A Winter Day at the Beach

When I read in some of the local photo forums that there had been Snowy Owl sitings at Jones Beach...I was intrigued to say the least. When I saw some photos others had taken, I knew I had to give it a try. My expectations were "realistic" I think. I thought perhaps I'd see one, but most likely it would be too far away to get much of a photo of. I don't have a lens as long as my arm or that weighs as much as I do.

I got in touch with my friend Lori...who was more than game and we set off this morning. It couldn't have been much more perfect weather. It was chilly (low 40's) but the wind was light and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Not only did we find a Snowy Owl, but we were able to watch and photograph it for over an hour. Other photographers arrived that had an arsenal of equipment (one guy was dragging his lens on a golf bag). I know they got tighter, sharper shots...but the bottom line is that Lori and I got our shots too. Today was a real thrill. I don't know how long the owl(s) will hang around here, but I certainly plan to be out looking for them again...SOON!

6th Night Lights

Morning Light

Creating a Rainbow

Aaron was away the last ten days. I've found that when he's traveling, it's the best time to try creative experiments that could be "a disaster." He is SURE that there's going to be an accident that destroys something and will usually try and talk me out of doing whatever messy activity I have in mind to do. So now, I do these types of things for the first time when he's away. Then I'll have ample time for damage control if I have an unfortunate event.

I browse a lot of blogs written by fiber artists and many of them dye their own fabrics. I've read about creating a graduated spectrum of colors several times and I've really wanted to give it a whirl. So....this past week was perfect.

These were done in three different batches using only four base colors (pink, blue, yellow and green). Duh, it didn't occur to me that it would result in one long gradation. I was tickled when I realized it.

It's not hard at all. I simply selected the two colors I wanted to work with and set up zipper bags of dye with the colors in different ratios. It doesn't take much space and if you're careful, it's not even that messy.

What will I do with them....as of now, I haven't the slightest idea. But one day I know I'll be glad to have them in my stash. I'm sure there will be more...playing with dye is addicting.

Quilt Collage Project

I'm really enjoying my mixed media collage class and I'm pleased with my latest project. The lesson involved tracing a line drawing from paper to fabric then handpainting it for an original applique.

Here's my starting image....



which I converted to a line drawing on paper with photoshop...



And, here's the finished piece!

Feline & Furball Friday

It's been awhile since I've posted for Feline & Furball Friday...





It's a rough life being a golden. Sometimes your people go out without you...for 5 minutes.

Blogger Community Photo Challenge ~ Autumn

This is my submission for the current Blogger Community Photo Shoot.

As I am a judge, my photo will not be competing in the challenge.


A scene of Stony Brook Harbor...a short walk from my house.



Just curious...does it seem that you lose color intensity when you upload to Flickr? It sure seems that way to me.

Faux Batik

This is the latest piece I've finished for my online mixed media collage class. The technique we were working with is a faux batik method. It was so easy and I LOVE the results. The leaves in this little quilt were created using the technique. I know that I'll be looking for opportunities to use it again.

I'm a week behind on the projects and I haven't even looked at the next lesson so I have NO idea what's coming up next. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will get me down into my mess in the basement...and that's a good thing.

Fabric Collage #1

I'm taking an online class on fabric and mixed media collage. It's interesting how these things come together. You just seem to have a sense of when it still needs something, and when it's done. I'm a week behind on the class projects, so I'm glad this one is finished. Lesson two is pretty cool...faux batik!

10/21

This is a textile piece that I finished up recently. I picked up a package of ink jet printable silk sheets. They're way cool...an 8.5 X 11 sheet of silk that is fused to paper, so it can go right through my printer! So, I found a tree image I liked and manipulated it in photoshop, then printed it out and incorporated it into this small quilt. I know I'll be using this material more and more.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Late yesterday evening, we took a short hike at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. It's interesting because fall seems to be further along on the south shore of Long Island than it is to the north. I think we got there just in time to enjoy any autumn color. Still pretty though...

Round Robin Challenge ~ My (home) Town

This week's Round Robin Photo Challenge subject is My Home Town.



I put home in () because I feel no more like this is home than I would if I were living on the moon. But, this is where I live....Stony Brook, NY.

Stony Brook is not a town, but a village on Long Island. The central area is a village green which has a crescent shaped shopping area around it. It has a few little shops and is anchored in the center by our post office.



Right across the road is Stony Brook Harbor.




It's not home, but it's quaint and certainly easy on the eyes.


Be sure to visit all the Round Robin Challenge participants listed here.

Little Things Along the Way

My friend and I spent hours photographing little things along the trails and shoreline at Caumsett. These are a few of my favorites.

Fall in Caumsett State Park

Caumsett State Park was originally the Long Island Estate of Marshall Field III. This is the view from the "front lawn" of the estate house. In the foreground is a freshwater pond. You can also see the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut shoreline.

Posting Big Pictures

If anyone is interested in the instructions as to how I post large photos in Blogger, I've typed them up and posted them to the Blogger Community Photo Journal here.

I Think I've Got It!!

Oh yeah...


I posted in Walk this morning that I was having success modifying my blogger templates, but I had not figured out how to post my BIG pictures. Well, trial and error seems to have paid off. Check it out...

This weekend we took a walk along a pretty little angler's path in Connetquot State Park. It was the first time I'd been out taking pictures in awhile. This caught my eye. No one can do an arrangement like Mother Nature.

I'll be happy to share how I got my big pictures to work with anyone who's interested. I've got to get it typed up. Just FYI...it takes some fooling around with HTML. It's not hard or extensive, you just have to know where to tweak.

Mind Mapping Exercise

OK....this is my first attempt at mind mapping. I'm not quite sure what to make of it just yet. I know my classmates are having varying experiences with the exercise, and I would be extremely interested to see in more detail what that experience "looks like." Perhaps that's counter productive because this is supposed to be such an inward looking exercise. But for me, any feedback would most likely help to stimulate my thought process.

It involves "letting go"....not my strong suit.

My starting word was SKY because I sat down, looked out the window and was just struck by today's clear blue sky.

Anyway, I'm posting the map and hopefully it scanned clearly enough that it can be read. The statement that evolved from it was a feeling of everything having two sides. With the exception of my thoughts about the color blue, I have branches that indicate a feeling of optimism, and branches that express a sense of fear or insecurity.

What next?