Retry on the Shirt

This week I hope to dig out the fall decorations; table runners, Halloween fun, and door decorations.  Thus begins the season of constant "door revolving" decorating until after Christmas.   The holidays will have special meaning again with having a little one to share them with again.

I think the shirt looks better.  I will add more shading with thread.

I am digging out my material to take inventory for possible flesh tones.  I am heavy on the yellow and browns.  Oh my, I think I will have to visit my favorite quilting stores, Prints Charming in Fulton, MD and Patches in Mt. Airy, MD.


Signs of fall at Lake Anna:

 

Too Much of a Contrast

I love fall as much as any other season.  I enjoy the pumpkins, fall vegetables, and all the craft shows, special activities and holidays associated with the season.  Last night we had an outdoor movie night with a New Orleans theme; Cajun cooking and the movie Double Jeopardy.  We had a gathering of 15 people with a variety of dishes from Jambalaya to beignets.  There is nothing better than fun, food, family and friends.

  

The shirt just isn't working for me.  It will come apart right after I finished typing this post.


More pictures from the lake:

A beginning

This week our mini heat wave broke and there is definitely the feel of fall in the air. Yesterday, for the first time I put on a pair of jeans before we went to our daughter's house.  I must admit I do like living in an area with four distinct seasons.  Each bringing it's own sounds, smells, flavors, and sights.

 

 

I had a hard time deciding where to begin .   Finally, I decided to piece  together the shorts.  It took awhile choosing the fabrics.  This piece is definitely going to be a challenge for me.


Here are some pictures from Lake Anna:

 

Unconditional Love

After reading some new books I had bought on making realistic quilts and portraits, I am ready to stretch out and try a family portrait.  I still am not ready to go large, the picture portion of the quilt will measure about 15 inches by 25 inches.  Although, this is larger than my last quilt.

Picture taken by Rebecca Ebersole of Snapdragon Photography in Maryland

The photograph was taken by Rebecca Ebersole of  www.snapdragonphotographymd.com as part of a photo shoot for my granddaughter's first birthday.  This is just one of the wonderful pictures she took that day.  I just love the look of  "unconditional" love that is portrayed by  my little one.

I had a harder time picking out the larger shapes in the shirt on the left.  I feel as though I broke the pattern  down into too many smaller shapes.  I may combine a few lines when I trace on fusible web.  My feelings are to keep the background very simple because I to have all attention drawn to the family.

Last weekend we went to Lake Anna with our friends.  The weather cooperated, thus, we had a wonderful time swimming and boating.



Is it Really the first of September?

I got my hallway painted, but I keep finding small spots I want to touch up.  In addition to painting my hall, I painted my bedroom before going back to teaching.  Also, I keep pinching myself because it is hard to believe that it is the first of September and today is Labor Day.  This past month I found myself reprinting the pictures I plan to use for my next wall hangings several times.  I have printed them in different sizes.  I think I might begin work on two very different wall-hangings simultaneously.  They are both challenging in their own way.  My thinking is that when I am stuck on one, I can work on the other one. This week I will definitely make up my mind as to what to do next.

On our annual trip to Michigan this summer my Mom's odometer on her Highlander turned over  200,000 miles.  As she said it was a "Wow!" moment to see it turn over on one of our many trips traveled in that car.  This sunset is one of the many reasons we make that long drive each summer.