Decay

Last summer I grew gourds that look like little pumpkins.  All winter they sat in the garage drying.  Just recently they started growing a coat of mold.  Don't they look interesting?

2020 Crazy Quilt Project

A challenge to participate in Sharon B's 2020 Crazy Quilt seems right up my alley!  (Thank you, Beth).  I love the idea of using up my stash while making something fun and creative.  I am starting with stamped girls and will add stitch, beads, buttons, etc.  As I am leaving on a 2 week trip with my daughter on Monday, I wanted to get a stash prepped for vacation handiwork.

Each girl is a smidge over 5 inches tall.  Can't wait to get stitching! (Also can't wait to leave on vacation!)

Java Batiks

More lovely fabrics...

Batik Textiles of Java / Art Institute of Chicago

On the last day of art camp we took a bus load of kids to the Art Institute.  One of the exhibits I enjoyed was the Batik Textiles of Java.  Fabulous detail!  I believe I must get the wax out for my next dye workshop....

Dye play

I am very excited about using a decorative plate, old hankie, and dyes to create art!

Hollyhocks

When I was young, my father taught me how to make hollyhock dolls.  I was probably 8 years old.  We went out to the garden and he explained how his grandmother always had hollyhocks in her garden.  Red ones.  She had moved to town from the farm when her husband died in 1947.  My dad was born in 1936, so I figure he was about the same age as me when we first learned to make our little dolls...

On father's day, the hollyhocks spoke to me, urging me to come out and play.  The clump that is blooming also has a bit of a story to tell.  A few years ago my sister and I took our daughters to Paris for a week.  (a wonderful adventure!).  While we were waiting in line for the Catacombs, my daughter passed out.  The staff was most helpful and thought we really should take her to the hospital.  All ended well - combination of heat, not enough water, hunger.  She learned a valuable lesson.

On our walk back to the Catacombs (hours later), we walked past a library with a small garden of  hollyhocks that had bloomed and were still holding seed pods.  One fell into my pocket.  Need I say anything else?

My hollyhock doll was a fun memory chaser!

eric's quilt

Eric's quilt is now in the planning stages....  I was told that his favorite color is red.  That would be 49er's red (and gold).  I did some brainstorming and hit on using a German aircraft symbol (from 1918) for the design, as he works as helicopter mechanic in the army (based in Germany with my son).  How fabulous that the German flag is also red, yellow and black!  This quilt will be full of symbolism! 

(No - I don't really have this much done...  photoshop is such a good way to try out an idea!)

Dragonfly

99 cents at hobby lobby...  really cheap dragonfly mask:

A pond full of bull frogs

They are noisy and kind of creepy when you have so many living in one pond.  The big ones don't even scare away when you walk right up to them.  Not enough to call a plague, but still too many for me!

Morning walk / found my project tree!

Recently I saw a picture of some dead trees that have been artfully painted.  I live next to a small forest and just knew that I had to do this too!  This morning Percy and I took a walk looking for dead trees.  I found the perfect tree on the path going to the fairy circle.  It is too tall to paint all the way to the top, but I bet Jon will be happy to top it for me (what man doesn't like the chance to pull out his chain saw?!?)

Percy is looking so old...  Next week he turns 7.  His very bad haircut is my fault...  I started trimming him for the summer and just never got back to it.  Fortunately, he never complains! Note the catalpa blossoms on the path - so pretty to walk on.  We have a couple of catalpa trees on our property and I always look forward to bloom time.

It may be dead, but is still standing.  Later today I'll clean out the poison ivy around it and trim off the little branches.  One little patch of bark remains.  Can't wait to have some fun!

BuJo - States

I've officially started my Bullet Journal (thanks to my dear friend Beth).  She has a stencil of the U.S. and graciously shares.   Step one for me is the states I have lived in.  Sometime this weekend I'll add the states I have visited - and more artwork!

tape resist

I did a bit of work for summer art camp this weekend when it was just too hot to be outside.  I know the kids will enjoy this easy project!  For this background:
(1) random watercolor painting
(2) painter's tape shapes
(3) black gesso
(4) white pen doodles

Paint the Road

Yesterday was our 16th Annual Paint the Road at the library!  The road was primed in the morning by a team of "highly trained professionals".  In the afternoon the fun began.  It is so fun to see the creativity of our local children.  After painting, the ice cream truck came by and we treated all participants to a cool treat!  Now to clean up and prep for the next program...