which is in fact my favorite thing to see out the window. It was cool and not-sunny, so once I was up I headed out for a bike ride, even before I checked the weather forecast. I finally turned around when it began to rain, and I could hear thunder in the distance. Then I saw a flash of lightning, probably across the river, and was glad I was almost home.
We often had summer thunderstorms when I lived in New England, but they have been rare here, at least in the past. As the noise of the storm increased, I shut down the electronics, and instead decided to tackle the rest of the ever renewing Mt Dishmore. The lights flickered a few times, but we didn't lose power here. I am worried about how all the lightning has probably started many more fires, without enough ensuing rain to douse them. For now, for here, though, all is well
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~ moody blues ~
Yesterday my local art store, Artist and Craftstman Supply, held a hands on indigo dyeing demo, and I couldn't resist (ha ha!)... I took a largeish piece of lightweight linen from my resource shelves, 32" square after hemming the edges, and headed over there early in the day. I hadn't really planned ahead, or I would have tried preparing some more elaborate stitched shibori, so I decided to see what I could do using the rubber bands that were provided. I am quite pleased with the finished results, which will be a great addition to my scarf wardrobe. I am also curious about the internal variegation of the dyed portion, which has an almost crystalline appearance that is very pleasant, but I've no idea what caused it ~ moody blues ~
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Today I finally tackled altering/refurbishing the horses print blouse I made a few years ago, the one I recently decided the ¾ sleeves were too short. I cut away the peplum to use it for fabric to lengthen the sleeves. There was enough fabric, other than that I was unable to come anywhere close to matching the print, and in places that mad my efforts looks peculiar. But at least the color and hand of the cotton is identical, and often the sleeves are sort of scrunched up onto my forearms so the alteration is not that visible.
The missing peplum is being replaced with the other fabric I bought online. I had hoped for the exact same print, but the background color is slightly darker brighter blue, and the substrate is more like quilt cotton than like cotton lawn. Thankfully no one will ever see the mismatch, since I only wear blouses under my pinafores.
Reattaching the peplum is a bit tricky, part machine work and part hand stitchery, because I didn't want to remove the front button band section and the bias trim. Once that is done I will do a narrow bias bound hemline and call it done. The whole recombinant effect is a bit kludgy, but I am hoping it will turn a blouse that mostly just sat in my closet into one that I will be able to wear regularly...
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I opened the bedroom curtains Saturday morning: lo and behold, a bunny was sitting under the Wanda plum tree! Apparently the rabbit population here is increasing, as I have seen more rabbits in the last few months than in the twenty years I have been living here. Prior to this year, I think I only ever saw one, several years ago in my front yard. This is the third one I have seen this summer! 
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July SMART goals (x=extra)
| # | THINGS MADE | THINGS FIXED | THINGS GONE |
| 1 | 4 tiny knit vests | cleaned keyboard | recycle bin |
| 2 | tiny cargo pants | pruned grapevine | yard waste bin |
| 3 | very smol Birks | horses blouse | recycle bin |
| 4 | silkworm print | - | - |
| 5 | 4 reversible skirts | - | - |
| 6 | Peach tinyprint | x | x |
| 7 | 8 tiny tops | x | x |
| 8 | 2 tiny cardigans | x | x |
| 9 | x | x | x |
today's gratitudes -
1. The thunderstorm today has probably improved the air quality locally, at least for a while
2. One of the store clerks yesterday complimented my clothing ('cos apparently my attire is noticeable enough that they recognise me!) while I was unlocking my bike to ride home, and we had a short chat about sewing. I encouraged her to be brave and try it, and pointed out that making mistakes is part of learning.
3. There are currently 14 people signed up for the Advent swap. Almost halfway to 31. I hope I can encourage more folks to participate, to increase the ambient random whimsy!
Time of Isolation - Day 1471
Wonderful Indigo dye work. Congrats on reworking the shirt to be more wearable. It's often fiddly, so well done!!
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