Do you know that there is a Stained Glass and Mosaic forum at That Home Site (a GW site dedicated to home)? Kimmy Here is a link that might be useful: Stained Glass and Mosaic Forum

I'd rather be watching the complex patterns of air embedded in thick black ice, the white dance of driven snow and the sensuous curves of the snow banks carved by the wind... than be smelling chickapoo in the sweltering heat. But that's just me. peak p.s. BB, You're every wish is my command. Well, every wish other than that "go to H***, you &^%$#^%&" :-)

It could be some form of slime mold, but there is something else it could be too. Did you fill this planter with purchased potted plants? I sometimes use the water retention gel crystals, and also get shipments of certain plants where the supplier has used them. They aren't noticeable when the plant is on the dry side, and usually that means they're hidden in the root ball. But..........when the plant get hydrated from rains, they swell up with moisture and it looks like somebody cut up transparent jello and mixed it with the soil. Feels icky to the touch too. But, is quite effective in keeping potted plants alive between infrequent waterings. I don't know if any retail soil mixes have them or not, could be.

And I don't mean to hijack this post, but I've used the gitd thread quite a bit. I absolutely love it! I usually use it in the top and bobbin but I think it would be fine to skip it in the bobbin. I don't know how many kinds there are but there's only one that I found at Joann's. It's with all the other thread and they usually only have it in white and a very pale yellow. I've seen it on line in pale pink and blue as well. I didn't have any problems with it breaking. Besides quilt tops, I've also used it when making fabric bowls then sewed gitd beads around the edges of the bowl. Very cool when the lights get turned off. The thread doesn't glow very bright unless it's had direct lamplight for several minutes so it's more of a novelty than a design feature. But it's fun and people will love to see it. I recently used it on a Halloween quilt that I'll hang outside the front door during October. I'm eager to see if it is noticeable. I'm thinking of replacing the porch light with a black light and I think that will really make it show up! Kate