Sunday, June 28, 2009

Groundhog's Day

The day started like this, a misty morning and a deer enjoying breakfast outside my studio window.
A little later I spied these two groundhogs behind the house.
They are summer guests this year, lodging in the old chicken coop.
At day's end we watched the sunset.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Crazy Quilt Update and A Fabulous Surprise For Me

I can finally show you my completed crazy quilt block made for our 2008-2009 guild president.
She received her quilt last night.
I was so pleased she chose this theme for her quilt. I really enjoy hand embroidery.
It was so much fun to see all of our unique styles blended together in a quilt.
This quilt is such a treasure!!

Guess What? Can You Tell I'm Excited?? Yesterday I woke up to the news that I had won such a beautiful gift from Embellisher at Million Little Stitches. For her 125th post she gave away this amazing heart sampler. I have been following her blog for a long time and always enjoy seeing her creative ideas and little pieces of her life far across the oceans.
Thank you so much! I will cherish your gift.

My new bolts of fabrics have arrived and are ready to be dyed. Keep an eye on my blog. I plan to pass my good fortune on with a Dye Candy Fabric giveaway in a week or two (once my dye lots are finished and photographed).

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Chris

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Greetings From Duluth - Quilt Show Day

Greetings from Duluth Minnesota. I have always wanted to attend the Minnesota Quilters statewide show and when I saw it was scheduled in Duluth this year I could not pass up the chance. I'm so glad I made the trip. What a great quilt show! There were so many beautiful quilts to see. Before I left for the show I met two quilters in the lobby of the hotel. They invited me to share the show with them.

Marj and Miki, I treasure the time we spent together. Meeting you both was such a gift. We explored each quilt from design, to the exquisite workmanship and use of colors. I always enjoy sharing a quilt show through the eyes of other quilters. I learn so much. I hope, dear ladies, our paths cross again.

At lunchtime a quick trip across this footbridge took me from the DECC convention center to the Canal Park area. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the first shop across the bridge. I bet the quilters kept them busy!!

Canal Park is so much fun to visit. The city's effort at urban renewal has gone a long way, making this area a must see destination. Old warehouses and shipping docks now house restaurants, shops, hotels and movie theaters.


This photo shows a shot of the convention center on the left about a block away. The Waters of Superior is a wonderful art gallery. I mentioned this shop in a previous post. They just started carrying my quilt block jewelry.



I couldn't resist taking a picture of my wares in with so many other beautiful pieces. I am humbled to have my products accepted here.

In the distance you can see two water cisterns on top of what was once an old hardware supply warehouse. This building has been converted in the Hawthorne Suites Hotel. Inside you can see evidence of the building's history, from the wood grain embedded in the concrete ceilings and supports to the massive safe in the entryway. This building once housed one of the largest hardware distributors in the US.

I love the detail in old brick buildings. It is rare to see this type of construction used today. (Can you tell my day job involves commercial construction projects?)


Another look up the road toward the aerial lift bridge that spans the shipping canal in the Duluth Harbor.

P.S. On my way north I made a stop off in Eau Claire. Click here to see a bit about Tangled Up In Hue.







Sunday, June 14, 2009

Late Bloomers, Light and Shadow

I have been watching clouds,
not looking for the shapes that fascinated me in my childhood,
but enjoying the light and shadow created by the sun,
the luminosity and vibrance created above as well as below.
It has been a glorious Spring. My favorite oak tree, the last of the late bloomers is finally leafing out. Soon our catalpa trees will be in flower, buzzing with bees and smelling of exotic spices.Our house is now completely hidden behind the trees just to the left of the out buildings. Willows line the Sugar Creek in the bottom lands. Brilliant greens, blue skies and the clouds, oh the clouds, fill my heart with joy. I am home.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Duluth Bound

I just finished my initial stocking order for a wonderful art gallery in Duluth, Minnesota called the Waters of Superior. This gallery is located in the Canal Park area of Duluth on Lake Avenue. I've been thinking of contacting the gallery for two years but my trips to town are usually a quick jaunt there and back to pick up our son from college. If you are going to the Minnesota Quilters show in Duluth next week please take time to stop in, enjoy the gallery and all the other great shops and restaurants in the area. DS & DGF work at Little Angie's Cantina a few doors away. They have great mexican food!

I will be going to this show for the first time. I am meeting girlfriends in Duluth, but my main reason for the trip is to visit with my son and his girlfriend while they are on vacation from school.


Here are a few more shots of my work in progress. I use this little organizer to sort cut colored fabrics and keep them from getting dusty between uses. Most of the fabrics I use are hand dyed by me. I also use Cherrywood Fabrics for the brown log cabin pin and matching flying geese pendants and earrings.



Here is a look at the back side of my jewelry. I thought you might enjoy seeing the stitching.

Hope you have a great week! Chris

Treasure in the Mailbox




Look what I received from Lynn. Oh Boy! I've been admiring her beautiful nature photography cards since she first blogged about them on April 15th. The other day Lynn mentioned that she really liked my quilt block jewelry so I asked her if she would be interested in a trade. I use a lot of note cards for my business, but I may have a hard time parting with these photos. Don't you just love the burrowing owls? Some of these cards are available at her Zazzle shop
Lynn also included a gorgeous abstract felted ATC and note card with a picture of her art journal cover. I love the puffs of wool she left on the ATC and the felted ribbon as a frame is such a great idea. This lady is so creative. If you are interested in an ATC trade with Lynn check out her ATC trading blog. Thanks so much for these treasures Lynn!

Friday, June 5, 2009

A Good Morning

Every moment of light and dark is a miracle

- Walt Whitman

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Baby Bald Eagles

I took this picture on May 10th. The young eaglets are not visible yet as the adult feeds them.
Three weeks later the young are up on the edge of the nest feeding.

and stretching their wings to balance. First flight is still a few weeks away.
Pardon the blurry pictures. I am a few hundred yards from the nest so I do not disturb these magnificent creatures.
For more information about eaglets click here.