Carrot Blooms

The parsley grew so big in my garden this year that I didn't notice a couple of carrots still in the ground. After I pulled and composted the remaining parsley, I found these carrots underneath.  Awesome!

Alfie with an orange aura

I'm having lots of fun trying to capture Alfie's true spirit.

Today's painting shows something of his orange aura.

Clear curb

Sometimes it takes so little to make me happy.

My neighbor's daughter moved out and her CUV is no longer blocking my curb.  Since my other neighbor also parks on the street, my visitors had to parallel park (if there was even room).

I try hard to remember that I'm in more of an urban environment instead of suburban, but it's hard sometimes.


And of course, last Monday someone parked a Suburban right in front of my house and it hasn't moved in three days.  Is this a test?  

Sunbonnet Sue Uncovered

So, I've had this baby quilt around for a while.  I'm sure that I used it with Martha.  It may have been MY baby quilt.  The top was a crazy quilt, in pastel flannels.

(picture to be inserted here later.)

Looking at it closely, I discovered that there was an older quilt used as the filling, or batting.  My family did this a lot - once a quilt started getting holes or stains, it was put to good use as the inside layer of a new quilt.


Looking even closer, I could tell that the "new" backing had been quilted to the old one first, and then pieces added to the front.  The first pieces to be put on were the edges.  The last was in the center.

I didn't know if the inside quit was a baby quilt or a part of a larger one until I took my seam ripper to it and removed the flannel.  But when I did, I found borders on all four sides.  So I deduce that it was a baby quilt. 


The "crazy quilt" patches were appliqued with a small running stitch (edges having been turned under), pretty much in the style of the original applique.

The hats on the babies have sweet little lazy-daisy embroidery on them.  This is a stitch that my Mother often employed.  I've never seen one on a Sunbonnet Sue before.


EXCEPT that I just found a similar block for sale on Etsy fo $25!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77133642/vintage-sunbonnet-sue-quilt-block-1930s

Tote Bags from Upholstery/Drapery Samples

My art teacher, Elaine, gave me several bags of sample fabric.  There are velours, silky fabrics, open weaves, and just lots of gorgeous fabrics.  Some are 20 by 20, others are smaller.

I took two of the samples and made a tote bag for her.  I purchased upholstery cording for the handles and a poly lining.  (I also bought a zipper, but forgot to put it into the design.  Maybe next one......)


I made a second one, a larger version, in black and cream for Mary, one of my art classmates.  

Lake Pflugerville

I took a walk around Lake Pflugerville the other day.  It's a three mile walk.  Lots of birdsong.  A few flowers.

There's a man-made "beach" that looks like it would be fun with little ones in the summertime.

I'm hoping to make walks there a regular routine.

What's It All About?

I had some fun trying a Picasso-ish type picture, using my friend's dog as subject matter.

Two tries, neither of which really evoke Alfie's melancholy look.

Maybe I'll try again.