Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Color of nature….

It is not unusual to have beautiful sunsets like this in Illinois in November.  For many years when I worked in Genoa, Illinois, I would commute on rural roads dotted with old family farms.  This time of the year, I would get to observe really spectacular sunsets.  When I notice that one was brewing, I would pull over to the side of the road or into a farm field entrance and turn off my truck.  There was nothing more peaceful than watching this spectacular event as it unfolds.  It usually lasted 15 to 20 minutes and it was one of those times when you wished it did not have to come to an end.  I do not know why I did not take my camera with me to work back then... The terrain at my home is much different but we still see a good sunset from time to time.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.






These photos were taken on November 3, 2011.  While I was sitting at my computer I noticed this spectacular display as it got started so I grabbed the camera.  I stood on my deck taking pictures and the more I took the more spectacular it became.  These are just a few of what I took. 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next time you see a fusion of colors brewing on the horizon take a few minutes to watch it. It is a one of a kind show created especially for you. Life is too short.

Maybe this winter I can use these photos as inspiration for a quilt to remind me of this beautiful moment.

I hope you enjoy!

Love, Jan

Friday, November 4, 2011

Bloggers Quilt Festival


Amy'sCreativeSide



The inspiration for my first quilt came from a photo which a co-worker entered in our annual “Best Vacation Photo” company calendar contest in 1997. This photo was of the Chicago Lighthouse uniquely taken from in the lake looking back at the city sky line. I love lighthouses all my life. I had recently moved from Phoenix to Chicago where it makes more sense to use lighthouses for decor. In Phoenix, people would see my lighthouses and say, “ You aren’t from here are you?” When I saw this photo, I decided that it would be a great piece to hang my dining room on the white fireplace wall.

I sat down one evening with a roll of blank used news paper and drew out my design based on the photo. Then I when to my sewing room and looked at what I had in my stash. I did not have much then because I had not started to quilt yet. It took me a few weeks to find the fabrics and before long I was cutting out the pieces and sewing it together. I soon learned that I did not know what the heck I was doing but I continued on bravely. It is machine pieced and hand quilted.


After I finished this piece, I decided that it was time for me to take a class and really learn how to do this correctly. I have been learning and quilting every since!

Happy Sewing , Jan