Thread weaving

 I tend to see something someone made, think I can do it, and go down a rabbit hole.  This was no exception.  I'd made a few Dorset buttons before, but when I saw some beauties online, I decided it was time for me to make some more.  And to make them into something that was potentially saleable at the Weavers' Guild Holiday Sale.  FYI, Gina-B Silkworks has some great videos on YouTube. 

So I made 4 pairs of earrings.  I am varying degrees of happy with them.

I wasn't ready to stop with this particular rabbit hole, and made a left-hand turn into mandala buttons.  I am happy with a three sets, and really enjoyed making them.

In fact, I don't think I'm done making mandala buttons just yet.  But I need to find some other use for them, as I don't see them being purchased for use as actual garment buttons.  I have a few ideas, but I'm not yet sure if they'll pan out.

Meanwhile, to be sure I put the beautiful summer weather to good use, I've been out in my kayak when I can.  My last paddle in the Creek was lovely, and I saw two different swan families, each with Mom, Dad, and 4-5 cygnets, some with their white feathers and some still in gray down.  I know this is a bad photo, but I never want to disturb the birds by getting too close, nor do I like taking my phone out of the dry bag while I'm in the water, so this was the best I could do.

What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Me and my paddle…

 …cruising down my old familiar creek. 

Today the weather was perfect, the water was perfect, and my hips decided to play along. It doesn’t get better than that!  

 I went to Irondequoit Creek, a mere 1-1/2 miles from home. Put in a bit clumsily, but stayed dry. (Thinking I really should take a lesson at the local paddling center to both learn and practice how to do this better.)  As usual  my cell phone stayed in my dry bag, so no pix of mine.  I did see some really great birds today: mama Mallard and her 3 little ducklings sitting on a log.  They actually stayed there as I floated by, probably only 3' away.  Mama & papa swan and their cygnets; 3 in the water and 2 or 3 more catching a ride on mama's (or maybe papa's) back.  They were a bit more wary of me, but still I got probably 8-10' away.

As soon as I got in, I realized I had forgotten to do what I intended, which was to slather my hips-at least my right hip-with Biofreeze before I left home. I even got it out of the medicine cabinet and STILL forgot to put it on. 

Anyway, once in the kayak it was clear to me that it would be a decent hip day. So I took a fork in the Creek I don’t usually do, and paddled for 2-1/2 miles, just under an hour heading upstream. 

The red dot is where I started, the blue circle is where I turned around, taking the left fork at every choice.  BEAUTIFUL!

At that point both hips started grumbling, so I turned around and headed back to the put in. It was a GREAT paddle today. YAY!! ❤️🛶💕