Busy days

We experimented with the soy wax with good results, but alas, there's no time for photo op these last few days. Also I did a small photo transfer using the method in a new magazine--but used clear contact paper--and got good results with that too. When things calm down and there's less chauffering in my life, I'll get photos of the arty stuff.
The garden is quite lovely in spite of the oppressive heat. The Monarda was at it's best when this picture was taken.

Mental Health

Today I used the soy wax. I heated it in an electric skillet (from a yard sale) and Olivia and I applied it to fabric with several objects, including a potato masher and a tjanting. It makes nice little lines. We then painted thickened dye over the wax and it is now laying on the walk by my sewing room door covered in plastic. Washing will commence in the morning followed by photo op. Hopefully, some blog posting after that.

New magazines!!

Look in your local bookstore for the two new "bookzines" from Stampington publishers. The newest one is called Art Quilt Studio. It has lots of photos and the paper is the best feeling stuff--like all the magazines from Stampington. The art work is stupendous. So much talent and inspiration.
The other one I picked up is the latest issue of Sew Somerset. Again, great photos and a technique for photo transfer that I must try. Uses cold laminate but I think I'll try clear contact paper and see how that works.
Stampington has some of the nicest publications--my favorite has to be Belle Armoire. Etta McFarland is going to be the featured artist in the next issue (I think) and I'm chomping at the bit to see it. Will she autograph my copy??? Oh I hope so!!

June and the heat have arrived

We were able to hold out till June officially, so I turned on the ac today. I will feel guilty for a few days I'm sure, as ac is not exactly environmentally friendly. It sure is Marilyn friendly when the temps are soaring. The other thing I dislike about ac is feeling cut off from the neighborhood. It's good idea to know what's going on out there and makes me feel like a part of something bigger than my measly little life.
If you want to see what someone who DOES stuff can accomplish, look at Patricia's blog--Sew What's Next. She has some photos of her garden up and it kicks bootay!!

Fabrics and such

I lied about the fabrics from last Friday, I never took pictures of them after they were done. Some small quilts that have surface designed fabrics from an earlier session. The wavy lines are on fabric I monoprinted with gelatine plates ala Rayna Gilman

Mental health day

Last week I gave myself a little break from all the crazy stuff and painted and discharged fabric---vice versa really. I liked a couple of the pieces so much I made an art quilt the next day. I will post photos of that when it is bound. The photos in this post are from my yard. The table is one of those folding guys from Costco up on bed risers. It's the perfect height this way. My next post will have photos of the fabrics after they were fixed.

Chaos STILL reigning at 324 N. Willett

Life is continuing to be turned upside down everyday nearly, a crazy story for much later posting.
Work has become managable and the weather sometimes cooperates for a little yard work. The garden is so lush and beautiful from all the rain we've had and such a nice long spring. That is such a rare occurence here in Memphis---usually it's cold and we get some ice for winter, then a few days of really nice stuff--then BAM!! heat descends on us unrelentingly for months.
We are trying to hold out till June before we turn on the AC, trying to save this planet and some $$$$. So far there have been some uncomfortable nights (humidity is the bad guy) but things cool off for a few days and it's okay. How much longer this will last is anyone's guess, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.