Summertime - Flowers Blooming & Birds Singing

This is a 6" x 6" fabric doodle I created for a swap with my Cloth Paper Studio group. The guidelines were to make something primitive, all by hand and preferably with things you already have on hand.

Lost in the Fifties - Class of 1959

John had his fiftieth high school reunion on Saturday. We were suppose to dress "fifties" for the party. Here we are ready to go - both in jeans and typical shirts. I have on penny loafers and a scarf tied around my neck. We had a great time and danced, danced, danced!

Will O. and Nola 1912 - Mixed Media and Photo Fabric Collage

I created this wall hanging using the fabric and lace that I bought in Kansas - I also added a vintage metal and wood button to the center top. The photo that is printed on white cotton is of my husband's grandparents. They are the couple on the left. It was take either when they were courting or soon after they were married in 1912. The strip of writing at the bottom is printed from a copy of the courthouse marriage record that contains the reference to them, and I afixed it to fabric for durability. The finished piece measures 8 1/2" x 14".

I hung it on the wall next to Nola's vanity that is in my sewing area. I use the vanity to hold lace, patterns, photos and finished projects I have listed on Etsy.

Prairie Village and Beth's Booth

We made a stop in Prairie Village, Kansas on this trip to Kentucky. More specifically, a stop at Beth's booth. I follow Beth's blog "Gathering Dust", and decided to stop by her booth and shop a bit. The Mission Antique Mall is huge, and we spent quite a long time shopping.

I picked up some hardware in Beth's booth and pieces of fabric and lace from other booths.















In addition we found an old ceiling tin for our Kentucky cottage -

- and a crucifix for John's collection.

Then later we had a wonderful lunch at Bloomsbury Bistro that is located inside the mall. As we waited for our lunch we noticed how much the ladies eating and visiting looked like the ladies in the mural on the wall.

Colorado and Denver Zoo

As we left Utah and headed to Colorado there was snow in the Rockies.

We enjoyed a day at the zoo that included a great picnic prepared by Maura. That is Jim in the middle with dad, hubby John. The little girl is the daughter of Maura's friend.

Me training an elephant - Not really, it is a board elephant, but from a distance it had us all fooled. Even though I enjoy the zoo, I can't help but feeling sorry for some of the animals who are out of their environment and on display. I posted a few pictures I took that day for you to see.

Arches National Park - Moab Utah

We spent a little time in Utah on our trip to Kentucky. Moab is a little town with cute shops and restaurants. It is about eight miles from the Arches National Park.

Arches National Park is a beautiful place to visit. There are activities for hikers and non-hikers. With about 50 miles of roads in the park, there are lots of places to park and get out to take pictures or just a better look.

Pallas in the park.

John in the park.

I loved the formations below. Don't they look like ancient ruins of man made buildings?

They call this rock formation "The Gossips", but I think they look like "The Three Wise Men".

Look closely at enlarged views by clicking on the photos to see the hikers at the base of the arches.

Mineral deposits produce the pretty turquoise blue color.

Antiquing in Pomona

I met my sister last Saturday in Pomona's Antiques Row for their antique fair. We had a nice afternoon shopping, and then had an enjoyable lunch later at a wonderful little Lebanese restaurant.

The Antique Row stores, that now house the antiques, were once the original downtown department stores where our mother took us shopping when we were girls.

The Jacaranda trees are in bloom all around Southern California.

We went to movies in this Fox theater when we were children. The theater has been restored to accommodate stage productions.

The artist found brushes for sale that she couldn't pass up.

The restaurant occupies an old building with exposed brick walls. One end of the restaurant has the wall replaced with garage type roll up doors that can be opened on nice days like they are here, or closed when it rains or is too hot or too cold.