Soldering Projects

I don't know why I like to solder. Maybe part of the reason is that I taught myself, which is nothing unusual. That's how I've learned to do most things. My soldering gun, for silver solder, is heated to about 700 degrees. I think it's the process. First I create the design on my computer, then print off and cut out. I cut two pieces glass the exact same size and sandwich the picture between. The edges of glass are wrapped with copper tape and the tape is burnished with a bone folder.  Flux is applied (the best advise I ever received: "Remember, flux is your friend.") Then I solder in steps. My least favorite action is soldering the jump ring to the top. It usually takes me a couple of tries to get it centered. After soldering, I use 0000 steel wool, water and Dawn Dishwashing Detergent to clean the item. The last step is again cleaning and polishing with a special compound. The pendant is ready to add a chain, charms and beads, adding a price tag and taking it into the shop. My work area is ALWAYS messy!

Garden Tomatoes

Finally...my tomatoes are beginning to ripen. Here's my first tomato (other than cherry tomatoes) from my garden. The grandkids picked a few on Saturday. It's about the only thing that's growing. Tomatoes and ONE zuchinni squash. Didn't get any radishes (does one tiny one count??)...no beets...ONE bean...no crookneck...I thought a square garden with all that expensive DIRT was supposed to help me be more successful! Is there anything more delicious than a warm garden tomato?

Grandkids and the Garden and the Photos on 25th

Dave called earlier today and asked if we could watch the kids tonight. At first it was just to watch Hazel. They were taking the boys to see their cousin, who was performing in a play. But...when Jonah and Ez found out that Hazel was going to Grams....well...they quickly insisted they had to come to!  Makes a grandma's heart swell!

They love to pick the cherry tomatoes, and found the first large tomatoes of the season.

This was the end of the three-day photography class on "Understanding Light." I learned a lot. The above photo was taken above Jon's house on a dead end lot.

We took some flower pictures from the home of a master gardener.

We then went to 25th Street in Ogden. Wonderful old brick and hallways/tunnel-like areas make for wonderful light.  Carley Brimhall Braithwaite was our "model" for the morning.

Matt's New Phone

Matt came over and hooked up his new "Vibrant" Droid phone to the TV and showed me all the new features -amazing. 

Thursday's Photo class

We took a little photo excursion to Beus Trailhead just before the sunset.

We tried to get the right light on one of the students.

A photo I took of Beth, the "youngster" in the class.

Jon took this photo of me, but I'm not liking it too much...

Photography Class

I'm taking a three-day photography class on "Understanding Light" from an old high school classmate who is a professional photographer, Jon Williams.

We went outside and took some pictures in Jon's backyard, trying to catch the light before the sun set.

Moon on a Post

Elaine and I saw the huge moon this morning on our way home from the gym. It really looked a lot larger in person. I pulled over when I could and snapped a couple of pictures. This one looks like the moon is sitting on the light post:)