Random Photos

On Friday night Shawn and I went down to a local park so I could play around with the new camera.  The intent was to take pictures of the sunset.  That didn't work out exceptionally well, but we did have some fun.  Here are some of the better pictures.

I enjoyed taking pictures of Shawn by the graffiti covered walls.

The frozen Huron River.

As we were walking down a path parallel to the river we heard a train approaching.  The interesting thing about this park is that it is where there are two separate sets of railroad tracks that intersect.  We hurried over to the tracks where the train was approaching and I attempted to figure out how to get my camera all set to take some pictures.  Unfortunately, it was getting dark and I still don't know how to work my camera very well.  I thought I had everything set to go, but as the train approached it wouldn't take any pictures!  I'm still not sure what happened, but needless to say, I was so disappointed.  Good thing the Amtrak runs daily and I can try again another time.  

update: prepping for lots of sewing

For the past week my sewing machine has been in the shop getting serviced.  In the meantime, I decided to do some cutting to prepare for a sewing spree once the machine returns.  I actually didn't accomplish as much quilting as I had hoped.  That's kind of a bummer, but who really needs all of the fabric cut for 5 quilts?

I did cut all the fabric for a new quilt.  See those little yellow squares?  They're 1.5 inches!  What was I thinking?!

Cut more squares for the christmas quilt and pinned them together to prep for sewing.  I never did post about what I'm planning to do for this quilt.  I will continue to hold off because you may think I am crazy once I tell you.  Let's just say I saw a picture in a magazine and felt I HAD to make it.

I also have been working on getting things together for the black and white quilt.  I think I have changed the pattern for this quilt so many times.  I have been having a difficult time finding something that I really love.  Right now I'm working on something like this quilt by Ashley over at Film in the Fridge.  I really love how that quilt turned out and am hoping that I like mine just as much.  The original intention was to make the black and white quilt into a full size quilt for our guest bedroom, but I am thinking that it may just end up as a lap quilt.  I am just not too thrilled about spending so much time on something I don't LOVE.

Speaking of a quilt I love.  I should have made THIS one into the bed quilt.  I LOVE how this quilt turned out.  No pictures until I finish stitching the binding though.  I intended to finish it last weekend when Shawn and I drove to Wisconsin to visit family, but it didn't happen.  Soon though.  I'm almost done.

Hello, New Friend

This weekend my much anticipated new toy arrived- a Canon Digital Rebel.

And let me tell you, I don't think I could be more excited!

And don't worry little point and shoot. I won't neglect you too much. I promise. You can still come with me to work trips, diving, and anywhere else where I'd need a camera that can fit into my pocket.

In other exciting photo news, Picasa is now available for Macs! Yay! When I got my MacBook about a year ago, the only thing I missed about my PC was Picasa. iPhoto and I don't play well together at all, so I was really left without a program I liked to organize and easily edit my photos. Now if only I could make iPhoto stop opening every time I insert my memory card reader.

Flights of Fancy

Last week I finally ordered some more solids for the Flights of Fancy quilt.  Long story, but I thought I'd put a nice plug in for the Fabric Shack and their great customer service.  I couldn't find any coordinating solids at a store nearby so I knew I had to buy some online.  The Fabric Shack has a huge selection of Kona Cotton Solids so I contacted them and they helped me confirm which colors were the best match over the phone.  How awesome is that?!  So I am pretty pleased and really thankful.

So this week I got to keep on working on this quilt.  Yay!  I finished the top this evening.  Take a look. :)

And he's off...

Last January my brother enlisted in the Army.

Today he is leaving to begin his deployment.  His plane leaves this evening for Kuwait.  This is his first stop before beginning his time in Iraq.

He should be gone for a year.

Please pray for his safe return.

Quilts in Progress

I've been working on two new quilts these days. I received quite a bit of fabric for Christmas so it has been fun to figure out what I am going to do with it.

First, I'm making one using the Flights of Fancy line. I received a nice fat quarter pack of this one. I'm thinking that I'd like to add a couple more solids to this one. We'll see. I really like how it is coming along so far though!


Second, this is a quilt that I have had in mind for a long time now. The black and white quilt. I have been slowly accumulating black and white fabric for well over a year now. I originally planned to have red accents, but when I discovered the Taxi by Timeless Treasures line that had great yellow accents I was sold. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out! Especially since I'd like to use it for the bed in the spare bedroom.