With some colored slips, the kids’ handbuilt mugs really came together today! They finished up detailing their handbuilt mugs, and then added a layer of colored slips to bring them to life. After they’re bisque fired, a layer of clear glaze will make then shiny & a bit more colorful. So much fun to see these projects come together with some great Summer Campers!!!

On Thursday, my morning summer campers did a handbuilding project… making handbuilt slab mugs with a theme! I challenged them to make two mugs that “go together” to tell a creative story… like day & night… like fire & water… like Harry Pottery & Voldemort!!! They may look a little “crusty” & “smudgey” right now, but I’m confident that when we add some colored slips they’ll all come together. I mean, they’re so cute already…

So this was another week of Wheelthrowing & Handbuilding Camp with some adorable summer campers! I had more great kids this week… younger in the morning & older in the afternoon. They all did a great job… although some threw themselves into their work a bit more than others. Quite literally for some!!!

Since the pandemic, we have NOT had any water fountains anywhere around the city! All shut down with the fear of spreading disease through close contact at the drinking fountain. Finally, some of the fountains were finally turned on along the bike trail… I’m guessing they’ve determined they’re safe enough… and better than dehydration during the recent hot-spell. But it was funny to see them this morning playfully dancing in the wind!!!

Generally not a “big fan” of getting solar flare spots in my sunrise photos. But then again, sometimes they can be quite beautiful. Like some this morning when there was so much misty spray in the winds that it was tough to keep my camera lens dry through the sunrise. And therefore… THIS happens!!! And I’m kinda okay with this one!!!

It sure was WINDY this morning!!! With strong breezes blowing in off the lake creating some crazy cool waves crashing in along the beaches! The first half was great fun as the wind was mostly at my back… but then you turn around & head back straight into the wind. Ugh. Never a good sign when the beach flags are flying straight out… and maybe a little upwards too!!!

This morning I woke to the sound of rain… and a Severe Thunderstorm Emergency Alert buzzer on my iPhone!!! YIKES!!!… kinda startling! So I rolled over and skipped my sunrise ride this morning. And instead decided to share these muted pastel photos from yesterday’s warm & sweaty sunrise ride!

The pre-dawn Chicago skyline!
Moody & dark with gentle shimmering reflections.

Vibrant colors & yummy flavors. A beautiful summer salad… served in a vibrant blue bowl. With just a bit of stamping along the rim of the bowl to really make it POP!!! Thanks for sharing your colorful salad creation with us Kristy!

A little texture for another TEXTURE TUESDAY!
Some natural textures on the colorful coleus leaves…
contrasted with some more texture in the bricks as a fun background.