Saturday, January 31, 2009

Schmap Seattle

This photo made it to Schmap Seattle's website. Apparently we tourists take the best photos for tour guides so if you are planning a trip to Seattle check out this site and my very first recognized photo. Reina and her mommy are in the foreground. That's my shadow in the front on the left and Brad is in front of his family taking a pic of them...you can see his shadow too. It was a great day for blue skies and long shadows in th Olympic Sculpture park

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I hope I dance...


dance
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I am a student in an art quilt class with my teacher and friend Jane LaFazio. Our assignment for this month was an affirmation, resolution or wish for our new 2009 year. I always make a goal list at the beginning of each year but an affirmation was challenging. With so much stress in our lives including my own I chose to affirm faith and trust. There is a song by Lee Ann Womack called "I hope you dance". There are a couple of lines in her song that I will focus on this year." I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.......and when you have the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance. I hope we all dance this year... through all the ups and downs, the tears and fears the financial plunges and the job losses. We can all be optomistic ..Dance!!
I came home from class tonight and took apart this quilt in progress.  I like the elements but it just didn't flow so I cut it apart and put the pieces back in a different arrangement.  Sometimes things just work out wrong the first time.  Look for the finished piece in a few days

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Tomato & goat cheese tart

A lazy Saturday and watching the Barefoot Contessa inspired me to gather my on hand ingredients and throw this together. It was divine. Tomato and  goat cheese tart with cipollini onions and rosso bruno tomatoes. The nasturtium was illegally growing in my garden and was pulled out by the mean property management witch.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Paperwhites


Paperwhites
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
I plant these bulbs every year around Thanksgiving and they usually reliably bloom at Christmas but the days in December were so cold they didn't bloom until this week. Their fragrance this evening while I was sketching was subtle and sweet. I had to add the color inside. What a lovely day.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hummingbird in my garden



Today instead of feeding at the "official" bird feeder this hummingbird decided to dine off of the French lavender in my garden. It was a joy to watch him.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Little shop on Etsy


Thanks to your encouragement I have opened a little shop on Etsy.  I have some of my watercolor sketches on note cards.  I hope you stop by my shop.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Merry-go-Round


Merry-go-Round
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
It was a great sunny day today. Ella, Kate and I spent the day having fun and riding the Merry-go-round. Ella chose a pretty pony. Kate liked the tiger.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Meyer lemon with shadows



Meyer lemon with shadows
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
It was a warm sunny day here...lots of sunshine to ripen these lemons. Just in time because I need the fruit for lemon curd.  The next morning lemon curd with strawberries, yogurt and a puff pastry friend.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Horned melon


spiny melon
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
This funny melon was so tempting when I was in the produce section of the market. I broke it open this morning and after sketching it added some to my breakfast yogurt. I'm still thinking about it. Hmmm

Monday, January 5, 2009

Corona del Mar at sunset


Corona del Mar at sunset
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
The surf breaks at sunset, exactly 5:00 1/4/2009 in Corona del Mar, California. I lived in this little beach community for 20 years and still feel like it is home. Everyday I walked from my house down to the beach, along the sand, up the bluff and back home the long way. This is a beautiful spot on this earth.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Coastal tree aloe in bloom


Coastal aloe
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Coastal tree aloes, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island in the background at sunset.

train, San Clemente


train, San Clemente
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
The train leaves the station at North Beach, San Clemente heading south

Kate, waiting for the train

Kate, 21 months, loves the trains. Along the footpath from North Beach to the pier in San Clemente she knows the train will come by at least 2 times. She does not want to miss one. When the train comes Kate gives a Tiger Woods forearms tug to ask the conductor to sound the "choo-choo".

Friday, January 2, 2009

note cards, 1st edition


note cards, 1st edition
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
After much encouragement I have created my first set of watercolor note cards. I hope I find a few fans for these.

Hummingbird frenzy


Hummingbird frenzy
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl
Pink & green quilt made from fat quarters of pastels and brights, many from Kaffe Fasset's collections. This quilt was made in 2005 in Beals, Maine. The muse was a hummingbird dining in my friends' (Marjorie & Harvey) garden in their fabulous home on Great Wass Island.

Hummingbird frenzy, mid detail

Hummingbird frenzy, detail

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year, 2009!!! The first toast to happiness


Wishing you all a terrific new year filled with good health, joyful surprises and love all around you!



  Valley of the Moon, sparkling wine

Prickly pear cactus with fruit

My New Year's Eve sketch stop. I just had to look at this more closely before the local birds ate the blossoms. The sun was late so I was a bit confused with the shading but I am so happy I stopped my busy day and enjoyed this spectacular cactus.

cactus fruit whole


cactus fruit whole
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl

cactus fruit, cut


cactus fruit, cut
Originally uploaded by cabanagirl