She'll Go Anywhere With You

Just sharing some photos of my newest listing, Tropical Reef. I was very happy with how this one turned out. The colors - coralish red, golden tangerine and rosy pink - are super brilliant in the sunshine. You can click over to my Etsy shop (expressionsinsilk) for more photos and more info.

She is a hand painted silk sarong that will go with you most anywhere. She loves to go to the beach because she knows she looks smoking hot . . . and she loves to be stared at! She'll even go to the pool with you, but she doesn't like to get it. Chlorine and other chemicals are deadly to her.

She loves nothing more than wrapping herself around you (as a dress or skirt) and going out on the town. Whether it's dancing or shopping, she'll have a blast. She not all about the wild nightlife. She also loves to compliment your little black dress by draping herself around your shoulders, and spending a quiet evening with that special someone or close friends.

Sometimes she just likes to hang out at home, preferably decorating a piece of furniture or a blank wall.

My sister, The Beaded Edge, has entered her Cobalt Blue Bracelet in Tim Adam's Photo Contest. Take a moment and vote for her photo and give her a chance to win! Just click on the picture to go straight to the voting page.

COBALT BLUE BRACELET

Daycation!

I have not had a vacation in . . . I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a vacation. It doesn't look like I'll be able to have one anytime soon. No week long (or weekend) trip to laze on the beach or explore a mountain trail is in my future. So, I decided to take a day here and there - a daycation!

Coming up with a destination for my first daycation was easy -- the zoo. I ignored the jokes (you live in a zoo!) and made my plans. I even invited others to come along to share in my daycation. My mom was the only one that came along.

The NC Zoo is, in my opinion, a great zoo. Unlike other zoos I have visited, the NC Zoo does not have their wildlife in small cages or tiny areas. They have large areas to roam, and you're not guaranteed to see the animals in an exhibit. If you have a chance to visit the NC Zoo, bring your binoculars. You'll need them to see some of the wildlife.

My personal favorite are the polar bears. For as long as I can remember, I've had a fascination with polar bears. Because of the heat, the handlers (that are always close by to answer questions) said the bears had the option of staying in where it is cool or coming out. Their habitat is large (though not as large as their natural habitat) with a big, deep pool and lots of toys. One bear had opted to say in, while the other graced us with his presence. He spent the day snoozing on the highest rock. As hot as it was, I would have thought he would want to be swimming in his pool. I snapped a few dozen photos of him. Even though I know he can tear me in half with his huge paws, I still think polar bears have a cute and cuddly look!

I'm not sure when I can spare another day, but I'm already planning my next daycation!

A Little Ray of Sunshine

I thought I would share A Little Ray of Sunshine with everyone. Here (on the far left) she is while she was still drying. I used a muscadine wine in the center and faded out to a sunset orange and golden yellow.

Then I drew (with salt) a half sun on each end with some flaming rays. The idea was for the half suns to make one full sun. When you wear it, you'll be carrying around your own ray of sunshine!

By Saturday she was dry, so I steamed her along with several other silks. They all came through the steamer with no mishaps. Sometimes steaming is a "hold your breath and hope for the best" step in silk painting.

Yesterday, I was able to get a lot of silks photographed. The sun and lighting was just perfect! I hope to get her listed in my Etsy shop this afternoon.

Now, I'm plotting my next silk scarf. Do you think anybody will wear a lizard or a fish???

Monday Morning Surprises

I didn't have the greatest of weekends. It could have been worse, but it most definitely could have been a lot better. As I was powering up for the day, I learned that bloomburygroup included one of my silks in her Treasury. It is always a flattering to be recognized by another artist. She included Meet Me At Sunset. Drop by Etsy and check out the Treasury (leave a comment if you are inspired). Also, while you are there, be sure to visit bloomsburygroup's shop. She makes some wonderfully unique art dolls.

My next surprise was a message from Gloria's Jewelry Box. She awarded me, along with 14 other blogs, the One Lovely Blog Award. I, of course, accept this award with a silly grin on my face. Decked out in my dye splattered shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, I hold up my invisible plaque and thank everyone who made it possible.

In my acceptance of this One Lovely Blog Award, I am posting the Rules of Blog Award acceptance:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

It is my honor to pass the One Lovely Blog Award to:

Baby Jaynes - http://www.babyjaynes.blogspot.com/

Bohemian Butterfly - http://www.bohemianbutterflycollections.blogspot.com/

Cow Island - http://www.cowislandblogspot.blogspot.com/

I Have A Print - http://www.ihaveaprint.blogspot.com/
Kala Pohl - http://www.kalapohl.blogspot.com/
Little Dickens Designs - http://www.littledickensdesigns.blogspot.com/
Living Glass Art - http://www.livingglassart.blogspot.com/
Mackin-Art - http://www.mackin-art.blogspot.com/
Moon Through Fog - http://www.moonthroughfog.blogspot.com/
Robyn's Art - http://www.robynsart.blogspot.com/
Sew Danish - http://www.sewdanish.blogspot.com/
Southern Girl Florals - http://www.southerngirlflorals.blogspot.com/
SpiderBite - http://www.spiderbiteboutique.blogspot.com/
WendiWinn - http://www.wendiwinn.blogspot.com/
With Hugs and Kisses - http://www.withhugsandkisses.blogspot.com/

Go forth and discover new blogs!

A Work in Progress

Showing one of the scarves I painted today. It's a crepe de chine silk scarf in some bold shades of deep turquoise and deep fuchsia with a butterfly design. As you can see, it still stretched out and drying. Hopefully it will be ready for the steamer by the end of the week, and will hit my Etsy shop next week.

So, what did you do today?