Barn Dance: For Francine

I've finally finished piecing my class piece from Jan Myers-Newbury's Shibori class at the Barn. It has had me so excited I've actually been getting up an hour early for the past few mornings, just so I can sew a few seams in peace! Now all I need is some batting and backing fabric, and I'll be ready to quilt! YAYYYYY!

I named this piece even before it was totally conceived and/or assembled. My friend Francine passed away while I was taking the class, and I wanted to dedicate this to her memory. She was such a great gal and a huge inspiration to so many people in the area. I know she is dancing once again and free from pain and suffering!

PEACE

yesterday

We are enjoying some glorious weather! I couldn't resist getting out my camera and snapping some pics yesterday.

Echinacea

Money Plant (almost all spent!)

Nandina

and more

and a wonderful sunset over the lake, to end our day

Hope it's beautiful in your corner of the world as well.

PEACE

Due to some spamming, I am having to add a bit of security to my blog. I apologize for the inconvenience, and hope that it won't keep you from leaving a comment, because I always love hearing what you have to say!

Jag är en Svenska flicka!

Yes, indeed: I am a Swedish girl! While my lovely Swedish cousin Eva does all in her power to help me with my Swedish speaking and my Swedish cooking, I must admit that this morning I had to resort to the Google translator to get out the simple sentence "I am a Swedish girl", and to Ikea for the Swedish pancake and waffle mix! Oh well, at least I try, eh?

We had a very fine walk on the golf course this morning: 48 degrees and not a golfer in sight! Barker was his usual well-mannered self most of the time, and so I was in a good mood and suggested that I tackle the Swedish waffles! I don't think I've made waffles since our daughter was still living at home (and that was always from scratch!), so it's 12 years! I'm surprised I could even find my trusty old waffle iron!

The mix made life very easy, but it was tough waiting for the waffle iron to heat up and then for the waffles to cook! But, boy oh boy, were they ever good! While the box suggested that the waffles be topped with lingonberry jam, I'm afraid that I was doing my level best to use huckleberry syrup!

We do have lingonberry jam........but it's at the condo, and we're not! Maybe next time, I'll incorporate a bit of prior planning into this foray into Swedish cuisine!

Have a great weekend!

PEACE

Dyeing Days

I can't seem to get enough of Shibori, so I hope you're not growing tired of seeing the results of my playtime. Yesterday afternoon I thought I'd go out to the dye studio for 'just a little while' and wrap up a few silk scarves that I'd put a layer of dye on last weekend. Well, that little while ended up being about four hours. Once I got the scarves wrapped, I spotted some lengths of cotton that could use some wrapping, so I felt compelled. And then of course, I couldn't just leave them to dye for another day, so I mixed up the dye pot, stuck them in and could barely wait for the results.

I'm bored with photographing my scarves on my model. Tell me what you think: do you like them better this way, or on the model?

C and I have just completed listening to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, a Swedish writer. Apparently when it was first released in Sweden it was titled "Men Who Hate Women". I'm not sure why the title was changed for its release here in the States. I had a love-hate relationship with this book, but found it addicting, and was sad to learn that Larsson, the author, has passed away, but there is a sequel to the book! I've also just finished reading "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh, and I'm almost through with "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, a marvelous page-turner. What are you reading? Don't be shy, please speak up! We saw "A Serious Man", the new Coen brothers movie, the other day........it is unlike any other they have done, and that is all I'm saying at this point!

We're enjoying more lovely weather with sunny skies and afternoon temps climbing into the 60s.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

PEACE

Rainy Daze

Tropical Storm Ida has dropped yet more rain upon us.....and that's fine, as I have so much to amuse me! I thought I'd share a few pics taken over the past 36 hours.

The lingering last leaves on one of our Japanese Maples are brightening an otherwise dreary landscape:

I've planted some of my Paperwhites, have you?

C brought me 18 of the most gorgeous long-stemmed roses the other day....and for no apparent reason! These are phenomenal, and were such a glorious surprise!

One of my most recent assignments in my photography class was to "photograph a person or thing from every angle". Barker insists he's a person, so of course I had to choose him! Here are just a couple of his angle shots:

Aren't the men in my life fantastic!

PEACE

International Acquaintances

I think I'm finally 'coming down' from the high I experienced during my weeklong Shibori class with Jan Myers-Newbury at Nancy Crow's Barn! Reality is setting in, but I'm now having the wonderful opportunity to sit back and reflect on all of the new friendships that we all developed. The Barn's environment seems to encourage that, especially during mealtime in the light and airy diningroom, with the yummy meals lovingly prepared by Margaret Wolf. One of the first people that I met was the awesome German fiber artist Heide Stoll-Weber who was there for two weeks of independent study under Nancy's tutelage. Her work is totally amazing: both her quilts and her hand-dyed fabrics. I wish that I had taken a picture of Heide, but that didn't happen. Anyway, please do check out her website. I think you'll agree that her quilts are one of a kind and very inspirational.

Below is one of my classmates, Birgitta (with Jan). While she currently lives in England (Dorset, to be exact), Birgitta hails from Sweden.

As you may or may not know, my maternal grandparents were both from Sweden, and I have cousins living there in Skane (whom I don't get to visit often enough!), so it was music to my ears when I heard both Birgitta and Gunilla first speak! I couldn't help but notice how much Birgitta looked like Augusta, my Swedish grandmother...........what a comfort!

This is Gunilla (and Jan):
Both Gunilla and Birgitta were extremely productive, and their work was lovely! It was a treat for me to be with them both! Gunilla has a blog and I'm looking forward to seeing how she progresses with her one of a kind fabrics.

Our weather today is quite rainy: thanks to Tropical Storm Ida. We are no longer in need of rain, but our most recent drought has taught me to never again complain about precipitation! I donned my rain gear early this morning and Barker and I had a very pleasant walk!

Enjoy your day!

PEACE

ahhhhhhhh: silk!

Here are my first silk scarves completed since my Shibori class with Jan Myers-Newbury.

I'm very pleased with their outcome, and hope that you will like them too! The process is all so new to me, and the colors are always a surprise, but Jan says that even after 15 years of working with this technique, she is still surprised, so I guess I have a ways to go! It's like Christmas every time a piece comes out of the dye bath, and then again out of the washer. I'm all for that!

It's a gorgeous day here, with clear blue skies, a slight breeze, and temps in the low 70s. I'm heading outside to do a little Fall tidying up in the garden, and then off to our church for an evening music program.

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful day as well.

PEACE