Friday, June 3, 2016

Photos I forgot to show when they were relevant



What is relevant?  How long before you trash the extra photos you forgot to share?  I'm actually glad I didn't send these to the trash bin of my computer because real life has gotten in the way of internet time, so this is a scheduled post, and the only thing I can actually share today.

As my tulips were fading in early March,

I was blessed with a plethora of irises.

In early March, I trimmed my rose bush back and this is what I ended up with in mid-May.  I count 11 and I was jumping for joy when I saw them.  These are more roses than I normally get in an entire season!

While I was creating art for my friend Annette's swap items, I got out some of my Pan Pastels.  You can see I don't use the tools that are recommended for blending.  Instead I raid my medicine cabinet and you can see how I spread and blend the pastels.  When the ends get too "muddy" because I've mixed colors, I just cut them off.

The first time I used my Pan Pastels, I didn't realize I needed to set them if they were going to be handled.

Now I give them a generous spray of fixative.  I can usually find this at my Household Hazardous Waste Swap and Shop. There is no cost for me to take up to 10 items a month.  After all, they charge my property taxes each year $5.50 (USD), so I might as well get my money's worth.

I forgot to show this book cover, also made for Annette, before I added the button closure. It's too bad the word "book" was the easiest to read, but was completely covered by the button I used.

Here is my rust mordant I will use when dyeing various fabrics.  This is a huge chain and it's really rusty, although the alum seems to have worked wonders on it.

When my friend Sally and I went to the zoo, I tried to capture some of the metal sculptures that lead the way to zoo.  It's hard to get things in focus as we whiz by these various metal beauties.

Amazingly, the giraffes came out perfect.

Finally, one day after the high winds and hail hit our area, I took a walk in my neighborhood.

I was curious as to how much damage others had sustained.

A robin greeted me as I walked along.

I noticed some people sustained more damage than others, while some people had already cleaned up their storm damages.

I have two more irrelvant posts that I'll be sharing over the next week, but for now, thanks for joining me with these photos that may or may not be relevant.  I just hope they brought a bit of joy to your day, because they brought back memories of fun I had when I found them.  Thanks for joining me for this irreverent and possibly irrelevant post!

16 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

I enjoyed your photo safari today, nice to see more of your neighbourhood, too. And your Pan Pastel blenders really cracked me up! I do have some 'real' paper stumps for blending, but up till now I have just used my fingers! Enjoy your weekend, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

I never trash my unblogged photos, (lets face it there are hundreds of them, especially from Kew) and enjoy looking at them sometimes. There were lots of irises at Kew today. I enjoyed looking at the houses in your neighbourhood; appeals to my nosy side!

Jeanie said...

Relevant or not, it makes a neat post. What an interesting blending tool. I must have some of those buried in some deep, unknown part of my medicine cupboard. I never would have thought of that!

I don't trash photos unless they're really bad. Eventually I move them over to an external source and a year or so later dump the ones that are totally horrible and why did I save them. Ever! So, don't feel bad about being late -- you're way ahead of me. In years!

Carol Samsel said...

I rarely get rid of photos...even on my phone..it gives me something to look at on days when my energy has left the body and gone on vacation. Seems to happen more and more and it never offers to take me. ;) very interesting art tools you have there. ;)

Carol Samsel said...

I rarely get rid of photos...even on my phone..it gives me something to look at on days when my energy has left the body and gone on vacation. Seems to happen more and more and it never offers to take me. ;) very interesting art tools you have there. ;)

Darla said...

Fun to see a bit more of your neighborhood. All the houses seem to be set well back from the road. Most here have only a small front yard. I haven't tried pen pastels but have used supplies that require a fixative. Do you know cheap hair spray works as a fixative? Yep! Of course if you can get the real stuff for free that's even better.

My name is Erika. said...

Love your photos today Elizabeth. Your neighborhood has some really cute houses. I love the older homes. They have such personality and aren't just the shells that so many new homes are. And I am jealous about your irises you had. One of the dos dug up my plant, and I replanted it, but I think all I'll get this year are leaves. :( Hope you are off doing something fun and not chores! Hugs Erika

BJ said...

Oh dear Elizabeth, I can't stop laughing at your blenders!!!!! And I only came here to say I'd not thought of the Scavenger Hunt either, until I saw it on a friend's facebook page. Then I got to thinking of the Summer of Colour but that doesn't look like it is happening this year, did Kristen say anything last year about that I wonder? Off to see if we can see the Queen on her way to The Epsom Derby, just up the road form us........

Sami said...

I had to laugh at what you use to blend your pastels, what a great idea!
Lovely to see photos of your neighbourhood too, hopefully not much damage was caused...
Have a great weekend Elizabeth.

BJ said...

Yay, saw the queen drive past. If you know the "sort of" time she'll go by you can go stand on the roadside. The police were at the traffic light box to stop the traffic, there were three police out riders in front of the entourage and a helicopter hovering above too so you know she's coming. BJ

Divers and Sundry said...

I don't have roses or irises (or tulips, for that matter lol), and yours are beautiful! I love seeing your garden, whether in season or not :)

Nancy said...

Nice neighborhood pics. And I like the variety of fonts, quotes, and colors. Iris- so pretty!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I thought I saved everything that might be useful - I clearly have a long way to go! I have never tried pan pastels although I have seen them used but when I blend stuff and don't want messy hands I use cut off fingers from rubber gloves. It's great to see some of the houses in your neighbourhood! Hope you are OK - got your email! Hugs, Chrisx

froebelsternchen said...

Lovely houses in your neighbourhood Elizabeth and I laughed about your tools for blending .... great idea!
Fabulous irises and roses -- my roses just got plenty of buds... and the irises I planted don't show any buds till now?! But the peonies are blooming right know!

oxo Susi

Halle said...

That's interesting about the household hazardous waste site. Our county site you can bring and take as much as you want of those type of items. They charge for items such as appliances, tv, mattresses, florescent bulbs etc. but scrap metal and yard waste are free to bring in.

Dianne said...

ha ha...your 'blending tool' made me laugh out loud! perfect, and of course the pastels don't wrinkle up card stock like watercolor does. I need to keep that in mind for the next time I want to color on card stock. Hope your bad storms are over for the year...thanks for the walk in your neighborhood!