I had lots of fun getting started yesterday on my Christmas presents idea for my friends. I’m painting themed tote bags, personalized for each person.
These totes are large enough to use as grocery bags, shopping bags, hobby bags, beach bags, travel bags, etc. They can be washed by hand and dried flat. I’m doing painted drawings on each side, personalized to each person.
It’s really fun to gather ideas for each person, reference pictures, scheming and planning, and finally spending the time to create each one. At least these people will know I thought of them a LOT and love them. :0)
Yesterday I ironed them and started the drawings. I’ll continue to do the drawings as I can find blocks of time. I’m doing the drawings in our office, where I can stop and start as I need to. (I can also work in the ‘cool’ of the a/c. I can only manage short sessions, so I don’t want to turn on the a/c upstairs. This way I can have the best of both worlds.)
I’ll work upstairs when I start the painting.
Filed under Friendship, Holiday Gift Ideas, holidays, playing in my art room
One of the many reasons I fell in love with my husband was the 4th of July when he spent all evening setting off fireworks. My dad was almost blind, but he could see the night-time fireworks, and the 4th was his favorite holiday.
It was really hot that evening and my husband worked non-stop to make sure that it was the best 4th of July ever for my dad. My dad cried with joy, hugged him over over and over, thanking him profusely. And my heart dropped at his feet.
This year we’re hoping that our down-in-the-valley neighbors will set off some fireworks. I have my “Peppa Pig” Giant Bubble Wand ready to play with and hope to create some championship bubbles – though, really – even the regular ones make my heart sing.
Instead of a cookout, I’m going to fix us ‘shrimp cocktail meals’ with salad and a roll, and we’ll have ice cream for dessert in celebration of the day.
Have a wonderful Independence Day.
Filed under holidays
Blowing bubbles has always been one of my favorite things. I don’t know why, but I can’t stop smiling when I’m around them – whether I’m doing the blowing or others are.
Bubbles are a happy-maker. You can’t be UNhappy and blow bubbles at the same time. I always have some bubble juice stashed somewhere, just in case – kind of like the things on the wall in buildings that tell you to ‘break glass in case of fire.’ “Break out the bubbles in case of sadness.”
And creative people have come up with new and different ways for people to enjoy blowing bubbles!
This looks like the one I’ll be using tomorrow. Mine is called, “Peppa Pig Giant Bubble Wand.” It cost $1.99 plus tax and I scooped it up at the grocery store Friday. I can’t wait to use it sitting on the deck, and maybe even running out in the back yard (being careful not to fall in the soft spots created by moles, voles and other “ole’s” as I do.)
Filed under Bubble Blowing, Childlike Fun, Favorite Things
David Zinn – Street Artist – article by Hidreley, BoredPanda.com
Filed under David Zinn - Street Artist, drawings
Right now we have our front and back doors open and ceiling fans on, enjoying a nice breeze airing out the house before it gets too hot and we have to close up and turn on the a/c.
I got a good start yesterday on the Christmas presents I’m making for my friends this year. I’m painting themed tote bags, personalizing them for each of my friends.
Yesterday I brought them downstairs and ironed them. I decided I would leave them on my desk down here so that I can work on them in-between other things, doing a bit at a time. There is a LOT of sketching to do on each of them. I don’t want to run the a/c upstairs in CASE I find time to work up there, and my life is such that good session times are harder and harder to find. Having them down here in the office will allow me to make some progress without disrupting our routine a lot. I wrote down notes on what I want to do on each one, and printed some reference pics from the net. I’ll work on them down here until it’s time to paint.
I didn’t SEE anything last night, but our down-in-the-valley-behind-us neighbors were setting something off, with a lot of popping and banging. Amber woofed some, but didn’t freak out.
We shared a tomato at lunch and another one at dinner yesterday. YUM! We could get used to this! :0)
My friends, Kay and Bud, are enjoying a visit from their son this weekend. My friend Linda is in Tennessee, enjoying visiting with one of her daughters and her family. It’s just my husband, our animals and me here, but I had a nice online chat with our son this morning. We’re all so lucky to have family.
I hope you’re enjoying your Sunday.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
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.
Filed under Friendship, fun in my art room, playing in my art room
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, scarves
I love long weekends with few plans. I feel FREE, looking at several days of time that I hope I can spend in lots of fun, satisfying ways – or simply doing a lot of nothing. Right now the only thing I have penciled in is to check Monday evening to see if our wonderful neighbors in the valley behind our house will set off fireworks this year.
One of the things I’ve learned in reading about the Mediterranean eating plan is that they suggest that you cut WAAAAAAAY back on red meat, eat a LOT more fish, and to also include chicken and turkey. (They also eat lamb, but I have trouble getting that here, so I’ll concentrate on the others.)
They suggest eating fish at least twice per week. That’s a LOT more fish that we are used to eating, but I started last night, marinating and baking two boneless salmon filets. I also steamed some fresh asparagus and broccoli. I’m pleased that both my husband and I really enjoyed the dinner. Because of the 4th of July weekend, we splurged with a wedge of watermelon for dessert. I’m going to start including fish twice a week to start and see how it goes. Shrimp will be next.
Last night I dreamed about the designs for Christmas presents for my friends – a sure sign I need to make time to get up to my art room and play. Things have been a bit challenging around here lately, so I’m looking forward to time up there for calmness and peace of mind, as well. Maybe I can make some time this afternoon. :0)
This is the harvest for today. Guess what we’ll be enjoying as part of our lunch and dinner tonight!
Our plumber called and then came by the house yesterday afternoon to get a look at what we would like for him to do. He’s covered up with a huge project, but will try to work our little project in as soon as he can.
I hope you can enjoy your Saturday!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I love this quote. It makes me feel better about playing in my art room.
I got an idea about Christmas presents for this year and ordered some things. They are up in my art room now. I have ideas running around in my head for personalized presents for everyone in a similar theme. I’m trying to clear the deck a bit so I don’t feel guilt spending time up there.
Maybe this afternoon.
Filed under .gifs I Love, playing in my art room
David Zinn – Street Artist – article by Hidreley – BoredPanda.com
Filed under David Zinn - Street Artist, drawings
I find it hard to believe it’s already July. I can feel my hair blowing as the time flies over my head this year.
We will have Lunch Bunch with Kay and her family today. My friend (the birthday girl) Linda is on her way to Tennessee today. Kay’s son and a friend will be visiting today. I’m not sure who will be there, but it will be fun to see them. On the way there, we’ll put up our 4th of July mailbox decoration, get our mail, and take some mail to the drive-through post office. Afterwards, we’ll do a bit of shopping before coming home.
So far today I’ve changed sheets and started laundry. I’m baking some salmon and steaming asparagus for our dinner tonight. I’m doing bookkeeping for June in-between.
Nice Friday, and looking forward to a long, hopefully lazy weekend. :0) I’m hoping that our neighbors down in the valley will do their annual fireworks display. That would be ‘gravy’ on an already pretty nice week.
Enjoy your day!
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