Helena c studios

Arts A Flutter Update and Charleston

Hey buddies,

We are waiting anxiously for the mailman to bring Michael's new computer, so I don't have to get up before the birds to have my turn:) Of all times for Michael to be such a dedicated student! LOL

Last week Matt was on vacation, so we took a day and visited Charleston, and our favorite candy shop, with the free samples of gelato, fudge, and pralines~heaven huh?
 
We didn't go to Indigo ,this visit. It is my favorite Charleston gift shop and definitely worth checking out. it was so HOT and we were parked quite a ways away, and our box of Pralines were calling our names. Always a nice treat for the ride home!
Which reminds me, I'm supposed to be working out right now.
I will leave you with a link to my shop on the Arts A Flutter website, and go stalk the mailman for Michael's computer.
Have a great day
Hugs,
Helena

Matthew's Visit and Pottery

Hey buddies,

As always I'm apologizing for not being around, but my baby boy came home for a visit ~actually Matthew's the oldest of my 3 babies, but my baby just the same. We laughed and hung out and ate and swam, it was so good to have the 3 kids together again, and Matthew home for Father's Day. That hasn't happened since before he left for Navy Boot camp.
As of Monday, Matt is now working from home when he isn't traveling, which is really nice and working out well. It amazes me that he has no interruptions when he is working, compared to my nonstop.

I wanted to show you a sort of abstract planter that I created at class weeks ago. I textured it with some thick lace before the first firing. I am glad that so far the plants are thriving since it doesn't hold that much soil.
Matt and I just bought the ingredients to make some new planters. I'll hopefully get some time to make some tomorrow and will share the recipe when and if it turns out:)
I will hopefully be back more often. Michael's computer is heading our way so he won't be doing school work on this one around the clock.
I NEED to, have to, have a giveaway, soon
Hugs,
Helena

Neighbors

Hey buddies,

I would love to show  you a work  in progress, but other than  the garage sale on  Saturday,  getting ready for Matthew's visit Friday (hooray) and floating and playing  in  the pool  I haven't made a darn  thing.
We are off to check out th e sunset, but I wanted to show you who was walking around the neighborhood  last Friday. That is exactly why Michael  and I want to put  in  a water  garden.

I will be making pottery tomorrow, so hopefully I can redeem myself.
Hugs,
Helena

Work In Progress Wednesday

Hey buddies,
A quick hello before the day begins.
It has been  a really fun week  so far. First,Hope's field day on  Monday, and the dolphin watching cruise yesterday  in Hilton Head. I have some pretty sights to share although none of dolphins it seems. We saw many, but I was filming with my camcorder, while watching 10 year olds, and somehow I never took any dolphin pix. Luckily we can go right down the street:)
Last week I decided to bring a wonky plant pot home to work on.. It is sitting on the dining room table covered in plastic making the house look oh  so worthy of a photo shoot. Not really:)
 My garage studio is probably 110 degrees with 100% humidity so I just can't create out there, so the DR table  it  is.
I am hoping after my 20 minute trip to class, and Trevor's 70 mile trip to his studio and kiln that the flowers will stay on..
Below are my latest pieces glazed in  "Floating Blue" We all became a little paranoid after a student's glaze that had been put on too thickly, melted off of her bowl and all over Trevor's kiln. Where you see the bright beautiful blue inside which I prefer, is where it has been put on nice and thick. The outside is only one coat, and not my favorite but I'm sure the plants don't mind.
Shower  time
Hugs,
Helena

PS ~a big Happy Birthday to my nephew  Evan, who turns 15 today!! xoxoxoxoxo

How To End The Day

Hey buddies,

I have been having a computer sharing conflict with Michael since his online classes and online homework take priority to my blogs~gasp.
I think it is time one of us gets a new computer:)
I wanted to share what we did last Saturday, it was so amazing and I can't believe right down the street people live like this, including my buddy Cindy!! And one of these days us!!
After a very fun pool party and cook out, we left the men playing golf, hopped on the golf cart with 3 girls and 2 dogs, and headed across the street to this dream lot.

We looked for sharks teeth and crabs on the beach, I left a 3 ft long skid in the mud while trying to take the photos below, I didn't fall so that's a plus, but it was close. ha
Then we sat on the floating dock and watched the dolphins feeding only 3-4 feet away from us!!

This is 4 lots down from the marina where the shrimp boat scenes were filmed on Forest Gump. (I am aware that I talk way too much about that movie ha)
Well I am about to be late for pottery class so better get going.
Have a great day
Hugs,
Helena

Coastal Pottery Tiles

Hey buddies,

This crazy week is winding down and only 2 more to go before Hope is officially on summer vacation!! I'm as excited as she is.

Yesterday she performed in her first strings performance playing cello along with her strings class and others from area schools. She had so much fun and all of the kids did such a great job.
Today she performed again at the Volunteer appreciation breakfast.
After wards, I headed to pottery class and glazed my wonky plant pots with my favorite "Floating Blue glaze," and got to take home my beachy tiles. I'm not sure what I will do with them but was told about a website that sells cheese boards etc to add the tiles to, so I will have to check it out.

Other than that I've done a little bit of drftwood carving and that's it on the creative end of things.
I am off to get Hope from school.
Have a great afternoon.
Hugs,
Helena

A Pottery Bird Feeder

Hey buddies,
I just got home from another fun morning at pottery class.
Today I glazed the beachy tiles that I showed you a few posts ago and started on a new plant pot.
I have another that I was going to show you but it looks so crooked and barely fit for a plant, so I am hoping once glazed I will want to share:)
Here is a bird feeder that I made in my first class, glazed with "Floating Blue glaze." Ya never know how it will look after it is fired which is part of the fun for me.
I pressed tulle all over for the texture and then pressed little pine sprigs into the clay.
When I took this shot I was looking down at it and you can't really see the handles. I need to get some chain so that I can hang it.
 Any other hanging suggestions drop me an email or comment pretty please.
The sun has decided not to shine in SC most of the week, but I will try to get a side shot of this feeder....

I'm back, I had the cat on my shoulder and the pup in my lap while trying to take this picture, so it will have to do for now.:)

Have a great day,
Hugs,
Helena

Planting Palm Trees

Hey buddies,
Hope everyone had a great weekend.
I wanted to show you our new palm tree, a Sable Palmetto that we got at Outdoor Gardens in Okatie, SC.

Hope looks pretty pleased standing next to it:)

The most shocking thing was how fast it was planted. Matt was rushing home from work with a 45 minute drive and they were gone in about 30 minutes.
(Second photo is the bed before the palm.)
There's Michael in the black shirt ready to assist:)
Notice how the palm is a bit naked? We were told that instead of the palm concentrating on growing leaves for the first year it will establish a better root system, and we don't need this tree falling over, so grow roots grow.
Have to get Hope to bed,
Hugs,
Helena

Happy Friday

Hey buddies,
A few days late but I am back with the photo that I wanted to show you that my mum gave me for Mother's Day.
That's my beautiful mum holding squishy faced me.
I love the cottage style frame! It reminded mum of my bathroom mirror. And of course I love this photo and will cherish it.
I am off to lunch with Michael.
Have a happy Friday!!
So much has been going on that I am extra excited for Friday and I know Hope is.
Hugs,
Helena

Happy Mother's Day

Hey buddies,

With one minute to spare I wanted to wish you all a happy day!
Mine was great, and yes I played in the dirt a bit too:)

Tomorrow, I have to show you the most special gift from my mumxo
Many hugs,
Helena