Sunday Morning. . . 18 Months Later.

In many ways, it feels like years since I last wrote. Chronic pain and depression have taken their toll.

One of my goals as I attempt to make this journey back to a happier self is to post at least once a week. However, speaking from experience, posts will always be sporadic. What's different is I am trying to stop beating myself up about missed goals.

There hasn't been much productive time since the last post, but some is better than none. You'd think that there would be tons and tons of completed projects in an eighteen month time span. Alas, not so much.

Purchased some wool felt a while back (when there was still a few dollars in the coffer). Made a lot of brooches with it. Over a hundred to be exact. Little projects make me feel like I'm accomplishing something without increasing my pain level.

My favorite is a little birdie that takes about half an hour to make (and will be priced appropriately at $5). As you can see in the photo, they are each a little different - rather like having their own personality. I call the ones with snowflake flowers "snow birds". LOL

Am going to call them "cheer up" birds and make little cards to be sent with them. Another marketing tool that could pay off big. There are at least thirty Cheer Up birds made so far. Might have to increase the price to $7.50 to offset the cost of materials for the card.

The other brooches range from simple to rather complex.

This is an example of one of the more complex brooches using several different stitches, threads and beads on a two and one-half inch circle of felted wool. The back is a brooch clasp.

It is based on the yin-yang symbol.

Brooches like this are in the $20-30 price range.

A stylized, beaded flower vase on felted wool is a good representative of the mid-range brooch.

As with most of the brooches, it measures about two and one-half inches in diameter and is backed with a brooch clasp.

Brooches similar to this average $10-15.

This simple woven two color brooch attaches via a simple safety pin.

It is based the Swedish Hearts traditionally made with paper and filled with candy treats before placing Jul/Christmas Trees.

Like the "cheer up" birds, it will retail for $5.

Sunday. NOT a Typical Day of Rest (for me).

The pain was bad enough yesterday that not a lot got accomplished around this house. There was a frost when we went out for our morning stroll. The sun has already burned off all ice crystals within its reach.

There are three partially painted eggs and seven more blank eggs waiting to be completed. Hopefully today will see at least three put in the finished carton.

Hastiness yesterday led to a blow-out of turquoise paint on the palate. Two eggs and a birdhouse gourd benefited. In line with the motto, "There are no mistakes in painting.", the blow-out has been renamed a Happy Accident and the paints were put away for the day.

Have been using tube acrylics by Artists Loft. Their bushes aren't all that great, but the pigmentation of the tube paint is excellent. Notice the tiny drops of paint on the palate. A little bit goes a long way. Am not great at mixing, so bottle acrylics fill in the palate. Still nice to have that kind of rich density on only one coat.

Here's hoping your Sunday is filled with blessings. If you can't see one: be one.

Busy, Busy, Busy.

Most of my time prior to the Easter holiday was spent painting Easter eggs to give some friends and family. Spent time with a close friend. Luckily, she's crafty too and we spent our time listening to Bob Ross, painting and laughing at stupid stuff. Was lucky enough to spend some time with family as well. Time shared with family is always precious. People change so much over the years. It was great to get away even though it was only a couple days.

Back home and back to reality with another dozen or so blank eggs waiting for paint. While I do that, here are some of the finished eggs that weren't given away.

Can you believe a full dozen eggs were gifted?

Speaking of given away... Would you like one of these hand painted Easter eggs? Comment on this post with the number of your favorite egg. CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES ONLY!! Winner will be selected at random on Sunday the 23rd.

Good luck!

#1 - Purple Flowers

#2 - Blue Flowers

#3 - Pink Dogwood

#4 - Purple and Cobalt Flowers

#5 - Pansies

#6 - Mixed Flowers

#7 - White Tole Flowers on Red

#8 - Blue Tole Flowers on Cream

#9 - Orange and Yellow Flowers

#10 - Tole Flowers (Side 1)

#10 - Tole Flowers (Side 2)

#11 - Red and White on Cream

Freezing Friday.

Sheesh-kabob. I scoffed when a friend spoke of snow in the weather forecast. Sure enough, a light, white blanket carpeted the grass as witnessed by our sleepy eyes this morning. Not enough to make driving hazardous. The cold breeze that came with the snow was bone chilling. Still, it's good to see how much the grass has grown since the days began to be longer and brighter.

Too cold to do anything outside. Had a friend help me with some Spring cleaning. Took down all the knick-knacks on top of the kitchen cupboards, cleaned them, put down fresh shelf paper and put them back up -- rearranged, don't cha know. Was nice to have someone to help hand stuff up and down. Would have taken me days to do by myself.

Here are a few ornaments that are ready to go (except for a border around the black one).

Of course, more are in the making. Gifts for friends and family this Easter. Hope I have enough made by the time I see everyone. Only really have this weekend then the visiting will start. Looking forward to some good times spent with good people.

Back to work for a while. Wheel of Fortune and next Jeopardy. The background music for a single life.

May your evening be restful and tomorrow filled with joy.

Blessed be.

Thoroughly Thursday.

No photo today folks. The morning and afternoon were spent on errands and chores.

Rain. Rain. Rain. Even our evening walk was in the rain. Poor puppy dog.

Painting has begun. Unfortunately, there were a few mishaps.

One of the eggs (a nice green one) magically sprouted a second hole. Painting the shells with regular acrylic was more trouble than it was worth. Three layers and still not a uniform depth. Streaky. A switch to acrylic enamel solved that particular problem, but added to the dry time. An experiment painting on top of a base coat of pysanky ink was a total waste of time. Another experiment -- one of those 'DUH' moments -- we'll call it, "I wonder what it will look like if I do this..." Yeah. DUH. One egg that is probably beyond recovery, but I'll try to save it if at all possible. For now it's in the reject pile.

Finally, three eggs are finished. Except for the sealant. Simply too tired to do much more.

That's all for tonight, ou. I'm off to dreamland. May your dreams be happy and you rise in the morning refreshed and ready to start the day.

Counting blessings. Wynken, Blynken and Nod. Here I come.

Wednesday Worktable.

It must be Easter...

Getting ready to paint some Easter eggs.

Thankful Thoughts on a Tuesday.

Grandmother used to say "April showers bring May flowers." It's a song, don't cha know 😊

Already the Spring rains have sprouted some early flowers. These pretty purple crocus are right in our front yard. The daffodils along the back sidewalk are about six inches so far and a few have blossoms growing.

Today I'm thankful for:

• Spring Peeper frogs
• Grass turning green
• Friends and family
• Kitty-cats that curl up in your lap and fall asleep purring
• Puppy dogs that play nice with kitties
• Windows open to the fresh air
• Sunshine breaking through rain clouds
• Final chemo treatments
• Remission
• Ibuprofen
• Sit-coms
• Word games

Sweet dreams, friend. May you have many blessings to count as you fall to sleep.