A Few Views Of Sping

I wandered around outside yesterday for a bit - enjoying the sounds of the birds,

feeling warm sun on my face and relaxing in the perfectness of a joyful Spring day!

Enjoy the walk with me!

How can we possible call these cheerful English Daisy's weeds?!

Wishing Everyone A Happy Weekend

This weekend promises to be a bit more busy than usual - but the weather has been glorious. Cool, blanket weather nights and bright sun in the day. I hope it lasts for awhile! Last night, just as I was about to learn who was going to be voted out of "Survivor" the lights went out - and I do mean o-u-t. Three counties were affected - the results of mainland auto accident. I had candles and kerosene lamps out until the power came back on several hours later. It was good that the sun "stayed up late" and allowed me to draw a bit.

Do something nice for yourselves this weekend -relax & enjoy!

It's A Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: Digital Essentials By Gloria Hansen

Like most fiber artists I use my camera extensively and, also like many fiber artists, I use PhotoShop Elements (in my case for Mac). It is an amazingly powerful program, and, as someone who once had use of the full blown version of PhotoShop, I find Elements to be much more user friendly for the non-professional photographer. I have pulled my hair out at time however, trying to figure out some , what I thought should be, relatively simple problems. How do I make a photograph the 'right' size & pixels for entering in this or that show? How can I enrich or distort my photograph if I want to? So many questions always seem to come up when I want to do something specific to a photograph. Although I have quite a few books about using PhotoShop Elements, "Digital Essentials" is the book that will answer all of these questions & so very many more in a very user friendly way! Gloria Hansen is offering a free chapter view and signed copies of her new book - that's a good thing!

Click on the book's title above to have a look.

I have always admired Gloria Hansen's work, both in the quilt world as well as in the digital world. She has always been graciously helpful on the QuiltArt list; answering questions about digital photography & digital photography progams in an always clear and thoughtful way. I always look for her articles first when I look through magazines that regularly, or often, print her column. She has a knack of making the uninteligible clear & understandable. Gloria also has a company that designs websites - and I am so desirous to one day have the money so that I can hire her to do mine! When I win a lottery - that would be one of the first things I would do!

If you have had questions about how to manipulate your digital photographs & operate PhotoShop Elements - or PhotoShop for that matter - then this book really is a must have, essential for your reference library. Kudos to Gloria for sharing her knowledge & for publishing such a fine book! Get it - you won't be sorry!

The Other Houston: Some Non-Festival Photographs

One of the best days that I had in Houston during my Festival trip was taking a day to spend with Kathy. We did a whirlwind round of power shopping. Clothes,books and yarn shops! My favorite place that she took me to was the best art supplies store I have ever been in. Anywhere. Ever. Texas Art Supply. No matter what you need, for whatever art form, they have it. If I had not been trying to restrain myself and "un-exercise" my plastic, I could have done some mega damage - albeit come home with many treasures. Having bills that I cannot pay off right away stresses me a lot though - so I was good and came home with just a few choice selections.

The other thing we did that day - and I wish we had had more time to do more of - was to go to this marvelous water wall that exists somewhere in downtown Houston. It was like a cool oasis in the middle of a building jungle. We had a great time taking photos - I am especially fond of this top photo. A studious young man and a baby carriage - not necessarily connected. In hindsight, this photo really represented a lot. The studious young man represents the present and the baby carriage represents the future - and the water wall - well, it's the water that connects, and supports us all.

I live in the country, but found so many things in this urban environment that beckoned to be photographed. So many things to see through my camera lens. It made me wish that I could, just once more, return to New York City and Connecticut where I grew up to photograph the environments that shaped me. There is much to be said for cities, and much that I would like to explore further with my camera but I need the peace of country living. It was, as always, a blessing to come home where the cool night breeze and soft sound of the owls soothed my city energized nerves. It's always a good adventure to go away but it is returning to the peace of home that always make the trip the most worthwhile.

Some Seattle Snapshots: Pike Place Food Fantasia

I was going have a somewhat serious toned post today and then decided that, since it IS the weekend, we all might get some cooking ideas from seeing photos of some wonderful fresh food!
These photos were taken at the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle when my friend ,Janet, and I were there last month. One of the things that Pike Place is most famous for is is fish market stalls - that and their flower stalls. The Stargazer lilies perfume the air - it's glorious. I had a a bit of a hard time because the crowds were the biggest I have ever seen there - and that many people can cause me to feel a bit inwardly twitchy! SO - think about some yummy seafood for dinner this weekend. Have fun no mater what you do - be creative & make something beautiful!

One of the countless bouquets that are available - all colors, all perfumes - simple one of the most visually amazing dislpays of color anywhere !

We Had A Visitor Today

You've seen some of the other visitors to our yard. Lately though, I had been wondering what was happening to all of my flowers - well I did find one hidden peony blossom - and now I know! I finally caught the culprit ! Notice how 'frightened' he is as he stares right at me and then goes back to his leisurely grazing! Isn't he beautiful? What a glossy coat he has - hummmmm must be all the peonies!

It Was A Beautiful Day!

It was sunny and clear today. The bees and wasps are early this - despite blooms being late. It was just a picture postcard day
I am not sure where she came from - but she wanted to get drawn today - and so I complied. Her odd looks somehow appeal to me ! I had a wonderful birthday yesterday and spent it doing all of the fun things I wanted to do - including sleeping late ,taking a nap and playing with paints. I got the camera lens of my dreams, some books & some clothes, gifts of wonder from friends and king crab legs for dinner - at home even. My idea of a perfect day I'll post about this lens soon and other bounty soon...everything is AWESOME! I AM a lucky gal !

Some Photos That Just Had To Be Taken

Reflections on the window sill in my office

The mystical heart of a beautiful flower

The incredible clouds that fly by my window at home.

These are some of my favorite things.
The awesome beauty that surrounds us all every day
- if we just take the time to notice !
Hope you will still consider signing my guest book (see yesterday's post !)

Odd Signs & Wonders

I have been meaning to take a photo of this sign for some time and finally got the opportunity to do so when I was on the mainland early this week. Do you see the humor in this sign considering that alcohol and driving don't mix !

Spring May Have arrived

This week I am beginning to think that Spring may have finally arrived here in the Pacific Northwest. I have had doors & windows open for the first time this year & it is also
the first time that I have comfortably worn short sleeves all day.

I have been busy as a scurrying ant this weekend. I am ALMOST done with my quilt top - it's l-a-r-g-e! I spent all day yesterday working on it - and should, I hope, be able to finish it off today - then I'll need to "true" it all up & get the backing measured, cut and sewn. after that I will gather the things I will need next week for the lecture on Tuesday. I am hoping that I will have a little time to sit and day dream too - sit in the SUN I mean ! Meanwhile, the evenings have allowed me to make significant progress on the largest , and most humdrum, part of the knitting for the Einstein Coat. I think it will really be nice - and I may be happy that I elected to follow the pattern !More on both of these endeavors soon. Have a happy day!

Watching The World Go By

This kitty seemed so content to watch the world go by outside of his roughly screened window. Maybe the owner screened it in just for him/her? I would be happy to sit for awhile and watch the world go by - taking it all in to use as inspiration for a more energetic day. Happy Monday to all.

Happy Earth Day Earthlings!

The man whose mind is rounded out to perfection
Knows full well
Truth is not cut in half
And things do not exist apart from the mind

In the great assembly of the Lotus all are present
Without divisions
Grass, trees, the soil on which these grow
All have the same kinds of atoms
Some are barely in motion
While others make haste along the path, but they will all, in time
Reach The Precious Island of Nirvana
Who can really maintain
That things inanimate lack buddhahood?

Chan-Jan