Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on August 7, 2012 by claytonhill

Wish me luck …

Time to take a deep breath and hit the week running … In between the demands of daily driver’s ed for the twins, our puppy nursery (9 days old today), our canine ante-partum nursery (Mama Zonie is due this week), photography, shipping glass packages (love that), and working “Mom’s Diner” – I’ve got the DARN SANE meeting (don’t love those) and a work orientation to provide.

A quick pic from our monitoring camera – Zonie (and DH) in one of the whelping boxes – waiting for delivery ‘day’ to arrive …

I did manage to get the (production) kiln running for the first time in a long time, and I’ve gotten some photos/listings prepped for the shops (to post over the next few days) …YAY!!!

But now it’s time for a little sleep before facing DARN SANE … Wish me luck!

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Posted on August 5, 2012 by claytonhill

Not fair! [Whine!!!]

While I never deluded myself into thinking that I had the ‘skillz’ of Bo or Luke Duke – I did think for half a second maybe I could outrun the law … Um, let me ‘splain.

1) Last night was busy – Don’t-Stop-Moving-‘til-3AM busy.

2) I don’t know why, but our facility recently instituted a new ‘rule’ that we, as nurses do not have to accept a subpoena from a peace officer during working hours. Meaning = ‘THEY’ would have to catch me at HOME. (Good luck with that!)

Soooo … when our ER Safety Officer stopped me – in the middle of a chest pain, severe extrapyramidal drug reaction (side effect), new onset seizure, SCREAMING toddler, and testicular torsion – to ask if I wanted a subpoena? I took about 0.2 seconds to say, “No thank you!” And went on about my business. Did I (later) suffer a moment’s guilt for wasting a cop’s time? Mmmmmm, maybe …

But not enough so that I didn’t leave work a few minutes early – after parking my vehicle somewhere staff doesn’t usually park – in an effort to sneak home UN-SERVED. Yeah … it didn’t work. I made it less than half a mile before a county cruiser was pulling me over – with LIGHTS FLASHING!!!

While I gracefully accepted my summons (to appear in court next month to testify that I did in fact comply with the warrant instructing me to draw blood from a prisoner, Lord knows how many months ago) … I had to ask the deputy how long he’d been watching for me? “About an hour …” After grinning [begrudgingly], I let him know I HAD been trying to sneak home under his radar, to no avail and left with the parting remark, “Well played, Sir!” [Grrr – DANGIT!!!!] *Maybe next time I’ll try to actually outrun him??? Smile

As if that wasn’t insult enough … Now Michigan weather is predicting rain all morning. Right! No ‘Pool Time’ for me before crash-sleeping to head back to work tonight. NOT FAIR!!!

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Posted on August 2, 2012 by claytonhill

WTH is THAT?!?

We’re settling into a good routine around here with the kids and dogs and pups … BTW – for all you Michigan folks – fair warning … the twins are now driving. Granted – not alone yet – so we’re all still safe for a bit longer …

Anyway, a nice routine. Not much studio time, but we were able to go for a little walk around the yard last night when I discovered this … WHAT THE HECK IS IT??? It’s on my trumpet vine … and I’m a little bit afraid of it.

Turns out there’s another one further up the plant – so I’m hoping it’s some sort of seed pod … (???) I was in a real panic last night when I found it – squealed and everything. Was almost ready to call the Invasion Police (MIB Division 6 or those guys from Evolution), when I discovered the second one. Now I’m just keeping a suspicious eye on them, making sure they don’t start pulsating or somethin’ … I’ll keep you posted.

And leaving with a quick pic of my butterfly bushes … pretty – if you can overlook their masculine shape. Smile

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Posted on July 31, 2012 by claytonhill

Another busy week …

Another busy week ahead … juggling for the needs of two-and four-legged family. Driver’s Ed, puppies, errands, groceries, puppies, work meetings, dinners, puppies … Did I mention puppies? Wouldn’t change a thing – except maybe adding a few hours to the day …

WWU: While I was busy judging people at work this weekend (we’ll get back to that), DH was keeping me updated on puppy deliveries … We have 6 healthy Neapolitan Mastiff babies added to our clan – all four colors and all boys! Mom and pups are doing great as we settle back into the routines of new babies in the house.

Back to this weekend’s work lesson – a huge reminder to me about first impressions/judging people: The crabby, cynical ER nurse in me immediately wants to fill out the endless paperwork required to file a 3200 (protective services investigation form) on the parent who brings their infant child in to the ER for a fever without any (active) Tylenol or Motrin on-board. And while I (secretly) snarl and sputter, I go about taking care of the sick baby … hoping it’s the fever, and not meningitis or sepsis that has him looking so listless and [toxic] SICK. Meanwhile, with my total ‘poker-face’ [ummm, NOT!], I inquire as to why the baby doesn’t have any antipyretics in his system … ??? Turns out this single mom is doing all she can to do right by her baby in today’s world. She started a new job – one that has her home more regularly; her first paycheck is still 6 days away; and baby keeps vomiting the oral Tylenol. So wrong was my first impression, and so struck by Mom’s situation – I contributed to her petty-cash fund. It’s not often I feel compelled to blur the line between my job and my own family’s resources – but sometimes you’ve got to do a little pay-it-forward act. The good news – baby has a simple ear infection, and with Tylenol (suppository) – he tolerates his antibiotic, his bottle and even smiles at his crabby, cynical ER nurse … and Mom has what she needs to have on hand for her baby.

Until the next patient arrives … Well, you can’t expect altruistic compassion from the jaded in EVERY situation, but I am trying … We’ll save the rude 20-something PID story and the drama-craving, drug-seeking ‘BROKEN-LEG’ [NOT!!] story for another day …

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Posted on July 28, 2012 by claytonhill

Of Course …

Of course it’s starting now(!) … My Neapolitan Mastiff mom has started stage one of labor – on Saturday, when I have to go to work. And – WE were going to see the new Batman movie … but now, ‘Fatty’ and I are pacing, heavy breathing, repositioning and pacing some more while the rest of my two-legged family are at the movies … AND – I have to work tonight.

But for now, it’s all good. She’s happy so long as I’m close. I’ve got a knitting project going (another blanket), and my lap-top (Helloooo Pinterest!) …

I did escape for a few minutes to check on my studio/kiln and raid (‘harvest’) the over-growing, muddy garden:

I’ll continue to ‘baby-sit’ until it’s time to go to work, then DH will be taking over. The thing about stage one of canine labor that my girls have taught me – we can do this for 48+ hours … my little Drama Queen! Hope to report back soon with some puppy pics …

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Posted on July 26, 2012 by claytonhill

Die-Hard Sun-Worshipper

You know you’re a Magda-wanna-be/die-hard sun-worshipper if … you found yourself in the pool this afternoon in Michigan – just in time for the threatening clouds to unload, as they had been promising to do all afternoon. Yep – that was me. I am now well-watered, along with the rest of my garden.

But I HAD to … the kids were gone (driver’s education EVERY day for the next three weeks), my studio needs cleaning, and I wasn’t up for anything else on my to-do list -like laundry, photography, errands or computer work … I did manage to cook a kick-butt dinner for the Fam. Now – someone needs to clean the kitchen.

It’s still dichro-central in the studio … but I am working my way towards some new projects (S-L-O-W-L-Y-!!!).

I’ll be dropping some finished glass pieces off to our local nature center for an upcoming auction. We’ll be taking the kids out to see (one of) their summer movie(s). And, we’ll be having (Neo) puppies soon – time to get the nursery ready to go; entice ‘finicky’ Mom with yummy foods; and begin ‘pup-watch’ …

I’ll leave with a quick pic of my blooming trumpet vine – she also loves the sun! Guess it’s time to get back to work …

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Posted on July 20, 2012 by claytonhill

I feel like I’m in ‘Time-Out’ …

In trying to grant the twins (quietly supervised) alone time with their teen-age friends, giving them full access to the house and pool – I’m stuck in my office, feeling like I’m in a time-out (can’t be in the studio, and my pool is over-run with loud, laughing teen-agers, and no ‘adult refreshments’ either!!) … [Heavy sigh!]

It’s all good, though … While I turn a well-trained ear to the noise/activity going on around me, I’ve got time to create listings for the shop, resize photos and update this site … Here’s a picture of my latest painting (with my new paints). There’s a learning curve there (too much smudging of the black), but I like it for a first pass – and I love Betty Boop!

My slumped bottles suffered a set back. It appears I can’t mix my new paint and hues-to-fuse. Bummer, but I’ve got to learn the limitations sometime …

Had yet another mishap in the kiln … this one with my penguin ornaments. In the past, I never bothered gluing the pieces. Since I was working on several, I figured I’d ‘be safe’ and glue them. Had three of them ‘pop their wings’ while firing. I used No Days, and I see it’s used more for frit painting than actual glue … So, while I haven’t kicked it (No Days) out of the studio yet, it will be relegated to the back of the cupboard for a bit … DH thinks I should do some sort of ‘plaque’ with the misfit penguins … Hmmm, we’ll see.

Here’s my latest dichro cabs fresh from etching. When I’m allowed in the studio again, I’ll be getting them ready to fire in the baby kiln. And, my ‘Welcome’ slumped bottle … trying to decide what the end project will be for it (a sun catcher/wind chime, paint it or leave it as is) …???

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Posted on July 17, 2012 by claytonhill

We interrupt this program …

For a few different reasons: 1) To wish my babies (the twins) a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 15 years old today … Wow – time flies. To celebrate, we’ll hit our favorite family restaurant tonight, and I will quietly endure their teenage pool party later this week … Love you guys!!! [*BTW – DH has fixed the green-jello pool problem. Apparently, we needed to go beyond Super-Shock! Love my blue pool water!]

2) To bring about ‘Christmas in July’ … A custom order has me switching gears in the studio to work up some penguin ornaments. My fingers are already numb from the grinder, but it’s all good!

3) To report back on my grandparents 65th anniversary party … They had a great time and were truly surprised! We over-ate, caught up with one another, and then over-ate a bit more … But with this cake that my sister brought – how could we not???

Studio update: I have some jewelry (pendants and badge reels) put together, as well as another round just about ready:

I’m working on a new slumped bottle experiment and design … here’s a quick peak at my first trials (so far-so good!): And a photo of my own fairy wing pendant – I love this silly ‘lil thing!

And I’ll leave with a pic of my finished peacock platter, proudly sitting in my studio ‘living room’. Time to get back to the grinder …

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Posted on July 13, 2012 by claytonhill

Where does the time go???

Where’d the week go? Can’t believe it’s Friday already! Big family shin-dig to celebrate my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary later today … No studio time – but good family time.

I have been producing in the studio. Still on a pendant/badge reel kick … with the new kiln running twice a day. And, my coffin is finally loaded with my ‘mosaics’ for slumping!

Garden update: While romping with the [four-legged] kids tonight, DH caught a few pics of some of my flowers … my trumpet vine has about 10 blooms on it this year! My chayotes are still growing, but I think we started them too late to do any producing this season … [Darn it!!] My other veggies are doing well, though. We’re starting to gather zucchini and yellow squash by the arm-loads.

And on a final note – Goodbye (for the season) to Swamp People … I look forward to chootin’ gators with you next year Troy, Liz, Bruce (and Tyler)!

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Posted on July 10, 2012 by claytonhill

It’s the little things …

My new baby kiln arrived – and I love her! Fired her up last night and drove home the point that I have a new kiln to learn (each kiln has their own heating personalities, preferences, etc.) … DOH! If I’d been thinking, I wouldn’t have loaded so many pieces, among a few other key things …

But I was tired, and not thinking too clearly … as, for some reason, my body thought being up and moving for 36 hours sounded like a good idea (INSOMNIA – gotta love it!). [WWU – the weekend wasn’t awful, just mentally challenging … as always – I’m glad it’s over.]

Anyway – here are the little pieces, ground and ready for the next step/firing in the kiln:

And, a HUGE THANKS to my ‘Fred’ (DH) … who finally diagnosed and repaired my studio plumbing situation. The toilet flushes EVERY TIME now and is officially open for business! Yep – it’s all about the little things!!!