In my Studio: A gift of Words

I made this scarf for a poet friend of mine. 

Here's how I did it.

1.) I bought a plain white silk scarf. You can find 

these online or at a place where they sell dyes.

2.) I bought a fabric pen. I used 

Pentel Gel Roller for Fabric size 1.0.

I wrote her poems onto the scarf. 

3.) Then I used 2 layers of  a thicker silk,

 placing an iron on glue interfacing meant for hems in between them.

4.) After the thicker silk piece cooled I cut out the letters 

and sewed them on the bottom of both edges.

Valentino Spring 2014

It's time to look at some spring fashion!

 This is the most beautiful show I found. 

Total eye candy.

Dreams of a Summer Day

I thought about now we all could use a dose of sunshine and some warm thoughts.

To see the Summer Sky 

To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie --

True Poems flee –

by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

My Aunt Eleanor planted this beautiful flower arrangement.

"Summer afternoon summer afternoon; 

to me those have always been

the two most beautiful words

in the English language."

Henry James (1843 - 1916)

Blackberries in Late July

 Rest is not idleness, and 

to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day

listening to the murmur of water,

or watching the clouds float across the sky, 

is hardly a waste of time.

John Lubbock (1834 - 1913)

Eleanor's Vegetable Garden

 "I question not if thrushes sing,

If roses load the air;

Beyond my heart I need not reach

When all is summer there."

John Vance Cheney (1848 - 1922)

A Summer Day

 A Summer’s Day

 Warmth of the sun on my back

Dabbled shadows moving in a cool breeze

The sound of a single buzzing fly

Colors of green accented with their bright companions

The warm smell of blackberries

That's what I miss. 

What do you miss?

Everlasting Flower

Winner of the line contest was Drew with the bird photo (A)

The Edison Bird Festival

In Skagit County the town of Edison started a bird festival in order to honor the unique birding culture of the valley. It’s a very sweet event art, parades and good food. This year it was held on February 8 and 9, 2014.

Bald  Eagles 

We stopped by to check out the event it was small but festive. What we were really impressed with were the birds everywhere. Many eagles ornamented the trees. Baby swans were in the fields and hawks were soaring in the sky. It was incredible and I’m not even a bird watcher, though I do love birds. So if you are a bird watcher I would put this festival on your bucket list. Then take the time to drive around the area looking at the birds.

Young Swans

To hear them click here.

                                       

Samish Valley

                                                                     And the Landscape.   

To learn more:

http://edisonbirdfestival.com/

Located in Edison, Washington - 70 miles North of Seattle & 20 miles South of Bellingham in the Heart of the Samish Valley.

Definition of a line: Photo Contest

Our Contest this time was called "The Line". We had to take a photograph that had distinct lines or a line in it. The lines had to be important to the content and meaning of the photo. I have added three different definitions of a line to help you judge. Please pick just one winner either A,B, C or D and put your choice in
the comment block below.

If you ever want to join us in a contest let me know by emailing me and I will send you the rules. I may even send you a prize.

Definition of a line:

A line is long relative to its width. It can define a space, create an outline or pattern, imply movement or texture and allude to mass or volume. Absolutely essential in creating art, the line.

A

B

Definition of a line:

Line is defined as a mark that spans a distance between two points (or the path of a moving point), taking any form along the way. As an art element, line pertains to the use of various marks, outlines and implied lines in artwork and design, most often used to define shape in two-dimensional art work. It has thickness, direction, and length.

C

D

 Definition of a line:

 A continuous or implied mark between points or dividing space.

A Weekend in Port Townsend Washington

Port Townsend was founded in 1851. The city is known for its many beautiful Victorian houses and buildings. It is also known for its beautiful location. My pictures do not do it justice because it was a very cold grey weekend. Usually you can see many incredible mountains in the distance. 

 Since it was such a cold weekend we spent a lot of time in different cafes eating and warming up with a pot of tea. There are many nice places to eat in Port Townsend. We had a nice breakfast at  Hudson Point Cafe which is right on the water and not expensive.

I loved that they used maps under glass to add interest to their tables.

The town is not big. It has a population of about nine thousand. 

It is split into two levels with the neighborhoods full of Victorian houses on the top of a large cliff  over looking the town buildings below.

You can feel the history everywhere. 

The town is right on the water.

There are also some very cute shops.

Me with my peeps.

The buildings are well preserved.

We had a short sun break. Everything looks so much better in the sun doesn't it?

All in all it was a very fun weekend.

In My Studio

I found this little doll at an estate sale and decided she needed a dress.

Now she's ready for a party. Dress by LaVera

                                     

Patty Grazini's Paper Dresses

A Couple of weeks ago I was in Seattle and I found these in the window of a wonderful shop called Curtis Steiner located at 5349 Ballard Ave NW Seattle. The artist who made these, Patty Grazini , is a paper artist.

Aren't they beautifully made.

To see more of her work: http://pattygrazini.com/ 

Vancouver, BC: Photo Contest Winners

Vancouver BC Canada

Cityscape Winner Drew

(by a landslide)

Stanley Park Vancouver, BC

Naturescape Winner LaVera

English Bay, Vancouver BC, Canada

Wild Card Winner LaVera

Thanks so much for voting.