Monday, November 2, 2026

T Stands For Bagatelle

 

   I've wanted to share this post for nearly a year.

It will soon become obvious why I haven't

I got this meal to go.  It consisted of a cheese, mushroom, and onion empanada. It came with a roll and butter, and a side of tabouli (also called tabouleh) salad.  Why have I waited so long to share this?  I failed to include a drink with the meal.  Today I'm going to correct that by sharing several of my favorites.
 
 


 I know a few people who would agree.

I'm loving all the jokes on this mug.  It even extends to the handle which you can see in the previous photo.
 
And because I can't show favoritism, I have to honor those who have dogs.
 
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.  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.    
 

 

 

 

 

Second on the 2nd: a tag

 

This was part of a post I created on September 30, 2019.  The part I will share is a tag I made.  It was for three challenges.  I have removed all the references, but if you are interested, you can find the full post at the date mentioned above.

 This is an autumn inspired tag.

A hole reinforcer I stamped with a rubber stamp that has ancient words on it.  The camera was not my friend for this tag.

Unlike my American friends, I am NOT a fan of the word "Fall" replacing autumn.   However, I will gladly use it in this instance.


It's time for us to Fall into Autumn.  

 



Falling leaves help reinforce that.

However, the real focus should have been on the tree

now completely devoid of leaves

and heat embossed, too!



I finally got a decent photo of my stamped hole reinforcer,

so took an extra photo just in case!

For this tag, I began with a piece of used file folder that I painted using two colors of fluid acrylics: Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold and Red Iron Oxide.  Once the paint was dry, which was overnight, I sewed the black construction paper to the file folder using variegated thread.  To give a bit of additional color to the construction paper, I used the (only) decorative stitch on my sewing machine and sewed around the outside, again using the same variegated thread.  I printed the computer generated words using my laser printer, then attached them to heavy cardboard using PVA glue.  While those were drying, I used my handmade baby powder filled pouncer, then stamped the tree (very old wood mounted Stampington red rubber) using VersaMark.  I then added black embossing powder, but failed to remove all the excess bits as I should have.  Next, I added the words and the leaves using red liner tape.  I then stamped a hole reinforcer, punched a hole, and added it to the tag.  Finally, I added fancy fibers from my stash.
____________________________________________________


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.  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. 
 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
 

 

Sunday, November 1, 2026

No Rocking Horses today

 

Today is the beginning of a new month, which means we introduce a new host at Art Journal Journey (AJJ).  Before I do that, however, I want to thank Mia for all the fantastic art she has given us this month.  And we can't forget the lovely AI generated images she gave us for our personal use.

Our new host is no stranger to AJJ.  This will be her eighth year hosting.  Please welcome Wendy K, whose blog is Wendys Craft Journal. Her theme this month is Colors of Autumn.  This is my first entry and how I interpreted the theme.

There are no step out images today.  I began by adhering orange tissue to 5.5 X 8 inch (13.97 X 20.32 cm) 110 lb cardstock.  I then added the green burlap for texture.  Next came the pale yellow cotton fabric I tried to dye with brown, but it didn't take well.  Finally, I added deep red silk that I also dyed.  To give the page some added effect, I included three brown fancy fibers to the page.  These are the colors I associate with autumn.  There wasn't room to add a sentiment.  Sometimes the art must speak for itself.

Please remember we welcome art journal pages that meet the theme requirements, altered book pages, canvases, loose, or stand alone pages including fabric and digital art.  I (and the administrators) do not leave comments on Facebook, TicTok, or Instagram entries.  We do not allow cards!!!  Period! We also don't allow tags, index cards, ATCs, or ATCoins, unless they are part of a journal page, and as much as we don't want to, will be forced to delete your entry.  Please remember if your blog is not in English, we ask that you translate it for us since the translation tool doesn't work on some blogs.  Finally, we do not allow back-links to any journal page published prior to the start date of this month's challenge. Hope to see you and your interpretation of Colors of Autumn inspired art soon at Art Journal Journey.   
 
We will also be joining  Nicole for Sunday in the Art Room or SITAR.
 
  

Art Journal Journey 

 

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Happy, happy

 

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1696797663/vector/happy-halloween-banner-vector-design.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=mawtkfGk6hNny9OjeEW39fRjwJGwzFiXV51E0sAmxGs=  to all who celebrate the day.  You won't find any tricks here, just treats.

  

Friday, October 30, 2026

Happy Halloween

 

Because it's Friday, I'm joining Nicole for Friday Face-Off and Gillena for Art For Fun Friday.  

Tomorrow we welcome Trick or Treaters to our home.

I need to find something to cover or hide the stored wood under the desk.

Today is less about my visitors and more about my vignettes.

Both the cardinal and the clay pumpkin have faces.  And I hope my vignette passes as art for fun.

Yes, that's a tea light candle inside the pumpkin.

I bought the gourds a couple of years ago when I visited a pumpkin farm.  The colors have definitely faded.

The other face sits between my front door and living room window.  His eyes are battery operated.  I didn't activate the eyes.  The wall needs a good cleaning, but keeping it clean is hard to do when you have a wooden exterior.   I positioned one of his legs at an angle and left one left straight.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do here.  I have a pumpkin, mums, and a Trick or Treat bag I lined with a block of wood.

I'm hoping I'll gain some insight before tomorrow and create something far better than what I have here.  It's obvious I have my work cut out for me before I can say "Happy Halloween."

One more look and I'm already considering moving the mums to a different spot.
 
Friday Face OFF    Please visit Bleubeard and me today at these two great art blogs.  
 

 

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Voted

 

  As my British friends would say, "Done and Dusted."
 
Here is the church where we vote unless it's election day.  On that day, we MUST vote at our assigned polling place.
 
I thought I should show where we need to go to vote.
 
As we were leaving, this display and these tile caught my eye.
 
I took
 
a photo
 
of each.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rmqCjzWMzvBw3S2Jn9mcAdazbVbv1eIiAcRLsmN2hNxGkTQqb-DvPpi7spECxpxdW2OFSSBGv4NFXlKB4Igl8zpgDNVNZmCf1k8jvJtgevPJfv7zNdXZTYRh10i6HLVVxM0gGTUVSeQIouzTG0B1fjAXU10jIzKK9zTNx2eEFDHfpPKKGl5DulTpSIo/w560-h640/meme1%20midterms.jpg  Here is how I feel about the midterms.  I actually "borrowed" this from Debra, She Who Seeks. 

Thanks for joining me today.  Sorry, Bleubeard and Squiggles don't have the required ID to vote, so they stayed home, ate, and slept.
 

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Vote

 

Today I will be exercising my inalienable right to cast my ballot for the candidates of my choice.  I will be voting early and will be able to breathe a sigh of relief once I see my ballot has been accepted.

Be aware, if you are a Kansas voter, you must provide a Kansas ID, Kansas driver's license, or passport.  I hope you will vote, too.  It may "only" be the mid-terms, but it is more important than ever to cast your ballot this year.