Sunday, August 3, 2008

Swap Block and Week Gone...


I finished my 10" block for the Where Are You swap and I tried to add as many things as I could that show different things about our state. Mainly I concentrated on water but was able to add Motown through a little button "record" I made, the Ford logo, the Tulip Festival, blueberries, robin nest (our state bird) snow, pines, hiking, and our "house". The under water scene, lake/waves, the beach and the little stream with the bear buttons got the water part covered. My lettering is atrociuos with much to be desired as well as my satin stitching but I think whomever gets this block will have fun looking at it. I sure had fun making it!





Colors for August TIF are out... and the theme being "balance" ?... oh my, what in the heck is that? see Sharons post here. I'm not done with July's yet but played around with picking colors from the chips and fabric, just so I can look at it and think. I'm surprised at colors I just don't have... the aqua, tealish blue? Nada. The terra cotta-ish orange? 1 piece.



The photos below are from last week... a beautiful summer day with blueberries ripening and many plants and blooms enjoying the sun. It was a perfect day for the beach and hard to believe we were the only people out there.

Mouth of the Huron (Huron Islands 4 miles out)

blueberries

pitcher plant

hairy vetch (ugly name for such a pretty plant)


But this week there's a fallish kind of feel to the air and looking around, I can see the little signs of change in season. Heads up to the Aussies... the sun is headed home!




And last but not least is how my transition to grey is going.....( blogging confessions , Paula) I am truly very weird with this and don't know exactly how I feel except I know that one day leads to the next, some days are good, some are bad. This photo is extreme in that normally I wear it down in a headband in public, but wow, is it coming in or what?... this should have been my TIF for July, 1/2 way to grey, He he! Thank God for the Dove commercials that are seeing me through! ... if I get to the point , I'm only a box of Clairol away...


Till the next time...





10 comments:

Judy S. said...

What a fun block and swap, Jane. I love all of it! Ack, red leaves? It's had a weird fall feel here also, and it's only early August. Seems like we never really had a summer..... Great photos, what fun to find a pitcher plant in the wild!

paulahewitt said...

the greys look great - dont cave in to the cosmetics companies. it makes you look distinguished. :)
the quilt block is lovely, as ever - i love the colours you use, and the local themes. 'tis a beautiful spot you live in, you can keep the sun for a bit longer - im in no hurry for summer.

Cheryl said...

I love the sort of primitive stitching look this piece has...kinda like a 1950's "souvenier. Kitschy! Don't apologize for it...some people work very hard to get this kind of "style"!

Threadspider said...

Everything is looking great-the views, the plants, the stitching and the hair! The "where are you" swap sounds like a great idea and from this distance I think you have caught the spirit of Michigan.

Allison Ann Aller said...

Michigan, my Michigan!!!!
I love how you have represented our state (I'll always be a Michigander.)

The beach shot is gorgeous....

I am ON MY WAY, I'll be swimming in Lake Mich on Friday evening. I want to take beach colored fabrics and embellishments to make a beach scene while I am there....bliss, bliss, bliss!

I'm kind of rebelling against the gray too...using a brunette "glaze" that you just rinse in after a shampoo. I'm not quite "there" yet in my mind to go gray...but I'm getting there.
I think your gray hair is beautiful, btw.

Toni said...

Love your block, and your pics...I went gray very young in my 20's and colored up to the last few years I love the natural look and not having to worry about my roots...Hope you enjoy it once it is grown out...Isnt summer in the UP great..I was up your way on Sunday...I love it up there..Toni

sparkle jars said...

The block and photos are wonderful. I love all the detail in your block. I too am halfway to grey...and will embrace it.
:-)Gayle

CJ Stitching and Blooms said...

Hello Jane, Your post made me giggle today. First I love your swap block and I am sure that who ever gets it will enjoy looking at all those special that represent Michigan. Love all the pics of the North Woods. Your hair is turning a lovely silver gray. Just beautiful. Hugs your friend along the Lake Michigan Shoreline. Judy

gocrazywithme said...

Hi Jane,
What a fun post this is! CQ and scenery, flowers and....grey hair?
Yes, grey hair is fun, too!! I should know, I have my fair share. And I don't mind the color at all, I just wish it wasn't so wiry! My still-brown hair is well behaved, and the greys stick out like demented corkscrews!
I love your Where are you block. Wish I could see them all in person!

Cathie said...

What a wonderful set of cq blocks depicting your beautiful state. I was born in Ohio and recognize much of that beauty. I would like to recommend you to visit a blogfriend of mine "Nellie" of Nellie's Needles (her link is on the right side of my blog) she too is a Michigander and makes Lake Michigan Lake Scenes that have won prizes - they are breathtaking. I think you will enjoy them.
PS The grey is a gorgeous shade - good for you!