I took the camera, but the only thing I took photos of were these primroses on the bank at Bracknell train station.
While watching TV this evening, a lunar moth flitted up to the potted plants in the dinning room that it could “see” outside the slider. Then it clung to the screen and has been there ever since. I went out to the porch and snapped it’s picture looking back inside. I always think of Fairies when I see one. A lovely green Fairy is visiting this evening.

My girl captained her region - a huge responsibility but a great honour she was delighted to receive
Luckily one of the other parents managed to capture it on camera - no mean feat - not the most elegant of poses I have to say, the girl in pink nearly knocked her head off with a high tackle as Sarah went down to place the ball
The girls eventually came fourth overall after the 3rd/4th place play off game had to be stopped for safety with two of our girls heading off for medical treatment in ambulances (fortunately not my daughter) - Yes Jeanne it is a very rough game :o)I’ve just returned from attending the wonderful wedding of my son, Jamie and his new wife, Natascha, in Florida. While there I visited an old quilting friend, Ellen White, who told me about the following events that occurred to her.
About a year and a half ago, she took the Fantasy Flower Workshop from me (actually she arranged the workshop) and made this small wall quilt inspired by a photograph of an amaryllis.
Ellen took the quilt to the Bead Chick bead shop in St. Augustine to look for beads to add as embellishment and became friends with the owner who asked her to join Ancient City Artisans Guild. She did. The Guild had a booth at RAM, Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville in which she sold large, beautiful quilted purses. Along came the shop buyer from the Cummer Museum, who saw the purses and Ellen now sells her art, purses, and small quilts, at the museum shop.
Ellen says that just by taking my workshop she owes it all to me. I say it’s serendipity. But Ellen, your work is great and your rewards are well deserved. Keep up the good work. (I should have photographed one of the purses. Phooey!)
UPDATE: Ellen sent some pictures of her purses. So cool.

I have had some recent heart issues that have forced a few lifestyle changes. One of those changes is that I need to get some cardio exercise. So, every morning I am faithfully at the fitness center, using the treadmill and elliptical. I've never been on either machine before, so this is a new experience, and not one that I am overly fond of. However, it is better than the alternative, so I persevere. Too bad gardening isn't a a cardio exercise. Now that I would enjoy!

I am home from my artist residency in Texas --- and busy unpacking my supplies and sorting my photographs. I have to say that I am thrilled with my new camera lens. My photos from Texas are fabulous and will provide years of artistic inspiration. I can’t believe it. The daffodils are blooming, the little Dog Tooth Violet is up and ready to bloom, and we have 12 inches of snow.
At the beginning these were the biggest snow flakes I’ve ever seen.
24 hours later and 12″ of snow, this is the same tree! And look at all the snow hanging off the roof ready to fall.
Lovely patterns
Poor Thayer, looking pitiful at the door, wants in. Yes, she came in. She has no appreciation for snow!

I have the worse case of Spring Fever. We had one day of 70 degree weather this week so I rushed out and planted mustard greens, lettuce, arugala and chard. Of course, now it’s been drizzle raining for three straight days and the temperature is in the low 50’s. Oh well, I can dream of carrots and other things. And in the mean time, I’ll paint carrots.
This was painted on a hand dyed fabric after it was fused with Wonder Under. That made the surface nice and flat on which to paint with acrylics. They seem perfect to add to the piece I’m working on. I’ll wait a day or two before fusing them down permanently. Just in case I change my mind. The painting was fun. This could lead to a whole new direction.

My multiple circle attempt is a disappointment. The more I work on it, the more I dislike it. Merrilee called it “Fried Eggs” but she didn’t make a comment for fear of hurting my feelings. HA! I love her title and think it’s fitting. It’s time to just put it away or maybe burn it. Yes,I have done that to other pieces.
Waverly House, in Springfield, is having a new exhibit in April entitled Flavors of the Season. I’m still hung up on the circles and made another one but cut it in half. This is pinned to the design wall and is still open to editing. To me, this is the sun feeding the earth as we all, gain nourishment. It’s going to demand some good quilting. Oh-oh.



It was from a small family B&W photo of my Dad with his truck on the Holland Marsh. The cab of the trunk is from the photo enlarged & printed on fabric. I coloured it with inks. This truck was red but I remember our next truck which was larger and was green. the green monster is what my Dad called it.
I'm really please how it turned out and am looking forward to seeing it in the finished quilt.
good to be back
I made all those circles, see first one here, put them up on the design wall, photographed them, printed them, cut them apart, and rearranged them. Now I’m trying to machine quilt them and it makes me pace. Can’t settle down to work. Each circle is on a 12″ square of organza. Funny how much better they look in 2″ paper squares. It’s all about scale. Finally, this morning, I figured it out. What I’ve been doing is much TOO TIGHT. How about some hand quilting with red thread?
That’s better but still pretty tight. Maybe I’ll go katty-wampus. Think loose. Think loose. Think loose. I still have some more ideas. The sun is shining this morning. Oh, glorious sun. And the spinach is coming up in the garden. What a difference the sunshine makes.
Update a few hours later: that was still too tight. Try this. Now I’m happy.


Yesterday I finally had the opportunity to take my new camera out to the farm and try it out on some of the rural scenery. This little chickadee was perched in the trumpet vine and let me shoot numerous photos of him before he flew off.