made by anmarie

picnik

2011-11-18T10:04:00.001-08:00

Have you played around with the free picnik application?

It is so much fun

and because I should be doing more productive things,

it's even more fun!

Some people don't believe in digital photography

(my husband thinks it's a little like cheating)

but I'm amazed at the images I can create.

A new chapter

2011-11-16T12:36:00.001-08:00

Maybe not a new blog

Maybe just getting back into the world of blogging

I had lost interest

There was nothing new to say, nothing new to photograph

And it seemed like there were so many other really interesting blogs to read

...but I've rediscovered my love of sewing,

and I still love my knitting,

and I think I do have something to add to this blog

I've discovered what I already knew.

I've discovered that for me,

it's really all about the process

and not about the end result

I simply enjoy the act of making something

so I'm working on slowing down,

correcting things that aren't quite right,

redoing if necessary,

feeling proud of the result

because it was done with care and attention

because it was done right.

2011-11-12T09:39:00.001-08:00

If anybody is still out there...
I'm thinking about starting a new blog.
I need a clean slate.
Does anyone know how to shut down an old blog, but somehow save the contents?
I would love some advice...

just a little knitting

2010-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

A quick and fun little knit

the superior cowl, found on Ravelry

It feels good to make a few quick things

& avoid the bog of sweater knitting!

Happy New Year!!

clapotis

2010-11-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

just love it!

and now I understand why

16500 (!!)

others

have been knit

all over the world.

Clapotis by Kate Gilbert, knit in Classic Elite Silky Alpaca lace yarn

2 skeins, yarn held double

like ripping off a Band Aid

2010-11-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

I know...it's another pink sweater

...but I started it back in September and this one is "earthy" and cool.

*Except for that annoying line you might notice in the middle

of the sweater!!

I had to learn the obvious the hard way.

With hand dyed yarn, you have to work 2 skeins at once,

alternating the two strands to blend the varying colors.

And so today, after much hesitation, I ripped back.

Inches and inches of work.

Like ripping off a Band Aid.

It has to be done.

And it feels great in the end,

because I think I'm going to love this sweater

....some day!

(Pattern: Tea Leaves cardigan

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina in corsage)

Cassidy...harrumph!

2010-11-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

What can I say...

another bathroom photo shoot,

another slightly frumpy sweater!

They always look so cute on the models,

but watch out! On the average knitter,

it can look a little ho hum.

This is Cassidy by Bonnie Marie Burns.

The pattern and construction are flawless. The style is tailored and neat.

I think my mistake was in choosing a "tailored and neat" yarn, ie.

Cascade 220 in baby rose.

This was my 2nd cabled "pink" sweater, so don't hold your breath for another.

I'll have to really "style" this up when I wear it.

Oh, and it does need some buttons.

On to something more loose and drapey...I have an idea in the works.

Oh...and that 365 day photo project...just not gonna happen.

The creative juices stop the minute I force them.

Such is life.

Fred & the warty ones

2010-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

that could be the name for a new band, don't you think?

dried

2010-10-26T16:23:00.001-07:00

no title (day 21)

2010-10-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

dynamic!!

2010-10-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

dynamic

(The Sunday Creative prompt today)

To tell you the truth, I don't really know what I've photographed here,

other than to say it's "farm equipment."

To me, there is just so much going on in this shot,

it cries out "dynamic" to me!

Hope you see it, too.

Check out more shots at the Sunday Creative!

repetition

2010-10-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

two very different images of repetition

thru the window & screen

2010-10-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

...and then with a little editing

I thought the effect of the screen was interesting!

going, going, gone

2010-10-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

very cold mornings lately

I fear winter is coming...

clothes pins

2010-10-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

don't use them, personally.

but they do look pretty

hanging from other people's

clotheslines

playing with light

2010-10-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

(day 14)

2010-10-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

I seem to find a lot of interesting barbed wire here in Montana...

hopefully my photos make it more appealing than it actually is.

(day 13)

2010-10-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

(lots of hungry people at the pumpkin patch!)

(day 12)

2010-10-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

it takes all types, doesn't it?

(day 11)

2010-10-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

another reason to enjoy my 365 project

...anything goes!

(day 10)

2010-10-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

the party is over, but I'm enjoying the last days of the beautiful party flowers

sunshine substitutes

2010-10-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

...from the recent party

weeds ~ simple, but...

2010-10-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

We think of them as annoying "weeds," but look at the detail in this very small, almost overlooked little plant.

spiral

2010-10-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful, thought provoking

Sunday Creative prompt.

Yesterday, I thought I couldn't handle this one.

...but look what I found today.

my 100th post (day 5)

2010-10-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

couldn't have asked for a better day!

~ can't believe it's over ~

tomorrow is a big day!

2010-10-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Our two boys are growing up...

their father and I are so proud of what they've

accomplished.

after the fall

2010-10-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

subtle (day 2)

2010-10-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

posting each day

words aren't always needed

relax (day 1)

2010-10-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

the big party I mentioned in an earlier post...

it's this Saturday.

I'm posting this photo because it's a reminder

to me

to relax

and enjoy!

P.S. I've decided to join Madeline Bea's 365 day adventure...starting today!
I'm very late, but I'm very excited.
Here goes nothing!

nostalgia

2010-10-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

my grandmother's knitting needles

tarnished and rusted

brittle and broken

from these needles

came stylish cardigans

for three admiring little girls

who

are now grown

with little girls

of their own
~

(please go see more "nostalgia" photos @ The Sunday Creative)

formerly something

2010-10-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

a very belated posting of "nothing"

aka "formerly something"

just because I'm a little busy

and not feeling the creative juices as I'd like,

I don't want to quit

The Sunday Creative

one leaf

2010-10-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

How do you honor a single leaf at this time of year?

There must be millions scattered on the road, in the grass, and even in the air.

What about honoring a single leaf that is almost no longer?
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

abundance

2010-09-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

abundant

thought

time

preparation

invitations

replies

guests

food

wine

flowers

fun

love

happiness

And The Sunday Creative prompt is abundance this week.
Go on over and see what others think!

funny how...

2010-09-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

I spent the entire morning
working on a "program" for an upcoming event

I was drawn to simple black and white wood cut prints
for decorations on the program,

like this

and this

(will I get in trouble for putting these pretty things on my blog?)

~

funny how the first thing I noticed when I went outside
was this

and this

comfort

2010-09-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hard to say who gives more comfort

We provide food, water, shelter, love, attention, and several comfortable beds,scattered through the house

He just gives us the chance to love him endlessly

Maybe not so hard to say

I'm certain he gives us more comfort

*for more fun and interesting photos,

check out The Sunday Creative.

today's prompt: comfort

navy is not easy to photograph

2010-09-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

Finished my Tea Leaves cardigan in early August

Love the fit, no modifications

Knit with Rowan Kid Classic in "nightly" (navy)

So hard to photograph!

The design is perfect for an every day sweater...

so I'm making another

This time using Madelinetosh pashmina in "corsage"

...and adjusting my gauge!

timeworn

2010-09-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

I really love the Sunday Creative prompts

They are never dull, never expected

Thanks, Maegan!

I have just retired this favorite watch

The timepiece is perfect, but this is the second watchband

They just don't hold up

I don't dare show the bomb proof plastic watch

from Target that I'm now sporting!

P.S. I really took the prompt literally this week!

illuminate

2010-08-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

I took a little break

the creative spirit was feeling a little spent, but...

here's a photo for the Sunday Creative

I think it captures the change of season

we're feeling here in Montana

Check out more wonderful photos here

echinacea - evolution of the flower

2010-08-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

P.S. More beautiful macro shots at Blogging from Bolivia's "macro Friday." Check it out!

raw

2010-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Creative prompt today is:

raw

Yesterday's post

is the best expression of that word

for me at the moment.

Two of the definitions would best fit my photo:
1) having the surface abraded or irritated
2) unfair

Please check out more photos at

The Sunday Creative

and think about entering your own!

barbed wire

2010-08-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

Having attended the funeral of a 47 year old mother of 3

today,

I'm feeling like life isn't always pretty.

Sometimes there's the barbed wire.

Hoping the family finds strength,

and that there is beauty and growth in

the barbed wire.

(there are more interesting photos @ macro friday and the Sunday Creative
go check them out!)

more editing

2010-08-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Just playing around, editing some photos

I'm loving this effect

called "posterizing"

vignetting

2010-08-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last post,

I've just discovered how to "vignette" with Picnik

and I'm playing around!

(before)

(after)

This is just a photo I recently posted.
I thought it would be appropriate
for my new found "talent"

vignetting
(kind of like the word, too)

Now to "not get too carried away with it!"

hydrangeas

2010-08-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

I never really appreciated them before. Now they grow profusely in my garden.

I also love them dried, lasting past the summer and into the fall.

P.S. The last photo has a little "vignetting," something I just figured out! I'm finally catching up to all you talented photographers out there!

shapely

2010-08-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

I thought about a lot of different things today

with The Sunday Creative prompt

"shapely"

Mostly, my thoughts were about things that were
shapely,
but not necessarily in a feminine, voluptuous sense.

I thought about
a bin of recyclable bottles in my garage,
those heavy, gray clouds in the sky today.
I even thought about that
twisty, jagged barbed wire
I photographed yesterday.

All shapely, but not what I'm looking for.
And then I realized I had what I was looking for.

Yesterday, we were camping,
and while the "men" fished,
the girls went looking for rocks.

"shapely" rocks, as a matter of fact!

water

2010-07-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm giving macro friday a try.

No time to shoot today,

so an image from earlier this summer...enjoy!

fondant

2010-07-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

after watching "The Cake Boss" and "DC Cupcakes"

(after all, it was about 90 degrees yesterday)

we made fondant today.

it wasn't perfect, but boy, did they have fun!

(they plan to continue when they return from soccer this afternoon)

naked

2010-07-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Prompt for The Sunday Creative: naked

my first thought ~ oh no!

then...it came to me

I adore this fire hydrant in my neighborhood

I mean "adore" it

I've photographed it on more than one occasion

You can't begin to count the number of coats of paint on it,

or the number of colors used

and yet,

it's silently sitting there,

trying to shed it's many layers

trying hard

to get naked

(P.S. these Sunday Creative prompts sure are interesting!!)

shadow shot

2010-07-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

this morning on Big Mountain

wide open space

2010-07-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

looking through my photos

not a lot of images with negative space

something for me to work on

gotta love his goofy high-tops

jump

2010-07-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

Tell an 8 year old to jump...and you catch her fancy toenails!

Tell an 11 year old and his friend to jump...and they'll tell you they're busy catching salamanders!

Tell an "almost 13" year old to jump...and he'll do it his way!

There are beads, and then there are beads!

2010-07-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

I let my daughter do the beading...

I prefer knitting and sewing.

...but speaking of beads...

Here's a beading tradition from
my hometown,
New Orleans.

Some of the throws from the Mardi Gras floats
just don't make it into those waiting hands!

(The Sunday Creative prompt: tradition)

repetition

2010-07-17T17:45:00.001-07:00

morning light, that's all

2010-07-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

...taken this morning while walking to the store

I hate feeling self-conscious about carrying my camera.

Look what I would have missed.

trying to capture movement

2010-07-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe today's prompt at Picture Summer...

wind and movement

Don't they know that yesterday and the day before were incredibly windy here!

...and today, nothing.

Thank goodness my daughter brought home feathers from art class!
Just perfect!

delicious

2010-07-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that we're having the most delicious cherries that I've ever had!

Don't even know where they're coming from.

They're just delicious...

Connected

2010-07-11T21:53:00.000-07:00

This photo isn't brand new,

but it really speaks to me about connectedness,

the prompt for the Sunday creative this week.

I was walking with my camera in Jackson Square,

in New Orleans last January.

A group that you might call "down and out" were enjoying each other's company,

sharing a beer can in a paper bag,

and generally forgetting their cares and concerns.

I'm from New Orleans,

and I've met "these people" before.

These were the patients when I worked at

Charity Hospital in the early '90's.

On this particular day, they were cheerful, silly

...and only too happy to pose for my camera.

I'm sure their connectedness is a key to their survival.

Bathing Fred

2010-07-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

a rare moment of cooperation

curves

2010-07-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

"she" was waiting for me to notice her

bathed in sunlight

as I made my morning coffee

her curves "saturated"

collection

2010-07-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not a collector, but I don't know what I'd do without my "collection" of brightly colored yellow pins for sewing

yesterday's rain

2010-07-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

yesterday's rain~

today it was all about the sunshine!

Sunset over the lake

2010-07-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the smoke from the fireworks,

it was THE most amazing sunset over Whitefish Lake.

"Denim"

2010-07-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Creative, a weekly prompt for phototakers/photographers.

This week, the prompt is "denim,"
and you can take it literally or figuratively
...any way you want!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Centering

2010-07-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

The exercise for today ~ centering your subject

This exercise makes me realize that I center a lot of subjects...

maybe too many.

Boys just want to have fun

2010-07-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

My two boys...

not surprising who tricked the other into going first!

2010-07-01T05:57:00.000-07:00

Summer isn't summer without....a few dandelions!

Allium

2010-06-25T21:12:00.001-07:00

I had one lonely, but beautiful allium this year.

I tried to buy more, but evidently the time to plant the bulb is in the fall.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

Critters by Nina

2010-06-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

This is "Lemon" the puppy dog...

and "Pumpkin & Alice," miniature bird friends...

...and here is "Goldy" the goldfish with "Willow" the caterpillar.

Somebody else at my house likes to make things!
(This was so much fun that she says she'll be back with more critters soon!)

Wonky stars, perfect flowers

2010-06-19T17:11:00.001-07:00

A star pattern that I was working on a few months ago.

Boy, stars are hard! and I am just not capable of

perfection in my crafting (and that's ok by me!).

My latest star.

I hope to make one each day for the next few weeks,

working toward another quilt.

By contrast...

look at the perfection in my garden!

Easy does it

2010-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

In the midst of much knitting,

a quick and easy skirt for my 8 year old...

a bit big, but perfect for putting away until September

...and the start of a new "year."

Decision made

2010-06-03T19:55:00.001-07:00

I've decided on this "diamond pullover" with short sleeves for

the Colourmart challenge.

So far, love the knitting, but it requires concentration.

Slowly, I'm picking up on the pattern.

I do have something in mind, though, for a little

mindless knitting...

you've got to have a little of that!

Hemp Featherweight

2010-06-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

It worked!

The dijon hemp from Allhemp yarn worked perfectly

for this true featherweight cardigan.

It has a slubby, irregular texture.

It's thin and airy.

This is what Hannah Fettig had in mind when she created her pattern!

I'll wear it all the time.

(More details on Ravelry)

Must get busy...

2010-05-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Having a terrible time deciding exactly what to make for

that Colourmart challenge...

Thinking that knitting without pressure is more where I'm at.

Must finish my hemp featherweight before I can even think about it.

What to do!

Meanwhile...my flowers are having a wonderful time in the cool, drizzly weather we're having.

Colourmart project challenge

2010-05-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

I recently received a message on Ravelry,

notifying me of a group project.

Evidently, all members of the group will be making "something"

out of yarn from ColourmartUK,

that fabulous yarn company that often posts great deals on eBay.

When I received the message, I had just ordered more of that

wonderful "pewter" merino DK...

the yarn that I made into that not-so-featherweight

cardigan, along with some Kidsilk Haze.

It's time for me to swatch and choose another sweater project!

I'm totally caught up in my next "truly" featherweight

cardigan (the hemp one!)

but

I have some ideas for this Colourmart challenge.

The deadline is July 20th, I'm afraid!

P.S. Looks like I have enough yarn, doesn't it?

Bigfork

2010-05-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

an aging cement wall

light reflected on the lake

2 very different collages
taken on an early evening walk through
Bigfork, Montana

What a wonderful Mother's Day it was!
Hope yours was wonderful, too!

April showers bring...

2010-05-03T15:59:00.001-07:00

...May flowers, for one thing!

It has been raining daily here for more than a week.

The world is turning green,

green, green!

Nature has awoken.

Rain means poor lighting for photography

...but lots of time for knitting.

Finished!

My not-so-featherweight Featherweight by

Hannah Fettig

It's longer, heavier and overall a different sweater,

but it's modeled on the Featherweight cardigan.

I love the color.

Gray.

In fact, I'm in the process of painting the family room gray.

I've gone from a blue jag, to a gray jag!

A success.
I will wear this sweater!

And since a gal can't have too many clothes,
not to mention too many sweaters...

I'm going to tackle another Featherweight
immediately!

This one will be of hemp...
in another of my favorite colors!

P.S. All the details are on my Ravelry page!

P.P.S. My camera is back!!

Impatience

2010-04-15T22:25:00.001-07:00

I cannot wait to get my camera back!

I never knew how much I would miss it...

Near disaster ~ averted

2010-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

A sweater completed.

A project to cross off my list (at right).

An undertaking that was questionable from the start.

A near disaster ~ averted.

October Frost.

Knit with Donegal Aran Tweed by Debbie Bliss.

A sweet color, purchased for the sweet price of 50% off.

Finally finished, it looked baggy and frumpy.

A housecoat at best.

Angry and frustrated to have created yet another "okay" sweater,

it was tossed in the washer.

Go ahead and felt! See if I care!

Oh! damn! what am I doing! what am I doing?

Pulled from the washer, and wait...

It fits a little better.

The slight felting is good for this yarn and design.

Maybe I'll wear it.

Maybe, just maybe.

P.S. Sorry for the single, not-so-great photo. My camera should be back by week's end. Yahoo!

A broken camera & a case of startitis

2010-04-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Quito, Ecuador

There is nothing like a recently broken camera (don't let your 11 year old borrow your camera!) and a debilitating case of "startitis" in your knitting and quilting hobbies, to get you to finally post some photos of your December trip to Ecuador.

I think I was so overwhelmed by the sheer number of pictures I have, and being tired of not sharing them, here are some of my favorites.

I actually ordered prints and put them in an album this week. It is such a pleasure, looking through the book and reliving the great memories of such a wonderful trip!

The Galapagos tortoises.

They have to be included. They are so ponderous, slow, heavy.

They exude a feeling of oldness and prehistory, all the while appearing to grin at you.

I'm sure E.T. was modeled after them.

A butterfly house.

These have become almost commonplace in big American cities, but this was still a thoroughly enjoyable stop.

Vegetation.

I just loved finding tangled vines in the Amazon jungle. Each one different and special. Wish I had taken more photos of these.

I don't recall the names of most of the plants or animals, but the spiky tree was so much fun.

Our guide peeled off a few sticky spikes and put devil horns on the kids' foreheads.

(I'll have to add a photo!)

Color.

These photos, from Quito and the jungle.
Beautiful things to behold.

...and my favorite animal of all!

This wonderful land iguana put on quite a show, strolling briskly past us.

I just love his face, his color, his bulk (he was big!)

Just like the tortoises, he seems to grin and understand.

Everything is coming up blue

2010-03-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

I've been on a blue kick this winter!

The sweater was finished weeks ago, and posted on Ravelry,

but I just couldn't find time to post it here.

The sweater is Debbie Bliss' Meg

knit in Cascade 220

It turned out absolutely huge, but unlike sweaters I knit for myself,

that's a good thing here.

My daughter can wear it for a few years, hopefully!

On another note, I've been playing around with 5 pointed stars.

Never one to follow directions, I found a quick and dirty tutorial on the web

and have been playing with them ever since.

I like their irregularity.

No two stars are quite the same.

And hopefully they will become a quilt of a sort in the not so distant future.

Just enjoying my yarn

2010-03-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

The yarn for my latest project was just hanging out in the sunlight today.

Thought I'd capture it, especially the very end of the first skein of

Kidsilk Haze, looking like a flower as it comes to its end.

I love my Billie sweater!

2010-02-23T16:11:00.000-08:00

There's not much to say, except "I love it!"

This is "Billie" by Kim Hargreaves,

knit in Rowan Kid Classic (one of my now favorite yarns).

The color is "smoke" and I just can't say enough about

how cozy and great I think it is.

It went together easily (not all sweaters do, you know!)

The first picture makes it look as though it has a "sheen" to it,

but it really doesn't.

On a day when I'm feeling like a jack of all trades, master of none,

this makes me feel like I made something special!

I recommend you go knit one for yourself!

P.S. I have two more sweaters in the works!

Both should be finished soon. Wish the Olympics could last a little longer!

2010-02-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

THEY DID IT! THEY WON! BLESS YOU BOYS! PROUD TO BE A WHO DAT!

2010-02-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Sending positive energy to the Saints!

A win would be wonderful gift for the city of New Orleans.

!Go Saints Go!

The big trip(s)

2010-02-01T16:22:00.001-08:00

We have been to Ecuador!

And it was amazing!

I have yet to find the words and photos to adequately describe it.

These are just a few of the animals from the Galapagos.

(the hummingbird is from a cloud forest northwest of Quito)

Many more photos to follow, as I find the time.

-------

Before I had a chance to make sense of all my photos,

I took an unanticipated trip to New Orleans,

my hometown.

Just an unused plane ticket, about to expire.

...and I got to be there for the Saints big win.

Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat?!
Looking forward to the big game on Sunday!

Busy, busy, and more busy!

2009-12-23T13:41:00.000-08:00

We just celebrated someone's 8th birthday!

That's a big deal, going from 7 to 8.

I can almost feel her changing each day, growing up too fast.

She was determined to make cupcakes for her class, decorated all by herself.
I love how they look like babies lined up in bassinets at the hospital.
And her big, pink cake was also a "face." Nobody even
noticed the sliding, drooping icing!

And today we made some non-traditionally colored
Christmas cookies!

Somewhere along the way, interest waned...
and everyone departed for other activities.

I think I got left with the mess...

Next up,
there is lots of wrapping to do,
and packing for a big trip!!
I'll be back in January.

Addendum (saturday photo project)

2009-12-12T09:27:00.001-08:00

Two more portraits, this one from this morning.

Nina and her cousin, Isabel, having a ball

making window clings with beautiful, bright colors

while the snow falls outside,

making everything white.

And last, but not least....

Fred, in a bumble bee costume,

discovered at the Salvation Army

(it works...you can't see all of his face!!)

Have a wonderful, snowy day!

Portraits (Saturday photo project #4)

2009-12-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy week, without much time for photographs.

The holidays are definitely upon us!

I did manage a few shots that I'm willing to share.

Wish it could be more!!

My first portrait is of Nina

my only girl

my youngest child

soon to be eight years old

for her, it's all about

where she stands with her friends

and in her relationships

it's about how she looks each day

and

what she can create that is beautiful

my only girl
is all girl

portrait #2 is my husband

always interested in something
very much an individual
not concerned with conforming
following his own path

(can you see that his latest interest a National Geographic,
from 1913, with an article on
Hiram Bingham, who "discovered"
Machu Pichu)

and finally...

preparing for my close-up

actually, I considered submitting this for my portrait
I swore I'd never put my face on this blog!

then...

it was kind of fun, playing around

in front of the mirror
and the collage (seems to be my signature)
wasn't half bad!

but in the end...

here I am.

I should play by the rules, as I know you will, too.

this photo taken in the bathroom
of a local restaurant

well, you never know when you'll
capture the right image!

_________________________________

*Camilla & Carolyn, this has been such a wonderful project! I feel like I've been in school for the past few weeks, and I've really enjoyed it.
I wonder if we can ever do some more of this in 2010....

I'll stay in touch!

Christmas lights - a new perspective

2009-12-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

Start with a Christmas tree,

Give the camera a little shake.

Now shake the other way.

More lights, and a wavy motion.

And a dip and a roll.

What fun!

I start to think of a carnival,

or an Etch-a-Sketch - I mean a Spirograph!

Mesmerizing.

Who couldn't love Christmas lights!

Saturday photo project #3

2009-12-03T17:24:00.001-08:00

Anticipation

Loneliness

When I set to work on this week's photos, I was tempted to look at old pictures and find several that went together...but, I remembered the instructions!! and instead took all my photos at one time, trying to fit them to a theme.

The first collage, "Anticipation" was all about a Sunday morning at our house. It's a little "staged" for my taste, but...Fred was not especially cooperative. He wanted the dog bone NOW, but I finally got the picture. I asked my 10 year old son what he felt when he looked at the final collage, and his answer was "morning" and "breakfast." Well, I'm not too far off!

The second collage was taken on a quick walk Monday morning...while the sun was shining! I didn't set out to take such gloomy pictures, but it was amazing to me how many old, broken, forgotten and discarded things I saw. When I asked my son this time, his reaction to the photos was "broken" and "gloomy." I think that about sums up what I was trying to capture!

Check out the other Saturday photo projects here!

Saturday Photo Project (environmental portrait)

2009-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

who is he...

sitting in a dark room

his eyes, the most important tool

looking, seeing, finding

...the doctor

who is she...

her needles passed from one knitter to the next

brittle and tinged with rust,

if she could only know

...my grandmother

...and who am I?

just for today, I am a painter

covering myself in splattered white

wanting to make a little girl happy with new walls

and pretty pink accents yet to come.

** Thank you Camilla and Carolyn for this great opportunity.

I really found this week's assignment challenging, but so rewarding!

6 to 7am

2009-11-24T06:12:00.001-08:00

You can find me most mornings, at this time of year, sitting in the lamp light with my coffee and my knitting. Often my husband is reading next to me, and usually Fred is gently snoring.

It's one of the best times of the day.

Hastily thrown together (2nd collage entry)

2009-11-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

Here's a somewhat hastily thrown together color collage.

I sort of missed the point of the exercise with my "single" color themed quilts.

(see earlier post)

The collage you see here is from a recent drive around town...

lots of metal and peeling paint!

Enjoy!

Saturday photo project

2009-11-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

I couldn't make just one color quilt.

I chose to make each quilt in one color theme...so here goes.

#1 nature's blues - earth, water, sky

#2 nature's absence of color, or is it? I like to think of it as nature's "silver."

#3 natural and man-made object found outdoors, again the "lack" of color

#4 the reds of my kitchen - I love these reds, and just happened to have a lot of pomegranates laying around

#5 man's blues - dirty blues, I call this

I had a heck of a time making the text correspond with the photos today! Sorry about that, and hope you can see what's what. Enjoy!

I can't wait to see everyone else's and see what's up for next week!

Almost perfect

2009-11-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

This sweater is my new favorite!

Everyone knows it...the good old Central Park Hoodie by Heather Lodinsky.

...now knit by more than a thousand Ravelers!

I am completely indebted to Angie who made this exact version (same yarn, same color) and made me think I had to have one!

I knit the 36" with Rowan Kid Classic, colorway #825 (crushed velvet).

The gauge challenged me a bit, but of course never gave me pause. I just kept on knitting!

As a result, I wish the sleeves were a tad looser and the fronts had just a tiny bit more ease, but...it looks better unbuttoned anyway.

I will knit this again, and soon. It's a dressier version of a casual everyday sweater.

I love it!

P.S. It's really hard to blog about knitting when you can just put it all on Ravelry.

I love the photography part of blogging, and have decided to join Camilla in a little photography exercise. Stay tuned for my first photographic adventure!

A belated Happy Halloween

2009-11-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hope it was a great Halloween for all!

October images

2009-10-26T17:45:00.001-07:00

Vivid flowers,

silly faces.

Pumpkin patches,

with abundant,

colorful

variety.

Captivating sunlight.

Just ripe fruit,

enjoyed by all.

...Old man winter is on his way!

A little mustard color everywhere!

2009-09-13T17:51:00.001-07:00

It's complete ~ "Air," a Calmer Collection pattern, but knit

with Sublime Extrafine Merino DK in "Colonel Mustard" colorway.

And I'm loving the fit, the knit, the way it turned out.

Looking around, maybe the color isn't so bright and unnatural.

In fact, I think I see a little bit of it everywhere...

Haste makes waste

2009-08-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Fred is looking the way I feel about this quilt.

Not real happy!

The photos look fine, but this is all you get to see.

I hurried to finish this project (when I got around to working on it).

I wanted it to be "irregular" and have a free-form quality.

But in the end, the quilt doesn't look as nice as it should, and I'm not happy.

Lesson learned. Haste makes waste.

At least it's a small quilt. Can be used as a throw.

On to a pink quilt that's been waiting to be layered and sewn together.

And this time...I won't be in such a hurry!