Painted fabric

These are sample pieces, trying different paints and designs.
Acrylic paints work fine, however the fabric dyes have a lot more
vibrancy. I have used a combination on these because I don't
have many colors of fabric paint.
Most of my day was spent trying to use a peacock feather
as a stamp, using black screen painting ink. I could not get a good
impression. Maybe I will just carve a feather in the rubber
stamp material. I just don't think it would have the light look and naturalness
of a feather. I dyed the blouse teal with the idea to stamp the black feathers
on it. I guess I need a new plan.

Round Top

More kooky scenes from Round Top Antique Fair.
It is fun just to sit and watch people and see all of the weird sites.
We met some very nice ladies and gents, as everyone is feeling good
and very friendly, ready to tell you about their latest "find".
We met Kathleen, from Katy, TX who has a booth called " Hope and Glory".
She recycles antique salvaged materials into handcrafted inspirational artwork.
They are really unique. She is in the Campbell Building in Warrenton.

Treasures

.SHARED FROM A FRIEND IT WAS TOO MEANINGFUL NOT TO PASS ALONG .......When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his Biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine! And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did! Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't. ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.

Blue Monday

I never travel without my blue journal and my twig pencil.
When I get home my brushes are waiting in my little blue lady.
This blue sky and sailboat is what came of it.
Be sure to check out Smiling Sally's site here to see all that blue.

Fried Green Tomatoes

We brought these green tomatoes all the way from Indiana.

We sliced them about 1/4 inch thick, put them in buttermilk,

and then corn meal mixed with a tiny bit of flour. Salt and pepper, of course.

Then we got out the old iron skillet and heated up the oil.

Just takes a minute to fry these up; they are so good and taste slightly sweet.

Round Top Day

There is sooo much to see in Round Top, and I suppose some would say that the best is yet to be, however, we found plenty  of wonderful things to rummage through. The whole area was bustling with activity, some vendors there since Monday, others opening tomorrow, and in days to come.  The event goes on until the first weekend in Oct. I took a few pictures even though my camera seems to be dying. There are several great pictures over on the Junk Gypsy blog here   Notice the pet duck on the motorcycle.

WOYWW

What's on my desk, you ask? Lots of paint and lots of fabric.
After taking Alisa Burke's on-line class, Beneath the Surface, I am ready 
to decorate everything in site. I am practicing on an old sheet, painting and then washing,
just to see what sticks. Everything I have used so far has not washed out. My favorite so far is the batik look.
When I get really comfortable with the dyes, I will do my white blouses, and then who
knows what will be next. I could even use these backgrounds for my fabric collage
I like so well.

Solemnity vs Beautiful

This Confederate cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas is a solemn site, especially all of the white tombstones lined up. Most of the grave stones were difficult to read because of age. The ornate iron fences around the family plots were beautiful, however many were rusty and bent. A tree had completely grown around one of the iron corner pieces. The intricate patterns are so interesting to me and I took  lots of pictures. I am always alert for new designs and patterns to use in my art. I like to pray for the souls, as I use the designs in my art.

Crabby

Another Blue Monday, and I have a treat for you.
This charming blue crab, with a big smile, sits on
Main Street in El Dorado, Arkansas.
There is also a wonderful art gallery called "Backwoods".
Rhonda Hicks, the owner, was so helpful, showing us around through several rooms
of mixed media art. She has made several pieces using old violins that have lost
their intended use; very unusual and creative.
If you get to EL Dorado be sure to stop in and say Hi to Rhonda.
Also hop over here to Smiling Sally to see all that is blue today.

Red and Ripe

These tomatoes were some of the best I've ever eaten.
There is nothing quite like a home grown, right out of the
garden, tomato!!
My brother-in-law in Indiana likes to watch them grow;
doesn't eat them. Gives plenty away!
Also had fried green tomatoes the other night.

More beautiful blooms

These were hanging at the River Camp where we had our reunion.
The Ohio River was a few feet away.
Barges went up and down the river all day long.
My thanks to all the incredible people who made this reunion possible.
So fun to catch up on lives.

Beautiful Blooms

We had to go all the way to Indiana to see these beautiful flowers.
Because Texas has not had rain since April, at least where we live,
there aren't many flowers. The varied colors of purple are so gorgeous.
I'm sure that I will use this photo as inspiration for a painting.

Blue Monday

It's Blue Monday again, and I wrote about wearing white.
I am "blue" though because of all the wild fires in Texas.
People are being forced out of their homes.
There are a lot of "blue" connections over at http://www.smilingsally.blogspot.com

Why we can't wear white after Labor Day

Labor Day is traditionally the end of summer. As I was growing up, we were told you could not wear white after Labor Day. White clothes were meant to keep you cool, and with the Fall season, it is USUALLY cooler, but we all know what happened this year. Strange weather patterns; 100 plus days of 100 degree heat here in Texas.
According to the Times US, Co Co Chanel challenged this rule in 1969 with her signature white suit, which she wore all year long.
In 2004, manners bible, Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th edition, gave the go-ahead for wearing white after Labor Day. Thank goodness, because even though summer is over, I'm still hot!
Rules are meant to be broken anyway!

Remembering

It was 50 years ago today that my hubby and I said "I do".
I thank the Lord every day that we met, and fell in love
over a bowl of spaghetti. Four great children, and eight
wonderful grand children later, with all the ups and downs
of life, I can truly say "We are blessed".
This is the cake that we had when we celebrated in June with
the family.