TUESDAY TEXTURE--GARDEN TEXTURE

                                           NOW THAT'S SOME BROCCOLI!!!

These are two gigantic heads of broccoli my husband just picked from our garden. These are, by far, the biggest heads we have ever gotten (no steroids added). I love their texture--in the garden and on the plate. In our garden they sit right next to the wispy, smooth and shiny lettuce leaves. On the other side are the ever encroaching gigantic squashes and their leaves and the fern-like carrot tops. Soon the broccoli will be finished producing and the squash and carrots will take over, but right now those big beautiful flowering heads of broccoli reign supreme.

In high school home economics I learned about the importance of planning meals that are not only nutritionally balanced but also ones that are visually appealing in terms of texture and color. Broccoli, cooked to perfection, provides beautiful color and visual and tactile texture on the plate. All of that adds to the anjoyment of a meal.  It's broccoli season. Go ahead and enjoy some.

MORE FUN WITH LEAVES

Not too long ago I learned how to make silk paper. There are many methods for creating this luminous paper. I prefer using a textile medium as the "glue" to bond the fibers together. In continuing my fascination with leaves, I stumbled upon a process for creating lovely silk leaves out of the "paper".

Basically the process involves pressing leaves with the vein side down into wet sheets of silk paper. When dried, the leaves can be peeled off the paper and you are leflt with an impression of the leaf. Cut them out and you have lovely silk leaves. Lovely on their own or to be used in further arthwork. Here are my favorites. All leaves were painted except for the botton oak leaves which were created out of already dyed silk hankies. For more information on making silk paper see SILK PAPER  A GUIDE TO MAKING AND USING IT IN TEXTILE ART by Sarah Lawrence or SILK 'PAPER' CREATIONS FOR THE FIBRE ARTIST by Judith Pinnell.