Wednesday, March 30, 2016

My busy, busy life


I feel bad that I haven't visited as many people as I had hoped to visit these past two weeks, so now I'll try to show you why.

Recently my blog friend Caterina at La Dolce Vita showed what was on her work tables.  I thought I would begin with the same.

On my table where I stand to work, I have the Big Kick my friend Kathy gave me when her sister died.  However, she only gave me one die, so I borrowed several of hers so I could cut my fabric and paper before she came to retrieve the dies.  I've been working this die cutter to the bones for nearly two weeks.

I have lots of file folders I'm cutting to size on my guillotine cutter.

I don't have to go far to get to my sewing machine, although I've only accomplished a very small amount of sewing here these past two weeks.

But mostly I've been gone these past two weeks, while trying to finish Norma's tip-ins I showed on Sunday.

A little over two weeks ago I had an eye appointment.

Yes, this place caters to both dental and vision, but it's truly geared to children.  

The first day was all about vision.  They gave me many, many tests for my eyes.

The second day I had my teeth cleaned, whitened, as well as X-rays.

After visiting the dentist, I stopped by the local lumber yard/home improvement store.

I was on a mission and can't believe I didn't take time to pick up some paint chip samples.   Instead, I picked up two toilet bowl replacement flushers.  Both my toilets were in dire need of flushing properly, and I was tired of having to adjust the water every time I flushed.  Of course, this had to wait until I got home, because

I stopped by the grocery store to buy a few groceries,

but got caught up in photographing the spring tulips, daffodils,

and hyacinths.

I thought mine looked better than some in these pots.

The next day I returned to the vision side of the vison/dental center and picked out my new glasses frames.

I wasn't really impressed with any of them,

because they all reminded me of the ones I had in the 1980s.

Three days later

my new glasses were ready.  I only need them for distance, such as driving, but I have perfect vision for close-up work, which includes watching tv and being on the computer.

After I picked up my glasses, I headed to the post office and mailed Norma's package to her.

Early the next morning, I waited in line to get my new driver's license.  Thankfully, I won't have to do that again for another four years! 

When I got home I realized I had not dealt with the fabric I left in my black bean soup.  I can't believe I allowed these jars to sit this long.  The jar on the left had no mordant, while the one on the right did.

After I drained and hand washed these fabric pieces, I hung them on my front porch to dry.  If you look closely, in the upper right, where the wind has lifted the fabric, you can see a bit of lavender. 

Remember, these began as white bed sheet strips.  You can see how wild the wind was (and continues to be every day).

This was one of the pieces that had been mordanted.  The color was a bit more pronounced.

But this one was beautiful.  From suble to bold, the patterns showed up well.  I really like how this piece turned out.

Now you know why I've either been late, or absent from visiting.  From working on art, to running all over town, it's all I can do to keep up with posts, much less art.  Thanks so much for joining me as I recall what I've been up to the past two weeks.  Your visits mean the world to me.


13 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

No wonder you have had no time, you always seem to be somewhere else and doing something necessary. Have fun with the die cutter, I always enjoy using mine. Give yourself break and a rest here and there. Hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

great catch up - you've had a little of everything! love the fabric.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow Elizabeth! What a busy time you had! I hope that you can slow down a bit now, but I have a feeling that you won't! I must say that I am looking forward to a break next week but I am earning it now!! Hugs, Chrisx

~*~Patty S said...

You are a busy bee and that is a wonderful thing.
Fun to see your colorful photos and a day in the life in your neck of the woods E.
Your blooming grocery pics are lovely!
I just got new glasses too and have been feeling challenged trying to read on the computer. That's one of the reasons I enjoy photos so much ;-) (my glasses have dark blue on top with brown on the bottom).
Your last piece of fabric sure is super.
Happy Wednesday.
oxo

My name is Erika. said...

Wow- you have been busy. I hate when I get weeks with all those errand kinds of things going on. But, that is life I guess and you just have to deal with it. Love the light color of your fabric- it looks great. If your interested in a few dies I have some I cleaned out. I picked them up on sale thinking oh wow, a good deal, but then hardly ever used them. So much for a good deal. I am in purge mode, so if your interested, let me know your address and I will drop them to you in the mail. You can email me at dekn@tds.net. have a great day. Hugs-Erika

sheila 77 said...

Hello Elizabeth, you do seem to have a busy time, I feel quite exhausted following you through this.
As to keeping up with art and visiting real people, and then visiting our dear blogging friends, I don't think we can ever keep up. And who mentioned housework and gardening?!
I loved the dyed fabric at the end with the beautiful lavender pattern and enjoyed looking at your photos, thanks.

froebelsternchen said...

Slow down Elizabeth! You were much too busy !
Great fabrics you made...wow!!!

Thank you for sharing all the photos!!!
So nice to be with you everywhere!!!

oxo Susi

Jeanie said...

You HAVE been busy -- but most all of it looks fun! And really, you own the blog -- it doesn't own you!

I'm due for new glasses, too. Just waiting till tax stuff is over! Then we can talk frames!

Meggymay said...

Gosh you have been busy. We have a saying here ===I met myself going backwards. Sounds like you have had an eventful time at home and when you went out. Loved the photos, I felt I was on your journey as well.
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

You really have been busy!
I'm still sick, but wanted to pop in. :)

AiyanaKalyna said...

I love your glasses. They are so pretty. The color is gorgeous. Love the guy in the vision clinic with that backwards side eye going on, lol. I hope you get some fun relaxation time for your bEARTHday month.

Linda Kunsman said...

Boy have you ever been busy!! And to think you even took the time to take photos along the way:) I have never heard of a dentist and eye dr in the same place. Nice feeling to have those things out of the way though. You are lucky to only need glass for far vision. I am so freakin near sighted:(:( Hope things slow down a bit so you can play!

Halle said...

You have been busy!!!
I really like the pattern on the last piece of fabric. Black beans...who knew!