windows to *ME*

The birdies have landed at their first stop

shades of spring2
Originally uploaded by ddsellers

These 6 x 6" art quilities were made for one of Creativelenna's swaps. The theme is Shades of Spring, using the colors robin's egg blue and brown. I decided to try something a little different. Folk artsy is what I was going for but I'm not really sure if that is what I got.
I wasn't necessarily happy with these but they are off to the swap anyhow. Hopefully the final recipients will enjoy them.

You can check out more of the Shades of Spring quilties on Lenna's swap blog.

Fashionably Wrapped

Last week while shopping on NW 23rd, my friend and I wandered into Sloan and discovered this amazingly versatile sweater wrap.  We both had to have one.  Perfect for those chilly Oregon days and evenings (although I don't think I'll need it this week).  I may go back and buy the brown one too!

Sloan has had so many repeat requests for how to tie and wrap these things that they made a couple of videos and posted them on Youtube.  Check it out, but be warned, you'll be wanting one of these soft, cozy and warm wraps yourself.

This is why Portland is called The City of Roses

Last week when our Ohio friends were visiting we knew we must take them to see the Rose Garden.  This time of year anywhere around Portland you are going to see roses in bloom, but the Rose Garden is an amazing sight.  I have visited the Rose Garden at various times throughout the year.  Mostly while walking on the many trails that surround it and the Oregon Zoo.  I had never been when it was in full bloom.  Words just cannot describe the beauty of these roses and this garden.

Puzzle Piece Spinner Charms

I created these charms for one of the current swaps in the Oh So Charming group.  The theme is altered puzzle pieces.  I decided to try out the spinner technique for these charms and am very happy with the results.  This is the completed charm.  I'll be posting the technique in the Oh So Charming group.

Now to get them in the mail and get working on my other swap project that is due - brown & blue quilties.  But today I'm headed to Salem to finish pricing the never ending estate sale.  This estate is so huge I feel like we will never finish it.  This coming weekend is the Expo antique show and I always look forward to July - it is my favorite one to shop because they open the front parking lot to vendors who normally can't get a space at the show.  Lots of variety and fun, funky, cool antiques. 

Just like yesterday . . . .

Although I hadn't seen my friend Robyn for a couple of years, it seemed like it was just yesterday.  She left Friday after a weeklong visit from Ohio.  She brought her husband with her, who had never been to Oregon so we had great fun being the tour guides and showing him some the "must sees" of Portland.

Downtown Portland, including the Oregon Duck Store so that he could buy himself some Duck gear.

Of course we had to walk around downtown and hit the Nordstrom Rack, Starbucks and a visit to Portlandia.

We had a wonderful trip to Multnomah Falls.  It was amazing to walk toward the falls and feel the temperature dropping and the cool mist spraying from the falls.

On our trip to the beach we didn't luck out with such great weather.  It actually rained on us, but we still enjoyed ourselves.  We drove to Seaside where I maintained my title as miniature golf champion.

You can see how these three were trying to plan their strategy.

We continued on down to Pacific City and Newport before having clam chowder at our favorite little spot in Nye Beach and then heading home.

   

The heat is on . . . . .

It is officially summer now, has been for a few days and it looks like we are in for some hot summer weather.  Did the weatherman say 100!!  Now, before all of you start to moan about how hot it is going to be, remember this:  we've put up with all of the rain and gloomy days for months now.  Enjoy the summer and all the beauty that it brings.  It won't last long.  Besides, we have friends coming from Ohio for a week and we are excited to play tour guides. 

If you are tired of receiving all of those phone books on your doorstep (a girl can only use so many phone book pages for artwork), I just came across a way to stop them.  I just signed up myself so I'm hoping it works.  http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org./

Now, if I can just get the Oregonian to stop delivering the Foodday . . . . . if any of you know how please let me know.  I don't want it.  It goes directly into the recycling every week.  What a waste.

Ooh La La . . . . .

Take a look at this and specifically this

I'm thinking it is going to be very exciting to see what develops from artists.  I have seen some amazing art quilts and I'm thrilled there will be an entire publication devoted to this medium.

This is June?!?

 

This weather is unbelievable.   I went for a walk the other day at lunch.  This photo was taken along the eastide of the Willamette River, looking towards downtown and the Burnside Bridge.  The calendar says June but it's in the 50's, gloomy and rainy.  I am ready for some springtime weather and really tired of being cold.  I considered turning the heat on last night and then thought how crazy that is and just put on another layer of fleece.

I guess this is a good time to show you my recent charms created for the Oh So Charming dangles swap.  The task was to fill a headpin with beads that were represenative of where you live.  It was easy for me to choose something that said Portland.  The rose quartz beads represent Portland's notoriety as the City of Roses and then of course I had to add some raindrops which are represented by the blue teardrop beads.  The charms have all been swapped and I should have some returns to share soon.  I can't wait to see what others have come up with.

Exciting News!

A collaborative project that I worked on has been chosen to be published in a book.  I am very excited.  More to come when I know the details.

Road Trip

Doug & I took a much needed break over a long weekend. 

Since we had 4 days we decided to drive rather than fly.  Even with the high gas prices it was still less expensive to drive.  It is a beautiful drive too, around Mt. Shasta and then through the forest.  It only takes us about 9 hours of drive time.  Even with stopping a few times on the way back yesterday we made it all the way home in 10 hours.  I took no pictures though, which really is a shame because Mt. Shasta was beautiful.  We played quite a bit of blackjack, hours actually.  Sitting at the Cal-Neva, our favorite place to play.  The drinks arrive faster than I can even drink them - but I managed.

We decided to stay at The Sands because the weather was fantastic and they have a great outdoor pool.  We had several hours of just lounging by the pool and some quality slot machine time also.  While we were not big winners we did have a great time and that is what it's all about.  We met some nice people to play cards with and had some great laughs. 

I also was able to knit a bit on the Tangled Yoke Cardigan . . . . . . still moving along on it but it seems like it is taking forever.