AMANDA'S BASKETS: SHOTS AROUND TOWN, ENERGY & STAMINA & SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

SHOTS AROUND TOWN, ENERGY & STAMINA & SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE

SHOTS AROUND TOWN

I attended a group called Auspicious Stitches on Monday and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the accomplished artists, craftspersons, professors, etc. They meet at a Manhattan Library for the Blind on west 20th street so I got off at the 23rd street exit from the R train.

This was one of the first sights that greeted me. These are being planted all over this area.

There's a park across the street from the subway exit...Madison Square Park...and it has the most unique statue. Take a look...

On the way to the library I took a couple pictures of unique buildings. I really do enjoy all the different architecture in this city...

It was a rainy, cloudy day which is why the pictures look so dark. When I left, I went back to the subway only to realize that all the entrances for a downtown train were closed! So I walked down to Union Square at 14th street. Of course, I wound up going to Barnes and Noble (my downfall) and picked up a couple magazines which I will share tomorrow.

There were lots of vendors set up on the Square which surprised me because they are usually there on Fridays. Lots of beautiful plants, some vegetables, lots of greens and pork?.

I didn't have my walking shoes on so by the time I got home, I was exhausted which leads me to the next topic...

ENERGY & STAMINA
I think that any type of illness or surgery when one is older takes more out of a person than most folks think. I feel I am reasonably healthy...I try to walk a minimum of fifteen miles a week, exercise at home for strength, agility and mobility...eat fairly balanced meals, etc.

But I am still tired as can be and feeling a bit under the weather although the surgery was a couple weeks ago. Yes, I know that the time change didn't help. And the fact that I have not been able to do anything but gentle walking has lowered my energy levels and my stamina. (I have to say I was surprised at how fast both of these declined.)

Guess one has to adapt to life's little changes...whether one wants to or not!!!

SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE
Well, I gave up on the arch. I tried doing one every which way but none looked good. So I took the 'rocks' I made and used them in different arrangements. You will notice I also finished the bottom portion of 'sandy' landscape.

In the end, I went with the less is best...

I stitched each section to the canvas using a topstitch on the edge with black thread. I think I will add some features as I quilt the piece (machine stitching). Once I begin that, I think I will try for another southwest landscape that is a softer, fussy cut landscape rather than the building block type like the above piece.

I have to say that I do like this piece, though, and am happy that I decided to build the landscape in this style.

Well, that's all for today...
The "We're Still Kicking Quilters" will return next week...
Thanks for stopping by...

CRAFTING IDEAS

I am always looking for a small piece of paper to write down something which will later be disposed of. I decided to use some of the scrap paper of which I have a ton. I mostly use the paper for glueing projects. I decided to cut the paper into a small size. (Six pieces from a piece of copy paper.). But just having them sitting on my desk would get messy without a container. So, using a cardboard box, I cut it down to size and using a hot glue gun I glued the ends together. Using a picture from a magazine cut into pieces and stick craft glue, I glued the pieces to the box inside and out. I also used some decorative tape for the outside edges. And to finish the top corners which were not covered, I used straight pins with colorful tops. Looks nice and works well.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

So in looking over your habits what did you find? Some popular good habits folks have are: Meditation, exercise, journal writing, flossing, reading and walking up early. Some not so great habits included smoking, saying yes, swearing, tolerating folks, not sleeping enough, always complaining and constantly making excuses. Do you have more good habits or more bad habits? Is it time to change? If so, start with the easiest bad habit to change, not the hardest. This will give the best chance of success. Decide on the best way for you to change your habit. Worry too much? Set a time to worry and then stop. You may have to stop yourself several times at the beginning but keep it up and you will worry less. Or, alternatively, write the worry down as well as options to stop the problem. Just figure out which way to stop is best for you.