Samantha has so much to say

Today's post is short and sweet. Chatty Samantha in the car...

in the studio and out and about

I've been busy up in my studio. My granddaughter's butterfly wings are almost finished - they just need a little tweaking and means of attachment. (the directions I've seen are vague) I can't wait to show you! I'm also working on a small art quilt that I can't elaborate on yet. Both projects are fun.

In the meantime, I have a few more photos to share from our trip to NY. Have you ever heard of ground cherries? This is what they look like with their hulls on. I bought some at the Hamilton farmers market.

They look a little like a yellow tomato and taste a little like a cherry. A very healthy munchy!

We stayed a couple nights in Saratoga Springs, NY. Sammy is standing by one of the many fountains in the town. She was a real trooper, walking all over with us.

She got to ride on a carousel horse for the first time.

After our visit with them, we went to the Wentworth Inn in New Hampshire for one night.

I took a walk on the grounds and was inspired to take these photos. Does this qualify as an artful tour?

On Butterfly Wings and other things...

I recently got a wake-up call. I went with Joanell to the Oceanside Museum of Art where she was dropping off a quilt (as part of an exhibit including quilts from Dairy Barn! Lucky her!). When my friend happened to mention to the curator that I had had a quilt in Quilt Visions at her museum, I said "In 2002." Her wide-eyed response was that that was a really long time ago. She was young, and 10 years ago she could have been 15, who knows? But it shook me up a bit. What have I done lately?

Well, I have continued to make art quilts, although I have slowed down. I have other interests, as anyone who reads this blog would know.  Having a granddaughter has given me a different focus, and I have taken up knitting and making little clothing with gusto. Do I regret this? Of course not. I would hate to be so busy making art quilts that I wouldn't have time to make things for her. I am going to savor watching her grow up, and that's that. Quilts are still in the picture, when I can and want to make them.

My old friend Pat Raffee (Pat, are you out there?) gave me some advice during another moment of self-doubt, and I have had a few over the years. She said something like, make what pleases you. If you only make quilts that you hope will please judges and others, you end up with a pile of quilts that you may not even like. This advice has served me well over the years, so thank you, Pat. I will continue to make what pleases me.

Now I'm going to go upstairs to work on butterfly wings that Samantha can wear for Halloween. (tutorial will happen, eventually) In the meantime, here's a video to enjoy.

visit to North Brookfield

We recently visited my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Central NY. Sammy is wearing a dress that I made her earlier this summer. The oven you see is where my daughter makes ALL her baked goods.

We went to the Utica Zoo one day.

Samanatha loves the animals at the zoo.

This fox played it cool.

Jack going to the garden to gather veggies for farmer's market.

Sammy and grandpa at the Hamilton Farmers Market.

Sammy and Grammy.

Sammy and Mommy

We enjoyed spending time in NY. A few more photos and a couple of movies to share, soon.

rituals, art studio

I've gotten behind in posting photos from my camera, as opposed to photos from my phone. Here is a photo of me back in July, at the Long Beach Quilt Festival with my quilt, "Photo Booth Hijinks," that is in the Rituals exhibit. It will also be in Houston.

 

 

 

 

Not long ago, I cleaned out my art studio. Here are some photos of it, relatively neat.

It felt great to organize and purge.

A nook, which was much worse before. Not Quilting Arts Studio worthy, but much better than it was. :-)

Next I will post some photos from our trip to NY.

fun first friday meeting

 Last night we had a First Friday Artists meeting at Stacy's house. Since I just had a birthday, I received some wonderful prayer flags. This one was from Peggy, and the theme was Water, aka Pray for Rain.



Joanell made this one, and the theme was - you guessed it - Peace! It was wrapped in some canvas with additional Joanell peace designs.


 Stacy made this one. The theme was Renew.

I love them all! Each one reflects the person who made it. Thanks so much.

We missed you, Peggy and Vickie. We had some delicious strawberry/honey Greek yogurt with fruit - Joanell and I hadn't had that flavor of Greek yogurt before, and it was truly wonderful.

Thanks to Stacy for hosting and for posting these photos on our blog, http://firstfridayartists.blogspot.com