T Stands For More Cats (and a few pandas)

 

I want to update those of you who were here yesterday and saw what is happening in my world.  First, my whole house furnace is now fixed, although I suspect I will be eating a lot of ramen noodles until it is paid in full (grin).

I still have "flu-like" symptoms and don't seem to be getting rid of this problem.

And finally, "failed to publish" has reared its ugly head again on blogger.  You may not hear from me as quickly as I would hope.

Today we are back at The Spice Merchant where I have found a few more cats.

This cat stole my heart, even though I'm not into pink.  The sentiment is "I see the love in your eyes."

I loved the topper on this one (Chef's Diary).  The other cat mugs were adorable, too.  What is crawling into the gray cat's mug?  And who doesn't have panda mania?  Aren't they adorable?

I've shown you mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants. 

February's calendar

 

It's only February and yet, this year is starting out badly.  First, on one of the coldest days of the year (and we are having record lows this year), my whole house furnace quit working.  The only heat I had was from three space heaters in various rooms of the house.

Then my dear friend Scott's mother died.  You who visit for T Tuesday should remember him.  His mother died of cancer.

I have developed "flu-like" symptoms that have kept me in bed or hugging the toilet.

And finally, "failed to publish" has reared its ugly head again on blogger.

I am rather ashamed to admit, I photographed this the first of the month, then failed to show/share it on my blog.  This is for Vicki's Musical theme at Art Journal Journey.

This detail shot shows the musical notes in blue are from a stencil and the heart note in black was created using a red rubber wood block stamp.

Bleubeard and I are delighted you visited us today at Art Journal Journey and hope to see you share your own interpretation of Music.

 

Happy Valentine's Day Trivia

 

 

Thanks to my neighborhood newsletter, I copied this trivia questionnaire.

I hope you enjoyed this bit of trivia, and maybe learned something along the way.

Of course, if you are like me, I believe every day should be Valentine's Day.  Be sure to tell someone you love them today and every day.

T Stands For Spice Merchant Cats

 

Back at The Spice Merchant, I was on the prowl for cats.

I realized after seeing this uploaded, 

it isn't a black cat, but an owl.

These, however, are cats!  Cute and colorful, too.

I like that this one has a place to hold a straw, while keeping your coffee or tea hot.

This may be my favorite of them all. Love the paw print on the handle.

I've shown you mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants. 

T Stands For Spice Merchant Coffee Helpers

 

I want to start today by explaining why I have not seen a doctor for my hand, wrist, and arm.  My two cats have a vet.  In fact, they have two vets, but I have never had nor needed a medical doctor since I moved to Wichita in 1991 to obtain my doctorate.   Now I find NO GP (general practitioner) is taking on new patients.  I called every clinic and every office both in the phone book (yes, I still use mine) and online.  One office told me they had a man (I really want a female doctor) who would take me, but it would be mid June before I could get in to see him.  None of my friends could help because they told me to use their names when I applied (to no avail).  Not sure what I will do because there seems to be a real need for GPs in Wichita. 

For T today, I am headed back to The Spice Merchant.

These are the two wonderful guys who help me when I get my "free" pound of coffee each month. 

Meet Jason on the left and Robert on the right.  I'm so short, I had to stand on a stool in order to see over the white buckets, each of which contains a different type of coffee.

I took three shots because I was afraid my shaky hands would give fuzzy photos.  In the background, you see the equipment where the various coffees are roasted.  The buckets of coffee beans are my ticket to T this Tuesday.

I've shown you mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants. 

 

 

 

 

Second on the 2nd: Mixed Up Music

 

As most of you know, I like my second look each month to reflect our host at Art Journal Journey's (AJJ) theme.  That means I needed something Music inspired, which is Vicki's theme.  I was also inspired by my friend Erika who used cassette tapes as part of her first entry at AJJ this month.  This post was created in April, 2020 and most of you know I recycle something every day day from April 1 through April 22, which to most is Earth Day, but to me is bEARTHday.  Here is the post in its entirety.  I called it Mixed Up Music.

 
You can see I've started with a used file folder that I will cut to size.  I still believe these file folders multiply while I'm not looking.  The vintage sheet music went through the basement flood and by all rights, should have been thrown in the trash.  However, sprayed with anti-fungal spray (the same type spray I use to disinfect everything that now comes into my home), I was able to salvage these pages.  On top of the sheet music is the stencil I will use, along with my molding paste and a spreader.   The "Smitten Dust" actually contains ephemera.  I just noticed that one image is totally hidden.

I started the step out process by cutting the used file folder to the size of the sheet music.  Just as I was about to take a photo of the sheet music attached to the file folder, my batteries died.  No problem, right?  I have more because I use rechargeable batteries.  Sadly, it was a problem because none of my AA batteries were charged.  So there are no more step out photos.

Once my journal page was complete, I thought it was best to show you the stencil I used.  This is a favorite of mine, but it was really, really difficult to clean the molding paste out of all those tiny cuts in the stencil.  Does anybody even remember cassette tapes?

I give you the completed entry I call Mixed up music.

I realize it's hard to read my handwriting. Under the music note is "Mixed up mix tape

plays music through the ages."

The mix tape is the middle cassette tape in the top row.

I love how each cassette tape design is completely different.

I thought this TH paper doll paired nicely with the theme.

I tried to balance him on the page number, but I fear he still floats in the air.

Here's a look at all nine cassette tapes.

For this page which is Day 19 of 22, I started with a used file folder, over which I glued a sheet of vintage sheet music.  When dry, I laid the stencil in place and used molding paste to fill in the holes.  When the molding paste was dry, I went over it with water soluble crayons.  Next I added the bugle boy.  Finally, I added the quaver, which is also called an 1/8 note (on the right) and the beam notes (the two quavers or two 1/8 notes joined together on the left), then the sentiment I wrote by hand in green ink and outlined using a black Zig pen.

As you can see, I recycled the file folder, the sheet music, and the two music notes.  Bleubeard and I ask what have you recycled today?

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Now it's time to share your own Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  It could even be one that holds special meaning, like mine.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable, as long as it's been published sometime in the past.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit.  The link will be live until 4 p.m. Tuesday (which is tomorrow), so it is best to share it on the 2nd.