Friday, June 13, 2014

Friday Smiles 73: Sometimes it's good to have hoarders for friends

Today I'm visiting Annie in the UK for Friday Smiles.  I'm not actually there, but I wish I were.  I bet I wouldn't have to work so hard for a smile.

I spent most of my time last week helping my friend Sally so she could get into her office.  As a result, I got some lovely printer inks.

Annie asked me to show what I made with the inks and fabric.  This is the first art quilt using the inks and you can read about how I made it here if you haven't already.  I started with an old bed sheet I tore to size, and ended with my first Summer of Color entry for the year.

Yesterday (Thursday), I brought this beauty home.  Sally has about three dozen (NO EXAGGERATION) of these OTT lights, which are also known as full spectrum lights.  This one was an "extra" that she didn't want.  It has never been out of the box.  And even though I will definitely use the light portion,

I'm probably one of three people over the age of seven left in the world who does NOT own a cell phone.  This light has a docking station, presumably for a laptop (another device I don't own) and a cell phone.

I'm not complaining, though.  As you can see, the light puts a whole new outlook on things (pun intended).   Of course, I have to mention I also got nearly half a container of baby wipes.  You've read where I talk about "wet wipes," but never baby wipes.  Wet wipes are much thinner and don't seem to have the quilted aspect baby wipes have.  They have an entirely different texture, and I can't wait to dye a few to use in my art.  Sometimes it's good to have hoarders as friends!

Now you see why I'm smiling.  Show Annie (and me) why you're smiling this lovely Friday before the weekend.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Annie said...

Wow Elizabeth I love your dyed fabric....will check out how you did it and then if I could only find which box the dyes I've got had been packed away in I might have a go myself [but of course it might be sensible to put away all these wedding/bridesmaids dresses first!]. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Annie x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Great to see your cheery art quilt again! Lucky you getting that ottlite! It will make such a big difference in winter! I have a small daylight lamp and it comes in very handy! Still pondering why Sally had 36!!! Hope you and Bleubeard have a great weekend. Hugs and strokes, Chrisx

mamapez5 said...

I just love that colourful quilt, and I will be back later to read how you made it. Lucky you to have an OTT light. I had a cheaper imitation one that has just fallen apart, so I am beginning to look at the OTT light options, and trying to find somewhere that supplies them within Spain. Keep smiling. Kate x

Eliza said...

Hi Elizabeth Happy Friday Smiles, I love the dyed sheets and sewing very inspiring. You have really scored yourself a beaut light and docking station. Hey I am a technological girl and you have a winner there pity you don't have the other devices to utilize it more.

Keep smiling
Hugs Eliza

dawn said...

Happy Friday dear friend! Your posts always makes me smile, no matter the day. So glad you could come home with goodies, a bonus to helping your friend. Can't wait to see what you do with the wipes!

My summer of color is now on my blog. I enjoyed these so much.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Darla said...

You got some real goodies. I don't have an Ottlite but have heard good things about them.

Darla

Mrs.D said...

Oh that dyed fabric is fun, will look later to see how you did it. And that lamp is brilliant, I would be smiling if I had one of those. Well done.
Chris

Krisha said...

Oh you're going to LOVE that OTT light! As you know, I have two and can't so without them.

Thanks for catching me up on Sally. I wore one of those boots for 3 months after toe surgery....NOT FUN and definitely not a fashion statement!!

elle said...

Definitely smile worthy. We broke the old phone and now I have one that 'docks'. :)

~*~Patty S said...

and you have me smiling too E ;-)

didn't realize the finer points of wet wipes and baby wipes...
for me the names conjure up such totally different things LOL

Enjoy being extra illuminated and happy beginning of the weekend!
oxo

Anonymous said...

Nice use of the printer inks....pretty permanent too I would imagine. Ott lights, love them, so much easier to see. I need a new one too, might get a floor lamp version for the living room too, to read by. xox

Caro said...

That dyed fabric is amazing! I love the effect you got with it. That light was a lovely gift...no wonder you are smiling this week. Thanks for the smiles. Caro x (#8)

Carol said...

You are going to love that LIGHT!!!! Not as much as I love your fabric this week... you did an amazing job on it ♥ I have a rather large stash of unique art supplies in the basement and Hubs is always threatening to have one of those TV shows come and rescue him :)

Ohhh Snap said...

Baby wipes are perfect for making inkpads btw : D. (I think the caveat is that they don't have oil in them). http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2014/06/make-it-monday-168-bapy-wipe-stamping.html. I made the stamp by cutting a thin piece of foam foam with a wafer die, then gluing it to a piece of plastic packaging. Easy peasy : D

Ohhh Snap said...

I forgot, the light looks fabulously useful! As I get older, I wish I had Ott lights everywhere lol.

Jo Murray said...

All sorts of interesting stuff in this post...lights, baby wipes...and your fabulous ink-dyed fabric...wonderful.

TwinkleToes2day said...

Excellent haul Elizabeth; how fine to have a daylight lamp. I love that quilt piece you made and I bet the wipes will end up just as gorgeous. Have a great weekend :o)

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I don't think I have ever seen a light with a docking station--but then, my 2 Ottlites are many years old. They do come in handy for close up work and show true colors.

Yes, it is good to have friends who are hoarders!

Halle said...

I've almost bought one of those lights several times. Just can't get myself to pull the trigger on that purchase.
I love the line "Sometimes it's good to have hoarders as friends!" So true!!

Dianne said...

I didn't realize how long it's been since I last visited...you've been busy! I adore the quiltie...love the colors, and of course the hearts! and amazing to be gifted with the ott light! wowzer...a very nice gift. enjoy it...

Elizabeth said...

Hi Elizabeth, I've already admired your dyed fabric but only too happy to do so again - it's beautiful. And how nice of your friend to give you one of her many Ottlites - I have one and it makes such a difference. That's a pretty box the baby wipes come in.

Here in Scotland there can't be many who don't have a cell phone, we call them mobiles, though to my mind they are something of a mixed blessing. However, I do rely on mine to communicate with my daughter who is deaf - we keep in touch with texts. Otherwise, I think I'd be like you and not have one either!

Hope you've had a great weekend. Love to Bleubeard. Elizabeth xx