Sunshiny Saturday 8-19-2023

LookHUMAN

103 for a high today and under an ‘Intense Heat Warning.’ UGH

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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)

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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.

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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.

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Peakpx

Enjoy your day.

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Really Nice Friday 8-18-2023

Pinterest

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.

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Look What I Did –

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ReTweet on Blog

I don’t usually do this, but I liked a post on Twitter so much this morning that I want to share it here.

‘One of my favorite movie lines from one of my favorite movies. “Don’t you just love New York in the fall? It makes me want to go buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”’

Phyllis Harris @PhyllisHarris on Twitter

(I THINK this quote is from “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan from 1998.)

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Humor Therapy

Chevron Gas Station – Seattle – WallinfordSign.com

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Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, WallingfordSign.com - Chevron- Seattle

Owl Furniture – Oh, YES!

Rumiin

Rumiin

tatiog.com

tatiog.com

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Stone That Makes You Smile and Dream

Stone Pathway-Suzanne Tucker

I love this! I want this!

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Beth Cavener Stichter Ceramics 4

Beth Cavener Stichter Ceramics

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Thursday Thoughts 8-17-2023

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.

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“Cherish” Plaque

Plaque – 9″ x 11″ Oval Hand-Painted Solid Wood – “Cherish” Ready to hang. This is a nice gift for someone who shares your life. $41.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda

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More Maurizio Puglisi Cats

Maurizio Puglisi – Artfinder. com

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Amazing Chainsaw Art

Harz Ritter.de Wolfgang Bonke

m.ok.ru

Pinterest

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Confused – Still

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.

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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.

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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)

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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?

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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.

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Tuesday Thoughts 8-15-2023

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

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Word Play for a Tuesday

Chevron Gas Station – Seattle – WallingfordSign.com

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Steampunk Art

Whimsical Production – Etsy

Whimsical Production – Etsy

Whimsical Production – Etsy

Steampunk Cat-innazimovec-redbubble.com

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Star Gazing

The Last Flight of the Starleap by Simon Panneton

Something about a post on Twitter recently had me reading a SciFi/Fantasy book about the adventure of 12-year-old Ellie, an orphan who has run away from life and seems to be trying to simply curl up and disappear.

This is not my normal reading matter. The characters and situation grabbed me, though, sucking me in, making me care and keep reading to find out what happened next. It’s 528 pages and I finished it in 3 days. I’m still reverberating, still full of all kinds of emotions.

The action was such that I was forced to take breaks to catch my breath. I laughed at unexpected humor, even in scary situations, that grew throughout the adventure. And, as situations do with real people, some things made me tear up and cry. I appreciated unique descriptions and turns of phrases. They made me notice, but added richness, rather than distracting from the story.

An unexpected gift was that Simon Panneton is a real person. I posted that I was reading his book and he ANSWERED. This is his first book, now published and ready for sale on Amazon (link above). He actually cared what I thought. Yeah. I know. Amazing.

I expect this is the first of what will be a long, successful career. I highly recommend The Last Flight of the Starleap. It is well worth your time. I’m now twisting Simon’s arm, holding his nose to the grindstone, trying to get him to write more as quickly as possible.

@spanneton on Twitter – Simon Panneton – The Last Flight of the Starleap

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Stunning Embroidery

Jana Korbelova

Kate Pankhurst-instagram.com-pinterest

kozzza2004.livejournal.com-Christiane Paris

m.ok.ru

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I Love Dogs

http://www.katja-sauer.de

“Never judge a dog’s pedigree by the kind of books he does not chew.” ~ anon

nickylitchfield.com

“Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.” ~ Dave Barry

SchleuterSketchStu-Etsy

“You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, “My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!” ~ Dave Barry

Schlueter Sketch Studios Custom Pet Portraits

“Some dogs live for praise. They look at you as if to say “Don’t throw balls… just throw bouquets.” ~ Jhordis Anderson

Sheppard Portraits – Etsy

“A watchdog is a dog kept to guard your home, usually by sleeping where a burglar would awaken the household by falling over him.” ~ anon

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Quiet Monday 8-14-2023

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.

HandmadeHavenByLinda

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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.

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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.

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“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…

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1st Day of School 2023-4

Los Angeles Times

100 years ago (give or take a few years) I was a public school teacher on the north side of Tulsa, Oklahoma at Burroughs Elementary School. I married in 1969, finished my practice teaching in Tulsa, and then got my first job in January of 1970, the middle of that school year. My first class was 23 of the cutest first grade children you will ever see. We had a contest on who could teach the other the most that year. They won hands down. I wish I could say that the University of Arkansas’s education program gave me the tools I needed to meet the needs of these 23 kids.

I did what I did by instinct, trial and error, determination and love. For the next 8 years I did the very best I could, getting in trouble because my methods weren’t traditional and were frowned upon, such as my teaching of phonics by making up songs and playing, singing, and dancing with my students. The kids opened my eyes to what they needed and I did my level best to give it to them.

Every year I remember my first class of students, plus the classes that followd. I hope that the kids are fired up to learn by teachers who are giving their all, trying to make a difference.

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Perspective

sent by my friend, Carol.

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3-D Chalk Drawings

2007-Kurt Wenner – Piccadilly Circus

2012-Chris Powell – Chasing Waterfalls

A Firey Collapse – Edgar Mueller

The Best Slide – Amazing Artistry

NYC in London – Ash Knotek

Pac Man – Sidewalk Art

Article by Lyndsie on AllWomensTalk.com

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Sunny Sunday 8-13-2023

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Sue Hewson Art

“Dazzle”

“Peaceful”

“Reminiscing”

“Sparkle”

Sue Hewson Art –

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Snort

Sent to us by Marsha

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Puffins

Mark Gray

Mark Gray – @GrayMarker99 on Twitter

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Pocket Notebook

Mini Notebook – Pocket Notebook – “Live, Laugh, Love” – 3-3/4″ x 5-3/4″ x 3/8″. 100 blank pages for your thoughts, dreams, lists, reminders, memories. Great size to carry in your purse or tote, glove compartment or school bag. $14.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.

HandmadeHavenByLindaonEtsy

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Nature is Amazing

Sent to me by my friend, Marsha

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More Art by Dr. Faramarz Mokhtarpour

“Fall on the River”

“On the Misty Beach”

“Playing of Seabirds and Waves”

“Pure Water”

“Roaring River”

Dr. Farmarz Mokhtapour – GalleryToday.com

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Dr. Schwoba Schnitzer Chainsaw Art 2

Dr. Schwoba Schnitzer – jimdofree.com

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