At the White House in DC for the First Lady to Show the Holiday Decorations to the Military Families and the Press - November 30, 2011

At the White House in DC for the First Lady to Show the Holiday Decorations to the Military Families and the Press - November 30, 2011

    I got to go to the White House today with the Gold Star Wives, Gold Star Mothers and some Military Families to see the First Lady, Mrs. Obama,  show the White House decorations to the "press and media" for the first time this season.
   I am a member of Gold Star Wives and this is a photo of me in front of the Gold Star Family Tree.   The decorations honor the military throughout the house this year. 

Lasagna - November 29, 2011

Lasagna - November 29, 2011

       I made this homemade lasagna over the past two days.  I called a friend and ask if I could bring it to their  house to share with them.  They made a salad and we all had a wonderful dinner together this evening.   It turned out delicious.

Morning Sky - November 28, 2011

Morning Sky - November 28, 2011

        I took this photo of the sky from my front porch. 

Decorated Back Deck - November 27, 2011

Decorated Back Deck - November 27, 2011

         I have white lights and metal yard art on my deck for winter with a wreath to bring holiday cheer.

"High Noon" - journal quilt - November 26, 2011

"High Noon"  - journal quilt - November 26, 2011

     I designed and made this  8 1/2" x 11"  journal quilt in July of 2005.  I made it for the Journal Quilt Project  for the Houston International Quilt Festival.  It did travel to some of their other venues to be exhibited.    I used cottons, fancy yarns and beads.   I also hand painted cheesecloth an olive green to use for some of the leaves.  
    I used this design as a "jumping off"  point to make a large quilt .  I will show that quilt soon.  A lot of times I will make a small designed quilt that will lead to a bigger piece later on.  
     This quilt was also chosen to be featured on page 161 in the book   ""Personal pages and Inspirations -  1000 Artist Journal Pages"  by Dawn DeVries Sokol.   ........................
 http://www.dblogala.com/1000-artist-journal-pages/

Shadows in Side Winter Garden - November 25, 2011

Shadows in  Side Winter Garden - November 25, 2011

        I took this photo of my side winter garden.  All the flowers are gone for the season.  You can see the shadow of the neighbor's deck reflecting on my wall.

Thanksgiving Dinner - November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving Dinner - November 24, 2011

         I got to enjoy Thanksgiving day and dinner with very special friends.  As you can see,  I think I ate a little too much.   I tried a spoonful of everything.

Evening Sky - November 23, 2011

Evening Sky - November 23, 2011

          I took this photo from my front porch of the sunset .   The sky was beautiful.

"The Eagle Has Landed" - journal quilt - November 22, 2011

"The Eagle Has Landed"  - journal quilt - November 22, 2011 

       I made this "Journal quilt" to hang at the Houston International Quilt Festival in  February of 2002.   It was also chosen to be featured on page 49 in the book "Creative Quilting - The Journal Quilt Project" by Karey  Patterson Bresenhan.   It is made of cotton fabrics and has embroidery and beads on it. I was inspired by the full moon and the 25th anniversary of the moon landing. 
http://softexpressions.com/software/books/4L0200.php

Beaded Insects and Fish - November 21, 2011

Beaded Insects and Fish - November 21, 2011

     I took this photo of some beaded insects and fish that I made.  I drew out some shapes on graph paper and then beaded these insects and fish on thin gold  or black wire.  I'm having so much fun designing and beading these treasures.  I have a lot more drawn out that I can't wait to make,

Homestead Gardens Holiday Display - November 20, 2011

Homestead Gardens Holiday Display - November 20, 2011

         I took this photo this morning at Homestead Gardens  in Davidsonville, Md  (  by Annapolis). 
They had their Christmas opening yesterday.  The flowers and Christmas decorations were wonderful.  I bought a tiny poinsettia and a few tree ornaments.   I  have a great time going their every year with my niece.
http://www.homesteadgardens.com/about-us/about-/homestead-for-the-holidays/

First Gingerbread House - November 19, 2011

First Gingerbread House - November 19, 2011

     I can't believe that I never tried to make a gingerbread house before.   Two friends and I bought these little gingerbread house kits and made them yesterday.   We had a great time and  I think it turned out pretty good for my first try.  Oh,  by the way,  I ate way too much icing and candy yesterday.  <grin>

"Yakkaichi City" - Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 18, 2011

"Yakkaichi City" - Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 18, 2011

    This is the third Japanese manhole cover quilt that I made.  I was given a small black and white sketch of a a manhole cover from Yakkaichi City in Japan by Shirley MacGregor, a quilt artist from Oregon.    While living in Japan,  she discovered the beautiful manhole covers that the streets of most cities and towns have.  This inspired her two books,  Quilting with Manhole Covers and Treasures Underfoot.
http://shirleymacgregor.com/about

    I made this quilt using batik and cotton fabrics  in 1999.   I also sewed on many beads in the background.   The quilt is  18" x 19" in size and was published in and featured on the cover of  Shirley MacGregor's second book,  "Treasures Underfoot".   This quilt traveled with a "trunk show"  around the world and was exhibited in many galleries, quilt shows and museums. 

"Yamagata City" - Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 17, 2011

"Yamagata City" - Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 17, 2011

        This is the second Japanese manhole cover quilt that I made.  I was given a black and white photo of the design of the manhole covers in the Yagamata City.   by Shirley MacGregor , a quilt artist from Oregon.  She was living in Japan at this time.  She arranged a trunk show for these manhole cover quilts to travel around the world to be exhibited in galleries, quilt shows and museums.
   I made this quilt using batik,  cottons and moire fabrics.  I also used cording and did silk ribbon embroidery on this quilt.   It is machine and hand quilted and is  18" x 19" in size.

"Fukui City"- Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 16, 2011

"Fukui City"- Japanese Manhole Cover Quilt - November 16, 2011

     This is a photo of the first Japanese manhole Cover quilt that I made.  I was given a small black and white sketch of a manhole cover from Fukui City in Japan by Shirley MacGregor,  a quilt artist from Oregon.
While living in Japan she discovered the beautiful manhole covers that adorn the streets of most cities and towns. This inspired two books, Quilting with Manhole Covers and Treasures Underfoot.
 http://shirleymacgregor.com/about

     I made this quilt using hand painted fabric and black ultra suede.  I machine quilted it and it is 14" in diameter..  I  made this quilt in 1998 and it is published in  Shirley MacGregor's book,  "Quilting With Manhole Covers".  This quilt has traveled all around the world and was shown in many shows and museums.

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles - November 15, 2011

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles  - November 15, 2011

        I took this photo of the outside of the Westin Hotel in downtown Los Angeles,  where I was staying.  There is a plaque outside of one of the external elevator shafts,  saying that the fight scene from the movie  "True Lies"  (  with Arnold Schwarzenegger )  was filmed there.  The elevators go up on the outside of the building.

Hakata Ramen Shin Sen Gumi Restaurant in Los Angeles, Ca. - November 14, 2011

Hakata Ramen Shin Sen Gumi  Restaurant in  Los Angeles, Ca. - November 14, 2011

     When I was in Los Angeles, Ca. last week,  I went to this Ramen restaurant in the Little Tokyo section of downtown Los Angeles.   I had the pork ramen soup and some dumplings.  Everything was delicious  and the atmosphere was wonderful.  I took this photo inside the restaurant of it's decor.
http://gastronomyblog.com/2011/10/16/shin-sen-gumi/

Lake Mead, Nevada - November 13, 2011

Lake Mead, Nevada - November 13, 2011

      I took this photo of Lake Mead, Nevada a few weeks ago while visiting the Las Vegas area.  The water was so blue.

Hoover Dam, Nevada - November 12, 2011

Hoover Dam, Nevada - November 12, 2011

    I took this photo a few weeks ago when I visited Hoover dam  in Nevada.   It was huge and very impressive.

Ceiling in the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - November 11, 2011

Ceiling in the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv.  -  November 11, 2011

    I took this photo of the ceiling in the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada  a few weeks ago.  I got to see the show "The Jersey Boys"  that night.  The hotel was beautiful inside.

Spider Web in Side Flower Garden - November 10, 2011

Spider Web in Side Flower Garden - November 10, 2011

       I took this photo of a spider web in my side yard flower garden.   You can see that my purple mums are still in full bloom too.

Inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - November 9, 2011

Inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - November  9, 2011

   I took this photo inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas , Nevada a few weeks ago.    It was beautiful inside,  with the painted ceiling and the canals.  I loved it.

Vote - November 8, 2011

Vote - November 8, 2011

       Today is the first Tuesday in November and election day.   I took this photo of my  "I Voted"  sticker after I voted here in northern Virginia.    Did you remember to vote?

Under the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada - November 7, 2011

Under the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada - November 7, 2011

     I took this photo on my birthday a few weeks ago when I was in Las Vegas, Nv.   This Eiffel Tower, outside of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas,  is half scale the size of the real Eiffel Tower in  Paris, France.   It is wonderful and I got to play and win at blackjack in this Paris Hotel.  <grin>
http://www.parislasvegas.com/casinos/paris-las-vegas/casino-misc/eiffel-tower-detail.html

Colorado River Delta Behind the Hoover Dam - November 6, 2011

Colorado River Delta Behind the Hoover Dam - November 6, 2011

       I took this photo a few weeks ago when I was in Las Vegas and went to see the Hoover Dam.  In this photo you can see how low the water level is behind the dam. The large pillars are for the  penstock water intakes/spillways.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam

Dancing Fountains Outside the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas - November 5, 2011

Dancing Fountains Outside the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas - November 5, 2011

     When I came outside of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas a few weeks ago,  classical music started to play and the light and the fountains began to move beautifully.   It was mesmerizing to watch.   This is one of the many  photos that I took  of the fountains in motion that night.

At the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Across the Hoover Dam Bypass in Nevada - November 4, 2011

At the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Across the Hoover Dam Bypass in Nevada - November 4, 2011

       This photo was taken last week on Hoover Dam,  with the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge in the background.  As you can see by my hair,  it was a windy day.

Outside the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - November 3, 2011

Outside the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - November 3, 2011

      I took this photo outside the Paris Hotel last week in Las Vegas.   I loved all the scenery outside the major hotels there .   I got to spend time at the Paris Hotel,  the Wynn,  the Bellagio,  the Venetian Hotel and the Palazzo.   I can't wait to hopefully go back again some day.

Solar and Water Power at Hoover Dam - November 2, 2011

Solar and Water Power at Hoover Dam - November 2, 2011

    I took this photo while at Hoover Dam last week.   I loved the sun shining brightly above the electrical tower.

Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, Ca. - November 1, 2011

Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, Ca.  - November 1, 2011

   I took this photo at the Boy's Big Boy when I had lunch there last Thursday before going to the NBC Studio.   .This Bob's restaurant was built in 1949 by local residents Scott MacDonald and Ward Albert, and is the oldest remaining BOB'S BIG BOY in America.  The burger  that I had for lunch was delicious.
http://www.bobs.net/

"Canopy of Caladiums" - Haiku and Fiber Art - October 31, 2011

"Canopy of Caladiums" - Haiku and Fiber Art - October 31, 2011

    I belong to an on-line art quilt group that make a piece of fiber art and writes a haiku to go with it each month,  on a chosen topic.  The topic for the month of October was  "Canopy".
    My haiku for this fiber piece is:

A place of shelter...
Caladiums surround me...
The bugs feel secure...

A Cold, Rainy Day on the Deck - October 30, 2011

A Cold,  Rainy Day on the Deck - October 30, 2011

     I got home late last night from sunny, warm California to the cold, wet weather of northern Virginia.   My inpatients were somehow still blooming on my deck and it was raining/sleeting.  As you can see,  the leaves on the trees are turning beautiful autumn colors.

Chihuly's Blown Glass Ceiling in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - October 29, 2011

Chihuly's Blown Glass Ceiling in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - October 29, 2011

    The Dale Chihuly blown glass ceiling in the  main lobby of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is magnificent.  I love his work.
http://www.chihuly.com/

Inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada - October 28, 2011

Inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada - October 28, 2011

      The inside of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas was beautiful,  with the canals, gondolas and painted sky.  I spent a lot of time there last week and went to see the show "The Jersey Boys"  at the connecting Palazzo Hotel.

At the NBC Studio to Watch the Taping of the Jay Leno Show - October 27, 2011

At the NBC Studio to Watch the Taping of the Jay Leno Show - October 27, 2011

     I sent for free tickets to watch the taping of the Jay Leno Show on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.  It was great and I got to sit in the front row < towards the side>.   I was right in front of the musical guest area.  

Leaving Las Vegas & Heading to LA - October 26, 2011

Leaving Las Vegas & Heading to LA  - October 26, 2011

   I took this photo out the window of the airplane ,  leaving Las Vegas and heading to Los Angeles, Ca.   It was a beautiful view.  (  I have a lot more photos to post of my stay in Vegas ).

Hoover Dam, Nevada - October 25, 2011

Hoover Dam, Nevada - October 25, 2011

    I got to go to Hoover Dam when I was in LasVegas.  As you can see by my hair, it was a very windy day.  I loved taking this side trip to see the dam. 

At the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nv. - October 24, 2011

At the Bellagio Hotel in LasVegas, Nv. - October 24, 2011

     I got to go to LasVegas for my  birthday this year.  I had never been there before.  This photo was taken outside the Bellagio Hotel.  You can see the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel across the way.   I had a wonderful time and will be posting a lot more photos from this trip.

"Royal Flush" - Power Suit Quilt - October 23, 2011

"Royal Flush" - Power Suit Quilt - October 23, 2011

       This is a photo of my "Royal Flush"- Power Suit quilt , that is now hanging on exhibit at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Va.   It will be there until Nov. 23, 2011 and then will be shown at other venues.
http://www.powersuitquilts.com/index.htm 

My artist statement for this quilt is:

<<< He can leave the board room and go directly to the back room to a poker game and still be a "winner" in both places wearing his power suit. The result is a "Royal Flush". <<<<<

At the "Power Suit" Quilt Exhibit in Alexandria, Va. - October 22, 2011

 

   At the "Power Suit" Quilt Exhibit in Alexandria, Va. - October 22, 2011

     I have a quilt hanging at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Va.  We were all given a packet of "suiting fabric"  and ask to make an original design with the fabrics.  We could use any amount of the fabric for the project,  but the finished piece had to be 18" square.
http://www.powersuitquilts.com/artists.html   Since I love playing cards,  I thought of a "royal flush" in poker.  My artist statement  for this piece is:

<<<          He can leave the board room and go directly to the  back room to a  poker game and still be a "winner" in both places wearing his power suit.  The result is a  "Royal Flush". <<<<<

     On this web site,  you can see all the fiber artists who participated and where the quilts will be exhibited.

Mini Starfish in Neighbor's Salt Water Aquarium - October 21, 2011

Mini Starfish in Neighbor's Salt Water Aquarium - October 21, 2011

       My neighbor has a large salt water aquarium and there are a lot of mini star fish in it.  This starfish is about 1 inch in diameter.

Metal Cat on Kitchen Window Sill - October 20, 2011

Metal Cat on Kitchen Window Sill -  October 20, 2011

    I took this photo of the metal cat that sits on my kitchen window sill.  I have a lot of whimsical things in the kitchen window to enjoy 

Old Executive Office Building in Washington DC - October 19, 2011

Old Executive Office Building in Washington DC - October 19, 2011

      When going out the side gate of the White House from the Fall Garden Tour,  I took this photo of the Old Executive Office Building in Washington DC.