top of page




This is how I start my mornings. This is how I will start this blog, where I will try to describe Amazon products and give the reader a fair review. There are no pros and cons, just a simple evaluation of how much we like the ten products listed. All are household-type products, and many of these I have purchased more than once (giving you a hint at how much we like these).


 



Bigelow Constant Comment Green Teas


I have been sipping these teas since 2003 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I know. I know...does it inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells? I'm not a doctor, but my oncologist said the studies have been positive. See this Mount Sanai article: Tea Green And, here I am. Twenty years later.


Another testament to drinking these teas is that they taste great. The orange/spice one is just a tad more my favorite, but I love them both.


Rating: A++


 


Technology changes with the speed of light, but the older SD cards lie around your office drawers. The cards have your precious pictures from days gone by, but they are hard to retrieve. In addition, the devices don't have slots, or your camera doesn't have Dropbox capabilities, so It's nice to have an adapter for your newer machines. This card reader has been a blessing as I can transfer photos from my older Nikon camera and put them into a cloud or Google Drive.


It's super easy to use. Compatible with Windows/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome OS.




Rating: A


 



This is brilliant. MAKES HANGING FAST & EASY: The Picture Perfect Hanging System can help make your blank walls a beautiful art display.


This Hanging System is an all-in-one kit with all the hardware necessary to mount, level, and hang your favorite works of art or wall decor. The only tools needed are a hammer and a screwdriver. This is a two-pack; each can hold up to 50 lb.


My husband and I were able to hang a framed picture in a matter of minutes and marveled at the tiny level included to help position the hanger brackets. We both agreed that this pack is ingenious.


Rating: A+


 

I bought this after we moved into a home with a fabulous kitchen. Vowing to cook more, I thought this looked intriguing. I don't regret my purchase because this book has easy recipes that fill almost any muffin tin. What could be easier? Not just muffins but quick-serve appetizers and sides to gourmet entrees, pizza cups, and desserts. Scoop a bit of cooking spray and a mix of ingredients into the pan...and violá! A quick, yummy breakfast or lunch treat that doesn't have you in the kitchen for hours!


Rating: A+


 



We're in a new house just three years old, after thirty-five years in our former home. This one is going to stay clean. (!) However, dragging out the full vacuum cleaner is a chore in itself. This one is accessible, has attachments for specific places, and is battery-operated. Plus, it has a wall holder to charge when not in use. The vacuum cleaner has a Crevice Nozzle* Hair Brush* Water Absorption Nozzle, and Filter* Adapter*. The material of the filter is non-woven fabric, which can be cleaned of dust with tap water. The dustbuster filter can block dust particles.

Weight is just 2.2 lb. Nice little vac.


Rating: A+


 

This lid protects your microwave from splatters and spots. The BPA-free plastic and silicone topper covers food to encourage even cooking and to keep food inside for a cleaner microwave. This lid has many features, including an easy grip at the top. Easy, clean collapses for storage and choice of color. We have had this for quite a while, and it still looks new.


Rating: A+


 




Medium point tip magnetic dry-erase markers in 6 assorted colors: black, purple, red, orange, blue, and green. Non-toxic, low-odor ink with a bold color laydown works on all dry-erase surfaces and dries quickly.

  • Magnetic marker caps feature built-in felt erasers. The dry-erase marker ink erases easily.

  • The contoured marker cap shape prevents the markers from rolling off any flat surface or tray.

  • Perfect for whiteboards and glass boards in the office, classroom, or at home


We thought these would work nicely on our calendar dry-erase board. They do, with this exception: two markers keep losing the felt erasers (we haven't attempted to put a little glue on them). Also, two colors (the orange and the lime green) don't show up well from a distance, so we have stopped using those colors).


Rating: B


 


This is a pack of 200, which is ok with me because I use them on the cabinet doors, drawers, and the backs of frames we hang in our new home. These are particularly nice, as they have a clear transparent color, strong self-adhesive backing, anti-slip soft material, and suitable thickness. The adhesion is exceptional, although if I had to reposition one, with a good tug, I could move it to another spot.


Rating: A

 


This adjustable bamboo organizer expands to fit any drawer and has nine separate compartments, making it perfect for organizing things in any room of your home. Easily find kitchen flatware, accessories, and the cutlery you need for that perfect meal.


I found this organizer on Amazon and liked it for its attractive material (as opposed to the plastic types that are more common). It does look beautiful in our new kitchen (as if a visitor would be perusing our tableware for the aesthetics). Utensils fit in the slots quite nicely, and you can reconfigure the size of the compartments if needed.


Two issues: 1. the whole piece moves a lot in the drawer. It was missing a bamboo piece that should lock it at the bottom. (see the picture for a hole at the bottom that I think should have a bamboo stick to extend the piece. Some reviews on Amazon mention this function.


2. The sizes of the slots are similar, and I wish you could change the sizes to fit the number of items you wish to store in that slot.


Rating: B+


 




Our new home has beautiful vinyl flooring in the Great Room, Kitchen, and Sunroom areas. We needed something for our furniture legs to protect the floor, and this set did just the trick.


The 2" size is close to most chair legs, so the square and round pieces were easy to apply. The felt is high quality, and just pulling off the paper sheet allows you to set the adhesive against a chair leg. Instructions tell you to hold firm for about 30 seconds.


We also purchased a set from Amazon that could be cut to size for some of our furniture: Furniture Felt Pads. These have come in handy, too, and come in two color choices.


Our experience has been that no pads have come off any legs in the nine months we have lived here.


Ratin






 


Pin it, please...or comment below this post.








Music to Paint By, paintbrush, musical notes



This will be an opinionated post. Music, like art, is a diverse selection for choice. There is no doubt that visual artists also have an affinity for beautiful music. It is a question that I get asked quite often. Inspiration comes from many sources, and music is one source.


 

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase from the links in this blog. I only post products I have used with satisfaction or know people who have recommended them. The funds from this partnership help me maintain this website, and I hope it gives my visitors some confidence in the products I promote here.

 

I am not ranking these in order of favorites. Full disclosure: this list is going to hint at my age. I'm not afraid of guesses.


Music choice in the studio varies from artist to artist. Many like classical or non-vocal sounds. Folk, blues, country, and modern jazz are also popular. From what I can gather, it is more about the tempo and the “feel” of the music that an artist seeks out than a genre. Many artists say they like listening to music in languages they don’t speak, as in perhaps Andrea Bocelli — so that the songs become more sound than words. Like other things, it's all relative.





Here's my list


1. Gabriel's Oboe





I started with what might be #1 because listening to this version of Gabriel's Oboe from the movie "The Mission" by composer Ennio Morricone sends chills up my body. I would have to be painting something smooth and visually dynamic. I can't say that I finished a particular work while listening to this music. but I titled a painting, "The Mission," based on the score by Morricone. In my mind, outer space evokes a mission, so this image resulted in the artwork below.



The Mission by Annie Mason abstract watercolor



2. You Can Go Your Own Way

By Fleetwood Mac

I have no idea, but I love the lyrics, the beat, and maybe the heart of doing things my way when painting. Fleetwood Mac is a part of my formative years, so there's that.



"One" by Annie Mason pen and ink mandala

3. Acoustic Soul. Album by India.Arie

This is the one playlist of mine that is a full album. I discovered this music artist when regularly joining Dr. Bertice Berry on her early morning Periscope sessions. (This video live-streaming platform formally closed its doors on March 31, 2021). Dr. Berry frequently had music playing in the background during her video segments. I discovered India Arie, a dynamic vocalist and songwriter. Inspirational in her content inspires me to be myself, to not render to another person's view of the world. Her songs, Beautiful and Break the Shell are wonderful lyrics that commit to being yourself and not the people who put ideas into your head, i.e., the parents, the spouse, the "best" friend, the teacher, and others who you listened to as the word of God. Just be yourself.




Free to Be by Annie Mason watercolor and pen


4. Everything by Michael Bublé

The soft, easy listening style of Michael Bublé sets a tone of a laid-back, devil-may-care, "life is good" atmosphere. It's a great way to paint.



Cat and His Thoughts by Annie Mason. watercolor

5. Shower the People by James Taylor

Speaking of "laid-back", what better choice than James Taylor . He is a tried and true singer/songwriter who cuts through generations who still love his stuff. Reflective of my youth, flower power, mini skirts, Vietnam war protests, baby boomer, but I won't go there). James Taylor is an icon. Pick a song from among so many: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You), Shower the People, Fire and Rain, and so many more. Painting to his great collection is a joy.



Summer of Love by Annie Mason watercolor and pen




6. The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

I love classical music but do not often paint listening to classical music. I don't know why that is. Classical form is so varied with tempo, subdued, then vibrant. I think this might be why. I would have a hard time changing my brushstroke to match the sound. The selection of Four Seasons does just that, but this image comes close to the image I might have painted.


This is a tutorial (yes, artists do tutorials, too) from Watercolor for Absolute Beginner by Mark & Mary Willenbrinck. Chapter "Negative Painting" pgs. 84 - 87.

Solstice by Annie Mason watercolor tutorial

7. Water Under Bridges by Gregory Porter

There is nothing like Jazz, blues, or gospel to smooth the weary soul. Again, this vocalist was introduced to me during Periscope video sessions with Dr. Bertice Berry. Wonderful voice and pure soothing sound.


8. Seasons of Love

from the Broadway show Rent

Broadway shows and movies have some great songs. When you love'em, you can usually sing'em. We all have memorable songs that we can sing...so why not paint and sing? Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, West Side Story, Wicked, Hamilton, Frozen , and many more.



Warms My Heart by Annie Mason abstract watercolor













9. Hello by Adele

I pay attention to current songs and singers, but not as feverishly as when I was younger. Our daughter's playlist has Taylor Swift and others that are contemporary. If I catch someone that appeals to my ear, you may find me adding that to my studio music. At Christmas, you can count on me adding Pentatonix. Their harmonies and interpretations of popular songs are amazing. Yes, "Hallelujah" is a favorite, along with watching the original video. It is an amazing group.


10. Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Kelly Clarkson, Neil Young, Jason Mraz...

Oh. Oh. I didn't realize how many songs/singers I listened to in my art studio. I don't always listen to music when I paint. I find myself concentrating on what I am doing. The flick of a paintbrush, because I'm singing (and maybe dancing), can be catastrophic if I'm about to add my signature to a finished painting.



 

I can think of many more songs I can associate with particular paintings. This topic interests me, as I have asked about it in my Meet the Artist series. I googled (it's a verb) "Music to Paint By." Whoa. Search YouTube, and you will see the results are endless. If you are an artist and have a favorite genre of music to paint by, drop a comment in this post. I would love to hear from you.


Thank you for reading this post.


Please pin it, or leave your comments below this post. Thank you.



























Well, maybe. Just a tad.


I haven't done acrylic painting in a very long time. It'll come back to me, right?


Our new house has a lovely fireplace mantel longing for a canvas painting. Here I am, four months into living in our new home. It's time to give that space a painting.


Here we go:



Supplies:














 









 




 









 














 















 



Now, the hard part: what to paint. It's in my head. It's one of our favorite vacation spots: Sedona Arizona


I do work from photographs (as many artists do). Our daughter took the photo on a trip out west. Jeep tours are a great way to get up close and personal, gaining a lot of information if you get a good guide. Here's one: Pink Tours from among many others. Or check these from a list: The 6 Best Sedona Jeep Tours




You can see the sky area (although it is subtle because I chose not to bring the dark blue completely to the edge of the mountainous horizon line.


Work in Progess

⬇️ Work in Progress



I added cacti to the left foreground; now to fill the empty space.




That space could be problematic. Put something too detailed, and it would take away from the detailed cactus. I decided to keep this area nice and straightforward with the desert sand and earth-toned colors.


This set is FABULOUS! Strongly pigmented colors are perfect for this painting!




⬆️

Am I finished?


It is a never-ending challenge for the artist. It's "quite" done. Sometimes, it's a good idea to walk away from a task. I don't consider painting a task because I love it. But like other decisions, it's a good idea to take time and ponder for a moment. "Sleep on it," my grandma used to say.




SEDONA. Vortex and meditation. Oum. Break time.









 

One day later: 🕰


After careful thought, I decided not to make any significant changes. My style is loose. The image lends itself to a quick, rough pattern with the brush (and a bit of pen and ink), an homage to the grand desert landscape with its rocks, prickly pears, and dramatic sky. So what you see in these close-up pictures is a bit more detail and the use of darks and lights to emphasize the textures.


Now, clean up the sides of the canvas. Since I will not be framing it for placement on the mantel, I painted entirely around the sides. Acrylics dry quickly, but even if it is dry to the touch, it is a good idea to wait about a week before applying a varnish coat to the artwork. For a technical description of the drying process, check Golden Paints Drying





 

Blank wall waiting for a not-so-blank canvas.


Another few days to dry completely 🕰

Ta Da!







 

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Looks like that blank canvas wasn't so scary after all. Sometimes, you have to DO IT!


Pin it, please! Or scroll down to leave a comment.








bottom of page