It’s another TIE-DYE TUESDAY… at least for me!!!
Unfurling another ice-dyed shirt that sat there while the ice melted & the dye seeped in. It’s always fun to see what happened when you get to do the big reveal! Sometimes it’s good… sometimes it’s not… but sometimes it’s GREAT!!! I think this one is somewhere in the middle… but it will look better without all of those wrinkles!!!

Just finishing off another batch of my new “wheelthrown-handbuilt-combo” mugs… whew!… done in time to teach class tonight!

Still looking for a new name for them… any suggestions???

You know how I love a good holiday… especially when it’s National Deep Dish Pizza Day!!! So I felt somewhat “obligated” to celebrate with a slice for dinner before class tonight!!! I mean, if I must…

I finished my binge-watching of LOST over the weekend… my fifth time going through!!! And still my favorite show ever!!! So many layers. So many characters. So many clues & stories that you need to piece together to get the full story!

Sure, there may have been a few unanswered questions… and a few completely implausible explanations… but I’m still okay with all of that. I loved piecing all of the clues & flashbacks together with my own theories – trying to keep it all straight & logical. Didn’t work all of the time… but it sure was fun to try! I had forgotten a lot, and yet still saw some things for the first time! So many clues that tie together across the seasons!!!

I might even be one of the few who liked the finale episode. I appreciated how they brought it back around with flashbacks & connections. Yet leaving it open for discussion, and allowing everyone to “read it” in their own personal way. Friends. Love. Connections. Death. Afterlife. I must admit, there may have even been a few little tears at the very end.

See ya’ in another life Brotha’…

Celebrating with this little cutie …
stamped & soda-fired with an orange flashing slip.

Looks like Spring has sprung in Crystal Lake where my Cousin Kim has gathered a few flowers from her garden for her Easter centerpiece using one of my ikebana flower vases! So festive. So pretty!

So excited to see another season of THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN!!! We’ve been waiting for so long here in the States. Having to watch little snippets leak out on social media as the show was airing in the UK. I didn’t want to know anything about the cast, challenges or winners… so I actually “unfollowed” a few sites so I didn’t see anything in my News Feed.

There are ten episodes in the new season now showing on HBO Max. Once I started, I just couldn’t stop!!! I binged through the entire series… and quite honestly, kinda excited to go back and watch all of the previous seasons again too!!!

The show has the same basic premise as all of the previous seasons. The fact that it was filmed during the pandemic doesn’t play into it very much. They were obviously all in a “quarantine bubble” together… yet it was still a bit odd to see them all so physically close to each other. We’ve all been “re-trained” to keep our social-distance… so it was a bit weird to see them touching & hugging each other?!

It was also fun to watch all of the different challenges.
NO SPOILERS HERE… but I will say that it was cool to see them doing a few techniques that I have shared with my classes as well. From decorative split rims & blindfolded throwing… to chattering slip & bubble glazing! Fun techniques my students have embraced… and fun to see that they’re doing similar things “across the pond.”

The show has the same premise as usual. Non-professional potters doing challenges & projects of all kinds to push them beyond their comfort levels. Some of them are wheelthrowers, some of them are handbuilders, some of them are sculptors, some of them are not. So it’s fun to see some of them struggle on different projects based on their own skill sets. Of course, the timed deadline projects just up-the-ante a bit with stress & panic! Which is always fun to watch!!!

As for the cast of characters we call Host & Judges… they’re back too!
In different roles… and one new face in the mix!

For the Judges, we have everyone’s favorite crying Judge Keith Brymer Jones! So passionate about pottery that it brings him to tears!!!.. a bit too often for my liking. And I don’t always agree with the pieces he’s getting all emotional about. Love his passion, but sometimes question his choices.

And yes… he continues to CRY!!!

This seasons we also got a new judge… Rich the kiln guy got “promoted” to Judge! He’s been working behind-the-scenes for the previous seasons helping the potters dry their work, and fire the pieces. This season, he’s been moved up to Judge… and we have a new kiln expert Rose!

And I will say that I LOVED the new host Siobhan McSweeney… an Irish actress. She is best known for her role as Sister Michael in “Derry Girls”… which I’ve never seen! So se was all-new to me!!! She seemed to fit in right from the start… encouraging, supportive, quippy & sarcastic all at the same time! The perfect foil to the two judges!

NO SPOILERS HERE!!!
But here’s a glimpse of the Finale… moments before the announced the Winner! Which I will say… I agreed with the Top Three contestants… and the Winner!!!

And just for the record…
they’ve already announced a “Casting Call” for Season Five!!! YIPPEE!!!

However… don’t get too excited… you need to live in the UK to even apply! So even if I were to practice & perfect my best British accent, I don’t think I would convince them that I’m a true Brit!!! Dang.

Another beautiful Spring day perfect for another bike ride! Not a cloud in the sky as I pedaled north… past Northwestern University, the Gross Point Lighthouse, the Baha’i Temple, the huge houses in the fancy suburbs, Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, Fort Sheridan and finally turned around at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Blue skies & spring flowers the entire way… and a gentle headwind on the way back!

And for those who don’t do Easter at all… HAPPY SPRING!
It’s still a perfect chance to appreciate the warmer weather, the new spring growth & the early flowers popping up everywhere! Here’s an amazing collection of hellebores gathered by my friend Yuki presented & floating in one of my stamped bowls. I love the colors, textures & patterns of Yuki’s collection – thanks for sharing!!!

A wonderful day to celebrate with whatever makes you happy. Some go the religious route, while others don’t. Some go with hidden eggs, while others of us go straight to the candy! Some go to church & family gatherings, while others of us will be out playing on their bike all day!!! Whatever you choose, here’s to another great day!

Here’s MY Easter basket filled with favorites waiting for after a good long ride… and who knew OREO made eggs???