Monday, October 26, 2020

October 26, 2020 Monday 1pm

Good afternoon! 
I swear Blogger changes from week to week and sometimes, from my experience today, from minute to minute.  I'm still here and haven't given up...yet. ;)
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We have had snow a few times this week.   
Most of it has stuck around because it is so cold.  
Right now it is 22 degrees (-5.5 C). 
The Critter Cafe has been busy all week.

The homemade soup has been delicious.  I added leftover rice to this bowl.  Having snowflakes in the air is the best time for hot soup.
I had video calls with Ian and Liam.  Mama and Daddy pop in. 
Had Leah and my video call night on Tuesday.
Lots of the usual stuff, of course.  
Laundry and cooking.
But the DVD quit working.  
So, I drug out the little portable player I bought for the studio and that still works fine.  Packed up the DVD player to see if Dagan or Leah could get it working or tell me if I need a new one.  Sent it over to their place when I saw her on Friday for my blood pressure check.  (Was better and I never heard anything so I think I am okay with the pills I am taking unless I hear differently.)  Leah and I stopped at Cashwise for a grocery pick up on the way back to my place.
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I accidentally got a couple of her things in with my Cashwise stuff...so later on I met her at my garage and we did another trade.  She wanted to borrow one of my old rectangular folding tables to use in her garage for sorting/quarantining.  I never make trips without thinking of what I can do at the same time so I brought out trash to the dumpster and brought out one of the fans at the same time.
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I had internet issues for days...until I realized that I had jiggled a wire loose when I unplugged the DVD player--LOL!
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Meanwhile I had been cleaning in the studio--finally!  Feel free to skip all the photos as they are mostly to let Leah know what I have been up to since we both work in there usually...but can't very often these days because of covid.  Then she'll have some idea where I shoved things--LOL!  ;)
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I emptied the cherrywood cabinet and drug it out of the room.
I am going to attempt to get it on my little cart to see if I can wheel it to the garage today.  The bottom is pretty solid, so I think it might balance...we'll see.
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Already was so much more room with that cabinet out of there.  Didn't get a before pic--but it was sitting beside the table to the right.
A lot of that cabinet went into the low, wide IKEA cabinet.  Here's the drawers from bottom to top.  Does anyone else remember sponge painting?
Foiling and embossing symbols.
Wires and chalks.
Then the top three drawers are painting supplies for Chinese brush painting and watercolors.  Ceramic palettes, ink stones, weights, and little water holders.
Chinesse watercolors on the left and watercolor pencils and crayons to the right.
Watercolor palettes and powdered crystals.
Every drawers is full in that cabinet except a part of the bottom one.
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Then the taller one under the die cutting machine.  In the bottom three drawers...
...(this time they popped in top to bottom)...stencils (I have a lot elsewhere that will be moved over here.
The cutting dies.  (That little box is where we were keeping them before.)
Embossing folders.  (Same with that little box.)
We'll be finding the others that are stored elsewhere and figure out the best method of storage for in these new deeper drawers.  :)
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The little red table is holding the trays for card sets in progress...but also a bunch of stuff that I need to find a place to shove store yet.  I got pretty well shot doing what I did get done--LOL!  But I am thrilled to have it useable again in there!
Can get to the die cutting machine again.
One table cleared off and ready to go.
True--there is stuff shoved everywhere...
....but I can find most of what I need now.
The tall IKEA cabinet by the door got stuff stuck into it, too.
From top to midway in the five smaller drawers--deeper ones are still empty.
Acrylic blocks.
Words/sentiments.
Background or edging stamps.
Botanical/plants.
Christmas/Birthday.
Things will be moved about.  Decisions have to be made as to how to actually store the clear stamps.  But for now--the studio is useable again.  I already have card projects for today. 
 I am making a sympathy card for my BFF from high school's mom...and found some dollar store Halloween stamps Leah had picked up so I'll make cards for the boys. 
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The exciting news I haven't shared...I have made myself wait until the studio was in some semblance of order...
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I totally splurged and signed up for Wanderlust 2021!  An entire year of weekly mixed media art journaling classes with 28 different teachers!  Whoohoo!  I really needed something to look forward to, you know?  Something to shake up the isolation, I guess.  ;)  
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 And there are some bonus classes you can jump into before January 1st.  I didn't allow myself to even peek at the intro videos or the bonus classes until I could actually move about in the studio and find my dang supplies--LOL!  So, I will be posting about this adventure soon.  :)
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Oh, and I know how things go with my health but--never fear--these classes are mine to keep and I can do them at my own pace.  Looking forward to sharing my journal play with you all.  
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But for now...I need to finish hauling stuff to the garage, make some cards...and then I can play.  :)  Come hell or high water 2021 is going to be a better year--LOL!  Or at least a more creative one with lots of play time.  ;)
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Till next week, my dear blog family...
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"We must always change; renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden."
Goethe

16 comments:

Rita said...

My post to attempt to get your posts...but blogger is not being very kind in that regard any longer since the new format. If you never heard from me it was because I didn't get the notification in my inbox. But I have devoured every single comment and appreciate them so much. Maybe this week will be better? Hope so. :)

jinxxxygirl said...

Can i come over your house and play Rita??? :) I'll be right over... Put the coffee on.. :) Hugs! deb

DJan said...

You sure did get a lot done, and I'm not at all surprised to hear that you need some time to relax and renew. But you have so much to keep track of, and you do a good job of that. I don't need a response, just to know you're doing so well makes me very happy. :-)

Far Side of Fifty said...

You are excited about the art class! Good for you! Hope you have a good week it will be warmer by the weekend!! :)

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Rita - wow your studio is so neat and organized. I love it. I need to do better with keeping our office organized. We had snow and bitter cold temperatures here too. The beautiful fall leaves are now off the trees too. Glad your blood pressure is doing well. Hope you have a good week and can get your DVD player fixed.

Bonnie said...

I am always amazed at how organized your studio is! I've never heard of the Wanderlust classes but I looked at the link you had and it does look like fun. It looks like it was made for you with all your talents and skillset. It does help to have something to look forward to doesn't it!

Your snow looks pretty and your Café is staying busy! We had our first snow today. It snowed all day but should only be here for a couple of days as it will warm up a little Wednesday. Take care Rita!

Divers and Sundry said...

Snow!!! It's highs in the 40s here right now, and it feels cold to me lol I'm glad your blood pressure is doing well. You are so well-organized!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Great photos, you have more talent and probably patience then me

Janie Junebug said...

I know what you mean about needing to look forward to something. I feel that way about the books I read. How is the rash on your arm?

Love,
Janie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Sorry I'm late visiting. Looks like you have gotten more organized. And I'm happy for you to have splurged on that Wanderlust class. I'm sure you will love it, too. I can't believe how many Neocolors you own. I'm in lust (grin). And all those stencils, too, dear. You are truly blessed. Stay safe, too.

pearshapedcrafting said...

I don't have snow envy, although it does look lovely - good idea to make soup for sure!
I do have Storage envy - I need some shallower drawers - and will get some when it's safe to visit IKEA, (we have a list of things we need to get next year...or whenever) including sorting our balcony out, now it's cooler we don't sit out there much(even though its enclosed)and it's becoming a bit of a storage area again! We need smaller chairs, a new rug and some proper storage and somewhere to rest our coffees! I must say I did think about Wanderlust myself - I'll maybe check it out again! Do take care when you are moving stuff around! Hugs, Chrisx psSorry it took me so long to get here again!xx

Serena Lewis said...

I think I'm used to the new Blogger now but I do prefer the previous version.

It's getting cooler there while it's hotting up here. We've already had our first super cell storm and we are still in spring. Our summer storms in Jan/Feb are usually worse so not looking forward to them.

I hope Dagan and Leah get the DVD player working for you.

That cabinet looks heavy. Don't be attempting more than you can handle physically, my friend. You will pay for it later...as we both know from experience.

I have the wider six drawer cabinet, in white, in my studio. Love it! Looks like you have everything organised beautifully. Just perfect for your upcoming Wanderlust classes. Lots of fun to be had. I love the life-time classes where you can work at your own pace.

Yep, 2021 will be a better, more creative year for both of us.

Stay safe and well. xo

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Your studio working area looks terrific, Rita, and so organized with all those cabinet drawers. I know it took some time as you said but it does look nice and who wouldn't like to "play" at your place. Nice to have those lessons to look forward to as we all need things like that especially now. You are way ahead of NH in terms of snow falls as our first was last Friday. It only amounted to an inch or so on grassy areas but light snow all day was a beautiful sight. And, I also made soup and homemade bread as both are great comfort foods.

roughterrain crane said...

It's one of our best times to have hot foods in a warm room when it is snowing outside. Happy new week to you.

Lady Fi said...

Your snow is lovely!

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I'm excited to see what you do with the mixed media art journaling through Wanderlust 2021. You are so creative - I'm sure whatever you do will be inspiring to see!