I've just received a suggestion from a former art teacher, and it's so promising, I just have to share! She said, and I quote: "the best (and easiest) way to form a clay mask is over wadded up newspaper. You can just crumple it up and lay the slab over it or make a shape by rolling and forming the paper and then taping it. Slab can be worked on while over the mold or flat. Leave slab over your paper mold until ready to fire. Have fun!" Why didn't I think of that? I thought of paper mache, but slightly damp wadded newspaper just may do the trick with a minimum of fuss and mess. Plus, I think that since I bake on paper (trays and box forms) all the time, if I let the paper dry enough I can leave it right on the form to bake it without worry about what effects steam could have. I love this PLACE!! Lamb

I've got the Extreme Cake Challenge rerun on FoodTV right now... Duff and cohorts from Charm City Cakes are judges so fireworks and "over the top" are the goal. Not my favorite type of cake construction, although I appreciate the talent and techniques required. I really love to watch the cake challenges of more delicate designs as your daughter has fabulously done with these two cakes. Her Teapot presentation reminds me of one FoodTV cake challenge where participants had to make cakes based on a china pattern. I can almost see the stitched edging on that linen napkin! Simply amazing. She should be proud of her art as her mother surely is. What talent, perseverance and patience. Congratulations to both of you!

Thanks Magi! The "horsey" soaps are going to a consignment shop that sells only equestrian wear and other odds and ends that are horse related. We just purchased my daughter's 1st saddleseat suit from this lady and while we were there I noticed some very poorly made soaps there, (I'm sorry to who ever did them but they were awful :() I guess it was some lady from the west coast. Anyway, in our conversation she said she'd love me to bring some in sooooooooo... this will be my first try at public selling! The rest were made just because for now but I do want to start making Mother's Day baskets. One of my other daughters (there are 4 in all) came down today and wiped me out! LOL I love it though, makes me happy that I can still make things for them that they love. I'm so glad I inspired you! Thanks!

Thanks guys, I actually really like the warmer tones as much (or more) as I liked the blues/grays. I think I started down a road and ran with it without thinking about the bigger picture. As far as pulls, I was thinking maybe just cup pulls, although I do like the ones that badgergirl posted too. We are straddling that budget so we'll have to see what is available with no charge. The bars were an upcharge so it was nice to make a choice that was less expensive for a change. I am hoping that the quarter sawn oak isn't too much of an upcharge, I went to look at just factory finish cabinets at Lowes today and do like the look of the grain. It is warm, but quiet enough. Sent my request to the cabinet guy so fingers crossed that all will come in on budget. Another question is do I paint the island a lighter color to decrease the darkness in the middle of the room or just keep consistent throughout. I am leaning toward the latter actually. Badgergal, I stole the lights from you! I loved it so much in your pics. And I saw the price, so it will be a splurge for me as well. They will be likely be a 2013 item, with a cheapo $20/per pendent fill in until my savings account replenishes. But I can live with that knowing what is in the future. As far as lighting, we have been pricing/thinking of this. Due to the dark color of the cabinets, this was a big concern of mine, lighting is everything! We currently have some recessed (6 of them) and an overhead over the sink. We are pricing the pendants over the island and lights in the glass front upper cabinets (total of 6). We cut the under cabinet lights in the interest of budget and in talking to people who said that they rarely use them. Maybe I should reconsider? How hard is that to add in after the fact if we decide that we need them later? We do have a window over the sink and then the bump out of the eat in area is virtually surrounded on three sides pretty much floor to ceiling with windows/doors, so it does get some natural light. Anyway, updated pic and I think it looks pretty good (although I am now thinking that the curve/bow pulls may be a better option seeing it in place - maybe less surface so less shine). Walls will need to be decided on, but that is an easy fix. Cookies will be forthcoming when I have a new oven that doesn't take the temp setting as a mere suggestion!