Geli squares

A little project that kept me busy for a couple days. 

I had a pile of geli printed papers I had made a few months back

 and decided I would try another style of collage.

 I had already made paper quilts and desired something a little 

more rustic, textured or rough?

I adhered the geli paper to mixed media paper 

and then cut into 2x2" squares. 

I had a nice thick 12x 24" canvas stored so....

I did not want them adhered flat and 

also did not want a smooth appearance,

hence the word rough, so I let the wrinkles 

and curled edges come as they wished, 

and in some cases encouraged.

I finished the sides in geli strips.

It was a fun exercise,

though laborious for sure.

Purists will cringe at the wrinkles etc but 

you've seen my house,

do I care about such things?

Creating is so good for the soul,

my free therapy.

 

 

 

DJR

Dad loved to fish

Some of his happiest days were spent beside a creek, in a canoe,

on a friend's boat or on his pontoon.

I took several fishing trips to Canada with dad and his friends and 

loved seeing him so relaxed and funny.

He's been gone 23 years and I don't think a day goes by 

that I don't remember something he taught me,

or use a skill he passed on.  

I miss him so very much.

To him I was Suzy

Z

 

Back In The Studio

I've been spending a lot of time in my studio.

Cleaned things up a bit, and removed the daybed, too crowded with it there,

and hauled a chair back up into the corner. 

We've had a glorious cool June, but the tide is turning, so I'm retreating from

the garden back inside till fall temps. 

Getting the chair up the stairs and around the half wall

was challenging. Another one of my "midnight" ideas.

I pushed the chair end over end up the stairs, easy peasy,

but then it couldn't clear the turn into the room.

With one huge lift I got it up on it's back on top of the wall,

praying it didn't crash down to the bottom floor and slid it

 along the half wall into the room. Pretty proud of myself actually, 

but did receive a scolding from darling daughter.

I just had knee injections that afternoon and was feeling "powerful",

but of course she thought I was over doing.

Don't we all Over Do?

 

I've been gilli printing and painting and I took several free and also fee classes

on line the past few months and weeks. Ordered some supplies from Amazon, 

that arrive today and I will be attempting 

to paint "things"- flowers maybe, a dog for the first time?

 I will show anything that I'm not mortified to show you.

 They will not be realistic for sure,

but hopefully not trashcan worthy. The fun is the process right?

I also hope to FINALLY finish that damn blue log cabin quilt, begun years ago 

and worked on off and on for years. I showed it last year hoping 

to guilt myself into finishing... Why do we sometimes just get "stuck" on 

things like this.? I have a small area in my hallway that needs to be repainted. It might take 

about 30 minutes? Can I do it? Nope

I have four hallway lights I have hated for 30 years. Looked recently to replace, $$

but I'd rather save for new flooring. So I'm going to paint the bases from gold to black.

I can't /won't remove so I'll paint in place, hehe

I'll take you along for that adventure.

I've worked out a clever solution I think.

I have to keep busy to avoid the dread I feel about the world and society.

It's a frickin' mess for sure. 

Z

 

Just Paint

 The weather has been lovely here - mid 80's,
so I decided to cram in a few more outdoor projects 

before we are scorching.
Bought a pretty and larger new rug, (on a terrific sale)
for this area but with all the colors, needed to
update. I've had to use a tablecloth for a few years as the

plywood top I added to the vintage table base was looking shabby. 

I definitely was not a fan of this vibe.

In my earlier everything green phase, I had striped the plywood 

top and after years of exposure to the elements, it was faded, shabby, 

and chances of splinters were high. 

I decided a base of brown with maybe stenciling,

 or more striping would look nice. 

I sanded the top and didn't want to spend money on paint,

so I found a small can of brown that I had purchased years ago.

Did 2 coats and went in for some lunch, when suddenly 

downpour. Fast and brief, but enough to rain spot it all over!

DAGNABBIT

Wiped it all down again, and let it dry.

By the time I got back to it, it was evening,

 so I quickly slapped on a third coat.

I stood back and pondered stencil/ stripe?

Looked at the rug, the grey chairs, and thought

NOPE

Just leave it.

Rolled it back into place, and snapped a quick shot to show

a gal pal Robin, and the kids. 

Often I remind myself- 

Keep It Simple Stupid

KISS KISS

z

Blooming Time 2023

Constant battle with weeds - I think I'm at a tie

 

Mothers Day

 Happy Mothers Day

I hope you can celebrate having one, being one, 

remembering one, or loving one. 

I was fortunate to have my kids drive in 

to help me with the long awaited garage sale Saturday.

I have helped with dozens of friends and clients sales,

 and held dozens of my own, and 

believe me the thrill is gone.

 I've been purging forever it seems.

Of course the weather turned hot, and we were only open 

from 7:30 - 2:00, but still 

I made what I needed to replace a long built in broken microwave,

and treat myself to a fun new item for the backyard.

I still had a nice bit of money left over so it's a win!

The sacrificing a weekend to deal with an awful thing 

like these sales, well was just the best present ever from Ben and Hannah. 

They also cleared out a hidden side yard of accumulated debris

which also made me sooo happy. 

Toward the end I always slash prices and fill boxes with 

free stuff - everyone loves that, so nearly all sold.

I have just a few boxes in my car to donate, and a small pile of good things,

mostly kitchen items, that will just go back on now empty shelves. 

I won't "need" them so I purged, but I will still use them eventually.

Right at the close of sale, UPS showed up and in a fast five minutes 

I took these tired bones and tried out my new.....

Hammock

Walter checked it out and eventually hopped in also.

Not sure where I will place in the yard just yet.

This was very affordable, and the hammock

removes from frame in seconds so 

I can store inside on the porch, keeping it clean.

 The frame will knock down in five, and everything stores

in a carry bag.

I "hung" out for an hour while the kids talked, and listened to 

music and I could have easily dozed off, very comfortable.

Enjoy your day.

  

WGA STRIKE

Either you care about such things or you don't.

It's about so much more than you missing your favorite show.

It's about decency, honesty, fairness.

This type of behavior and business practice is rampant

in every corner of our society, in politics, housing

health care...

Yes, this is affecting my daughter and Jenny, her writing partner, and 

their WGA family. 

BUT

It is affecting us all when it comes to AI.

When AI writes anything it is not birthed magically 

thru the computer components, it is "farmed" from all the

 ideas and creative pieces that humans previously wrote, 

and then they will never be paid for, 

yet the 1% at the top will GREATLY profit from.

The proverbial "tip of the iceberg"

with whatever icebergs we'll have left...

This is, as many things are, about more than what you 

see and read on the surface. 

A few powerful folks at the top of many companies,

including our "political corporations", SCOTUS etc  are 

living gluttonous lives on the backs of what

resembles the serfdoms of the past.

It is also why when a neighbor asked if I was excited to 

watch the coronation I replied hell no, 

much to the dismay of the folks behind me in the checkout lane.

I cannot, will not, support or encourage the continuation of 

a monarchy built upon, hugely profited from, 

the colonization and slavery of other countries.

So please if you begin to miss some of your favorite entertainment,

instead of cursing those on strike, 

drop a message to the studio 

or company behind the show and tell them

 it's time to play fair and be decent.

A message to a sponsor is always a good idea. 

and on another note-

 Teachers are quitting in droves,

most for the same reasons. 

Who will be left to teach all your grandchildren?

as at home schooling went so well right? 

It is about more than just this union having to fight,

it is our country so out of balance, 

devoid of truths and compassion.

We must care or be forever lost. 

 

 

The Little Things

New solar lights for the front.

A small addition but makes me happy

and this.... 

Walter waiting for me on the back porch,

thinking I was in the side yard, 

when I'd actually already come into the house 

and walked up behind him.

Life is hard some days, many days in fact;

but when I begin to fret,

 I try very hard to search for the little things.

They're everywhere.

 

Coming Up Roses

First fig

Told you they'd fill the wall

happy bees- but not too many, just enough

Chihuly Roses

Totally neglected, but oh so forgiving

 

COLOR!!!!

Snapdragon

Fig Tree

Geranium

Salvia

Banks Rose and Gardenia

Pink Lady Hawthorn

Soon the whole wall

 

Garden Time

I've lost track of how many days I've been hanging out back here. 8 maybe?

I've filled 9 - 33 gallon bags in total ( I think)

Thank goodness tomorrow is extra pick up garbage day. 

I have no room in garage as it is filled with totes

 and boxes full of purged items for garage sale.

Hannah and maybe? others coming in early May to help.

Last sale was 2019! 

I've been sidetracked with painting and garden and need to get back to it. 

I'm hoping to at least purge 25% more of what I've already done.

Gotta set those goals.

Tomorrow I install another fountain with new pump,

(old one gave me a good shock yesterday!)

and finish planting a few veggies.

Not doing many this year.

They weren't huge success last year.

Pain patches on knees- Aleve - 

lots of breaks are helping.

I've noticed a huge difference in my abilities,

just since last year. Not sure I'm aging at 

the equivalent of only 1 year at a time;

sure doesn't feel like it some days.

Gotta love this weather - for now

the dark days are a comin'

Z

 

Mellow Yellow

 My banks roses never fail to show off each April.

I would love to show you lovely curated photos, but honestly 

the yard is a mess and I'm just beginning to clean it all up.

The winds wreak havoc on my breathing,

 and we have had WINDS!!

The weed disposal comes first and I've been hard at it.

This is just one walkway area ( four more like this but longer)  

This took three hours - as I have to sit and scoot and pull by hand.

I won't spray as the yard is Walter's playground,

and can't kneel or stand to do it.  

All the greenery that edges the back yard remains to be trimmed,

and I've started some faux ivy panels in that right back corner.

it can be seen from inside on the porch and I hate the concrete blocks.

Thirty years ago when I bought the house I couldn't afford to stucco. 

Now because of the plants it would be much worse.

 I hope to at least paint that side area sometime in the future.

The chores never end, and aging is not kind 

when it comes to doing them,

 but I'm in there slugging just the same.

I think another week of 3-5 hour days should do it..

and then...

a garage sale as DD comes to town to help. WOOT!

I've been showing items to my email list 

and have sold about a dozen large things so far,

even shipping off some things today to a far flung,

never met, blog friend. 

Z

Saturday Afternoon With Walter

Walter burrows

everywhere.

This happens to be his favorite 

downstairs blanket.

Just a Saturday snooze

Was that the garbage truck?

A huge yawn, and he's up,

checks out the truck, scans the 'hood, and he's ready 

for the next nap on the chair under the window. 

 

Easter

The totality of my Easter decor

Times have certainly changed

I'm good with it

Purging is healthy and wise

I had a health scare this week.

Woke up unable to see clearly out of one eye.

It was similar to looking thru a lace curtain.

Of course I googled, scared myself a little more,

 and managed an appt for the next day.

 All will be well, with some drops multiple times a day.

C-pap was leaking air onto that eye at night,

and I already had dry eye (syndrome?) 

and didn't "drop" like I should. 

I have two large floaters that were exacerbated

by all the stuff done and now I'm dealing with them also.

It just never ends as we age does it?

But hey, for the most part it's all grand.

Good enough 

Z

 

 

A Sunday Moment

Mom's Birthday

 

Memory Bowls

Back in 2008, the year I started blogging, 

I was making memory bowls for myself

and with clients