Testing New Camera

I ordered a new camera from Amazon for an up coming trip - more on the trip later. 

I needed a camera that could capture quick shots for me without me having to hold the camera perfectly still.  I bought a Sony Cyber-shot, and so far I really like it.

I took a few really quick shots today:

 

The macro feature is automatic:

I'm posting this from my iPhone app, so I'll have to see how the photos look on a big screen later. 

Summer Drive

Our annual trek to Kentucky this year was a nice drive, but we didn't plan many side trips. 

Colorado was beautiful, and we did take time to visit small towns in Kansas and Missouri. 

Georgetown Colorado

This little town created small parks between buildings where a building had been torn down. 

Beautiful details on old buildings. 

Lavender Festival

We aren't usually in California in June, but lucky me, I was able to go to a  Lavender Festival with my sisters at the Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley. 

The lavender fields were fragrant, and so pretty. 

There were tents set up for venders, crafts and food. 

There were tables set up to have lunch, and a string quartet played while we ate. 

The property was used as a stagecoach stop, and there is a stunning 1100 year old Live Oak tree on the property. 

http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/usa/california/riversidecounty/8948_highlandspringsresort/

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without buying some lavender infused goodies. Yum!

"Emily" is Published in Sew Somerset

I shared a wall hanging titled "Emily" with you a while back, and now she appears in the latest edition of Sew Somerset.

I received my complimentary copy a couple of weeks ago, and I'm happy to be a contributor.  You should be able to find it in stores today.
























Take a peek inside to my article:

Here is a link within my blog to the post where I describe "Emily".

"Emily"

New Creations Listed in My Etsy Shop

Sewing Lessons

I recently finished a few small quilties that I added to my Etsy shop.

McCall Girls

Simplicity Girls

Swallow on Blue

Los Angeles & Los Feliz - From Shabby Chic to The Getty Center

I spent a few days with my sister in the Los Angeles/Los Feliz area, and I always enjoy the city with her. 

I've always wanted to shop at Rachael Ashwell's Shabby Chic store in Santa Monica, and it was lovely. 

I bought this pretty stationary:

Five designs - six sheets each. The image is muted in grayscale on the back as that is the writing area. 

A nearby store had some amazing trims - I bought these two:

On another day, we walked to Los Feliz and had lunch at Fred 62 on Vermont, and then caught a movie across the street at the old (1934) Los Feliz theater. 

A trip to LA wouldn't be complete without going to The Getty. 

The Getty was built with limestone that was taken from the same quarry as the limestone that was used to build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Much of the stone has fossil imprints of leaves:

Here is a "Selfie" of sorts - taken in a window reflexion.

I love this Renoir painting (La Promenade), and enjoy seeing it every time I go to The Getty: 

I am fascinated with seeing how artists paint textiles with such realism:

Here is the entire painting and info:

I found this cute coin purse at the Getty gift shop - it has two handy zipper compartments:

I got these two photos while on the freeway ( Not to worry - I was the passenger):

The Capitol Records building.

And the Hollywood Tower Hotel - (Disney's Hollywood Tower of Terror anyone?)

 

And like any visit - it was over in a flash!

 

A Little Something

John and I were poking around at an antique store yesterday, and I had to go away with at least a little something.  I'm always drawn to the textiles, and even though I don't really need another thing, I couldn't pass up this Art Deco hanky.

Our evening ended with a visit to the bookstore where I bought Rachael Ashwell's new book, Couture Prairie.  I've been a fan of hers for a long time, and her new book is rich with photographs.  I'd show you the inside, but I'm sure that is a no-no.  Her new book is about the property she purchased and turned into a Bed and Breakfast near Round Top, Texas.  I'm looking forward to reading all about it, and who knows, maybe stay there one day.

My Dress Form "Pally" and Her New Look

I have always wanted an antique dress form.  But since I haven't found one that I am willing to spend a large sum of money to buy, I decided to redo a newer one.

 

I painted the neck, finial, and stand with gold embossed paint.  Then, I decoupaged the body with pages from a book titled: The Sun is My Undoing by Marguerite Steen first published in 1941.  I found one copy of the book that was falling apart that I used for this project, and two intact copies all within about a week of each other.

 

Pallas is one of the main characters in the book, and her nickname is Pally.  This is the book where my mother got my name, Pallas.  Since Pally is also the nickname my family uses for me, I decided to name my dress form Pally.

 

I intend to read this book that takes place in the 18th century during the slave commerce in the English Port of Bristol, Africa and the Caribbean.  There is also the thread of love stories woven between the characters in the book.  If nothing else, I'd like to read the story that inspired my mother to name me Pallas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before

This is how she looked when I got her