GONE TOO SOON

We almost had it -- enough fall color to impress our northern relatives who arrive next week, and who are forever going on about their dang maples when they come to visit!

But then, this dang arctic blast came barreling through our little town like a runaway locomotive, and took most of our newly-turned leaves with it!

It just isn't fair...

DYING FOR INDIGO

My daughter never ceases to amaze me. I am forever the student, but not her. She takes one class in something, reads a few articles when she gets home, and next thing you know, she's the guru who's teaching everyone else how to do it! Which is how a couple of the Muses and I, and one of Lexi's good buddies, all ended up having a fun Indigo Shibori Tie-Dye adventure at her house last week.

Using things like rubberbands, popsicle sticks and twine, we twisted and folded our fabrics.

You must stir the dye very slowly and gently, so as not to create any oxygen bubbles.

When we first take them out of the dye and unfold them, there is a lot of green mixed in with the blue, but as soon as it is exposed to the air it starts to oxidize, and the green disappears. Which always makes me sad. I really like that green! Then it's onto the drying rack out in the sun.

Like I said, although Lex and I both took just the one Shibori class at Lucky Star Art Camp, she is miles ahead of me in this. In her research afterwards, she discovered something called stitch resist tie-dying, where you do rows of stitching in your fabric to make patterns, and pull the thread to create shirring, before dipping it into the dye. It sounded tedious to me, but was right up her alley as she loves doing needlework while watching TV. I have never been able to multitask like that.

The results were simply amazing!

A Fabulous Transformation of a Solid Beige Dress Got At A Clothing Swap

For Calvin and Little Sister

Hopefully, we will someday be able to get her to teach another class down here in Wimberley, when the rest of the Muses can attend!

THE COLORS AND PATTERNS OF PORTUGAL

One of the first things you are sure to notice upon your arrival in Portugal is the Calçada Portuguesa -- the black and white limestone mosaics covering the sidewalks and plazas. Each one unique, yet unifying.

Beautiful, but dangerous. For one thing, they can be very slippery when wet, and we had more than a few drizzly days. Also, there are so very many of these in Portugal that they just can't keep up with the repairs, and you are liable to twist an ankle stepping into a hole, if you don't pay attention. How women manage to traverse these in stilettos, I will never know.

Then there is all the beautiful tile work gracing many of their buildings, much of it dating back to the times when Portugal was occupied by the Moors.

Pieces Found For Sale At The Thieves Market

My very favorite colors and patterns, however, were found in the bits and pieces of Art Nouveau architecture that were sprinkled about.

All in all, a most beautiful country!

A MYSTERY ADVENTURE

Adventure Boy has really been keeping me busy this past week. Yesterday he had me out chasing wildflowers (photos later), but last Friday, when there were no movies left that we wanted to see on "Date Day", he decided to take me on one of his mystery adventures -- the kind where I don't know where I'm going 'til I'm there! This time we ended up on the shores of Lake Austin.

Welcome to Hula Hut, doing their best to "Keep Austin Weird" for over 25 years!

Hula Hut is kinda like one of those "choose your own story" books, where you get to decide what happens next along the way. Why? Because you get a totally different experience, depending on where you decide to sit or hang out.

And talk about color-mad!

It may not have been the best seafood I ever had, but I gotta give it 5 Stars for atmosphere!

 

WHAT IS FOLK ART: INSPIRATION FROM MY COLOR-MAD HOME

My hubby had noticed me sketching my favorite candlesticks on the mantle, but didn't say anything until I began adding color. Then he couldn't resist asking "Wait a minute. Aren't they supposed to be more of a..." I stopped him right there with a hand in his face. "Nope. They aren't "supposed" to be anything. This is folk art, which means they can be whatever I dang well please!"

According to Heather Galler, author of that wonderful little jewel of a book, Folk Art Fusion, folk art is everyday people using simple artistic techniques, bright colors, and childlike perspectives to create art as a means of self-expression, rather than art that's "correct." It relies on experience, community, and heritage rather than formal training. It is art that is felt, rather than taught. It is everyday people using art to bring their feelings, ideas, expressions and customs to life.

I think I finally found my niche!