Hi everyone, posts are out of sync because I had a not-great IV session Monday, plus other stuff going on behind the pages here. I took some time recently to catch up on my perpetual Nature Journal [set of 2]---and finally came to the necessary conclusion that the tiny much loved books are FULL. Done, complete. These books are only about the size of your hand. 4" x 5" maybe
Who knows if they will ever be found and mulled upon.
Space was so meagre I had been pasting in small scribble jottings because there was no space to do a real painting.
A few pressed petals and sketches crept in, done on a separate small watercolor pad and tucked in.The red poppies that appeared in the wildlife tub charmed me.
As did the annual giant dragonfly migration last week.
New technique seen on IG. No sketch.
A pressed weed or two. Papyrus vetch?
Some pretty notecards for ideas:
Fun and casual, sadly I am not a fine botanical artist just a lonely woman [covid times] who produces personal blips and blobs. Never will be good. The point was to see and record, to try.
So--the end. I do have a new, larger, book to use, to begin again. I found nature's finds very sparse here. If I restart this exercise I'll also paint homely items, like, oh, a can of soup or a zucchini. A knitted hat with a pompom.? Right now I am ambivalent--I was dedicated to the accomplishment of the journalling goal, but doing something poorly for three years took its toll. Tomorrow is another day
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Books: while tidying the bookshelf that has really almost no books, I was attracted to this older Minick & Simpson Blue & White.
Such inspiring ideas, both for home decor and quilts.
love this shirting Star!
I have this pattern, can't get enthusiastic about hundreds of pinwheels though. Or sunglasses.
Would love to do this border.
Remember Bitty!? Given away as a newborn gift quilt, never to be seen again. My thinking was a quilt entirely hand appli and hand quilted. I loved making it.
I got a kick out of this small interview w author Laurie S. She said the strict blue and white decor was from her sister, co-author Polly Minick's home design style--for herself, she actually loves orange. How wonderful, a woman after my own heart.
Saving a few weeds and seeds, wondering if, like Polly M, I will leave the blues , or decorate or Fall.
In quilting, a quandary. This?
or that?
This is approximately my blog's birthday! 17 years. It has been a constant joy to write. If Blogger glitches us out of blogging now I will miss it. Thank you all for being here. Say Hi, so I know you stopped by? [IG image]
Have a great mid-September!
love
lizzy
gone to the beach......
Sunny days, ice cream nights, blast the Beach Boys and The Boss. Good times.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know about the dragonfly migration - your paintings of them are so evocative! We're about to head north for a couple weeks and I hoping to see migratory birds that we don't get here; now I'm thinking maybe there will be dragonflies too.
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for sharing your art.
Ceci
Thanks! You may see the dragonflies but they seem to swarm Aug 30- Sept 10 ish here, as they fly along the coast. I have that noted in my written nature diary that goes back many years,You can look online there are real time maps that show the migration of the birds and also butterflies and dragon flies. And google dragonfly migration if interested.I hope you trip up north is wonderful, great time to come. love, lizzy
DeleteI just love your Nature Journals!! The sketches and watercolors are so wonderful, Lizzy...what memories to look through and cherish...;)))
ReplyDeleteI do remember Bitty--I never did get to make it...
seemed really daunting in size to me...yours is so pretty...
hugs for sharing it all with us...Julierose ;)))
Thank you! btw That is the original Bitty by Laurie Simpson, in the book. I did try to make mine close to hers. I thought you made one too? It wasn t huge perfect for a newborn, maybe 24 x 30? / I ll have to look thru the journals before I put them away. I have a new pretty box for recent journals to fill.
Deletelizzy
Sorry to hear you’re lonely. Is it ,old age ( me ) or is the world just flying past so fast. My DH is in care and the house is too big for one, so I’m on the move, retirement village here I come.
ReplyDeleteKeep drawing and photographing I love all your pieces.A bigger book is a good idea.
Loved making Bitty and I gave mine away too. Maybe we should both make another one. You could do an orange one and I would make a brown one. 😁
If we lived closer I could give you my rug. It’s colourful. I have to downsize my things for the move but not my fabrics and quilts.
Take care Lizzy and keep doing the things you love Dorothy
Hi Dorothy. Oh how I would treasure your rug. Downsizing must be so hard. I'm sorry your husband is in care and you are moving but no doubt it is the right plan.
DeleteI think I d make Bitty 0.2 in naturalistic colors, like my zinnias' colors. Or reppro 1830s pastels? Yours in brown would be elegant and historic. How fun.
Lonely--empty nest for awhile now, plus passing of Baby Mo [my pug if a newcomer reads this]. Mo meant the world to me, I miss him terribly every day. We were never apart really, 12 years; that little face always by my side. I loved him so.
Take care and best wishes as you relocate. Pls keep in touch.
love
lizzy
Hi Lizzy, just wanted to let you know I really look forward to reading your blog every week. Your Nature Journals are wonderful. You are very artistic in your drawings and quilts. You inspire me….keep doing what you do and be happy. Take care…….Catherine
ReplyDeleteThjanks so much. I m so happy you enjoy our visits.
DeleteI live in the city and love the beach. Your posts bring me there and I appreciate this so much. Thank you! When quilters write about creating even through struggles I find encouragement to keep going. Thank you! I can make hudreds of pinwheels but struggle with applique. I admire your work!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for kind words and encouragement. Keep trying with applique. There's so many methods and , if you study beautiful old quilts, the applique need not be oh so perfect. It's so relaxing and enjoyable, to hand sew, just that small bit each day.
DeleteI just discovered your blog... you create such wonderful things. Your nature journal is delightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the "Blue & White" book. I really like the star. And also the little girl waiting for her friend with a bouquet of flowers in her hand...
and your beautiful, colorful autumn flowers.
Warm regards, Viola
P.S. We have lots of dragonflies here :-)))
Thank you, Viola, welcome. I am so glad yo enjoy your visits here.
DeleteEnjoy the migrating insects and birds, can I ask where you are that you're seeing many dragonflies? I think the have gone on here. lizzy
The Blue & White book is by Laurie Simpson and she has an etsy shop with her quilt designs and sometimes her fabric. "Minick & Simpson" on etsy. Polly Minick has retired but Laurie maintains the shop. If you like to hook rugs she has many books, look on Thrift Used books.
I enjoy seeing your sketches and paintings. Who cares if they're not perfect - I don't!! Nature also doesn't have to be a plant. It could be a shell, a rock, a bug, an odd cloud, etc. Veggies or household items are fine too! Do what makes you happy!
ReplyDeleteFor quilting, maybe make your favorite block and put it on the front and arms of a sweatshirt to curl up in this winter? Something just a little different!
I always love your blog, seeing a glimpse of your everyday makes me feel like I've visited you. Hopefully Blogger hangs in there for a while more.
~Melody
Thanks Mel, I m always glad when we getto visit. All these years!
DeleteI intend to start my new watercolor book, I ll get it ready for January.
Patchwork on clothes! Sweet but my kids will disown me. Rem when they shamed me into throwing out the beautiful quilted jacket I made. I was so proud of it--and do admit I am sorry I let them spoil it for me. [my so said my deck garden flowers were too bright just the other day! He must have a different sort of vision. I do love my bright flowers...].
I have enjoyed your blog and journal as I am trying new things as well. I’ll never be great either but the fun is in trying new things at 70!
ReplyDeleteYes! It's great to try new things. There's so much to learn, to enjoy.
DeleteInteresting you should mention the migrating dragonflies. We had many flitting about this afternoon around dinnertime and that's quite unusual, so they must have been just stopping by for a snack before heading south. Our hummingbirds have already departed, missing them already! Trees just beginning to color, one or two by the creek already at peak. I love to see those sketches in your little journals. Doubt there is anything "perfect" in this present life/world! The amazing speed of technology developments has me flummoxed (sp), guess that's why my 1951 Singer machine remains a favorite - we understand each other. Wishing you many crisp and sunny warm autumn days!
ReplyDelete