December 31, 2012

December 19, 2012

Hard at work...

It takes me an average of 3 months to complete a large quilt (50x50).  This piece is coming along nicely.  One day, when it's finished, I'll show you the whole picture!


December 11, 2012

Victorious!

It was a hard fought Ebay battle - lots of back and forth bidding - but I won!  These are only a few of the shoe forms I added to my collection.  I could not hold them all in my hands.   I use these gems for doll feet - so much fun!


December 7, 2012

Friends...

This week's theme for My Town Shoot Out is "Introduce a Friend".

Betty Keigler is one of my favorite people.  She is my art buddy.  We traipse about town once a month (or more) going to galleries and outdoor spaces looking for inspiration.  We're also in the same book club.

Here we are at Naples Bay

Betty's studio.
Betty loves painting - watercolors and oils - oils being her medium of choice.

Plein aire
We spent the better part of a morning down at the bay.  I took photos while Betty sketched.

A treasured gift.  
A lovely watercolor of a scene from Betty's recent trip to New Mexico.

November 23, 2012

Sew Happy...

This week's Friday My Town Shoot Out theme is "At Rest, At Play or In Between".  That's easy - I sew and create with needle and thread.

Christmas is coming.  I love to make dolls and try to make something unusual for my youngest granddaughters every year.  These dolls were created without a pattern - just cut, sew, embellish and stuff - always a surprise to see what develops!

finished dolls are hanging up to dry after receiving a brushing of diluted ink.
 "Old Ornate Linen" texture courtesy of Pixel Dust Photo Art.


Linking to:
Inspire Me Fridays
Photo Art Fridays
Friday My Town Shoot Out
Weekly Top Shot



November 16, 2012

This is Who I Am...

The Friday My Town Shoot Out theme this week is SELF-PORTRAITS.  In 1991 my husband and I took early retirements and moved to Naples, Florida.  Quite a change from the busy life we had in Chicago.

This photo collage contains many of the things I love and make me who I am today.
I love the beach and the flowers here.  I take long walks daily and especially enjoy beach walks every Saturday and Sunday.
I love classical music and consider myself very lucky to live in a small town with a fantastic orchestra - The Naples Philharmonic.
I am an artist.  My medium of choice is fiber - any kind will do.  I love my sewing machine and use it almost daily.
I am learning the secrets of Photoshop Elements and how to use my DSLR camera.
I am 65+ years old and can hardly believe it!

Now tell me your story.


"Other Worlds" texture courtesy of Pixel Dust Photo Art.
"the king & queen" font


Linking to:
Inspire Me Fridays
Photo Art Fridays
Friday My Town Shoot Out
Weekly Top Shot

October 27, 2012

Hanging in There...

Nothing makes sense...that is what KAFKAESQUE means to me.

Only 4 more days until the end of the 30 Days of Photography III Challenge.  I'm hanging in there.



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October 25, 2012

30 Day Challenge - Video

Okay, okay, I know I'm cheating a bit here.  Not because I'm enjoying an ice cream bar, but because I made this slide show video in July!

What could be more satisfying on a hot summer's day than an ice cream bar?  I challenged myself to wait until I achieved my ideal weight before succumbing to the lure of the chocolate ice cream bar lurking in my freezer.   As you can plainly see, I enjoyed every bite.


October 23, 2012

Underwater...

 On days when everything goes awry, I feel completely out of control and UNDERWATER.   Have you ever felt that way?


Combination of two of my original photographs (rain on the car window and head shot)
"February Magic Edges" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.


Linking to:
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Texture Tuesday


October 10, 2012

Neighborhood Watch...

Who me, a  STALKER?   Trying my best to blend in with the scenery, I keep hoping a celebrity will walk by.  While waiting for this to happen, I can't help but wonder what my neighbors are up to now...




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October 5, 2012

Lotion...

Thank goodness I have a magic potion LOTION to start my day out right otherwise I'd scare the neighbors!

Mouseover to see my magical transformation!

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October 4, 2012

September 30, 2012

getting my hands dirty...

A few of my potted geraniums did not survive the summer heat - time for some new plants...this time impatiens.



"Tableau Toffee" texture courtesy of French Kiss.


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September 27, 2012

Which way is up....

I found the answer to my questions at the Visitor Center - generally the first stop made in a new place.



September 22, 2012

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

After visiting Peggy's Cove, we drove to Halifax.  I cannot think of a better way to while away a few hours on a rainy day than in an art museum.

Here I'm in the ladie's room  of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - talk about a bad hair day.  The drizzle outside has made my hair fizzle...no pictures allowed in the galleries, of course!


Tomorrow we head home.  It's been an exciting and fruitful 12 days.

September 21, 2012

Nova Scotia - Lunenburg


A surprise to find my reflection in this photo of one of the many beautiful doors adorning the stately homes here in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.



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September 19, 2012

Digby NS

Sitting on the seawall on the grounds of our B&B looking at what promises to be our first rainy day of our vacation.


It rained most of the day, but didn't spoil our fun!


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September 18, 2012

Fort Amherst National Park

Resting after a walk through Fort Amherst National Park outside of Victoria by the Sea, PEI.    


"Seriously" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.


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September 15, 2012

Nova Scotia - Louisbourg

We took a lovely hike along the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail.  Another incredibly beautiful day!


Nova Scotia - Port Hood

Enjoying the fantastic weather and beach in Port Hood, Nova Scotia.


September 12, 2012

Nova Scotia - Halifax

We walked around The Citadel area and then on to the waterfront for a look see and lunch at The Bicycle Thief.  Great restaurant!


I had to balance the camera on a trash barrel - which explains the odd angle.

September 11, 2012

colorful shoes...

I found these cool shoes at Kohls - surprisingly comfortable and will coordinate well with lots of different casual outfits.



Linking to:
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday

September 8, 2012

Pastel Portrait

I have been experimenting with different filters in Photoshop Elements.   The possibilities are limitless!

To the original photo: duplicated photo, adjusted sharpness, removed color, adjusted lighting levels; hard light blend mode; artistic filters (poster edges and rough pastels - canvas texture); hue/saturation adjustment layer. Finally added a texture over top and lowered opacity.


Mouse Over to see Original
"Roid Love" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

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September 6, 2012

Purging...

Losing weight can be a doubled edged sword.  Most of the pants I own no longer fit - a happy problem, I suppose.  It was necessary to purge my closet of clothes, too big, outdated, worn out...to make room for new things I recently bought.  (I still need to go through my ironing pile.  Hopefully, some of those things can be tossed too!)




After sorting, buttons and clothing labels were removed from items no longer good enough to pass onto the thrift store.


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September 4, 2012

Travel Guide...

My husband and I are taking a trip to Nova Scotia.  I'm so excited - I love to travel.  The best part of this trip - it was Richard's idea!

I'm reading and taking notes - I can hardly wait!


Several Topaz Labs filters added to my original photo.

September 3, 2012

The drive home...

Driving home from my morning beach walk...


The camera was placed on the dash and shot with the self-timer.

The Button Keeper

At last this project is finished.  I'm so pleased with her - especially after a couple of false starts on the head!


Hang tags made in Photoshop Elements printed on card stock


Detail shot of hands, arm and wing





Linking to:
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Texture Tuesday

September 2, 2012

What a Loser!

Most every Saturday night I buy one Lotto ticket.   Every Sunday morning I imagine myself a bigger winner - that is until I check the Lotto numbers - bah!  I'm lucky if I get one number!!


August 30, 2012

If I had a hammer...

This project is proceeding as planned...painting done...now I get out my tool box for hammer, screwdriver and drill.  
 The third head - this is a keeper.  I painted small wooden beads for eyes.  No ears since her hair will cover that up.  Must decide about the hair...

I think the hands turned out well - using wire, copper tubing, tape and clay.
 The chipboard snowflake is cut in half and adhered with wood glue and small brads to the back of the chest as wings.

almost finished....

August 29, 2012

New Shoes...

Walking 5-8 miles every day, my shoes take a beating.  I need to replace my walking shoes 3 - 4 times a year.



Now I need to consider buying new socks!


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August 27, 2012

Thanks Isaac...

Naples was lucky and except for some wind gusts and heavy rain, Isaac left us alone.  It looked like a lull in the rain this morning, so I took the chance to do my morning walk - big mistake!  Within 5 minutes after leaving the house, the skies opened up.  My husband drove by to offer this damsel in distress a ride home, but I was so wet by that time, I decided to keep slogging along.

I had a hat, rain jacket and sunglasses on - no sun, of course!

I had to peel my wet clothes off in the laundry room - I left my mark on the rug ;-)

I admit this wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, but it's not the dumbest thing either.  There was the time I.....


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August 23, 2012

Here's Mud in Your Eye...

A mud mask - I know it looks weird (not painful despite the look on my face).  My skin feels great after a final rinse!


"Ephemeral" texture courtesy of Pixel Art Photo Dust

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August 22, 2012

Color Me...

I took this self-portrait while sitting under the hair dryer at the salon.  My highlights are baking!


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