Topiary Conundrum

When I bought some plants for the terrariums I was making with my mom, I got a small variegated ivy.  Well I didn't have room for it, so I just stuck it in a pot.  I jammed a dowel in the pot for a makeshift trellis.

I thought that I should give it a proper home, so I began searching for topiary frames. I could not find easily any cool ones on the internet, mostly topiary balls and animal figures like dolphins. I eventually found a modern one at www.cb2.com, on sale. So the morning after our first monsoon rain (it was in the 80s at 8 am), I assembled it a together, using a galvanized planter also from CB2.  I put a couple of inches of rocks and gravel in the bottom (the planter doesn't have a drainage hole), then a layer of charcoal (the stuff that is used in aquarium filters). The charcoal helps clean and destink the water. After planting the ivy and the trellis, I put a dressing of rocks from Ikea.

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By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea...

Just returned from a week long Carlsbad, CA trip with family.  Here are some pictures of some jewelry I made inspired by the beach...

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Mothers' Day

When ever my mom visits us here in Tucson, she buys a tea towel from Anthropologie, it's almost a tradition. So for a gift this Mothers' Day, I made her a couple, though not as nice as Anthros, they are certainly cheaper.

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On the way to Cafe Desta...

Last night we were meeting some friends at Tucson's newest Ethiopian restaurant, Cafe Desta.  It was a cloudy afternoon so we left a little early to take some pics. Here is a set of three from the same prickly pear cactus.

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Patient Model

I like to take photos, especially of people, but I couldn't help notice this calm grasshopper sitting on our patio table this morning.

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Terrarium building w/ my mom

My parents were recently in town, which usually means playing card games and eating out a lot. We actually had Sonoran hot dogs two days in a row.  Anyway, I took a couple of pictures of them; their 50th anniversary is coming up. These are my favorites though not necessarily my mom's.

My mom and I also spent an afternoon making these terrariums, though they are just more like potted plants in glass bowls as the bowls were too shallow, but they still turned out pretty nice. Let's see if I can keep them alive in this desert.

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Gem Show Inspiration

I love when the Gem & Mineral Show rolls into Tucson in late January/early February. It's close to my birthday, so I use my birthday cash (plus a little of my funny money stash) to pick up some great bargains for gifts. I got good deals on bracelets, watches, necklaces, & charms. This year pashima and cashmere scarves were only $5, so I loaded up on those as well. But what really was a hit with me and a lot of other people, as the booth was always crowded, was the jewelry from Art by Amy. I was very inspired. So I took matters into my own hands to make some charms for two nieces, since I was sending their moms some jewelry, I might as try some stuff out and send it to them, as they are hopefully less discerning.

I also made this for my charm bracelet (I bought the bracelet from Art by Amy).

Charm bracelets and other goodies from the gem show.

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