Blocks Exchanged!

The squares are swapped!  All the colors and patterns look so cute together. I have no idea how I want to finish this quilt up, borders or plain blocks mixed in, what the back should be???

Finally, this picture of all the girls is proof that all my "quilter friends" are not in their 80's! 

Quilt Block Exchange

My friend Erica and a few others have organized a quilt block exchange.  Basically 20 of us have made quilt squares, same pattern but different fabric (Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy) mixed with white.  They will all coordinate and make one super cute bright quilt.  We are meeting this week to exchange the blocks. I was pretty nervous about 1. Getting done on time. Huge thanks to Jen for helping me!!!  and 2. worrying that my squares would look really bad.  I have a few that look pretty good, so for the other 17 of you, sorry!  What can I say fabric is not my medium of choice!! But I tried, and I had fun. 

Spring!

We came across a little caterpillar on a walk yesterday. He liked it but about 2 seconds after this picture was taken he was off chasing some birds-his real outdoor favorite.

One of my absolute favorite things about spring are all the daffodils that pop up everywhere.  We came across this patch of flowers when we went to see the cherry blossoms.  Thanks to our good friend who snapped this photo!

Avery is now 18 mo and he cracks us up everyday.  He is really becoming a little chatter box.  Some of his favorite sayings are...

"Oh Man!" Said with alot of feeling.

"Are you Okay?" He asks himself this anytime he falls, gets bumped, or anything that startles him. It is funny. 

"See You" then runs to the door pretends to leave then comes back and I have to say "welcome back!" and we do it over and over again.

He has also learned my name is Autumn.  When I leave the room or he is alone in his crib he will stand up and yell "AUUUUUDAAAA"

"Good boy" he says this anytime he hands me something. It took a while to figure this one out!

Marchesa Brigida Spinola Doria, 1606

I kind of love this painting. It is by Peter Paul Rubens, who for some weird reason I really love.  The Marchesa had this portrait done when she was only 22, the year after she was married. In fact she is probably modeling her wedding dress here.  It is absolutely amazing the way Rubens was able to create such a sheen on the gown.  That is so incredibly hard to do!! I love the architectural element in the background and the crazy detail of the collar.  Well really the entire thing is full of wonderful detail.  

Can you believe this was painted in 1606? That really blows my mind that it was painted so long ago and I can just hop on the metro and go look at it today in 2008! I recommend searching it out next time you are at the NGA.  

However, in person this painting is on the creepy side.  You know at Disneyland in the haunted mantion there are paintings that follow you with their eyes, well this painting seems to do that. It really fascinating.

One of my favorite facts about this painting is it used to be much bigger.  It was full length, so it didnt cut off mid-calf and used to show more architecture and even some landscape.  Poor Rubens probably worked so hard to give her feet and make a great setting for her and then someone went and chopped it right off.  

Portrait of a Baby

Avery at Shenandoah National Park. This was my first attempt at a portrait. I am happy with how it turned out and have more in the works! (this photo looks a little washed out compared to the real thing)

Oil on canvas.  

Home Sick?

For the first test blog its cars vs. animals.