Orchid Inspiration

I was thrilled to see these blossoms because I usually lose the plant after I buy it. So this orchid got a reprieve and this is year two.

I am planning a project and I usually look at a color wheel for some help. But this time I'm looking at nature to provide the color scheme.

Purple and green always go well together. The duo provide enough contrast while allowing you to bring in related hues.

We had rain...finally! It makes everything even greener and the best part is that it stopped the leaves from the tree across the street from blowing over to me.

Hope you have flowers to cheer you up...if not, print these and put it on the frig door.

Lunch at Dune Dog




Well, the Thanksgiving feast is over ... I had the turkey sandwiches and I need a break till turkey soup. I checked  Facebook and some friends were shoveling snow and some were putting up Christmas trees.


Hmmm ... I think I'd rather take a short trip to Dune Dog in Jupiter, FL. There was a 15 minute wait for a table but it was worth it. It was a hot day ... no snow to shovel ... thank goodness those fans (see top of photo) were running. See that big silver heater (left in photo above)? That means they're ready for a cold, winter day too. We'll still be in shorts and flip flops, but we're ready to brave the 62 degree weather. The hot dogs and beer will warm us from the inside out.

I like that the picnic tables are topped with stainless steel. No ants crawling through the wood! I hate sharing my food with them.

While you're in the area ... Jupiter has some great antique and thrift shops on Center St.

"Haute Handbags" by Stampington

Haute Handbags is my favorite magazine and it's like Christmas twice a year when they're published. Well...better twice a year than just once a year. What's even more fun? Submitting a project! I've submitted something for the next issue and I have my fingers crossed. This is the submission page for all their magazines.

When you submit proposals for their magazines, be sure to take photos:  1) of the complete project without a distracting background   2) of close ups to show the texture   3) with good lighting to get the true colors   3) and offer some information about your project (especially the inspiration). You never know if you'll be selected.

The photo to the right is a close up slice of my project. I just love the color, the jacquard weave in the silk, and the fact that this fabric is from a vintage Kimono that is over 50 years old. When I design with old Kimono...I always wonder what stories they could tell...

Happy Thanksgiving from Me !

Hey, do you think that cloud is shaped like a drumstick...it's almost time to EAT!

Trio of turtles on the St. Lucie River - Florida

This photo was taken by Margy Mills of Martin County, FL. The location is the south fork on the St. Lucie River. She took this photo near Halpatiokee Park with a Nikon Coolpix p100. Talk about being in the the right place at the right time...with a camera.

World Quilt Show - Florida - my art quilt entry "Dragonfly Dream"

Karen Marchetti, a fabulous award winning quilter, uploaded this photo of my art quilt. It is almost 4 feet by 6 feet including the canvas. It has a lot of dimensional embellishment. Thank you Karen...and Steffie Foster "tagged" it on Facebook.

The inspiration for my Dragonfly Dream art quilt...

These beautiful dragonflies were created by Marianne Zebedee. She is a wonderfully talented quilt artist. This is her photo, so if you see her at the show....stop and say Hello!

"Dragonfly Dream" art quilt at the World Quilt Show - Florida

This is a portion of my art quilt in the I Candy Collection at the show.

MC Quilters Log Cabin Challenge

   The Martin County Quilters 2010 Challenge required the log cabin technique. We had free rein as long as there was a log cabin. Of course...my BEST (ha, ha) ideas are spurred on by stress and a deadline. This comes from years of working in the design industry. This is my (singular) log cabin quilt. I figured if I made the strips big enough I could come close to the second requirement (not bigger than 36" x 36"). 

   My inspiration was the Koi fabric that has lived in my stash for many, many years. I love the green and blue combination and the Koi supplied the "warm" colors. The log cabin is in the middle and I have a lonely yellow fish in the center. I have a wonky strip pieced border along the top and I used "whole cloth" to include a group of fish at the bottom.
   I really enjoyed making this quilt and made a nick into my stash. There were 45 entries and we won't know the winners (I am in the non judged group) until after the World Quilt Show this weekend in West Palm Beach. All 45 are hanging! More photos....coming soon!

Kona Bay Fabrics released their new Geisha Panel at Quilt Market/Houston

Well, they did it again. Kona Bay Fabrics produced another awesome Asian panel. This one has four different traditional Ukiyoe portraits. They're great for making larger quilts fast, easy to free motion quilt the outlines, fussy cut and place on denim jackets. You can embellish the hair ornaments and show off your quilting in the background.

Houston Quilt Market 2010

You have to see the videos, slide shows, and photos on Kathy Millers blog (for Michael Miller Fabrics). What a hoot. Blonde wigs everywhere...Texas size BLT sandwiches...and of course, great fabric! Click on the link:  http://www.makingitfun.blogspot.com

A new photo for my bio...

Well, it's been a while since I've had a new photo for my bio. The last photo is on the back of my books...and well...it was over ten years ago. I didn't have to wear glasses, I had long curly hair, and not many wrinkles. It was time to stop hiding behind that photo and come out of denial. Whew. So I hope you're really focusing on my beautiful necklace.