Flutter Lover

 

Today I'm at Art Journal Journey joining my friend, the very talented Halle of Halle's Hobbies.  Her theme for the month of July is Fabric, lace, and trims…oh my!  Below is my latest entry.

This has been a disaster from the very beginning.  I love to tear my fabric, but this gifted bit of fabric was cut on the bias, so I had no way to tear it.  Detail images are below.

 

I began by sewing the fabric to 5 X 8 in (12.7 X  20.32 cm) 110 lb cardstock using blue variegated thread.  I dyed cheesecloth using a Staz-on reinker.  When dry, I sewed it to the right side of the assembly.  I then sewed the lace to the top of the assembly.  Next, I adhered the computer generated words I colored with a watercolor pencil.  Finally, I sewed the rick rack to the bottom of the assembly.  I personally don't believe I need a sentiment in my art, but I know Halle does. Therefore the lame name of the art assembly.

 

Thanks ever so much for dropping by today.  It means the world to me. I hope to see you and your interpretation of Fabric, lace, and trims…oh my! inspired art at Art Journal Journey. 

 

 

T Stands For It's Been 13 Years, Let's Celebrate

 

I thought it would be fun to celebrate our anniversary outside among my herbs for a change. 

Before we celebrate with a drink, I wanted to show those of you who saw how much my herbs had grown, the fastest growing herb is my dill. I've already harvested it three times and it is still growing like a weed.  A dill weed!  This photo, however, doesn't show its true height.

 

That's better.  The plant on the cart, one of two, is my sad cilantro.  

 

EDIT: Lisca mentioned that my dill had bolted.  Dill doesn't bolt.  Cilantro and basil bolt.  Dill makes seeds which I will plant and have a second harvest before it dies in late autumn at the first frost.  That also ensures the rest of the dill seeds I purchased this year will be available for next year.

 

I knew this would happen because cilantro doesn't like heat.  I got tired of taking the pots inside every time the heat hit 90+ F  (32+ C).  Enough stalling.

 

It's time to party and celebrate.  And of course, I had to use the newish mug I won from The Spice Merchant that holds coffee I got from The Spice Merchant.  I also love the oilcloth place mat.  It wipes quickly with a damp cloth.  It's definitely great for outdoor use.

 

But what would be a party without treats?

 

I've been saving this box of shortbread chocolate chip cookies that came in the basket I won from The Spice Merchant.  I was having trouble getting the box open, so decided to grab the fork to help pry it open.  The fork was so hot from sitting in the sun, I dropped it, but I managed to burn one of my fingers in the process.  That's when I decided it was time to go inside.

 

The cookies were tiny.  They were about 3/4 inch in diameter.  That's also when I looked at the fine print!  Number of cookies per serving: 7.  Number of servings: 4.  There was more container than anything else.  Seems I got 28 tiny cookies that were smaller than those shown on the cover.  And I suspect they were expensive, too.

 

I've shown you mine, now it's your turn to share your T entry this week.  The rules are extremely simple.  Your drink related post may be anything from a photo of a glass, cup, or mug, to an actual drink.  You may choose to share a sketch or a digital, hybrid, or traditional page in your scrapbook, art journal, or altered book, as I have done.  Maybe you'd prefer to share a tag, or wow us with your photography.  You might choose a postcard or decorated card.  You might even draw an image on a used tea bag.  Or perhaps you prefer to review a place you visited, a movie, or book.  It makes no difference as long as it's drink related.  And don't forget that the more unique and outside the box it is, the better we like it.  Please tie it back here, and please link only to your T post, not your entire blog.  When you link, Bleubeard, the T gang, and I will be by to visit.   Bleubeard would also like to remind you that your photos may be taken any time.    

 

 

 

 

 

If it's Sunday, it's time for Rocking Horses.

 

Several of my art friends are sharing their photos from around their homes.  I decided that every Sunday I would show a few of my over 450 rocking horses.  If you joined What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday or WOYWW, you know I showed one each time I joined in.  Here I will share where they live when they were not being displayed on my work table. 

I'm also joining Nicole for Sunday in the Art Room or SITAR, and Gillena with Sunday Smiles.  I checked to make sure my post qualifies at both places, and it appears to qualify.

In case you weren't here last week on Sunday, this is what you missed.  I realize my home looks very cluttered.  Believe it or not, I've gotten rid of things I will never use again, but I somehow can't seem to get rid of my altered books and journals, or my rocking horses.

 

There are five rocking horses that live among the silk flowers and flicker lights, several of which are hidden.

 

The ceramic rocker that holds the candle is a Hummel.  You don't have to tell me.  I need to climb on a step ladder and clean everything on that shelf.

 

The two rockers, a candle, wooden box, tin of Prince Albert tobacco, and a tin of Singer sewing machine oil add to the vignette.

 

These two rockers, one of which reminds me of the horse that sits on my front porch in which children like to ride, sit together amid the flowers. 

 

Thanks for visiting today.  I am grateful you dropped by to check out a few more of my rocking horses.  Also, please join me at 

 

 and  

 

 

 

 

Friday Smiles

 

It seems we can't get enough of Vince the sign guy (Vince Rozmiarek).  We love his puns, his double entendres, and his play on words.  Here are a few more.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting.  I am incredibly grateful you dropped by.  I think that's all for today.  As long as Vince keeps creating them, I'll show them.  

 

Week 6 of Index-Card-A-Day or ICAD

 

It's Friday and time for ICADs.  I'm joining Nicole for Friday Face-Off and Gillena for Art For Fun Fridays along with Tammy Garcia at Daisy Yellow (Index-Card-A-Day).  Would you like to see another ICAD?  Then please visit Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero here.    

Day 34: Birthday.  Background is Spanish text.  Red and blue dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is Flag.  This is the biggest birthday bash in 50 years.  Names in red felt tip pen.

 

Day 35: Cute.  Background is crossword clues.  Red and blue dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is Snowman from Christmas collection.  Names in red felt tip pen.

 

Day 36: Fresh.  Background is Russian text.  Brown and green dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is raspberries.  Names in green felt tip pen.

 

Day 37: Heal.  Background is Russian text.  Brown and green dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is Franklin Delano Roosevelt*.  Names in green felt tip pen. 

 

* 32nd president of the United States. The longest serving US president and the only one to serve more than two terms.  Diagnosed with polio. Left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Used hydrotherapy to heal his paralysis. 

 

Day 38: Super.  Background is encyclopedia.  Blue and green dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is Bobby Jones*.  Names in green felt tip pen.  

 

* Founded and helped design Augusta National Golf Club, and co-founded Masters Tournament.  

 

Day 39: Joyous.  Background is encyclopedia.  Red and green dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is precanceled Christmas dove and words Peace on Earth.  Names in red felt tip pen.      

 

Day 40: Horsy.  Background is Russian text.  Brown and green dry erase colors.  Postage stamp is another carousel horse.  Names in green felt tip pen. (I always advance my date stamp to the next day.  This time I forgot to do so.  Stamping over the previous day's stamp only created a bigger mess).

 

 

  I'm creating ICADs but am not on the sites where Tammy posts.  Therefore, this is the only place you will find Bleubeard's and my ICADs.  

Today I'm also joining Nicole at Friday Face OFF, and Gillena at Art For Fun Friday.

 

   

Thanks for visiting today.  Bleubeard and I hope you enjoy the ICADs and will let us know your favorites.  We hope to see you at these art blogs, too.  We are thrilled you dropped by.

 

Friday Smiles will be posted this afternoon.

 

 

Early July herb garden update

 

 It's been awhile since I updated my herbs.  Some have grown by leaps and bounds.

First up is my lavender.  One is blooming, one is not.  In the background to the left you can see the leaves of my sunflowers that bloom in early September.

 

My oregano is growing like a weed.  At least the one on the left is. The one in the clay pot is much smaller.

 

Thankfully, I haven't killed my very expensive lemon grass.

 

Thyme, which is in the large pot in the back, overwintered outside, thanks to Erika, who doesn't bring hers inside over the winter.  It came back strong this spring.

 

In front of the large pot of thyme is lemon thyme, new this year.

 

Tarragon is in both black pots, and are also new this year.

 

The two white pots contain rosemary.

 

There is more rosemary behind the chives.  Sadly, the chives have lost their bulbs.  The comfry in the large white pot in the left, which overwintered indoors, is looking good.  The bergamot, aka bee balm, overwintered outside in this pot that has seen better days.  The flowers definitely need to be deadheaded.   

 

Both of my new sage plants have doubled in size.  The one on the right that overwintered inside has much smaller leaves, but at least I didn't kill it.

 

Milkweed, which I planted from seed is in both white pots.  I hope they flower one of these years.

 

The roll around cart holds dill and spearmint.

  

The spider/airplane plant has recovered, but there are no new babies this year.

 

The white pot contains peppermint.  

 

I think I made a mistake by planting two of the four bell pepper plants in pots.  Lesson learned.

 

The three large pots contain basil.  

 

The basil in the back right is Thai basil.  The white pot in back contained marjoram, but it died soon after I brought it outside this spring.

 

That's it, except for the dill that sits on my patio table which I forgot until I was unloading these.  I hope I didn't bore you.  Thanks for visiting.  Your visit makes my day.