This and That

Building
I've been reading a lot about architecture and the development in the Dallas Arts District. Here's the new theatre center.
The articles I've read include very interesting ideas about buildings and people and life style. Maybe I'll write more thoughtfully about all that sometime soon.

Creating
Speaking of the Arts District, the kids and I visited the Dallas Museum of Art a couple of weeks ago. We had an excellent time making crowns in the Center for Creative Connections.
Inspiring
I've been working really hard on a digital slide show for tonight's Dallas Area Fiber Artists meeting. I asked members to name fiber artists they find inspiring and I got so many excellent suggestions. I compiled a slide show of images and artist statements, so we're in for tons of eye candy tonight!

(I emailed all the artists for permission to use their images for this specific event and all enthusiastically agreed.)

I ended up down a rabbit hole in exploring lots of artists. Especially Susan Shie's new in-progress pix on her blog. Yowza.

Shooting
We had a crazy fun time playing laser tag when my sister and her husband visited a couple of weeks ago.

Sneaking
One rogue sunflower sneaked (snuck?) into one of our flower beds. I love it.
Flying
How can it be lunch time already? I've got tons to do today.

Inspiring

Recently a friend shared a couple of books by Sara Midda. Such charming, inspiring, simple, delightful sketch book journals.(In the upper left is a three ring binder I covered with various magazine clippings. More on that later.)

I was really drawn to her compositions -- especially several grid formats.

This page made me consider doing a quilt of "six pears" for the next 12x12 challenge.
The theme is "twelve." Get it? Six pear... six pair equal twelve. I like plays on words, but decided it was too random. Besides, Gerrie already did a brilliant pear quilt.

Suburban Fun

A couple weeks ago, I noticed the water department man checking the fire hydrant in front of our house. He does this once a month. Quickly, I called the kids to come see. They ran right out into the street to get soaked.Then we grabbed Lincoln and followed the guy around the block.
He checked two more hydrants and everyone had a blast.
It was so spontaneous and fun.
I should cultivate more spontaneity.

Painting

I had so much fun painting with my artist friends a couple of weeks ago. I blogged our paint-covered hands here. We worked on some large canvases that we plan to cut up and distribute to each artist. What will each of us do then?! We'll see.

I also did a few smallish canvases. I gave them to Jeff for our 17th anniversary last month. Here they are hanging in our bedroom.

I've been looking for something to coordinate with that quilt for years. It's called Blended Morn and was made in early 2005. I like the asymmetry of the hangings and the mix of media.

I have been inspired by paintings by Kelly Rae and Donna Downey lately. Clearly, I took some ideas from them.

What to do with those stacks of tiny wallet portraits from the school picture package? Collage and paint them.
I just might do more painting.

St. Louis

In August, we squeezed in one last trip before school started. We went to visit Jeff's parents in southern Illinois -- just across the river from St. Louis. The visit did not turn out to be an adventure-filled-time-with-Grandparents since Grandpa was recovering from a very serious illness. But, it was still very very good. Good to be with family.

We did take one day to visit The City Museum. I've blogged about this amazing place before. Seriously. Still amazing. In fact, it's probably one of my very favorite places in the whole world. I have been lucky to visit many places, there is no place like The City Museum.

These pictures don't begin to tell the whole story...

There is a new giant rope swing.
The roof-top garden/playground is open, guarded by a giant praying mantis. (See him in the middle of this picture?)Here he is again... watching over Jeff shooting down a slide.
Coolest bench ever.
Looking up seven stories into the old shoe factory, now giant maze/cave/tunnel/slide/explore-arama!
That is a mirrored, mosaic column behind me -- one of many. (Not to mention the mosaic floor.) Amazing.
One of our other favorite places...Visiting favorite places is very special, but that's just extra. The really good stuff is spending time with favorite people -- like cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. Family.

Lax

I just must sit down and post something. I've been a bad blogger. Sometimes I feel like I have lots of interesting things to say and then I go blank. Other times I feel I have nothing at all to report. Sigh. This is not uncommon. Several others have noted their blogging delinquencies of late. So, I'm not making any excuses and I know you are placing no blame.

I have just finished a major clean-up and re-do in Claire and Benjamin's rooms. We didn't do everything we hoped to do, but it's still a major improvement and we are no longer living with random furniture and mess everywhere.
We found this super fun set of bedding for Claire's room and we painted her walls teal to match. There are a few more things on the list for her room... but for now, it's comfortable and fresh! All the bedding pieces coordinate and can be flipped around for a different pattern. The set came with a bed skirt that I plan to turn into a window valance and maybe some throw pillows -- with matching rick rack!

We moved a few items around in Benjamin's room and ordered a red bean bag. What kid doesn't love a bean bag?!

I haven't been in the studio since I finished the two articles that will be published in upcoming magazines. But, that's been just fine. I needed a break. But, I'll be back to creating something soon. Goodness, the next 12x12 is due on October 1 and I don't even have any ideas brewing.

My sister and her husband are coming to visit this weekend, so we are looking forward to some fun family time. I'm planning to make blueberry crisp again. Yum-O!

... and Feet!

After all those pictures of hands, I thought I'd share some feet. I'm loving my new green tennies.By the way, my hands were in the second picture below. More painting today but not the fun mixed-media, canvas, arty, messy, inspiring kind...

I'm painting Claire's room. I did some cutting-in yesterday and will continue today. I'll be listening to podcasts including The Moth! Podcast lovers: you do know about The Moth, right?!