Tea Stands for Tuesday - 8/30/16

We were at the river for a few days but Tuesday morning finds us back by the Bay.  I've still been checking thrift shops to add to our collection of colorful china.  You've seen the cup and bowl but the tea canister is newish and greener than it appears in the photo.

While at the river I had fresh figs from the garden along with my cup of tea.  This is a type of fig that is green in color when ripe.  I can't remember what the name of it is.  Maybe someone knows.

There are also new blossoms on our entryway arbor.  I thought we just had jasmine growing there so this was a pretty surprise.  

The garden isn't all fruit and pretty flowers though.  Someone has to trim those hedges (in this case jasmine) and rake and bag the trimmings.  I'm not a gardener but jasmine vines are pretty forgiving.

Now it is time to visit Elizabeth and the Tuesday Tea gang and find out what everyone has been doing.  Come along and join us.

Art bits

We've been at the river without internet as some of you might have guessed by lack of posts here.  I did have time to create a bit though.  Funny how that works.

I continued making cards to replenish my supply.    

watercolor on watercolor card stock

Flowers can be all purpose but hopefully cheery

watercolor on watercolor card stock

A bit hard to see the detail on this one.  I will write a sentiment in the center when the time comes to use the card.  I like options.

Then I got out the sketch book.  I frequently like to try a sketch I have in mind in my book before deciding to make a card.

pen and ink in sketchbook

I'm calling this one "LBD" (little black dress).  I think it would make a fun card.  The head/hair is a little out of proportion in this sketch.  That's one of the reasons I like to try ideas out before committing to a card.  

What did you do this past weekend?

Making cards

I attempt to make all the cards I send instead of using commercial cards.  Sometimes I fall woefully behind.  I needed to send a couple of cards so I got out the supplies.

stencil on watercolor card stock

This one was made for a man's birthday.  I find it a little difficult to make cards for men.  No fussy flowers, etc.  I used a small stencil that I've had for ages.  I don't even know where I got it.

watercolor  on  watercolor card stock

You have seen cards similar to this one before.  Made using masking tape and watercolor.  It is an idea I return to because of the abstract quality about it.  It can be used for almost anyone for almost any purpose.

Do you make your own cards?  Do you have a design you frequently use?

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 8/23/16

Time for our Tuesday get together at Elizabeth's place.  I always look forward to Tuesday and the posts there.

Today I'm going to talk about the old Ball canning jars.  I'm particularly fond of the blue/turquoise ones.

Here is a pint sized one I have.  Sitting next to my glass of water.  Unfortunately it lost the original lid somewhere along the way.  If you look closely you will see the lid is clear glass.

I keep it empty because I like the way it looks when the sun shines through it on the kitchen windowsill.

I found the following information interesting.  I think my jar is like the third from the bottom, no underline under the word Ball. That would make it from about 1922.  My jar is at the other house and the picture isn't clear enough for me to be absolutely sure.

I have a few more old ones boxed up somewhere.  I'm going to look for them.  I do know there are new ones produced in this color as well.

Do you have any old Ball jars?  I have a couple of clear glass ones full of buttons.  Do you like to store odds and ends jars?

Monday Morning

Good Morning!  Once again I was away without internet connection for awhile.  I really have to figure out how to use Blogger from my phone.

Meanwhile, I'm happy to report that things are getting in shape at the River House.  We have all the basics covered and now it is time to add those fun things that make a house a home.

Pioneer Woman cookware

My daughter and her husband recently spent several days the the river.  She was just in time to get the last of the peaches and wanted to make a cobbler.  Searching through the cupboards she found we only had foil pans for that sort of thing.  She used one but wasn't thrilled about it, LOL!

They returned to spend a day while we were there and she brought these casserole dishes.  Aren't they pretty?  They are a great addition to our thrifted colorful china collection (although they are new not thrifted). My daughter is a big Pioneer Woman fan and said she couldn't resist these.  Her next cobbler with be served in a pretty pan!

Now we need to think of more things that need to cook in this sort of dish just so we can use them  What would you put in them?  Do you watch the Pioneer Woman shows?

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 8/16/16

Most of you know I walk every morning.  I recently did my usual 4th St. route and stopped by PEETS for a pound of coffee.

They were giving away samples of Green Leaf Tropical tea.  I brought these home and tried them.   Unfortunately I was underwhelmed.  I have other green tea I like better. 

There are a few benches along the shopping area.  I like to sit and people watch for a few minutes.   A local free newspaper comes out once a week so I pick that up too.  This week we are warned about earthquakes.  Again.  Old news to anyone who has lived in the area for awhile.

Signs of fall seem to be showing up already.

We don't get huge seasonal changes here.  It could be I'm just looking forward to fall.  I'm ready though, are you?

Time to take our drink and visit The Altered Book Lover's blog for our Tuesday get together.  I'll actually be away from the computer so I'm hoping Elizabeth will once again be kind enough to link me up.  I don't want to miss the party.

Curbside

Good Morning Monday!

Yes indeed.  That would be me.  A first for me I might add.

This chair, or what is left of it, was spotted curbside.  I stopped, opened the back of the car, put it in and hauled it home.

Before you think I'm lost my mind entirely I will explain.  There is a method to my madness as they say.

I have a couple of old pieces of furniture I plan to paint with chalk paint.  I've never used chalk paint and the wax that goes with it.  I think this chair will make the perfect practise piece.  I can play with color and get a feel for the process.   Obviously the chair lacks a seat.  I'll deal with that later.  I may just do the thing where you fit in a wire basket shape in the empty area and plant the "seat" with flowers.  Who knows.  Playing with paint is my objective and the chair has enough detail to allow me to try out different ideas.

If you've used chalk paint and have any hints to pass along they would be much appreciated.

Have you ever stopped and picked up curbside furniture?

I won a prize!

I've been visiting Carole at  From My Carolina Home.  A few weeks ago she posted a Christmas in July series with lots of ideas.  The series included a give away each day.  

Guess what!  I won a wool bundle from Primitive Gatherings.
Thanks to Primitive Gatherings for the prize and thank you Carole for hosting the giveaway. 

My Prize bundle and the note that came with it.

I think the pieces are what quilters call fat quarters.  They are certainly beautiful fabrics.  I don't quilt and I'm debating about how to use them.  Carole has a free pattern for a Christmas wool penny rug.  Not a big rug but something that would fit on the table as a centerpiece.  I might give that a try.

Anyone made a penny rug before?  Any other ideas for using these lovely wools?

Knit Bits

There hasn't been much knitting going on here lately.  While I was in a creative mood I decided to at least finish what was on the needles.  The urge to create has been lacking in the past few months so I have to take advantage when the mood strikes.

Here's another beanie.  Quite like one I made last year as a Christmas present.  I had a request from another family member for this one.  Done!  I'm not doing many knitted Christmas presents this year but have this one and one other finished now.

And here is a golf club cover.  What?  Yes, golf club cover.  Not something I would have thought to knit on my own.  Our SIL's buddy went to the River House with him twice to do some things (moving furniture in, etc.) that required two big guys to do the job.  I asked what I might do for the buddy in return for his help.  A knitted golf club cover was the request.  I didn't have a computer with me so I tried looking at patterns on my phone.  I didn't have the required yarn/needles for what I found so... I just winged it and substituted what I did have.  Apparently it works and is appreciated.  Yay!  But really, did you ever see a sadder pompom?  And that was about my third try.  I need to get instructions from my pal Carol.  She's the pompom queen.

Anyone else knitting?  I know it isn't really the time of year most knitters really get into the craft.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 8/9/16

Today is the day Elizabeth invites us to a Tea Party at her place.  You can bring any drink and come along and join the fun.

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As I mentioned yesterday, I've been at the River House.  The weather was quite warm so I was drinking lots of water while creating this and that.

Here's another project accomplished.  It is an idea I had in mind for some time.  I am sure I saw something similar somewhere but it was ages ago and I don't remember where it was.  I'd be happy to credit the idea if I could.  I don't even know what to call the end result.  Maybe a Rose Light?

I started with this.  A glue gun, glass bowls and a cheap stem of roses.  I seem stuck on roses these days.  Sketching them, stenciling them and  now this.

The roses were torn apart and the petals glued onto the glass bowl

I found s bit of tulle in my scraps and cut a few petals to stick in here and there just to add a little depth and dimension.  Here's a close up , see the  petal with texture?

When finished I put a little tea light inside. It was a bit hard to photograph with the light on.  I used one of the l e d type lights but you could use a real tea light.   I was pleased with the end result.  It makes a nice night light.  I can also imagine several on a dining table, maybe in the patio.

I hope you had a great week, I did.

Cutting a Stencil

I spent a few days at the River House.  I had a little burst of creativity.  I'll be sharing the results this week.  Here is the first project which was not very successful but was a learning process.

I decided to cut my own stencil.  Never tried before.  I wanted a stylized rose.

I've had a sheet of stencil material for ages.  It was a piece that came free with something else.  I used an xacto knife and really found the cutting hard.  Sort of like hacking through the plastic.  I've since looked at other stencil sheets that are very thin and flexible so if I try again I'll buy those.

My plan was to stencil four roses  on a thrifted lampshade.  I intended to flip the stencil to get 2 leaning each way.

I managed one.  It was difficult and probably not a very sound idea to try to stencil on a curved surface.  Especially with a stiff sheet of stencil material.  When it didn't come out well I went back in with a brush and tried to tidy it up.  Not sure that helped - and I didn't get the "stencil" effect that I was looking for.  One rose and I'm done!  I didn't want to spend more time on something I didn't like.

The lampshade was only $1.49  I've decided it will be my "sample".  I can try other things on other parts of the shade before committing to the real thing.

If any of you use stencils, have cut stencils, know anything at all about stencils send help.  I'd still like to execute my idea at some point.

*Daiso*

A new store opened a few months ago in a shopping area I go to occasionally.  It is called Daiso.  It is a Japanese store and I understand there are 29 of them now in the U.S. I finally had to chance to explore it.

From their website:  

"Daiso‘s mission is to help customers “Find Surprises & 

Fun!”

I purchased one of their plastic carrier bags because I liked the graphics.  ($1.50)

The store is large and airy and very clean and well organized.

I also purchased one of these little collapsable tents or umbrellas to put over food. I don't really know what you call them but it was $1.  I smiled when I saw them.  I think the last time I owned one was in the 60's and it was larger.

Daiso is on the order of our dollar stores - many things were a dollar and I don't think anything was more than 3 dollars.  I had a good time looking.  There were some things I didn't quite know the use for and all labels are in Japanese.

Have you heard of Daiso?  I will definitely go back, maybe not often but once in awhile.  It was just fun to browse through their store.

Tea Stands for Tuesday and the Second on the Second

Happy Tuesday.  I don't think this is the first time Tuesday has fallen on the second of the month but anyhow it gives us a chance to bring up an old post.  

Since I was talking about masking and watercolor last week I thought I'd show again another technique I use.  Here is a second look at an earlier Tuesday post.

TUESDAY, JUNE 09, 2015

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 6/9/15

Thank goodness Tuesday rolls around once a week.  I've been sadly neglecting my blog but I can't miss a chance to meet up with the T Tuesday gang at Elizabeth's Altered Book Lovers blog.

For awhile now I've had an idea I wanted to play with.  I wanted to use masking tape and watercolors to create some cards.  

My first hurdle was finding water color card stock.  I did find some but only in the 5x7" size.  I would have liked some smaller ones as well.  None the less, I settled down with my bottle of water and my supplies.

I used the tape to mask off some abstract shapes and then used water color to fill in those shapes.  Simple.  This is my first experiment with this idea.  I see lots of opportunity for improvement but I'm satisfied with the way the process works and will be making some more cards in the future.

I will probably use a broad nib pen to add a sentiment like Happy Birthday or Best Wishes or some such.  I often leave that until I know what purpose I am going to use the card for.

Time to visit Altered Book Lover and see what others have chosen to give us a second look at.

Ever made a palm tree?

My daughter is teaching VBS at her church this week.  The theme is Rain Forest.  She made a lot of decorations, I helped with a few.  These palm trees are my favorite.

Made with swimming pool noodles covered in brown paper lunch sacks and twine.  Leaves are two layers of tissue paper with a piece of floral wire sandwiched (glued) in between.  The final step was finding bathroom plungers at the dollar store.  The pool noodles fit perfectly over the handle of the plungers and so the trees can be suctioned to the floor.

This was a whole lot of fun!