Tuesday Thoughts 8-16-2022

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019 Geert Weggen Bispg̴rden Sweden Phone: 0768492056 Email: geertweggen@yahoo.com Title: squirrel wishes Description: Red squirrel with dandelion seeds Animal: red squirrel Location of shot: Sverige РFilm Daily

He’s making a wish as the dandelion blows apart! I love it.

We have a squirrel who would like to compete on the cuteness scale. His specialty lately is hanging by his feet from the top of the bird feeder to where he can get the seed. It’s quite impressive. So far, he won’t allow me to get a photo of him. I think he deserves every seed he can eat. I would encourage him to enter the Squirrel Olympics if there were such.

Gail Perry

I had a nice chat online with our son this morning. Newsy, NICE exchange, and it started my morning off super well! :0)

Depositphotos

I will probably finish the Christmas cards I’m painting for my dear friend today and will start flattening them. This has been a really fun project. She suggested that I put her design, plus the one I did for my local friends, on Etsy as custom card packages. I’ll do that, as soon as I can get some pics.

boredpanda.com

Today is DAY 32 of my daily yoga practice. My husband is getting into the habit of grabbing his throw when I come into the living room to do my session, flipping on the ceiling fan – so the habit/routine/regimen part of my exercise is building – at least in my husband’s reaction to it.

Home Depot

Hope springs eternal that the leaf bag of trash I drove down to the bottom of the driveway this morning will actually be picked up today. Fingers – and all other appendages – are crossed for success.

Happy Tuesday!

Art

avanistudios.com-Teri Althouse

I didn’t get up to my art room yesterday. I ran out of afternoon and chose to do my yoga (DAY 28) instead. I’ll try to get up there today, though.

I’m making some Christmas cards for a dear friend who is giving me freedom and time, so it’s a joy from start to finish. :0)

I’m using regular card stock and envelopes. The main color background is from bleeding tissue paper in several colors. I’ll do some writing on the inside, leaving plenty of room for the recipient’s name and a message to be written by my friend. She wants me to sign the back of the card.

On the front, I’m using a combination of 3-D effects to make a simple Christmas tree.

I’m having such a good time. I look forward to each stage of this. :0)

Fabulous Friday 8-12-2022

Gifer

My Lunch Bunch friend, Kay, is having a birthday tomorrow. We’re celebrating at Lunch Bunch today. Happy, Happy Birthday, Kay!!!

MeMe

We’ve been enjoying Friday “Lunch Bunch” for over 20 years now. What a priceless thing – to share the lives of others who also care about YOU. Kay, Linda, and I are the core “members.” We graciously allowed our husbands to join us – as long as they behaved. Now Linda’s daughter, Patty, is a part of the group. Other relatives and friends join us from time to time. There’s really no way to describe how close we are, how much we’ve shared, and how much we look forward to the next Friday.

Empowered Parents

I’m enjoying making some Christmas cards for a dear friend. I’m taking my time, thoroughly enjoying each stage of the process, going up to my art room when the mood is right, turning on my music, eager to see what the finished cards will look like.

Imgflip

DAY 28 of my daily yoga practice. My dog, Amber, is finally catching on that I DON’T appreciate her 90 pound self on my stomach while I’m trying to maintain a stretch, so I guess SHE realizes that I’m trying to build a habit here. My cat, Abby, is slower to catch on. She still tries to sleep on my feet. Good amusement for my husband as he watches the ‘show,’ fritos in hand and mouth…

123RF

I’ve officially given up trying to work in the yard unless I have to. It’s just too hot out there. A few of our plants are trying to revive, but most are looking quite sad. Some have even withered and died. Apparently, Mother Nature isn’t a huge fan of flowers – at least this year.

Another shout-out to Susy and Bobby today. Thinking of you both and wishing you the very best.

Fun in my Art Room

sugarandcloth.com

I’ve just come down from my art room.

I made two designs for Christmas cards and threw them both away today. I tried a third idea and it might work!

Princeton Brush Company

I’ve started 10 cards now, and they are drying. I’m using a background of ‘bleeding tissue paper,’ and that requires a lot of water, so I look a bit like this child – every bit as happy and excited, but not nearly as cute, with bleeding tissue paper ink (?) all over the tips of the fingers of both hands.

I’ll see what I think later, when the backgrounds have fully dried, but I THINK I may have a start now.

FUN

Randy Pausch – acolorfuljourney.com

I’ve been having a wonderful time for several weeks now, making Christmas presents for my friends. I got the idea for the theme of the presents several months ago, and ideas have been rattling around in my brain ever since.

I finally ordered the materials I needed and began to play as soon as they arrived. I looked on the net for some reference pictures for some of my ideas, and then began drawing my ideas with pencil. There are two sides to each present and 8 friends, so there was a lot of drawing.

I’ve been painting for about three weeks now, having a truly wonderful time in my art room. I’m not in any hurry. My goal is to make some progress on the project each day, but enjoying every minute of the process. I’m about to finish ‘Side 1″ of the 8 presents.

Making time to have FUN each day is important to your soul, your sense of worth, your outlook. It’s a buffer against whatever challenges with which you are dealing, replenishing strength and resilience you’ll need. A time for JOY gives you peace of mind, if only for a little while each day – a coping mechanism that is priceless.

I used to put time in my art room, time for reading, listening to music, playing in my garden or yard, writing this blog on my to-do list WHEN I COULD MAKE THE TIME – if possible when my work and other obligations are under control. Now I consciously make time to at least ONE of the things I love on a daily basis. I feel stronger, happier, and more alive since I switched my priorities.

NOTE: I have to admit (shhhhh!) I felt guilty when my husband came in for batteries for his remote for the TV this morning and had Amber hair all over the front of his shirt from getting down on the carpet to work in the area under the TV in the entertainment center. Looks like I should make time to vacuum the first floor carpet today…. :0)

Life is Too Short to Dawdle

pinterest.com.au

I’m taking the above to heart, spending much of the afternoon yesterday – when I wasn’t outside playing with my “Peppa Pig” Giant Bubble Wand – working on the Christmas presents for my friends. I think I have the basic designs roughed-in now with pencil. I have a few details to add, but then I’ll take them back upstairs and start painting.

I’ve missed spending time trying to create something. I really don’t know why I seem to have to give myself ‘permission’ to play, after all the ‘important’ stuff is done. I’m beginning to realize I may have my priorities flipped. There ARE some things that HAVE to be done at a certain time, but not ALL of the things on my list. I’m proving to myself that I NEED to include as much fun as possible in each day.

I spent much of the day yesterday grinning from ear to ear. I’m on the lookout now for a “HUMONGOUS” bubble wand. The one I played with yesterday was fun and made me smile and laugh. Our dog, Amber, came outside with me. At one point one of the bubbles landed on her ear. She startled and barked! I loved it. I want to be able to make a really extraordinary bubble, though, rather than several reasonable sized ones at one time. I’ll start looking because life is too short to dawdle.

I’m really looking forward to the painting part of the Christmas presents. I’m lucky to count several people as close enough friends I want to MAKE something for them to show them how special they are to me. I really get into the zone while I’m working on these. I have to set my alarm because time streaks past, making me unaware of responsibilities. A place of joy, for sure. :0)

I hope you find many things you find fun, too.

A Nice Afternoon

DepositPhotos.com

I spent much of the afternoon scheming, planning, and prepping what will be Christmas presents for my friends this year. The theme is an over-arching one, then personalized for each of my friends. The ideas started coming and the time flew past. I just stopped for a break and it’s almost 6pm! (I started soon after lunch.)

I had a GREAT time, recording details for each one, printing some things off as reference, prepping the actual items, etc. We’ll see how it all comes together now.

I hope that you have had a great Saturday.

Disorganized

A. A. Milne – E. H. Shepard – Winnie the Pooh – DreamsQuotes.com

Yesterday I started trying to once again clean up my art room. A lofty goal, and one that I occasionally actually DO. More often, I START – find something wonderful – and then spend the rest of the allotted time playing. :0)

We converted a third bedroom into my art room years ago. My husband built shelves that go all the way across one end of the room for supplies. On the other end of the room, he built more shelves. On the window side I have two tall sets of shelves…

Then there is the closet which has built-in shelves on one side and a plastic set of shelves on the opposite side.

I have two counters, one long table, and my drafting table.

My art room is a place that allows me escape. Alone time. Time to nurture, to dream, to experiment, to play.

Right now I have to tell you that it looks like a bomb hit. I am working to at least be able to walk through without falling over something or having to move a bunch of stuff.

I’ll do a bit more in there today. Maybe I’ll actually get something cleaned off!

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…”

inspirationalquotesshortfunnystuff.com

It has rained off and on for 3 days straight, and we’re feeling a bit water-logged. The yard between the house and our shop is standing in water, so I’ll probably have to wait until tomorrow to put the pieces of the “Dog with Bone” yard critter together and him back out in the yard.

I’ve been playing in my art room painting a mini-purse for a nice lady. She bought one from my Etsy site recently, then wrote to tell me that the snap on the purse was so tight she couldn’t use it. I didn’t know about the problem and was embarrassed. I took the two mini-purses that had snaps off my site and ordered some that had zippers. It’s beige, but I’m painting it a dark blue to resemble denim and then will paint ladybugs and leaves on both sides. I’m hoping to have the replacement in the mail to her tomorrow. I’m grateful for the chance to make it right with her.

I had a rare, fun thing happen recently. I ordered some tops from Amazon. I tried them on when they came and they were WAAAAY too big! Talk about a rare, fun thing!!!! :0) I returned them, and ordered a totally different style and a smaller size. THEY came a couple of days ago and are GREAT! They’re called “yoga tees” and come in a package of 5. They’re comfortable, stretchy, and have moisture wicking. I love them!

I’ll be painting, waiting for it to dry, then painting some more the rest of the day. I hope my customer will like the replacement. Fingers crossed.

I hope you’re having a safe, comfortable, dry day.

“When I grow up I want to be an old woman.”

The above is a quote from Michelle Shocked

I am 74 today – older than dirt – older but not wiser – still ornery and kickin’ .

I have started a petition – in my own mind at least – to obliterate the word, “Elderly.” Supposedly, this includes people 60 and above. Every time I hear the word, realizing that the people uttering it are referring to ME, I get hostile.

“I’ve enjoyed every age I’ve been and each has had its own individual merit. Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear to show I’ve been present, the inner rings of my personal tree trunk that I display proudly for all to see. Nowadays, I don’t want a “perfect” face and body; I want to wear the life I’ve lived.”
— Pat Benatar

I’m just getting a good start now. Right at this moment, I’m feeling a bit older than usual, though. My husband and I got our first shot of the COVID vaccine yesterday. My arm is a bit achy, and I’m not feeling very energetic, but that is a TEMPORARY condition, and this one time I’m glad I’m ‘old enough’ to get something.

I am full of plans for spring. I want to re-plant the elephant ear plant bulbs I’ve been storing in the garage for the winter. I want to repair our irrigation system where the cold weather busted one of the pvc pipes we use to water our plants. I am eager to uncover my raised bed planters so I can get spring veggies started.

I have ideas rattling around in my head for things I can try in my art room. In fact, I’m planning to spend part of my birthday today up there. :0)

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”~ Sophia Loren

It’s a nice day, so I’m going to spend time on my elliptical trainer in the garage, and then do a good, long session of yoga stretches this afternoon.

BoredPanda

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.”
— George Bernard Shaw

I truly love finding things to post on this blog. There is so much to share that is hopeful!

“As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.” — Criss Jami

Rich in Friends

Adams All-Natural Cedar

Today I feel rich.

The Lunch Bunch – a group of long-time friends who has met every Friday possible for over 17 years now – FINALLY got to enjoy sharing lunch again for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

We were afraid that Mother Nature was going to rain on us, but she held off. The Pizza Barn has put up two picnic benches with umbrellas in the parking lot, and is about to put up another two.  Though it was gray and looked like it would rain very soon, we had a glorious time talking, grinning, laughing, and eating – catching up in person. It was truly wonderful to see their faces and laugh together for awhile. I’m still grinning.

I love our home. I have more things I want to do on any given day than I have the time or energy to do. I can honestly say I’m never bored. But there is nothing like sharing time with good friends to lift your spirits and feel that may sometime we will come to a new-normal that will be good once again.

After lunch I took my small signs with quotes to Rags & Roses Collective, the local shop where I share a booth with another good friend. I hope someone likes them enough to want to take them home or give them to one of THEIR friends.

Oh, I almost forgot. I listed the newest batch of earrings – the ones with studs or posts – on my earrings website, EyecatchingEarrings on Etsy, if you’re interested. There are separate sections for clip-ons, pierced with French Hooks, and pierced with studs or posts.

It’s very dark outside now. The forecast said we would get rain – up to 4 inches – by the end of the day on Sunday. Guess who will spends lots of time indoors!

Stay safe and well.

 

Fun in My Art Room

These are done on 6″ x 8″ canvas hard board. I used Unicorn Spit paint for the design and then acrylic paint for the quotes. They are sprayed with polyurethane for protection.

 

I’m planning to put these in Rags & Roses Collective, the local shop in Greenwood, where I share a booth called, “Blasing Bright” with my good friend, Carla.

 

I’m hoping that people will enjoy the quotes as much as I do, as good reminders.

 

Newest Batch Of Earrings

I had fun making these. Some are made with metallic paint to simulate silver or copper. Others are layered or hung together in a new way.

 

The ones in the right corner of this picture don’t photograph well at all. They are painted textured white, and are really sparkly. I made them for me, but I’m thinking I may list some of them on Etsy and make more for myself. I really enjoy the challenge of changing things up and trying new techniques and designs.

Newest Earring Collection

 

 

I have two more sets in different colors in the works in my art room, plus a tote bag and a journal. I just love being able to run up the stairs, do a quick session, come down and do something I SHOULD do, and then run back up again when the last thing I did has had a chance to dry…

Fun in the Art Room

A whole new world has opened for me since my sister-in-law and FRIEND, ML, sent me a set of Unicorn Spit.  I’m having such a blast, trying it on different things. So far, I’ve used it on wood, paper, and fabric.  I have some glass Christmas ornaments I’ll try it on soon.

 

Tote Bag

 

 

“Cherish” Wooden Plaque

 

 

“Purple Bliss” Journal

 

“Purple Dreams” Note Cards – Package of 5

I’ll take pics of these and put them on the proper websites today, and will probably take them in to my new booth at the local shop after the holidays.

I also want to make time to try the melting crayons technique after I watch some more YouTube demonstrations.

SO many wonderful things to try!  Lucky, lucky me!  :0)

 

New Plaque with Unicorn Spit

 

Thanks to Michelle Nicole, the creator of Unicorn Spit Stain/Glazes, I’m having so much fun in my art room!  The lady created this for use with people who have challenges. I can’t really remember is this was for use in a nursing home or facility for people with disabilities, but she wanted something that was non-toxic, water-based, and really colorful. This can be used on wood, as I’m doing, paper, glass, fabric, etc.  You can squeeze it out of the tube, dilute it, use a foam brush, regular paintbrush, or – as I’m doing – squeeze it on, cover it with plastic wrap, squeeze the colors together under the wrap and then lift the wrap off.  It almost gives you the fun of finger painting, without all the mess.

It is not ‘set’ until you seal it. For example, I’m spraying my plaques with polyurethane. Until you seal the paint, you can wash it all off and start over again. When it dries, it looks chalky. You buff it with some steel wool, wipe it off and then seal. When I spray the plaques, the colors simply BLOOM!  I just love it.

I’m doing a series of these plaques, each with a different shape, different colors, different word.

 

Playing with Unicorn Spit

This is the 2nd wooden plaque I have done with my new Unicorn Spit Stain/Glaze kit my sweet sister-in-law sent me recently.

I have to tell you, this is SO much fun I recommend this as a really FUN stuff to play with. I hope the lady who invented this makes a gazillion dollars. As I understand it, she works with people who are physically and/or mentally challenged, and came up with this to entertain them. It is non-toxic, water-based stuff that isn’t permanent until you ‘seal’ it, in the case of these wooden plaques, spraying it with polyurethane. Until then, you can wash it off and start over, not worry about making a mess because it’s easy to clean up, and not worry about letting anyone use it because it is non-toxic.

You can use it on paper, wood, fabric, glass – whatever. You can paint it on, squirt it on, use it like finger paints, use a brush with it, whatever you’d like. I’m simply fascinated with it.

I just started my third plaque today. I’m masking off the outer edge of the plaques my husband and I cut out with a router in the shop years ago. Then I spritz the wood with water, squirt on the colors, cover the plaque carefully with plastic wrap, spray the wrap with water, and then ‘squeeze’ the paint in all directions. Then you lift the plastic wrap off carefully and let the wood dry. (I am then taking the plastic wrap over to a pad of watercolor paper and putting the wrap down on the paper and pressing the plastic wrap onto the paper for a nice effect.)

The next step on the plaque after the paint dries is buffing it off with some steel wool, then I’ll probably spray it with some web paint for added color and texture. When that dries, I’ll spray with the polyurethane. Then I’ll write the word on the plaque and let that dry, too. Finally, I’ll paint the edges and back of the plaque and then spray again. Lots of steps, but I’m only up in my art room for a short time for each step and intersperse things I “ought” to be doing in-between.

Like now, I’m changing the wash and doing my session on the elliptical.

This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I’m varying my colors on each plaque, using a few different techniques as I gain confidence. I’m having a BLAST. :0)

 

Thoughts on a Thursday 10-17-2019

We Love Earth

 

We got an early start to the day with a doctor appointment for my husband followed by a glorious, large keto breakfast (for me) with the addition of hash browns and toast and jelly for my husband at The Dari in Greenwood. We did errands on the way home, so we’re in for the day now.

I re-lost some poundage and am again ready to get into new territory on the scales – hopefully tomorrow. To date I’ve lost 43 pounds and 45 inches.

I’m on DAY 45 of daily yoga practice

Why Kol

and DAY 30 on the getting-serious-about-keto-macros eating plan.

The fact that my husband and son are saying, “YUMMY!” about our dinners (THANK YOU, Suzanne Ryan of Simply Keto), I’m finding it easier to make the substitutions desired while we all eat together. For example, I have roast beef and salad while they have corn or other more high carb veggie with the meal. Or they have rice while I have either zucchini noodles (Zoodles) or yellow Squash noodles (Yoodles) or Cauli-rice under a sauce of chicken chunks, onions, mushrooms, and cream of chicken/mushroom soup. (I have my substitutions ready to pop into the microwave from individual portion bags in the freezer.)

I love the Cronometer.com website. I have entered my macro (5% carbs, 25% protein, 70% fat) into their program. I can ‘play’ with what I’m going to eat for the day. If I find that I’m planning to eat something that will trash my efforts for the day, I can delete that and plug something else in BEFORE I mess up.

I finished my first experiment with Unicorn Spit Stain/Glaze.  I have to say I had a BLAST playing with it and can’t wait to start another piece.

 

I finally harvested our onions from the garden. I still need to clean them up a bit more, and then I’ll put them in a large, stretchy, mesh bag and hang it in the pantry.

 

I hope that you are having a wonderful Thursday, too. :0)

 

 

Therapy

Bruderhof Communities

Playing in my art room is therapy for me. An escape from anything that is bothering me. A way to work out feelings. A joy in experimentation.

We converted a third bedroom into my art room several years ago. I helped my husband put up extra shelves all the way across one wall. We got extra stand-alone shelves and a drafting table advertised in the newspaper. We put up a few more shelves on another wall. I converted the closet into a supplies area. We put up another large table that is as long as one wall.  There is a ceiling fan from which I hung a cute mobile of merry-go-round horses.

Years ago my husband and son got together to give me a present of a lot of my favorite songs on CDs. I have a player up there, so I can fill the room with glorious music – some of which I danced to as a teenager a hundred years or so ago – and lose myself in the world of music and paint.

The only limitations is my imagination and my ability to make my visions come out on whatever I’m trying to paint. Lately I’ve been having ideas for tees on which I have spots that won’t come out in the wash. Since I’m a slob, I seem to have a never-ending supply of tees that can use a face lift.

Yesterday I finished another.

 

Lately I am trying to do things each day that make me stronger.  I’m getting back into exercising, monitoring what I eat more carefully, working in my flowers when the weather isn’t lethal, playing in my art room, spending time with our son, walking outside several times a day, and reading.

The result of all this is hopefully a stronger, happier, calmer me. I don’t have to be able to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, but being able to handle whatever comes as well as possible would be good.  I am in DAY 4 today. So far, so good!

Working on Creativity

2 STAR art

I am doing two things for myself this afternoon –

THING ONE – I’m going to do a long, slow session of old lady yoga this afternoon, stretching every part I have as much as possible.

THING TWO – I’m going to start painting another stained tee that needs new life due to my slobbiness.

I hope that you have a nice afternoon planned.

Art Attack

Keetonsonline.com  via Sherry Dell’aria McGrath

I finally gave myself the gift of time in my art room this morning.

I’ve admitted before that I’m terrible about getting stains on my tees that won’t come out. I also suddenly find a hole or two… I’ve found I can have fun – AND give new life to tees that are otherwise, ruined, by painting them.

SO –

I stitched up the hole in the front of a black tee and then started painting. I ended up painting daisies all over the shirt.

 

The paint is still wet, so it’ll have to wait until tomorrow at least before it’s wearable.

Part of My Gift to Myself for Mother’s Day

I spent yesterday doing two of my favorite things – playing in my art room and gardening.  I finished two tees for myself yesterday. (I’m a slob, so I have tees that are perfectly good, but had a spot or two on them. I love being able to make it so I can wear them again – plus I have the fun of painting them!)

This one says, “A little birdie told me…”

This one is more abstract – saying, “Everything’s gonna be all right.”

The Etched Vase Project Continues

I tried DRAWING the design on the glass with white, then black, and neither one was working. I finally just grabbed the dremel and started using it freehand, outlining the designs I’ll fill in later.

This is hard to see. I put a sheet of carbon paper inside the vase, hoping the designs would show up well enough for you to see what I’m trying to do here.

 

This project will take a long time to do. I’ll only do a bit at a time, since working with the dremel is difficult for me. It’s tedious and must be done over and over to show up well on the glass. I’ll post pictures as an area is finished.

I haven’t done this in a long time, so I’m having a good time. I like not having a deadline, or someone depending on it.

Here’s hoping I can do something that looks okay.

Vase Etching Project

I’ve started a vase etching project, experimenting as I go.

So far, I’ve sketched a design on paper on the outside of the vase. I’m planning to cut it out and then use a dremel to ‘etch’ the design into the glass.

This is a view of another part of the vase.

Here I’ve started to cut out the design. I have no idea how this will turn out, but I’m having fun trying.

“Waiting for Spring”

I’ve had fun in my art room, experimenting with different techniques with my new set of acrylic paint. Since our weather has been yucky lately – and is currently getting worse as I type – AND I’m yearning for spring, I painted this –

 

“Waiting for Spring” -Acrylic – 9 x 12 – Linda Lewis