Wednesday heat and two noteworthy giveaways

The heat was definitely on yesterday when I was out and about. I stopped across from my bank long enough to take these photos.

In case you can't read this one, it is 1:57 pm.

And this reads 106 degrees (which is F, but translates to about 41.8 C). After I took the photo and was on my way, the sign changed to 107. I decided it wasn't worth taking another photo. You will have to take my word for it. I heard that the heat index was up around 114 about that time, but that was just "out and about" talk, not anything official. And these were the only two photos I took too. I just didn't feel like doing much of anything, much less taking pictures.

I bet you are really tired of reading how hot it is here, since that's about all I've written about for nearly two weeks. I've become a broken record and the song needs to end. So no more mention of the heat this month. I promise.

So what's in the bag? I couldn't believe when I went to the thrift store today that they packaged my purchases in this bag. You KNOW I'll be using those images in my art.

So what did I buy? From upper left moving clockwise, I bought a breakable that caught my eye. It is very pretty and Terri at Artful Affirmations was showing tea cup handles on her Tea Cup Tuesday post. I realize it's not a tea cup, but it had unusual handles and was a real impulse buy. I have no real idea what it is, but I'll use it for something artsy.

Next to the bowl is a bunch of crepe paper in Halloween/Autumn colors. Wendy is sitting on a blouse I didn't bother straightening. This was how it came out of the bag. At Wendy's feet are some foam alphabet letters in pink and red (to be used for Valentine's Day apparently). Next to that is Joy, or a whole package of Joy, if you will (probably a Christmas decoration). Then there's the lace doily.

And finally, a bag of buttons. Actually, they were all inside the

container that looks like a spool of thread, but I removed them and stuck them in a baggie until I can sort them. I wanted the container more than anything else. I also bought a cup, but you will have to wait till Tuesday to see it.

And finally (since I have NO art to show today), once again I've found two noteworthy giveaways. The first one is from Liz Smith a fellow WOYWWer at ReaLize creations. Click on her name to go directly to her giveaway post. All you have to do is leave a comment. Giveaway ends Sept. 1.

The second giveaway required that I add the photo in a post, and I didn't think that was too much to ask for someone I'd never heard of, but who was offering 1000 sheets of paper (split among 5 people and can be won by anyone, anywhere in the world). This giveaway is so popular there were over 550 entries last night when I copied the photo. This ends Sept. 3. I know a lot of you are paper addicts, so I thought this giveaway might be up your alley. Here's the direct link to Amy's A thousand sheets of paper giveaway. She has some stamps, too.

Today I'm featuring another web site. This one is called One-Eyed Kachina and the artists are Nancy Young and Allen Young. Nancy's art begins with her handmade paper that she then casts into molds she also creates. Allen focuses mainly on encaustic monoprints. If you use resin, beeswax, or encaustics in your collages, or make your own paper, you are going to love this site. I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.