A new beginning

This is the piece I made on Inauguration Day  while I listened to the proceedings.    The I Voted sticker is not glued on the front,  actually it is now attached to back of canvas.  

I am very relieved that there were no major demonstrations that day.   For the last few years I have started my day checking national news to see what the former President was stirring up.  We were at his mercy, his every whim led the news.

This was not a healthy way to live, but it was routine.   Now the news is really boring.  Good, it means they have their noses to the grindstone working to try to make progress on the many problems this administration inherited.      

 

Inauguration day

 I have a small flag to wave and will be watching eagerly and reverently as America swears in the new administration.    Thank you God and the American voters.   Let us unite and move forward.    

Hearts, hearts, hearts

 These are some hearts from last year. 

Spray paints and stencils.

Watercolor abstract

Collaborative collage

I vote for hearts

 At this moment the votes are being cast for or against a second impeachment for President Trump.    I am not watching or listening to it, instead turning to looking through my collection of Valentine related goodies.  

Yesterday was baking day which helped warm the house and flooded it with the smell of chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin custard. On a grey, foggy and overcast day, it was warm and did my heart good.   During this troubled time politically and with the pandemic still raging, we need to do things to keep ourselves comfortable and safe.   Chocolate chip cookies are my antidote.

Today the sun came out in the morning and the dogs had that sunny spot on the couch to stretch out.  We are all tired of grey days, but in Californias central Valley, it is the norm this time of year.    

I posted a challenge for my mixed media friends to make

something heart related in any media, and then to post pictures during  the week of Valentines day.    So, while going through my Valentine things, I found some things we have done in the past.  I will share some pictures here.  

This was made by a dear friend from a peat pot made to start seedlings. She painted it and decorated it. Its been on my table every February for many years. 

This small wooden heart is something I made back in the 80s. It has a pinback. I used metallic craft paints drawing a toothpick through the paints, then dipped the heart into the paint.  

These hearts were cut from an old quilt, then gessoed. Layers of paper napkins were then glued on with gel medium and sealed with acrylic gloss varnish.  I have taught this several times and love! The results each time.   Many of us shared our paper napkin stashes so there was a wide variety in results.  I have never seen one I didnt like.  I think I will do more.  

We did these scratchers in our mixed media group. Again, the variety of results was outstanding.  And a lot of fun. 

Blanks were purchased from Amazon. 

At peace

 

Political storm under control now, sort of. I felt like doing an intricate piece. This one has a tissue paper scraps background while the main image is constructed mostly of linen weave cardstock cut to fit together like a puzzle.    I needed something that required concentration, and this did.   With cardstock, there is no give to it. You either get it right, or do it again.  

I am not sure yet if I will stain or paint the background. I love black and white but feel it is too strong, I think it should be pushed back some.  Hmmm....

January 6th, 2021

 The day to confirm the election of Biden and Harris as the next President and Vice President has turned into a storming of the capitol by Trump supporters at his urging.  So far we have heard nothing from him to stop it.    So the proceedings have halted as our senators and congressional delegates are being sheltered.    Its an American travesty.   I am marking this moment in history.  Americas darkest day.  Biden just spoke.  The voice of reason.  But how to deescalate a situation like this is tricky and dangerous.   

Perhaps those who have enabled Trump in his attack on our republic will now see how irresponsible he is, and will turn away from him.      I can hope...

New Years Eve

 Home alone, not counting my trusty companions. One sleeps through the noises from outside, while the other with sensitive ears like a bat, suffers when fireworks go off - or any other sudden loud noises. 

I am treating myself to some favorite entertainment.  A Dvd of Jeeves and Wooster is next on the program to be followed by The Inn of The Sixth Happiness,  a favorite old movie starring Ingrid Bergman.  

Before I start watching them, I watched an episode of The Hotel Inspector on You Tube.  I watched the first season ot two when it first showed in America on BBC years ago.    

As a person who has never traveled abroad it allowed me to peek into interesting B&bs and hotels mostly in England.  Many were poorly run by people following a dream,  but with no practical business sense.  They get lots of help and advice from The Hotel Inspector.   The first few seasons it was Ruth Watson.  Later years it is Alex Pelizi.   Alex has recently added more episodes  to You Tube and is cleaning up the naming and numbering system of the episodes  so it is  easier to follow them in order. 

By watching these episodes I feel like have had another travel adventure, often in charming little villages and seasides.   

I am going to get a little snack and settle in for the Dvds and comforting Lulu.  I am looking forward to the next year and have high hopes it will be better for all of us.   Be safe, be happy, a New Year holds promise.