Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

We had an unexpected visit from quality control this week.

  

Fortunately, we passed his approval.

 

Of course, the promise of treats and a warm, comfy bed didn’t hurt.

Share the love,

Lisa

Viva Las Vegas!

 

 

Join me, Elvis and hundreds of other glass enthusiasts at the Glass Craft and Bead Expo in Las Vegas in March. This show has it all. Choose from more the 150 inspiring workshops, meet world renowned instructors and shop dozens of fabulous exhibits.  

 I hope to see YOU in one of my classes!

WE-16 Profit from Production NEW

TH-08 Painting with Frit

FR-18 Cast Away

SA-22 Fireworks

SU-02 Fine Art of Design NEW 

                   

CLASSES		EXHIBITS
MAR 26-30 2014		MAR 28-30 2014

             www.glasscraftexpo.com

NEW 2014 Fused Vessel Sink Class Dates
May 13-16, 2014
September 16-19, 2014
Register online at www.LisaVogt.net

See you there!

Lisa

Happy New Year!

As I look forward to an exciting new year, I want to wish you and your family happiness, health, love, peace and prosperity in 2014.

All the best,
Lisa

I Like Salad

 

With the New Year looming in the near future, I thought I’d get a jump on a few things I’ve been procrastinating. This way, when January 1 rolls around I’ll already be in the habit of doing them.   

Good habits are just as hard to break as bad habits.

Last week I started working out again. Walking is part of my daily routine. But in the past year, I’ve spent more time dusting our weight machine than actually using it. I now have two full weeks under my belt. Surprisingly, I’ve only experienced a little soreness in my abdomen. Not to worry though, the muscles are well protected by a cushy, layer of fluff. Fluff I hope to gradually shed and replace with something more bathing suit worthy. Remember I live in Florida, it is beach season here year round. 

The best part of working out is being done.  

Once I’ve committed to doing something new, and after I’ve and actually accomplished that task, I feel good about myself for the rest of the day. It doesn’t’ matter if I see physical improvement or not. That comes in time. It’s the satisfaction I get from putting forth the effort toward improvement that counts.

This brings me to the title of this post and the other personal challenge I’m tackling. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit considering how much time I spend writing. Here it goes, I’m a wanderer. My fingers are not at home on the home keys. Yup, my fingers knock around the key board like a tap dancing spider. For the sake of speed and accuracy, I’ve been practicing my typing skills. And I like salad. I also like alfalfa, Alaska, dad, flask, as and any other word that can be made while being loyal to the home keys. It’s amazing how much I’ve improved in only 20 minutes a day. There are so many fun, free games to choose from online that practice has become an entertaining mid-day break from routine work.

Take one small step toward your goal every day. Consistency is your friend.

It’s my hope that this inspires you to try something new or to revisit something you’ve been putting off. Why not? You have nothing to lose, except maybe some fluff.

Go for it!

Lisa

Now on YouTube

Lisa Vogt Glass Artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk

 

Time flies when you’re having fun.

A good day in the studio.  

 I wanted to write sooner, but instead of sitting in the office at my 

computer I’ve been buzzing around my studio and happily cutting 

glass for several exciting commissions. The projects are in progress, 

so there’s not much to show in the way of photos-yet. I’m looking 

forward to sharing pictures with you when the artwork is a bit 

further along. In the mean time, I’ll fill you in on 

other recent happenings.

Latest completed work: Lighted Theater Sign

  We’re still horsing around.

   I’m happy to share an update on Tardy. His new family 

recently sent a note to let us know that he it right in at their 

barn. He’s being well taken care of and winning hearts as 

well as blue ribbons in western shows with his new little girl.  

On to the next chapter. Meet Rori the newest member of our 

family. He’s a 6 year old, 17.1 hand Oldenburg, by Rosenthal. 

Rori is my daughter’s dream horse. He’s big, fancy and has the 

gentle, loving temperament of a black lab. They’ve been 

training together for about eight weeks and are making 

significant progress with every ride. We’re looking forward to 

showing Rori in the spring. 

Rori

 My oldest daughter is making big strides as well. A senior at USF, 
she just finished a tough fall semester coming through with flying
colors. Her positive attitude and fun, caring nature make it easy to 
forget she is working hard, on a daily basis, to make her 
dreams for her future a reality.  

Can I tell you? I am truly proud of my kids.

 Knowing they’re on track makes preparing for the holidays a little 
easier. So this week I got serious about getting things done. 
Along the way, I learned a few things that you might find helpful.     

Need shipping boxes? Cruise your neighborhood on garbage 

day before the trash is collected. I found more boxes than I 
needed on the curb and was happy to recycle them.

Don’t shop for gifts on the family computer unless you know how to 
delete the search history.  Those of you destined for the naughty list 
anyway might as well have some fun. Look up the really expensive 
stuff you have no intention of buying just to throw the 
snoopy kids off. Hee-hee-hee. 

Enjoy the holiday party. If you’re on the guest list it’s because the 
host thinks you’re fun and interesting. Chances are everyone else
 at the party is fun and interesting too. But mingling can be awkward. 
Here’s my ice breaker. Join a stray couple, after brief 
introductions simply ask, “How do you know the host?” 
Ta-da. Instant conversation.

When momma’s happy, everyone is happy. Go ahead, 
be selfish. Take 20 minutes a day to do something for you.
I like to take a brisk walk. The fresh air and wide open 
space clears my head and gives me renewed energy to 
tackle my increasingly long to-do list.

Smile at strangers. 
When you look happy you are happy. 
Pass it on.

Make it a great day!

Lisa

Now on YouTube

Lisa Vogt Glass Artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk

A Funny Story from Porto Rico

My eighty year old mom and I are sitting in the shade (it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity) looking at the "very famous" fort she's come to see when she asked, "Where is the bathroom?" 

I said, "I don't know." 

She makes me  ask a Spanish speaking man selling water on the street corner. He said, "the museum." 

We shuffle across the cobblestone park to the museum and we find it isn't open yet. The nice guard  takes one look at mom hanging on my arm and lets us in anyway. He escorts us up the elevator and unlocks the ladies room. 

Then mom said, "I don't have to go yet."

Fashionably Late

I’ve missed writing, it has been too long. So today I made it a priority to write and share a special story with you.

In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d own a horse. But my daughter has a gift. She connects deeply with these huge, graceful animals in a way that I can only hope to understand someday.

During her unpredictable middle school years, when friendships ran hot and then went cold for no apparent reason, my daughter could count on one horse to always be there for her, to love her unconditionally. Tardy, a bay quarter horse known in the show arena as Fashionably Late joined our family in 2009.

At the time, I was worried about the unknown responsibilities and inherit risks of horse ownership. I can tell you now that the benefits have far outweighed any of those early concerns. Over the years, pride in ownership has nurtured and grown my daughter’s self esteem like nothing else. It’s my firm belief that her persistent optimism, diehard dedication and positive outlook for a bright future are a direct result of the confidence she gained through this strong bond with her horse.

All those wonderful points aside, the absolute best spin-off for having Tardy is the bridge that he built between my teenage daughter and me. I credit Tardy for bringing us closer together and for keeping us together even when times are tough.  

But with growth comes change. As my daughter’s riding skills improve she’s eager to step up to more advanced shows. In order to compete in the bigger arenas she needs a taller horse. A difficult decision had to be made. At fifty, I learned a lesson about maturity from a sixteen year old when my daughter came to the conclusion that it was time to sell Tardy.

It’s hard for me to say goodbye to a friend who has done so much for us. I’m consoled knowing he’s moving to a good home where he’ll work his magic with a new, very lucky little girl who already adores him.

Here’s to the beginning of a new chapter and to all our animal friends who understand us and love us anyway.  

Happy trails,

Lisa

Fall is for Fusing

Be sure to check out two of my favorite seasonal glass fusing projects. The patterns and directions are now available in the fall 2013 issues of two inspiring publications.

In Glass Patterns Quarterly Magazine you’ll find my Cornucopia Plate design and firing guides on page 57.

www.GlassPatterns.com  

In Fused Glass Projects Magazine, a quarterly downloadable publication dedicated to glass fusing craftsmen, you’ll find my Fall Leaf design and firing guides on page 27.

http://www.fused-glass-projects.com/

Fused Vessel Sinks and More

January 28-31, 2014

4-Day, hands-on workshop

Register online at www.LisaVogt.net

Now on YouTube

Lisa Vogt Glass Artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk