My Unique Polymer Clay Vases

When I was hunting for some bargains at Joann's Fabrics I came across a ceramic vase that inspired me to create these out of polymer clay.  They were incredibility fun to make.  

I love the idea that the cat has't a clue that the little mouse is hiding in the vase.

I antiqued this little bird with brown acrylic paint and used twigs

 from my yard for a decorative touch.

 This is the first one that I created ~ I love the aqua blue color! 

You can see these and more of my creations at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sandyscreationinclay

A Floral Affair

I would like to introduce you to a fabulous artist.  Her name is Suzanne Philip 

and she has a wonderful shop on Etsy called A Floral Affair. 

In the Artist's own words

♥ Arts and crafts have been my life's passion and I continue to enjoy each and every creative minute. I moved to Florida in 1987 and dedicated the majority of my time to painting flora and fauna in watercolors, acrylics and oils. Since 1993, however, I have been creating one-of-a-kind, original, unique home decor, using an air-drying artist clay and technique which I developed thereby enabling me to continue painting but in three-dimensional form. It is quite an extensive process, however, the beauty of each completed piece makes it all worthwhile. My artwork may be found throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia and is showcased in several Florida gift shops.

I love the soft colors that Suzanne uses and her attention to detail is amazing.  

You can visit her shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/afloralaffair

Working with Paper and Canvas

The first picture is a mixed media piece.  I have ribbon, a heart button, bird cut outs, blue and pink card stock and a stamped floral design which I have colored with my water color pencils. I am pleased with the results. The birds look as though they are flying over water and the ribbon resembles palm leaves.  The floral stamp finishes off the edges of the design.  I have not glued them in place yet, but when it is done I plan on putting it onto a canvas frame.

*~*~*~*~*~

The cut outs are my own design and are glued directly on a canvas.  

The mane of the Lion and the grass pop out a bit to give it a three dimentional effect.  

I have no idea what this little elephant is looking for but he sure does have his eye in that palm tree.  I am having fun creating these paper cutouts. This little elephant is one of my favorites.  Using all these different papers really give the piece a lot of texture and depth.

Empty Nest

The twins left the nest this morning before I was up.  It was so strange to see it empty.  

I took this photograph yesterday evening and I am so thankful that I got it.

My Mourning Doves

The twins are getting big and will be ready to be on their own very soon.

Mama Dove is hovering over them as I take their picture.  I was so surprised 

that she chose to have her nest so close to the house.

Mourning Doves

This Father to-be Mourning Dove is keeping watch as Mother Dove sits quietly on her nest. I didn't know much about Mourning Doves until this wonderful pair decided to make a nest in this bird house feeder that my husband had built years ago.  It hangs just outside my sunroom, so I am able to see their every move and capture these beautiful photographs.

Monogamous as a rule, they have two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents incubate and care for the young. Mourning Doves eat almost exclusively seeds, but the young are fed crop milk by their parents. Courtship begins with a noisy flight by the male, followed by a graceful, circular glide with outstretched wings and head down. After landing, the male will approach the female with a puffed out breast, bobbing head, and loud calls. Mated pairs will often preen each other's feathers.

The male then leads the female to potential nest sites, and the female will choose one. The female dove builds the nest. The male will fly about, gather material, and bring it to her. The male will stand on the female's back and give the material to the female, who then builds it into the nest. The nest is constructed of twigs, conifer needles, or grass blades, and is of flimsy construction. Mourning doves will sometimes requisition the unused nests of other Mourning Doves, other birds, or arboreal mammals such as squirrels.

Most nests are in trees, both deciduous and coniferous. Sometimes, they can be found in shrubs, vines, or on artificial constructs like buildings, or hanging flower pots When there is no suitable elevated object, Mourning Doves will nest on the ground.

The hatched young, called squabs, are strongly altricial, being helpless at hatching and covered with down. Both parents feed the squabs pigeon's milk (dove's milk) for the first 3–4 days of life. Thereafter, the crop milk is gradually augmented by seeds. Fledging takes place in about 11–15 days, before the squabs are fully grown but after they are capable of digesting adult food. They stay nearby to be fed by their father for up to two weeks after fledging.

Here are the twins.  A perfect little pair of Mourning Doves.  Soon they will be pushed out of the nest and onto their new life.  I do hope that the mom and dad come back again to build their nest.