Blue vases and Lauritzen Botanical Gardens

Here is just a taste of the 124 photos I took at Lauritzen Botanical Gardens and Kenefick Park.
Yes, that's a tram! It's that big! Yes, they have a model railroad garden!

Just found this video on youtube takes you on a ride on the model train if you're interested.

Lewis and Clark and pottery

Earlier this month, I went through the Council Bluffs/Omaha area. Here are a few random pictures until I get them all organized.

I'm lucky this first picture turned out okay, as I didn't notice that the lens was in manual focus instead of auto focus. Must've flipped the switch when I put the lens away before.


I also went to a family reunion in North Dakota and am debating about whether I want to share the pictures on here or just on facebook. It's kind of fun in a way to remain "anonymous" in that I don't think I have any pictures of myself on my blog..maybe one.







The chalice is the second attempt as a replacement for the communion set. I didn't take a picture of the first attempt, as in it is being used already. The glaze didn't turn out copper...Now I know why. It was HIGH-FIRED instead of LOW-FIRED. There wasn't anything wrong with the glaze. As this one has a crack in it, I'm off to make yet a third one with no cracks and will make sure to put it on the proper shelf--not the high-fired one.

Am loving the way the vase turned out in the Sagebrush Courtyard glaze!

A pottery post/how I gamble

I'm pretty happy with this little vase that I hand-built...but...












This bowl in the next two pictures is in my opinion ruined by the glaze. First of all, the greenish glaze didn't turn out green. Second of all, it covered up some of my carving. I'm thinking that it will end up in a garage sale.











Here is another footed bowl...guess I was thinking some magic would happen in the kiln, because I'm "okay" with it but that's about it.


The third footed bowl broke before it was fired and is now reconstituted clay.


This is a "lawn ornament" in that there is no bottom and I'm putting it my front flower bed. I'm going to see if it will last most of the year outside.
















The plate is what happens when the licorice goes over the copper wash glaze.






The bowl has copper wash OVER the licorice. I am very happy with it.


I hope I remember that it comes out much cooler with the copper wash over the licorice.

So in other words, I don't feel like I need to play the slot machines or crap shoot with real money. I feel like I'm gambling already. One out of three pieces will most likely come out fantastic! I figure those are my odds.

Rurality

Visited my sisters' farms in North Dakota earlier this month and went to a family reunion.



Enjoy the cow portraits! Moo!!!

What's coming next? Pictures from the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha and some pottery pieces.

Sometimes wide is good

...definitely if it's a wide-angle lens. Someone just got a wide-angle lens and I got to borrow it. Cool, huh?






Wishing you an enjoyable and safe Fourth of July!!!