TAKE A WALK WITH ME TODAY

SUMMER AT HOME

We have now been in this house for a year and in that time we have worked hard on a badly neglected yard.   I thought I would give you a tour.

This is our drive up to our house thru the woods.

The front of our house with new plantings along the sidewalk leading to front door.

 A wren sits atop one of the last birdhouses painted by my mother and given to me for this house.

The walkway to the back door and deck

 A view of the back of the house and lower level patio.

 The "barn" and raised bed vegetable garden.

 My Woods

 Summer's Beauty

FAWN AND DOE

 Barely visible this fawn followed her nervous mom out into the opening in the woods...you can barely see its ears sticking out of the tall grasses.

Then the doe moved fast so the fawn had to run to keep up.   So beautiful again today.

GIVING THANKS

I give thanks every day for being able to wake up to a scene like this just outside my window.

MACHINE QUILTING UNLIMITED

I have been very fortunate to have been asked to submit this quilt along with a few words to
"Machine Quilting Unlimited" Magazine for their May/June Issue.  I am so honored to be a contributor. 

BUBBLES, PROJECTS & PEEWEE

 I must apologize for not posting for a while but you will see below that I ahve been busy with my lower level project as well as the newest member of the family. 

I have found time to work in between and am in the process of quilting  the right side of this piece.
Still the furthest back parts of the art quilt.  Then I will work on the left side before adding the foreground items.  This is being done sort of intuitively rather then by a sketch of the total seascape.  I sketch out the individual items and select the fabric and place them.  A little risky but makes me fun too.  Some will get rejected I am sure but that is okay....they can be saved for a later project.

 In the meantime work continues on my "lower level".  Used to call it the basement because that is what is was basically but now it is turning into a great office and tv watching space for my husband and family when they are all over.  We did all the framing and the insulation with help from kids.  Then drywallers came in and electricians to do the rest and to texture and prime the walls.  Then I painted with some help from my daughter Molly.  Now come a new patio door and then carpeting and a return visit from the electrician to put in ceiling lights and finish all the outlets.   It will be a great space.

Then there is PeeWee.   Still small but very very active!   Loves being with me in the studio and is still learning the "Rules".  That means many interruptions when I am trying to work...but he is a sweety and getting along well with his sister and brothers. 

QUILTING CONTINUES....

 I thought today I would show the back of my new art quilt so you can see the amount of quilting that has gone into this so far.   I usually do not show the back but do get asked to show it by buyers as well as viewers.   The reason for this is because I firmly believe that an art quilt is fiber art...fitting into the world of quilters as well as mainstream art.   I feel it should be considered from the front fully and totally and the back should only be nice and neat and tidy with stitches that have good tension.  I do not think it necessary to bury threads at the end of a quilting line or to be as precise as what is required of  a bed quilt...which is always seen on both sides .  How many collectors ask to see the back of an oil painting when considering whether to purchase it, or a watercolor or pastel...all of which many times have miscellaneous paint spatters or smudges on the back.  An art quilt will hang on a wall and the back will remain unseen.  Yes the sleeve and the label should be neatly done as should the binding if it is traditionally bound, and perhaps if a traditional pattern either pieced or appliqued it should meet those high standards.  But quilts such as mine with many layers and many thread changes and dense quilting should only be required to be neatly done with all loose threads clip and removed.   It is only my humble opinion but it is how I construct all of my pieces.

 This is the quilting so far.   Added some whiskers too.....loved adding those.  It continues to come to life.

And here is me in my studio.....You can not see most of it...there is a cutting table to the left and that closet is huge and houses all my fabric, completed quilts, supplies, extra machines, boxes for shipping and miscellaneous other things.  So nice to be able to shut the door and not worry about it fading in the sun either.   Of course my buddy Ozzie is always with me....and my camera on the tripod ready for a quick photo of wildlife or just the beautiful woods outside that window.

Valentine Cards

 The best Valentines Cards are those given by children...especially if those children are your Grandsons.

To differentiate us from the other Grandparents when they were too young to remember our last names ...we each were given the name of our dogs...so we are Grandma and Grandpa Ozzie and my daughter in laws parents are Grandma and Grandpa Ginger.  Now those names have stuck...and we remain G and G Ozzie.   The message...purely honesty. 

Clay is only 3...so he opted to skip words and be purely creative.   Love these boys.

WINTER MAGIC

 I am always amazed at how so many get upset about it being winter.  I do get it when it becomes frigid and difficult but there are many days like today when it is unbelievably beautiful and makes all the rest worthwhile.

 These photos are driving through the Kettle Moraine State Forest right near my house. 

 A grove of pines near someones farm house in Glenbeulah where I live.

The Mullet River which travels across my road to my house all the way into Plymouth where used to live.  I grew up skating and fishing on the Mullet River so am happy to still have it close by.

 

Just before you turn into where I live......farmers just got that corn cut.

HAPPY

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

FROST

 All seasons bring beauty to our landscapes.  Here is the view from my bedroom window early this week on a frosty morning.

 Sunrise was spectacular through the forest in our backyard.

There is a mystical quality to frost as it coats the fall foliage,  leaving a beautiful contrast between color and white.

TREES

 I have been doing my best to work as much as I can on this piece.  It is difficult right now because my Mother has come home on Sat. and before my sister can move in we are all taking turns staying with her.   However, progress is being made and I should have the partially finished pine done tomorrow.

I am very fortunate that my house is nestled in the Kettle Moraine State Forest so when I need to stretch a bit I can now take a walk into the woods and clear my thoughts as well as stretch my legs.  This little entry is right off our side yard.

 There are no mosquitos now...we had a frost the other night.  So walking in the leaves and with yellowing leaves overhead is like heaven.

I love the sharp contrast of the black dark bark and the lime green leaves, the verticals and the horizontals,  the sounds....and sometimes the absence of sound.   It is better then meditation, better then going to a spa, better then most everything.

TURKEY DAY

Love getting up in the morning and being surrounded by the beauty of the fall season and then privileged to view the wild life that I share this property with.

FALL

No words are needed to explain the beauty of fall.