Art in motion at the World Cup this week

Watching the World Cup soccer games has been a blast so far.

I hated seeing the US lose yesterday, but you can watch the great goal made by Ghana to put the score at 2-1.

Find it on Huffington Post.

Sampling the good life: single malt whiskies

When I saw this news about whisky consumption in The Economist, I wanted to check out the trend. Then I realized I have been using the spelling "whiskey," but now I see this applies to American whiskey! The kind I drink is a single malt Scotch "whisky." A fun web site to visit for more info is Malt Madness.

The Economist says, "the volume of Scotch whisky exports rose to a record 1.1 billion bottles last year, worth $4.9 billion. The value of exports has risen by over 40% since 2000 as more whiskies have gone upmarket and increased their prices. France, America and Spain are the largest markets, but the fastest growth is coming from South America."

If you want to sample some various single malts, try Mac McGees Irish pub in Decatur.

A new passion: fabric

I am finding a new art passion - working with fabrics to make things. No doubt many have found this passion in one form or another for centuries, but I am now on to this in my own way.

Was I encouraged by watching Project Runway? Yes! The talented designer-cast members are exceptional to start with, and watching them design, select fabric and then create clothing has been fun and inspiring. I am now a regular at fabric stores, browsing every isle for wonder patterns and fabrics to jump out. I have started with making handbags, the easiest kind!

I will collect my photos of these - taken with my phone, so we will see if they look decent.

Designing furniture: Milan 2010 and other finds

Furniture Fashion Magazine online is the origin of this photo - visit the web site.

Here is a very cool job that apparently Jill Singer and Alissa Walker have at Fast Company for the Design section. Whether they are stringers on on staff, going to the Milan 2010 design conference looks like an awesome gig.

Visit the web site to see some interesting furniture captured over a few days.

If you want to see some fun designs, go to Google images and look for "chair designs.

Best of all, visit the web site of a friend of mine who designs and makes exquisite furniture, living in Asheville - J.D. Allen Studio.

Sky after the storm for Sky Badge

Torrents of rain,
Saturated and flooding,
Many days of misery for many,
Sailing from homes.


Today awakes,
The world, my world,
Powder blue, almost October sky,
Dabs of white painted here.

On the hill, over the city,
Light of morning,
Cast shapes of gold and lemon,
Over sturdy skyscrapers.

Mist low in altitude,
Creates a pattern, a mosaic,
Exhaled air,
Against the vertical.


Thank you to Tim's pictures for the image.