Thursday, November 20, 2014

While I was away...

In February my best friend and her hubby came in to The Home Depot where I work. She was down a little, I asked her what gives? She said she was having some health issues, and wasn't sure what was going on....

In Late March she called me to meet for coffee. The news was bad, she was upset, I was upset, we prayed, and talked about possibilities. She was scheduled for surgery just 4 days later. 

That afternoon, the surgeon came in and explained that they had removed 4 tumors, the largest bigger than a grapefruit, along with a full hysterectomy. There would be very aggressive chemo, and a devastating prognosis. The average lifespan of someone with her diagnosis is 3-5 years with successful treatment. 

The first chemo hit her like a locomotive, sent her reeling back into the hospital for blood transfusions. In the meantime, her youngest daughter is pregnant and her oldest is just a month or two from her bachelors degree. She is doing her best to be strong and able at this time, so her family can keep functioning around her. 

Her battle was difficult but short. My best friend, since the 3rd grade Brownie Troop, passed away on July 22, 2014. 

So many things go through my mind, stories I could tell you that would relay just how much we loved one another. But to be honest I am holding it all close to my heart, don't want to share her, so sad that she is gone from me. 

Her first grandchild was born last week, her namesake. I thought I would not get through the first visit without bawling, but I did. Not a single tear. I held her and talked to her, and she was precious. She has her grandmother's nose and hopefully lots of other traits. 

I will miss my friend. 

Painting on fabric today

Today my Yulee Stitchin' Sisters will paint on fabric and make a mini art quilt. I led this workshop a couple of weeks ago for the River City Piecemakers in Jacksonville. 


One lady was disappointed that her painting wasn't defined, was too washed out. With her permission I quilted it for demonstration. I think it is soft, and beautiful. 


My sweet daughter went as my assistant. Toward the end, she picked up a brush and made up a sunset. She is so my mini-me. 


Here's the one I demonstrated. Heavy-handed as usual. The bottom of the right cloud bothers me. I will fix that. 


The students get to chooses from 6 or 7 different photos to paint. This one has to be the easiest. The ones with a frog or bird are more challenging. 


These are painted, slightly more advanced quilts. I love this one. I take my camera to the dock quite often looking for that one great shot of an egret or heron in flight. 


Painted on duck cloth. I always shoot for realism and settle with a little whimsy, if you could call an alligator whimsical. 




Mail Call belongs to a friend, but resides with me often. I like to take him with me to lectures and workshops. 

Monday, November 10, 2014

DRAMA!

Please have patience as I learn this new posting format. I want to rearrange the photos, seem to be having some issue with that...Okay, well....DRAMA!
A few posts back I made a strange post of measurements and then another of a couple of costumes. Honestly I was just using my blog to communicate with a huge cast of people, without having to collect emails and phone numbers. I had agreed to costume the Amelia Musical Playhouse's production of The Sound Of Music. 
Now that I am able, I can share a few photos. I wish now that I had taken more shots of the many, many costumes. This is just a small slice. 
Backstage with Rolf, Frau Schmidt and others.
The Von Trapp children had their own dressing area. If you know the storyline, you know there were seven. Here we had 13! All but one (Frederic) had two children playing alternate nights. Only one of the charaters had two people that were the same size, so...in all, each set of costumes required 12 costumes! The children alone accounted for 48 costumes! 
Jessi, Rick and I going through the wig selection. None of these seemed appropriate for Maria.
This set was my favorite to make. 
Then there were 12 nuns, 13 including Maria.
It gets hot backstage! 
Another set of Von Trapp children in their marching outfits. 
Closing night was very emotional. Tears were shed. 
Not pictured at all...
Maria and her many changes
The baroness and her beautiful gowns
The captain and his wonderful, handsome suits and uniforms
The butler
Maximillion and his rather flamboyant suits

In all, a little over 100 costumes! It was fun. I am glad it's over. I had a taste of theater life. I do love my quiet studio. 

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Testing....1,2,3

Well, hello there! 
I have been remiss in my blogger duties for so long, but I have a great excuse. I really do! 
My sweet hubby gave me an iPad some time back and I fell in love with using it, to the point that I rarely use my laptop. Blogging is a laptop function, not an iPad function, or so I thought, so blogging rarely occurred. When I did try, I couldn't figure out how to download pictures into my blog. I love pictures! Someone explained in very simple terms how I should fix this problem and ta-da! Here I am!