Devils Backbone At Dusk

I made this for my daughter for Christmas.  Last year she asked me for wall art with a tree theme, so this happened.  It is a state forest about an hour from here that I last visited in the autumn.  The inspiration was a quilt by McKenna Ryan, though it is not the same, just a similar style.  I will follow up with the sunrise piece, soon I hope.

Catching up

I missed the Sunday of Light.... but certainly have been thinking about it.  God is very good, and has all our needs in sight.  We sometimes don't have the same priorities, but then He sees the front of the tapestry, we see only the back.  This is Edith Zimmer's work.

My kitties are enjoying the weather....inside.  They are definitely comfort kitties, liking their cushions and covers.  But then, they are cats, so.....

Second Sunday in Advent- Love

Thanks to Mary Rodriguez for the beautiful photo

Dear Lord,
Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.
I want my heart to be open to you.
But sometimes in these days, it seems that
so many things come between us.

Help me to be awake and aware
of the radiance you bring to my life.
Help me to be grateful each day
for the blessings of family and friends.
Let me be a peacemaker
in my own life, and in the world.
Let me pray especially for this difficult world
and those who are so in need of an end to violence.
My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today.

A Gift

DH's niece lives in Chicago with her partner, and have a round table.  I hope this is a good topper, and that they like it.  It gave me joy to make it.

First Sunday in Advent- HOPE

Happy Thanksgiving

Need a smile? I do.

Eye See You

Just a little humor for the day.  The picture of Elizabeth I has her wearing a dress with ears and eyes on it, symbolizing her ability to see and hear everything everywhere, the all knowing monarch.  The giant eyeball pincushion was inspired by this portrait.... we were given a challenge to make a pincushion inspired by something medieval.... a bit wide open, eh?  This is my response.  I really am not in a serious mood, I need some levity.

Election

There was no good outcome to this election.  I must find the light within myself and hope for healing.

Library of Congress

The Monroe Building of the Library of Congress is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington DC.  It was built in 1897, and has the full design power of that age behind it, with ornate corbels and carven archways.  The windows show off the stained glass artists of the day, and this mosaic of Athena, goddess of knowledge, is spectacular.

Blessings and Joy

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain for all those who celebrate.  May the year ahead bring you joy and peace.

Skyline Part Two

Skyline Drive Fall Colors

The colors are still turning, should be at peak for a week or more, depending on where you are driving.  The oaks are still green, so that peak will be later, but the maples and gum and ash are in their glory.  The Parkway was filled with cars and people, each wanting to see all there was to see.  I could hardly get to the western overlooks safely, so will content myself with another trip after the oaks turn.
The last photo is a quilt representing Wind Cave Park in honor of the National Parks sesquicentennial...our group is certainly not the only one to do Parks quilts.  This one really caught my eye, and as it uses a technique I am currently trying out on one of my quilts, I wanted a photo to inspire me.  This one was done by a quilter in Nebraska.  

An Exciting Day in the Life of a Quilter

 Today a goodly number of the artists who made quilts celebrating the 150th anniversary of the National Park Service met at the Library of Congress for a tour and reception with a showing of the book in the Science Reading Room at the Library.  My oh my, what a thrill!

Back in the dark ages, when I was in graduate school, I used to use the Library for my research.  It was a far different place then, and yet has not changed at all.  The look is very much the same, but the procedures have definitely changed.  Much more security and movement control, you now need a special permit to use the main reading room.  They have preserved the historical structure though, and it is indeed lovely.  We haven't built anything like this since the 1930's.  The Jefferson Building was built in 1897, the Adams in 1938.  The Madison addition in 1974.  One of the highlights was a talk by Constance Carter, who recently retired after 50 years of service in the Library.  What a character, and what marvelous knowledge and life experience.  I can't wait until she publishes her life story!

Today brought back memories galore and brand new thrills..... a banner day, to be sure!