My little redbud tree

I love my little redbud tree like it was a pet. I check on it almost every day. It was a gift from my family and I really appreciate their thoughtfulness in getting me something I’ve always wanted.

I was heartbroken when a large branch split off and could not be repaired.

Today I noticed something new. There are beautiful seed pods growing on the tree. This is the first year for these and I’m thrilled that my little tree has something new to offer.

I’m so glad I live in a place where I can have my little tree and enjoy it unabashedly! My abstracts may not readily seem like it, but nature does inspire my work. Just look at those lovely burgundy pods…

Always somethin’

Yep–you always see something when you take a walk.

Even if it’s only the rusty gear wheels at the dam.

Aren’t these cool?

Yes, spring indeed!

Are you tired of looking at everyone’s fabulous spring flowers? Well, then, just skip on ahead because I couldn’t help myself today! Sunny, warm, glorious spring! Finally! Maybe just a few more exclamation points to show how happy I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trees in bloom…

Love these little white beauties

A pile of freshly cut tree

Bleeding heart–so graceful

And my own baby redbud!!!

I stand corrected…

Quite a while ago I published photos of some of the painted leaf stamping I had done.

I called these leaves the largest maple leaves I had ever seen. Well, someone thought for sure they were sycamore leaves and I didn’t think there were any sycamore trees near where I got the leaves.

We walked in those same woods this afternoon and as I scanned the bare branches, I realized that there were loads of sycamore trees around. So, that ‘someone’ was absolutely correct and I was wrong. Not the first time, but I can’t wait until there are more of those leaves available for stamping with. I love them!

In the meanwhile, there was nothing exciting on the path through the woods…some lovely swans…

some beautiful periwinkle on the hillside…Wait a minute! This isn’t sycamore, too, is it?

I disappoint myself…

I worked very hard in the studio today to finish up the article I’m reworking. Process photos, of course, which are a royal pain, but absolutely necessary. When I sat down to finish my editing and add my photos, I could only find half the pictures. The ones from the beginning, which I took last week, have totally vanished. I searched in every nook and cranny and under every rock in my computer, to no avail. I think I deleted them from my camera before I downloaded them. I felt so stupid.

But I can place the blame on this delightful distraction.

When grandson AJ saw my tripod, he just had to be AJ Cameraman for the day. He hauled it around the house all day, “filming” things just like he has seen TV cameramen filming when he was at hockey games. He had a great time and I smiled for the camera for hours!

However, I believe that when I was deleting his pictures, I deleted mine, thinking they were already on the computer. Sigh!

Luckily, in this case I have enough fabric to duplicate my efforts–and my photos.

Some days the hamster wheel just spins around and you hop on and off as the moments pass by!

And we’re off and sewing…

Well, as promised, here is a quick look at the first day. Time went by so quickly!

We always end up packing like we are going on an arctic expedition, but isn’t it better to have too much than to need something that’s sitting home on the shelf?

Oh, and there’s another suitcase with some PJ’s and that all-important big sack of snacks, too!

Scraps, scraps and more scraps–that’s what I brought to work on. The first simple little project was to make a bunch of mug rugs. I had a strip of pre-quilted fabric that I had trimmed from a quilt, so snip-snip-sew around and they were done.

Teeny, tiny pile of bits left…hooray!

The next batch was stacks of fabrics that I had cut a long time ago for a step-by-step demo. Sewed them together and then quilted them, using up scraps of batting, too!

Simple random, free motion quilting. If you are unpracticed, this is great. It absolutely will not matter if things are not perfect. These are mug rugs!

Next step is to trim with a pinking or wavy edge rotary cutter and then a simple line of stitching around the edge and you are done!

Tomorrow I’ll have pictures of the wonderful projects other people are working on. There are some truly beautiful quilts being made here!

Glimpses…

I received a wonderful surprise in the mail today. One of the winners of my last blog giveaway, Donna Barnitz, sent me a gift in return…a lovely, hand-dyed scarf in a card that was also created by her. Love, love, love! Super bonus time for me–I divested myself of a tiny bit of fabric and received a beautiful gift in return. Wooooo-hoooooo!

I finished a few projects that I have been experimenting with, using USArtquest products. I’m not sure if I can show them here, but I think a few glimpses would be all right.

Don’t these make you think I’m having lots of fun? Well, I certainly am. I will tell you lots more about them in a few days, but I currently have house guests, a family dinner and a wedding to enjoy throughout the next few days. I’ll be back with you soon!

Figuring It Out…

I had lunch with some friends on Saturday and conversation ran from husbands, family and marriage to religion and our current projects. I was struck by a remark one of them made about my blog.

She said that she just couldn’t figure out my blog, what it was supposed to be about. Totally different mindset between the two of us. Her blog is for her business, to show her products, projects, activities, events. There is a reason for every post and none of it is personal.

My brain puts this blog in the totally personal category. Completely random, about whatever it is that I’m working on, issues with my projects, traveling that I do, whatever might catch my eye or interest me, very disorganized. Sometimes it’s about my classes and promoting my “business.” Mostly it’s just postings about my life as I bumble through every day.

What a difference in how we have to approach our blogs…mine is all about fun and hers is just one more item on her to-do list. I can see where she might not be able to figure mine out!

So little to tell…

I’m so sad that I have nothing accomplished. No sewing or painting or beading or crafting of any kind has been done so far this week. I went to my Knot Even Quilters meeting today with my challenge, due today, in pieces in a bag! I’ve got some pictures of what my friends got done…and then my camera battery died! So, they are a bit blurry and I didn’t get them all…

So, so sorry this is so blurry!

As for me, I’ve been working on taxes…AAAAARGH!!! Nobody’s favorite job!

This weekend is guild workshop weekend and the ‘big reveal’ of our summer program, Quilting Unlimited 2013. Great teachers and lots of classes. Now is the time to be part of the Ann Arbor Quilt Guild! The info should be live on the web this weekend. I’ll post a link when it is. The link to the Guild website for general info is http://gaaqg.com/

Hope I get some time in the studio after the weekend. I’ll suspend any more “nothing” blog posts until I get some work done! That better be by Monday or I might explode from the frustration!

48 hour days?

Yep-that’s what I need this month, 48 hour days. I committed myself to so many things this month that I don’t know where the time will come from to get them all done.

How does this happen? I’m retired and have time to do anything I want.

And I only do things that I want to do. But it becomes harder to say no, because I only do things that I want to do!

Except for those things that I don’t want to do and have to do…like go through 3 weeks worth of accumulated mail. That’s one of my chores for today and I’m betting there are a bunch of bills that need to be paid, too. Those things don’t go on vacation!

I’m looooonging to be secluded in my studio again, sewing away, but today is not the day. Well, the sooner I get my necessary chores done, the sooner I can get to my dream!