Believe it or don't

On the way to breakfast Saturday with my son, we spied this rare creature here in midtown. We were very amazed at such a sight as neither of us had ever seen an albino squirrel before. There are plenty of raccoons with this genetic make up around here and everybody's seen a white rabbit. If anyone out there has seen one of these guys, let me know.

I spent most of this day on cleaning and  laundry (bleh) and part of it making screens for future screen printing adventures. I'm experimenting with deconstructed printing ala Rayna Gilman (studio78 on my blog list). My first effort was not so wonderful but --fingers crossed--the next ones will be. I think the first time the paste for the dye was not quite thick enough. I made some more that is really stiff and so far is working and holding the image I used under the screen.  More on all this later with photos of the process.

For a baby in Dallas

This is the christening gown I restyled. I lengthened it, replaced the elastic in the sleeves with beading and ribbon, and replaced the buttons on the back. I was able to use a double wing needle to replicate the look of hemstitching so the work I added had a more cohesive look with what was already on the gown.

Picnic at Botanic Garden

stick house

what's for dinner?

have a seat

Last Sunday, we took Vincent on a picnic to the Memphis Botanic Gardens. There is an area called My Big Backyard that has been open for a year. It is so cool. And that is a good thing because it was VERY hot Sunday. It's like it was in 1980 (yes, I'm old), when the temp didn't drop below 90 for weeks. UGH!
  But we had fun and ate cheese and pickle sandwiches with chips and juice for the picnic. Yummy!

 

Weekend fun

Vincent and I went to visit the Noodlemans for a sleepover on Saturday. We had fun in the new pool and watched Mr. Noodleman build the first part of his deck. The food at Braden Station was delish and there was a very interesting pond on the way to and from the eatery.

On the fiber art front, I am finishing a few pieces and will show photos soon. I have finished the quilt for the online challenge, but must wait till reveal week for that. If I get my butt in gear I will do before and after on a christening gown that I have been commissioned to redo. It is very sweet and my goal is to make the new additions fit in.   I am also helping my weaving friend with prayer shawls. Check them out on Memphis Weaver on the blog list.

Sky

Lately I've been watching the sunset at the river. It is surprisingly cooler there considering how hot it is at the house which is only a few miles away. There were a few sprinkles. The rain has been teasing us for days. When I walked back to the vehicle, I saw a double rainbow. This is the second time this summer this has happened. It makes me very happy to see such a thing. This photo did not capture the second, fainter rainbow, but it was there.

five year old boy

My grandson had a milestone birthday today. He is officially five. What a wonderful age. Every adult at his party said they wished they were five years old again. A time of wonder, a time when one's consciousness begins to awaken. He is so funny and bright and brings so much sunshine into my life. Who could have a bad day with a five year old around to play with. There was a big shady tree, cake, presents, a little swimming pool full of mud (that was the funnest part) and a sugar high off the red sodas. Yeah!  Big thanks to Muncle Paul for letting us trash his yard.

What I made

Since this blog was originally supposed to be about fiber art, I thought I would share with my sewing friends a blouse I finished today. Soon I will have photos of some art I made the last few days, but today after the post office/ wood gathering, I did some productive work.

  The color of this blouse is actually a deep blue. I made the pattern and did the construction. I think it turned out quite nicely. The closure in the back has two dark blue pearl buttons at the neck band. The fabric is silk jacquard.