I Say Paisley, You Say Paisley

Yes, there was a Mehndi ceremony, and yes, I did get some henna. I asked for a "paisley" and this is what emerged. Even though I drew it for the artist, she didn't know what I meant. Maybe just didn't speak the language. It's fading every day. 

Auction Coming Up

My SAQA Journal came today. In the article about the upcoming SAQA auction, my 12"x12" piece was featured, just after Carol Leitch, and next to Jodi Scaltreto's and Lisa Jenni's works. Looks like the bidding starts September 18. You can check it out at saqa.com/auction

Saris for Days

There were events on top of events for the wedding I was part of. Now that it is over, I've got a wardrobe of silks, embellished and trimmed. Definitely love the color, but I'm stumped what I'll do with the fabric. Guess I'll hold on till the next Indian occasion calls.

Bronze Beauty

A set of lovely Art Deco bronze doors caught my eye on this morning's walk around Philadelphia. The Ayer and Son building at 210 Washington Square has a painter and canvas as one of the scenes made for an advertising company, now the entrance for condos.

Stop and Smell the Roses

I played "Mother of the Bride," today, so there was a lot to do, where to go, how to keep up. I did find time to stop and take in the beautiful scent these roses gave. Happy Wedding to my daughter and her wonderful guy.

Walking Back

Tonight we ended the day which started with ceremony and ended with a fabulous dinner in Philadelphia. So, quilting is farthest from my mind, I've just the wedding marathon to run. Tomorrow is the final mile.

Life's a Blur

The events of the week are still unfolding, and sometimes, life just blurs. Which is fine, as I know that soon enough, I'll be back at the "drawing board." So, for now, I'll let it blur.

Henna Night

As part of the wedding celebrations, Mehndi involves drawing designs with henna. My drawing was modest, and this elaborate one was more the norm. Just the start of the festivities for me this week.

Nearing Totality

The project I've been working toward is almost finished. Before Monday's total eclipse, I set these rounds (table decoratiosns) out to cool the hot glue. Yes, reaching totality is what we've got.

Solar Eclipse?

A friend had this necklace at QBL. What I think of now --  it's all eclipse, all the time. And you bet I'll make something that uses this "add to the center" idea next time I'm at the bead design board.

Eventful

I've no clue just where that darn moon/sun thing is here, but it's recorded. Imagine, another seven years and the eclipse will arc through my backyard. That's 2,360 more blog posts, give or take, till then.

Home at Last

"Iodine" hangs where I sit for breakfast. Part of the Radical Elements exhibition through SAQA, it is finally home after been gone for four years. It should have an advanced degree for all that time away.

Who Needs Scissors

A tool from one craft becomes the go-to for another. I've taken to using rotary cutters on patterns, this one for a blouse I've had to make. I make sure that I can see the blade, and not the guard, when I'm cutting, as it helps keep my cut accurate.

Dresses, Dresses

As  work on my blouses, I am reminded of the teeny tiny stitches in Phillipa Naylor's work. I got a close up look while teaching at the Maine Quilts festival in Augusta this summer. It's really that small.

More Sewing

It's funny. I hardly ever call when I make a quilt "sewing," but after spending most of the day wrangling this blouse, I easily call it "sewing." I think that distinction is about the difficulty I have making fitted apparel. My admiration for those who tailor.

Time Out

As August reaches the half-gone stage, I am pledged to take in what is left of summer. A cool night, a lake view, the last light of the day -- I'll have to get out more before we turn to autumn.

The Third Dimension

I've been working on a project that involves making apparel. Which, need I tell anyone who loves to sew things flat, you know -- with two dimensions --  is very hard. Curves that actually curve around something, and fitted stuff. Takes me back to junior high.

In the Mail

I'm always thanked for my teaching work, but this was unusual. A REAL card in the mail, along with a pic of my favorite cat. To say thank you. Made my day. And you're welcome.

More Discharging

I rediscovered a stencil I'd cut with a friend's Silhouette cutter, and here I've dabbed some Softscrub in the crosses. It takes a minute for the bleach to react, then I'll rinse and plunge in a bucket of water to which I've added Anti-Clor to stop the bleach reaction.

Dye Day

 A group of friends gets together each summer for 'dye day' but for me it's 'discharge'. Each year I find new ways to bleach, and the yards work their way to the next project. Wouldn't think they would, but they do. Thanks, Bev, for having us out to your barn.

Flower Wall

We built a flower wall today. That was the extent of my creative force. It will be part of a wedding, and then I think I'll staple it to my ceiling. Just kidding, it would be better on a wall.

Working with My Brains

I've been pulled out of my studio and placed in front of my computer. A bit of writing, some organizing, catching up on the business side of life. My head is sprouting.

Swing Time

The night was stellar, and it was time to take a break and visit the nearest amusement park. I stayed on the ground for this ride, enjoying it immensely. By the way, the colors changed with the revolutions.

Sorry Work

I've the task of choosing a saree for an upcoming wedding. These are all on loan, and all are scrumptious. Makes me want to dye those colors, those silks, those beautiful patterns.

Moonlight by Candlelight

For some reason, the electric is off here. Tonight's full moon is behind the cloud, so our moon is a candlelit round turtle shell. Happy full moon craziness.

Thistles

The cultivated "teasel" was brought to Skaneateles (a nearby town), making it the "Teasel capital of the world". These thistle, along my walk in the Bristol hills yesterday,  reminded me of that odd fiber world connection. No teasel, no softened wool.

Dead Center Gourgeous

Letchworth Park has an incredible gorge. I spent a night in a cabin in the park, then took a short walk to check and make sure the gorge hadn't moved. It hadn't.

From Where You Are

The approach to the Rochester Airport is usually over Lake Ontario, but Sunday the route included my home. Through the haze, and on a vivid and sunsetting sky, I tried to make out where exactly where. I'll be home for the rest of the summer, and that makes me happy.

Art from Non Art

Philadelphia's airport has loads of art. This caught my eye, and I had to take this shot. Makes me want to grab three pieces of fabric, join and remix. Then make this great diagonal.

Take an Airport Walk

Philadelphia pioneered the 1% for art (of the total building costs, used for public art) in 1959. I'm not sure this glass wall installation is considered "art" or part of the PDA, but I loved passing it on my way to terminal F. I think if was terminal F. Days ago, far away.

Mark Making Art

Michael Delgado's work -- prints made of photos of gum spots seen on the pavement -- stopped me in my track. On view (above: "My Tribe Only Whispers", 2014) at the Philadelphia airport, these works take abstract marks and create a story in caricature. The black is the gum/print, the color is his creation. Marvelous.