Like Riding a Bike

You know summer is winding down when the the sedum starts to show its color. I love this early stage with all the subtle color and texture!

There are not too many things that bring me more joy than facilitating creativity.  Whether it's sharing supplies, ideas, or techniques...it ALL brings me joy.

I was pretty excited that several people asked me for my star video.  And I have to chuckle...because technology is just not my thing...so sending the video was more challenging than it should have been. But I responded to everyone....one at a time with an email and links from my computer...then an email to everyone from my phone with my video attachment.  For some reason I couldn't attach the video in my computer email.  Sometimes I just have to chuckle and myself.

I made the video back in 2019....and I think I should update it with better directions.  I tried to put it up on YouTube so there would be easier access than email....but YouTube wouldn't accept the format.  I need a tech coach. I need Clarke!

But seriously I do LOVE sharing!  Thanks for reaching out!

I had an unusually busy day out and about...and by the end of these recent days...I'm still pretty tired. But overall....I'm SO much better.   

Then....late this afternoon I took my Bob Dylan star box out to the patio...to refresh myself on making making stars...and put my feet up for a while.

You know how I love a good box....and this good box story is here: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2018/02/box-love.html  I'm going to start keeping this star box handy.

It was just like riding a bike!

I'm back in business!

I thought I would post here on the blog most of what I put in the emails to folks who reached out.....just in case anyone else is interested in giving stars a try.  I reference a post with a few links to instructions and and videos....and I found another YouTube video this morning.

Thanks for your interest in the stars!  

And as I look at my video again it makes more sense after you look at some written and visual directions I found online.  That's what I did for Elle...so my video is really some tips and tricks that help with the process after you read about it.  I should remake the video with more instruction...and maybe I can put it on youtube.  

The width of your strip is what determines how big your star is.  And it's probably easier to start on medium sized ones...maybe 1/2 inch or a little more.  

Check out the links in this post:

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/search?q=blog+questions

And I found this video this morning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RntZNBrfrQo

I was terrible when I started....it just takes practice.  

Enjoy your day!  MaryAnn

Attachments are

Attachments areaPreview YouTube video ORIGAMI LUCKY STA

Teeny Tiny Stars

Sometimes all you need is a photo of a friend's granddaughter 
playing with my teeny tiny folded stars!  

Thanks Jane!

I've written about my stars over and over on this blog.  It all started with my collection from Adam....then he taught me how to make them....and I enjoyed making them for others. It' been a while....it might be time to fold some stars.

This was the first post way back in 2015 when I introduced my star collection for the first time: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2015/01/star-collectionsurrounding-myself-with.html

And this is my favorite star story where I first connected with Elle and taught her how to make stars.  I still have the video I made...if anyone is interested.

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2019/11/ripple-effect.html

Slow and Steady

"The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find them."  Roald Dahl.

This was our found object this morning.  I can't even imagine what it's from...it's hard plastic and resembles a flower from this angle.  It's like a little pile of dense green balls.  

I finished a page in the art journal today...and the green balls fit right in.

I've been wanting to finish up this little series in the middle of my art journal....and chose this quote by Roald Dahl. I gathered a few supplies and headed to the patio to enjoy the lovely late summer day.

I drew some guidelines and sketched out the letters in pencil and went over them in black pen. Then I erased my pencil lines.

By the way....this is the best eraser I've ever used.  It was recommended by Wendy Solganik during the Love Your Imperfect Lettering course. Works like a dream!

I did a light watercolor wash in the negative spaces using similar colors from the previous pages. The pages in this journal are not the best for watercolor...but it worked OK.

The green circle strip was a cut-off from a previous painting...I used a piece for my green Rainbow Connection project.  It was the perfect size to edge the page.

I still have the other 1/2 of this spread to fill....then this little series will be done.

I like the way the circles peak through in the upper corner

of the first page of the series.

My white rain lily blooms are slow and steady.  Two are about done...one will open tomorrow....and 4 or 5 are coming.  Slow and steady also describes my COVID progress.  I am not 100% yet...but so much better.  Tomorrow will make two full weeks...and right now it feels like I'm at the end of a bad cold.

Birthday Blobs

This is the time of year that signs of fall start popping up here and there.

Random leaves turning colors....acorns dropping in the backyard....

and cool mornings and evenings.  I love it.

Sumac is one of the first to turn...and I love the variety of colors.

Paul even picked up a found object in fall colors.  It looks like wire...but it's plastic so doesn't bend....I'm quite fond of it.

I can't believe September is right around the corner.  September and October are my favorite months....so bring it on.  I've spent nearly 1/2 of August being sick....so I'm ready for a change of the calendar.

But September also means I have a 2024 reader calendar to assemble for Liz's September birthday....and I had to get the September 2023 calendar page in the mail to Becky.

Becky gave me Terry Runyan's book Painting Happiness last summer...and her 2023 calendar has been inspired by Terry's work.   

I'm often finishing them at the last minute...and forget to take photos so have not posted about them very much.  They're not masterpieces....but I've had fun with it. 

But with September looming....and in the midst of my COVID fog.....

I was inspired by one of Terry's recent  Instagram posts and made Becky some birthday blob cupcakes.  Terry often starts with watercolor blobs that she turns into birds and other whimsical images.

https://www.instagram.com/terryrunyan/

I think the touches of gold are just right for 

Becky's birthday month calendar page.

And I found the perfect scrapbook paper for the envelope liner.  

It's like an envelope full of confetti cupcake sprinkles.

Or maybe they're confetti blobs!

3 Scraps

There's nothing simpler than a 3-scrap collage.

I used one of my patio paintings...a purple striped gelli print...and some painted metallic commercial paper so assemble this little 3 inch square.  I'll come up with a cation when I know where this card is going.

And now I have a fun little pile of cutoffs to play with.

Yesterday there were just a few tiny bursts on this bud....and look at it today!

The intricate details blow my mind!  

And just in case you were wondering (ha ha...I know you weren't)...I did start my Wordle puzzle this morning with "bingo."  Sometimes it's just as helpful knowing what letters are NOT in the word....and "bingo" served me well.  I've been waiting for "peace" to show up....I always associate this word with Margie.  I haven't been able to visit her for weeks....and I miss her. 

Bingo

I am a bit better day today.  I promise I'm not going to dwell on my health every day....there are so many better things to write about. And given my current state of fuzzy...the irony was not lost on me that my purple fuzzy Devil's Bit Scabious are starting to open.  

I've got weeks of entertainment built in watching these tiny little buds burst open...and that's something to celebrate!

As I have written before....I enjoy my morning routine.  After our walk I settle in with a cup of coffee for my computer tasks and activities....one of which includes Wordle.  And I was especially tickled this morning that I got it in two tries.

Once again I started with "olive"....there's a story behind that....but I won't bore you with that again. But it led me right to "choir!" Bingo!  Maybe tomorrow I'll start with "bingo." 

At some point in the morning after that I have my breakfast at the puzzle table. And this morning my puzzle presented a bit of a puzzle.

Something wasn't right. This piece that clearly belonged wouldn't line up with the border. Sometimes pieces are so similar that they can go in a couple of places. At this point I assumed it was problem with the border along the bottom...and I just needed to rearrange.

 

Then the same issue presented itself on the side. 

My fuzzy brain had to figure it out. 

Once I placed the rest of the blue "M"....and it didn't line up with 

The Catcher and the Rye....I knew it wasn't a border issue at all.  

BINGO!  

That whole section of books needed to shift up!

It wasn't ready to attach to the border.

It's all clear now!  Phew!

And by the end of the day it was done.

Fuzzy Brain

Paul and I were sitting on the patio yesterday late afternoon/evening enjoying the picture perfect day....when Sam came out to try out his new purchase.  It's a cross between a hammock....a tent....a cocoon...and a boat.

It was fun watching him string it up and figure it out....we were quite entertained.  It comes with an lightweight insulated blanket for underneath....and a large rain tarp for overhead...which he didn't try out. 

It's really quite impressive...and he hopes to try it out on a biking/camping trip with friends this weekend...if it ever stops raining.

Once he crawled inside his little cocoon tent....he stayed for quite a while enjoying the quiet of the woods. 

I kind of feel like I want to crawl into a little cocoon and come transformed. I'm on day 10 of this COVID journey....and still not feeling myself. I had an original surge after 5 or 6 days...but now my brain is fuzzy and I'm having a hard time concentrating on anything.  And my energy level is still pretty low.  I actually went to the doctor...and my lungs are fine. So I need to practice patience....and just lay low for a while longer and hope I don't have a recurrence.  Which....apparently is a thing.  I just hope it's not my thing.  Luckily...Paul is pretty much back to himself.

I am enjoying this puzzle....it's just easy enough for my fuzzy brain to handle.

Pink Connections

I am excited to share Tracie's pink card for our Rainbow Connection project.  She's going to do something on the back that she'll share sometime....but she is pausing for now.

Almost all of us have had some life events that have slowed us down....and that's just the way life is.

Once I get my purple card from Becky I'll share my whole rainbow.....and I'm still figuring out where I might be able to display it.  And I'm guessing the others will share their whole rainbow too...and it will take as long as it takes! We're savoring the end.

Tracie's flower reminded me of this showy hibiscus I saw on our walk this morning.  It was massive...as big as my outstretched hand.....and the center was amazing!

And I also came across this Strikingly Pleasing view with all the different shades of pinks and greens.  The new growth on this shrub is pink....and there were several other blooming shrubs around it.  

My Picture This app tells me that this is a Japanese Andromeda Mountain Fire.

I love that the leaves are as pretty as a blooms....and have as much coral as they do pink so perfect for this Rainbow Pink Connection post!

Painting On The Patio

It was another spectacular summer day.  I puttered with this and that....and even did a little painting on the patio. It may become a thing. 

Before I got sick I had done more scribbles and doodles on watercolor paper with gold and white acrylic paint....and there they sat.

So I took a couple sheets out to the patio this this afternoon and painted while I watched the birds.

Initially, I started these doodles for an inchie challenge.

I did a few...but never got back to it.  

I went kind of crazy with circles...some in white and some in gold. 

I like the way the paint just puddled inside the acrylic ring.

I thought I wanted the little white dots to show up more....

so I did a light wash over this one....  

....and couldn't stop myself from doing it on this one too.

I like this colorful pile of patio paintings!

Collage fodder? Card making parts?  Who knows!  

But painting on the patio was just what the doctor ordered.