Busy as a mole

April has arrived and most of the snow in our yard is gone. 

We discovered that the moles have had a party this late winter. Snow melts and the dirt clumps appear! All over the yard are mole tunnels and dirt mounds. The mice were busy too! Cute little mouse nest.

grassy mouse nest

Finally I spotted a robin hopping around yesterday. I love robins. During the summer, when I'm busy weeding in the garden, picnicking with the kids, or just sitting and reading a book, there always seems be a robin hopping around  nearby. I love the peep-peeping.  As a family, we keep an eye on the nearby Nest full of gorgeous blue eggs. We name each of the hatchling, have a funeral and burial when we find one dead. Poor birdies...I even made a shrine to honor the little guys. For all the little hatchlings.

Bird shrine ---outside (the top is a mini gazing ball and a broken vintage Fiestaware saucer)

The shrine swivels open on pins 

bird shrine ---inside (with broken egg, shredded money nest, and LED votive)

Light bulb shrines deMeng style

Friday I finally took my class at Valley Ridge! I had so much fun, but it was a long day. I had to leave the house by 6am to get to Muscoda by 9am. A bit foggy and dreary, but no problem. Michael deMeng is such a nice and friendly guy and a really good teacher! He explains everything well, answers endless questions, and is actually pretty funny. He shared some of his "secrets", which you have to take his class if you want to know!

I was determined to branch out and make a shrine very unlike my normal artwork. This is my showgirl or "Rockette" I started with a faucet knob that reminded me of a 50's scifi rocket. Made this fiery lady inside....how do ya like the red marabou feather! I was thinking Las Vegas showgirl, then someone else said "like the Rockettes". Duh why didn't I think of that...rocket/ Rockette. Sometimes I can be dense :-D

Close up view----damn reflections!

Critique time!-also see how I added vintage upholstery tacks
around the base (stagelights)

This is one of Michael's he brought as an example. Terrific, but damn
that light reflection!



The drive home was long, but uneventful.

I forgot to take a photo from the studio. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day. But I had a nice sunny drive home. Dinner was a Butter Burger from Culver's, Yummy! The one in Sauk City is the original Culver's, cool. I had to try their sour apple lemon ice. I love sour apple flavor and this was the most sour I ever had! More than Altoids apple sours (or apple gum). It was terrific!