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Archive for May, 2010

Finished!

Monday, May 31st, 2010

I finished two quilts, photographed them and burned the CD tonight. I love making my goals. Now, all I have to do is overnight the CD to Sisters, OR. I added some leaves off the edges.

The Old Growth Forest did not meet my expectations. I do not like the rigidity, but I think it does evoke an old forest with filtered sunlight. Click on it to see it larger.

I found this curly wood twig which is greener than it photographed. I think it adds a bit of whimsy to the piece.

We had a quiet Memorial Day  — pretty much like any other Monday. This was a good thing because I had work to finish!!

Next on my agenda is to clean up and organize my studio after the paint job. Stuff is still piled in the middle of the room!

This and That

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

It was another dreary day in Portland today. On our misty walk with Scooter this morning, I saw these beautiful flowers. Purple and yellow  — the colors of the next Twelve by Twelve color theme. They brought a little sunshine into my day.

I finished quilting the Old Growth Forest piece and am not that happy with it. I love the quilted background. I love the felted trees, but I am not sure they are working together. I will do a zigzag edge on them – perhaps in lime green to give it some pizazz.

Here is a detail.

I will finish it and photograph it. Maybe I have just spent too much time with it!!

Hope you are all enjoying a nice holiday week-end with better weather than we are having.

Garden Update

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

We have had nothing but rain with very occasional sun breaks for the month of May. The grasses in our front yard love it.

As do the lettuce and kale:

The green beans, peppers and tomatoes are almost dormant as they, like me, are craving sun.

There are lots of wannabe raspberries from the starts we planted last year.

I have 3 peonies. They need way more sun than they are getting on my studio patio. I think I need to move them.

Late today, the sun came out. I am really hoping it stays around for a few days.

I have been diligently quilting the Old Growth Forest piece. I have the background don, after running out of thread and making a trip to the quilt shop. I have 3 trees stitched down. I hope to finish them tomorrow and get it ready to be photographed. I need to get my entry overnighted on Tuesday. I think I can make that.

Retreat Day Two

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Just a quick check in from our retreat from reality. Today, we drove into Sisters for lunch and some retail therapy. I found a store with wonderful hand-dyed roving and silk hankies (essential silk roving).

Can’t wait to play with this.

We also went to the famous Stitchin’ Post quilt shop owned by Jean Wells.

I purchased some half price ugly fabrics for quilt  backs. Something I love to do.

I also saw more lovely Aspen groves.

I am inspired to make more Aspen quilts even though Terry tells me they are as cliche as heron quilts.

You can see all of my photos on my Flickr set – Click Here.

Retreating

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Well. look at this! I found Aspens here in Black Butte Ranch. We had a very rainy drive out to central Oregon and encountered some snow over the Santiam Pass.

It is really lovely here. Very woodsy and nicely kept. This is our house for a couple of days.

We settled down and got some hand sewing done this afternoon. The weather cleared up, and we walked to the golf club house for dinner.

The path was very lovely and went by an actual ranch.

Here is the actual Black Butte from outside the restaurant.

Here are a couple of pretty shots from outside our house.

This is Ponderosa pine bark.

By this evening, it was quite nice. Saw some blue sky. Hope tomorrow gives us some sun and no rain.