Friday finish!

 

This week I was in the mood to paint some rocks. With camping trips, I like to hide them in areas we visit, so I want to make as many as I can for the summer. I find ideas on the internet and there is also a Facebook site, where she gives step by step instructions. Of course I just take the finished one and free hand it myself, so not always the best, but fun enough. The problem was, I realized all my old varnishes are thick and no good, so I have to wait to finish them.

Last week we took a walk on the beach. The tide was low so I was able to find some treasures and then we walked to the other end.

 Along the way we ran into this crab, who didn't want to be seen, so he ran to the surf and buried himself in the sand.

Today we took a walk at the bird sanctuary. It is a never ending joy since each time I see new birds that are coming in and we get a good 3 miles in. The weird thing I spotted today was a large dead bird in the osprey nest. Her mate was in a nearby tree, pruning himself. When a pair of geese tried to come onto the island, he chased them off, he is not one to mess with.

I also saw that the long term couple, finally made a new nest on a lower branch. 

Another nice surprise was, catching a Palm Warbler, who sat still for a second. 

We went by the marsh and I caught a group that were foraging. This one got itself a crab.

So far the weekend looks good, so hopefully we can get out for some more walks or maybe a bike ride. I am bummed about next weekend. The weatherman said rain, now he is saying warm and sunny. I had to make. decision yesterday when I thought it was going to rain or I lose all the money for camp, so I cancelled. It used to be that I could cancel up to 2 days before, so it makes it harder. 

I hope everyone is doing well, I heard the news about the tornadoes and bad weather and hope that no one was affected. 

Friday finish!

 

This week was a short one, with the holiday, so I never got a chance to work on my quilt. I decided to whip up a couple of rocks so I will have a stash to hide this summer. I tend to work on night when I am tired and my arm is sore, so I make a mess. I think I do better with paint, since I can go over mistakes and fix things, better than with the pens. 

I saw these designs on the web and had to try them, mine are definitely not as nice as the originals. Working on rough rocks, doesn't help.

We got to spend time at the beach on the island. It is nice since we can walk, collect glass and bird watch. I finally got a look at the new baby, you can see it hiding under mom.

And the dad, he wasn't happy when I got closer from the other side.

With low tide, I was able to walk further into the marsh area. I caught this Glossy Ibis.

And a Snowy Egret with it's catch.

We were able to get out for a paddle one day. We went out of the harbor and stopped at the breakers.

On the rocks behind Bill, I caught these two Cormorants. 

Since my arm was doing good, we went out into the bay and paddled to the town beach. It was a nicer place to swim and enjoy a snack. On the way back, the wind picked up and the smoke got heavier, so it definitely wore me out. But it was nice to be on the bay again, next time I will use my sea kayak, which is easier to paddle in rougher waters.

Another day we enjoyed glass hunting, the views and more birds. I seem to be finding a few large pieces of old brown glass, but no real treasures lately.

I also got another look at mom and her baby. The baby is still to weak to stand up for long, it was trying but kept falling over. While baby slept, mom caught up on her preening.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend. We didn't do much since it rained more, late in the day, but it was nice getting out when we could.

Rocking and Stitching!

I had more rocks to paint, so I decided to get them done and ready for our trip next week. We will be camping near several ocean beaches and areas that people visit, so I can leave some in each place.

I rushed as usual, my arm still hurts and I don't have good control, so did the best I could and got them done. I think if i do more later, I will think them out better and I do think it would be fun to find different shapes to make pumpkins for the fall.

Some of the designs I get from ideas on the internet and some I just freehand. I also have a limited color palette so I use what I have. Luckily I know how to mix colors, so I just made my own shades when needed. The moons I did because it will be a full moon next week, so I am hoping I can watch it rise over the ocean.

Today I was going to clean the house, but I had a couple of rocks and I thought, why not just do them and then I can clean up the mess on my table. The two whales were done, but I didn't like how they looked, but I couldn't figure out what to do to them, so I just added a little color to make them fun. I also did a sunset, I think the ocean ones will be nice to leave at camp or areas that I consider safe to leave them. I always worry they will get lost or fall over, so I am careful about where to place them. One area has a seamen's memorial, for those lost at sea, another good spot to leave one. The fun kid ones, will go near beaches.

I have also been working on my stitchery, it is taking longer than I thought and it seems I have less time at night, so I need to make more me time, for crafting. I think I will stop painting rocks and work on christmas pillows that I can hide, much easier and I can do those faster, so I can make more if i do a few at a time.

I am a bit off with my brain and switched colors without realizing it, I had a brown/gold on the moon area, then went to a dark gold, not sure if i should fix it or leave as is and do the rest in dark gold. I am thinking the darker gold on the moon area, gives it a naive look? Or should I fix it, and if so, what color looks best. I like to add a bit of color without over doing it. Later I will change the initials, but wondering, as a gift, should I use the person's initials or mine as the maker?

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. We have one nice day, then rain and two hot days for our vacation, so definitely spending time at the beach. I may post Monday before we leave, if i do anything exciting this weekend, otherwise I will post later in the week.

Monday This and That!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, I didn't get a lot done, but I did find some material to use with the baby quilt and today I cut some blocks and laid it out to get an idea of how it looks and what I want to do. I doubt I will get it done in time, but I also may not give it to them. I found out that she is leaving at the end of the month, having the baby in Malaysia and not coming back until September.

So, Grandma is not happy and disappointed that we will not be there for the baby's birth or see Nicholas for 5 months. She plans on having another shower and getting what she needs to use, there, so she won't be taking anything. I can't see giving her a quilt that will sit at home, so I may wait and until the right time or donate it for a raffle or charity. I can decide after it is made and see how it comes out.

I am not sure if I should do some small boats or enlarge the boat and maybe add some shadow seagulls. First I will do the blocks and top, then decide on how to set the appliqué on top. I am also thinking of adding a strip of solid around the design, then varying strips of the other fabrics in the same colors next, then another solid strip. That is the plan, but I may change my mind as I go along.

This is the layout of the base, the borders will give it just enough to make a large baby quilt. I may trip a bit off the top and bottom of the blue so the shading is there, but a little narrower for that space. I will also redo the blocks so they are laying in the right direction.

We had my son and Nick for dinner Sunday night. I was going through his old photos to do a birthday card and it brings back so many good memories. This is a photo of him when were were camping at the state park. He was playing in the camp and a bird landed on his finger, he was always a sweet soul.

This is my son now, he took a selfie of himself and Nick, father and son, time sure flys by.

Of course Grandma and Nick played while the guys did their thing. I always get little gifts from the bargain racks to give him when he visits and he told me to get the camera, so not sure if he wanted me to take a photo or he thinks he has a camera too, lol. I am going to miss the joy that he brings when he is here, it will be a long 5 months.