Tripods

My Brother in law loves photography, so over the years, I have been gifted with some of his equipment that he didn't want.
This month he dropped his camera and decided to have it fixed and give it to me, and he is getting himself a new one.
Not sure why he doesn't want his, it will be brand new when they replace the lens, but I will not look a gift horse in the mouth;)
I guess I am going to have to learn how to use a real camera.

Yesterday he sent me his tripod, he never uses it and I really need one, since I shake too much.
It will be great to use when I take photos of my pieces, and when I get the new camera, hopefully better colors.

Today I tried it with my camera, not sure if mine fits right, but it did keep me steadier. Of course nothing interesting came by, just the usual group of birds who spent the afternoon sitting and fighting over the bird feeders.

When I get the new camera, I will find out if it is the camera or me, lol. I will definitely have to ask santa for a larger zoom this year;)

This is a scrub bush, perfect place for a bird feeder. The long thorns keep the other critters from climbing up and getting into the feeders.



These are on full zoom, I don't think my camera has true zoom, at it's highest point. Most digital cameras have true distance, up to the halfway point, but past that, they go digital, so pictures look blurry. Even with a tripod, I still had to use the sharpen tool. But for those of you who have a problem with shake and want to use a zoom, which is a heavier lens, a tripod is a great item to have.

I am working on a new piece, a possible pattern for sewing, but not sure if I like what I did, and might do another with the original idea I had, so you can see when I finish.

Mini Pieces!

Since we were so busy having fun outside, I didn't get a lot of sewing done.
So, I made some mini pieces to work on, while we watched tv.

This mini quilt is 6 1/2" x 5". I made it from one of my cat designs, with a saying on this one.
I love to make the mini ones, they work up quick and fun to do. I have a mini hanger to put it on, now i need to find some mini clothespins. I also need to pull out the corner binding and redo that, it is a bit off and an easy fix.



This pillow is made with a Free Primitive Blessings design. I colored it in with art markers and then stitched around the designs.
Something fun and quick for the holidays. I also have a new flag piece with an eagle that I am working on, so hopefully I will finish that this week.

Noisy Day and Giveaway Winner!

I decided to stay home and get some things done today, one being a new flag wall hanging, so I got the base sewed together and the main applique on. Then I finished off some little pieces that are now drying after I stained them, so I will show them next time.

Today it was air show day, it is noisy, they go right over the house and around the bay as they come in, towards the old base.



As if that is not bad enough, the dog has a thing about planes, he barks at them and runs around the yard like a goof, in a lame attempt to catch them. Tomorrow we are in for more of the same. We are planning on going out to the harbor again, that way we can paddle and see them better from the breakers.



I got a nice surprise in the mail today, a prize I won from Barbara of Cat Patches. I got my choice of book, and she sent me a wonderful kitty fabric, I love the kitties. I will have to make something special with it. The book has some wonderful patterns and tutorials for art pieces, so more new things I can make.



Now for the giveaway. The winner of a free epattern is Dawn of Quilts and Pieces!
Congratulations Dawn. Please send me an email with you choice of pattern from my ecrater site.

Rain Rain, Go Away!

I guess I can't expect every day to be perfect, we had three in a row, lol.
Yesterday we stayed home and walmart was the big fun for the day;)
Today it was overcast and rain predicted, and my back feels like someone ran over me with a truck, guess all that paddling finally set in. But, I had to take a walk at least, so we went to the point to get out before the rain came. The rain never did come but my back is so bad, a walk was enough for today.

I love to walk when it is cooler, the sea breezes feel so good and the air so clean.
How would you like to live on this island, talk about an ocean view.



The seals are gone and the cormorants have taken over the rocks. They seals leave, once it gets too warm.



I got a nice surprise in the mail from my friend Kelley. A box full of fabrics and a new book. Lots of homespuns, prim and some art pieces to have fun with and the book has some wonderful patterns I can make. Check out her blog, she has a free pattern that would be fun to punch or hook.

Anniversary Day Three!

Today, rain was in the forecast, so we thought we would slip out for a few hours. We went to Wickford Harbor which is right down the road, so we saved time by not traveling far. Our harbor has lots of coves, a couple of small islands and lots of wildlife. The day was overcast but the water was smooth, so nice easy paddling.



The geese really enjoy the area, flocks of them all over the islands.



Egrets seem to stay in pairs, each to their own island or cove.



The area has a lot of commorants. They sit on poles, buoys and rocks. I just love this photo, I think I might do it into an art photo and frame it for my daughter's new place.



Of course, you can't get too close, or this happens.



We paddled to the breakers and enjoyed the activity on the bay. The air show is this weekend, so we also got to watch the planes as they practiced their aerial acts. Unfortunately it started to rain, but that didn't keep us from paddling. We paddled into town and back around, until the rain got heavier and I decided it was time to go home;) Tomorrow there will be a break before the rain comes back, so maybe we will go for a walk to the point, my arms are really sore today.

This was the last shot I could get and it was just starting to drizzle. Leave a comment here and get a second chance to enter the giveaway. Thank you for all your well wishes and a Happy Anniversary to those of you who are celebrating their anniversary this month.

Happy Anniversary Giveaway!

Today is our actual anniversary, it has been 36 years, today.
I graduated from high school one weekend and got married the next.
I knew he was the one for me, so why wait and I think I made the right decision;)

Today we went to Burlingame State park to paddle. I camped there as a child, and we took our kids there, so it is a place filled with happy memories. It was a beautiful day, warm with a breeze and no crowds.


And I am sure this is what you all want to see, haha. This is the launch site, beautiful pond that covers 1,000 acres.
We paddled the entire shoreline, so not quite sure how long that is in miles, but it was a good workout.



Half way around the pond is a beach at the old campground. This was the wilderness side, pit toilets and no showers. They closed it down when someone almost burned half it down. It is a great place to stop, have lunch and take a swim and we were the only ones there.



The park is also home to over 250 species of birds. Of course they were all hiding today. That and the fact that Bill always has to paddle in front of me and startles everything away, before I get there. This guy was sitting on a rock, watching the world go by. I had to use full zoom in a rocking boat, so the picture looks a bit strange.




We went around the pond along to the campground side and stopped at the last beach which doesn't allow swimming. I wasn't swimming, I was just cooling off in the water;) This little guy found us as interesting, as we did, him.



Now for the giveaway. Guess how many years we have been married? You don't have to be right, just guess and I will draw a name from the entries. The winner will get a free epattern from my ecrater site. I will draw a winner on Saturday night.
Tomorrow the weather man said no rain till late in the afternoon, so I think we can get in one more paddle before the rain comes.

Vacation Paddle!

This is our Anniversary week and we usually go to Maine, but this year, we are staying home.
My husband has excess vacation time, so he still took the week off, so we can have some fun together.
Today we went to Pettaquamscutt River which is a tidal inlet that opens to the bay.

This is the view, looking towards the end of the inlet, where it opens into the bay. We plan on landing on the inside beach, since the outer inlet is rough and shallow and a good way to swamp your boat;)



This is where we stopped to enjoy the views of the bay, cool breezes and warm sun.



Looking down towards the main beach, a couple enjoying a stroll.



After we enjoyed the beach for awhile, we went back to the river area and explored the river and its sancturaries.
This nest looks like it has been in the making for years, not only is it home to an Osprey family, but their are smaller birds who have nested in the sides.



The area is teaming with wild birds, this egret seemed to content to watch as we paddled by.



It makes you wonder, who is watching whom.



There were so many birds today, but most were shy and did not want to stick around for a photo session;)
It was a wonderful day, perfect weather, but 3 hours of paddling and too much sun, so I know I will sleep well tonight.