Play Ball!

This past week (okay, really this past four months) have been a blur of baseball, softball and tournaments. And that also means that I have cooked only a handful of times. If it is not driving through someplace we can usually be found eating at ballpark food. Thankfully, we have an awesome concession stand at the parks we play at and we can all find something we like.

I never used to like baseball. I thought it was slow and boring. But now that I have children that play it, and a family culture immersed in it, I love it. It is my favorite game to watch. And the people that we have come to know through this fine organization are like our 'summer family' the ones that I look forward to seeing all year long.

My son, Rocket, has been playing baseball since one very cold and icy day in April when the temperature outside hovered around the freezing mark with a windchill of whattheheck. This weekend for the tournament in Fond du Lac the weather will be in the mid-90s and likely sweltering. (There goes the super cute hairstyle that I just got tonight.)

Rocket's school ball team was undefeated, 8-0. 

Rocket's favorite position and one that he plays nearly every inning this year.

Then as soon as the school ball is done the rec ball is right on its heels. On Wednesday night Rocket and the Angels played for the consolation game and pulled it out in two extra innings to a win over the Athletics with a score of 12-6. Another medal for the trophy case.

This is what determination looks like.

Tiny Dancer even played ball again this summer. She didn't want to. She kicked and screamed (okay, more like she crabbed and pouted), but she did it. She ended up playing shortstop and third base and pitcher. She even did a little catching, just like her brother. And despite what she might say, she loved it. 

Getting that release down just right for the fastpitch takes a lot of concentration!

She forgets each year that there are some really cool girls that play softball. And on Tuesday night Tiny Dancer and the Cubs took it all the way and won the league championship. Now a smiling #4 has one particularly badass trophy.

Just like her big brother and could be just as good!

 But wait! There's more!

Tiny Dancer was voted by her peers to play in the All Star game. On Thursday her team the West was beat by the East by a rousing score of 5-6. It was a good game and capped off a great year. Plus she got another trophy and a t-shirt with her name on it.

Put it in play!

And this weekend we gear up for the 5th of 6 traveling ball tournaments that Rocket will play in. The traveling teams each year have been selected from the eligible players who make it to the All Star game for the boys league. Rocket has been playing with most of these same boys since he was nine.

 

But this year the boys are in what is called the Pony League (don't ask me why). And they have to try out. His team is the Nationals and they are the top 12 players who tried out. So pretty much those same kids are back at it again. And they are good. Okay. I am a mom of #8 and I think he is pretty special, but they really do have a pretty awesome thing going.

You see through four straight tournaments this year these boys have not lost one single game. Their record: 18-0. Last year their record was 16-4 and they have already bested themselves. Of course the hope is that they can keep that streak alive through this tournament in Fond du Lac and cap it off with a win in our home tournament at the end of the month. This might very well be the best season ever for one of the Plover tournaments. Certainly something that doesn't happen too often and that has a certain magic about it.

But even if they don't win all their games, they are a significantly talented, and fine bunch of young men that I have had the privilege of witnessing their transformation through the years.

Probably since my husband is the head coach (of not only the traveling team, but the rec league for Rocket and for Tiny Dancer, the 9-10 girls coordinator and the school ball coach) I have the honor of spending time in the dugout. I take a TON of pictures... my favorites are always of the close plays, the dirt flying, the spectacular catch and running down the line from base to base. Each year I do something with all these pictures for the families. I think that they have come to rely on it.  In fact, some don't even bring their cameras out anymore.

I have done slide shows with Smilebox (which is cool that you can send them to anyone and even download all pictures to print yourself) and last year I did photo collages for all the boys to frame.

Rocket's photo collage from the 2010 season

 But this year, with the special record and even more remarkable young men, I am thinking of doing something different. I think that I will try my hand at a writing a book.

I know. You thought that my first book would be all about jewelry. (Don't worry. I am working my way into that). I think that this will be pretty special, because I can do it all myself (control freak that I can be) with a little help from Blurb.

Never heard of Blurb? I read about them about 4 years ago and it was pretty cutting edge back then. I even downloaded the software and started a book back then but never finished it. I have since seen a book done by my friend Rainy and the process and quality is outstanding. Self-publishing has never been easier and you don't have to have a minimum run to do it. You can take your wedding photos, your child's drawings with their own story, or your favorite vacation photos. So, I plan to make a book about these boys of summer. 

The cool thing about a Blurb book, is that you do it all yourself, they provide the templates and software. You pick your size and different options and then when you publish it you can make it available to anyone who might like to buy it and you can even make a little profit on it. I think that Blurb (and I know that there are other such services out there now) is pretty fantastic. The possibilities are endless! I have always thought that would make a nice way to showcase a years worth of jewelry, like a 'look book' I think they call them, of my best work. And I should surely add a section to 2010 about my Gallery Q exhibit pieces. What a great way to recall the pieces I love most and have a portable portfolio of my work to share, as well as watch the evolution of design. I am going to give that some thought.

As I discover more about the Blurb process I will share them with you. But I am really excited about this and think that it will be a great memory for this special team in case this team is not the same next year or the year after. So that no matter where these boys take us we will always remember this one season that could be the most special yet.

Now is the time to make those memories stick. And hopefully next week, in our one and only bye week, I will have a chance to get the Blurb book started and get back into the Tesori Trovati of it all. (But I am not holding my breath on that last one. ;-)

Play ball!

Your turn...

Have you ever made one of the Blurb books? Share your experience!

What is your favorite team sport to watch? Is there anyone you know personally playing on a rec, school or professional level?

Do you love to eat ballpark food? If so, what is your favorite?

Summer Escapes

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I was one of the fortunate recipients of the Chinook Jewelry design team challenge for this month. My friend Mellisa makes the most lovely pieces of ceramic art. Mini-masterpieces is what they are. They are so fine and delicate, but she assures me that they are very hearty indeed. I have always loved the architectural details on her pieces and her glazes are some of the best.

I put them in two spots on my Muffin Tin Challenge. I just got wind of this challenge from Heather Powers on Art Bead Scene yesterday so I am a bit behind, and I can assure you that I will NOT be completing 12 pieces before the 27th. That is crazy-talk. But I do like the idea of having some kick starts for my inspiration, or projects that I committed to right there in plain view. I cleared out these two pieces and already have replaced them with others. I think that I will continue to keep 12 pieces in rotation until I run out of beads or inspiration (that would be a never people! Do you remember what my stash from just THIS YEAR's Bead & Button looked like?).

Back to the projects...

The first piece I worked with is a sweet green button with the hint of an ancient floral pattern on it. I love the color of the glaze, somewhere between a sage and a teal. When I was at Bead & Button, one of the things I stocked up on were pewter components. Given the soaring price of silver, and the fact that I rarely work in sterling but like a little silver now and then, the options that were there were pretty comprehensive. In fact, I saw less of the real silver variety but plenty of shiny silver. They are getting much more fine and detailed in pewter designs these days. So don't be afraid to use them. Just be sure that you label them as such and charge appropriately.

I had this idea to use the bead caps I found without beads. I know, crazy-talk again. But I love the way these flower shapes match up with each other. But how to secure them? I had also bought a bunch of silk strands from Silk Painting is Fun and found a perfect match in my stash. But I didn't just want the green, and I needed another texture. Black leather cord it is! So I just wove this all together and tied some knots. When I got to the button, I flattened one of the bead caps slightly to sit better on the top. This is a two hole button but the holes are covered by the cap. And I love the echo of the floral pattern on the pretty Chinook button.

The other side was the problem. How to end? I thought of just tying this to a little bit of chain and then having a clasp. I just couldn't make the asymmetry work for me on this one. I knew I needed a buttonhole for the clasp and just started stringing 'E' beads and tying more knots. I like the extra texture these glass beads bring. If I were to do this over, I might add some of those glass beads into the design to pull them through.

I call this one "Summer Escape."

I see this as the perfect accompaniment to that little sundress and strappy sandals. Makes me wish that I had someplace fun to go during summer to escape the same old. Maybe I will wear it this weekend at the ballpark. Goes well with hot dogs and popcorn, don't you think?

I will admit that the second piece really stumped me.

Usually Mellisa has these really glossy finishes on her pieces. But this second piece was rough and matte instead of smooth and shiny. That worried me a bit, but I found that it was surprisingly soft to wear. This piece really has the look of some old crumbling Italian villa about it. Or maybe some piece of pottery unearthed at an ancient excavation. The earthy palette is one that is totally in my wheelhouse. And since I am longing for an escape, why not dream big of a villa in Tuscany?

I found a connector from the Vintaj Arte Metal line. What is really cool about these is the finish. It is like blackened steel. But the really fun part is that you can sand and buff them to bring out the highlights like I did here (although it is a bit hard to see at this angle). I found that the pattern complimented the ceramic pendant perfectly.

To add more of that black steel color, I found some chain in my vast bins. And the sandy brown color of the pendant is echoed in the leopard skin jasper twisted tubes. I love that shape as it implies movement. I also brought in a complimentary color in the rust/burgundy of the pearls and the Czech glass rondelles from Raven's Journey. I needed something to balance out the chain, so I added a few links of patterned antique silver large links for some interest. I finished with a clasp I made inspired by what I recently read in the neqw book Handcrafted Wire Findings. This book is SO worth it! I will be using it a lot in the future.

I call this one "Tarquinia." Because I think that and Etrsuscan escape would be the ultimate.

These are both for sale in my Etsy shop.

Thank you to Mellisa for letting me play with her stunning components. She offers so many choices in her shop. Do go and show her some love and tell her Erin sent you. ;-)

Your turn...
Do you prefer your ceramic glazed or naked? 
Do you like shiny or rough as a texture in your designs? What about mixing them?
If you were to escape someplace this summer, where would you go?
Do tell!

Enjoy the day!

Summer Escapes

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I was one of the fortunate recipients of the Chinook Jewelry design team challenge for this month. My friend Mellisa makes the most lovely pieces of ceramic art. Mini-masterpieces is what they are. They are so fine and delicate, but she assures me that they are very hearty indeed. I have always loved the architectural details on her pieces and her glazes are some of the best.

I put them in two spots on my Muffin Tin Challenge. I just got wind of this challenge from Heather Powers on Art Bead Scene yesterday so I am a bit behind, and I can assure you that I will NOT be completing 12 pieces before the 27th. That is crazy-talk. But I do like the idea of having some kick starts for my inspiration, or projects that I committed to right there in plain view. I cleared out these two pieces and already have replaced them with others. I think that I will continue to keep 12 pieces in rotation until I run out of beads or inspiration (that would be a never people! Do you remember what my stash from just THIS YEAR's Bead & Button looked like?).

Back to the projects...

The first piece I worked with is a sweet green button with the hint of an ancient floral pattern on it. I love the color of the glaze, somewhere between a sage and a teal. When I was at Bead & Button, one of the things I stocked up on were pewter components. Given the soaring price of silver, and the fact that I rarely work in sterling but like a little silver now and then, the options that were there were pretty comprehensive. In fact, I saw less of the real silver variety but plenty of shiny silver. They are getting much more fine and detailed in pewter designs these days. So don't be afraid to use them. Just be sure that you label them as such and charge appropriately.

I had this idea to use the bead caps I found without beads. I know, crazy-talk again. But I love the way these flower shapes match up with each other. But how to secure them? I had also bought a bunch of silk strands from Silk Painting is Fun and found a perfect match in my stash. But I didn't just want the green, and I needed another texture. Black leather cord it is! So I just wove this all together and tied some knots. When I got to the button, I flattened one of the bead caps slightly to sit better on the top. This is a two hole button but the holes are covered by the cap. And I love the echo of the floral pattern on the pretty Chinook button.

The other side was the problem. How to end? I thought of just tying this to a little bit of chain and then having a clasp. I just couldn't make the asymmetry work for me on this one. I knew I needed a buttonhole for the clasp and just started stringing 'E' beads and tying more knots. I like the extra texture these glass beads bring. If I were to do this over, I might add some of those glass beads into the design to pull them through.

I call this one "Summer Escape."

I see this as the perfect accompaniment to that little sundress and strappy sandals. Makes me wish that I had someplace fun to go during summer to escape the same old. Maybe I will wear it this weekend at the ballpark. Goes well with hot dogs and popcorn, don't you think?

I will admit that the second piece really stumped me.

Usually Mellisa has these really glossy finishes on her pieces. But this second piece was rough and matte instead of smooth and shiny. That worried me a bit, but I found that it was surprisingly soft to wear. This piece really has the look of some old crumbling Italian villa about it. Or maybe some piece of pottery unearthed at an ancient excavation. The earthy palette is one that is totally in my wheelhouse. And since I am longing for an escape, why not dream big of a villa in Tuscany?

I found a connector from the Vintaj Arte Metal line. What is really cool about these is the finish. It is like blackened steel. But the really fun part is that you can sand and buff them to bring out the highlights like I did here (although it is a bit hard to see at this angle). I found that the pattern complimented the ceramic pendant perfectly.

To add more of that black steel color, I found some chain in my vast bins. And the sandy brown color of the pendant is echoed in the leopard skin jasper twisted tubes. I love that shape as it implies movement. I also brought in a complimentary color in the rust/burgundy of the pearls and the Czech glass rondelles from Raven's Journey. I needed something to balance out the chain, so I added a few links of patterned antique silver large links for some interest. I finished with a clasp I made inspired by what I recently read in the neqw book Handcrafted Wire Findings. This book is SO worth it! I will be using it a lot in the future.

I call this one "Tarquinia." Because I think that and Etrsuscan escape would be the ultimate.

These are both for sale in my Etsy shop.

Thank you to Mellisa for letting me play with her stunning components. She offers so many choices in her shop. Do go and show her some love and tell her Erin sent you. ;-)

Your turn...
Do you prefer your ceramic glazed or naked? 
Do you like shiny or rough as a texture in your designs? What about mixing them?
If you were to escape someplace this summer, where would you go?
Do tell!

Enjoy the day!