The cats the cold the colors

What's happening?  Looks like another polar blast in the east and we're freezing again, but not much snow here.  I'm about halfway with my painting and wanted to show you a few things.  But before I forget, I mentioned about using jute knots for cat toys - found something better. 

 

 They shredded the jute so I used leather laces and knotted them.  The hockey rink is singing!  Even old man Bud who never played before is wearing himself out.  Because of the cold, I made a makeshift litter box for them because Mark wanted to keep them in, and they used it!  Progress!!  Bud will NOT allow me near him for fear of being put outside so he is camping out in the corner under the chair. 

 Here's the Studio Taupe color that I had Home Depot mix for me in an eggshell enamel.  The close up door on the right is the old color. I don't like a lot of sheen and this has just enough, plus being enamel, it's a very hard finish making for easy cleaning.  It's a taupe that's not pinkish, slightly on the green side, not real light, and not dark.  Just love it.  I'm thinking of stenciling in this foyer.  Now for the big question - am I going to use this over the other darker custom color in the new room?  That decision needs to be made today since it's the next to be painted and that will start late today.

 After my whining about whether or not to dye the Amsterdam Blue a little darker, I did. My home made black walnut stain is kept in the fridge and while sneaking some Genoa salami, I spotted the container.  I'm good.  Take a look at how close this is to the original.  The Amsterdam was just fine the way it was and I took a chance staining it, but it was an impulse and thank goodness it worked out.  This was after three 30 second dips.  I pulled the colors and will be changing one group.  See that long middle leaf starting at the fold?  It's the same as the background colors so I will change the greens to bluish teal.  Still no word from the owner and she may have sold this piece since she is an antique dealer.  After seeing wallets stitched by a reader (whose work I will show in a future post), I realized that the background teal is not linen, it's stitches.  I'll use the linen!  Of course it would be stunning entirely in thread, but I also like to see linen with the texture of the raised areas created by the floss.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I started a few stitches and I think this should be done on 40 count, but I'll continue and see if detail is possible on 32 while attempting to keep it small.

See the streak on the printed copy?  Remember my new HP printer and how disappointed I was?  This happens for no reason and at any time and wastes a lot of my ink and paper when making labels.  I need to contact tech service again and demand a replacement.  Enough is enough.

A note to Marie-France.  I'm sorry!  I can't enter you as a follower because you are no-reply.  I do not have your email or Google account and need it to do so.  Please email me by clicking on the link at the top right column.

 

Back to painting!

Enjoy the day and stay safe - thanks for visiting.