Mystery Travel

This man just arrived after a long journey. He got right out of his boat and walked onto the beach with his trunk. (just his boat is in the picture) As usual, it's unfinished... but am thinking it needs to be complete. Painted it from a vintage photograph from the late 19th century. Don't know if it's an American beach or ?? Love the mystery of old photographs... where did he come from and where was he going? They can be a bit creepy too - a la 'The Others'.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We are putting up our tree today by order of the 2 children who run this house :)

Come Together

Even though I just posted about this quilt... I thought I'd show progress. I've been assembling it and it's coming together pretty fast. That is the part of quilting that's so addicting -when it's starting to look finished. (All the cutting, piecing and hand sewing goes so very slow. Kind of like the beginning of a long road trip, but then, suddenly you turn a corner and you've almost arrived!) There's still the border to do. It's a very meditative, calming process that's been a part of me since I was about 9 or 10 years old. We'll be going to Seattle this month and there will be a mandatory trip to Ikea ('cos I said so :)... hopefully they'll have something for the backing of the quilt.

In the coming days, I'll try to show some new things that are getting started.

The Bay Bridge and a Quilt

That's what's on my mind lately... above is the pink chocolates quilt I made... I took it apart and laid all the blocks on the bed to see what to do next. (there was just too much brown - which made it too dark and geometric. So, I'm adding several pink print borders around each square... hand sewn of course!)

Our anniversary is coming up this month and in the flurry of painting last month, the idea came of doing a portrait of 'us' as a gift to my hubby. That's us up there in SF, shortly after we were engaged. I painted over another painting since I was too lazy to build a fresh canvas for this one. Only one problem... it's 28 x 36". Do you think I'll get it done by June 8th?! :) Happy Monday.

Quilting on a Historical Morning...

My daughter and I played and hand sewed while watching the inauguration yesterday... I found myself getting choked up as soon as I saw Obama walking down the platform waiting to be announced. What a day, I'm so glad I was able to watch it live. Hopefully, this quilt will be completed soon. I'd really like to hand quilt it, but don't think I'll be able to put in the time. (although it is not a bed quilt but 'throw size') Still not decided on that. I'd like to enter it in a quilt show that happens out on the Palouse in late August.

I'm still adding little bits here and there to make it look more special and finished. The shapes represent dark tunnels... and where they lead to... coming out from the darkness and discovering what's on the other side. I like the idea of tunnels, especially the ones that were blasted out of stone mountains. I've seen many of these in France and the US and am intrigued by the shape of it as you approach and exit. Being inside also creates an interesting 'viewfinder' to see the world through. Anyway, excuse the ramble!

Unfinished

Estelle

Teenager, Drawing

Store Display

If I was in school right now I'd get a big 'I' for incomplete! I have been making some drawings the past week or 2 but can't seem to carve out enough time to actually paint and finish them. Grrrr. But, life has been happening... and good stuff, I'm happy to say! We have a lot of birthdays in Sept and Oct in our family. (also Nov and Dec!) So, we've been cooking and partying quite a bit around here. Maybe this week it will all come together!

On another note, I was featured in lavender Wool's treasury on Etsy! Thank you so much, Lav - it's nice to be in such great company! You can visit them at http://lavenderwool.com . To see the treasury, click here: www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=11852