T Stands For Gifts

 

 Settle back and enjoy.  This is a very long T Tuesday post.

I have gifts from friends to share today.  The are from CJ and Erika.  As you can see, it's a celebration of T Tuesday's anniversary.

 

I looked high and low for the names if these three stamps, but eveh Stamp world couldn't identify them.  I know the one stamp is Kitty love and it pairs with a dog that also holds a heart.  The others, although Forever stamps, are no longer in circulation.  

 

The Huntington is a museum in the Los Angeles area in California.  This must be one of their museum pieces.  I have been to that museum and have a book of their collections.  I will look for it when I have more time.

 

On the back of Erika's envelope is this kitty and milk.  Sorry, the lighting sucks in my kitchen.

 

Inside, we can begin with this amazing cat with a tea cup and butterfly.  Some of you may have seen a similar one last week she sent to CJ.

 

I knew I would never get everything Erika sent in one photo, but I tried.  I love the stamps, the postage stamps, the flowers, and the star.  Erika knows how I love cancelled postage stamps.  I already have plans for the flowers.  Thank you beyond words, Erika.  I love it all.  

 

Then there was the personal note inside and the cat that becomes a book mark.  Thank you again for thinking of me.

 

I swear, CJ spent more in postage for that package than I spend on postage in five years.  Squiggles LOVES CJ because she always remembers him when she sends a letter to us.

 

Seems I cut off the kitty in the photo!

 

 

There was a plethora of goodies inside.

 

I started with this package that took forever to open without cutting the threads.  Note the tea inspired paper.  You'll see more of it in the future.

 

CJ sent two bags of tea for me to try: Lemon Lift and Wild Berries.

 

Next was a handmade book using the same drink paper on the book edge and the belly band.

 

Wonderful heavy watercolor paper I know I will love when I work in it.

 

 

This may be hard to see, but the tea paper was used on the inside ends.

 

Inside this small package

 

were all this lovely goodies.  The cat is a favorite, as are the tiny clips and stickers.

 

There is one final envelope to open.

 

 

Lots and lots of goodies.  I especially love the tree that glows and the paw prints.

 

As I was putting everything away, I noticed the pattern on the inside of the envelope.  It was one I had never seen before.  Thank you beyond belief for thinking of me, CJ.  I am beyond grateful.  

I'm sure you have noticed my Spice Merchant mug is in most of the photos.  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 Rocking Horses

 

It's time to unveil a few more rocking horses.  I'm also joining Nicole for Sunday in the Art Room or SITAR, and Gillena with Sunday Smiles.  

Today we're in my guest bedroom, 

 

where  over 100 rocking horses live.

Right now, I want to show three pillows, starting with this beauty created by a dear friend.

 

I picked this one up one year at a Christmas craft show.

 

I'm not sure where I got this one, but I like how it feels early Americana.

 

Thanks for visiting today.  Also, please join me at 

 

 and  

 

More early August herbs

 

Continuing to share how much my herbs have grown in early August, I'll begin with my chives that overwintered indoors.

 

Behind the chives is one of four pots of rosemary I purchased this year.

 

Although it's a bit hard to see, the large white pot behind the rosemary is my comfrey.  It seems I'm growing it wrong, so I hope to make some changes in the next two weeks.

 

Here's another pot of rosemary.

 

 

Hidden behind the rosemary is a pot of tarragon.

 

More rosemary in front, lemon thyme in the black pot, and English thyme in the beige pot that overwintered outside.

 

Two pots of oregano are doing well.

 

Thank goodness, my very expensive lemongrass is doing well.

 

 

Sadly, I seem to have killed two of my three lavender plants I purchased this year.  I don't seem to do well with lavender.

 

Behind the lavender are my sunflowers that bloom every year in mid-September.  A bird (?) originally left the seeds a few years ago and now these plants are out of control.

 

Thanks ever so much for stopping by today.  Bleubeard and I are grateful you don't get too bored with me sharing my herbs once a month. 

 

 

Bathing Beauties At The Beach

 

Yesterday we hit a record high for Wichita, Kansas (USA).  It was 108 F (42.22 C) with a "feels like" 113 F (45 C).  I suspect even my heat loving friends will find it unbearable. 

Today you will find me at Art Journal Journey, where I'm joining my friend Erika, who many of you know as BioArtGal.  Erika's theme for the entire month at AJJ is In the good old summertime.  And because it's Friday, I'm also joining Nicole for Friday Face-Off and Gillena for Art For Fun Friday. 

It's obvious the title of this journal page is Bathing beauties at the beach.  Detail images are below.

 

 

I began by creating one of my favorite backgrounds where I combined a blue Staz-on reinker with 91% isopropyl alcohol.  However, when I auditioned the layout, I felt it was lacking.  I decided to adhere a napkin from my stash to the 5 X 8 in (12.7 X 20.32 cm) 110 lb background using a glue stick.  I then added the image I found in my stash.  Next, I added the computer generated title using a glue stick.  Finally, I adhered the two gold sea shells I found, along with other stickers, on a basement shelf I cleaned last week. 

 

Thanks ever so much for dropping by today.  It means the world to me.  I hope to see you and your interpretation of In the good old summertime at Art Journal Journey.  Bleubeard and I will also be joining Nicole at Friday Face OFF, and Gillena at Art For Fun Friday.

 

 

   

Please visit Bleubeard and me today at these three art blogs. 

  

 

Herbs the first week of August

 

I'm getting "Failed to Publish," but only on comments that are embedded or new page.  Pop up comments, like mine publish with no problem.  That may be why you possibly haven't heard from me.

At the same time I took photos of my basil, I also took photos of the other herbs growing in my herb garden.   I will share a few today and the remainder on Saturday.

Technically not herbs, these two bell pepper plants are both producing peppers.

 

This is my peppermint.  It is going to seed.

  

The pots in the little cart are what's left of the dill and spearmint.

My spider/airplane plant has revived, but there are still no babies.

 

In the two pots on the right are my milkweed I planted from seed.

   

 The sage on the left that overwintered indoors is showing a great deal of promise.

 

The plant in the white pot is bergamot/bee balm.  It overwinters outdoors.

 

It's even getting new flowers for the bees and butterflies.

 

 Both of my new sage plants have grown by leaps and bounds.  

 

I think this is a good place to stop.  I don't want to bore you, or overdo the photos.  Thanks ever so much for dropping by today.