Heat again, the great indoors

 Here's today

Where it shows Trenton? That's me.

So today's about indoors. Stitching, knitting, no Friday knitting group. Browsing fun comics. Here's one for birders.

Moose is simply one of the best.

A few flowers are starting to  appear, including tiny wildflowers. I'm hoping they'll self seed.

Maybe wild phlox?

Meanwhile, I finally got that patch toe sock done 

Now for the second sock.

And a bit of goldwork 

And yesterday a text of thanks to Joe Biden for the huge feat of bringing political prisoners out of Russia. Including dissident Russian citizens imprisoned by their own government.  

He was on the phone to Slovenia about the final touches, an hour before he announced his ending his campaign. While self serving ambitious little critics like Andy Kim of NJ were claiming he was past it.  

For me, after all the hours I put in working to get Kim elected, it's personal. I'll vote him into the Senate this time, we need the seat. But if I live long enough, I'm going to work just as hard to primary him. One Term Kim. We deserve better. Okay, Boud, breathe 

Let a smile be your umbrella and other vain hopes

Recently a friend showed me an spf umbrella, supposedly ideal for sun protection out walking. Silver outside, lined, looked good.  So I thought I could use one shade my upper body, no need for a hat. And promptly ordered one.

It arrived today 

Not exactly like hers, but seemingly good for purpose. Then I read the instructions that came with it.

"Not to be used in sunlight, which could damage the fabric".  It's going back. I already got the qr code to drop it off at the nearby UPS store. 

According to my other knitting friends, I was had anyway, since any fabric between you and sunlight blocks UV.  So I've learned a thing or two.   But I'm disappointed. I could just use my regular umbrella. Which I will.

The gold and bead piece is progressing, I'm liking this a lot 

This is probably going to be a page in the fabric book.

The spectacular hibiscus flower has already faded 

But right next to it, a successor is tuning up

 A metaphor for life if ever there was one.

And the zinnias are getting under way 

My curry leaf plant which seemed to be dying, suddenly got going with new foliage 

A bit hard to see against the ground cover, but many new little branches are developing.  You can see the older yellowed leaves. I'll freeze them because they still have a lot of flavor.

And here's today's little flower arrangement

 

It's a while since I celebrated anyone's art, so here's a lovely piece

Australians do wonderful fiberarts. There's a spiritual quality in a lot of it that's hard to find elsewhere and impossible to duplicate.

Happy day, everyone, fight the good fight!

All about fiber, wonderful new ideas

After seeing a couple of great videos on YouTube, and making that pillow from the beady, spangly artwork, I urgently need to hoop up some fabric, create a design and get going with beads and gold work threads.

Thats real gold in those loose skeins, gift from a great gold worker who wanted to encourage me, knowing this was far beyond my budget.

And here are the beginnings of the idea. Stencil to use and change, choices of linen or silk fabric, various Czech beads and Indian spangles.

I have another drawer, with silver threads.

This is part of the excitement, courtesy of Bernadette Banner who can't stitch for toffee, but loves it and can hand sew to beat the band.

She was researching Indian and English embroidery for an eighteenth century reproduction vest. Waistcoat, to be technical.

Earlier I'd been immersed in iron age textiles, the historical reenactment of the making, sheep to shoulder, of the dress on the Hammerum, in Denmark,bog girl.

 The physical and textile preservation is amazing, because of the bog,  and a museum did a great job, showing the processes, tools and skills.

Monday was a day of textiles, then there was Tuesday's Textiles and Tea with Marlowe Katoney, a Navajo tapestry weaver and painter.

He's powerful in both media, familiar with Navajo iconography and symbols but moving into expressive art, away from traditional weaving. 

As you see, he incorporates familiar Navajo references,  with break dancing, pets, pop culture, all in great colors, in large rugs using wool. His work is dazzling and very well received, in museum and private collections.

So there's a feast of textiles!

Happy day, just browse and marvel. Life's a banquet!