miles.
Natural predators are foxes, raccoons, owls and snapping turtles
Goslings can fly approximately 2-3 months after hatching.
During June to late July (molting season), adult geese lose wing feathers and are unable to fly.
Generally by early August all geese (except injured geese) are able to fly.
Monday morning I went down to the lake again. If "my" goose was still there I would have called the wildlife sanctuary in the hopes that they would know what to do. But the lake was empty! I'm so glad!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
All Creatures Great and Small
Today's been the first day in almost a week that we've had sun. Seems like the storm that hit most of northeastern Canada and the States has finally blown itself out. All in all I think we were quite fortunate. At most we received only a couple of inches of snow and at best several days ...and nights!... of howling winds. North of us, perhaps an hour drive away, they were snowed in, receiving more than 40 inches...in a matter of 48 hours. I hate to imagine the height of any snow drifts!
Any excuse for sunshine, I went out to see how much of the lake had frozen over.
I'd only taken a few steps onto the dock when a small duck, which had been at the shore, perhaps 3 feet away from me, took off but flew only a few feet and then settled back down in the water. Startled me, I can tell you! 
When I looked at the place the bird had come from, I saw a large Canada goose sitting on the ice underneath an overhanging birch. It had its head down on the ice but not like they normally do, which is tucked into their wing.
I thought at first that it might have become enmeshed in the ice & couldn't get out. It's definitely not normal for them to remain stationary with humans so close.
Even when I went closer, all the while talking gently, it never moved although it did bring its head up to look at me. And then finally it got to its feet and walked slowly to the open water and loudly squawking swam some distance away.
All the other birds had left before the storm hit. Nowadays they don't all fly south. There's enough people feeding birds that they can afford to stay as long as they have some open water.....which would not be Orr Lake.
After I replenished my bird feeders, I went back down to the shore and scattered several cups of bird seed. I could still see them in the middle of the lake. Ken suggested putting up some sort of box down there where they could shelter. I'll check again tomorrow & see if they came back but I doubt they will. I hope the goose isn't injured. (Can you see them in the photo? They're the two specks in the middle of the lake.)
On a happier note, Little Yuki has settled in quite nicely.
So far she's bitten thru my laptop power cord requiring an emergeny trip into town for a new one; has climbed into my jade tree, causing Ken to make up a song about a Yuki in a pear tree based on the 12 days of Christmas song; continually attempts to climb the curtains; identifies the sound of a spray bottle filled with water being picked up, from half a room away; feels she must eat as much as possible even if the food is in someone else's food bowl....while the owner is eating from it (she'll probably eat us out of house & home when grown) and is well on her way to ruling the roost over the other two.
Any excuse for sunshine, I went out to see how much of the lake had frozen over.
I'd only taken a few steps onto the dock when a small duck, which had been at the shore, perhaps 3 feet away from me, took off but flew only a few feet and then settled back down in the water. Startled me, I can tell you! 
When I looked at the place the bird had come from, I saw a large Canada goose sitting on the ice underneath an overhanging birch. It had its head down on the ice but not like they normally do, which is tucked into their wing.
I thought at first that it might have become enmeshed in the ice & couldn't get out. It's definitely not normal for them to remain stationary with humans so close.
Even when I went closer, all the while talking gently, it never moved although it did bring its head up to look at me. And then finally it got to its feet and walked slowly to the open water and loudly squawking swam some distance away.
All the other birds had left before the storm hit. Nowadays they don't all fly south. There's enough people feeding birds that they can afford to stay as long as they have some open water.....which would not be Orr Lake.
After I replenished my bird feeders, I went back down to the shore and scattered several cups of bird seed. I could still see them in the middle of the lake. Ken suggested putting up some sort of box down there where they could shelter. I'll check again tomorrow & see if they came back but I doubt they will. I hope the goose isn't injured. (Can you see them in the photo? They're the two specks in the middle of the lake.)
On a happier note, Little Yuki has settled in quite nicely.
So far she's bitten thru my laptop power cord requiring an emergeny trip into town for a new one; has climbed into my jade tree, causing Ken to make up a song about a Yuki in a pear tree based on the 12 days of Christmas song; continually attempts to climb the curtains; identifies the sound of a spray bottle filled with water being picked up, from half a room away; feels she must eat as much as possible even if the food is in someone else's food bowl....while the owner is eating from it (she'll probably eat us out of house & home when grown) and is well on her way to ruling the roost over the other two.
Money Tree
DAY 11 & 12: I've been suffering with an abscessed tooth for a couple of days but let me start from the beginning.....
I took a fresh look at my tree while sipping my morning coffee and really can't say that I liked what I saw. If I'm making a tree then it should have a tree's trunk but is it too late to make another change? And how do I add leaves to the top?
If you've ever had an ongoing toothache, you'll know that it doesn't let you do much clear thinking. So off I went to my dentist's office.
My dentist works from a highrise penthouse where one entire side of the office comprises ceiling to floor glass....and my dentist loves plants! There are plants along the windows and plants on top of each wall divider. He even has a 6ft tall Jade plant that gets strung with Christmas lights at this time of year.
Now I don't know about you but I've often wished that dentists would have pictures on their ceilings above the chair so you'd have something to look at. But with my dentist, while I'm worrying at my tooth and about my leaf problem, I'm looking out the window and at the plants ...and that's when it hit me: leaves aren't attached to trees. Leaf stems are!
So as soon as I got home, the first thing I did was turn my tree body into a tree trunk.
I also cut off the arms, leaving just stubs on which to reattach my leaf stems at a later date. I think I've kept the tree's "human" qualities while ensuring it has an arboretum look.
Hopefully nothing goes wrong during baking. It's the first time I've used the Magic Sculpt. Since I use my kitchen oven for both, I'll have to wait until after supper so we're not eating clay fumes. Wish me luck....
I took a fresh look at my tree while sipping my morning coffee and really can't say that I liked what I saw. If I'm making a tree then it should have a tree's trunk but is it too late to make another change? And how do I add leaves to the top?
If you've ever had an ongoing toothache, you'll know that it doesn't let you do much clear thinking. So off I went to my dentist's office.
My dentist works from a highrise penthouse where one entire side of the office comprises ceiling to floor glass....and my dentist loves plants! There are plants along the windows and plants on top of each wall divider. He even has a 6ft tall Jade plant that gets strung with Christmas lights at this time of year.
Now I don't know about you but I've often wished that dentists would have pictures on their ceilings above the chair so you'd have something to look at. But with my dentist, while I'm worrying at my tooth and about my leaf problem, I'm looking out the window and at the plants ...and that's when it hit me: leaves aren't attached to trees. Leaf stems are!
So as soon as I got home, the first thing I did was turn my tree body into a tree trunk.
I also cut off the arms, leaving just stubs on which to reattach my leaf stems at a later date. I think I've kept the tree's "human" qualities while ensuring it has an arboretum look.
Hopefully nothing goes wrong during baking. It's the first time I've used the Magic Sculpt. Since I use my kitchen oven for both, I'll have to wait until after supper so we're not eating clay fumes. Wish me luck....
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Money Tree
DAY 9 & 10:
This will be a combination post because on Day 9, I did no sculpting. It was however the first snowfall of about 1" that was washed away by rain shortly thereafter. By this date, last year, we had already had 100cm (39 inches!!) of snow that never left and just kept coming and coming!
On Day 10, I finally started on the face using 4mm glass eyes. It's amazing how slippery & hard to handle these little tiny balls of glass are...even if they do come with an attached wire at the back. It's also very hard to get them symmetrical and not achieve this look:
This will be a combination post because on Day 9, I did no sculpting. It was however the first snowfall of about 1" that was washed away by rain shortly thereafter. By this date, last year, we had already had 100cm (39 inches!!) of snow that never left and just kept coming and coming!
On Day 10, I finally started on the face using 4mm glass eyes. It's amazing how slippery & hard to handle these little tiny balls of glass are...even if they do come with an attached wire at the back. It's also very hard to get them symmetrical and not achieve this look:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The November Make Swap
It's has been a long time. The bed I made has still not arrived so I can't show you it but take a look at the bed that was made for me.
It came in a huge box and I'd been warned that Cate wasn't sure which way was up. So I opened it very carefully. Unfortunately the postman was none too gentle:
But it was solved quickly with a little help from Elmer:
Here's a close up of Inky (ha ha Cate. I've already named him)
Take a closer look; isn't it fantastic. I am such a lucky girl!
Even the bottom of the bed is fantastic. Six fish holding marble feet.
And it came complete with bed linen. Just what every self respecting merperson needs.
Cate, I've posted at AllThingsMini as well. Thank you! Thank You! Thank you!
Bet the rest of you are all green with envy! I'm away to add a mermaid to my to-do list....
Money Tree
DAY 8: I've been a busy beaver! Monday saw the first coat of mud (drywall compound) on the new walls of my entryway. We went to an auction that evening where I was basically the only antique furniture buyer/dealer. And my money tree has thighs and calves of a proper thickness.
BTW: these posts about the money tree are one week behind where I am actually. I have gone in a different direction once again but for the sake of continuity, I'm keeping the posts accurate to what it was then.
BTW: these posts about the money tree are one week behind where I am actually. I have gone in a different direction once again but for the sake of continuity, I'm keeping the posts accurate to what it was then.
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