Sylvia's Simple Shots

More wonderful time spend at Heritage Hills Wetlands this week.  There were many Common Terns this year which was great to see.  The Mourning Cloak butterfly was my first capture of this year.  The Ruddy Duck was showing off his blue bill as usual.  They are very photogenic.

I had to replace the flush lever and toilet handle this week.  I thought no big deal, checked out supplies on line and headed to Canadian Tire. 

When I got it home I could not install this for the life of me.  I called my brother in law and he suggested maybe I had stripped the plastic threads.  

When it was not on the toilet I was eventually able to get the nut on the handle so what was the problem?  The situation was that when I transferred the lever to the toilet the arm was turned around and my mind had not made that adjustment.  Once I figured it out it went on as easily as it should have and in 10 minutes I could flush the toilet with the lever again.

I spent a couple of days with my sister and brother in law.  I was treated again to a hot dog supper on the open fire for my birthday.  They taste so good.  I normally have ice cream cake but the price is just getting out of hand so I bought Hagen Daas ice cream bars instead.  Very yummy and much more in my budget.

My sister and I attended the Rhubarb Tea fundraiser on Saturday.  This was a belated celebration for our birthday.

There was a bake sale, a merchandise sale and the tea.  I selected this burnt orange tea cup and we had rhubarb crisp rather than pie.

It was a very successful event.

This was a Reader's Digest book that sat on my bookshelf. Short stories which was just what I needed.

Lake News by Barbard Delinsky - Lily Blakes heads for Lake Henry in New Hampshire where she grew up after some trouble in the city. She meets a journalist which helps her tells her side of the story.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks - very interesting.  It was a lovely love story with a sad end. 

Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Nora Kelly gets a letter written by her late father sixteen years ago.  Very thrilling story.

The Devil's Teardrop - Jeffery Deaver - This story was very engaging as police try to find this killer before he strikes again.  Very intriguing plot!

Dyeing Linen from ReUse

During my visit with  my sister in March I purchased the fixative recommended for keeping the color once dyed.  It meant a trip to town so we did not have time to actually dye the fabric then.

I was back this week so we went ahead with the dyeing of the oatmeal linen.  This was a large piece of oatmeal colored linen that I had picked up from ReUse earlier this year.  I was thinking of  making a table runner.  I wanted the fabric to be navy.

We followed this process which is documented with the dye bottle.   Rit Dyeing Process

The first thing is to mix your dye in enough water to allow the fabric to float easily in the water.  We added salt because this was a natural fiber and some dish soap.  I believe we left the fabric in the dye bath 30 minutes agitating constantly so we took turn with the wooden spoon.

Then the fabric needs to be rinsed until it runs clear.

Then put back into the pot with the fixative.

The last photo there is a couple of sheets that my sister dyed with what was left in the pot.  She did not care how dark the color was just that it was not pure white.

A very successful project.

I appreciate my sister's help and she has the large metal pots, etc which I don't have.

I have the embroidered and the now navy linen.

The 2 sheets that my sister dyed in the left over color bath.

AAC Photography Show Submissions

I submitted two pieces to the AAC Photography Show.

They are small pieces as the larger frames were hanging in the gallery with the mixed media piece for the Senior Show.

Title: Serene

Size: 8.00 x 10.00 inches
Medium: Photography

Print 3.5 x 5 inches

Mat: Archival off white wide
Frame: Silver Brushed Metal

This is the center of a Christmas Rose flower - Hellebore.

I took the photo at the Muttart Conservatory when I visited with my aunts in March.

I love the softness of the colors and the interesting shapes.

Beautiful soft background which is darker and highlights the flower wonderfully.

This is dried Hosta leaves which have emerged after the snow melt.

I found the shapes, colors and shades very interesting.

Title: End of Winter

Size:11.00 x 11.00 inches
Medium: Photography

Print 9.00 x 9.00 inches

Mat: Black Narrow
Frame: Maple Wood medium width

Reception is Saturday, June 24th 1-3 pm.

On display in the gallery in Spruce Grove.

Repair Furniture - Pine Secretary Desk

I recently had occasion to move my pine Secretary Desk that I use to store my dining room stuff in such as table cloths, placements, napkin rings, etc. I knew that one of the feet was loose but it turns out 2 of the 4 feet were unglued. Trying to move this piece on carpet was not easy so I decided I would just replace the feet with casters which make it easy to move.

I purchased what I needed.  I emptied the unit and I laid the piece on its back to do an assessment of the situation.  It turns out the 2 remaining feet were very well adhered to the base. It was clear that a significant effort would be needed and very likely result in damage to the base to remove them. 

Plan B.

I guess I will re-glue the feet to the base.  I removed the felt sliders that had been applied to the feet to allow for no scratches on a hard surface but of no help on carpet.  I decided to add small glider feet to each foot to help with the moving of the unit.

The glue on the top of the feet and on the base of the cabinet needed to be removed before proceeding with new glue.

I used a sanding drum on my Dremel tool to remove the dry glue from the all 4 surfaces.

That worked really well.  When the bulk of it was gone I finished it off with a bit of hand sanding to ensure I was completely back to the wood. I forgot to photograph the feet.

Before I glued the feet back to the unit I decided to add glider feet to all 4 feet.  I sanded the place where the felt pads had been adhered to the feet.

These are 1" circle feet attached with screws which were included.  I needed longer screws on the ball feet as there was a hole in the middle of the foot.  I was able to find what I needed in my stash.  I used my drill and a small bit to make a pilot hole in the rectangular feet.  

With all the feet ready to go I moved on to gluing the 2 feet to the base. I used Carpenter glue which I had on hand. I applied a generous amount to the leg and the base including the dowel and hole in the base.  I pressed the feet in place and wiped away the glue that was pressed out.  These had to stay in place for at least 30 minutes so I used what I had to do that. 

Packing Tape is what I had on hand so I made it as tight as I could with the tape.  Applied the tape in both directions.

I waited an hour and when I removed the tape they remained in place.

I had lifted the unit onto a stack of pine boards so that when I lifted the unit the pressure would not be on the legs.  That worked really well.  Once upright I just slid it off the boards and it was standing on it's own feet again.  I think the slider feet will be very helpful if and when I need to move it again.

Here it is back in it's place.

I added shim under the front feet to ensure that it sat tightly against the wall.

I filled it with all it's stuff and it looks great.

The glue will completely dry in 24 hours and the weight of the cabinet and contents should ensure good adherence.

I am really happy with these results.

I was able to roll with the problems, come up with solutions, execute them and got a great result.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I visited the St. Albert Botanic Park with my aunt this week to see the peonies in full bloom.

Gorgeous big flowers in so many colors.

This is the third book in the Angelic Letters Series by Henry K. Ripplinger.  The Angel of Thanksgiving.

Henry and Julean are happy with their new daughter, a new home and Henry's new job.  He still cannot forget Jenny his first love.  Julean hears Henry talk to Jenny in his dreams at night and is troubled about it. 

Father Englemann has returned from the seminary and is as popular as he was as the grocery store owner.  He is now the parish priest still dispensing his lessons of love, forgiveness and thankfulness for all things.

Jenny accepts James' marriage proposal but puts the date far in the future hoping that Henry will be in touch.  Jenny and James eventually marry and Jenny has a son. She now lives on an estate with beautiful grounds and the flowers and nature and the gazebo are her solace. 

The angel her father commissioned before he passed eventually makes it's way to Jenny and is placed near the gazebo which brings her much comfort.

My aunt are just a few years apart in age and both celebrate our birthdays in June so we decided to treat ourselves to Delux Burgers - mushroom and sweet potato fries for lunch.  They were super delicious!

She had a pecan tart for dessert while I had a slice of tiramisu.  I saved the Nanaimo bar for supper.

The insects were a buzzing and flitting at the Botanic Park.  On the left is an Ashy Mining Bee - I had not seen a black and white bee before, the Ferris Ruddy Copper Butterfly just perched itself on the edge of the leaf for just a bit - I managed one shot, a Hoverfly on a pale purple Aster. 

It was a good week!

Card - Watercolor - Echinacea

I watercolored another flower for a birthday card.

I wanted to find another flower so I searched for an image.  This is an Echinacea or Cone Flower.  After making a light pencil tracing I used my Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  

I wet the paper very well then dabbed a bit of Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy at the top of the paper and Always Artichoke and Old Olive on the bottom half.

I used Rich Razzleberry in several different intensities from light to more intense at the bottom of the petals. The petals have 3 to five layers on them. The centers are Daffodil Delight and More Mustard with a brown created.  Then, I used Always Artichoke and some Old Olive on the stems. I used an ultra fine Micron 005 black permanent marker to outline the flowers and stems.

Once it was dry, I adhered it to a A2 Rich Razzleberry card base with the fold at the top. I added a narrow strip of Always Artichoke card stock across the stems on the bottom. I then added a circle greeting with pink words and brushed the edges with the Always Artichoke ink pad.  It was placed just off center. I used a wet brush and clear water to soften the color.   I added a quarter sheet insert. 

Card - Watercolor Pansies

This is a card for my sister.  She celebrates her birthday soon and I wanted it in the mail so it arrives on time.

I found a coloring book page on line to help me with the line drawing of these flowers.

I used Stampin Up Wonder Watercolor Crayons so it would match with the card stock I selected.

The colors are Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, and Always Artichoke. Once painted and dry I outlined the image with a fine Micron permanent black marker.  It pressed overnight under several heavy books.

The back petals are a mix of Navy and Eggplant, the center ones are EE and the front one is Daffodil with darker marks with More Mustard. Put a pale background with Night of Navy on the top and Always Artichoke on the bottom.

I chose to trim the watercolor piece to 3.75 x 5 inches. I taped a couple of lengths of grosgrain ribbon in the AA and EE to the back of the watercolor. Brought them forward and held in place with double sided tape and trimmed the ends on an angle. This was adhered to an Eggplant layer leave a small border.  Then that was adhered to the Always Artichoke A2 card base.

Exchange Cards - Pink flowers

I got my exchange cards made today.

I started with 2 4x4 photos from my previous calendars. I chose 2 pink flowers - a rose and Ninebark.

I chose Stampin Up Pretty in Pink card stock as the base for both cards.  I used a corner round punch on this photo.  I used the SU Slot punch to make a slot in the fold where I could pull my ribbon through. I used Basic Black Scallop Dots ribbon for both cards.

I wrapped it around the card front and taped the ends together in the front.  I then used a black mini brad to adhere the Martha Stewart champagne butterly punchie to the ribbons and press the prong apart between the ribbon and the card.

The photo was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape in all four corners.

I added a quarter sheet insert to the inside.

On this card I changed the orientation to landscape/wide.

I wrapped the ribbon around the card front and taped it down in the front where the photo would cover it.

I chose a corner punch which added 2 notches to either side of the photo.

I added a sentiment which was printed black on white cardstock and punched with 1 inch punch then mounted to a 1.25 inch black circle punchie. I put a hole and threaded through a white thread and hung it on the Scallop Dot black ribbon.

The photo was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  These are off tomorrow.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 

It was a good week for birds.  I finally found American White Pelicans at Heritage Hills Wetlands in Sherwood Park. The Junco and the Waxwing were on my morning walks.

When I have to walk and exercise inside I found walking meditations which combine 2 things I want to start my day with.

Gratitude is always a good thing.  

I heard this a couple of days ago.  What if you only had today what you thanked God for yesterday?  That is a sobering thought.

I really appreciate being to view these on my TV so I can appreciate all the beautiful scenery that is included in the videos.

Another Angel of Love - Henry K. Ripplinger

Henry continues to get support from Mr. Engelman at the grocery store.  He is still holding out hope that Jenny will be in touch but so far not a word.

Life goes on as it must.  Things are getting better at the store as renovations take place.

Henry meet Julean Carter who comes from a different background than him.  Her family heritage is the Mormon faith.  This will play a role in the future of this young couple.

Henry and Julean marry, buy a house, have children, and still Jenny is part of Henry's thoughts and dreams.

Good clean reading in another great book in this series.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

A morning walk around Beaumaris Lake.  

The babies are showing up.  There were goslings and ducklings.  Beautiful yellow fluffy beings.

The Japanese Anemone is a beautiful white perennial flower which was growing on this side of the fence.

The Common Grackles are back.  These beautiful birds with great colors.  Gorgeous blue head, wonderful color on the wings, and a bright yellow eye.

A flash of red in the trees.  Be patient and then getting a few shots capturing that wonderful color.

Ruddy Ducks are at the Lake.  I have not seen them here in years before. I just love that gorgeous blue bill. 

The Alberta Rose is starting to bloom.  These are the wonderful June flowers.  A simple elegant pink flower.  Soon there will be an abundance of them.

It was a great morning.

I started this series - The Angelic Letters Series - Pewter Angels by Henry K. Ripplinger.  My sister and I bought these books for Mom for Christmas 2021.  She was on book 4 when she passed in Jan 2023. My sister has finished the series and another sister is reading and then passing them on to me. Set in Saskatchewan Canada and written by a Canadian.

The main characters 15 year olds - Henry Pederson, Jenny Sarsky, and Mr. Engelmann are living in Regina Saskatchewan in 1956. 

Jenny has moved from BC into the house 3 doors down from Henry. Mr. Engelmann and his wife Anna owns the neighborhood grocery store on the corner.

Henry works at the grocery store during the summer holidays. He is smitten with Jenny when he meets her on July 6, 1956. They spend a wonderful summer.  Henry has deep conversations with Mr. Englemann on the crates out back of the store.  Henry starts making improvements to the store.  The customers notice. 

Suddenly, Jenny moves to Ottawa in late September. 

On my drive to Spruce Grove on Saturday I was struck by the number of vehicles that were none metallic grey (flat) with a clear coat on top.  They ran the spectrum of companies and models.  I found that unusual.  

When I got home I did some research.  The origin of this color is Audi.  Other companies have gotten on the band wagon and now offer a similar look under other names.

I also discovered that you can get a vinyl wrap applied to your car to give you this look if you are wanting a change.

We had a nice reception for the Seniors Show.  We had winners of prizes, a good number of interesting art on the walls, and folks mingling and talking process.

You can find the on line version by clicking on this link.  Allied Art Council Senior Show

There was a wide variety of techniques in this show from watercolor, acrylic, sculpture, mixed media, pencil and more.

There were goodies as well.

I enjoyed sharing with several of the artists who attended then later I had a good visit with two of my aunts.

Card - Trees

This card is for my brother who celebrates a birthday soon.

I chose an Always Artichoke card base. 

The designer paper is from the Adventure Bound set in the 4x6 pack. I trimmed it a little to fit on the A2 card.

I made a slot in the fold with the SU slot punch and pulled a length of wide white grosgrain ribbon through and taped one end and placed a black brad on the other end.

I created a greeting with a Always Artichoke Modern Label punchie layered with a Word Window punchie.  It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape on the grosgrain ribbon.

I added a quarter sheet insert.

It is off to make sure it gets to him on time.

Senior Art Show at the Gallery

These are the two pieces I put into the Seniors Show which opened this week.  The reception will be on Saturday at 1pm. 

I chose to try something new for art.

I started with a 9x12 inch sheet of watercolor paper. I laid some deep rich colors with Nick Bantok ink.  I let that dry.

I chose white gouache to do my Dandelions but unfortunately what I thought was permanent was not so the color ran into my gouache.

I used a straw to draw my flowers by blowing the white around.

Title: Dandelions
Size: 11.00 x 14.00 inches
Mixed Media
Mat: Archival off white / black narrow
Frame: Silver Brushed Metal

On this piece I was thinking of deep space images from the Hubble telescope.

Once the deep colored layer had dried on the watercolor paper, I spattered both white acrylic and black acrylic paint using a toothbrush and kitchen knife.

I like the dark and light spots which suggest deeper places in space.

Title: Nebula
Size: 13.00 x 16.00 inches
Mixed Media
Mat: Archival white double mat
Frame: Wide Black Wood

Exchange Cards

I got my Exchange cards made for May.

I have decided to use my 4x4 photos from my past calendars.

This is a beautiful Red Poppy I think taken at the community garden.

I chose Tangerine Tango card base with a small piece of green card stock that I taped together on the back.

I stamped the green with Border Builder stamp set - script in Basic Black ink to just to knock down the plainness.

I wrapped a piece of Daffodil Delight ribbon around the element over the join and taped the ends to the back.

I then adhered the full layer to the card front with double sided tape.

This card features a warm rich orange rose taken at the Botanic Park.

I chose the same Tangerine Tango card base.

I added some complimentary strips of card stock behind the photo. Cameo Coral, Groove Guava and Peach Parfait.

I adhered the strips and trim the right hand end with scissors cutting at an angle.

Adhered photo with double sided tape.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

On my visit to Beaumaris Lake this week,  I found several pairs of Blue Winged Teals.  Maybe they are checking out the lake for nesting places.

These are ducks and the blue patch can only be seen when they open their wings.

I have not seen these at this lake in the past so things are different this year.  Not sure why.  I have not seen pelicans yet but a lot of Canada Geese.

A friend gave me a small art glass vase designed by Robert Held - a Canadian glass maker.

Love the gorgeous purple glass with the iridescent colors along the bottom third of the vase.

I placed some baby's breath in it for now.  Maybe, later in the year I will be able to have live flowers.

It joins my other pieces made by the same maker.

A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley which is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Historical fiction set in Paris.  In the modern day, Sara an amateur code breaker has arrived to look at a diary from around 1732.  Sara comes to live with the owner of the book.  Her live-in housekeeper has a young son who seems to have abilities in this area as well. The son's father, Luc lives nearby as his parents are divorced.  Soon, there is an attraction between Sara the loner and Luc the business man.

The dairy was written by Mary Dundas who wrote it in code to be sure the contents could not be discovered by spies.  She is a second generation Jacobite exiled to France. Mary becomes embroiled in a plan to help a mysterious Jacobite man stay out of the grasp of English authorities and the diary tracks her journey over the country, her relationships with her compatriots and her budding romance with the severe MacPherson.

Loved this book!

A friend and I went out for lunch this week. I suggested Vietnamese food and she agreed.  My favorite Vietnames restaurant survived most of the pandemic then closed as other business were opening.  Disappointing.  I had to find another. I had eaten in this restaurant years ago and it was as good as I remember.  

The pelicans were at Heritage Hills Wetlands this week but due to a situation on the trail my attention was diverted for a time.  While lending a helping hand to a senior on the trail time passed so by the time I had a camera in my hand again, they were at the far end of the pond.

I decided it was too hot and I had been out too long in the heat to pursue them any further.  I was told they had been around for a couple weeks already so I will find them again on another day.

It was exciting to see them even at a distance.

A few other things I found at the wetlands.  A Mourning Cloak butterfly, a Ruddy Duck with it's blue bill and of course Poplar Fuzz.

A good week!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 I headed to Beaumaris Lake again this week in hopes of finding Pelicans but no such luck.  I just don't know where they are.

There was not lack of other birds at the lake.

A Wigeon, Red Wing Blackbird, Mallard Duck and a female Red Wing Black bird.  Grackles, Canada Geese and sparrows too!

It was a very nice walk around the lake.  I headed out earlier that the last visit so a bit fewer people at least earlier.  I was there quite a while.

I have photographed pelicans on May 5th in year's past so I will have to keep looking.

The wildfire situation in our province continues to be dire with many people displaced and living in evacuation centers with only the wish to go home.

Rain is badly needed of which we have had very little.

Air quality is very poor.

I say thank you to all those fighting the fires.  The ones who have been injured. Those who have come to provide relief to those on the front lines.

To those who are providing support to evacuees and fire fighters a like with water, food, and a place to rest.

I think of those who have lost their homes and in some cases their livelihoods to these fires.

I had the final white filling on my root canal this week. 

Fortunately, it was not needing freezing and not a really long job.  The hard part is I have run out of dental benefits. Ouch!

The Friends We Keep by Jane Green was a book I finished this week.

Three people met in college.  They lived together for 4 years, hung out, got to know each other very well. After graduation, careers took them to different parts of the country and the world.  There were phone calls and emails, weddings, and funerals over the next 30 years.  Much life experience some good, some great and some not so great.

They had made a pact that if they were single when they turned 50 they would live together. They attend a school reunion and reconnect. Maggie, now a widow,  lives in a large house in Somerset England, Topher's mother is living in England and he in New York, Evvie's son has left home and so a move would be possible for her.  So they move in together, come clean about their secrets and start new adventures. 

It was a good read.

This American Coot couple was very busy making a nest from last year's dried bulrushes.

The male I assume was tugging and pulling to dislodge them one at a time and bringing them back to the nest.  Once the reed arrives she busied herself with the perfect placement of it.

Then the process repeated itself.  I watched for quite a while and it was still process when I moved on.

I guess are a least a few days away so young ones still later than that.

I have seen baby Coots in early June but with taking 21-25 days to hatch I expect it will be later than that this year.

The neighborhood gardens are starting to show off their blooms.

There are Clematis growing the wall in a beautiful light lavender color.

There is a yard full of colorful tulips. 

I found a yellow poppy in another front yard.

The purple Alium is just starting to open.

I have been spending time a thrift shops looking for the perfect tealight candle holder. I would like to have a Fairly Light candle holder but they are quite costly.  Not going to happen soon.