Saturday, July 31, 2010

When it rains again in Tucson

Take a look at the flowing water in the Santa Cruz 24 hours after yesterday's post! It's been higher, a few years ago, but this was rather spectacular. By 4 in the afternoon (this was taken at 6:30 in the morning) the river was back to a slightly lower flow than yesterday's high.

When it rains in the desert...







Yes, it really does rain in the Arizona deserts, in the summer and winter, and the summer rain pattern is called the Monsoon. When these rains finally come, and they were a bit late this year, the dry riverbeds fill with very powerful flowing water. Here are some photos of the Santa Cruz River, usually only a few feet wide and inches deep with treated water from the facility a little bit downstream. This past morning I took a walk on a paved walkway on the riverbank on my way home from work, and this is what I saw.

The ducks are a bit of a bonus, though they are frequently swimming around.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

New Treatment of Old Tecchniques


I happen to be a needlework addict: knitting since the age of 6, crocheting since college, embroidering in different ways all along the way. Hardanger, a form of withdrawn thread work that originated in Norway, is the latest technique I've learned, though it was abou 17 years ago, and I give it my own twist, like everything else in my crazy life.

My newest creation in Hardanger is now for sale in my Artfire studio, Hardanger brooches. They are seen nowhere else on Artfire, Zibbet, or Etsy, that I could find before listing them, and I only hope they go over well. The technique of Hardanger is usually done in white or ecru thread on matching fabric, but I love using color in unusual ways, so mine are all done in unique color combinations. I have one example here, just go to my studio, Acadienne, if you want to see what else I have up my sleeve.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Christmas in July on Artfire

Now is the time to shop for your Christmas gifts on Artfire! Premium handmade gifts are reduced in price in some studios, or, like me, some are just promoting their reasonably priced ornaments and gifts. Lots of goodies to buy, and then you can relax during the holiday rush and be the envy of all your friends!