tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41562210772968237222024-03-05T06:43:26.018-05:00The Butler's PotteryI am a Christian by accepting Jesus as my Lord and savior. God has gifted my in the arts, particularly pottery.
I enjoy turning on the wheel to make functional pottery but I also enjoy sculpting and creating whimsical figures, like my bears.
the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-57740650957730989092022-04-01T19:09:00.001-04:002022-04-01T19:13:18.722-04:00Carved Rose Flower Vase<p><span data-offset-key="2a7t1-0-0"><span data-text="true">After I turned black clay into this vase I wanted to carve something around it, for a unique vase of my style. A elegant black vase would have been nice too, but there are many of those. </span></span><span data-offset-key="bce1r-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6Ney5JGf-igIQr9AQ7UyeBpfSOPpSj1QQxHsDBtt2K0hzni9qmRtdKLBryPkMmHTXZqydCeyC9svae73TXhzJCW6n3mBP5dMqluO3l5FPr-X6UOL4zdas_F2tJlrAUVhfMewk53LVhptFDadx6oLG3JZiT07a9W7O9RfY8RELHZMhXvK7SM0r2s/s3456/Roase%20Carved%20(1).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6Ney5JGf-igIQr9AQ7UyeBpfSOPpSj1QQxHsDBtt2K0hzni9qmRtdKLBryPkMmHTXZqydCeyC9svae73TXhzJCW6n3mBP5dMqluO3l5FPr-X6UOL4zdas_F2tJlrAUVhfMewk53LVhptFDadx6oLG3JZiT07a9W7O9RfY8RELHZMhXvK7SM0r2s/w178-h178/Roase%20Carved%20(1).JPG" width="178" /></a></span></span></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am a gardener and love flowers, roses it had to be. </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8bg_q_jJODziCS5kezdVeNQr-3MNHRas05I0tUiubTiXbVITNq8KokYhS_i3_D7CkeEj-XFMDS7646HURr0a43VqwmrHa6xjBNiEAjQxbPAqpoU9gGV8iabWjvdI3wts3GsipSC5kza2-5idUK7smHNpOnRGCCP3H5xhZND-w_mslJKaLsSXZDk/s3456/Roase%20Carved%20(2).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8bg_q_jJODziCS5kezdVeNQr-3MNHRas05I0tUiubTiXbVITNq8KokYhS_i3_D7CkeEj-XFMDS7646HURr0a43VqwmrHa6xjBNiEAjQxbPAqpoU9gGV8iabWjvdI3wts3GsipSC5kza2-5idUK7smHNpOnRGCCP3H5xhZND-w_mslJKaLsSXZDk/w194-h194/Roase%20Carved%20(2).JPG" width="194" /></a><span data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="loca-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span></span></span></span></span>After
this vase was almost dry, I painted a white clay slip around it. Slip
is liquid clay. Once again, I waited until the slip had no sheen on it,
then the carving began. Pottery is often waiting for something to dry,
just to the right stage. </span></span></span></span><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="eek52-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="eek52-0-0"><span data-offset-key="eek52-0-0"><br data-text="true" /><br /></span></div></div><span data-offset-key="72pjl-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="cfh7c-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cfh7c-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cfh7c-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="loca-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="loca-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="182" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NpGRvbyV3mc" width="178" youtube-src-id="NpGRvbyV3mc"></iframe></div><span data-offset-key="loca-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="bce1r-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bce1r-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP32SZoV3jJvWFVyZIUczF2_duoyFf-5RBvAEZLSSwtGgKlz8rGiOxGOATwNWLH3VTw_WLNdD8-XOR4PhbotlZwzGxDO9YVn2_sB8I5RNikfsXV5OOjJi7jqFBKuxbAhJ6hdhvJuHnHTOakx8mqx1Qv3i0c7nIOLX9gY_-3HsuWM-Zb3lepK6YtE/s3456/Roase%20Carved%20(3).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP32SZoV3jJvWFVyZIUczF2_duoyFf-5RBvAEZLSSwtGgKlz8rGiOxGOATwNWLH3VTw_WLNdD8-XOR4PhbotlZwzGxDO9YVn2_sB8I5RNikfsXV5OOjJi7jqFBKuxbAhJ6hdhvJuHnHTOakx8mqx1Qv3i0c7nIOLX9gY_-3HsuWM-Zb3lepK6YtE/w167-h167/Roase%20Carved%20(3).JPG" width="167" /></a></div><span data-offset-key="bce1r-0-0"><span data-text="true">I drew a picture of a vase with roses, then used it as a guideline to carve this rose vase. Carving is very relaxing for me. <br /><br /><br /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="ck1n-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ck1n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ck1n-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="c1o28" data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true">I fired this vase with a clear glaze in my kiln, which brightens and seals the vase. </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"> You can buy it buy clicking this link <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1205531613/ceramic-flower-vase-wheel-turned-vase?click_key=dd4e70f31302ed8bf5ac9995eb0020ad5f37d2e9%3A1205531613&click_sum=52196dd5&ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1205531613/ceramic-flower-vase-wheel-turned-vase?click_key=dd4e70f31302ed8bf5ac9995eb0020ad5f37d2e9%3A1205531613&click_sum=52196dd5&ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1</a></span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jq7u-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div></div>the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-73709572567582403292022-03-04T13:58:00.000-05:002022-03-04T13:58:22.836-05:00Rooster Crowing<p> </p><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><span data-text="true">I</span></span><span data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><span data-text="true"> grew<span data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><span data-text="true"> up on a
chicken farm and I can take or leave chickens, except when I include
them in my pottery, like this painting. Then I love to make them whimsical</span></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><span data-text="true">.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="9p1a2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9p1a2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9p1a2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><br /><br /><span data-text="true"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoqDtxVnMQ1XC8XMvBmwXgXMMyIrZGpqgJzPbUVD6W-R9T6utzDkqc3J13JeARhtao99Zp3MTKejvGguMkyyHktaALSQDH89mTjkU__0KaNCxkAK3j_C97yM-fXQH0IOkV_ulKLjixqcFPI02Y8FZcBBstuMpnAS88aMMZooBYz_mE7n4Rj5DJW18=s3456" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoqDtxVnMQ1XC8XMvBmwXgXMMyIrZGpqgJzPbUVD6W-R9T6utzDkqc3J13JeARhtao99Zp3MTKejvGguMkyyHktaALSQDH89mTjkU__0KaNCxkAK3j_C97yM-fXQH0IOkV_ulKLjixqcFPI02Y8FZcBBstuMpnAS88aMMZooBYz_mE7n4Rj5DJW18=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>HOW
ITS MADE - I rolled out clay then cut out a crowing rooster and a huge
sunflower. I painted them with under-glaze paint, then bisque fired
them in <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0mwSg7gE8cZQiBQr9NQ1M1f8FW6s3PFMOBPe5U4pGvIKRK7Shuo_2kHw3Uj32khoSRN3Sondl-Ebviq1me7cSLW1nlxecC5pbTO2bLXarfDckcuZQQNmHk05qScKSAfEybdRbzwXUFFwpgr8DRZqoVGTqa6v1waNCMA-QK8xMXr7Hk19YA_eNJCw=s3456" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0mwSg7gE8cZQiBQr9NQ1M1f8FW6s3PFMOBPe5U4pGvIKRK7Shuo_2kHw3Uj32khoSRN3Sondl-Ebviq1me7cSLW1nlxecC5pbTO2bLXarfDckcuZQQNmHk05qScKSAfEybdRbzwXUFFwpgr8DRZqoVGTqa6v1waNCMA-QK8xMXr7Hk19YA_eNJCw=w202-h202" width="202" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy2dD7npAw77dyCIAWIiippGR0olr4zq4noEVBllvtEa-GJ4y7bWgpho_yn-V5bSUNYB60Nq5mXI1V9F-ETpzhmTjCbLbgya7Fh98eNQ-0xAiDTvUsw4ccIlnTQ-zBs_VHERvVZSPGmUlrtN0TwnWpXhsmMt2FsC1HYYBC6b8jZw8QsL0NWzQs8uE=s3456" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy2dD7npAw77dyCIAWIiippGR0olr4zq4noEVBllvtEa-GJ4y7bWgpho_yn-V5bSUNYB60Nq5mXI1V9F-ETpzhmTjCbLbgya7Fh98eNQ-0xAiDTvUsw4ccIlnTQ-zBs_VHERvVZSPGmUlrtN0TwnWpXhsmMt2FsC1HYYBC6b8jZw8QsL0NWzQs8uE=w191-h191" width="191" /></a></span></span><span data-offset-key="4h0i0-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><span data-text="true">m</span></span><span data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><span data-text="true">y kiln. My kiln is an electric kiln therefore they are not actually baked in</span></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="9jhbj-0-0"><span data-text="true"> a fire, but with electricity. Fired in a kiln goes back to ancient times of wood fired kilns, which are still used. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="79ku5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="79ku5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="79ku5-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="79ku5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="79ku5-0-0"><span data-text="true">Then
I glazed in a clear glaze and fired again at a high temperature. This
process melts the glaze unto the pottery, bringing out the colours. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="becho-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="becho-0-0"><span data-offset-key="becho-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3cjgh" data-offset-key="7fa0e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7fa0e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7fa0e-0-0"><span data-text="true">With acrylic paint I painted this background on this canvas, including a hen. I </span></span><span data-offset-key="7fa0e-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="7fa0e-0-0"><span data-text="true">epoxied the rooster and flower on to it.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /></div></div><p> </p>the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-39346964679646309262019-04-17T10:20:00.000-04:002019-04-17T10:20:50.860-04:00Snot Nose Yarn Bowls<div style="text-align: right;">
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<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4156221077296823722#allposts" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36FDjN-T7ynksKgs9zT_8NBiDS7WzntCp03UqzmV9dIq7rBQnNfqYlgmAM-RxSmjjEZDbItrm_ESEJPt48o_28P0bT2UNTz9VdwVJtU96c7IwWHhyiUM59z1j5d7Wfx7E99b5CezKexg/s200/DSCN7101.JPG" width="200" /></a>A few years ago I saw quirky pottery yarn bowls. What a fun item to make. It has taken me a few years to get around to making them but I finally have made my own style of these snot nose yarn bowls.<br />
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I turned a bowl big enough for a skein of yarn. While it was still pliable I pushed the inside of the bowl out to make eyes, nose and lips. With more clay, I added big eyelids and more accents. <br />
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This was so much fun because I could make the face as quirky, cross eyed and lopsided as I want, but still keeping the look of a face, like a cartoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfA_ACTyMTh5R152vB-M7sWeXGmZtxe7ofg4axLKC6ONFJw7Pc8WTvi_VAhnmyh9H1TLLHQYhAleYKm3_lNMaLj_PkAYjZHXVHQu1ZcLlGkXberJDA9WUQhFaJHfj3c2yrq0CzggbnH0/s1600/DSCN7103.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfA_ACTyMTh5R152vB-M7sWeXGmZtxe7ofg4axLKC6ONFJw7Pc8WTvi_VAhnmyh9H1TLLHQYhAleYKm3_lNMaLj_PkAYjZHXVHQu1ZcLlGkXberJDA9WUQhFaJHfj3c2yrq0CzggbnH0/s200/DSCN7103.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I wanted a soft coloured skin tone of greens and blues, which I achieved by using my compressor and paint gun to spray on the underglaze colours. I then embellished the eyes and lips with more ceramic underglaze colours.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/butlerpottery/posts/2380667405297482" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV8_ckfjxNLSGBfXqaS7p7J-YIm5jnLIptK-u1QFT1jIHaZM26sTOX2rbTm7XnZx9fmoMrDn7bORbN1X8ol4tHOy-D3wGMheviKdnz9412g66dWr7lmPvECOZAaP2pvohiP54UhnmqQU/s200/DSCN7086.JPG" width="200" /></a>Like all of my pottery, they were then fired in my kiln to bisque pottery. The final step was dipping them in clear glaze to put the sheen on it, then I fired (baked) them in a hot kiln of about 2900 degrees.<br />
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These will make great gifts for mother's day or for yourself. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXc8r1tuERIh9APn9ByTz5sxHCk-eVogm32w5yV708VwSdnnmx1TvOEuJQ1GkEfQm52u-lDNYo69Ijm7_Uv_Qz5CuZIQG1Hzer8Ecqzpcp1wX4NG08I4Cvu-AUAgu1DxKfw_xJlCknoM/s1600/Green+spotted+snot+nose+%252811%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXc8r1tuERIh9APn9ByTz5sxHCk-eVogm32w5yV708VwSdnnmx1TvOEuJQ1GkEfQm52u-lDNYo69Ijm7_Uv_Qz5CuZIQG1Hzer8Ecqzpcp1wX4NG08I4Cvu-AUAgu1DxKfw_xJlCknoM/s200/Green+spotted+snot+nose+%252811%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/685499234/yarn-bowl-pottery-snot-nose-yarn-bowl?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/685499234/yarn-bowl-pottery-snot-nose-yarn-bowl?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I sell them on Etsy and Facebook or you can email me directly for $75.00plus shipping. Etsy prices are higher as they have their fees and shipping prices included in the price, something Etsy wanted us to do. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Butlers-Pottery-Photography-236876216352661/?ref=settings">https://www.facebook.com/The-Butlers-Pottery-Photography-236876216352661/?ref=settings</a> the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-67434408799189744652019-02-05T21:30:00.002-05:002019-02-05T21:30:58.232-05:00Mugs Mugs & More Mugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwIAvwzZUCuzRrek15iID7h0104cqdXPyfgWyNIi-0Y4oCmHYP3J2L-8pCxSCLqYTDFIi0_FNjO4lCi5KeyCEg5q2Z1hutd3o8iAK9pS0JXpTc4PpPIvB38k6WSUmSq3LvCwPHCJcmlU/s200/pink+and+blue+%252815%2529.JPG" width="200" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgYVJkGiEX9Px1BMgnVhexDlTDbh-uziOyft_52JxUAZ-5ePSBOLnFelmjvhHgL-qfYIabTQx0DhI78Z4WPQhwRgYgzuYQFxoeSTRgAYupLx681inL6ZN8D2XuhsWO6FwSxPjUVDTe3A/s1600/Blue+and+White+%25284%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgYVJkGiEX9Px1BMgnVhexDlTDbh-uziOyft_52JxUAZ-5ePSBOLnFelmjvhHgL-qfYIabTQx0DhI78Z4WPQhwRgYgzuYQFxoeSTRgAYupLx681inL6ZN8D2XuhsWO6FwSxPjUVDTe3A/s200/Blue+and+White+%25284%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQefCM15s-1poGgkPQg5V5FdzBXHRlA1DtdHLvCEWl5xAGGcSDV2jaS71ZvJ8YjEzExAzsL4Vgp0fxSMePG9t17dCjiYg762ZKhRUJdPIWqiubhBytuMReG_QayPppykpIgXcEaTrOz5g/s1600/black+and+white+stripe+%25283%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQefCM15s-1poGgkPQg5V5FdzBXHRlA1DtdHLvCEWl5xAGGcSDV2jaS71ZvJ8YjEzExAzsL4Vgp0fxSMePG9t17dCjiYg762ZKhRUJdPIWqiubhBytuMReG_QayPppykpIgXcEaTrOz5g/s200/black+and+white+stripe+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>If you are a coffee or tea drinker there is nothing better than having your own special mug. I have a cupboard full of store-bought mugs with logos on them that have been given to us. In 2003 I started making pottery and mugs quickly became my staple seller and maker. I must admit the beginning ones have probably ended up in the trash can. But some of them, the ones that the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/179165367/ceramic-navy-blue-coffee-mug-pottery?ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1"></a>bottom cracked but still held water and were still usable landed in our cupboard at our cottage and our house. A few mugs that were good for selling still ended up in my cupboard. We need good mugs too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42iZrJmpLU3lu0F1DIve1nbPJDje8c13vXwRdVgyMumAf9vdyy4k3wWhqZ73s85Isj_MwwDdlzE9PfVgYhs5o06ZMNCzr4N01RbE-D_2Y3LnIt4HiyJN3RJiIvg5hfCtatlU-3BOSt4I/s1600/DSC_1763.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1533" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42iZrJmpLU3lu0F1DIve1nbPJDje8c13vXwRdVgyMumAf9vdyy4k3wWhqZ73s85Isj_MwwDdlzE9PfVgYhs5o06ZMNCzr4N01RbE-D_2Y3LnIt4HiyJN3RJiIvg5hfCtatlU-3BOSt4I/s200/DSC_1763.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Now that we have my handmade pottery mugs in the cupboard they are my and my husbands go-to cup for our coffee, tea and even hot chocolate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UySEMxRnpxhpXxr3wIWWNOzGcoAaWnJZKHPfMnbCisTKzjzuhJufuDz4NxdiulNgGx0mempbOp3cZ9L1kLCTXZj1OZH6xi5flrcoKZQZRHz2DxV2fUCzj73HddEiDnJDxOcp1WWsgHc/s1600/DSCN5694.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UySEMxRnpxhpXxr3wIWWNOzGcoAaWnJZKHPfMnbCisTKzjzuhJufuDz4NxdiulNgGx0mempbOp3cZ9L1kLCTXZj1OZH6xi5flrcoKZQZRHz2DxV2fUCzj73HddEiDnJDxOcp1WWsgHc/s200/DSCN5694.JPG" width="200" /></a>When I turn my cups on my pottery wheel I push out the bottom of the cup and flair out the top. This makes a comfortable shape, but it also serves as a function for the mugs. It keeps my coffee hotter than a straight store-bought cup. Stoneware clay that I make them from also holds the temperature longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-bbNogChbIIiVopVWMzhS9ai_xMsEJ-BGXZnk5QZU8e-JwLTbfYchzC-zHwIjmAZHp_r3wsN8bsXYb_TWjG5sPOPehFlQnlvXbsCp5mZ8lUeJCm3Cwrh46EkiLyfXRAhnu3LiZeeBMM/s1600/randy+red+%25287%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-bbNogChbIIiVopVWMzhS9ai_xMsEJ-BGXZnk5QZU8e-JwLTbfYchzC-zHwIjmAZHp_r3wsN8bsXYb_TWjG5sPOPehFlQnlvXbsCp5mZ8lUeJCm3Cwrh46EkiLyfXRAhnu3LiZeeBMM/s200/randy+red+%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>Glazing, the colour, is often an experiment. How does the glaze flow when it is fired in the kiln? Would it be best on the bottom shelf, which is cooler than the top, on on the top shelf? Does this change the colour or how it flows? Brushing on the glaze or dipping it can also change the colour of it. Once I settled on the glazes that I liked and worked well I began to combine two or three colours on my mugs to see how they flowed together.<br />
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Now I have a few designs that have become my regular go-to colours. After a few years of selling these mugs, I am now itching to experiment with other colour glaze combinations I can create.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed seeing my mugs I have. You can buy them on my Etsy web site The Butler's Creations. To see my mugs just click here to go to this site<a href="http://.www.etsy.com/ca%20/shop/TheButlersCreations?section_id=7509176">.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca%20/shop/TheButlersCreations?section_id=7509176">www.etsy.com/ca /shop/TheButlersCreations?section_id=7509176</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGjVEC1UzvKZmxGINf1mRzQM3nFWpPyZu3Vrbv4dLL04G4EhyghXl0fTzQP1_67wHbmcda316IwXyYaHRcJCiQXBmE0PM8KXcyW2tMnuUkWS3sOuGbX7MsX247_-s_ka8t8Zce8BY9UA/s1600/Humming+bird+flower+mug_01.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGjVEC1UzvKZmxGINf1mRzQM3nFWpPyZu3Vrbv4dLL04G4EhyghXl0fTzQP1_67wHbmcda316IwXyYaHRcJCiQXBmE0PM8KXcyW2tMnuUkWS3sOuGbX7MsX247_-s_ka8t8Zce8BY9UA/s200/Humming+bird+flower+mug_01.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn9mvln9YYSGZixNm_YJr07OKoZr9jxSF90Y2GXOpyuXZE1nWpEMmEVzzQfzfaUsT7LMOS0h7BBE7OD2SuVD0ELuTZ7EFOulnxiqHhQW8uWiJU-F-C_9CYEz_qVmnfnIzOw0DSgzZvOE/s1600/Ferric+mug+%252812%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn9mvln9YYSGZixNm_YJr07OKoZr9jxSF90Y2GXOpyuXZE1nWpEMmEVzzQfzfaUsT7LMOS0h7BBE7OD2SuVD0ELuTZ7EFOulnxiqHhQW8uWiJU-F-C_9CYEz_qVmnfnIzOw0DSgzZvOE/s200/Ferric+mug+%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-39402422739878066722018-09-03T12:15:00.000-04:002018-09-03T12:15:49.575-04:00Pitchers for Wine, Milk, Cream, Maple Syrup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tEQ1y4GKBTM3KTBnp8fOHUd1C8Hf7JZbk00VpzSqKLMN-sqEPGcQXqsaXoBsPISB0Crpcow0gZGsmEk-ODdvFlM8gQgC1RFK6H49Gi4iyqGnrUf55FUpce6RAWEbDRdTaUrxeuEgOyw/s1600/DSCN5113.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1558" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tEQ1y4GKBTM3KTBnp8fOHUd1C8Hf7JZbk00VpzSqKLMN-sqEPGcQXqsaXoBsPISB0Crpcow0gZGsmEk-ODdvFlM8gQgC1RFK6H49Gi4iyqGnrUf55FUpce6RAWEbDRdTaUrxeuEgOyw/s200/DSCN5113.JPG" width="194" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5JFWRhhHkLoUn24Fso6JRDh27hLoYarrEdiouMgkdjun2io9t7NhP5IW2XR63r2VOslvve5ks562YLPJsYyx6i77y8YBcF6YtjV8GIJbdvwXlZwjE8vZ-Mlu8Mwf5pycs3ZSp5NO11Y/s200/P_20141105_153828.jpg" width="200" /></div>
I make these pitchers by rolling out clay and forming them around a piece of tarp-paper. The clay has to be a bit wetter than leather hard before I form it into the pitcher shape. I find if it is leather hard the clay cracks while rolling it into these pitchers. If it is too soft it won't hold its shape when I stand it up. A bottom is put on it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/624347908/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_4"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/624347908/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_4" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf3kL6KPAjCKmlUKO8YsJmqLp4lcHLHTY_A7L9NftIVa27AawktnUzfcHN1v1j4eZ2QjPS_G5lW__5uzt3Gg2ZA0S-EqTeEMT0mlth6QLStpQrsncwyt9N6lg84sgOUKNlvqvEkWPfes/s200/DSCN5095.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/624347908/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_4">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/624347908/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_4</a><br />
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I cut out the spout from clay using the tarp-paper form I have made for a spout. I put the tarp-paper spout form against the pitcher and with my pin tool I lightly score around it, marking where the spout will go. I then cut out the clay about 1/4" on the inside of my scoreline for the spout. I slip and score and attach the spout to the pitcher. To reinforce the spout I put a coil of clay under it and leave it as a coil to add an accent. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcHZ426U8i6-1jaltRgXhGBs6iOam5VhygUMFOfoQn_KEwEbpmsnGmVZFEJQvU4OVDwxRE443vySlI7bw1qqkJwBweU9CebHGZkTpcVJsA6JciCpOsfM-Sfut8tu3IiMPnv_nXcu1toI/s1600/DSCN5086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1563" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcHZ426U8i6-1jaltRgXhGBs6iOam5VhygUMFOfoQn_KEwEbpmsnGmVZFEJQvU4OVDwxRE443vySlI7bw1qqkJwBweU9CebHGZkTpcVJsA6JciCpOsfM-Sfut8tu3IiMPnv_nXcu1toI/s200/DSCN5086.JPG" width="195" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/625911414/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_3">www.etsy.com/ca/listing/625911414/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_3</a><br />
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My handles are either pulled or put through my extruder. For the brown, white and black pitchers I cut out a long narrow piece of clay from the clay I used for the pitcher then roll it around to form the handle. These pitchers are made from stacking brown, white and black clay. I then put this clay in a bag for a couple of weeks to allow them to stick together. I slice out pieces of this clay and lay them on my slab roller to roll out flat then cut out the pitcher shape from my tar-paper form. Each one has a different design depending on how I mixed the clay. <br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1528" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvbqZcTishNOS0VToDUs6-6-oC3KI1svEsO7I8JK-GVLPer3D7KUJJ9bFfVUbUhqbcquB-2AShISf1WZbisD_l6VevC-lnsqUig8PasCB-SlKouhPgDFpwORg3zHVoZo5CWLQuWacgJc/s200/DSCN5106.JPG" width="190" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/626864558/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_2">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/626864558/pitcher-for-wine-milk-juice-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_2</a><br />
The pitcher is left to dry under plastic. I lean the handle against the roller of my slab roller to hold it in place, keeping it from flopping down until it is stiff enough to stand by itself.<br />
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Here are the tarp-paper forms. I have 3 sizes for tall, short or narrow pitchers. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawgm4ckaeKm6LloUnTW8HwoQlHGh0QmdVw4oaU90LcNo3w6scW3vZN3-_rBZNUla2Y2GtZCA9JbtA7Uw6OhMXEIh87iMUjt-d8RyFQEAodOmSZysB4KTzT_7dOczM22rMseQ4WhiJpIw/s1600/DSC_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawgm4ckaeKm6LloUnTW8HwoQlHGh0QmdVw4oaU90LcNo3w6scW3vZN3-_rBZNUla2Y2GtZCA9JbtA7Uw6OhMXEIh87iMUjt-d8RyFQEAodOmSZysB4KTzT_7dOczM22rMseQ4WhiJpIw/s200/DSC_3572.JPG" width="200" /></a> the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-37869309490391518752018-04-26T20:34:00.001-04:002018-04-26T20:34:50.527-04:00Gobble Gobble<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was sitting on the couch catching up on some emails when Dave came in the house and said, "You should see the big bird in your backyard." I instantly dropped what I was doing to check out this strange phenomenon. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I knew it had to be something unusual. I have an assortment of birds flying from the trees to the feeders and I am sure Dave wouldn't be excited about everyday birds. Bluejays, morning doves and a variety of woodpeckers and sparrows grace my bird feeder all winter long. Before the last snowfall, when there are a few feet of grass soaking up the sun after a long winter's nap, robins hop about bending their head to the ground listening for the slithery sound of the juicy worms and grubs below the ground. Soon after the snow melts yellow and red finches, the red ones are called purple flinches, flight about. I always wonder why they called them purple finches. Perhaps the person who named them was colored blind, or red just wasn't exotic enough. I should Google that. You can find anything on Google, some true, some not. Still much better than the encyclopedias I grew up with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The last birds to come back are the cute, flighty and aggressive hummingbirds. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've gotten a bit sidetracked. This had to be an unusual bird. It was, but not a rare one, just unusual that it was in my back yard. It was a wild turkey strutting through my yard eating the leftover seeds the blue jays scattered during the winter. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have a kindred liking to turkeys. They are not the most beautiful bird, they even look quite awkward with their long legs and long neck sticking out of their basketball size bodies. I love the way they walk, long legs stretching out in front of them, almost pointing their toes like graceful ballerinas, their head bobbing along in front of their body. They walk as if they don't have a care in the world. Other than the hunters in the spring they probably don't have a care in the world. Perhaps the hunters don't scare them either as I've heard they are hard to see and hunt. This is probably true. I tried to get a picture of the bird in the morning sun with last nights raindrops glistening on the trees. As soon as I opened the door his long legs scurried him off into the woods where his round body was quickly hidden or camouflaged by the dead underbrush left over from last winter. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why do I have a kindred for turkeys? When I grew up there wasn't wild turkey to be had, not-a, not one. Apparently, when our ancestors immigrated to Canada from Europe between the 1700 and 1800's and met the locals, wild turkeys roamed this province, Ontario. By 1909 the turkeys had gone the way of unregulated hunters. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">About 40 years ago our government decided we should be able to enjoy these funky birds again. I was going to say majestic, peacocks are majestic, not turkeys. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The government chose a few natural parks and brought turkeys in. One of those parks was the property behind my Dad's farm, the farm I grew up on. Dad once owned the land, until our government decided to make the back half into a natural park.</span> They bought the back '40's' of several properties, at a good price, to create this park. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ministry or government fed corn to the turkeys until they got established. It didn't take long for the turkeys natural needs to go into actions. Turkeys flourished.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chicks were plentiful enough to be relocated further north. The government poured corn or grain on the ground. The chicks came out of their hiding to fill their bellies. According to my Dad, who watched this, the government workers shot a net over the chicks while they ate. Once the chicks were captured they were transported to a safe area further north in our province. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjKqukyV591ZT4YxGxjupUQ3M4SYRalOnlN416yxWdYWuAOMR-0zBAzS2kNyCZ9ixKpIuueaVZpP6_AiW6wNqLJr-rVvr6usHt8PuNUy1QdamoBqfr1QBKIwX9fATY0RrBjryznmP1CA/s1600/Owl+In+Tree+%25288%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjKqukyV591ZT4YxGxjupUQ3M4SYRalOnlN416yxWdYWuAOMR-0zBAzS2kNyCZ9ixKpIuueaVZpP6_AiW6wNqLJr-rVvr6usHt8PuNUy1QdamoBqfr1QBKIwX9fATY0RrBjryznmP1CA/s200/Owl+In+Tree+%25288%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The turkeys flourished in our lush land with plenty of woods, lakes, ponds, and swamps. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now large turkeys strut through the woods, into our yards and occasionally cross the road. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead of 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' Why do the turkey's cross the road? Of course, to get to the other side. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGDHnzbR-oZw1mHx6nCzlJEewmTItzeUqJ58gM4gJ-XcRoiKxXZQS-EkOUqkecO-yoTxd9a_gjLUaH7A3TwnAYdlLlVRbRDzmYqIv76O_5Rp7dHCUdWY_S1zuXSt7hLHR1OwjX9o0rsQ/s1600/Owl+In+Tree+%25285%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGDHnzbR-oZw1mHx6nCzlJEewmTItzeUqJ58gM4gJ-XcRoiKxXZQS-EkOUqkecO-yoTxd9a_gjLUaH7A3TwnAYdlLlVRbRDzmYqIv76O_5Rp7dHCUdWY_S1zuXSt7hLHR1OwjX9o0rsQ/s200/Owl+In+Tree+%25285%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Tray</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/610350761/ceramic-hand-carved-serving-tray-owl-in?ref=shop_home_active_1">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/610350761/ceramic-hand-carved-serving-tray-owl-in?ref=shop_home_active_1</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This tray I made has an owl in the tree instead of a wild turkey strutting its stuff. During the winter an owl sits in the spruce tree in the back yard eyeing the squirrels for a meal. They have caught mice, but no squirrels. I should make a turkey in a field on a tray some day. </span></span>the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-60242461721167737642017-02-03T18:12:00.000-05:002017-02-03T18:12:40.234-05:00Ring And Trinket DishesI have noticed that other potters make cute little dishes to set your rings, spare change or other trinkets on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UJOh-KFKxdvYS56GFNovp6UIcFPpSA6_JoDUwacjk8e_OSv6nlHUHZMeG3B8S0FAPLXON15tjCaD2rh2KGHaQNV7TMhMQSM3fZcpF6FFEka1OI16Msj3-3oJNHDqcJ-WL-I7gfZOX0/s1600/20170203_171555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UJOh-KFKxdvYS56GFNovp6UIcFPpSA6_JoDUwacjk8e_OSv6nlHUHZMeG3B8S0FAPLXON15tjCaD2rh2KGHaQNV7TMhMQSM3fZcpF6FFEka1OI16Msj3-3oJNHDqcJ-WL-I7gfZOX0/s200/20170203_171555.jpg" width="200" /></a>Last year we cleaned my husband's step-mother's house, who passed away. In the basement in an old dresser drawer was a cardboard box. Inside this box was an assortment of cotton doilies. I brought the box home, along with several other items from the house. <br />
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I like a few doilies to set on my dresser tops, but one can only have so many doilies. Then I remembered that I had made designs on some of my pottery by pressing a piece of webbing into the wet clay, like on this juice pitcher. <br />
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKhJkRK8mQn7ntb2Pc2RP0Ckr7vKRnGVvjRu2tuCcHEdCOAfN_p4Q1ew_mjBCFS0vC7f_Y2cLmaDsktgRTe__zz6C9pj4XvJbuSjQdLhBpt5eBmxYzb2kVXNCFcVAmgrP3lF4sOo6z6U/s200/Green+small+pitcher.jpg" width="200" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/246313869/ceramic-pitcher-20-oz-creamer-maple?ref=shop_home_active_1">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/246313869/ceramic-pitcher-20-oz-creamer-maple?ref=shop_home_active_1</a></div>
I rolled out clay then rolled a doily into it. I took off the doily and cut out a shape for this new dish I was designing. I liked this effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTnYBNzj-iZYdYD2qTavUjHwb-4aJuaLTh5fReEkgUVzNn5K3pGXTvqvy0F0nCeCEWh5AUezjCxWRC85yX0Souok34laUZbZeyb4XIFZtkrMLTCV2ZKPR_qCiPQiOWjvZsdGg2oJ07Mw/s1600/20170131_132340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTnYBNzj-iZYdYD2qTavUjHwb-4aJuaLTh5fReEkgUVzNn5K3pGXTvqvy0F0nCeCEWh5AUezjCxWRC85yX0Souok34laUZbZeyb4XIFZtkrMLTCV2ZKPR_qCiPQiOWjvZsdGg2oJ07Mw/s200/20170131_132340.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJACVqIHdxPht4UWBF7Tlvxbgaz7l-qJEtfiMFAhSrGKVgemOi6s9y59vtVoQfagoiQ0AkvvWEvMAK5nYQE6jXCQ8MmacAnvUtCcdLIzdt5qiGZC6mjXE1LYc86HT2xjKWvBkKryYR7A/s1600/20160402_105703.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJACVqIHdxPht4UWBF7Tlvxbgaz7l-qJEtfiMFAhSrGKVgemOi6s9y59vtVoQfagoiQ0AkvvWEvMAK5nYQE6jXCQ8MmacAnvUtCcdLIzdt5qiGZC6mjXE1LYc86HT2xjKWvBkKryYR7A/s200/20160402_105703.mp4" width="112" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_BSRJGP5Y-B3Q6t3i7kpQlGruwYTbv2QkIKT1xkMv6uOSxaw7kQdLraOTFRn9IAXncxXr8H5Q1WVk9mxFI42urNV_t8_qdYZrS51wT_xJZKEaz0zg6PYweOrGJYWotilpKp847hWRAU/s200/Dark+Blue+Flower+NB+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/491657764/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_4">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/491657764/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_4</a></div>
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTWhoh-vTFct2vvRJtzFwMayAL1w_cvn44imtxuUtXOYoLkYhyphenhyphen-u5wfjoR0NXmtXadENViZQD9T58sjGkchV7pUBMjJmTFZ6ANB7JGD_tkFzVSkbePdCPwG2nrByw16tJMLwfKEPGKH0/s200/blue+painted+NB+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/491657764/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_4">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/491657764/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_4</a></div>
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlOMhxnD_sTGUBUWJC4Ah5yN26iNiqNnNohYRXOCB1hGniQE_vjgl_KacIO4nwOcpv9jXeLqo3nnTCgJ4ljVTC23DQbIZ6KptPG_oqnJxHezSauB2F183wdqHz4gHqbbXSTy7yypmdoU/s200/Pumpernickle+round+2+feet+%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/452352908/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_7">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/452352908/ring-dish-trinket-dish-jewellery-holder?ref=shop_home_active_7</a></div>
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It wasn't long before I was pressing these doilies into clay for my toothbrush holder and Christmas ornaments. <br />
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<img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7_2Zo7nprRmdB51Qbivu-0jHeXHwJCIkG5PXtDk7clFW2tGoLe3ASxGw9_x7y25uQapw0F4J1qRWqaHEafokcIkbI3qwVmDHF_xNtOeN29tpXxjAaV6qc8dQm5qa1sbliyBly6mHUc0/s200/DSC_1704.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/468501518/three-mint-green-pottery-ornaments?ref=shop_home_active_3">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/468501518/three-mint-green-pottery-ornaments?ref=shop_home_active_3</a></div>
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There are many decorative pottery pieces I can make. <br />
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the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-24556191914683039422016-03-17T12:19:00.000-04:002016-03-17T12:19:34.538-04:00What A YearI just posted a blog that I wrote just after Easter last year 2015. It had been sitting in my drafts for almost a year. My last post was May 2015. Easter is coming so now is the time for it. <br />
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I have a very good reason why I have been absent for almost a year. I actually had forgotten I had a blog, until today when I read someone else's blog. The distant memory of writing a blog came back to me. I even started a bible reading blog and totally forgot that too. <br />
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Without further a-due let me tell you about last year.<br />
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Summer was fantastic. It was one of the best summers we have had in a long time. The weather was hot and sunny just what I like. <br />
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I took advantage of the dry weather to almost finish the landscaping. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-qAdV14SDQXaCMOUqiYNcFmBj7S7JDnRhLXAKSsoyvhl2UFJOEOrAiEhsL3mRaQIdTdhMUwkMR5ZMB5Ix8cv9iYkqgA52NiSHp4qcdjouS-e3OgF6KJIdlKmT9Ifju8j776JKtox_ZA/s1600/2015-07-10+19.33.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-qAdV14SDQXaCMOUqiYNcFmBj7S7JDnRhLXAKSsoyvhl2UFJOEOrAiEhsL3mRaQIdTdhMUwkMR5ZMB5Ix8cv9iYkqgA52NiSHp4qcdjouS-e3OgF6KJIdlKmT9Ifju8j776JKtox_ZA/s320/2015-07-10+19.33.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We started the summer by purchasing a travel trailer. We take our utility trailer, full of motorcycle to weekend motorcycle events. in Ontario. We pull into the event,unload the trailer and set up bed for the nights. Meals are either at a restaurant or a food canteen on the site or something like chilli that I heat up on a Coleman stove. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaVlrsGTbvYPooxQxXXO7aS9jaVzqtLCRABJMDZ-MKBRTS8LgKHRD0Z4Xn3VFbms0_YThcyF3oow22DdrZGbaZZ_n6LTrCYLRYVmK3YCgx6fK1Wxkepq4sd2Yv40DiXnqQ5jGJ0TA_A/s1600/2015-06-19+11.28.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaVlrsGTbvYPooxQxXXO7aS9jaVzqtLCRABJMDZ-MKBRTS8LgKHRD0Z4Xn3VFbms0_YThcyF3oow22DdrZGbaZZ_n6LTrCYLRYVmK3YCgx6fK1Wxkepq4sd2Yv40DiXnqQ5jGJ0TA_A/s320/2015-06-19+11.28.34.jpg" width="320" /></a>I enjoy camping, but as I get older and my bladder no longer last the night. Getting out of the trailer and hiking across the damp lawn, in the dark to either an outhouse or an indoor washroom had become something I did not enjoy. One time there was only a bush to go into as they had locked the public washroom door for the night. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMgPw032XQzg2C_7UEt63BGuF4j10KsDqZOCFjrbgfPpTWLVf4icxcegNsnlJK1hb-VQLDNQqXIWt9R5oWNyhpJKOrb8mGhCZBLTlXDBOjdRI7ClcOdJcOgcUIj2TC36ssi-CSC_vx3g/s1600/2015-06-20+16.33.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMgPw032XQzg2C_7UEt63BGuF4j10KsDqZOCFjrbgfPpTWLVf4icxcegNsnlJK1hb-VQLDNQqXIWt9R5oWNyhpJKOrb8mGhCZBLTlXDBOjdRI7ClcOdJcOgcUIj2TC36ssi-CSC_vx3g/s320/2015-06-20+16.33.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not having a shower for the weekend, something else I wasn't fond of.<br />
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Now with trailer I can bring my food and cook it on the gas stove. We can even keep ice cream in our freezer. The cooler was good for keeping food almost cold. And the shower, need I say more.<br />
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We took the trailer to 3 camping/ motorcycle events and had so much fun hanging out with old and new friends. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff-3AMfNByfaTwngRFrfCiapGPZY3zDOydzhnW4nAImtbnzuiwwmc56sEl-v3J3njC0dW-81ABygJhPI2CXfd1d2d926XE-0WR-cDnxY5_Xvy67ovBuHKVzZF4b0Sb9yEIVvJk4uKcAY/s1600/2015-06-23+19.36.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff-3AMfNByfaTwngRFrfCiapGPZY3zDOydzhnW4nAImtbnzuiwwmc56sEl-v3J3njC0dW-81ABygJhPI2CXfd1d2d926XE-0WR-cDnxY5_Xvy67ovBuHKVzZF4b0Sb9yEIVvJk4uKcAY/s200/2015-06-23+19.36.11.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIT5uQeo9dVES3kEYIxwIFm1pDBWq4w5QPvq_7aAB08EjoUJAbqM8g-aqe7X7uY0Q4lLZ7kqDtlf6BWlP06B_YG3wDOnxfyiejlPRabyqf4waj_6n5EKVXYPkiY4S0wBYHjKUJEWH_Fg/s1600/2015-06-22+12.00.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIT5uQeo9dVES3kEYIxwIFm1pDBWq4w5QPvq_7aAB08EjoUJAbqM8g-aqe7X7uY0Q4lLZ7kqDtlf6BWlP06B_YG3wDOnxfyiejlPRabyqf4waj_6n5EKVXYPkiY4S0wBYHjKUJEWH_Fg/s320/2015-06-22+12.00.26.jpg" width="320" /></a>In June Angela, Hasan and the kids were able to come to the cottage. Everyone was there except Rich. <br />
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The middle of July we traveled on our BMW bike to friends in Quebec. Then hopped in their van for a world round motorcycle event and holiday to Rhode Island.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AjTGYoBZut9-B0R0bJYv_YOXa8NSC7hyIzU2gzaGg87tRNqMaS3ZC2YnsXxOByLEopcS2wS9TsCfOuhGRt1Em6cMOyjIPUh8Nsl8X3zx6CFdIP7cZG98e7304C0HUrg42N8cKYOD6KQ/s1600/2015-06-27+09.26.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AjTGYoBZut9-B0R0bJYv_YOXa8NSC7hyIzU2gzaGg87tRNqMaS3ZC2YnsXxOByLEopcS2wS9TsCfOuhGRt1Em6cMOyjIPUh8Nsl8X3zx6CFdIP7cZG98e7304C0HUrg42N8cKYOD6KQ/s200/2015-06-27+09.26.48.jpg" width="200" /></a>In my spare time I sold pottery at the Huntsville 100k Market. It was the second year for me and a good year. I have signed up for this year too. I did enter a new market in Gravenhurst, unfortunately it wasn't that great. In August I decided to cut my losses leave that event. Apparently half of the vendors had also left.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRoWX_0sbayqCgL-UITXsI3MDyS83H5M0b9bHc2tz0zlBAAKknHBlDp7FUN_OPE1PMgUEFAV7f__6MwVbRkCso0iyx5jijxEO_nWZyZZ9tJPbjziw5t3y_3Z25IZNEiZ762u7V-qN29Y/s1600/2015-09-05+15.04.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRoWX_0sbayqCgL-UITXsI3MDyS83H5M0b9bHc2tz0zlBAAKknHBlDp7FUN_OPE1PMgUEFAV7f__6MwVbRkCso0iyx5jijxEO_nWZyZZ9tJPbjziw5t3y_3Z25IZNEiZ762u7V-qN29Y/s320/2015-09-05+15.04.31.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some time during our busy summer Liz's Mother-In-Law, Nancy had a family gathering so their family could meet Nathan, born in March. Another fun time with friends and family. This Saturday we are celebrating his first birthday, time flies. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGtQKea86lkQ-uMapEVVpBcsa9a4o8DhWuB4xa931xascd1O2bGRNILupnkjBOQ-ft5HAMfqJ7eoKkAhJWFebhNN7nZ5Os6O6Um-rZXi_YWt-i_2TTtmrshguZwjUW4AjtkU_g4MEynI/s1600/2015-09-16+20.50.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGtQKea86lkQ-uMapEVVpBcsa9a4o8DhWuB4xa931xascd1O2bGRNILupnkjBOQ-ft5HAMfqJ7eoKkAhJWFebhNN7nZ5Os6O6Um-rZXi_YWt-i_2TTtmrshguZwjUW4AjtkU_g4MEynI/s320/2015-09-16+20.50.16.jpg" width="180" /></a>August 6, our sixth grandchild, Hatcher was born to Angela and Hasan who live in New Brunswick. Hatcher became the little brother to Amir, Hope and Athaiah. In September we drove out east to meet our grandson.Of course enjoyed the other grandkids too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXQo83fUfAaFCAB2bPqw1TrGqfU0xqSS8LFqfuFM3Bc6DkU0g44QafbzNa0rblIa6A-iMvQtvacBpSbzhTC1ZtHwgtArxWGfPtx0NoSUH_XmGvBYlPHKce7wg4u3Eh8RuZtZ_6nOcY-I/s1600/2015-09-16+16.04.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXQo83fUfAaFCAB2bPqw1TrGqfU0xqSS8LFqfuFM3Bc6DkU0g44QafbzNa0rblIa6A-iMvQtvacBpSbzhTC1ZtHwgtArxWGfPtx0NoSUH_XmGvBYlPHKce7wg4u3Eh8RuZtZ_6nOcY-I/s320/2015-09-16+16.04.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While we were out east Angela and Hasan put an offer on a house. They lived in a small apartment and with 4 kids so we were stayed at a motel. <br />
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What is that saying about 'best laid plans'? When we came home from our daughter's I went to a Christian conference. at the end of September. <br />
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My plan was to get back to making pottery and slow down in October. <br />
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While at the cottage, Monday September 28, Dave got a phone call that change the course of the following 6 months. His step mother called, barley able to breathe and said the ambulance was taking her to the hospital. She lived 3 hours south of us, near Niagara Falls. <br />
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We went to her place Monday evening. Tuesday morning we high-tailed to the hospital where we got a shock. <br />
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We had not seen her since May. Dave had called her occasionally during the summer. She had some health issues and we knew she was worried, but she never let on how bad it was. <br />
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She had terminal lung cancer, and more. At first we thought she might die before Christmas, then, would she last two weeks, then would she last long enough for Angela to be able to see her. Liz and Rich came on Tuesday. Angela couldn't come until Friday as they were getting the keys to their home on Thursday.<br />
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On Thursday morning we weren't sure she'd last the day, but she did. Angela got a new home, next day, with Hatcher she hopped on a plane and got to see her grandmother Friday morning. Friday afternoon Doreen went to sleep and never woke up. Saturday morning she had passed away. She waited long enough to see Angela and meet her newest great grandson. Doreen married Dave's father when our daughters were 6 and 8, so she was their grandmother.<br />
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We had the funeral on Tuesday and Angela flew home Tuesday afternoon to get her new house in order. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zGRNm6kNJ5o3hjgbfawpcx8rMPPCjizfLoi-xWs46gk9IrzlC7Q4h3GmNfYwBD9YDkqmBRvuzdQ96HMF2tu5g1UD7KX1YxZZZWO7AsQeijjfCcO-N_Hvy_TasAi_Rws6xxWwA_XbEW4/s1600/2015-10-06+10.12.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zGRNm6kNJ5o3hjgbfawpcx8rMPPCjizfLoi-xWs46gk9IrzlC7Q4h3GmNfYwBD9YDkqmBRvuzdQ96HMF2tu5g1UD7KX1YxZZZWO7AsQeijjfCcO-N_Hvy_TasAi_Rws6xxWwA_XbEW4/s320/2015-10-06+10.12.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As funerals go it was a great one. Instead of flowers we decided to display Doreen's quilted wall hangings. Even her friends had no idea how many she had and the quality of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADn5zfA8YK6EXtYCzcu16crbIQjUkBiS-pzoLB0P9GsWx3QqEqUdwZhuB7o3wph5e8GS-_1tZHaqcc4AX-VE6NEz1ArCGFZ9nu3FvGSgp5lz1aIfy6ZUTXe-bpLaU1qFBvFBUyhsE1lY/s1600/2015-10-04+16.36.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADn5zfA8YK6EXtYCzcu16crbIQjUkBiS-pzoLB0P9GsWx3QqEqUdwZhuB7o3wph5e8GS-_1tZHaqcc4AX-VE6NEz1ArCGFZ9nu3FvGSgp5lz1aIfy6ZUTXe-bpLaU1qFBvFBUyhsE1lY/s320/2015-10-04+16.36.12.jpg" width="320" /></a>During this stressful week we escaped and took the kids to my Dad's, now my brothers farm. In October my brother transforms into a busy pumpkin fun farm. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWmEn5O2iJkzrCslFtdO3heBkS2D0eMl94QzFBpD2ABfa5_9hngnzFeHizmVGHwLS45MxkckOElcdMz9iIsieHVZ3_WiGhnwUhqUM6-q2w5B2s2ehfiyrAKGdfxW56zjAwiK9KKKsbCs/s1600/2015-10-04+17.23.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWmEn5O2iJkzrCslFtdO3heBkS2D0eMl94QzFBpD2ABfa5_9hngnzFeHizmVGHwLS45MxkckOElcdMz9iIsieHVZ3_WiGhnwUhqUM6-q2w5B2s2ehfiyrAKGdfxW56zjAwiK9KKKsbCs/s320/2015-10-04+17.23.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and sister Sarah</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWbd8ZVLAMgeib1AAhyphenhyphenPvcwaJ5c8KE5RGPkY3LtYVbrhaDiLlPRzCaTQe4ZEjazZpPyq6H4X9jIranO53Pcb3DJknH9iMbykp6UdP1u8_xXv0Dlv_kOc1ECuSJ_qRdIrZqWyenAXtDf8/s1600/2016-02-04+20.03.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWbd8ZVLAMgeib1AAhyphenhyphenPvcwaJ5c8KE5RGPkY3LtYVbrhaDiLlPRzCaTQe4ZEjazZpPyq6H4X9jIranO53Pcb3DJknH9iMbykp6UdP1u8_xXv0Dlv_kOc1ECuSJ_qRdIrZqWyenAXtDf8/s320/2016-02-04+20.03.23.jpg" width="320" /></a>Since October Dave and been traveling the three hours south to clean out Doreen's house and get it ready for sale. Doreen was an awesome quilter and a great shopper. Coming from the depression time she never threw anything out. It was a busy time cleaning out her place. I found 4 unfinished bed quilts of hers. She had made quilt for our daughter's when they got married, but died before she had one for Micheal, Dave's nephew. I finished this quilt for Micheal in time for Dave's sister to take it when she came back from Tokyo to pack her things. <br />
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We were able to go back out east for Christmas and our entire family came.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzEOJ7vJsTP6-IjPm18uUZzCFe9V0OW8hVoEAdCFd20rrSHVaKIvZHcvkTdYDo_Q0WO2S7WrhWC4B24WOFU6EqzDwUPwdgpuw2fZwn1tX5V-CkOa4pprIFfXi5SVbCvNcl4Mo05dGRuk/s1600/2015-12-25+09.38.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzEOJ7vJsTP6-IjPm18uUZzCFe9V0OW8hVoEAdCFd20rrSHVaKIvZHcvkTdYDo_Q0WO2S7WrhWC4B24WOFU6EqzDwUPwdgpuw2fZwn1tX5V-CkOa4pprIFfXi5SVbCvNcl4Mo05dGRuk/s320/2015-12-25+09.38.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next week we are taking the last load of furniture out east to fill Angela's big house. Last month I finished this quilt for Angela. Doreen had done the quilting part, I only had to put them together and put on a back. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkk8Ul7RgnNC6Om7KvjA7pzF8TieQIfdTwFtYrb_hp2yVdX_7lfh1XjZypY6dV9DVQHPklNeSpdW05FihqDUdcGY3zTa7TdV8ikNm44Dupwj2fUUoZfh75GAg0kDyL_0ed8ljkMNLuvM/s1600/DSC_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkk8Ul7RgnNC6Om7KvjA7pzF8TieQIfdTwFtYrb_hp2yVdX_7lfh1XjZypY6dV9DVQHPklNeSpdW05FihqDUdcGY3zTa7TdV8ikNm44Dupwj2fUUoZfh75GAg0kDyL_0ed8ljkMNLuvM/s320/DSC_0592.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUhYEZJtkbayWrMMQ-Reg1Sr6YCdtGwgdyegm-1VEQTG8hrk0v2RrsDVwgZjhUEcR8mtRUu4VNyp0YMU1HIPmBRRH0IqOp0yDcy4c2s3NIzasxLXqxLJIbHsp2YfJXLokNXZ1dqJpD9o/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUhYEZJtkbayWrMMQ-Reg1Sr6YCdtGwgdyegm-1VEQTG8hrk0v2RrsDVwgZjhUEcR8mtRUu4VNyp0YMU1HIPmBRRH0IqOp0yDcy4c2s3NIzasxLXqxLJIbHsp2YfJXLokNXZ1dqJpD9o/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
The quilts I found for Liz and me will have to wait until next year.<br />
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In February Dad had another stroke, as usual he is bouncing, this time crawling back. He is 93.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Z-1hZjZbQNVHFGl2EkaC_nSOMGOfZFvN2kE22Odm3hH0Qc38JXC_lUgdKGlzqdlEc4wDL7IL3GzAuQVgwTgDLATBUVhyphenhyphensSUN9rBJ_1nJlfcF_0eCr6_e4pV3Jv8k5vkZHFHCwgUlBE/s1600/2015-10-06+15.38.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Z-1hZjZbQNVHFGl2EkaC_nSOMGOfZFvN2kE22Odm3hH0Qc38JXC_lUgdKGlzqdlEc4wDL7IL3GzAuQVgwTgDLATBUVhyphenhyphensSUN9rBJ_1nJlfcF_0eCr6_e4pV3Jv8k5vkZHFHCwgUlBE/s320/2015-10-06+15.38.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy and I with Nathan and Hatcher after Doreen's funeral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We are hoping to have a relaxing next few months, but I don't count my chickens before they are hatched. I did grow up on a chicken farm.<br />
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And make the pottery I normally make in the winter.<br />
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<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-81182136226054635992016-03-17T09:57:00.000-04:002016-03-17T09:57:34.958-04:00Jesus' Love SavesI was reading Psalms 135 and 136 which is all about thanking our Lord. <i> Psalm 136 verses 1 and 2 are</i>
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<i>Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His
loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His
loving kindness is everlasting. </i></div>
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The entire chapter is give thanks for God for
something, followed by For His loving kindness if everlasting. His love
never ends, for ever and ever.</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96146183/cross-bracelet-sterling-silver-cross">http://www.etsy.com/listing/96146183/cross-bracelet-sterling-silver-cross</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBdQ_61Zm8ONn9VuSXR1_idkaGkCQb1OMJevHacrD-bxntKqRLC-rIJ1ki54bPRtK7Uah4n0Ojf63Imq4UdsnHFFL1Qrw7eLnABFa73CLggEQ_QESd0SqWzpKSKxtBItIEbzQlHmobw/s1600/il_170x135.323489103.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBdQ_61Zm8ONn9VuSXR1_idkaGkCQb1OMJevHacrD-bxntKqRLC-rIJ1ki54bPRtK7Uah4n0Ojf63Imq4UdsnHFFL1Qrw7eLnABFa73CLggEQ_QESd0SqWzpKSKxtBItIEbzQlHmobw/s200/il_170x135.323489103.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As I read this I wondered why am I not always
thankful. I really have no reason to not be thankful but I am at times.
I think that I am not thankful because I really don't grasp the power
that Jesus has and that he died on the cross to save us all and that his
love does endure forever. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJP3fgPq-CP1faTlG9naKXxxMImusCIgzZa6p7H4z54h_DQPjiHEF0vamQ9Fg2FRaz3RHP1GwIiHFRwRnk2P5P7xsmiCHsFK8zBPHcP0HVG5mP5OnjZZDKDA2Y1HDFc63AyfxQ8mkdA/s1600/il_570xN.224249344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">http://www.etsy.com/listing/52930244/prayer-journal-personalized-ambersunset</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJP3fgPq-CP1faTlG9naKXxxMImusCIgzZa6p7H4z54h_DQPjiHEF0vamQ9Fg2FRaz3RHP1GwIiHFRwRnk2P5P7xsmiCHsFK8zBPHcP0HVG5mP5OnjZZDKDA2Y1HDFc63AyfxQ8mkdA/s1600/il_570xN.224249344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJP3fgPq-CP1faTlG9naKXxxMImusCIgzZa6p7H4z54h_DQPjiHEF0vamQ9Fg2FRaz3RHP1GwIiHFRwRnk2P5P7xsmiCHsFK8zBPHcP0HVG5mP5OnjZZDKDA2Y1HDFc63AyfxQ8mkdA/s200/il_570xN.224249344.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I wrote this poem some time ago about how we need to realize Jesus came to save us and we do need to keep our eyes on Him. </div>
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Keep my eyes on Jesus</div>
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And he will fly me</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBdQ_61Zm8ONn9VuSXR1_idkaGkCQb1OMJevHacrD-bxntKqRLC-rIJ1ki54bPRtK7Uah4n0Ojf63Imq4UdsnHFFL1Qrw7eLnABFa73CLggEQ_QESd0SqWzpKSKxtBItIEbzQlHmobw/s1600/il_170x135.323489103.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>Above the storms that I endure</div>
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His strength is all I need</div>
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Why do I not call upon</div>
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My savoir for every need</div>
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Am I too busy, too proud </div>
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Too independent for his mercy</div>
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To know how I must</div>
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Rely on the one who saves</div>
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Who came to this earth
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And develops my faith</div>
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<br /></div>
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Why do I slap You in the face</div>
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And ignore You, Lord help me</div>
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Let me come to You
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And climb upon your knee</div>
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<br /></div>
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Let me know Your power</div>
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The one who feeds 5000</div>
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With 5 loaves and 2 fish </div>
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And walks on water like sand</div>
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<br /></div>
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From Satan’s wicked grasp</div>
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From the enemy who steels</div>
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You came into my storm</div>
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You who rescued and healed</div>
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<br /></div>
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The almighty one who has</div>
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Come to save and raise us all</div>
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From our sins and guilt</div>
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Nothings for You’s too small</div>
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<br /></div>
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Saved from our past </div>
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And from ourselves</div>
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This savoir of ours</div>
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We do not deserve</div>
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<br /></div>
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But with your nail scared hands</div>
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You did it all for love</div>
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Why? How could you?</div>
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Because you are love</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa9OCNxTbXMvbRf9zYUDo6ZIyrLaYCubSmHO3IckyDFa9a24_ZpHj9h7BLVus_J0y5XMQMtFyD_rhKZwExVCWjtYQbI5ji4XJKVh3O-LXBUhTE7DBIH7wo-KvhyphenhyphenAfFJRXm3SFiQ7emg/s1600/29+Jesus+Cross+%282%29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa9OCNxTbXMvbRf9zYUDo6ZIyrLaYCubSmHO3IckyDFa9a24_ZpHj9h7BLVus_J0y5XMQMtFyD_rhKZwExVCWjtYQbI5ji4XJKVh3O-LXBUhTE7DBIH7wo-KvhyphenhyphenAfFJRXm3SFiQ7emg/s200/29+Jesus+Cross+(2).JPG" width="200" />http://www.etsy.com/listing/70082205/wall-plaque-cross</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv72dj7h0tD_TtOu-pQGE1qEzcThEuO5mj4NSrlRqsQoW1_YVPI1Fct2ENqpX7MbaKtw1rTnP56JnH1HY392xIDCZMKB3E9lSzjVouCmACdMwL-RoyRk__EfeC4rbjFuuqpIUkDSIX6w/s1600/il_170x135.323288729.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv72dj7h0tD_TtOu-pQGE1qEzcThEuO5mj4NSrlRqsQoW1_YVPI1Fct2ENqpX7MbaKtw1rTnP56JnH1HY392xIDCZMKB3E9lSzjVouCmACdMwL-RoyRk__EfeC4rbjFuuqpIUkDSIX6w/s1600/il_170x135.323288729.jpg" /></a></div>
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We have just celebrated the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, the purpose of why he came to this earth. </div>
http://www.etsy.com/listing/96094425/large-x-files-inspired-christian-t-shirt<br />
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My pray is that we will not forget that Jesus came
to save this world for He loves us so and that we will be thankful
always. That we will allow God to raise us up out of our troubles to
focus on Him and not ourselves. </div>
the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-81700081802406776282015-05-09T13:47:00.000-04:002015-05-09T13:47:02.416-04:00Animal Egg CupsIt has been a while since my last blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq32gdflSArtSi7UPkek0bma1ZNE_jFRwwk1XjxnudbSQKeVJC4soZzWHkMmbCGpM3WOXdjDqG9SnSQQOn1wi8bJ8dZ5eMCAz72jGTcRzsgB26gyVKPtgPMFL0LSuvXQLVu3064m79nYc/s1600/chicken+egg+cup+on+egg_07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq32gdflSArtSi7UPkek0bma1ZNE_jFRwwk1XjxnudbSQKeVJC4soZzWHkMmbCGpM3WOXdjDqG9SnSQQOn1wi8bJ8dZ5eMCAz72jGTcRzsgB26gyVKPtgPMFL0LSuvXQLVu3064m79nYc/s200/chicken+egg+cup+on+egg_07.JPG" width="200" /></a>I planned to write regularly, but life got in the way, a good life and I forget. Oh well, best laid plans...... <br />
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As a child I would eat a boiled egg in an egg cup, which I thought was mine. It looked like a chick. My sister's was Mickey Mouse pulling a wagon. They had always been there and where old. When I moved out of my parents house, many years ago, I went to pack it and Dad said, "no, that is mine". I never knew that. After Mom died, 21 years ago, and Dad remarried, he let me have 'my' chick egg cup. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Q63_lpWezDS7IrFnp4HEVOQ5JPG7qgl4XIPoZ6hR0gmObugXLSyngibWo8tK2FItSu6SfaWoqw1qItjoXkhodL1Q01AEg_uBl1coWlbhxtWX3vA-4Wr8UNl4BM6xv8E1l2WDA3TgT4/s1600/DSC_9201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Q63_lpWezDS7IrFnp4HEVOQ5JPG7qgl4XIPoZ6hR0gmObugXLSyngibWo8tK2FItSu6SfaWoqw1qItjoXkhodL1Q01AEg_uBl1coWlbhxtWX3vA-4Wr8UNl4BM6xv8E1l2WDA3TgT4/s200/DSC_9201.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
A few years ago I made an elephant egg cup, which sold. Then I made an R2-D2 and a chick for my two oldest grandchildren. Three more grandchildren have arrived since then. Last winter my daughter informed me her soon to be 3 year old daughter needed one. I made her a turtle.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsnZacV8-hQfc3MJxSlwVM-K98dYXsecSYAx6Nyyu6e_LlJ-hp9-TdGvYnUIh6FC-a5GatEd6ovOKm51LMdPjR_qdnKg9WQ4ZhYKV_s3KURkWUSeZRed6vfSVMtrVSW_dMjDSYK9mqJU/s1600/elephant+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsnZacV8-hQfc3MJxSlwVM-K98dYXsecSYAx6Nyyu6e_LlJ-hp9-TdGvYnUIh6FC-a5GatEd6ovOKm51LMdPjR_qdnKg9WQ4ZhYKV_s3KURkWUSeZRed6vfSVMtrVSW_dMjDSYK9mqJU/s200/elephant+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
I was on a roll. I made two turtles, one lion, one elephant, one chicken laying and egg and a duck, who's tip of her beak got nicked. She'll need another dip in the kiln. <br />
The other grandchildren will have to wait until they are old enough for them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgInMLjYZSxyHQSAcZMFe3z8ALlFcvGr1SMvW4FLNaScWz1PFz_txwfGm3qJBThMpClglT2hL5KnqF5mPM1HaqljmJ2mGp3AugxJllzAj_XTslPRgI2ohrxCycFZb6_Hb5Cr5TkdSOIpo/s1600/DSC_9210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgInMLjYZSxyHQSAcZMFe3z8ALlFcvGr1SMvW4FLNaScWz1PFz_txwfGm3qJBThMpClglT2hL5KnqF5mPM1HaqljmJ2mGp3AugxJllzAj_XTslPRgI2ohrxCycFZb6_Hb5Cr5TkdSOIpo/s200/DSC_9210.JPG" width="200" /></a>I posted them on my facebook and Etsy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheButlersCreations">https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheButlersCreations</a>, and received a custom order for four Holstein cows. Despite the gorgeous spring weather, after a long cold winter, I stayed inside and made 6 cows and 2 pigs. They are drying, waiting to be fired. <br />
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Clay must be bone dry to fire or the trapped moisture boils and the piece explodes. <br />
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I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did making them. <br />
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<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-38138665235118898462015-02-25T20:23:00.000-05:002015-02-25T20:23:07.976-05:00Pottery Studio Clean Up Time<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was in my pottery studio and could smell clay dust. Clay dust is has silica which can lead to lung damage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was time to clean up my studio. I started by cleaning my tools. The interesting thing is when I use my tools I clean them after each use. I was amazed at how much clay dust was in the bottom of my containers. Despite my best effort to keep my clay tools and brushes clean the clay was there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I wondered how it got there. Then I remembered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When I turn pottery I start by gathering all the tools I need. Occasionally I forget one. With clay coated hands I rummage through my tool box for that missed tool. Clay from my hands easily makes its way to the bottom of the container and stays there until I clean it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My brushes and stir sticks are a different story. My hands aren't covered in clay when I use them. Of course the container wasn't as dirty and my wheel turning tools. I assume the dust gets in the bottom over time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was even tracking the dust onto the carpet in our family room. I have to go through this room to go upstairs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Today I wanted to make pottery but resisted. I did some clean up yesterday. If I get it done today, instead of making pottery, I can start fresh and not have the cleaning job on my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm glad I made the right decision. My After two days of washing a cleaning I now have a clean pottery studio. I should do this more often. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Tomorrow I can make more pottery and begin the process of spreading clay dust again. </span>the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-65162264656169817182015-01-19T13:35:00.000-05:002015-01-19T13:35:19.924-05:00By FaithChapter 11 of Hebrews tells us about people who by faith followed God. <br />
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Following God is not easy. We can't see him. He's not in front of us telling us what to do. How do we know we are following him? <br />
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Some one once told me that it's in my knower that I know I am following him. He pointed to his gut. <br />
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I get a warm peiceful feeling when I know I've done good by God. Other times I get very agitated and I know God wants me to stop doing what I am I doing even to stop going to a natural path and a bible study. <br />
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I rarely get these strong feelings. How do I know that I am following God the rest of the time? I don't know 100% for sure. I follow the same way the people in Hebrews 11 did, by faith. <br />
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By faith I trusted God to diagnose the bipolar I had, then by faith I trusted him for 8 years that he would heal me.<br />
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By faith we followed God from Sudbury to Bracebridge. <br />
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By faith I put my short leg out for prayer and God grew it. <br />
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By faith while at a healing retreat when the leader asked if someone had dilexial I went forward and by faith he prayed and I was healed.<br />
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By faith I took a folk art painting course which began my adventure into the art world.<br />
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By faith I bought a box of clay, glazes and a kiln which began my adventure into pottery.<br />
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By faith I took drum lessons and found I have rythim.<br />
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I could keep listing the things I've done by faith, but you get the idea. <br />
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By faith we follow God or by faith we follow the world or ourselves. <br />
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My life is a joyful one instead of a depressed one because I choose to follow God by faith. <br />
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<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-30145760858515069702015-01-03T10:34:00.001-05:002015-01-03T10:34:27.979-05:00Enjoying What God Has Called Me To DoI am very thankful that I follow Jesus. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYbwlkac1SYnK_evmw86ESYR44L9AfTG3QMfK9Fosqig2SagjS4OIyEBcaiBit61TnD9wVYXkIJAyFfnkDyoOQqwZfBc3XzZTLx_Xyg_RumV-vlA2DHiG46p-2toKvaxtIDvX918Mb9Y/s1600/Maple+leaf+pitcher+painter+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYbwlkac1SYnK_evmw86ESYR44L9AfTG3QMfK9Fosqig2SagjS4OIyEBcaiBit61TnD9wVYXkIJAyFfnkDyoOQqwZfBc3XzZTLx_Xyg_RumV-vlA2DHiG46p-2toKvaxtIDvX918Mb9Y/s1600/Maple+leaf+pitcher+painter+(1).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I took the general course in school. The only subjects I liked were history, without the dates, just tell me the story, math, music and drafting. I didn't have to work at these subjects. The other subjects I skimmed through and didn't apply myself. My sister studied hard and I floated through. <br />
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I wasn't used to working hard at something to learn a new task until I started to make pottery. Now I enjoy it, but many times in the first few years I wanted to quit. I also wanted to quit selling on my Etsy site. I opened the shop 4 months before we moved to Bracebridge. and did not have time to learn Etsy or promote it. I was only selling a few items a year. I wanted to quit so many times. I wondered if I was wasting my time. The same thing happened when I started to play drums. It was frustrating. I was learning all sorts of rhythms but I wasn't using them in the music. I played the same beat over and over. Was this also a waste of time? You can see efficiency of my time is important to me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQQbRBaFboEkrQQI2WyeQeRdPrbVkJei-I3kPqeLn6PFi5_NuI8dckZ-6QRrl5CDM4v9y0sHpa1zzdl9oU3EXfhyphenhyphenVhagxLN8Qhdjfo62VLHfUCqnGJSkT52Y-1K4x8BZDKIRsjkykTSQ/s1600/DSC_8893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQQbRBaFboEkrQQI2WyeQeRdPrbVkJei-I3kPqeLn6PFi5_NuI8dckZ-6QRrl5CDM4v9y0sHpa1zzdl9oU3EXfhyphenhyphenVhagxLN8Qhdjfo62VLHfUCqnGJSkT52Y-1K4x8BZDKIRsjkykTSQ/s1600/DSC_8893.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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I knew God had called me to make pottery so I persevered and kept running the race until I got better at it. I am still improving but now when I sit at my wheel, what I want to make turns out instead of a simple bowl. The same thing with the drums. I know God has called me to play drums so I persevere. I am improving and one day it will become as easy and joyful as my pottery. I don't think it will take as long as the pottery did, as the joy is beginning to come. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EG7AD5hxHj8j-u73fYF-STRW0cVBut8-hYDEJnkLR4XVn5ZlVCKgKOddmX3QAqSgG1ODLQsIcYXPzoZUJxlqoMQJ6gaYpT_jlC_PEPE0VmzrPZIxnuQhyUAG4VQbrFdRSpfhebR3VvM/s1600/black+vase+white+flowers+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EG7AD5hxHj8j-u73fYF-STRW0cVBut8-hYDEJnkLR4XVn5ZlVCKgKOddmX3QAqSgG1ODLQsIcYXPzoZUJxlqoMQJ6gaYpT_jlC_PEPE0VmzrPZIxnuQhyUAG4VQbrFdRSpfhebR3VvM/s1600/black+vase+white+flowers+(2).JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Staying on Etsy was different. I don't know I if I was called to sell on line. When I began my pottery journey someone told me my pottery would reach the world. Online makes this happen. I kept praying and asking God if I should stay online. I kept hearing 'Keep at it, stay the course', so I did. Two years ago I had time to devote to it and this year I rejoined the Etsy Mud Team. This team and my promoting has increased my sales a lot. <br />
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I am thankful that not only do I follow Jesus, but that He guides me in the paths He wants me to go. Doing what Jesus has called me to do is way more fun and easier than following my own path. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-84186602213707447552015-01-01T20:46:00.000-05:002015-01-01T20:46:23.290-05:00Angels From Cards.<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before I made pottery I would make crafts of all sorts. My mother-in-law had this cute angel made from a Christmas card. I decided to make one. I might make more. </div>
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First decide your design then cut out three angels the same from your old Christmas cards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFNlruzbWBGsL_lHRQ8EgPAeV6e6HHHLoIXm1h_8NOItPdHu_KDFnNUa91qLwSgnqkT2wbl90t0uu_jC5q5P_f1C4SML4l-HCeuUGJD0UgLBZTDJh0908CMxeFt7G9IxbTythcAyJyZs/s1600/P_20141231_220712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFNlruzbWBGsL_lHRQ8EgPAeV6e6HHHLoIXm1h_8NOItPdHu_KDFnNUa91qLwSgnqkT2wbl90t0uu_jC5q5P_f1C4SML4l-HCeuUGJD0UgLBZTDJh0908CMxeFt7G9IxbTythcAyJyZs/s1600/P_20141231_220712.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9em_fX_-Zsoo9EVdlVnTAInyw-fQoPSKi8Ds4igJmHyLuuol1nGpPBSVCnTfqgXON1AilRjqzcb8SI47X3DLmBtIEC9UbBOE6CHGdVEkGHPvJCIRyx2855oETFKpZSS_SJ44o6xNjZQ0/s1600/P_20141231_220656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9em_fX_-Zsoo9EVdlVnTAInyw-fQoPSKi8Ds4igJmHyLuuol1nGpPBSVCnTfqgXON1AilRjqzcb8SI47X3DLmBtIEC9UbBOE6CHGdVEkGHPvJCIRyx2855oETFKpZSS_SJ44o6xNjZQ0/s1600/P_20141231_220656.jpg" /> </a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCchKGvEuvrvNjCj2lM-Jy1AH83MPV8dRXaxTleeNeQcQpLSFT4OXCmdWQtQKnZq5pfMOe2sFH-a87nGbfBiGqEH8RJDB5PRmewEUjAXYhawSL-fpmoydBjexU_GtsFCeOvXLl0MQGcd8/s1600/P_20141231_221047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCchKGvEuvrvNjCj2lM-Jy1AH83MPV8dRXaxTleeNeQcQpLSFT4OXCmdWQtQKnZq5pfMOe2sFH-a87nGbfBiGqEH8RJDB5PRmewEUjAXYhawSL-fpmoydBjexU_GtsFCeOvXLl0MQGcd8/s1600/P_20141231_221047.jpg" /></a>Fold the angels in half, fronts together. Staple or glue half of one angel back to another angel back at the fold mark, matching the wings and body. Then glue the third angels back to the back of the two angels. You can put sparkly pipe cleaner on the head for an halo. Sew or glue a thread on the head to hang it on the Christmas tree or stand them on your shelf.<br />
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Use your creativity to decorate it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh046OytEtJWG-tb7CzW94XzKEeRRPgz1mxnx5QrwuM5u8F_IF0lSqtltevH0z2-u36BIJfogzWYO-KBSbQmpHwTlJojOFUtfjyeSE0DhSM4Ry5UUMqn4ydj0jSHFg6T_dGk1L5P0Xgn7s/s1600/DSC_7696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh046OytEtJWG-tb7CzW94XzKEeRRPgz1mxnx5QrwuM5u8F_IF0lSqtltevH0z2-u36BIJfogzWYO-KBSbQmpHwTlJojOFUtfjyeSE0DhSM4Ry5UUMqn4ydj0jSHFg6T_dGk1L5P0Xgn7s/s1600/DSC_7696.JPG" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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First I made a mold for the bowl. I lined a large cardboard box with plastic and put a hard plastic bowl upside down in it. The bowl came from the dollar store. I lightly coated the bowl and box with Murphy's oil soap which made it easier to come off the plaster.<br />
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The mixed plaster needs to be poured slowing into the box mold to limit air bubbles. The plaster was bought at a pottery supply place. Follow the directions on the plaster bag. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP55DzXf_86BjXx23Ig1CAPMngqmEdqEW0ctswXHJlw7UdnDWCgkr3E3G5IlTnnujH9LUZKTZg8kMVZ0K9Nhx7EhoJEuBCBLF_4pfUhUsFkyvamJQahD_jQSDVlQnxQ8W4h9rH8Up14DM/s1600/DSC_7695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP55DzXf_86BjXx23Ig1CAPMngqmEdqEW0ctswXHJlw7UdnDWCgkr3E3G5IlTnnujH9LUZKTZg8kMVZ0K9Nhx7EhoJEuBCBLF_4pfUhUsFkyvamJQahD_jQSDVlQnxQ8W4h9rH8Up14DM/s1600/DSC_7695.JPG" height="320" width="315" /></a>I put enough plaster to cover the bowl then put a coat hanger shaped in a circle over the plaster. The wire reinforces the plaster. A second batch of plaster was made which was poured over the first plaster in the mold. Plaster sets up fast so only make small batches. I was too slow with the first batch and it set up in the bucket.<br />
<br />
Let the plaster cure for a day before taking it out of the mold.<br />
<br />
My mold is quite heavy so I leave it on a shelf to make the bowls. <br />
<br />
Making The Bowl<br />
<br />
I first turn a bottomless cylinder. This becomes the base.<br />
<br />
I roll out a large piece of clay that has been wedged, with no air pockets. It is laid in the plaster mold. With a soft rib I smooth the clay into the plaster mold. By this time it is dry enough to flute the edges, if desired.<br />
<br />
<br />
The plaster dries the clay quickly. When the clay is leather hard I take it out of the mold, turn it upside down on foam, for protection.<br />
<br />
When the base is leather hard cut the top of the base at an angle and place it on the bowl. This gives it more surface to attach it to and fit the bottom of the bowl. You might want to place a bubble level on it to make sure it will sit level. Mark where the base will fit. Slip and score the bowl and base. Attach the base to the bowl.<br />
<br />
You can put a coil on the inside of the turned base to secure to the bowl. Flip it over and dry it under plastic. <br />
<br />
Decorate it any way you want to. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-33825704535075525932014-12-31T18:35:00.000-05:002014-12-31T18:35:31.325-05:00Family and Christmas VisitsChristmas and just being busy, mostly selling my pottery has kept me away from my giving thanks. <br />
<br />
Lets see how this year goes with it.<br />
<br />
I am thankful for all the sales of my pottery at local Christmas craft shows, local people and my Etsy account.<br />
<br />
I am thankful that we were able to visit our daughter, son in law and grandchildren during Christmas and my father, his wife, siblings and Dave's step mother after Christmas. <br />
<br />
Now I am thankful for peace and quiet to re-corporate for all the visiting and eating. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-32236581787904384702014-12-23T14:47:00.000-05:002015-01-11T13:53:52.650-05:00Bethlehem Trek<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Written below is my experience of our Bethlehem Trek in the
small town of Bala Ontario, Canada. Animals listed were real ones, including the
dead fish for sale at the market.</div>
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Saturday Dec 6 we were summoned by Cesar Augustus to return
to the land of our fathers , King David, to be counted in a census and pay our
taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
At 6 p.m. we arrived to join the line where it all began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stars twinkled above on this clear night
and the moon shone to light our way as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we
inched toward the door of the great hall (community center).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the distanced we could see the doors of
the great hall<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>open and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>group of travelers were ushered into a place
of warmth before the door closed again.</div>
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Although we waited <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for 1 ½ hours it did not seem long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night was mild and we passed the time
conversing with the other travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some lived nearby, others had already traveled a great distance.
Children <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bundled up slid down the local
snow banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carolers from the Mennonite
church and the local<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bethlehem choir sang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
Occasionally a servants would walk down the road and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>call out “Camel coming, make room”. Sometimes
there was even a caravan of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 or 4
camels, (cars)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>Finally we stood on the steps of the great
hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would be next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doors opened and Dave and I were let in
with the rest of our family,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 or 5 teen
girls,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a mother, father and their 2
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
The gate keeper gave us our Census paper, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and said, “You are from the family of David. Most
importantly , do not loose your Census paper. The Roman soldiers could demand
it at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loose it you will not be let in and not counted, and risk jail time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are family number
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go in take seat, enjoy the
carolers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you see the servant
holding up Roman numeral<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>II, join your
family at the back door. It should take about ½ an hour.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We enjoyed </span>the Mennonite choir and sang carols with the Bethlehem choir. The majesty told us of
the baby that was born that night to come save us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The servant held up plaque number XIV, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then XV and so on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How high did the numbers go, I wondered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time pasted quickly. Dave said, “Number one, we’re next”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our small, but poor
family gathered at the back where we met our sister Naomi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naomi greeted us and we greeted each other before <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>we set
out on our long journey to Bethlehem<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naomi made sure we had our tax papers, she had the money for the tax
collectors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
No sooner had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>began
then we were met by a friendly guard. “Who goes there and where do you travel.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“I am Naomi and this is my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are on our way to Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know how long it will take?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“Many days, five or six. You best be on you way”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>answered the guard. We bid him goodbye and
continued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We met many people and saw wondrous things on our trek.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
A young couple, Abigail and Zachariah invited us into their
humble home for bite to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
donkey <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>waited outside to carry Abigail
to Bethlehem for she was with child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naomi politely declined their offer for we needed to hurry on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
A servant came out to greet us on the road lit with
lanterns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My Maters are following a start to Bethlehem, to worship a baby the new king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would like to speak to
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">"We are also going to Bethlehem, but we have not seen a star," Naomi said to the servant.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the table in front of the 3 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kings were gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One king spoke, "We have come from the east and are following the star, spoke about many years ago. We have come to worship the new born king and bring him these gifts.” They showed us the gifts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gold for a king, myrrh and Frankincense for
his burial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange they would bring
perfumes to prepare a body for burial to a new born baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We warmed ourselves by their fire, bowed goodbye and continued.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, in the heavens, a bright light shown and host of
angels sang 'Glory to God on The High'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beautiful, wonderful no words can describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the road Roman shoulders,
beat their swords upon their shields, "Halt! Show us your paper’s,” one stabbed his sword at the children and coarsely asked, “Is that your name on your paper.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they saw that are papers were in good order
they allowed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us to continue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We came upon a Sheppard tending his flock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The Sheppard greeted us. “I raise sheep for the Jewish sacrifice
to our God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must be perfect for
God, no disease, sore or blemishes. “ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>three in his pen looked plump and healthy with their thick winter wool
coats, perfect for sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
With great excitement and joy the Sheppard said, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“While tending our flocks a brilliant host of angels appear in the sky singing “glory to God on high.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told us 'fear not for we bring you good news. A baby was born in a manger who
is the Messiah'. For generations we have passed on the story of the Messiah who
will come to rescue us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>puzzled. “We thought our Messiah would come as
a man and rescue us from the tyranny of the Roman empire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came as a infant baby.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We bid him good-by and continued on our journey anxious to
see the baby so many spoke of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Finally we arrived at Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gate to the city was guarded by Roman
soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who goes there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they
demanded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Naomi , who had fallen behind the young girls stepped
forward and said,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am the head of the
family and we are a few from the house of David.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“If you are the leader, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>why are these people in front of you? You are not
a very good leader.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guard jabbed his
sword at our teenage girls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“Their legs are much younger than mine and walk faster than
I do, sir,” quickly replied Naomi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“Line up in single file, “ commanded the soldier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quickly!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were tired and did not move quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<br />
“Over there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he pointed to a
building with two officials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They will
stamp your papers and collect the taxes.” We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>filed through the gate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Naomi stepped to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How many have you,” asked the tax man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“16.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“That will be 32 denaro.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Naomi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stammered, “
Sir I was told it would cost one dinaro, per person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only have 16 dinaros.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are but a poor family.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The tax collector was probably tired too, for many people
had come that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Step forward. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show me your papers so I may stamp them." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
One by one we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>laid
our paper on the table. I jumped when the guard’s sword came swiftly upon my
sisters paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Upside down,” he
shouted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned it the right way,
got it stamped and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>entered the market.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Merchants sold their wares in booths, along the road.
Dressed chickens hung <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>up and live ones
in their cages at the poultry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>man’s stall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lady was trying to sell three goats to a
fellow <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>traveler . I only saw two
goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps one was in the barn, or she
was not being truthful, gouging the cost of goats due to the multitude of
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“Fresh fish, get your fresh fish here,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called another vendor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“These fish look frozen not fresh,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“The cold night air froze them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main selection looked to be large mouth
bass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
A young maiden across the lane sold grains, fresh fruit and
vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m and hungry after this
long journey, but I have no money. “ I told her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
She was sympathetic with me. “The Romans do take our money
for their taxes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I moved on to the merchant with his copper pans and oil
lamps. Compared to our clay pots back home these were well crafted and
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh for a souvenir to bring
back home, I wished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept moving and
saw two ponies tied to a fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were
they for sale or perhaps as travelers transportation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Naomi gathered us together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At last we found the Inn, a warm place to sleep and food in our
bellies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Inn keeper stuck his head out the door. He scanned us
weary travelers. “I am so sorry, but there is no room in the inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Roman soldiers and their horses have
taken up every square inch I have.” We thanked him for being kind, hung our heads and traveled
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Up above was the glow of a warm fire pit. A prophet greeted us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We warmed by the fire as he spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have great news to tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow the star,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he pointed to it. “and you shall find a baby
in a manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the messiah which was
told in the book of Isaiah.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The long journey and the many things we had heard along our
travels, were true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up ahead was the
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary and Joseph quietly sat
watching the baby Jesus asleep in the manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We could not help but sing Away in a Manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lowly cow bedded down eating his grain on
one side of the stable. A sheep looked on from the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our journey was almost at the end. Naomi told us the wonders of why
Jesus came to this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could find His peace if we worshiped Him like the Wise Men did.<br />
<br />
At last we
found rest in our hearts and in a inn, (the arena).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was crowded, but we were able to get a
refreshment of hot chocolate and a cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tables were full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bench
along the wall was comfort enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
of our neighbors were resting too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Talking to familiar people was a refreshment in itself after this long
but joyous journey.<br />
<br />
I pray you will find the peace that Jesus brings. </div>
the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-72474139230721094442014-12-12T19:47:00.000-05:002014-12-12T19:47:12.972-05:00Follow God - Enjoy Life I opened my Etsy store April 2009. In September 2009 we moved to a brand new community, 2 1/2 hours drive from where we had lived for 33 years. <br />
<br />
During the next 3 years I promoted my Etsy shop the best I could. Learning how Etsy works, finding my way around this new town and working on our new home was a challenge. God directed us to a new church and I became involved in the art community. New people, missing my old friends, new everything, my time was stretched. <br />
<br />
Our new to us home was not landscaped. Good thing I enjoy gardening and landscaping. Our basement was an uninsulated apartment, which we gutted to converted into my pottery studio and a family room. The workshop for my motorcycle mechanic husband was only a shell, no concrete floor, insulation or drywall. Now it is a heated insulated workshop, with a flour, drywall and paint. We built a garage to keep our cars out of the winter elements. Clearing snow and scraping ice off the windshield is not my favorite activity. These were only a few of the renovations we did to make this house our home.<br />
<br />
Five years have come and gone. There are more projects we want to tackle, but now we can slow down and breathe. Last year, 2013 I finally had time to promote my Etsy shop and get more involved in the teams I had joined.<br />
<br />
I've been making pottery since 2003. It takes less time to make my pottery and the quality has much improved. Very little of it goes back in the bucket.<br />
<br />
This fall I took stock of where I want to go with my pottery. <br />
<br />
Now that I can make my bowls, mug and toothbrush holders quicker I have more time to be creative with my pieces.<br />
<br />
When I began to make pottery I made a whimsical pig. A friend told me this is what God wants me to make, but I was too busy learning how to make good pottery to get creative with it. <br />
<br />
That time is now at hand to take God's direction. My mind has been designing decorative whimsical pottery. Excitement is building. It must come out my head, through my hands into the clay. The more decorative pottery I make the more my imagination creates and the more fun I have. The joy of the Lord is my strength.<br />
<br />
God created us to enjoy life and when we are following Him our life is enjoyable.<br />
<br />
Next year will be a new beginning with new pottery for my Etsy site and to sell locally. Next week I'll fire in the kiln my first load of fun pottery. I can't wait to see where this new direction will take me.<br />
<br />
A sneak preview. These are two plates waiting to be bisque fired.<br />
But they are not completed. <img alt="" class="jm-O-x" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wZEvMfMfuGCBFMzxENq2Fb2BvVLA4Lpfjh7O9ohY213Il3Jt_IpR23qt_ZImrUZ3XG5S7lOISDLb_1togJRT6gDxZU8mhOn_ziiUt5lo3-Zr8eESx1pu14aX1TR42l1ZqKkyd8G3Y5Q/h120/DSC_8777.JPG" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; top: 0px; transform: rotate(0deg); width: 180px;" />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-86844853999604927352014-11-27T10:19:00.000-05:002014-11-27T10:19:21.645-05:00Busy Weekend With FamilyWhat a busy weekend.<br />
<br />
I am thankful for the finances, energy and our car to be able to do what we did this past weekend.<br />
<br />
For a week we took care of our daughter's two large dogs. Friday morning we drove north for two hours to take them home and picked up our beef. We split a cow with our daughter and her family. It was good to spend some time with Liz, Rich and Sarah. We even got to pick Sarah up at day care. She was quite puzzled that Grandma came instead of Mom or Dad.<br />
<br />
We came home around 9:30. I put a pot of beans in the slow cooker, had a shower and flopped into bed. So thankful for cozy bed with a good mattress. <br />
<br />
The alarm buzzed at 6:00 on a Saturday. Ten minutes later we were heading to church, with my pot of beans, to serve our community breakfast. Other than doing laundry, my Saturday afternoon was resting until our next trip.<br />
<br />
Just after 5 p.m. we were back in the car heading south to the Toronto airport to have dinner with our younger daughter and her family, who just flew home from a holiday in China. They had a 4 hours to kill before their flight home to Fredericton, N.B. Any time we can spend with them is good, even this short supper at the airport.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning we were up early again, not as early as Saturday, and off to church for worship practice. Practice went well and so did my drumming during the service. I'm trying not get nervous when I play, works better this way.<br />
<br />
Sunday afternoon more time to rest before we headed back to church for 6 p.m. We ended a video series on marriage. <br />
<br />
These past few days I've been slowing cleaning the house, which is desperately needed after the two dogs, one that sheds lots of fur. I even managed to get some pottery made, something I haven't done for a month or so. <br />
<br />
Despite this life is slowing down for me. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-67346409338959069552014-11-20T15:59:00.003-05:002014-11-20T16:11:19.392-05:00Angle Tree Reece's RainbowChristmas is a the time for giving and many organizations ask us who are more fortunate to give.<br />
<br />
I have added a new widget to my blog. The Reeces's Rainbow Angel Tree. This organization finds adoptive homes for children with downs syndrome. They have no family and would like one. Many of the families wanting to adopt can't afford it. The Angel Tree helps to raise money for these families allowing many children to have parents and place to call home.<br />
<br />
I am thankful and privileged to live in a blessed country and to have healthy children and grandchildren. <br />
<br />
If you can help please click on the angle tree to the right. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-73647037712045755252014-11-12T19:22:00.000-05:002014-11-12T19:22:27.827-05:00CurtainsWhile cooking supper I was wondering what I should be thankful for. Many little and everyday items for sure, but something different. <br />
<br />
The sun was setting behind the snow clouds and snow squalls were swirling about the air. I closed the curtains so I didn't have to look at it. Curtains also hide the black night from me.<br />
<br />
Curtains, that is what I am thankful for today. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-57567263337231776652014-11-11T20:23:00.000-05:002014-11-11T20:23:27.792-05:00Be Careful What You ThinkWhen I moved to the Muskoka area I began selling my pottery in craft shows. Sales were good, especially since I hardly sold anything in Sudbury. Then in June of 2013 sales went down and have stayed down, until this past weekend.<br />
<br />
At times I wondered why I was even making and selling pottery. If I didn't love it and know God had called me to this it wouldn't be worth it.<br />
<br />
This fall I had lots of pottery left over, which meant I can make other things I've not had time to do. So many ideas float around in my head. Therefore I wasn't discouraged to have left over pottery. <br />
<br />
This weekend I decided not to fear accepting Visa and Master Card. I accept this on my laptop and have had problems with it, just getting to know how the system works. Now I know how it works which has given me confidence to display my credit card sign, instead of hiding it.<br />
<br />
I had a bad habit of judging how much money I would make in a weekend. Of course I can't tell the future and I didn't make what I thought I would. This summer I decided to stop doing this. <br />
<br />
When doing a show your sales should be 10 times what your pay for the show. I came close once by making 9 times the fee. Most times it is 2 to 5 times the fee. <br />
<br />
This past weekend, in one of my regular shows, my sales were just over 10 times what my booth fee was. I even sold one of hand painted platters. <br />
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<br />
The bible says we reap what we sow. Think positive and your life is positive. Step by step I am doing this. the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-12635176180125195932014-11-05T20:45:00.000-05:002014-11-05T20:45:56.046-05:00Creativity My Way<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekIBQNAmYo-axTIII6tjWZHsCDfIS4uHJMEGjQEx6J8XzfgVN_VQvhIGVoAZ6ZY0SlSylYUwyTHyRfdaaUx0m9JQUj6_iic5bRaIGqqTSRl62UaGONrMVRRSLwzqeb-VkUEUhjRv9jM/s1600/10583779_839639996066905_1821095406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzGzbqu_PspnJ5v8LitvGrwdY4BECcbha2TgO0EJp5KjY-DezawixWU-Csz4JP6kVB1_TcDRMoSw4aRS0PlhShkcGomLtpVXWscofaIqmyoNpdkVYuiyWLbOeEvVPDPhyDoJlt2yNuc4/s1600/10754767_839644522733119_1929509435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzGzbqu_PspnJ5v8LitvGrwdY4BECcbha2TgO0EJp5KjY-DezawixWU-Csz4JP6kVB1_TcDRMoSw4aRS0PlhShkcGomLtpVXWscofaIqmyoNpdkVYuiyWLbOeEvVPDPhyDoJlt2yNuc4/s1600/10754767_839644522733119_1929509435_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
Opening and unloading my kiln of glazed pottery is like opening Christmas presents on Christmas morning. I know what I have made but funny things happen in the kiln and I never know how the pottery will turned out. Some pieces might not turn out the way I would like and occasionally the odd piece is tossed in the garbage. That did happen today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFrV6nHyHLgWquVS910HDxzOpvusUJBRb-c3CkykNzv2h1MzAfFktSn4owUM8JkJjS0W1fDACPZxGAe6A6QzZSnX8kyngxqZSkhDQSuGmmAbWf3VuiTlMst8iAXl3Zdux35g7RSjKRH0/s1600/10751752_839636266067278_1935306603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFrV6nHyHLgWquVS910HDxzOpvusUJBRb-c3CkykNzv2h1MzAfFktSn4owUM8JkJjS0W1fDACPZxGAe6A6QzZSnX8kyngxqZSkhDQSuGmmAbWf3VuiTlMst8iAXl3Zdux35g7RSjKRH0/s1600/10751752_839636266067278_1935306603_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_akZ1hMtUlKr79ccNO3lUVb57SgRdosD2DW_YcYK5i37CdHwsbBb7LjQLy-atIPrQ3oRZPYc6c5VHSyHObs4EB1WpVvRJZAiTtlmZt74WWLx2gd_lFQEZ1VLNHD5BUhTkF5oLzoDECk/s1600/10754874_839644776066427_475614690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_akZ1hMtUlKr79ccNO3lUVb57SgRdosD2DW_YcYK5i37CdHwsbBb7LjQLy-atIPrQ3oRZPYc6c5VHSyHObs4EB1WpVvRJZAiTtlmZt74WWLx2gd_lFQEZ1VLNHD5BUhTkF5oLzoDECk/s1600/10754874_839644776066427_475614690_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>As soon as I opened my kiln I noticed that one of my frog platters moved too close to a pitcher. They were fused together like a marriage. Fortunately I was able to break them apart with minimal damage. The platter is fine and there is a couple of unglazed spots on the pitcher. That can be reglazed and fired again, unlike my frog and mouse platter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6vC1DO76Qm1DsQNkgY8-P-C5oDt4QDYeJzP4Kw8E21JOFS4gqRvaM7dazwYfQiUvpd3sJwM4aPamcpj4JZEAruvA2v1-HI7Cwpg7ClH-g3VbQXSHYDsT-A8jUCVobMf-mnoeSLNxoBg/s1600/10805116_839637366067168_860502833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6vC1DO76Qm1DsQNkgY8-P-C5oDt4QDYeJzP4Kw8E21JOFS4gqRvaM7dazwYfQiUvpd3sJwM4aPamcpj4JZEAruvA2v1-HI7Cwpg7ClH-g3VbQXSHYDsT-A8jUCVobMf-mnoeSLNxoBg/s1600/10805116_839637366067168_860502833_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgzBLoQoZdHNHlevR5uKLpbH0xkMGFkmvc24C0KYAucni7r5DK4i9updii-zJe5lq2dX2uJ2Nm2nj580mYx8SWb1lgxp6HZdW7ovmSG30mup0zmJObfRxzN8FQ70DAb4XBhojKkBUyhs/s1600/10385075_839644399399798_1724296761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgzBLoQoZdHNHlevR5uKLpbH0xkMGFkmvc24C0KYAucni7r5DK4i9updii-zJe5lq2dX2uJ2Nm2nj580mYx8SWb1lgxp6HZdW7ovmSG30mup0zmJObfRxzN8FQ70DAb4XBhojKkBUyhs/s1600/10385075_839644399399798_1724296761_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Two places on the edges of the frog platter came apart. As I was cleaning the bottom of the mouse platter I noticed a crack on it. Grabbing both ends I gave it a tug. CRACK! Now I had two mice platters. Unfortunately these were two of my better platters.<br />
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The rest of the kiln turned out fine. I will have them for sale at this weekend at the Christmas Craft show in Huntsville and next weekend at the sports complex in Bracebridge. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekIBQNAmYo-axTIII6tjWZHsCDfIS4uHJMEGjQEx6J8XzfgVN_VQvhIGVoAZ6ZY0SlSylYUwyTHyRfdaaUx0m9JQUj6_iic5bRaIGqqTSRl62UaGONrMVRRSLwzqeb-VkUEUhjRv9jM/s1600/10583779_839639996066905_1821095406_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekIBQNAmYo-axTIII6tjWZHsCDfIS4uHJMEGjQEx6J8XzfgVN_VQvhIGVoAZ6ZY0SlSylYUwyTHyRfdaaUx0m9JQUj6_iic5bRaIGqqTSRl62UaGONrMVRRSLwzqeb-VkUEUhjRv9jM/s1600/10583779_839639996066905_1821095406_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
One of my joys is taking raw clay and creating what ever is on my mind. So thankful God directed me into my calling.
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Before I had lazer eye surgery I wore soft contact lenses. Every evening I would put my contacts in a solution of hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes, then store them in a sailing solution with a disk at the bottom of the container that dissolved the hydrogen peroxide. You don't want to forget this step and put lenses sitting in hydrogen peroxide in your eye. You can't get them out fast enough. I know this from experience.<br />
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One evening, thinking I had been to sleep for a several hours, I got up to go to the bathroom. After I go pee, I fumble in the dark, at the sink, feeling for the glass to get a drink. I always do this. What goes out must come in. This one evening, in the dark I was running my hand around the counter hoping it would stumble upon the glass. I knocked over my contact case. Now I had to turn on the light and replace the sailing solution that had spilled out of the container. My contacts were still sitting in the hydrogen peroxide. I had forgotten to put them in the sailing solution. If I noticed this in the morning I would not be able to where them for a while and we were heading on a trip first thing in the morning. <br />
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I noticed that I had only been asleep for the few minutes, not the hours as I thought. God knew my nightly habit and that I would want to wear my lenses as soon as I got up. It wasn't something that I needed, but wanted. God cared about my wants to took care of them. <br />
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I have had many times when God has done something small for me and it happened the other day.<br />
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I like to garden, but I don't relish doing the fall clean up when it is cold and wet, especially when my hands and gloves are wet and cold. The other day it was snowing and my calla lilies were still in my huge pottery pot. If the pot wasn't emptied the wet soil would freeze and break my pot. <br />
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A friend had recently given Dave a pair of diving dry gloves. They were too small for him and too small for Dave and too big for me. Sounds like Goldi Locks' dilemma. We were going to give them to our son-in-law, Rich, who teaches scuba diving. He might know someone whom they would fit.<br />
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With the snow falling I put on my winter coat and these gloves and took my calla lilies out of the pot. My hands stayed dry and warm. All I had to do was run them under the tap to wash them. Sorry Rich I am keeping this gift from a friend, which I am thankful for. <br />
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<br />the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4156221077296823722.post-24294453610778950942014-10-31T21:03:00.000-04:002014-10-31T21:03:01.282-04:00Enjoy Your Work<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was in my basement making my three color pitchers and enjoying it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It has been 13 years since I began to make pottery. When I first began I made a few sculpture pieces, then I learned to turn on the wheel. For many years the learning curve was frustrating. I had to back up from the creativity and just make pottery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">They say it takes 12 years to be a good potter. I am sure that is full time and I only make pottery part time, despite that I can now make functional pottery, both hand built and turned on the wheel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now I that I have the function of making pottery down I can get back to being creative. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As I was making the pitchers and loving it I realized when God has called you to do something it doesn't matter if you make $100,000 or enough to pay for your hobby. Enjoying your work is more important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My father always said to get a job you love doing as you will spend most of your life doing it. Too many people have a job to pay the bills. They are not happy and can live a stressful life. I wonder how much better our world would be if everyone worked at what they loved? </span>the butlers potteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13366829484472420949noreply@blogger.com0