I'll probably have a few things added to my Etsy shop this evening!
so... stay tuned!
...............GOOOO BROWNS!!
Susan's abstract collages, are simply gorgeous!
I'm trying to convince her to start selling online at Etsy, and I think she's gonna do it! She says she's getting a new computer soon, and wants me to help her get set up with an Etsy Shop! Her art is so beautiful, and I think she will do very well.
So... I'm excited about having a chance to do art all weekend. I have lots of ideas with Valentine themes, and for Spring too. The days are starting to get longer instead of shorter now, and I love that. Soon, When I leave work at 6p.m. it will be light out!
... ouch.. my ribs are starting to get sore from all the sneezing!.... sorry.. I'll quit whining now. It's just a cold.
I've been thinking about some of the things I used to love as a kid
and things I miss, and wish I still had. Like what you ask? here's a list, in no particular order.
How many do you remember?
1-POP BEADS
these were so cool! Little plastic beads, that came out of the gumball machine. they "popped" together, and you could make a cool necklace! They came in light Blue, Pink, Red, Yellow,
Cream & White.
2-MY PINK PRINCESS PHONE
With lighted dial of course. I got one, in 1972 when my parents bought our new house. I had my own room, up in the attic, and had my own phone. Why didn't I take that phone with me when I left!
3-MOSQUITO CHASERS
An odd thing I know. But I loved the way they smelled. You could get them 2 for a penny, at the neighborhood store, which happened to be right next door to us. They were long sticks, like incense, and my sisters and I would swirl them around, to make the lit end glow. Hmmm.. can't believe I was playing with something like that!
4-THE "WINNER"Another gumball machine related thing. The winner, was a little inedible ball, the same size as a gumball. It was usually Yellow, with 2 Red stripes. Getting the Winner was very exciting!!! it meant you got a prize from the store clerk! I got the Winner once.... I remember my heart pounding! I don't even remember what the prize was... But I GOT THE WINNER!!
5-PLAYING MOVIE STAR
First, the sunglasses that cost a dime. They were flat, and hooked around your ears. The plastic lenses were green. Oh, and the so cool "high heels'. Plastic, with elastic straps. After just a few steps, the heels usually cracked off. I also loved buying rings from the neighborhood store. He would present me with a tray of rings, all stuck in foam rubber. They were so sparkly! I could look very Chic for just a dime.
6-PENNY CANDY
Oh what a treat. The store clerk, would get that tiny little brown bag, and stand so patiently, as I made my selections. My favorites? "Maryjanes" "Red hot Dollars" "Tootsie Rolls" "Flying Saucers" "Button Candy" "Pixie Stix" "Lick em ade" and let's not forget the little Marshmallow "Ice cream Cones".... My kids still buy them for me! Oh, and Nickel bags of potato chips.
Lots of good eating for just 10 cents...... hey... why is there no "cent" sign on the keyboards???
7-SITTING ON THE PORCHSuch a simple thing. On a hot summer night, families would sit out side, neighbors would sit on the steps and visit for hours. We would be chasing lightning bugs, or play Badminton under the street lights.
8-COLORINGNothing better than a fat new coloring book, and fresh crayons. Some coloring books were better than others. My favorites always had thick lined pictures, of chubby little girls, flowers, and other charming images. Many happy hours were spent coloring.
9-GHOULARDI Ok.... this one is a local Cleveland thing. Ghoulardi was a local TV host, on Friday nights. In the beginning, he was scary. Then he just got so fun and silly! He always showed B movies, that I now have such a fondness for. His real name was Ernie Anderson. He went on to do voice overs for lots of well known tv shows. I am actually wearing my Ghoulardi sweatshirt right now It was a gift from My kids, about 10 years ago. It's one of my very favorite things..
10-BARBIES Truth is, my girlfriends and I never actually played Barbies. We were too busy building their "houses" I remember dragging a whole box of stuff to use for Barbie's house. A book, 4 hair rollers and a scarf would be transformed into her bed. A square pin cushion for her pillow. Tiny boxes transformed into sofas, tables, and dressers. I had such an imagination! My friend Diana and I secretly competed to create the best house.
So.. that's just 10 things I remember fondly. What's yours?
So many things. I think I'll have to have make another list.
It's now it's 3 a.m. I'm watching "Cheers"
I'm feeling pretty wiped out, and I think I'll go to sleep soon. Hopefully, I'll feel better when I get up, and I can get into the art room and do art!
Have a great weekend! and...
HAPPY, HEALTHY, PEACE FILLED NEW YEAR!
It was very large, about 2'x 3'... under glass. My dad loved painting Winter scenes. He didn't have many art supplies, and I'll bet this painting was done on a discarded piece of cardboard, as were many of his paintings. looking at the painting, I wonder what his inspiration was, and what memories of his, were incorporated in this painting. He did grow up on a farm, not to far from where I live. We had the pleasure of visiting there a long time ago, but it didn't look like this at all.
I am ashamed to admit the fact, that I had the painting when I got married. When we moved, I left the painting behind!... what was I thinking?
I didn't know then, what a cherished thing it was.
So. I scanned the 2 x 3 inch photo, at 500 dpi, and it came out pretty clear! and luckily, the main part of the painting is not severely damaged, although, the photo itself, is aged and badly cracked. I tried to digitally repair it the best I could, then using my favorite, simple photo program "LIVE PIX"... I laid semi-transparent layers of color, section by section, diminishing the "crackle" while still allowing the original painting to show through.
I'm pretty happy with the results, considering what I had to work with. I thought the picture would make a wonderful Christmas ornament, to give to my family!
Of course, I never get these brainstorms weeks before, no... I get them hours before. I have to make 16 ornaments, and I've already printed and glued the images on card stock, and decorated the edges. I just have to antique the edges, and attach a string for hanging. I'll also add a little note to the back, giving the history of the painting.
I hope my family will forgive me for leaving the painting behind.
I just watched the Browns lose... and now we're at the mercy of another team, to get into the play offs. ohh well.
I'm going to make Christmas cookies in a little while. Our family favorite "Crescent Cookies"... They're not actually crescent shaped, but round, with a thumbprint, with powdered sugar, and colored sugar. The recipe is common, but I love these cookies!... to me, this is what Christmas tastes like!
My girls and I were supposed to make them together, as we do every year, but schedules got in the way, and it's just gonna be me rolling all those little cookie dough balls.
I'll be going to my sister Susan's house Christmas eve. Most of my family will be there. I love seeing them all, but will be glad when the Holiday's are over.. and everything goes back to normal. .......sorry if I've already mentioned that a million times in previous posts!
Thanks for reading my Blog
I wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas.. or whatever holiday you celebrate.. (being PC xoxo)
And a Wonderful, New Year filled with good health, and peace!
xoxoox
~MaryEllen
*a weird quirk?
I can't clean the house if I'm wearing slippers, or just socks, I have to put on "real" shoes.
*Has your heart ever been broken?:
Yes.. a few times.. but I got through it.
*favourite things to wear?: