Friday, December 24, 2010

My new kitchen



The best thing about the new house is the kitchen. Lots of room. The table can fit with all four leaves.
Just wish there were a few more drawers in the cabinets.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Moving

Moving is kind of stressful. Not a lot of art or beauty to be found. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Houston Quilt Show

Just got back from a wonderful visit to the Houston Quilt Show. I'll never be able to produce a work to go into the show, but I do a super job of enjoying it.
At least four of the Alzheimer's quilts that I made sold, earning about $200 for Alzheimer's research and I feel good about that. I have another that is in the registration process.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Good thoughts

I'm reading The Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews. I really like her philosophy of living frugally, with a sense of "enough". Not self deprivation, but self-fulfillment.
Love her comments about eating out:

"I would much rather be sitting with my husband in a neighborhood cafe having dinner- meeting neighbors, reading, enjoying the feeling of community.
So my conscious choice is to do less cooking and eat out more often.  Now some of you are thinking, you could save so much money at home.  But living simply isn't just about saving money.  That's only one factor.  As we will see later, living more simply also involves building community, and for me, eating in neighborhood restaurants builds community.
I finally concluded, though, that eating out probably does save me money.  When my husband and I cook at home, we are just plain irritable.  I figure that eating out saves on marriage counseling and it's certainly cheaper than a divorce."

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Photography Class

I'm taking a Lifetime Learning class in digital photography and Photoshop. Such a lot to learn. I'd like a more powerful camera but will wait until I have more time to experiment with it; my point-and-shoot is doing ok for now. So far we've had field trips to
the Capitol,






the City Cemetery,










and the Park between Town Lake and the Long Center.


I've found some new settings on my camera that help me take pictures inside. I've tried the panorama setting but haven't had success. I've learned how to use Photoshop to a limited extent. All in all, a good class.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Found a house



I've offered to buy a house in Pflugerville. I think it will be quite comfortable and easy to keep up. Funny how I won't buy a pair of shoes unless they make me smile, but I will buy a house that doesn't. But I guess if I were wearing borrowed shoes, I might buy some that are only adequate.
It may be fun to decorate it and do a little bit of landscaping. There definitely need to be more trees around. So I'll plant at least one, so that I'll leave it better than I found it.

In yesterday's "Digging" garden blog, I saw an arbor that I might be able to copy at the new house. I definitely plan to take out some of the grass and put down some gravel or crushed granite. Less mowing, more texture. Better platform for potted plants.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

House Hunting

Been house hunting and not seeing a lot of beauty. Will keep looking.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Art Show

Last night I went to Genuine Joe's Coffee H0use for an open house. A friend from watercolor class, Toni Silver, has a showing there through the end of the month. I am excited for her. Her work is for sale, but even if she sells nothing, it must be quite a kick to be able to display your work publicly. Wonder if I could do that some day.

Monday, September 20, 2010


This is my friend Alice, with her ribbon-winning quilt.

AAQG Quilt Show


Last weekend, the Austin Area Quilt Guild held its biannual show. I entered only one quilt this time, a miniature. Walked by it several times but never caught anyone looking at it. So many beautiful quilts there to see!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Water Lily


Office Depot scanned my waterlily and my Hibiscus pictures for me. I'm having some note cards made and am really excited, waiting for them to be delivered. Hope they turn out well.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Saturday, September 4, 2010


A generous woman advertised Inkle Looms on Freecycle. Not only the loom, but a weaving lesson. I accepted her offer and have finished one strap which can be used as a belt. It is primarily yellow, with a varigated yellow, orange, and green stripe in the center.
A second one is started, using some fuzzy purple, yellow and green yarn that I bought somewhere on sale. It took about four tries to load the loom properly, but I did it.
On my own. After looking at the instructions. Twice.
Just what I needed. Another hobby.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Iris - Outside the Lines

Iris watercolor, by Linda Nuenschwander, that I saw in Art Class. Love the outlines that are not colored in precisely. My version is not as attractive, but I'm proud of it nonetheless.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Texas Hibiscus


Last night I framed the Texas Hibiscus watercolor that I started in class. I'm pretty pleased with it and have it propped on my mantle for now. It will migrate to the bedroom later.

I have another frame for the Gladiola and hope to get around to trying it out tonight.

The watercolor class has been fun. Too bad that the LLI Advanced Quilting will be scheduled for the same day and time. Guess watercolor will have to take a break.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Art Class - Gladiola



Today's class was fun. Linda brought in a bouquet of pink gladiolas. She asked that we do something creative, but I just did a closeup of one bloom. I managed to keep some white in it this time; not easy for me to do.

After class I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a couple of mats and frames - one for the gladiola and another for the Texas Hibiscus, which I haven't finished yet. It needs a bud in the upper right hand corner.
But I've been working on my class reunion page instead. Oh well.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Fish Bowl


Free class at Wells Branch library on Sunday. Daughter and I painted a fish on a bowl. Totally meaningless, but fun. Never used glass paint before.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Twin Elm Vacation

Twin Elm Guest Ranch hasn't changed much in twenty five years. Still has rustic cabins, ancient room air conditioners, and beautiful scenery. Grandson JackMan had about as much fun as his mom did when we were there before.
Lots of scenic fences. A few wildflowers.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Little Houses and even Littler Baskets

  • Destined for the AAQI. The house blocks were leftover from the awards made for the AAQG show many years ago. The Basket is in Brackman - #407 - although I followed the instructions in a pattern by Nancy Johnson-Srbro which I've had for at least 10 years.
  • I can't find a webpage for her.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Eggplant - Ruth McDowell pattern


This block was in my orphan drawer. I added a piece on the right and quilted it. After I get permission from Ruth, I plan to submit it to the AAQI auction.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Emilie's Haus Visit

Great food - this dessert was a layer of cake with Amoretto, pudding, fresh peaches and a blackberry. Beautiful presentation. The chicken picata was good, too, with San Antonio squash on the side. And the pecan encrusted catfish was really nice.





Six of us went on the retreat. I finished a Bonnie Hunter quilt, made some sample blue blocks and nine patches. Completed a tiny basket piece with four baskets.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Maxine's Blue Blocks



This is a quilt that Maxine made after seeing a similar one for sale many years ago. I can't find the block in Brackman nor in Malone. So simple, but so sweet.
Gotta try it.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Sewing with Jack


Grandson Jack made some PJ bottoms yesterday with a little help from me. Flamed guitars and "Rock and Roll" on a black background. He loves it. And I love him. My heart overflows.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Birthday Flowers





















My sister came over this morning to wish me a happy birthday. She brought bright daisies, astromeria, and some-other-kind-of-flower-whose-name-I-can't-remember.
I added them to the carnations that Randy and Susie had brought the other day and the astromerias I had bought.
I love fresh flowers.
The notecard is destined for Randy and Susie but I want to enjoy it a little longer.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Bluebird of Happiness


Today's composition is the Bluebird of Happiness. Applique and embroidery from Betty Aldermann. Pinwheels from the Orphan Block drawer.
Destination: Art for Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative.