Freepik
The Cookie Rookie
The chili is now in the crock pot and the kitchen is cleaned up, ready for lunch in about an hour.
Getty Images – Southern Living
The 2nd load of laundry is in, the bed is stripped, ready for clean sheets.
I have my 2nd cup of coffee in hand, ready to catch up on my computer.
It’s NICE to not have a heavy to-do list for the day, and it’s a PRETTY day – 83 degrees, reasonable humidity, and sunny. Ahhhh!
Hope you’re enjoying your day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Boys’ and Girls’ Names Signs – Made to Order – $5.75 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
_______________-
My husband got some stuff in the mail yesterday he ordered online. As he opened the package, he pushed one small package in my direction and said, “This one’s for you.” Inside were 2 dozen cut-out wooden blank signs designed to be used in your garden. He and I haven’t talked about my garden much this year since it was such a bust, and I guess he was trying to quietly encourage me regarding NEXT year. He’s a keeper. :0)
I also got the new dremel type tool I ordered. On looking at it and the attachments closely, the parts are all for grinding, rather than etching. I ordered the wrong thing. :0( My brother-in-law suggested that I use the term “engraver” rather than ‘etcher,’ in my search and I think I was successful.
This is light weight, used like a pencil, and is cordless. It has several different diamond bit tips. Best of all, since Amazon is having some kind of special thing going on for Labor Day, it is supposed to be delivered TOMORROW – SUNDAY!
______________
I’m about to go in and get the makings of chili into a crock pot for tonight. I’m also doing several loads of laundry, changing our sheets, and other exciting things. The one I’m looking forward to, other than writing some more blog posts, is playing in my art room. :0)
So a happy day here. I hope that you are having one, as well.
Kemi Filani News
“Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have thirty-one, except February, which has twenty-eight.”
Does it show how old I am that I still recite this when I’m filling out the wall calendar in my kitchen to remember how many days a month has? If that doesn’t do it, how about that I mentally picture Jiminy Cricket
Wikipedia
singing how to spell, “e n c – yc – lo – p e d i a” ?
I like September because usually the summer extremes are finally softened toward the middle of the month and signs of the coming fall begin. Our part of Arkansas has never been great for ‘fall colors,’ because the summer heat has caused the trees to shed most of their leaves or actually killed off much of the vegetation. I love being able to ‘borrow’ beautiful images from our northern states, like Vermont, on the net, to fill my love of turning leaves.
September used to mean new school supplies to me, some new clothes to wear to school (even though here – and Oklahoma where I spent a lot of my teaching time) were too hot for the long-sleeved clothes we bought. Now the schools here open in August.
It just occurred to me that the concept of ‘snow days’ may no longer apply to the school calendar. Since Covid, where schools went to online learning for such a long period, I think they just switch back and forth as needed, depending on the weather and other conditions, so they can have classes as usual, rather than having to add on days somewhere in the school year to make up for days busses can’t drive the kids to school.
Giphy
Today we join our friends for Lunch Bunch. We have all aged and conditions have changed, so we’re happy to see anyone who shows up. It has become an event when we are all there, so we feel accordingly celebrational – if that’s a word.
Today we’ll take “Yosemite Sam” down from the mailbox and put our “Tasmanian Devil” up.
Freepik
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! We FOUND a split in one of the hoses going from the yard to the well house last night. We cut a 4-foot length from a spare hose and replaced it. So the leak is stopped and the well house floor being flooded will be a thing of the past. AND both controllers for the irrigation system are working and so things are getting watered the way they should again :0)
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Glass Bud Vase – “Pretty Paisley” – Hand Painted, One of a Kind – $32.95 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
Animal Wellness Magazine
I had my monthly massage this morning. I think Lynn Moody, my massage therapist, did the best job ever. She found all the places I had created knots and sore spots and smoothed them all away.
My husband and I fixed lunch when I got home and then I spread out in my recliner under my throw and slept right through the end of the news we were watching. I feel really relaxed right now. :0)
Terry Love Plumbing
I remembered to set my alarm for us to go out right before the first cycle of the watering starts this evening to see what is causing the water on the floor of the well house. (This looks similar to what we’ll be looking at, minus a lot of PVC pipe.) Hopefully, we can figure it out and fix it quickly.
Princeton Brush
I’m about to go upstairs and play in my art room. I’m working on a piece with bleeding tissue paper, pastels, stencils, etc. on a larger piece of canvas board. I may end up with a mess, but I’m having SUCH a good time plotting, planning, and experimenting…
I hope you’re having a good day, too.
forwarded by my friend Marsha
I set our alarm last night so we could monitor our irrigation system. One started at 7:30pm and the other at 8pm. The one in the back started first, so we went out the porch door. There was a deer standing off to the left, watching us! As we watched her, movement caught my eye. To my delight, a roadrunner was running away from us, toward and then beside the deer. I just waited – enjoying the beautiful sight for a minute.
We made some progress on our problem, getting a couple of pvc pipes unclogged and making sure everything was getting water. We still have the problem of something spewing water in the well house. We’ll tackle that one tonight.
_______________
The Noun Project
Meanwhile, there is a light flashing on the floor under the dishwasher. I just got out our paperwork, but there is no ‘trouble’ section. I’ll just try to reset the system, if possible, and we’ll see what happens. Such is my life as the new technical trouble-shooter in the Lewis household. I feel overwhelmed by the task so far.
____________
The Artful Parent
I had fun in my art room yesterday afternoon, though the piece I’m working on needs to dry between steps, so I do a bit, let it dry overnight, then do the next step, whatever I decide that is. I’m having a lot of fun.
__________
Women’s Health
Shout-out to Marsha, who seems to be safe from Hurricane Idalia so far. The storm seems to be going just to her north. I hate it that anyone has to suffer from the latest from Mother Nature.
Shout-out to Cathy, who is in hump day of Week 5 of her chemo and radiation treatment. Please join me in sending her love and strength.
_______________
Notecard Set – 5 Different Hand Painted Designs and Envelopes – “Thumbelina.” – $19.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
Make this is a good day if you are able.
Filed under HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy, Thoughts on a ________
s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
This creative painting would make me smile every time I saw it. :0)
________________
We’re having a really nice morning here, with 74 degrees F. right now. We have the front and back doors open, enjoying a beautiful, cool breeze. The high this afternoon is supposed to be 89, I think, so a good day for August in Arkansas.
_________________
I finished some inspirational/motivational small signs yesterday in my art room and got them up on HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy. The stencil painting is a bit raised on the hard canvas board and the lettering is more raised than that. Here they are –
Work + Money – FunnyBeing.com
It’s hard for me to believe that August is almost over. I have to admit I’ll be happy to see this one go since the heat has been SO oppressive this year. If it’s like our usual fall, we’ll get three days or so and then we’ll have an ice storm, and then it will go back to Indian Summer… Arkansas is an interesting place to live. :0)
________________
Meri Cherry
I had fun in my art room yesterday afternoon, finishing up 6 small signs using bleeding tissue paper, pastels, stencils and acrylic paint. I’m planning to get them listed later today in my Etsy shop. Meanwhile, here is another one –
6 x 8 hand-painted sign – “Sparkle” – $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
_______________
We got a touch of why we enjoy living a bit outside town yesterday. One driveway alarm alerted us that ‘something’ was out there – but not a vehicle. It turned out to be a doe and TWO fawns crossing our driveway. It was beautiful to watch them. She seemed to be totally unaware I was there. Later a white-tailed bunny skedaddled toward the shop when I went out into the garage, and – to finish it out, two hummingbirds at the feeder and a woodpecker on the telephone pole in the back yard. He came down the pole a bit (he sits right on top much of the time) and then went over to one of our weed trees that has a huge pod of seeds on top. I imagine those attract insects, which, in turn, attract HIM. He ate awhile and then went back to the pole and did little hops right up.
________________
Things are quiet so far today. We’ll gather our trash and drive it down to the bottom of the driveway and get our mail. I’m HOPING my Dremel will be delivered today…
Make it a good Monday.
“Skyflower” – FloralisCo-Etsy
Wow. I’m drooling over this plant! It’s recommended for Florida aquatic gardens. I’m about as far from that as it’s possible to be here in western Arkansas. I can still look at it and dream, though. Isn’t it spectacular?
________________
Primrose Schools
Life keeps getting in the way of my getting upstairs to play in my art room. I’m hoping I’ll get time up there today. I did NOT get my new Dremel, so the glassware is sitting, waiting to be worked on. Meanwhile, I’m having fun with the bleeding tissue paper, stencils, and other media. My progress up there is very slow, but the fact that I’ve managed to get up there at ALL is better than I’ve done in quite a while.
____________________
Journal – “Dragonflies” 5.5 x 7 Spiral Hand-Painted with Lined Pages and Pockets – $17.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
http://www.verfunnypics.eu – T1Fitness
I’ve been eating lead by the bucketful lately and my scales are guffawing at me. The only thing missing is a hand that comes up from the scales pointing a finger at me, or one with a face so one hand can cover the laughing face’s mouth while the other one points at me. UGH. What little creativity I have is being used up making excuses for why my weight is going up and I’m not exercising. :0(
Take care and have a really nice Sunday.
Tricia Galvin-Unsplash
We MAY be getting a bit of a reprieve in our weather tomorrow! 102 today with ‘excessive heat warnings’ and ‘heat advisories’, but 88 and a good chance of some rain tomorrow. “Rain?” What is THAT? “Dannnnn-cing, YEAH!”
_______________
Women’s Health
Shout-Out to Cathy, who has finished Week 4 of Chemo and Radiation. Sending strength and much love your way.
Giphy
________________
My SIL was asking what “pounders” were that I was talking about getting yesterday. Real art people apparently call them, ‘stippling brushes.’ You pour out some paint, dip the ‘stippler’ in the paint, but keeping it pretty dry, then ‘pound’ the paint from the stippler into a stencil you have applied to a surface.
__________
Greeting Card Package – Set of 3 different hand painted cards – “Thinking of You.” – $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S.
tatiog.com
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow make me feel like a kid a Christmas. I ordered some things to experiment with in my art room and they started arriving yesterday.
I got a bunch of stencils and a set of ‘pounders’. I’m not sure what these are really called, but they are sticks with various-sized foam endings. You put them in paint and then ‘pound’ the paint onto the stencil you’ve affixed to whatever. I’ve used STAMPS, but never stencils, so this is really fun to try. I’m planning to try to make some 4×6 and larger signs with sayings I like on them.
Also to be delivered is my new smaller dremel tool that I’m planning to use on my glassware etching project. I’m hoping this will be lighter, smaller, and easier to control, with variable speeds.
I played in my art room awhile yesterday, starting on one small sign. There are several steps in these with a lot of drying in-between the steps, so I’m taking my time and grinning a lot.
Even if I don’t produce anything, it’s fun to feel my juices flowing, my head rattling with ideas for new things. I haven’t felt that in quite a while, so I’m enjoying this a lot.
Framed Quote – 5.5″ x 7.5″ – “Best Friend” – $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda
memegenerator.net
According to the experts, we’re supposed to finally be out from under the ‘excessive heat warnings’ by Sunday night or Monday morning of next week. I’m ready.
_____________
everymum
Yesterday I had fun in my art room doing a bunch of ‘name’ signs on small canvas boards, using bleeding tissue paper, white crayon, and then squeeze white paint. I should finish them today, and then I’ll post pictures.
____________
I’ve been reading a bunch of books on my Kindle for the past few weeks. The only one I read that’s a keeper is
The Last Flight of the Starleap by Simon Panneton.
I end up reading a book every day or so, most of them completely forgettable, but they do divert me from all the stuff going on in the world.
I’m really happy that I can maintain what is left of my sanity because
Greeting Cards – Set of 4 different cards and envelopes – “Get Well Soon” – $16.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy.
I hope that you’re staying above the fray, safe and well, and that this Wednesday brings you some fun and joy.
Ethan’s Owls-tumblr.com
I think this is exquisite. I just love it. I want to TOUCH it. I want it!
SO – I’ll share it with you here and save it into my Pinterest collection – all I’m really able to do. :0)
Good morning. I hope you’re well and happy today.
Kara Creates
I’m looking forward to playing in my art room, experimenting with white crayon and bleeding tissue paper today.
Ramblings of the Claury on Twitter
Heat index of between 105 and 120 again today. I’m grateful I can insulate myself from the totally uncivilized outside today, staying cool.
(I have to admit I feel guilty complaining about the heat when so many people in our country are suffering right now – Hawaii with the wildfire and California with the flooding.)
If you want to donate, Fox News is suggesting redcross.org/foxforward or text ‘HAWAII’ to 90999 to make a $10 donation. I don’t know whether they will set up help for the states suffering from the flooding or not yet.
Framed 7×5 Friend Sign – “Four Leaf Clover” – $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
Have a wonderful day.
It’s totally uncivilized outside. The heat simply smacks you in the face the minute you step outside and doesn’t release you until you’re lucky enough to find some air conditioning. I’m feeling really lucky, now that we’re home again from errands, that we have a good system and can stay cool. Our animals go out, stay a minute or two, and then want to come back inside.
We have our bug spray guy coming between 2 and 4 today, to spray for things known or unknown, large and small, dangerous or merely annoying, hosing out place down inside and out. He’s wonderful.
I’m amazed that we have anything living outside at this point. Our elephant ear plants that came up late seem to be doing fine, though.
We went to check on the bridge replacement project on the way home from errands. There were workers there, and they were moving the machinery around, but we couldn’t tell what they were doing. They are moving very slowly on this project. I’ll be grateful if the new bridge is open by the end of the year, judging by the speed now.
Child’s Apron – Hand-Painted – “Falling Leaves” – Size is 2-6 years. The apron is 19″ long and 12.5″ wide, not including neck loop or ties. $19.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
As you can see, Fort Smith and Greenwood (and Fayetteville – where my sweet cousin Murray now lives – welcome to AR, Murray! :0) ) are in an ‘excessive heat warning’ today, with ‘feels-like’ temps of between 110-120. UGH.
We’re getting ready to drive our trash down and do some errands before coming home and being inside the rest of the day. Our wonderful bug spray guy (who sprays for everything, including elephants) is due to come this afternoon.
I got started yesterday etching the glassware I’m working on, putting my initials and the year on the bottom of the glasses. I decided that I want a smaller Dremel that has variable speeds and is smaller and lighter in order to hopefully increase my control. I have that ordered, and so will switch to some other things I want to try in my art room until the new one arrives.
Hoping for a quiet, albeit too hot, day. I hope you’re safe and happy wherever you are.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Greenwood is just southeast of Fort Smith, Arkansas – just above the “Feels Like 110-115” part of the image. (High of 106 this afternoon). It’s always hot in the summer, but I don’t remember having so many days of ‘excessive heat warnings.’ I think that’s new, and I really don’t consider it a good thing. I’m always griping about the weather, it seems, but Mother Nature just can’t seem to get her head on straight. Thank goodness we’re spoiled by not having to be outside for work and having good air conditioning!
__________
LesterLousDesigns-Etsy
Yesterday I finally finished liquid etching the stencils on the glassware I’m working on in my art room. The etching worked, but I’m pretty disappointed at how delicate and faint the etching is, even though I left the medium on as long as they said was the LONGEST time to leave it on.
Today I’m going to start experimenting, using my Dremel tool. I’m going to see if I can add names to the glassware with the tool. I’ll keep adding and adjusting to see what I can make of this. This will be a long, slow process. I’ll take my time and just enjoy. (Actually, this is the part I enjoy the most. What I WANTED didn’t happen. Now I’m free to ‘play.’ If something fun comes of it, good. If not, I can always pitch these and start over with something else. :0) )
______________
Red and White 3 Disc Light-Weight Hand-Painted Wooden Dangle Earrings with Bling – Length: 2.5 Inches; Width: 1.2 Inches – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLindaonEtsy
___________
Shout-out to Mary Lou – just thought of you when I saw this –
hahahahahahahaah
Hope you have a FUN Sunday.
LookHUMAN
103 for a high today and under an ‘Intense Heat Warning.’ UGH
__________
I forgot to tell you, but yesterday on the way to Lunch Bunch and errands, we passed a young horse scratching his back like the one in this picture. I was astonished. I’ve never seen a horse act like a dog before, although it makes sense, I guess. My husband, who had a horse of his own when he was growing up, said they do this all the time. I can still see it in my mind. Wonderful. :0)
___________
The day got away from me yesterday and I didn’t get up to my art room. I’ll get up there today and see if I can finish etching the stencil shapes onto the glassware. As soon as that is finished, the next step will be seeing what I can do with my Dremel tool. That will be the deciding factor on whether I’ll pitch these glasses and start over with another idea or continue trying to make these as presents for Christmas this year.
_____________
An order was delivered yesterday with small canvas boards (two sizes) and bleeding tissue (tissue paper that ‘bleeds’ onto paper, giving the look of watercolor.) I’m still waiting for some white crayons. When I have them, I saw an idea online I’d like to play with.
_____________
Peakpx
Enjoy your day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
We just finished putting away the stuff we got at Walmart after we got our mail and then enjoyed our friends at Lunch Bunch. Everyone was at Lunch Bunch – for the first time in about a month now, so it was extra special. :0) We got caught up, laughed a lot, got in some really terrific hugs, and said we should do this again. Life gets so busy and complicated. We NEED to try harder to see the people we care about as often as possible.
We checked on the progress of the replacement of the bridge between our house and town on the way home. The fact that they are replacing the bridge is nice for the long run, but it’s aggravating to have to take a much longer route to get to town than usual. It’s only about 5 miles difference, but you notice and grit your teeth a bit.
This is what we found today. Everyone seemed to be at lunch, or they were waiting for something to be delivered, because nothing was happening. You can see my husband as he walks closer to the work.
It seems that they might be getting to the final stages. Since I can only gawk and suppose, at least I HOPE I’m right. A lot of people are inconvenienced by the lack of bridge. I mainly think of delivery people, trash haulers, any kind of service vehicle, not to mention emergency vehicles and home owners.
To be completely honest with you, I’ll also be glad when we can use the bridge again because my husband is like a dog tracking a bone in watching their progress. We had an extremely small space in which to turn the truck around today. I held my breath, my mouth firmly shut, holding on to the chicken handle of my door, bracing my hand on the ceiling, seat belt firmly tight as we turned the truck, went a couple of inches forward, then turned the wheel all the way the other way and went another couple of inches several times before we were finally facing the other direction on the road. Even so, my husband heard me letting my breath out in relief and said, “What?” I didn’t answer.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Earrings – Dangle/Wire – 2″ Hand-Painted Orange Multi-Colored Light Weight Wooden Teardrop-Shaped – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
___________
That’s almost ALL I did yesterday. My husband was fighting with his computer again, chatting with the experts at Microsoft, with me typing for him, twice yesterday – once with a regular expert and once with a Level 2 expert. My husband can now see my computer over the net. He can now save his backup of his computer over here. We thought we had the networking solved going both ways, but found out we didn’t. I told him that I want to throw in the towel at this point so that I can plan my days to get other stuff done.
I got my new “Wreath” Christmas cards listed as a made to order item in my Etsy shop, though, so that’s something.
__________
YouTube
The jury is still out on my etching of the glassware for Christmas presents for my friends. I followed the directions carefully and I can see the etching after I remove the stencils, but it’s much fainter and more ‘delicate’ than I pictured. I’m going to go ahead and do all the stencils on all the glasses, and then see what I can do to punch things up with my Dremel tool.
This looks similar to what I have. I can write words, create designs, etc.
__________
Pxfuel
We’re going to get our mail, meet friends, we hope, at Lunch Bunch, and go to Walmart.
I hope you’re having a nice Friday.
Women’s Health
Shout-out to my friend Marsha, who had a scare yesterday but is doing fine today. I’m thinking of you. If I were there, I would be hovering, driving you nuts, so be thankful we live so far from each other. :0)
Women’s Health
Shout-out to Cathy, who will finish Week 3 of her radiation and chemo treatment soon. I hope you are still weathering this well, Sweet Friend.
I started the etching on the glassware yesterday. The etching cream worked, but the images are much more delicate and fainter than I pictured. I’m going to finish the 10 glasses following the directions, and then I’m going to ‘play,’ seeing what I can do to punch things up. I have a Dremel tool that I’m planning to use to add names, maybe some outlines, and some free-form stuff in-between the stencil images. We’ll see.
TechSling Weblog
My husband and I have been having problems seeing each other’s computer on the network, sharing files, etc. I typed for my husband while we spent about an hour on chat with Microsoft experts yesterday, but are now referred to Level 2 experts who are due to call us today at around 11:30 to see if they can help us. We’ve tried everything we know how to do, so we’re hopeful that these people will make the changes we need to get us to the place we would like. Fingers crossed.
I hope you’re having a good Thursday.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Unsplash-Doucefleur-Getty Images-iStockphoto
All week I’ve had trouble with what day I’m having. I keep having to look at my computer, watch, and/or calendar, several times each day. If you find my mind, I would appreciate it if you would return it. It isn’t worth much, but I’m kind of sentimental about it.
______________
Mini Notebook – Pocket Notebook – “Apple” – 100 blank pages for notes, reminders, etc. Actual fabric retro patch affixed to the front. 3-3/4″ x 5-3/4″ x 3/8″ – good size to throw in your purse or glove compartment, or a fun gift for a caring teacher. $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy.
_______________
The Last Flight of the Starleap by Simon Panneton
I had a nice surprise this morning. I was doing my normal quick morning look through Twitter and found a post by Simon! He posted an excerpt of my email to him after I finished reading his wonderful book. He added, “Getting reactions like this one is why I write. It’s the goal. The entire point of the endeavour. ”
Isn’t that terrific? :0)
_____________
I finished my “Wreath” Christmas cards yesterday. I’m thinking of putting them on Etsy as a choice for my group of hand painted Christmas Cards. What do you think?
_____________
Today I will start the glassware etching. I’ve watched some videos now and read the directions several times. My friend Marsha suggested that I use a glass jar to practice. I have a couple them waiting to be used as grease jars. Then I’ll take a deep breath and DIVE!
I hope you’re having a nice day.
http://www.kentfaith.com-blog-creative-photography-ideas
This has been a really nice Tuesday.
While I’ve been writing these posts, I’ve also been communicating with friends and family via various media. I’ve seen some beautiful things on Twitter, and will soon look at Pinterest. I’ve enjoyed a few songs from YouTube. Scanned the news. Non-hurried morning with a cup of coffee and a chance to think about what I would like to do with the rest of my day.
I almost finished the ‘wreath’ Christmas cards yesterday that I’m making for my friends. I should finish the last step today. Then I’ll let them sit for a time before looking at them again to see if they pass muster this time. If they do, I’ll store them carefully, plus list them as a custom order on my Etsy shop, HandmadeHavenbyLinda for the holidays.
I’m still putting masking tape on the glassware I’m going to etch. I’ve etched things in our sandblaster before, but I’ve never used the delicate stencils I’m using with the liquid etching medium I’m trying before. I have no clue what I’m doing and I’m quite a bit intimidated at this point, delaying the time I actually dive in and try it. Maybe today. :0)
Earrings – Dangle/Wire – 2″ One-of-a-Kind Hand-Painted Light-Weight Leaf-Shaped Rose and White -Wooden $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S. Earrings
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Earrings – Dangle/Wire – 2-1/2″ Green Teardrop-Shaped with Green and White Extra Disc One-of-a-Kind Hand-Painted Wooden – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
____________
everymum
I had fun in my art room yesterday. I’m doing one part of the Christmas cards at a time, then letting them dry. I’m trying to make stylized Christmas wreaths using a multi-media approach, and I’m having a blast using different media and experimenting with different techniques. There is a definite freedom know that if they’re a disaster (as the first ones were) there is a place waiting in the trash can and I can start again. :0)
I got the masking tape on one of the glasses yesterday. I’m trying to get up the courage to try the liquid etching system. I’ve never done this before, so I’m working VERY slowly, reading the directions over and over before actually taking the plunge. Maybe I’ll work myself up to try the first one today. If not, I can do more of the masking tape stage on the other glasses.
___________
Exciting things for the day include gathering the trash, driving it down to the bottom of the driveway, getting our mail. Be still, my heart.
___________
“The Last Flight of the StarLeap” by Simon Panneton
I’m having real trouble getting much done since I found this book. This is the first book by Simon Panneton. “Follow (12-year-old) Ellie as she joins a ghost on a swashbuckling, against-all-odds (sci-fi) adventure to reunite long-lost lovers.”
This is not my normal reading choice, but I’m finding it hard to put down. Ellie has my heart. She’s an orphan who has essentially shut down emotionally. Sharing her life as she opens up, surprising herself as much as everyone else how courageous she is in tackling whatever is in the way of her goals, opening her heart as she goes, is a thrilling experience.
I’ve finished about 2/3 of the book and am TRYING not to simply sit in my chair and read until I find out how her story ends…
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Paws
99 degrees this afternoon – excessive heat warning with heat index of 113. I am filing a note of diplomatic protest that this is totally uncivilized.
_________
Gfycat.gif
Happy Birthday to my friend, Kay. We celebrated Friday at Lunch Bunch, but today is her actual birthday. Have a blast, my friend.
__________
Women’s Health
Shout-Out to Cathy, who starts Week 3 of her chemo and radiation tomorrow. Just wanted you to remember how awesome you are, Sweet Lady, and that I’m thinking of you.
_____________
Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota
I cleaned my art room enough yesterday that I had a place to play. I started again on my ‘wreath’ Christmas cards, using watercolor paper this time and a multi-media approach, with bleeding tissue paper, white web spray, magic markers so far, with more to come.
I also started the glassware etching, putting some stencils on the glassware. The next step is masking tape.
I have no idea whether these will turn out okay, but starting this early gives me time to trash my efforts over and over until I hopefully come up with something the might be good enough to give my friends. I’m having a good time trying.
____________
Painted Container with Lid – Hand-Painted, One of a Kind – Glass – “Stained Glass” – The piece is 7.5″ tall including the lid. The lid has a rigid vinyl piece that allows the lid to fit very snugly into the bottom. The circumference of the container is 13″. – $41.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
Adobe Stock
I’m relieved that the severe weather passed us by overnight. I never heard any rain if we had any. Everything, including flying hairballs, was predicted, and my weather thingie was flashing a tornado watch. Thankfully, we had a quiet evening and night and are fine.
Freepik
I spent some time in my art room yesterday, trying to get things put back in place. I had to move a LOT of stuff in order to clear space large enough for my husband to be able to use a ladder under the fluorescent light fixture, rewiring it so that it would accept LED tubes. The light is wonderful in there now, but the room looks a bit like a bomb hit.
I really need to go through and toss a bunch of stuff. Each time I work on a project I find supplies that have hardened up, no longer usable. This time, though, I really want to continue work on the Christmas presents and cards I have in mind, plus play with the new colored markers my husband got me, so I’m just going to concentrate on getting things put somewhere reasonable, clear off my drafting table, and then play. I can be more of an ‘adult’ later… :0)
Filed under playing in my art room, Thoughts on a ________
Jeff’s Wildlife Photography – @Sykesjeff on Twitter
WEATHER –
We’re supposed to have rain very soon, and then storms – some severe – tonight-into-the-overnight. I guess it’s kind of whiny of me to wish we could just have a quiet rain, rather than moving from ‘intense heat warnings” to “Severe Storms Warning,” but I would LOVE to be a bit spoiled for a while.
NATURE’S GIFTS-
I had the gift of two hummingbirds taking their time eating and resting at our feeder this morning. I was in the kitchen getting coffee when I caught movement outside the window. One hummingbird landed on the feeder and just sat for quite awhile, resting and looking around, drinking occasionally. A second hummer joined him, but they weren’t dive-bombing each other. Both just sat at the feeder seemingly enjoying the food and the companionship. Just beautiful!
On the way to town a couple of days ago, a roadrunner ran across the road down the road from us. It was the first one we’ve seen in a couple of years. We usually have a couple we see from time to time in our yard, but they’ve been scarce for a year or so.
And finally, our driveway detector kept going off – just one detector, so I didn’t think there was a vehicle, but it went off several times. I got up to see what was causing it and got to see a doe crossing our driveway, leading her fawns to the west. She wasn’t in any hurry and I got to see her as she encouraged her babies to follow her. Really special. :0)
I hope your Wednesday is wonderful.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Tenor
Our doors are open, my husband is sleeping in, and it’s deliciously cool right now with gentle rain and 71 degrees. I feel like a plant, drinking in the reviving moisture. We’ll have to close up around lunchtime, probably, and turn on the a/c, but I’m enjoying every minute of this.
Yesterday I finally got up to my art room! It’s the first day in quite a while, since I was trying to get work done in the yard, and then some areas in the house ‘healed,’ from my sloth.
I turned on the fluorescent light up there and nothing happened. I flipped the switch over and over again, with the light FINALLY coming on. That means yet another ballast transformer finally giving up the ghost after some 35 years. Things just don’t last anymore. :0) My husband and I will try to get the fixture changed over to accept the LED tubes today.
I started my idea yesterday for some Christmas presents for my Lunch Bunch buddies and other in-town friends. I had made some Christmas cards with painted wreaths a couple of months ago, but they didn’t turn out like I wanted, so I threw them away and will start over with another technique.
I hope you have a fun day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Four Paw Square
Ahhhhhh! We have the doors open so the cool breeze is running through the main part of the house. It’s cloudy, sprinkling, and a delicious 75 degrees F. right now. Just beautiful. I stood outside on our driveway pad drinking in the cool under my umbrella this morning when I let Amber out. What a nice reprieve!
_________________
Earrings – Clip-Ons – “Blue, Purple, Rose & White” Hand-painted, Light-Weight, Wooden $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.
lindawlewis1@gmail.com if you have questions
HandmadeHavenByLinda is the link to these in my Etsy shop.
_______________
The Organized Mama
No areas are glaring at me this morning that need to be ‘healed,’ and the rain gives me an excuse not to be working outside this morning, so I may actually give myself permission to play in my art room. I have so many ideas rattling around in my head right now that I don’t know if I’ll actually accomplish something, but I may just enjoy listening to some music up there while I mess around. :0)
I hope that you’re having a great Sunday.
Maxine.com – Facebook.com/maxine – Pinterest
“30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Heat index values as high as 110.”
I’m pleased that there is a CHANCE of some rain today, plus chances next week. It’s sunny outside now, and 91 with a heat index of 98, so it’s a bit hard to believe.
_________________
Yesterday’s Projects –
This is my kitchen desk. One thing I learned from the clean up yesterday is that I really need to either go through my recipes and throw out a bunch or start a second binder and figure out how to divide things up. The desk was covered in printed-but-not-put-into-the-binder recipes because the binder is getting too full. I’ll put this on the list for another day.
I also vacuumed an entire dog and cat upwhile taking care of the first floor yesterday, judging from the hair that I pulled out of the canister. Amber and Abby still look exactly the same, but it’s absolutely amazing how MUCH hair is in the vacuum canister when I finish each time.
My husband took another stab at fixing my battery-powered vacuum yesterday. With the new battery we got and installed it charged up and was making noise, but wasn’t picking up the dirt. He took it apart, took the head out to the shop and blew it out with the air compressor. I had cleaned out the brush in the head, but didn’t think about it being clogged farther up. It works now!
________________
Today’s Projects –
It embarrasses me to admit and show you what a slob I am, but though I do try to improve with age, it doesn’t seem that I’m going to change my spots at this point. These two pics show you the table that is between the couch and my chair in the living room. As you can see, an ‘explosion’ happened, and it definitely needs some attention. This is the project for today, along with continuing to work on some paperwork I’m trying to get put away, and getting some chili going in the crock pot, which I did awhile ago.
I hope that your Saturday is a good one weather-wise, and that you find something to really enjoy.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
OHMAGIF.com
Today is Lunch Bunch. We’ll leave in about an hour. I’m taking a birthday card to Bud today.
____________
Today is forecast to get to 104. I don’t even want to THINK about the heat index. We MAY get some relief by Monday.
Gene Kelly – singing in the rain – Don Lockwood – Tenor
I’m more than ready to dance with Gene Kelly in any raindrops that fall, although I certainly won’t look as graceful as he.
____________
Yesterday I got the “Go-out” table cleaned off and July’s spreadsheet bookkeeping done. Today’s projects are –
_____________
Women’s Health
Shout-out to Cathy, who is finishing her first week of chemo and radiation today. Please help me send her strength and big, gentle hugs.
Make this a wonderful day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sent to me by my friend, Carol. :0)
With our ACTUAL temperature forecast to be 105 degrees F. this afternoon and an ‘intense heat warning’ yesterday, today, and tomorrow of 110-115+, you can be sure THIS old lady will be happy as a clam staying inside enjoying the a/c and feeling very grateful. My husband will probably drive down later to get the mail, but that’s it for outside today, I think.
I made a BIT of progress on cleaning up our ‘go-out’ table in the dining area yesterday, but my husband needed me to type for him while he was chatting with Microsoft Support, so my progress stopped there. I’ll try to get at least a bit more of that done today.
My big push is on paperwork and bookkeeping today – exciting, huh! :0) I’m trying to clear the decks so that I can play in my art room without feeling guilty. I’ve tried a couple of times lately, but soon after sitting down at my drafting table, I start thinking about all the things I’m “supposed” to be doing and my joy in being up there fades away. It’ll come one day.
I hope you’re managing to stay comfortable whatever weather you’re having, reaching out to people you care about, and even arranging to have a bit of fun.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Digital Mom Blog
Actual temperature forecast to be 104 today. I have no idea what the “feels like” temperature will be. All I know is that IT’S TOO HOT! I’m eagerly awaiting the possibility of rain late this weekend or early next week.
We’re leaving for errands in a few minutes. When we get back, we’re in for the day.
I finished my spraying for weeds yesterday. I’ll give it a few days and then see where I need to treat again. My husband is smiling at the turning-brown-and-crunchy grass.
__________
Yesterday I cleaned up and reorganized the dining area. Today I’ll tackle what we call the ‘go-out table,’ a catch-all for many of the things we should have been putting where they belong, but landed there because we were too lazy.
As you can see, the baskets are full-to-overflowing and things are getting ready to topple off the table. Hopefully, I can remedy that today.
I hope you have a calm, quiet day, insulated against weather extremes, with a hug or two to help you through.
creativeartworksblog 