This One's For You Patty!

Happy Blooming Tuesday to all! These first shots were taken in Red Lodge outside an art gallery where my dear H had found an art quilt show to take me to. I wasn't allowed to post the quilts, but no one said the outside art was taboo. Daisies everywhere I look, these in Red Lodge, Montana, for Teri C. And these outside the art gallery there! And now for Patty: Three months ago I made a small 8" X 12" quiltlet for the Art Quilts Around The World challenge. It could not be posted before June 30th. It's theme is "Connections". I used my life long friendship with my best childhood friend from infancy Patty, as my CONNECTION! The buttons also connected the border numbering 68 for the number of years of our friendship to date. Jacks was a favorite and much played game of ours so I photographed some big colorful jacks and printed them on cloth for the background. The clock face is our lives ticking away. The dolls are also things we played with as children together especially dolls you'd find in a doll house. This piece did not make it into the juried art show. The judge told me it was too personal, that the person I made it for would really like it but it didn't have enough elusiveness to grab anyone elses' interest. I'm not sure I agreed with him, but he was right about one thing, Patty Loves It! I put the finished piece in a white shadow box and glued the real jacks to the bottom front. The silver heart shaped locket is something I got from my friend Judy who has the Red Velvet blog, thanks Judy, it fits so well here. Love between friends! And of course you see Patty and I on photos on fabric at age five in black and white, and again current in color.

Cactus Monday: Card from Teri C.

Teri C. traded ATCs with me and I got this wonderfully done watercolor of a heart shaped cactus. How appropriate for Cactus Monday today! And this beautifully colorful splash of painted cacti card... The back of the card touched my heart with this personalized message showing it was made special for me. Thanks Teri. You are such a find of a friend! Lucky me!

G = Grands G = Guitar

This is the "G = Grands" ATC for our ABC ATC BLOG I received from Soul Brush in London. We share the exalted state of Grand Motherhood and share the love if it and our grandchildren with each other. So this card is so fitting for me and it warmed my heart in a way that only another grandmother would understand. Thank you Grandie Soul from the bottom of my Grandma Lynnie Heart! G = Guitar goes to Laure! the first photo is the back with guitar in case...and a note on music paper to Laure. the front of the ATC is felted and top sewn with beads added as parts of the guitar and threads for the strings. And if you are very quiet you can hear my DH playing it and singing sea shanties.

कार आर्ट

In Minnesota Remembering Erika

Before we left on our trip I had five of these little flip books made to give to family members tomorrow at the "Celebration of Life" luncheon/memorial for DH's mother, my MIL, Erika. There are approx. 30 photos that span her life from WWII in Germany when she met DH's father to last December when we were all last together, before she died in January of this year. Photos of Erika with her grandson Allen from when he was a baby till he was 21 years of age. She lived with him from age six months until HE went away to college! Photos of our summer and winter visits in MN with all the family. Erika laughing, hugging, talking, walking, enjoying life as we knew and loved her. It will be a bitter-sweet day of remembrance. I hope my little book offerings give something to be remembered for many days and years to come. ***************************************************************************** Trip Update: Finally I am in MN, having arrived this evening The ride here from So. Dakota was LONG and sometimes boring, although I helped with the driving (2 hrs of it...out of 10???) I also am embroidering bits of felted felt I brought from home making ATCs...the So. Dakota and WY and Montana influence: American Indian, colors, are showing up in them too. Fun car art. Fun car art making. We had most fun in the Grand Tetons...we so love those mountains and are awed each time we see them. Some precious moments at Jenny Lake, and then Yellowstone where we saw grizzly bear, and black bear, and many many buffalo. DH took me up a mountain that at the top it said we were at the top of the world. I believe it too. In Montana. the road was long and windy and scary as all get out. but I have to admit it was beautiful And we saw a bunch of cute brown furry marmots there at the top! Down the hill was Red Lodge where we spent the night...and DH had looked up at home for quilt shows along the way and found one there. He is thoughtful that way. An art quilt show at that in an art gallery. Some very nice work too. But they didn't want me to blog the photos I took. Drats! And last night he took me out to dinner to Red Lobster for my birthday. I ate way too much and it was good. Salmon AND shrimp grilled. Yum. Today we stopped in a Cabella's in Mitchell and I bought myself a gift of a pair of light cotton pants. Fit nicely and size small! I liked that best. They were $50 marked down to $30, then I learned that if I signed up for their credit card I could get $15 marked off more. And they gave me a free Cabella's baseball cap. Then DH came by and she asked if he wanted a card too and if so they'd knock off another $5 or $10 ...the pants wound up costing me $11. Can you believe that??? That made for a happy birthday too. Oh and DH got a free gift too, a little compact tool gadget with a flash light and he gave it to me so I got both free gifts. Well it IS my birthday. May as well milk it for all it is worth! LOL On the drive from Montana we went through Custer and were at Custer's Last Stand site...on the anniversary of the battle there. We saw many American Indians in full regalia on horse back as part of the reenactment. It was quite moving to see the bit we did. Would have been nice to have had the time to see it all. Now we are at his sister's house, have eaten dinner and soon I will collapse into bed. Tomorrow I help Karen prepare food for the luncheon on Sunday. She has bins of photo albums out to be gone thorough to make a display of Erika's life...and for others to look through. I see all the art I made for Erika all over the house here. It's a bit weird not having her here. I had a fantasy driving up that I'd put my new Cabella's cap on her head, and then of course I realized that that would not be possible. She is missed. If life on the road was not exciting enough I received a phone call from the police in the town I live (yeserday) telling me that my office building and office were burglarized! Many offices on our block apparently were. Nothing seems to be missing from my office. But they broke the glass pane in the door to get in and rummaged around in my desk, Fortunately they left computer printers et all there.

Lynn From The Road Checking In. We are on day six of our trip. Days 4, 5, were filled with beauty beyond words. The Grand Tetons are indescribably awesome, Lake Jenny...we hiked a bit/walked/DH stopped by a wall looking out over the lake with the backdrop of the Tetons covered in snow...I stopped and leaned back next to him, looked up and said: "What do we do with this?" He said: "We look at it." Maybe you had to be there...but we were in such awe! In Yellowstone I love Artist's Point, such an apt name for this tremendous waterfall...while driving through that park we got our fill of buffalo, grizzly and black bears. A drive in Montana next took us to a place called The Top Of The World. I have to say I was terrified at times we'd fall off the top, but the views were spectacular...snow too...The big fat reddish brown marmots were adorable there. Came down that Mt. into Red Lodge, Montana. Saw an art quilt show the next day in the local art gallery. Nice stuff. Then drove on to Rapid City, So. Dakota where we are now. On the road again to MN. Will be able to blog some photos from there. Hugs to all. I miss your blogs but might be able to catch up soon.

Happy Graduation Allen!

Tomorrow we should be in Minnesota and we will be honoring both the memory and life of my dear MIL and the graduation from college of her grandson/our nephew Allen. Allen graduated from the University of Minnesota in Duluth from the drama department. He is a very talented young man who not only acts, but sings and dances too. He also learned directing, costuming, make up, set making, etc. I hope he gets to live out his dream and is successful in the world of acting and theater. We are very proud of him.

Grateful Thrusday From On The Road

Today I am grateful that you are still tuning into to my blog even though you know I have posted ahead all this week since we are traveling. I have no idea how many buffalo, elk, moose, bear or other wild life we have already seen or not! No idea how many Indian burial sites, museums, fossil hunts we have experienced. But be sure that some or all of this has happened or will soon happen and we are undoubtedly having the time of our lives! Thanks...We should be in MN the day after tomorrow, of that I am sure...or at least it is the plan. Stay tuned! And be grateful for your blessings in life. Count them when you have nothing better to do... ;-) PS the buffalo above is from our last winters vacation photos!

Animal Wednesday from On The Road

More photos from our Friday in SF... seagulls flying overhead and around the Golden Gate Bridge in SF; Fisherpeople catching fish and crabs; and this lucky seagull who posed just for me holding a tiny crab in his beak, all come together to wish you a happy Animal Wednesday... Having scheduled ahead so you don't miss me so much while I am On The Road...

On the road with Lynn LIVE!!! It's DAY THREE: We are at a motel 8 so I am finally at a computer where I can post something. I've been checking comments on my cell and really appreciate the fact that so many of you are still checking in even though you know I am not REALLY there. But NOW I AM REALLY HERE!!! A quick catch up: The trip started at the party for my aunt and uncle on Sunday. It was perfect. All my cousins were there some from Canada, Colorado, SF, and other parts of Calif. Their kids were all there, my kids, all of our grandkids. It was held outdoors in a picnic atmosphere, with plenty of room for kids to run around and play, swim, etc. Just a delight being with every one. Aunt Mimi LOVED the photo album of memories and I sat with her for a long time looking at it together and remembering together. From there we drove to Nevada and spent the night. Day Two: I was delighted to realize I could both draw and use my watercolors in the car! I also did some handwork with fabric. CAR ART is a kick!!! I did help drive and drove into Salt Lake, City Utah! Where the traffic became hectic but I survived. Day Three: We drove into Wyoming and this morning got up early to go fossil hunting. I wasn't sure I was going to be anything other than a good sport, but it turned out to be fun. I actually found a few 50,000,000 year old fish and some flies! We have a box full of limestone slabs of rock with our fossil finds embedded in them. I also met some really nice people, another couple joined us on the hunt, from Seattle. And our guide, Mara, was a sweetheart. She was helpful instructing us to the use of hammer &chisel, and we also had some good heart to hearts about life and art. She is interested in art so I gave her a copy of Cloth Paper Scissors I had with me. She was delighted. This afternoon we drove into Jackson Hole, Wyoming and both broke down and cried at the abundance of beauty on the road here. The huge open blue skies, the incrediable huge clouds, the open meadows of flowers and greenery, and the rock formations simply took our breath away. And then when we got to Jackson, the GRAND TETONS swept us off our feet AGAIN. Each time we come here we are affected this way all over again. One year I was so moved I asked DH to renew our vows, which we did standing at a lake side overlooking the snow covered peaks of Grand Teton Mountains. Tonight we took Chinese Food to the spot and sat on our tail gate, ate the hot food, and oggled the splendor of the mountains. Tomorrow we will take a closer up look, take oodles of photos and then drive to Yellowstone. Not sure when I'll be at a computer next, but promise to read all your comments on my cell until then. Thanks for letting me share this wonderous time with you all.

Blooming Tuesday From Last Friday!

DH and his dearest old friend, Richard, and his lovely wife, Celeste aboard the CS Thayer in SF overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge! Okay, I am posting ahead...wanting to keep in touch while we are on the road...no idea where I am while you are seeing these beautiful bright orange daisies I shot while eating out in San Francisco last Friday. Of course Teri C. might think they are special for her, but she must share them with all of you. We were with our good friends, Richard and Celeste, who used to live in the Bay Area and were visiting here from Seattle. Celestes', sister lives within blocks of my daughter and my brother both. Small world. We had some very good sandwiches at our favorite Russian Deli in the City before heading over to the Tall Ships and other sites. A good time had by all. I wish you all a happy bloomin' Tuesday and hope you are enjoying summer (or winter, depending where you live!)...

Cactus Monday: Last Friday I saw Cacti at...

Last Friday I saw a beautiful purple black succulent in front of Celestes' sisters' house (but I neglected to take a picture of it)... and later that evening we went to a play and the theater was next door to a little restaurant called The Cactus something or other and I neglected to take a picture of that too! So on Cactus Monday you get no cactus pictures from me...just little memories from my head. (better than nothing) and a few shots from our day out with friends, one to prove I was there too, and some arty shots of things seen and enjoyed. In case you are wondering that last shot is of the underbelly of the Golden Gate Bridge shot from the inside of Fort Cronkite. I was resting while the others climbed stairs and saw the sites of this huge old fort. Happy Cactus Monday with or with out actual cacti! From the road...

F = "Face" by Teri C. and F = "Flourish" by Me

Notice the little sweet watercolor INCHIE she sent me too!!!! How clever and well done is that! This is the ABC ATC for "F" I sent to Linda! It's a felted, top sewn, and beaded Flower with a Flourish! Mimi and Harry in their 60's before they retired from their long time Camera Business. We are meeting with extended family today for a huge gathering and double birthday bash for Uncle Harry and Aunt Mimi, both of whom turned 90 this year! We are so happy to be with them. Harry and Mimi this year at 90! And then we hit the road...I've blogged some days ahead lest you forget to come here! Photos from the trip when I can download them along the way will be added. ********************************** I am proud of my packing: one small black suit case on wheels for easy pulling holds three short sleeve shirts, two long, one blue denim work shirt; three pairs of long pants to be worn multiple times before washing; underwear/socks/pjs; sandals, tennis shoes; shower shoes in case we camp; toiletries. One bag for crafts: fabric pieces; thread; needles; embroidery floss; bag of buttons; embroidery hoop; scissors. One bag for magazines on quilting; cloth paper scissors; Sommerset Studios; two novels to read at night. Throw in the car: sweaters, jacket, hat, down vest for cold nights camping. DH is getting tent, food chests, etc together. And his own clothes, etc. We are ready to roll.

Thrift Store Has Bi Annual Jewelry Sale

Again I made out like a bandit buying up earrings and pins for 50 cents to $1.50 max: Now I wonder who would look good in these or might they find their way to an ATC or two? I love Laural Burch jewelry...these leaves are long and in my fav colors!!!! Keepers! I will wear these little origami birds and wow my grand kids! They are so well made, firm to the touch, and will fly freely from my ears! I love silver and these beauties will go with everything and look quite sophisticated. LOL (which is NOT me, but what the hey) And this marvelous heart pin is going on something that will be a gift for a special someone... Yes, I had fun!!!!!!!!!!!! Had a wonderful day yesterday in SF with friends from Seattle. Maybe I can get photos up for tomorrow. Will be busy packing today for our road trip. I am finding cell phone Internet access pretty worthless as far as blog site-ing is concerned. Pictures are too large to show on phone screen. I can check for email, but sending more than a few words in wearing on my soul. So, I am approaching the idea of two weeks with very little blog &/or email contact, or interaction. This will not be easy. I hope I survive, I hope my blog survives and hope I don't lose my following. I shall return. In the meantime, be good, be creative, and know you are loved and appreciated by me!

ATCs from Dubai; Memory Albums

How delighted I was today to find mail from Deepa in Dubai! I feel like I am in a huge circle of friends that spans around the world and it does!!!! This wonderful postcard is of the Burj Al Arab, a 7 star hotel, the 2nd tallest hotel building in the world. The lights on it keep changing colors! How cool is that! I love that Deepa sent explanations to go with each of her ATCs. They are exquisite. Look carefully at the details in this one. You might want to click to enlarge both. Thank you Deepa. I am honored to have your beautiful art in my home! I've been busy the last couple of days gathering photos of family to take to family. This album will go to my Aunt Mimi and Uncle Harry on Sunday when we celebrate their 90th years. Cousins are coming from all over the map! The album spans their lives from when they met at the end of WWII and my birth shortly after that to the present. On our upcoming road trip we will visit my sister in law in Minnesota for a "Life Celebration" honouring my mother in law who died in January this year and my nephews' graduation from The University of Minnesota in the Drama Department this past May. I love that by chance the photo of my DH is peeking around to see the photo of his ma on the cover of this album. The photos inside span her life from the end of WWII to December 2008 when we were last together. And in the meantime I have added Internet Access to my cell phone. I am struggling to learn how to "type" on the teeny tiny itsy bitsy key board, how to access email and blogs on the internet. It ain't easy either!!!! I feel generationally challenged for the first time ever.