Hot Mid-Summer, 2015
Kurt Wenner Street Painter
Dear Friends,
Last week in 101 degrees, we made our annual trek to the Salt Lake Arts Festival. In spite of the heat each year, we have such a great time strolling around--especially in the shady parts--tasting fun, odd food, watching performances, listening to music, and perusing the many varied offerings there are to see at a typical art festival--minus the funnel cakes . We have looked forward to this each year for as long as forever. We went when we were kids ourselves, then pushed strollers and toted backpacks when the boys were young, and met up with them during college summers. This year sadly neither boy was here, so Bob and Teri and I were on our own. Ahhhhh..... Sometimes, when it is very hot, I try to skip rows and pretend that we have already seen them, but Teri is tenacious--almost uncanny in her radar-like abilities, and she makes it her quest look at every single booth in the entire festival. Honestly, you would think that she would forget a row or two here and there, but no way. She knows and loves them all and is driven to see every single one. In one particular place, we happened upon a street artist and were totally amazed. Teri took this fabulous picture of him (drawing in the top left corner) and his artwork, and you can just see how unbelievable it is. You could hardly believe that it was a flat painting made with boxes and boxes of chalks. See how dimensional it is and how the figures seem to be sitting right up off of the picture. Teri has since gone on to his website and YouTube to find whole videos of his work and how he does it. It is completely amazing, and to think how truly temporary it is. If there had not been so many people, it would have been fun to sit and watch him all evening.
Wow, what a great way to start the summer.
Here is a little drink that Teri fixes when it is unbearably hot and it is very refreshing. It is supposed to be made for a crowd in a large punch bowl, but Teri has mastered the art of the single pitcher.
Just try it:
In a 2-quart pitcher thinly slice 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime and put the slices in the bottom. Scoop in 1/2 half can of Minute Maid frozen limeade concentrate from the freezer section. (Let it thaw just a few minutes so it is still mostly frozen.) Fill the pitcher up with crushed ice or ice cubes. Pour chilled Sprite Zero over the ice until the pitcher is almost full. Stir well to mix in the limeade. Pour into glasses letting ice go in as well. Enjoy. Sometimes we keep adding the Sprite if we are very thirsty.
Summer seems to be marching right along here at The Bush. It seems the whole country is either dealing with rain or heat, and we are definitely in the heat category. You just open the door to walk outside and you are hit with a blast of furnace-like heat. Ugh! I know, that we are lucky not to have too much humidity, but 105 is very hot just the same. I am kind of worried about the rest of July. I guess popsicles are on the menu for dinner tonight. Yay! We have been having a great time at the shop, so come with me on a little summer journey, and I'll show you some of the things that are new and fun.
Remember Me • A Sampler
Leaflet by Shepherd's Bush: $9.00
Kit for Framed Pierces: $49.30
Kit for Pillows includes backing fabrics: $83.90
Teri has been wanting to do this for a while, and I think it is very fun. If you stitch the designs on 32 count linen they can be framed as shown.
If you want to stitch pillows in 10 count, she has chosen a great set of JABCO buttons and the most fabulous backing fabric. Both projects use a variety of overdyed cotton threads and I think 1 set would stitch both. We are happy to create a kit with whichever parts you need.
Bee Brave kids kit: $15.00
Shepherd's Bush exclusive
Teri and Kari have collaborated on this sweet new children's kit. It is the perfect place to start your little ones. We begin kids stitching about 6 years old. The pattern is marked onto the fabric, so all they have to do is stitch. Easy! The kit comes with the fabric, thread, pattern marked on, and a little star button. We have a variety of other kids adorable kits, just check out our website under Shepherd's Bush Designs, then look for Kids Kits.
New Wings Scissors: $5.00 each
These are crazy little scissors, hummingbirds (top), bees (middle), owls (bottom). Pair them with a polka dot sheath, and you have a great gift for a stitching friend or perhaps yourself.
More New Scissors: $5.00
Summer seems to be the time for all these new scissors. How can you resist them? Butterflies (top), Shoes (middle), Angels (bottom)
Sparkly Hand-dyed RicRac
by YLI: $17.00 for 5 yards
We just unpacked these packages of ricrac and had to share them with you. They are each named for a great painter... Renoir, Van Gough, Grandma Moses... and they are all gorgeous and hand dyed so they slightly variegate. They all have a metallic thread running through them which almost looks like a metallic bead--very fun for finishing Christmas ornaments or pincushions. Honestly, we were a little surprised by the price, but they are so lovely that it is hard to choose which one is the prettiest. If you like to collect wonderful finishing things for your projects, you will absolutely love these. Take a look and see what you think.
Shepherd's Sampler
by Brenda Gervais
Pattern $12.00
We only stitched a portion of this darling sampler, and I loved they way it turned out. Teri changed the colors and used a hand dyed fabric ( it is a bit darker in person), and Nancy stitched it for the shop. It isn't very big, but it is sweet and gentle. Jill's framing is perfect for this little piece.
Halloween Magazine
$9.99
Halloween Magazine has arrived. Lynnette and Reeta have been pouring through it deciding which projects to stitch.
Shepherd's Fold Sneak Peak
Yes, the final part of the Shepherd's Fold is almost ready. I have it stitched and ready, and I think it is very fun. Everyone will be getting a sweet little surprise to go with this project, so get ready to stitch. Of course, we are still waiting for linen, so we are planning to ship this mid-August. I have to say, that I am going to be a little sad to finish up this sewing box. I have loved working on it and planning it. But don't worry, I have a some fun things already floating around in my brain. Watch for the blog in the next week or so, because we are going to post some darling accessories to go with this Fold piece. You will love them.
Foot by foot, row by row,
I'm gonna watch my garden grow....
The one thing that seems to like this heat, is the garden. Look at it...it is growing, growing, growing.
The squash has leapt over the box barrier and is beginning to climb the pole of an awning, and the tomatoes are almost to the tops of their cages. Everything has lots of blossoms, and we are watching eagerly for little fruits and veggies to appear. We have had a tiny harvest of beans and there are 4 little green tomatoes. So I just have to tell myself to be patient and enjoy the green journey.
So, be safe out there this week and try to stay dry and cool. Take a moment from the weeding and watering and just sit in your garden and watch the insects flutter through it and smell the sweet fragrance of green-ness. And...don't forget to visit your Farmer's Market. Ours is starting soon, and we can't wait. It is always our Saturday morning excursion on our way to work, and it sets us up for the week. I can't wait for fresh corn, cucumbers for pickles, and our very own tomatoes. Happy 4th of July. hugs, Tina
