Monday, April 4, 2022

T Stands For Sally's birthday

 

I had intended to discuss the napkin swap today, but this post will be so long, I will hold off till next week.

I thought I would tease you with the shrimp I got at the Chinese Buffet on Sally's birthday.  You can see I had already consumed two shrimp before I thought to take a photo.  That tiny bit of yellow is "macaroni and cheese," which is supposed to be comfort food, but not the way the Chinese make it!  Glad I only got a small amount.

Now let's rewind a few days and head to my basement, where I started this project I planned for Sally's birthday.  I was shocked when I removed the photos from my camera and found this was the ONLY photo I got of the prep work.  This is the tacky glue I added to the backing over which I would add a piece of burlap/hessian.   I had to iron the burlap, so that is probably why I forgot to take more photos.

I got the idea to make a skeleton key (image from the internet)

but I wanted mine to look more like this.  While the burlap covered backing was drying, I perused my old keys (this image also from the internet).

The burlap is still not dry, and I have not yet glued the keys to the burlap backing.  Note the dings on the used frame, too.

Once dry and glued in place, this is what the key looks like.  Note I've cleaned up the frame, too. 

I was quite happy with this piece, although the green burlap (green is Sally's favorite color) doesn't look green in any of these photos.

The burlap definitely looks green in this photo.

Sally said she was smiling in these photos, but I don't think she was as in love with her gift as I was.  Several of those keys were definitely one of a kind.

Sally didn't have to be told to smile, although I caught her with her eyes closed.

This was Sally's second plate while I was still working on my first.  As you can see, both of us got water, mine with lemon.  I never got to eat dessert because Sally was getting antsy.  I got a total of two plates.  When I paid the bill, I noticed the price had gone up 25% from $8.00 (USD)/person to $12.00 (USD)/person.  At least they were still in business.

Why did we go to a Chinese buffet?  The Indian restaurant Sally chose as her place to go for her birthday is closed on Monday, so this was her second choice.  I will be taking her to the Indian restaurant next this Thursday.  I am really looking forward to this, a new restaurant I've never been to before.

This is Day 5 of 22, and I recycled old keys, several one-of-a-kind, some rusty, along with a used picture frame.

Now it's your turn to show us your drink related post.  You may share photos, a place you visited, an empty cup, a full cup, teapot, or mug, movies, postcards, books, magazines, 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, then Bleubeard and I, along with other T gang friends will be by to visit.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that your photos may be taken at any time, not just on Tuesday.

 


 

31 thoughtful remarks:

Elephant's Child said...

I LOVE this creation of yours. It is clever and so attractive.
I much prefer Indian food to Chinese.

kathyinozarks said...

Your shrimp looks delicious Elizabeth, and I do really like your recycled keys too for Sally's gift
Happy T

Mae Travels said...

The Chinese buffet looks good. You should always eat dessert first!

Your recycling projects are clever. I am patching over a hole in a pair of jeans with a mostly-unworn bandanna — is that in the spirit of things?

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Carola Bartz said...

Such a neat idea to make a key out of several keys - and yes, some of them look unique. I love your creation! And tasty food as well - I'm always a taker for shrimp.

CJ Kennedy said...

That's very cool and creative gift along with a yummy birthday lunch.

Rita said...

Happy birthday to Sally! :)

My name is Erika. said...

Sounds like you had a fun time out. It's good you and Sally are friends. You always seem to have lots of fun when you go out. And nice keys or should I say key? Have a great T day dear Elizabeth. Hugs-Erika

Linda Kunsman said...

Looks like a delicious birthday meal! You two obviously have a good time no matter:) What a very special gift you made for Sally. You put much thought into making it personal for her. I love how you made the large key from the smaller ones - very clever and creative. And the burlap background adds another nice texture. Well done!!
Happy T day wishes!

Kate Yetter said...

Your meal looks delicious! I am looking forward to seeing pictures from your Indian meal. I have always wanted to try Indian food.
Loving your special made gift just for Sally. Beautiful and unique.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm still thinking of the shrimp!
Great work, though.

Nancy said...

That shrimp looks quite inviting. Happy birthday to Sally. How clever your gift was. The keys from your collection have found a wonderful home and it's so unique. Well done. Had to chuckle at your "bowled over" comment on my blog! Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful comments.

Sharon Madson said...

Great post, Elizabeth. I am glad to see you are going out to eat again. That was a wonderful gift for Sally. I wonder which Indian place you are going to? We went to one, and were not at all impressed. I hope your experience is better. I will try to post tomorrow. Meanwhile , Happy T Day!

jinxxxygirl said...

Now thats my kind of craft!! Recycled AND keys!!!! I have a soft spot for keys! What you did with the keys turned out wonderful!!! I think the green burlap made it especially nice. I think Sally is smiling! Yep... definitely! Food looks good too... Funny hubs and i went for Chinese tonight too! Happy happy Tday dear Elizabeth! Nice to be back! Hugs! deb

Iris Flavia said...

Keys to happiness - what better present can one get!
Smart and sweet, to a happy new year in your friend´s life!
Dessert, bah, I always skip that. How can one ruin a yummy meal with something sweet? I´ll never get that idea ;-)
Indian food... yummmmm.... Hope you enjoy big. So sad restaurants are always tricky on Ingo´s health.

Cloudia said...

Adore keys!

Lisca said...

Well a happy (belated) birthday to Sally. Looks like you celebrated in style.The shrimp look really yummy and I think I would have had those too.
I am impressed with the key artwork! It is beautiful! Worthy of hanging on the wall. A shame Sally didn't seem to appreciate it.
I haven't written a post yet (but I will by the time you wake up) as we've had a gruelling day in hospital yesterday as hubby had been bleeding. The bleeding stopped and they sent him home. But this morning he was bleeding again and the ambulance picked him up at 7 this morning. (I'm staying home this time). He's having radio therapy in the capitol of the province, which is Granada, which is an hour and a half by car/ambulance. He'll see a doctor when he's there. If they don't keep him there, I think he'll be home by two thirty.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

nwilliams6 said...

Love the keys - very interesting art, Elizabeth. The food looks yummy too. Happy Birthday to Sally. Can't wait to see the Indian food next week! Hugz

Empire of the Cat said...

Happy birthday to Sally! I like the idea of a key made out of keys, and the green burlap. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

Divers and Sundry said...

What a cool idea! I like the piece. I'd also like either the Chinese restaurant or the Indian. Yummm! Happy T Tuesday

Jeanie said...

That shrimp looks fabulous. I'm such a shrimp strumpet --I love it any way you serve it!

What a wonderful gift you made. The keys are terrific and I like the simple, perfect layout.

DVArtist said...

This is a wonderful piece of art with the keys. I know Sally will cherish it. Ohhh the food looks so good. Yes, EVERYTHING has gone up in price. All of my utilities have gone up too. Uuuhhhggg.... Back to the food, the shrimp looks like it is cooked to perfection. Have a very nice day.

Sandra Cox said...

What a great gift. You did a wonderful job. AND The luncheon looked like fun.
Have a great one, dear Elizabeth.

craftytrog said...

I love your key art Elizabeth, it looks amazing!
Those prawns look delicious, I have a craving now :D
Happy T-Day!
Alison

Valerie-Jael said...

Your creation is beautiful, even if Sally preferred the food! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

Debra said...

Your key art piece is beautiful. I can see all the love that went into creating it! I just wanted to say how thankful I am that we are getting to know each other via blogging. And I actually was thinking about Bleubeard the other morning-he is such a gorgeous cat. There's something especially beautiful about gray cats.

Let's Art Journal said...

The food looks so delicious and wishing Sally a very Happy Birthday 😀. I love the gift you made for her too - amazing! Happy April and T Tuesday! Hugs Jo x

Sami said...

Happy belated birthday to Sally. I like the frame with the old keys you made for her :)
Prawns with macaroni and cheese is a strange combination.
Enjoy the visit to the Indian restaurant.

Neet said...

What a fabulous idea. I love keys and have several but would never have thought of linking keys together to make a "key". A super present, it looks so good in the frame with the hessian backing.
Hugs neet xxx

Meggymay said...

I think Sally's gift looked fabulous and good to use old keys as well as the super design you created with them.
I am catching up as always and have managed to read all the latest posts, even though I may not have left a note saying how much your art inspires me. I only wish I could find the motivation to do some of my own.
Yvonne xx

Lowcarb team member said...

Belated birthday wishes to Sally, such a lovely birthday gift.

All the best Jan

Annie said...

I love your idea for the skeleton key art made with actual keys! So darn clever. And oohhh, I LOVE shrimp!