Tonight's Art

The carpet tonight. -  not as interesting. 

 But I do like the art in the room...

Then there is the mirror and the lamp...also interesting!

Hibiscus

I really want this hibiscus...called "Erin Rachel".   It's hard to find and not hardy enough to be planted outside but I still want it.   There are many of this plant at Longwood Gardens. 

Art is where you find it.....

This is the carpet in the hallway in our hotel.  I find it very graphic and very appealing!

This is one of the artworks in our room!

Interesting Storefront

This is an interesting ladies apparel storefront I saw in the mall.   The bike is wrapped in heavy jute or twine, the seat and handlebars are another purple fabric, and there were lace doilies in the spokes of the wheels.  All sorts of beads and streamers hung from the top.   Not sure if it means anything but it was very eye catching.  

Another close up.  

Mandevilla

This year's mandevilla plant has reached the top of the garage and is winding around the eave trough.   The flowers are huge this year....one of my favorite climbing plants - ever!

More flowers.....

The first is flowers in a quilt.....it is nothing fancy, just a panel I found I had forgotten I owned.   I wanted to try a different way of quilting feathers.   I don't mark my quilting feathers.....I just free motion quilt them.   I may add some beading. I had a border on it which I ended up hating, so chopped it off and added a binding.   It would look nice in a frame, or as is.  I will probably donate this to my guilds silent auction.

More flowers are starting to arrive everyday.

My lovely butterfly bush near the front door is just starting to put out its flowers.

Not the best photo yet....but the very first hibiscus bloom.   These things are HUGE!

A "Day" of "Lilies"

These are my day lilies right now.  I'm having trouble with blogspot right now, so uploaded photos there and typing on my ipad.   I hope it works.

This lovely pink lily has several flowers, ALL facing the neighbors fence.   It has been hard to get a good picture of it.

Photo A Day

Yesterday I joined a group called "Photo A Day".   This group has been going on all year, but.....well, even though I found it a couple months ago, it took me until this month to decide to join.   Each day you are given a different prompt - and asked to take a picture, any picture, however you might be inspired, regarding this prompt.   Yesterday's prompt was "FAVE SMELL".   Even though I am very sensitive to some smells and frangrances such as soaps and perfumes, I do have a few that I really like.   One is bread that is baking - but since I wasn't baking bread I chose another favorite - Cinnamon.

This is photo is taken peering down into my jar of "Chinese Cinnamon".

Happy Birthday Sammy Renee

Today my oldest granddaughter turns 16.   How did this happen???   Everyone asks that, but the last 16 years have been such a joy!   I am so proud of the person she has become.   She loves life, tries everything...but mostly loves theater and being on stage.

 Brand new baby............the blanket I crocheted for her!

 Dancing with Grandma at the wedding!!!!

She loves Grandma's quilts!!!

 Anything Goes - on stage as Evangeline Harcourt!

Oh...........the drama!!!

All dressed up and ready for the prom - with Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Mark!

Quilt for Library Fundraiser

This quilt caught my eye at the recent Genesee Valley Quilt Club Show.   A member had made it as a fundraiser for the Fairport Library.   Each of the books has a person or family's name embroidered on the spine - for which they paid a fee ($25 maybe??) for that honor.   The quilter said she was able to set her machine to embroider 4 names at a time.   Very impressive - both in the concept and execution!!!

Clematis ......and........other fun!

The clematic by my mailbox is blooming heavily - taking over the whole mailbox.   I love it!!!!   Purple of course!   Actually, all 3 of my clematix are blooming right now - but this is the mailbox version!!!

 I knew I wanted to train it to go over the mailbox - it goes over, under and around!

 A little closer view!

 This is my favorite single blossom flower that I took yesterday.

 Then I decided to have fun in Photoshop with the liquify filter - still recognizeable, just a little more playful.

 OK, that wasn't enough.........time to play even more and add some "twirls and swirls:".   Really like this one, might have it printed!

Finally - a posterized view - just to highlight shadows, contrast etc.  

Photoshop is a lot of fun - if you have the time and patience to play.........and can remember what you did.

Given that my eyesight is still healing - this was something" big" on the screen to see.   Taking pictures has been good - easier to see things on the screen which are clearer with more detail.   Who knew????Still having a lot of trouble with print on the computer.   I do some emails, some Facebook posting , but really don't read  a lot, seems to be harder.   Typing here has been problematic!!!

Two of my friends with blogs - have a special section at the end.   I love both of their insights!!!  One says   "I Have Learned" and adds interesting tidbits.........so, I have learned I will need to be patient with myself and with others!  

The other friend says  "I Am Thankful" - I am thankful today for good friends I could call in a pinch to help me out!!!!

Still...........No Quilting! Moving Up day for Jacob

Still no quilting in my world, but I was able to work and complete something that finished off a project this morning.   I am anxious to get back to it - but.....maybe I'll take the time to clean and reorganize my sewing room............or.............maybe not. 

Anyway, here are a few photos of my Grandson's moving up day from elementary to middle school.   The last of my grandchidren have now left elementary school.   How the time flies.............

 The opening credits before the ceremony began.   The last hidden word is "Broadway"!   Big dreams!

 Being congratulated by his teacher!

 Showing off his diploma!

Jacob and his buddies!  

Such special times!!!!

Flowers and flowers - no quilting

Eye surgery this past week has stopped my quilting - DEAD IN ITS TRACKS!    I have finished one, but can't show here as it is a gift!

I have been taking pictures of some of my flowers.....through the camera lens and up close - they are quite visible!   I have a yellow columbine that is just gorgeous.   It is tall - with lovely "lemony" flowers!

 The leaves on the canna lilies are starting to unfurl.   Strange looking little things, but the colors are quite nice.

 The first coneflower is in bloom.  

 This is the clematis "covering" the mailbox - this was taken late in the evening with the west sun from behind the flowers.   Unfortunately, this clematis doesn't seem to stay in bloom as long as some others.

The lantana in pots..........they have been absolutely soaked with all the rains.   I move them to a more sheltered spot in the heavy rains, but they are doing well.   The colors attest to the fact they must like the water!!!!

Iron Quilter - Art Quilt Intensity at the Quilt Show

Saturday I took part in my first ever Iron Quilter project.   This was part of the Genesee Valley Quilt Club show in Rochester.   At 10:00 we were introduced to the crowd, at 10:15 we were given a theme (which we didn't know ahead of time) called "A Disappearing Act".......and a pile of fabric and 3 hours in which to create a finished quilt.   After everyone made a mad dash to the fabric table we began to work........intensely........for 3 hours.   Most everyone was using every possible second until we were told to "put down our needles".   This was my creation called "Watch Me Disappear" (a song title by the group 32 Leaves).   My theme was the disappearing leaves every fall!

 Fortunately, I had packed the perfect fabric (we could bring 3 of our own fabrics) for a background!

 I love thread work so you can see real leaves from fabric, and thread work leaves that disappear even more.  Notice the top left corner leaf seems to have a portrait silhouette......from someone who believes she was "born to live in nature"!

 More disappearing leaves in pinks, purples and reds.

I wasn't the "big" winner, or even second or third.....but......if you know me and my personality, you will know that I am methodical, organized, take much time to ponder everything hoping it is just right.   Therefore, I consider myself the "BIG" winner because I finished (without a nervous breakdown)!!!!!

It was a good show for me!   I entered 3 quilts and 2 won ribbons!!   I was thrilled and honored!

 "L'Autumno" won "Best Interpretation of Theme" for the Nature behind Bars Exhibit!

"Then...the Crocus" won in the art quilt division!!!

 This was my digital manipulated Bird of Paradise - just finished in time for the show.   This was from a class given by Julie Brandon and printed by her at Red Dog Enterprises.   You can find more information about Julie and her business at http://red-dogenterprises.com/.   A lot of threadwork and bead embellishments complete the quilt.

Both of my quilts, for judges comments, mentioned excellent use of embellishments as a positive!   Both also mentioned excellent quilting design and execution!!!!   You can't see either in these pictures......but always good to know our hard work is noticed!   As I said - it was a good show!!!!!!