Fall Swap

I know what you're thinking....don't say the 'f' word.....Fall. But alas it's on the horizon, and I have a fall rug hooking swap to prep for. This is the last of four seasons, and I've swapped a mat for each of the four.

I wasn't driven to do any particular subject, so I picked a turkey. I'm not supposed to make my rug public until the receiver has received it, but I doubt she'll be reading my blog. So hopefully she'll still be surprised.

So here's Tom, 8" x 8", hooked with 5 cut strips.

As usual, life's been pretty hectic around here. Would love some more peace but it's not in the cards. Summer activities are winding up - Smidgie finished her T-ball season, and swimming goes for another couple of weeks. We're looking at activities for the school year - she's trying to decide on some. For sure she's doing Sparks, gymnastics, swimming and dance. She may also try curling and the dance style remains to be determined. Looks like a lot of driving around for ma and pa.

Rocketman had an eventful day at work yesterday. He and his partner were clearing some brush and he got stung, though it seems like he must have been on a ground nest of something because in fact he got stung a lot. He came home to have a shower and get some Benadryl. I guess he thought the shower would reduce the heat and itching. Well it did, but boy oh boy....he was literally covered in hives head to toe and his whole body was swollen. His face looked like cro-magnumon man! I went out to talk to his partner and said "don't leave him alone, keep an eye on him" because of course he thought he'd go back to work. As it turned out, he continued to worsen so his partner drove him directly to the hospital. They took one look at him in Admitting and ushered him right into a room, hooked him on on an IV and got epinephrine into him. He had to stay for 5 hours so they could monitor him. But he came home from work at 11:20 p.m. and looked almost completely normal. A bit of swelling and heat remained this morning, but he's feeling much better. Scared the tar out of me.

We've been riding a lot this summer, just got home from another ride with Smidgie. I got new wheels a couple of weeks ago, so it's been fun.

Now off to design some other Fall pieces and maybe even C stuff.....yup, evil aren't I to say "Christmas" in August!!!

Some Better Shibori

I took another crack at Shibori dyeing a few days ago, when we finally had a rainy afternooon. I'm much happier with these results. Now the question is - do I really want to cut these up to use them?

Methinks I'm in love!

Go Canada!

Just had to weigh in on the London 2012 Olympics......I'm a a really proud Canadian and happily support our athletes.

Did you know that Ian Millar on our equestrian team has competed in more Olympic Games than anyone else, ever?

I'm so proud of our athletes when they're interviewed before or after their competitions. They're well-spoken, polite, nice people. They're really representing our country amazingly.

Thanks to all of them. And hurray for our Women's Soccer team - Canada's first medal in a traditional team sport at the Summer Games since 1936 apparently. You rock!

Shibori

Now taking another quick online course in shibori dyeing. Did some experimenting on Monday, and this is the result:

Need to do some more experimenting, using other colours and stronger colours I think. It was fun, as dyeing always is.

Need more time - aaaaaahhhhh!

Six Summery Joyful Things

Six stupendous summery bits of joy:

the arrival of August, my favourite month.

Smidgie and how she's blossoming in personality and zooming in size.

good health :: feeling good about what I've been cutting out and what I've been consuming.

veggie garden :: though we're in a drought, our garden's bounty is delicious.

art :: two summer online courses have spurred me on to new adventures and stretching my artsy side.

new blogs, new people, new artists :: connecting with new-to-me people and having the opportunity to see their creative achievements.

So much joy, so little time. ;)