Yardening

The temperature has been reasonable the last few days and I sat outside for a bit, or should I say bite, as the mosquitoes are still in full force.
 The grill was pressed into service earlier in the afternoon to prepare a lovely boneless lamb leg. The lamb was marinated with rosemary, garlic, balsamic vinegar, a splash of olive oil and black pepper. Onto a hot fire made with lump charcoal for 45 minutes. Mmmmmm...a salad of fresh tomatoes, red onion, feta and fresh basil, a crusty loaf of bread warmed on the fire, made an excellent accompaniment. All I had was the last glass of a pretty good chenin blanc to wash it all down, so I had to make do without a nice red, but sue me.
 The marinade was the same as I used for the lamb leg on New Year's Eve and the grilling made it very tasty, with a hint of smokiness. The rosemary branches I laid on the grill helped immensely to boost the flavor of the herbs in the marinade. I had my little dinner al fresco (also al solo--nobody else wanted to sit outside!?!) and wondered what the rich people were eating today. Of course they would have poopooed the white wine choice.
  As I was feeding the mosquitoes, I glanced at the overgrown beauty berry bush/small tree, and realized it is covered in lovely berries and birds eating them. I figured I needed to get some photos right away as the birds will have it stripped in no time. Next February (if I'm still available for gardening chores) I plan on pruning the plant very severely. It has been growing unattended for a couple of years now, except for some judicious cutting this summer to make it easier to walk by this "shrub".
Since I was out at dusk, the four o'clocks were covered in blooms. This plant has loved me back in a big way this year. I snagged the seeds several years ago and just threw them on the ground, not really caring if they came up. Disappointment has been the rule with LOTS of plantings in this yard over the years, so I never get my hopes up.

crazy overgrown beauty berry

  These photos might look like I was out there at the dark of night, but I think it is the flash that makes them look weird.

Blah blah blah

The quilt I started for the SAQA show in Cincinnati (fingers crossed it would get accepted) is coming along very well. I put some hand stitching on it today and am pleased with how everything looks. The machine quilting is pretty good too. It's mostly words I stitched in a block style of lettering. I like doing that style more than script and it seems to be easier for me to stitch. The words go in all directions which looks fun to me. It is readable if you really try.
  There is another quilt I've been sewing on that has the same style of writing on it and the words are pretty funny and harder to read. I'm loving that quilt. It also incorporates some of my deconstructed screen printing fabrics, which I totally love. When I get brave enough, I'll post photos of those quilts. There are some deep emotions stitched into those pieces, although most people wouldn't get it just by looking at pictures. So maybe I'll get around to taking photos and posting them soon.

Recent Acquisitions

Thursday morning, I attended the Memphis Sewing Guild board meeting. Our gracious hostess for this get together lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and provided the group with delicious treats to help make the business meeting seem more like a party. Which is usually the case for any of the board meetings.
  After we had thoroughly discussed everything relating to Sewing Guild (and a little that didn't) and set the schedule for upcoming programs, we went to have lunch in the Old Town section of Olive Branch. I will not expand on any opinions about that meal, except to say it was adequately filling and the company of my dining companions was most excellent.

year of the dragon

big fat bunny

The town square had many interesting shops, mostly antiques and "junque shoppes" and I wish I'd had more time to explore them. Now that I know where they are, I can always go on a different day to see what's available. I did go to the little nursery, which, sadly, is closing. Among the offerings there, I found two lovely concrete statues for my yard. I just love this stuff.

Inside with the AC and ATCs

original photo

Saturday was a pretty good day, considering how hot it got by afternoon. The artist trading card group deadline is Friday, so I decided to get my cards done in order to mail them Monday morning. The theme for July is "In the Style of..." and I chose Frida Kahlo to emulate. I particularly admire her self portrait with a monkey. Lacking a monkey for my endeavor, I held Lewis the cat and my husband was gracious enough to take the photo.

altered photo, scanned and cropped

  The pose that was chosen was the one where both Lewis and I had reasonable expressions, in keeping with the theme. Frida never smiled in any of her self portraits and Lewis looked less desperate than he usually does when he has to sit still for picture taking. I printed out two 5x7s--always good to have a backup in case of oopsies while painting. The background of the photo was obliterated with neutral gray gesso, then painted back in with the foliage design. Braided hair, unibrow, moustachio,and yellow shawl were added, as well as green eyes for the cat. Once all was painted, details added with pencils and markers, and allowed to dry, the altered photo was scanned and printed. For each trading card I added a flower in "her" hair as embellishment. The final result will be featured on Fiber Antics blog, this weekend or the first of next week.
  Sometimes I crack myself up. No wonder my kids worry about me.

Wazzup

Not much......the weather cooled off for a bit then heated back up. Duh...typical for here.
 I have started a couple of new art quilts and finished a couple too. One of the new ones is intended as an entry in an IQF?Cincinnati exhibit by artists belonging to certain regions of SAQA. The quilt needs a little more added to it, then quilting. The deadline is in September, so I have time to finish it, since I'm not obligated to other projects right now.
  I started a dress for me yesterday. Nothing fancy, just something to wear under a knitted tunic. I did NOT knit the tunic. It was given to me on semi permanent loan from a friend. My body double dress form is indispensable for this project, as the dress is cut on the bias and needs to hang for at least 24 hours. On the form, the bias will take on my contours, good and bad ones, and the knitted tunic seems to camouflage  most of the bad contours. I'm still debating neckline finish and need to get on with it, as that seems to be my failing with making something for myself. I get bogged down in indecision and lose interest in the project. Photos when the dress is done.
  

It happens every year

Summer has arrived in the Mid South, with a vengeance. Triple digit highs for the day are the rule, it seems. Anything to do outdoors needs to be done before 8 am. Lots of things are not getting done. I have walked only a couple of times this week and really need to reverse that trend.
There is a very slim chance for rain today. It has been windy this evening and cooled off a bit. I hope it rains, the plants need some water that is not from a hose.
 The upside to all the hot weather is that I have been finishing some art quilts and getting other sewing projects done. I am working on a series that uses some of my deconstructed screen prints. Maybe I will be brave and take photos of those quilts to post here. And I will soon start on the pieces I want to use for next spring's quilt show at the West Clinic gallery. Plus I got inspired to put together some "puzzle"pieces from a swap with sewing pals we did a while ago.
Last week I taught a class on making a straight skirt with five women. That was FUN!! I hope I get asked back for another class.

Unbusy

Today was a most unusual day for me. The ozone levels have been pretty high lately and I've noticed how much it has affected me in the last few years. I worked in the yard a little bit yesterday, before it got too hot. This morning, I decided to stay in bed and get some rest. I have had a long winter and spring working long hours on getting this house repaired, in addition to getting all my sewing deadlines done, and then several weeks of yard work after that.
 I stayed in bed til 10 am, which is something I haven't done since forever. I spent the rest of the day watching tv and catching up on Artist Trading Cards. I don't think I went outside today--omg--that is unbelievable for me.
  Anyway, I have had a pretty good week again and am looking forward to having yet another. No blueberry picking, but life is good.
 Until six months ago I wasn't dreaming at night and my days were filled with drudgery. I have always had an active dream "life" and the lack of them was disturbing for me. I am so glad to have the dreams back, even though some of them are kind of crazy. But I'd rather have them than none. That is another reason for my late rising this morning.
  My ATCs are fun and I love to come up with new ideas to interpret the themes. I belong to two trading groups, one has a firm deadline, the other is looser (whew) and the tiny artworks I receive from the other members is so much fun to look at. I keep my cards in binders and need to get a couple more to house the growing collection.

going to Graceland

JerJer is interested in what's going on

visiting the library

  The inspiration for the latest swap came from a recent purchase from an online shopping spree at European Papers. They have an excellent selection of supplies for book arts and trading cards. They also have unique items. I got one of those items, a small terra cotta gnome. He is adorable and took a little staycation with me around my yard for a half hour. Of course, I am easily amused. All this fun and I didn't have to leave my yard.