It's A New Year

It may be a new year but that doesn't mean I'm done writing about the old one. With the opening of Hobby Lobby, I've re-discovered my love for quilting. What I like about the store is that they have a nice selection of fabrics, however, it's not an overwhelming selection. I'm not happy when there are too many choices, something the modern world provides in spades. Have you seen how MANY types of orange juice are on the supermarket shelves? Ridiculous. No wonder people feel so stressed out!

So, before I move on to another project, I thought I'd show you a closeup of the zigzag quilt I finished for Matthew's Christmas gift:

I learned some new techniques while making this quilt, and hopefully, with the new modern quilting book I received from Jonathan for my birthday, I'll be learning more.

Speaking of gifts, here's a shot of the gorgeous orchid Ruth's parents brought on Christmas day:

 

If you can imagine, there are thirteen, yes, you read that right, thirteen buds yet to open! Expect follow up images to come.

Bruce's knee problem improved dramatically, enough so, that on January 1, 2011, we went to Ikea on a recognizance mission. What, pray tell, are we doing now? I'm thinking of moving my office to the current guest room where I have the room to keep my sewing machine up, and have more of a photography studio in the room with the best light. Still puzzling about where this idea will go.

After Bruce left to set up the booth Sunday morning I went out back, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? A beautiful rainbow!

 

It would seem as if I am destined to never get a good shot of a rainbow, or at least to date that's been the case. Rarely do I see them, and both times when I have in the last year, I've had camera issues. Here's a little lesson I've learned--don't buy a generic battery for your camera. Although the after market battery I purchased for the Olympus works fine for a bit, there is no blinking indicator to let you know the battery is almost spent. Thus, I had no idea the battery was dying when I put my camera away. Running inside and grabbing my camera to catch the rainbow before it faded, I discovered the battery was DEAD. Great! Quickly changing it, I was barely able to get a few shots off before it was gone. Moral of the story? Spring for the good stuff.

Nancy and Lisa made a guest appearance at the market Sunday afternoon, posing for this shot before they walked around the lake:

 

So glad they both wore black! Nancy left yesterday after spending two weeks here visiting with the clan. Sadly, both my tech support (Matt), and organizational specialist (Nancy), have departed for another year before I was able to exploit their talents fully!

 

Tom shot this while we were in DeLand. Actually, he made two exposures, which brings me to lesson 2 of the post. Most times when taking family shots we don't think a lot about the composition, however, looking at the two photographs reminded me of something Professor Strout taught me in my one photography class at Valencia. I'm passing it along to you guys so you can be mindful of it while taking your own family shots. "Don't cut people off at the joints." I'm going to show you the other image to demonstrate the point:

Do you see the difference? Amazing what having feet will do! This is no dis on Tom's photography skills, I'm as guilty as anyone about not being careful of this. Note to self--pay attention to the details! Because this blog allegedly has something to do with photography, every now and again maybe I should share my limited technical knowledge?

I love ART. All kinds of art. Knowing this, our son Matthew regularly gives us art as gifts, with this year being no exception. Both Bruce and I are delighted with these new lino-block cuts of two of our favorite places in London. 

I can't tell you the amount of times I've heard people say they have no more room for new art. Hogwash is what I have to say about that! Moving current art to a different location gives it new life because you're seeing it differently. Buying art is a highly personal endeavor, but once you do, it's always nice to have folks admire your selection. Never once did anyone comment on the art that currently is hung over the fireplace when it hung over the piano. I can't tell you the number of folks who've asked if it was new once we moved it. No, we've had it for several years! Now, folks comment like nobodies business.

Good grief Gail,  you sure are full of advice today! And you thought you were coming here for a little entertainment....