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Archive for the ‘M & M’ Category

Oh, Eau Finished

Monday, February 7th, 2011

It is hanging a little wonky, but, I am happy to say that I finished this piece. It needed to be 28 inches in length and, whew, it came out perfectly.

Here is a detail:

It will be fun to see it hanging with all of the other entries from SDA members.

I have a couple of things that I need to get done as soon as possible. One, is the next Twelve X Twelve colorplay. Here are the colors that Deborah selected.

Tonight, I went on a search in my stash for these colors. This is the best I could do:

The blues are pretty good, the browns are too warm and the green is not sage enough. I have lots of greens, but you know what greens they are, right — they don’t fit in this palette. What to do? Guess I will go shopping. I have no desire to spend time trying to dye or paint these colors.

I do think I have the start of a nice landscape!

I have a pile of 32 quilts in my living room. Tomorrow, we are going to jury our new High Fiber Diet show for Trinity, titled Back To Nature. Tomorrow night, M & M are coming to spend the night. Jack has an early morning meeting so I will feed them and get them ready for school. They have a late start day so he will pick them up and take them to school so that I can get to my pilates class. I hope Steph is having a good time in Savannah.

Out of the Studio

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Yesterday, I did not get near my studio. Pilates, walking the dog, getting my hair cut, attending Miles’ third grade musical, late dinner after we got home — whew. This morning, I taught myself how to use iMovie so that I could upload some videos from the performance.

If someone had told me two years ago that I would watch Miles do two major speaking parts and sing about 15 songs with all of the other children, I would have said no way.  But there he was — making us all beam from ear to ear. His development over the past year has been remarkable. There are times when the autism is evident, but he is much more engaged with us, now.

I was going to upload the video of his portrayal of FDR, but the file is too large.

After a quick walk with Scooter, I met a couple of friends from Trinity to talk about the future of the Arts Committee. The chair for the past several years is stepping down, and we have not found anyone to take on the task — we are a group of artists who are willing to help, but not be the organizer!! I had an idea of someone who might take it on. We met with her, and I think it is going to work out.

Tonight, I finally got down to the studio and happily got four rows of organza pockets sewn to the background. So happy about that!!

Mr C brought in the mail today. I flipped through it and was astounded to see a my High Desert Aspen quilt on the back of a postcard.

It is for the SAQA Oregon show — State of Diversity — which is at the Heritage Station Museum in Pendleton, OR. A lovely surprise.

OK, I have rambled on long enough.

Here I Am!

Monday, October 11th, 2010

I stitched all week-end and finally realized that I was totally crazy to think I could finish this by today! I have so enjoyed the sitting and stitching. I will take this to California with me this week and continue stitching and hope to enter it in another show later this year.

I ran out of the perfect Valdani embroidery thread and couldn’t find a local store that carries it so I ended up with another brand that has a slightly different colorway, but I think it is blending nicely.

Lisa drove back here last night and since her flight wasn’t until tonight, I got to spend the day with her. She is in a show at Flora, here in Portland, so we went down to check it out since she missed the opening on Friday night.

Here are some pretty photos I took at the store which has lots of natural elements.

Lisa’s friend, Trish, met us there and then took us to a nice little Vegan restaurant in the Pearl. I had a delicious bowl of chili and a Marionberry lemonade.

After some shopping and roaming around town, we picked up Stephanie and went to M & M’s school to surprise them. They love their Aunt Lisa.

The kids showed us their crazy bands (colorful rubberband shapes) while we had an after school snack of edamame.

Here are Lisa and Mia checking out photos on her camera.

All of a sudden we realized that Lisa needed to get her bags and get to the airport. Fortunately, the airport was pretty quiet and she made her flight because we were a bit behind schedule.

I need to get moving and finish packing up. We are leaving for California in the morning. I am going to be at PIQF on Thursday so let me know if you are going to be there. Our High Fiber Diet show, Bird’s Eye View, will be there.

A Prairie Home Companion Evening

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Last night, we took Mia to see the Prairie Home Companion concert at the Oregon Zoo. After collecting Mia and lawn chairs and books to read, we drove down town Portland, parked the car at Trinity and walked to the MAX station for the final leg of our adventure.

Mia is a delightful companion and loves an adventure. She is inquisitive and full of knowledge about our city and the radio show. She kept us entertained. Here she is letting us know that the train was coming.

It was a sold out crowd, so we spent lots of time waiting in lines. We had books to read, but I really enjoy just observing people. It is one of my favorite activities.

We were able to get very good seats and unknowingly, we sat just behind a concrete riser that was kept clear of people so that Garrison could walk down it to mingle with the crowd. So we got up close and personal with the star and got to shake his hand. It was a very beautiful evening – warm and sunny.

I was warned that the sun shines right into your face as it sets in the west. I bought Mia some Foster Grant sunglasses, which she loved.

Mr C and I were introduced to The Prairie Home Companion back in the 70s, when we were introduced to it by friends from Minnesota and Wisconsin. We have listened to the show off and on since then. Mia and her family are avid NPR listeners and so she has grown up with the show and knows all the characters and the people who play them. When the sound effects guy came on, she exclaimed – It’s Fred Newman!!

It was lots of fun, but Mia thought there was too much singing. We were both hoping for more of Garrison’s skits and monologues. We left a bit early because we needed to get her home and to bed. Her Mom and Dad are taking her backpacking for the first time. They are going close to home and just a 2-3 mile hike to spend one night. She has her own pack. Miles is coming to stay with us so we will have to do something special with him – perhaps the Lego store!

We had to wait a bit for the train back to our car, but we enjoyed seeing the wall art on the station walls.

I bought Mia a t-shirt and I got this bag for my grocery shopping.

You can see all of my photos from the evening and more station wall art on my Flickr Set.

As an aside, I think I had a minor flu bug last week. I woke up yesterday feeling like a new person. I am looking forward to a week of renewed creativity and inspiration.

Tempus Fugit

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

I can’t believe that it is August and that I only have a few days before leaving for a trip back home to New York State. For some reason, I seem to be moving in slow motion. But at least I am not in panic mode. I should be if I am going to meet all my entry deadlines for this fall.

I made this black, red and white study from a paint rag, some painted organza and fused black cotton.

I did get my studio back in order which makes working there more enjoyable. I fused down the aspen trunks and need to get them stitched and add the lutradur leaves. I like their wonkiness.

On Friday M & M came over and spent the night. They are at an age where they tend to entertain themselves. I enjoy having a conversation with them and listening to the two of them banter. They are both intelligent and witty, if I do say so myself!

My lettuce has gone to seed and so I am pulling it out and planting new. I went to the garden shop and bought some lettuce starts so that I don’t have to wait too long. I have become addicted to grabbing fresh lettuce from the garden.