On My Bicycle....Riding Season Starts

Even though I call this a "sunny pond",
I see it might not be all that sunny afterall.

On the other side of the bike path, directly opposite
 the pond above, this one is completely clear of ice.

This guy wasn't scared off by all the trucks and cars
 in the park.It seems that the wild boar and deer were.
I saw none.

One of the "fields of crocuses".
 I ride by several of them.
This one isn't the fullest, just the prettiest color!

Go on to the next post....it is from a couple weeks ago when Dad and I walked around my neighborhood. I couldn't get the photos to upload at that time.

Walk Around With Dad - Spring has Sprung- Der Lenz ist da

Hardanger Doiles...the backs!

You asked for it, you got it....here are a couple pictures of the backs! Yes, I dare!

Let me know what you think!

Hardanger Doilies

There was a reason somewhere for me not posting these earlier. But the reason doesn't exist anymore so here's what I've been working on!  They don't all have names.  Not because I don't like them all, simply because a name hasn't jumped out at me.  Or, in one case, too many names jumped out at me so I don't use any of them.  I absolutely love doing these.  They are "quick finishes".  I'm not tired of doing them at this point so I will just continue on.......  Let me know what you think!  Oh, and by the way, the backs are all pretty much awesome, if I do say so myself.  Lastly....Sorry all the text is here at the top.  I can't figure out how to make some of it go to the bottom!

Spring Bushes

Doily IV

Dutch

With Black Cherries On Top

Doily VII

Happy New Year!!

Here are this year's bad firework pictures. (there's great sound with the video so turn your speakers on).  Yes, every single year I try.  And every single year they look the same.  And every single year I say that the pictures just don't do it justice.  So....I don't need to say it all again this year!!  Happy New Year!  Stay safe and healthy!!

Monument Valley Interpreted

OK, so Monument Valley Interpreted may be done.  "May?", you ask.  Yes, it may be done.  I need to get your thoughts.  I am quite pleased actually, with the way it looks.  Of course, Susan will be able to make it look even better when she frames it.

I think the texture looks good and the depth is defined.  But what do you think? Please let me know! In the mean time, I've put it away for a few days. I'll take a look at it again when I hear from you. I've worked on this just about every day for 6 months and I need to look at something else for a while before I make up my mind.

Monument Valley Interpreted - stitching is done!

It's truly a great day!  After almost 6 months, the fill stitching is done.  I've started on the outlining, as you can see, on the left mountain.  OK, the tricky part starts now.  My goal is to show depth and texture without overwhelming the stitching.

Progress on Blackwork Piece and Thanksgiving

After a month of working on the sky, I am sharing my progress with you. So...what do you think? The "fading" will be a little better after the piece is washed. I used blue chalk and it is still a little visible. Of course, the outlining will define the mountains more and make them sort of "pop out".

 

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, whatever you did and wherever you were.  My dinner turned out excellent and everything was still hot when it got to the table.  That's always my goal although it doesn't always happen.

I did not forget, though, all the Thanksgivings I was someplace else, doing something totally different.  Like doing laundry at the Laundromat.  Those holidays were Special to me.  Celebrating Thanksgiving with other people that didn't have anywhere else to go but to do their laundry.  I have to say, spending a couple hours with complete strangers in a laundromat on Thanksgiving was a blessing. Sharing whatever it is that you have to give with others that need it.  And them, sharing with you.

My orchids are having a wonderful time and showing it with their blooms.  All except my new Blue Vanda.  I am sad to say that I don't think that wonderful flower is going to survive.  I've been working and working with it but, alas, it just continues to die.  Maybe it wasn't meant to be....maybe I was supposed to admire These beautiful flowers from afar.

Monument Valley Interpreted - Landscape is Finished!

It took almost 5 months but the landscape is now stitched. And, as promised, I managed to get the piece photographed from afar. Funny how Susan liked the idea of a 'natural' setting and I like the idea of a 'professional' setting. Ok, it's not all that professional but it got done what I wanted.....that you can really see that it looks 3-D!!

It was mentioned that the contrasts are so good now that perhaps I didn't need to do the sky. I thought about that alot but decided that it really does need the sky. If you look at the original photo, the sky is very much a part of the beauty. That blue. I hope to be able to capture that vast space of color and do it justice in my piece. I've started it a little in the left corner, down by the skyline. It will varegate darker as it goes up.

Monument Valley Interpreted and the Beauty of Fall

I am very excited about how my piece is shaping up.  I've noticed that looking at it close up and looking at it from a distance is a big difference.  At a distance, you can clearly see depth and the perception is quite good.  Of course, working on it, I only see it close up and it tends to look flat.  I will try to take a picture from afar after the foreground is done so you can see it too.  Someone asked if I was nearly done.  No, I am filling in the sky as well so there's still plenty to stitch before I do the detailing!

Yesterday was a first for me.  I rode my bicycle outside for the first time in November.  And it was only 40-45 degrees.  Although nature's colors are mostly earthy at this time of the year, when I look closely, I can find colors that seem to shout.  I am not sure what these things are but they are bright and bold  and sprinkle hope and encouragement throughout the woods.  The peak of our Indian Summer has passed but there is still so much to see.  My outdoor riding time could very well be over for this year but maybe, if I'm really lucky, there will still be a few days where I can brave the cold and explore the wonders of nature and be inspired by what I find.