Inktober

On By CarynIn art

That time of year has rolled round again: Inktober! The idea is that you make an ink drawing and share it every day, even if it just on your fridge. I’m posting on Instagram at #CarynsCreationsTX. There is more information at https://inktober.com. I’m following their prompts, but it certainly isn’t required.

The prompt for this ink drawing was “bulky”

Last year I drew something chicken themed for each prompt. This year I want to go minimal. I like art that is the hint and essence of an object. It is how I like to approach making logos, but I usually use Illustrator, so designing in ink pushes me out of my comfort zone. Taking the minimal approach certainly isn’t time saving, as each line and fill needs to be so much more precise, but it is turning out to be a good exercise. Before using any of these further, I would refine them in Illustrator, but again, the idea is to push out of comfort zones and increase skills. Happy #Inktober!

Pacifier

On By CarynIn dog
Missy cuddled on my lap, chewing her pacifier, watching football

My human children never took to a pacifier, it is amusing that our youngest dog does. She runs around crazy, then asks to get on my lap. Once there, she likes to chew her bumpy nylabone until she falls asleep. Silly puppy. She also watches the TV.

Yes, I still do needle craft

On By CarynIn Craft

With virtual learning and a puppy to watch it has been hard to find the time and energy to do any needle craft, but I did find some space to get back to a nålbinding project now that my youngest is F2F (it probably dates me that I am using this abbreviation for the first time). Not only did I get to stitch, I did so outside in beautiful weather. Bliss.

This is drop spindle spun undyed alpaca and the plan is to make many small spirals and stitch them together to make … something. The plan is in flux, but if the technique works, I will probably make many things using the method. I like spirals, and I dislike making large boring blocks that never end. Somehow a large stack is different than a big rectangle.

Nålbinding spirals with a grapevine nål and hand spun alpaca yarn

Nomenclature

On By CarynIn Flora

I was at an outdoor amphitheater for a school event and someone yelled out that they needed all the kids to go grab a crab apple and put one per bag to keep the bags from blowing away. Being a northerner, I was completely confused, as one crab apple wouldn’t hold anything down. But the kids didn’t blink and they all went to find one. They came back with huge green heavy fruit, which I have been calling osage oranges. Putting one of these rock hard monster fruit in the bottom of a bag of balloons makes complete sense. It also demonstrates the need for scientific nomenclature when identifying plants when species is critical. Although I’m not sure yelling “go get Maclura pomifera!” would get the same reaction.

Two Osage orange fruit, locally known as “crab apples”

Hot dog

On By CarynIn dog
Splayed leg pup

After having a good solid romp out back, little miss decided to cool off on the concrete floor, belly down, legs splayed for maximum contact. I could say that she lies like a rug. I could say she looks like a very small trophy rug, but that would be lyin’. She could reply that these puns are awesome, but she’s lying. The lies lie heavy on my shoulders, I think I need to go lay my head down.