The Cup of Fortunes: Week 31 (July 27-August 2)

I was talking to someone at work this week and shared that I had recently purchased a new piece of art. I showed them a picture of the piece, and the response was sort of blank. I think when they heard "I bought a piece of art," they were thinking I bought something grand or opulent. I don't buy grand and opulent things; I buy whimsical and possibly haunted things. 

Here's the painting:

The artist's name is Zach Bartz and it's one of his Thrift Store Skeleton pieces; this one's called Whisper. You can find his work on Etsy or on his website. I started following him on Instagram earlier this year because he makes these hilarious reels about workplace phrases and what you should say instead. I send these to several of my friends daily and it helps quell the rage at listening to corporate nonsense phrases.

Anyway, I only recently realized he's also a visual artist and clicked over to his website and found the skeleton paintings. When I say these are exactly what I didn't know I was missing in my art collection, I'm not exaggerating. I love it when artists take thrift store art and completely reimagine it. I have two large paintings sitting in my studio right now waiting for me to do the same with embroidery. It's whimsical and weird - basically what I want my house to be. And the frame! I wasn't sure I was going to like the frame, but it really just makes it work even more. But I was disappointed by my colleague's reaction. I know thrift store art isn't for everyone, but have you met me? What about me makes you think I'm going to buy art that's not whimsical or weird or a bit of both? I like joy and fun. Are you new here? 

Look at how good it looks with the other pieces on and above my desk.

If you're ever on a call with me at work and I'm working from home, know that this is what I'm looking at during our call. It may even distract me from saying something passive aggressive. You're welcome. 

So this is my advice to you - buy the whimsical thing, the weird thing, the thing that makes your home your home. The world sucks right now and we all need to find little moments of joy wherever we can gett them. If you need help finding that thing, you let me know. I'm always up for an adventure. 

Onto this week's fortunes. It was a two fortune week and both fortunes made me smile. 

I'm assuming the fortunes weren't talking about my tomatoes (there are four, more on this later) or that I'm on vacation this week. I feel like these are the types of fortunes people get and then decide to go buy a lottery ticket. I didn't do that. I wished for my tomatoes to grow and for the weather to be nicer while I'm off. And that's what the universe has given me. Good job, fortunes. 

Here are this week's fortunes and lucky numbers. 

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

Weeks 1-31

WIPs, the Plants, and Other Small Joys

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to participate in the artist card swap again this year. I saw the organizer's post earlier in the week, and decided just to do it. When I was trying out the burlap page in my art journal earlier this month, I put a piece of mixed media paper underneath it to catch the excess paint. I decided to cut it up into cards and embroider on each one. I ended up with 10 cards; 9 made from cutting out small cards and one that is a collage of the leftover pieces. I added embroidery elements to each one. I like the way these turned out and it was an easier approach than what I did last year. Now to wait for cards to get sent back to me. 

Yes, you can do a cast on stitch on paper.

There are tomatoes! I noticed two on Tuesday and since then, I have spotted three more. They're small and green, but they're there. I'm excited to watch them grow and ripen over the next few days. I hope some of the other flowers make it to the tomato stage. I grew tomatoes!

I also made some English muffin bread yesterday. This is a bit of a tradition (at least in my mind) whenever I see my friend, Kelly. She's headed here for the week and I always baked before she comes to visit. I also got to try out the set of ceramic mixing bowls I found at a thrift store last weekend. I've wanted a set like this forever, but new sets are incredibly expensive or you have to buy bowls individually, which is also incredibly expensive. This set was in great condition and exactly what I wanted. It fit the bread mix, which is a pretty big mix, so I know it's going to work well for my baking.

I started buying flowers from a different flower guy at the market, and today he had sprigs (is that right?) of eucalyptus in with the flowers. I put them in a vase to dry. The smell is wonderful.

If you're in the DMV, I hope you find some joy in the beautiful weather we're finally having. It doesn't feel like soup outside anymore. I appreciate that so much.