Cozy Spot

I have always loved the hazy winter sun through the bare branches.....and this morning it was just beautiful.

And this beautiful icey pattern was on the pavement. 

Version one of my kid shelf is done.  There will certainly be some tweaking and editing....but I'll figure that out over time.  I'm still finding things....and I know there's a piece in the garage that has a couple of drawers full of toys and things. 

Like I said....there may have to be some editing.

I've got Adam's stars featured and my There's an Elephant in the Bathtub book which is the ONLY thing I have from my childhood, and a couple special books from Becky.  There are a couple of vintage puzzles I got from Margie and Paul's sock monkey.  Most everything has a story....the rest is just stuff I've picked up and love.

Paul's dad made the wooden train puzzle and Paul got the book when he was 4. There's a cute story to go along with it that you can read here: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/11/happy-to-you.html

Paul was ready to let his Audubon Nature Encyclopedia set go....but I kind of like them so they're staying for now.  And I think the Humpty Dumpty was his moms as a child.

The rest of the room is a work in progress. The painting isn't in the right spot and needs non glare glass....and the favorite blue chair is going to be reupholstered in a salmon color I think. I'm going to recover both lampshades and the square poof stool eventually too....but it's good enough for now. There's a great view of the backyard including the sunsets and it's going to be a cozy spot to read and watch TV. 

Kids, Pockets and Shelves

My dear friend Linda reached out to me today and shared a story that she thought of when I posted about the stars in my pocket.  Several years ago as she was leaving church a seminarian named Joy handed everyone a little piece of paper. Linda's said "JOY" and she slipped it into the pocket of her coat that she wears just a few times a year.  To this day that piece of paper is still in that pocket....and each times Linda wears the coat she thinks about Joy, who taught her so much....and each time it warms her heart and brings her a little JOY all over again.  

Thanks Linda....I love everything about that "joy" in your pocket.

I had a nice visit with Patsy, her daughter Alex, and sweet little Yemaya today....who also had some joy in both her pockets.  I have known Patsy and Alex since Paul and I first moved to Maine in 1987 and have met Yemaya, Alex's daughter two or three times in her two years of life. When I arrived Yemaya was busy giving all her animals breakfast....and my heart melted at the sight of them all around the little table.

I think this how all the animals got to Yemaya's breakfast diner.

There is just something about children....and their toys and books that capture my heart. I spent part of the day continuing to gather things for a large bookshelf in our little TV/reading room off the living room. This is the first time I'm assembling ALL my childrens books and toys in one place....and I'm pretty excited about it. Doesn't the saying go..."if you build it they will come?" I'm still gathering, assembling, and tweaking but I will share my second shelf styling soon. These kinds of projects are where most of my creative energy is going these days...the paper and paint in the studio is waiting patiently.

Just a couple of days ago when I posted about my living room bookshelf  Tracie texted me this photo of her grandson's styled shelf.  Needless to say I was smitten....and I'm getting a little inspiration for my own.

Adventure?

"Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure." author unknown

This was "have to do it" day two.  After three trips to the DMV (actually the BMV in Maine) we got our driver's licences. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but Paul and I are pretty bright people and it still took us three tries to get it right. We kept our cool, (mostly) tried to keep a good attitude and worked together on several tasks all day long. And I only cried once today....so we're taking a victory lap and are just happy the ordeal adventure is behind us. Tomorrow is a new day!  

It's not glamorous or beautiful to look at but one of the highlights of my day was hooking into a neighborhood online group and finding someone who could use our moving boxes. I had to take a photo for the post....it's the only one I took all day.....so this is what you get.

We got the boxes from  Cheryl in Lexington and promised to pass them on.  We didn't have to buy a single box or a single piece of paper....and now neither does Susan. That's worth celebrating!

And....we are pre registered for our vaccines thanks to a tip from Janice. Our age group will become eligible on March 3rd....so we'll wait patiently in line.  

Have To Do It

A few people contacted me that my blog post didn't go through for those who subscribe by email.  And if it's the only way you read it you might not see this either.  If the problem continues I'll try and figure it out. These technical issues are a challenge for me....but I'll do the best I can.  

The blog can always be accessed right on the site at http://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/  It's been a long time since I've missed a day....and it warms my heart that people check to see if I'm OK if there is not a post.

This was one of those "have to do it" kind of days...paperwork, phone calls, address and payment changing....some of the nitty gritty of making a move.  Paul took care of registering the cars and helping his mom get her second vaccine....Yay!  The very best things about these kinds of days is some of that some of the "have to" work is behind you.

But the sky was bright blue and the afternoon shadows from the woods were long and beautiful...and that's something to celebrate.

Finishing Round 9

"May this be a season of believing beyond what you see."  
Morgan Harper Nichols

There was almost a hint of spring in the air today.  It amuses me that 40 degrees feels balmy this time of year....but at the end of the summer it will feel chilly.  I walked in only a sweatshirt and didn't need my gloves....I'll take it!  Paul was the one who pointed out the beautiful patterns in the ice along the street on our walk. It's always good when one of us pays attention....nature always has a surprise waiting somewhere. 

I continued with the theme of torn paper hearts to finish up round 9 of our 4 x 6 exchange. This one went to Becky last week.

It's hard to see in the first photo....but I added a little gold netting under the hearts for a little bling. It's much better in person.

Becky's daughter Emily, my Goddaughter's birthday was about the same time....so I made her a 4 x 6 birthday card and told her about our exchange project.  This time I made one large torn painted paper heart.

This week we keep our 4 x 6 cards....and again, I stuck with the theme.

I used 1/2 of this lovely snowflake to add a little interest to the background giving a nod to winter. I just love the color and texture on this page from my manuscript book that I printed on the gelli plate and I like pink and orange together.  Round 9....✔....time to think about round 10.

Fun For Me

I had a nice visit with Margie today....and was excited to find her violet in full bloom. It was such a nice bright spot in her bedroom....and it's always nice to have something blooming in the middle of the winter.

She got it as a gift a while back....and when it was done blooming she wasn't sure she was going to keep it.  I took it home...repotted it into a self watering violet pot...and took care it for a while. It's been blooming pretty much non stop since I returned it.....fun for her and fun for me.

Then Becky's round nine 4 x 6 card arrived today....and her collage made me smile. There a lot to see here....almost an I spy kind of moment.  The composition is great!

She only used images from her "Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage" book.  Well done Becky!

Fun for her, fun for me!

Everything Has a Story

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or to be beautiful."  William Morris

I have several paintings I've written about by my good friend Lynn from Madison....most of them are this watercolor zentangle style. They've been sprinkled all over both my houses and now the ones from Lexington are finding new homes at the condo so it's a good time to celebrate them again.

Two of them had a prime spot in the dining room in Lexington and they were the perfect focal point.  And now...they've found a perfect spot at the condo.

Because of the glare...I had a hard time photographing them....but you get the idea. 

You can see more of Lynn's work in this post....and some of it will need to find new spots at the condo too.  https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/search?q=lynn

I have probably reworked and tweaked this shelf a half dozen times....and I'm sure I'm not done...but it's where I'm landing for a while.  I love mixing textures and putting things together that might not normally belong together like toys and old books and even a tobacco spear from my time on the farm. I'm so happy the way Lynn's pieces fill in the gap with just the right colors and feel and the black frames tie into the lamp and accents on the shelf. By the way....Paul made this maple shelf in the early years of our marriage and I love the simple lines and beauty of the wood.

Everything has a story from the Hummel bookends we got from a friend for our wedding after he spent a year in Germany, to Paul's grandfather's coffee grinder, to a special vase from my grandmother.  I love Paul's Big Little Books from his childhood, and my vintage waddling toy collection, and the small jar of marbles I recently got from Angie. There are some of Adam's stars and heart rocks, and a wooden goblet made by my brother Rich who passed away several years ago.  

I picked up this beautiful little art piece at a consignment shop on an outing with Anita several years ago. It's an original painting and because it was very affordable I was able to have it professionally framed and I just love it. And even more so I love that it's associated with a memory of a great day with a dear friend. 

The hand carved figures came from Margie and Dave....and I've always loved those too. The small piece in front is a Aboriginal rattle I picked up on a trip to Australia when I was in college.

Everything has a story and everything is beautiful....to me.

Simple and Clever

Today was the Zoom memorial service for my sister Angie.  Although I would have loved to gather with family and friends in person....Zoom allowed everyone, no matter where they lived, to be there....including family living in England. There is something about these kinds of services that give us closure...and permission to move forward.

I started my day with oatmeal....with a spoon this time....in one of Angie's bowl.  If you have been following the blog you know about these bowls.  If not...you can read the story here:

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/10/every-day-still-life.html

I wrote that post while at a public library while she was getting dialysis back in 2017.  Angie didn't have internet at her house which made the online class I was taking and keeping up with the blog a challenge. But we did just fine....and now I have 4 of Angie's bowls....and oh so many memories.

As I was going through photos putting together slide shows for the service...I came across this one of Angie and my two boys, Nate and Sam.  We were at her house in Missouri....and she was helping them with something creative or fun.  She was always ready with things for the kids to do and I love the adoring way Sam is looking at her. They knew to pay attention to Angie.

Angie was an artist and a crafter....and oh so talented and clever.  I have dozens of little games and puzzles she's made over the years....all them treasures.

If you look closely in this photo you can see an unusual toy she made for us sitting in front of the bookshelf.....it's one of my favorites and maybe the most unique of all the things she's made. So simple...and yet so clever.

The two thingamajiggies are on long.....very flexible wire with little wooden barrels at one end and handles at the other that store in a nice little stand. The object of the game is to transfer a marble from one barrel to another as many times as you can.  It's harder than you think....and has been the perfect challenge at parties and celebrations.  I often pull out the "Angie basket" at gatherings.....she loved a good party.  I look forward to the day when I can have one again....and I'll think about Angie.

Form and Function

"Follow your soul....it knows the way."

I haven't hung many pictures yet....but I'm auditioning a few around the house.....at least the ones I can get to.  Art was one of the first things we moved...and it's tucked and stashed all kinds of places....including the bathtub under a lot of bedding.

But this colorful cross stitch of a beautiful woman and her son has found a new home right above Oscar. It was inspired by my niece Holly who was in the Peace Corps in Namibia. She had done it....and hers inspired me to do it too. 

It was so much fun to stitch...the background is just 1/2 crosses in the negative space....so it has a shaded kind of feel.  And the colorful textiles are just yummy.

The rest of the art is just auditioning in the spot.  At first I thought my printer's drawer would go here....but it seemed to be a vast sea of wood when I tried it out. I thought the space needed more color.....we'll see. I do want to tell you about the other two fabulous pieces. The large primitive maple cabinet came from Connie. When I knew her she had it in her bedroom with her TV on top and sweaters and other seasonal items inside. She had a lot of sweaters. The movers were glad it stayed on the ground floor here at the condo.....it's a large heavy piece.

In Lexington I had it upstairs in a spare room for craft supplies....but envisioned it here along the large wall between the dining and living room as a pantry for kitchen appliances and games and puzzles and anything else I want easy access to.  And it did not disappoint.....it's my favorite new piece in the condo and I'm just starting to fill it.  Form and function....just the direction I want to go.

And this fabulous art piece was made by a parishioner at Paul's first church...Foreside Community Church in Falmouth, Maine.

Barbara hand painted an old telephone pole....and Paul gave it to me for my birthday one of those early years oh so many years ago. I was a little worried about where it night work since the entry hallway is fairly narrow....but it's perfect right here in this spot.  

When we can finally have guests again....they'll have a place for their coats....and in the meantime it's an interesting art piece. Form and function with good stories to go along with them....just the way I like it.

Getting a few things in place is starting to make it feel like home.

And...sometimes joy looks like fabulous jambalaya and cornbread showing up at your door from Janice...one of my favorite cooks.

She even included lemon sorbet for dessert! Thanks Janice!

Perfection!

New Tool

I've mostly been working downstairs at the condo trying to get rid of boxes and clutter. I've started arranging the new shelf in the living room which is one of my favorite things to do....but I kind of obsess over it and I'll be tweaking for days. There will be that moment....when will be good enough...for now.

But I think it's time to give a little attention to the studio in the next several days...lots to do there.  I'm a little baffled at the moment trying to create the best furniture layout for my work zones...but I'll get there eventually. And like the shelves....I'll just keep tweaking.

But I did spend a few minutes trying out a new tool I've had for several weeks. I bought two inexpensive fineline applicators and I'm going to use them for acrylic paints.....one for black and one for white.

The tip is a very fine tube/needle...and when you lightly squeeze it works like a pen.  The cap has a needle that fits down in the tube to keep it clear and unclogged.

I'll use it for scribble accents....and messy writing and swirly designs on my collage. I can be more loose and organic than I can with a pen....but it is going to take some practice.

I played around with it on some gelli print rejects...and I think I'm going to enjoy using it.  Tomorrow I'll play with white.

In Between

I found this screenshot of a story by Morgan Harper Nichols on the desktop of my computer....and it's just what I needed to read today.  She's good to me that way. 

Morgan reminded me that I'm in one of my "billion moments in between."  Endings can be difficult....and beginnings are sometimes daunting....and this is the first day in awhile I feel like I can relax a little and tackle the tasks in front of me with a little less anxiety....and be more at peace in between.

I don't think I've ever introduced you to Oscar. He's been living with us for most of our marriage...and now he needs to find his new spot at the condo. Before he started moving around with us he lived at Paul's mom and dad's house and before that at Paul's grandparent's. Paul's grandfather, Burrell Shupe, was a wallpaperer and Oscar was payment for one of his jobs. He's an odd fellow....but we love him.

Look...and Listen

Every single tree was covered in ice this morning....it was like a fairy land and in no way do these photos do it justice.

I know I try and capture things I love in a photos....but sometimes it's good just to look.  I did spend most of time I was out just looking....and listening.  As the sun was warming up the branches you could hear the ice cracking....it was so cool.  

I had to laugh out loud when I saw this Instagram post from Morgan Harper Nichols....it's like she knew what I was doing.  Just a few days ago I had to eat my oatmeal with fork because I didn't have a spoon....and today I was drowning in them as I sorted through two households worth.