Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wednesday on Whidbey

(...oops, just about missed Wednesday again! Summer break-itis!)
I've been distracted recently with island yard art.  It's everywhere--even when it's not intended to be yard art! Thought it would be fun to share some--and what better place to start than our own side yard!  Jim's turning cast offs finally get to be 'displayed' too!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wednesday on Whidbey

This is the namesake for my friend's long-arm quilting business, Rumplequiltkin, who greats you at the door.
(Guess you can tell where I've been recently!)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Shop Hop is Coming...

Tomorrow marks the first day of Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop, so there's been a fair amount of 'getting ready' at the shop in anticipation.  The event (and some subsequent staff vacations) nicely coincided with my quarter break so I'll be working a big chunk of time in the next week. I also got some last minute 'samples' made up for the shop. Even though they aren't really my cup of tea, thought I would share. (as ever, apologies for the amateur photography, & click on them for larger view...)
 The vintage 'apron ladies' & santas are printed fabric blocks we have available--so the little projects highlight ways to use them.  (the hangings are about 12" x 21")
The runners are speedy summer kits.  I had three days on the long-arm at my friend's quilt studio last week, so I threw all these in, too--they're so much faster that way! (I actually do like the first two runners...)
When I have the remainder of items bound & finished from my 'quilting days out', I'll share them, too--it was much fun!  One way I can tell I'm making progress finishing things is the amount of thread used for quilting.  Obviously, the more involved the quilting the more thread gets used, but also the more items...  
It doesn't seem like I've done that much until I put my cones away or--for the first time--toss the 'empties'.  It takes awhile to use up a 2,000 yard cone of thread--and by the time they're empty you hate to see them go; some of the colors get to be your favorites!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Wednesday on Whidbey

Whoops--Wednesday on Friday!  (Sorry!)
Chalk it up to a week of chaos & the first week of a brief break!

I know I said I was finished with my 'flora' series--but guess I lied!  
Just couldn't pass up the Poppies...which are really popping with a tentative run on springlike sun.  
(Even though it's within days of official summer...)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday on Whidbey

Can't believe this is the 'anniversary post' of Wednesday on Whidbey!
Wow!--a full year of little glimmers into the day-to-day life on my out-of-the-way island. There were a few times I wasn't sure I would make all fifty-two, but I did it!  I thought for this post, I would use one of the photos I auditioned for the very first Wednesday on Whidbey, but didn't use:  my sweet Cassie (now 13 this year...) basking in some surprise June sun (that would not be this year!).

So whadya think? Keep going?!
Knowing that I promised myself a weekly commitment has certainly allowed me to look more closely at my world & revel in the little vignettes that seem to be everywhere. (I think any kind of consistent practice is a hidden gift. For more on that, visit Make Something 365. Although that's a daily practice, there are similarities.) As far as I can tell, I've only been late once.
I certainly have identified more options for weeks to come--things pop up everywhere once you start noticing. The limitation is always being in the right place at the right time for sun, rain, time of day, traffic, etc.  And of course, my on-again, off-again camera skills are always a limitation...
Any feedback would be helpful & appreciated.
And thanks for joining me for this '52'--it's been fun!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wednesday on Whidbey

Thought I would end my recent 'series' of floral appreciation 
with the most prevalent species--perhaps the one that should
be named the island flower...  *sigh*