On Facebook this morning, my friend Patrick posted this picture of his rose plant (actually his father planted it many years ago).   I love the way the shadows play on this, and enlarged you can see the dew on the leaves.   It almost looks "posterized"....    I can see it in a quilt with varying shades of pinks and sheer fabrics.   Just beautiful!!!

Spring Flowers + perfect weather = no quilting!

This has been the most perfect weather - warm, sunny days, blue skies, cool nights, everything is starting to come up green!   The spring flowers are everywhere.   We are in for a change of weather, but this weather has made me SO happy!!!!  I sleep well every night because I work so hard in the gardens all day (I'm afraid to come in and sit down because I know this can't last and there is much to do)!

 The hostas grow a couple of inches every day.   The ones in the pots and box are going to the garden club auction next week.

 My new bleeding heart bush - I wanted one to replace the dead azalea at the corner of the sunporch.   I can see this every morning from the kitchen window.

 Last year's bleeding heart bush - doing well. (I thought it was a goner last year)

 We have lots of lilacs this year - the first time in our 3 years in this house.

 Euphorbia bush.   I happened upon this at Garden Factory and I just love it - all the different colors!

 Candytuft

 The dogwood is in bloom - again, the first time in the 3 years we've been here.   (I guess the 3rd time is a charm!!!!)

I can't have spring flowers (other than daffodils) because the wildlife like them too much.   So I planted in pots.   They didn't look like much when I dragged them out of the garage a month ago, but they have been putting on a real show this past week.

It's spring!!!!!! Flowering Trees.......

It's springtime at my house.   Loving all the flowering trees and spring flowers.   It has been perfectly, perfect weather for over a week now.   A few more days and we will be getting rain - which they say we need.   Maybe only at night - like Camelot!!!

This is our plum tree in full bloom.............the forsythia is on the way out and the sandcherry has come and gone!!!  

Brookgreen Gardens - Sculptures

While in Myrtle Beach, we visited the Brookgreen Gardens - known as a sculpture garden, but also had wonderful flowers and flowering trees and a butterfly exhibit.   Here are some of the sculptures!

 My husband, sharing the newspaper with a figurine as we entered the park.

 I loved this one - called "Motherhood".

 I also thought this was a neat one - of a girl retrieving something from the pool.

 The local pipe player!

Always a fun scultpture, seen in many gardens!

Myrtle Beach - Spanish Moss Covered Trees

I spent the week in Myrtle Beach last week.   While there we toured Brookgreen Gardens near Pawley's Island.   It is mainly a sculpture garden, but the azaleas and dogwoods were a beautiful combination.   What I was relaly fascinated by was the spanish moss that hung from all the trees.

 I especially love the reflective qualities in this one.   Hmmm, idea for the future????

 Yes, all that white is spanish moss!   Just amazing!

 Then there were the Iris by the water.   This reminds me of a round robin I worked on a bit ago.  

More to come later!!!

6 x 6 mini quilt for ROCO fundraiser

This is actually a repost of a mini quilt from the other day.   I just have a better picture of it.

I made this for the 6 x 6 2013 fundraiser for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center.   You can see more information at  http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2013_intro.php.  Last year they collected over 4000 entries from all around the world.   They do post them online at some point and it is fun to watch (hopefully) the "sold" sticker appear next to your name.

My quilt was done in the Ann Brauer technique of using small 1/4 inch strips.   There is yarn and beading across the middle (the horizon of the water) and larger beads on the bottom (the beach).   Hence it is called "On the Beach".

Whether it sells or not - it was fun trying this technique.

Orchids, photo ops and possible new quilt ideas

I'm behind in a new posting, due to a death in my "extended family" and planning for vacation.    So, I am going to quickly share a few of the favorite orchid photos I took at the orchid show last Saturday in Rochester.     Some of the colors were just outstanding and I took WAY MORE photos than I needed to, but I am still learning my new camera.   Unfortunately, I don't have names for all of them.   But enjoy the colors!

   I have completed another 6 x 6 for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center fundraiser.   Each work is to be 6 inches by 6 inches.   Artists form all over the world donate.   Patrons can purchase for $20 each.   It's always fun to watch the "sold" sign go up on a piece you submit.   Since I have been working in the Ann Brauer technique, I did a small piece with the 1/4 inch strips.   There is a line of beads and yarn across the center, and 3 larger beads across the bottom.   I have called it "At the Beach".

I have learned:

1.  The best laid plans often have to be adjusted and sometimes you just have to make a choice and do what you feel is best, given the circumstances.   Cut your losses and let peace of mind rule over financial considerations.
2.   Travel insurance isn't guaranteed..unless you can meet requirement A-Z.   I will think twice about that next time.
3.iPhone takes getting used to - even if you own an ipad which is supposed to be exactly the same.

I am grateful for a husband who spoiled me on Saturday with a trip to the orchid show, the phone store and Olive Garden!   It was a GREAT day!.

Ann Brauer Technique

In our ArtCGirlz group, one of our members has been experimenting with the 1/4 inch strip technique of Ann Brauer.   She decided to teach us how to do it at our meeting in March.   We were supposed to do it in "taupes" with an accent strip.   As you can probably tell - I guess I don't "get" taupe.   But, I do like color and so did a little more with the turquoise accent.   I wanted to try the celtic quilting tip of Diane Gaudynski so did that on a background quilt of "what else?" but purple.   Then I layered the smaller quilt on top.   I like the contrast of circles and stripes.

 This is the finished quilt.

 The smaller piece - completed 1/4 inch strips.

 Examples of background quilting

A row of beads across the purple stripes for accent.   Not sure if it really needs it or not, but also....doesn't hurt I don't think.   I am currently enthralled with the possibilities for this and am looking to try it again....maybe a little larger quilt.

Honeoye Falls Show - Last Grouping

The final pictures from our RAFA (Rochester Area Fiber Artists) Show in Honeoye Falls.   I have names of artists for most of these, but not all the names of the works themselves.

 New Growth - Mary Wiser

 Sarah Terry

 Study in Neutrals - Pat Berardi

 I "think" possibly this felted vest is by Caris Burton

 These are some of the accessory scarves that we had for sale.

Sarah Terry

 I LOVED this table - seen here and in the photo below.   The quilt at the end of the table is by Sarah Terry also.

Art Quilt Show - Part II -

This is a continuation of the posting below - just breaking up some of the photos so you can enjoy a few "more" and not be overwhelmed.

 Leaf Print Series #1 - Evelyn Kitson   wonderful use of sheers and stitches

 Leaf Print Series #2 - Evelyn Kitson

 Jacket made by Caris Burton.   She does wonderful garmets.

 Margaret Reek's wonderful quilt - metallic threadwork.   I couldn't get a great picture, the quilt is much darker, and unfortunately I didn't get the actual title.   But I love it!

 Don't Go Out in the Woods Tonight - Priscilla Kibbee.   You really have to see this up close and personal to see all the wonderful cross-stitching in this piece (including the photos below).   Breathtaking!!

Pictures of the actual venue space!   I am SO disappointed my friends could not get to see the show and appreciate being in this wonderful space.  The room was so packed with people and food on Saturday, you could barely see the walls and you certainly couldn't get to the walls.   So.....these are the photos I have.   Hope you can enjoy them "vicariously"!