Tennyson: "So many worlds, so much to do, so little done, such things to be."

      Wanting  to learn something new daily (theme of this year), I find I am lucky to produce ANY thing. On Valentine's Day, for the first time, I PURCHASED rather than created cards for the grandchildren. I was inspired to do something because I ran across an elementary school "Special Delivery Love Truck" son Jim made that had heart shaped wheels carrying stuffed red lips (think Claes Oldenburg) with a tag to pull to show teeth. Caught up in the spirit, I stepped into one store to find cards and simple little gifts to wrap to drop off for the youngsters.Since poetry happens in February, I added rhymes for each grandchild. When delivering, I spied on a shelf a small round canvas in a Valentine box. I must have painted the lovebirds before or at the time Bill and Beth married in 2000. She is sweet to save.

       Grand Erika was born on Valentine's day and likes historical fiction. I had just discovered Marie Benedict's books on interesting women that are a pleasure to read. My favorite Book Bub introduced me to Carnegie's Wife;  and I had read her The Personal Librarian about J.P Morgan's helper. Joe and I piled  four paperbacks by this author to wrap:  The Other Einstein (Relativity), The Only Woman in the Room (Wifi),  Her Hidden Genius (DNA), and Carnegie's Maid. Some of these are in the stack on my table I have attacked. I am enjoying reading again, however distracted coming out of the pandemic with always too much to do.

       Next I was tempted by a Great Courses ad with seriously reduced prices. Three just arrived: Social Media 101, The Everyday Gourmet:The Joy of Medterranean Cooking and Writing Creative Nonfiction on DVD's that I can watch on my big computer. Joe says the noise won't bother him since I am always making noise in our shared study. 

Note: Unfortunately we did not know that cadmium had been found in dark chocolate and included a bar in the grand's Valentines!

      

 

Hearts on display

    It is easy to remember the grandchildren's birthdays....one on Valentine's Day, another during the Boston Marathon and a third at Christmas. Birthday presents are getting more difficult, but I painted each child some hearts for the holiday.They last and don't take up space. I was almost late for Valentine's Day and almost late for my February blog.

    I am excited to be back working with oils in a studio with plenty of desk space. February 28th sneaked up on me so I don't have a photo of the convenient upstairs room, but February was not getting past me! I found a $5 light at Target to cast shadows, mini canvas and easels at Job Lot, oversized candy hearts at CVS. I primed the canvas with alizarin crimson and mixed the rest of the paints. I have one canvas left for some candy kisses for myself...or chocolates for next year.

Vintage Valentine Mug Rugs: a surprise favor

    Four couples who served a law firm in London 25 years ago reunited this weekend. Each couple was charged to contribute to the meal overlooking the Boston Common and the lights of the city under snow. The hostess made artistic and delicious scallop and salmon terrines. The host added superb Moroccan Rock Cornish game hens and risotto. Another brought a beautiful large cheese collection from Wasik's in Wellesley including one with truffles. There were the abundant grilled vegetables, a salad before dessert, and vanilla poached pears...not to speak of paired wines and a unique kir to greet us.

      I always like a bit of surprise (not needed with this crowd) but wanted to take a little something besides my hostess gift (Poire William) and poached pears. So, on a Friday afternoon I stitched up these campy vintage mug rugs. I had the novelty print on hand, found some black fleece for batting, and put cherry red/black print on the back. First, I cut solid black fabric, fleece and backing to 5" x  8", then stitched around all sides, and finally cut the stitched sides with a pinking rotary cutter.  I cut out the drawings and poems with pinking shears from the novelty fabric and stitched them onto the black top with invisible thread, quilting where needed. I wanted more color and added a red bow, held in place with a few machine stitches. I didn't need to go to Ben Franklin for some white "lace" or envelopes (I could have folded red construction paper) or glitter heart stickers, but I did!

     I realized I was having a blast making Valentines Friday afternoon just as I did on the rare rainy afternoons in Amarillo as a child. Only this time, I was using fabric instead of doilies and hearts. Click to enlarge photos.