Experiments 07-10-09

I don't seem to find any time lately to experiment with fabric and thread. But I tried a little experimenting on my computer. Very preliminary. I'm using Picasa 3.

Addiction 07-09-09

This is my second Scribbler image - I was never any good with Etch-A-Sketch either. I suppose the attraction is to see what the Scribbler will do with whatever lines you draw. Give it a try - it is actually sleep inducing!

http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/

Another flowering tree 07-08-09

The mimosa trees are in bloom now. This is what we call Mimosa, although it also known as Silk Tree - not be be confused with the
Silk Floss Tree that blooms in the fall. http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/silk-floss-trees-10-10-08.html

Albizia julibrissin

This tree is an over sized member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae). Mimosa, a Japanese native introduced in 1745, was among the first plants brought to North America purely for ornamental reasons. They grow quite tall, up to 40 feet, for a "small to medium" tree. They have an umbrella like shape - growing up so far and then spread out.

The flowers appear as soon as the tree leafs out and blooms are continuous into late September or later - depending on the weather. This tree grows extensively in the Southeast (especially the Carolinas) where it has naturalized over the many years it has been growing there.

The two inch flowers are very delicate and individually don't last long. When they dry they pile up into the tangle you see at the bottom of the picture. They do have a light fragrance, so bees are constantly busy as are hummingbirds and butterflies. There is a great range in color from palest pink to quite a bright pink - almost a rosy red.

The seed pods are flat with two to six bumps indicating where the seeds are. My late husband was very fond of mimosa trees and didn't seem to mind the constant raking and sweeping required by something falling most of the year - flowers, leaves, pods, twigs. He viewed it as good exercise!

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/ntvmow [the original is eight lines long!]

Not much happening 07-07-09

One of the things I have let slide too long is my incoming e-mail. So, if you haven't heard back from me, I apologize. I am working my way through from bottom to top and hope that sometime in this century I will go through them all. It has been so long since my inbox was empty I don't remember what it looked like! Tonight I will just give you some things that "Might be of Interest" - something I afflict my friends with when I come across something I think they might enjoy or find interesting.

When I was a child I enjoyed this kind of puzzle and, at that time, I was better at it.
http://www.justriddlesandmore.com/picture.html

If you move down the page they have ten more picture puzzles. Might be good for G'children!

Here is a champion at remembering things. I might get some help here, because I get worse and worse at remembering anything. Oddly enough, I can remember that there are things that I was unable to remember earlier, but I still can't remember what they were. http://tinyurl.com/

Ever get frustrated trying to find something in the dictionary? This might be part of the problem. http://www.snopes.com/language/mistakes/dord.asp

Are you a Starbucks fan? I certainly am, but not like this guy. Talk about obsession! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124301823356047977.html

I'm warning you - this one can be addictive! http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/

And my final thought on the N/L:
....a fulfillment of Eleanor Roosevelt's mandate, "...to do the thing you think you cannot do."
# # #

Claire Fenton quilt from TCQC 07-06-09

"Nesting #2-a" Claire Waguespack Fenton 2007

Fabric Postcard - 6"W x 4"L

When I started doing the "Sunday's Quilt" on 10-12-08 one of Claire's small quilts was the first up. It wasn't as small as this one, however in 2007 fiber cards were the hot projects everyone was pursuing and I started a collection of them, originally in support of Virginia Speigel's FFAC project. And I still add pieces now and then. In 2008 I had this to say about Claire.

"I am very attracted to Claire's work, especially those she calls nests. Her artist statement includes the comment: "the nest, the ultimate habitat, symbolic of safety and security: a snug refuge.” So, you see, she has an elegant way of defining her ideas. Claire has lived all of her life in the southern part of Louisiana and after Katrina she increasingly incorporated the hurricane and its aftermath in her designs. Ike went over her area" ... in September 2008 doing further devastation to many places effected by Katrina. It takes resilient people to live in the southeast of the USA.

She also does photography, mixed media and sculpture.

Check her website: www/clairefenton.com

Silent Sunday!! 07-05-09

After my struggle with the Surfside QGuild newsletter I thought I would sleep today, at least all morning, but it wasn't to be. And since I was struggling with the N/L I didn't have time to prepare a quilt post for today. If I can I will try to do it tomorrow morning. Sorry, I am exhausted. Del

Our 233rd Birthday 07-04-09

It was a red letter day at my house. I finished the newsletter - the one that was supposed to be posted last Tuesday! I learned a lot about Microsoft Publisher, especially what I still have to learn. Some pictures I was trying to post would not behave, so I had to send the N/L without the advertisements. I hope for this month we can post a separate page - or two - on our website with all the ads. Then they will start their regular appearance in next month's newsletter. The N/L is not mailed, but only available to read, or print out, on our temporary guild website.

http://sites.google.com/site/surfsidequiltersguild/

Corky and I didn't do much 4th of July celebrating, but we did drive over to Carol & Dick Bednar's neighborhood party. It is an annual thing - they have asked me before and I have never been able to go. But this year I had a handsome escort who was the hit of the event! We didn't go until after they had eaten, but there were still plenty of desserts! I had some treats for Corky, because I knew there would be food and he would be begging. There aren't many poodles around and I think everyone was impressed at how well behaved he was - despite the begging.

Meanwhile, Corky's parents were living it up on Catalina Island where they go every year for this holiday. Jim sent me this picture he took today. Looks like it was packed as usual. And the harbor is gunwale to gunwale boats - maybe you could walk across w/o getting your feet wet! I didn't know they had a parade with a band! Wonder what else they haven't told me about? Maybe Corky and I should go with them next year. We'd take the big white boat, no high powered speed boats for the two of us.

I'll take Corky home tomorrow afternoon and when I get home I think I'll just go to bed for a couple days - at least as much as I can. I feel like I have been fighting a war with my computers and Publisher and even have sore muscles (stress?). But I will try to blog every day. I feel sorry when I miss a blogging night. And I miss you when you don't blog. Del