Today we are going to be coping with 100 degree temperatures in Seattle. We still don’t have proper shades, but do have a nice southern and western exposure, so we get some sun. By 10 am my studio windows are taking the full impact and it is the hottest room in the house. By noon it is on the back windows, where it will hover for the rest of the afternoon.
Coping with August heat brings up lots of memories of growing up in Olympia and the routine my mom had for coping with the heat. She had four kids coming in and out of the house, but we were well-trained to shut the doors behind us. Drapes were drawn, windows closed. After Mom started working, we kids had to maintain the routine. I also remember making apple pies and applesauce, in which I was an unwilling participant. There was also canning, in which I never participated and have only the grimmest memories of as being time-consuming, hot, and messy and only done on the hottest days.
We had a basement where the sewing machines were set up and we would sew from morning until afternoon, squeezing in the list of chores Mom left for us. Eventually we would drift to the backyard to lay on the chaises under the apple tree and read, or sunbathe on the deck, or go off to seek our friends. I was always making additions to my wardrobe, so sometimes a trip to buy fabric was on the agenda. But the basement was my spot–and it was cooler than anywhere else.
Today I am planning my Art Button for my small Taos. I need to find some fabric to cover the button form and I think I have scraps from an unfinished top that will work. I want to use the remaining generous yard of yarn, a piece from a broken bracelet, and I’m not certain what else. It will depend on how the fabric looks, and how much of it needs to be covered. My goal is to make the perfect button, without having to go out and buy any supplies. Look at my Instagram feed next week for progress on the button. Today is just collecting.
I have some art journal pages I’d like to work on, and a whole lot of planning to do. All of which seem like tasks that I can do while coping with the heat. I may have to use the dining room table later in the day as it is the coolest spot. I love these art journal pages. It is nice to have someone give you a prompt, then I think about it–or sometimes don’t think about it and see what happens. I have not bought anything but more Tombow markers. I’ve found lots of art supplies that were appropriate for this challenge. I have been substituting water colors for the tempera paint suggested. Yesterday I made a glaze of Elmer’s glue and water to paste the paper on top of my painting. She’s been doing finger painting, but I’m not ready.
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