Hidden Surprises

On the pathway to the beach little flowers are tucked here and there in the foliage. You have to look closely to find them. The white one disappears against the sand.

The beach was deserted after a light rain. A solitary sandpiper frolicked in the surf.

Sunset before Tropical Storm Faye visits Panhandle

These photos were captured on the beach as Tropical Storm Faye was dumping rain on the State of Florida. The Gulf of Mexico was very calm and the beach was deserted and we had no rain.

Sunset with Tropical Storm Faye approaching

This past weekend was filled with all kinds of predictions for the amount of rain we would have from Tropical Storm Faye. Fortunately, we were in the eye of the storm as it came our way and received no bad weather at all. Those all around us were not so fortunate. They are still predicting rainfall but there is none in sight at this time.

I captured this photo as the sun was going down. It was breathtaking to say the least. This was made as I started down the path to the beach. It was almost dark and the colors were unbelieveable.

Be Happy

My finished piece from Susan Sorrell's Class.

I finished beading the piece on the front and then I used bright green beads and small alphabet beads around the border. On the front it reads "Be Happy", around the edges it reads, "Rules to live by - Love everyone you meet" the alphabet beads hanging down read, "Give kisses and Come when you are called". I used spirals of beads and bugle beads on the ears of my happy dog along with a lot of embroidery stitches to enhance the piece. Click on the photo's to enlarge them and you will be ble to see the details much better.

When I got to this point I felt like the piece was not finished so I decided to mount it on canvas.

The larger alphabet beads around the outside read "What do you mean all I do is bark, I am a dog and that is my job. WOOF". The blue beads which go through the alphabet beads are strung on wire. This was a fun piece to make, I enjoyed the intricate beading and the challenge of figuring out the border.

I am not satisfied with the black canvas. I should have painted several coats of black before I mounted the quilted piece. Perhaps it would photograph better if the canvas was more opaque.

New Technique

Currently I am enrolled in an online class with Susan Sorrell. Her art is wonderful,
the heavily stitched and beaded pieces are fabulous in my opinion.

I have been on a quest of sorts for a while trying new techniques and challenging myself to get out of the box.

My attraction to art quilts is growing and I look forward to the rest of the class.

We are on week two, the photo shows what I have done so far. The next two classes will consist of stitching, beading and other embellishments. I'll post another photo when my piece is finished.

BUSTED

Miss Annie is now going to work with me each day. So far she and "The Queen" (our shop cat) have not made friends with each other. Squeegee stays outside during the day and has not given Annie a chance to get very close to her. Annie is quite inquisitive about the cat and has no shame about sticking her nose in Squeegee's business (LITTERaly). Annie loves going to work, greeting the customers and playing an endless game of tug of war with employees and customers. She knows what time of the day to catch all of us at lunch, sitting quitely for her share of whatever we are having. I have been pleasantly surprised at how easily she has adapted to her new job.

One Woman Show

I was asked to be the visual artist for a concert series held each year at a local church.

The concert series, held during January and February, is in it's 17th year. It featurures all types of performers from all over the world. Along with the accomplished performers a visual artist is asked to show their work each week. Local artists participate as well as artists from surrounding counties, some travelling several hours to exhibit their work.

The concert was a week before Mardi Gras and featured "Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Cha Band". This band is the top Zydeco band in the country, has performed all over the United States and is currently preparing for an extensive tour in Europe. The music was great, 275 people were in attendance

The quilts were hung along both sides of the room. It was a lot of fun to answer questions and talk with everyone who came to the concert. My first "One Woman Show"!



The photos show two of the large quilts that I hung.

Return to the Sea

Last year I was asked to paint a mask for Covenant Hospice. (They provide the clay mask) I was honored to be asked to participate again this year. Covenant Hospice provides end of life care for anyone who calls on them, whether they have the ability to pay or not. The masks are auctioned off as a fundraiser to help them continue this service. The event was very successful last year, hopefully this year will be even better.

My contribution is a tribute to my neighbor Charley who lost his battle with cancer last October. See previous posts, "A Tribute to Charley" and "Mask for Covenant Hospice".

Charley lived most of his life near or on the Gulf of Mexico. He was very concerned with the environment and loved being near the water. He relished the beautiful sunsets, the roar of the waves, and smell of salt in the air.

I used Swarovski crystal beads to symbolize the light he brought into my life. The driftwood is a piece that he collected while walking his dogs by the bay. There are fish, small shells, a flip flop and other objects tucked in the driftwood, all symbolic of things he loved or of things that reminded me of him. I remember how much fun we had last year while I was working on last year's piece. He would like this one as well.

Blondes Really Do Have Fun

How many of you can say you have ridden in a 1950's era Cadillac with Marilyn Monroe? Not only have I done that, I was Marilyn for a day. Mardi Gras style of course. We had a 40 ft. long pink Cadillac filled with Marilyns of every size and description.

The day was damp and dreary but the show went on. The theme this year, Mardi Gras Hollywood Style. Our float was Marilyn and her Beaux . We had Joe Dimaggio, Kojac, Elvis and others for escorts. With 30 floats in the parade it was quite a show. Each float had its own theme representing hollywood. Our Mardi Gras celebration is in it's 11th year. Each year the attendance grows.

The spectators lined the streets catching beads in their umbrellas instead of holding them over their head to block the mist that was hanging in the air.

Beads line the side of the float. There is definitely a right and a wrong way to get your throws organized. That can be crucial when you turn the corner and head to the parade route. Before you know it you are throwing beads as fast as you can get them in your hands.

Elvis helps Marilyn with her fur. Too bad I didn't get the photo of Elvis holding an umbrella for Marilyn and Joe Dimaggio handing her beads to throw.

Another Marilyn waves to the crowd.

Joe Dimaggio is seen in the photo above.


I did learn a thing or two from Mardi Gras this year. It really is fun to let yourself go and be someone else for a little while and wearing a wig in damp weather has good points. Your hair style stays the same and your head stays nice and warm. The weather was a bit cool for the parade this year. I planned for the weather wearing a black velvet cape over my sequin dress. I wish I could have gotten good photos of all of the other floats but the weather just did not cooperate. There's always next year!

Laissez les bons tems rouler (Let the Good Times Roll)

Welcome 2008

The holiday season has come and gone, 2008 is underway. Our family had a great time, most of us were together for Thanksgiving and everyone gathered for Christmas. We have so much to be thankful for, four generations were together.

We made ornaments from starfish at Thanksgiving. I saved one of them to hang in my kitchen to remind me of the good time we had together.

I look forward to 2008, I anticipate good things to come and wish the same for those of you who read this post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!