Some of My Work

Monday, January 31, 2011

Two Inchies...Two Stones


Kris is hosting an
Every Inchie Monday project
and it is very challenging.
Last week the word prompt
was maudlin.
I had to look that one up!
It means emotional, mushy etc.
For more on the project
click on the logo in my sidebar.
Here is my inchie for this week.
The word prompt was
mirthful.
I think of laughter for that word.

The base for all of my inchies is recycled watercolor paper.
So, they already have color on them.
Then the words are cut from a ragged old dictionary
I've had for ages. 
I am still pondering on what I will do
when I get all 52 made, as there are lots
of possibilities.
***
Below are 2 small stones for the
A River of Stones project.
This time they are related to this photo
I took early one morning last week.

Many hundreds of feathered winter Texans
are still arriving.  I am a flat lander,
so when it rains here, it collects in any
low areas in the fields.  This is the sight you see
quite often when driving down the road.

My 2 stones.....

Puddle ducks by the hundreds
web footed and in mass
sing their dawns chorus
in the freshwater shallows
of winter

 ***
The feathered tall blue hunter
wades with movements imperceptable
patience...patience
in his vigilant pursuit

***
Savor the Day!
Yvonne


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Tea Cup Swap and a small stone

  A few weeks ago
hosted a tea cup swap.
Nathalie from
was my swap partner.

I am late getting the photo up,
but it does not lessen how much
I love what she sent me.
This lovely 1960's tea cup and saucer
came with some delicious plum tea bags
and a sweet note made from the box of tea.
I love the design and the colors.
Thank you so much Nathalie,
I love it!  Swaps are so much fun!

***
Here is my small stone for today...
for info click on the
A River of Stones logo in my sidebar.


Sharp repeated taps
like morse code
awaken me
my eyes open
and focus toward the sound
at my window
finding the little sparrow
who had scattered my dreams
...and I smile
***
Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Friday, January 28, 2011

...a violin concerto, art quilts and a stone



This video is of Fritz Kreisler playing his own
violin concerto in 1930 and again in 1942.
The song is Liebesleid,
or Love's Sorrow,
that being a loose translation.
This is the song that my friend
Janet Cooper loves.

What does this have to do with an art quilt you ask?

Well, when I first made my first art quilt,
it was going to be in the quilt show in Corpus Christi.
It was required that it have a name/title.
I could not come up with one,
although I ask many for help with this.

Do you have trouble naming your pieces of work?
How do you come up with names for your art work?

Janet told me about this violin concerto,
and I loved it... the title and the music.
So, the art quilt you see below is now in the
Conner show.  It has hung in several shows,
and this is one art quilt I will keep.
I still make traditional quilts,
but after making this first art quilt,
I was hooked.
I know some of you have seen it before,
in previous posts,
but I was ask to show it again.  So, here is
Love's Sorrow.

Love's Sorrow was inspired by
fireplace tiles
that I bought on one of my trips to Ireland.
I have a pen pal in Ireland, Helen,
and we have been writing since we were
about 10 years old.
***
I have one more quilt in the Conner show this year.
It is my miniature quilt,
Primitive Pinwheels.
Some of you have seen this one in a previous post also.
It is hanging above Shirley's petroglyph
bleach discharged art quilt.
Primitive Pinwheels looks like it has
many tiny pieces sewed together,
but that is an illusion.
The smallest pieces I had to cut out
and sew together  were 3 1/2 inch squares...
because the magic is in using the template.
It was my first miniature quilt,
and I really enjoyed making this one.
***
Another small stone...
for the
A River of Stones project.
See the logo in my sidebar for info.

Clouds float in a rose madder wash
and as the sun is setting
a hawk dives
and plays its part in the
amazing orchestra of nature

***
I hope you are enjoying my small stones,
because by "paying proper attention" and
 writing them has
made me increase the ways that I....

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

More Conner Quilts and a Small Stone

The Conner Show goes on until the end of March.
In a previous post I showed you a few of the quilts and
today I am showing you a few more.

Formal Garden
made by Toni Rich
conjures up images of a Monet painting.

This Blue Bonnet Dresden Plate is Sandy's first quilt,
and she says that is represents a burst of sunshine to her.

Houses by Pat Neher
was a KSQ lotto that Pat won and put together.


There are many more beautiful quilts,
and as always a great show!
Next post I will show you my 2 little quilts at the Conner
and a lilttle bit about each one.

***

My small stone for today...
Click on the
A River of Stones logo in my sidebar
for more info.

Large, round
awe-inspiring leaves
flat and unsinkable
landing fields for dragonflies
home to many
mud bottom pond dwellers

***
Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Traveling Quilts and a pile of small stones

Thanks for all your comments while I was gone.  I enjoyed every one.
I have been reading all of your posts and looks like
all of you have really been busy creating
and savoring the day. 
It's always good to go for a little trip like I just did,
and I loved having my sister visit here afterwards,
but it's always good to get back to my little routine.

Last weekend I visited Bandera where the
Texas Dept. of Agriculture Quilts exhibition took place.
My sister Lanette organized the very successful event.
Thank you Lanette, and to all involved.

Here I am below, (my turtle block is down on the right)
This 2010 Texas Wildlife: Adventure Awaits quilt
highlights Texas' abundant wildlife resources and activities. 
I met some new and seasoned quilters of all ages.  Some had questions
and some even had some great quilt stories to tell me. 
I want to share a few of my favorite quilts of the exhibit.

This is the 2002 Texas Blooming Floral quilt.  This quilt celebrates the skill of our state's quilters within the 24 floral plants identified as specifically suited to the Tx. environment by Texas A&M University's Agriculture Program.  Spring, summer, fall, or winter, whatever the season, lush and verdant Tx. blooms and greenery always beautify our lives.

The 2008 Toast a Rising Star quilt highlighted the state's burgeoning wine and grape-growing industry, focusing on all elements of Texas wine...from the legendary history of wine in our state to the ideally suited grape growing regions.  The back of this quilt had all the Texas wine labels scanned and printed onto the backing fabric to add even more interest.

The 2006 Legendary Ranches of Texas quilt spotlighted the state's long-standing tradition of ranching, focusing on all elements of ranching, from famous Texas ranches to livestock to the history of ranching families that settled the state.  It pays homage to Texas ranching pioneers and the traditions that still exist as part of our proud ranching heritage.

Every quilt in the collection is beautiful and unique. 
The first quilt was unveiled at the state fair in 1997.
Each winning quilt is on display at the state fair for a time
and then travels around the state 
as part of their permanent collection and natural fiber exhibition.
***
I've been busy writing my small stones.
A River of Stones...
for info on this project,
 click on the logo in my sidebar.
Here is my "pile" of 5 small stones
that will catch me up for the month...
***

The dampness chills me
as the whispy tendrils of fog
seep in
Then a welcoming and gentle
Zepher-like breeze
limits its presence

***
A fragile wildflower
grows from a split
in the silver-gray stone
its roots thriving happily

***
Ground soaking rain of late
set the siler gray ceniza abloom
with diminutive rose-purple flowers
saying thank you

***
The queen palm spreads its fronds
creating a lacy and delicate shade
bestowing the harsh landscape below
with a bit of enchantment.

***
Morning light and shadows
becoming whimsically elongated
then leisurely withdraws
the enchantment of reflection
as the day progresses

***
I will post soon about all the happenings
of late...more Conner quilts, tea cup swap pics,
and more.
In the meantime I'll be reading your recent posts and will....

:)

Savor the Day!
Yvonne




Friday, January 21, 2011

2 Small Stones left behind

Before leaving for the weekend
I wanted to leave behind
a couple of small stones
so I can keep up with my daily small stones for the
River of Stones project.
Click on the logo in my sidebar for more info.
First...
this photo of small stones
was taken at my friend Shirley's home.
It is sitting on her bookshelf,
along with a lot of things that I'm sure
are meaningful to her.

Do you have a bowl of small stones in your home?
Do each of them have a story to tell?

My small stone for Saturday was inspired by
seeing all the jackrabbits running around
at sunset.  It's getting cold outside and the weatherman says
it will dip down to 29 degrees tonight.

***
Jackrabbits hurrying along
following the illuminated
veined roadmaps of their ears
 to a warm location
before the sable darkness
comes and
erases the course

***
My small stone for Sunday was inspired
by the many vintage photographs
that I have been sorting through
these past few weeks.
One of my goals for the New Year
was to get my photos in order,
get some framed and get the others
in albums.

***
Sepia toned
discolored
blemished
subjects sitting properly
some standing unbent
dubious faces of the past
looking back at me
evocative
***
Savor the Day!
Yvonne


Small Stone and Conner Quilts

My small stone for today...

Sun streaming into my window
indroducing shadows of leaf shapes
opaque silhouettes that resemble
Japanese calligraphy

For more info click on
A River of Stones
in my sidebar
***

Celebration of Quilts 2011
The reception last night was wonderful!
We had 34 plus quilts up and
I am happy to share some with you here.
Thanks Brenda and to all the
Texas A&M Univ. John Conner Museum staff.

NOTE:
After each photo I am adding some info
that Brenda compiled from each quilter
 for the reception handout.

The featured quilt that was on the postcard sent out to hundreds
was done by Joan Nuesch.
Navajo Sarape


Dresden Plate
by
Kingsville Saturday Quilters
...was a collaborative effort by the members,
whose age spans from 15 through 90.
The completed quilt was donated to
 the Historic Downtown District Assoc.
to help support a raffle fundraiser
to beautify downtown Kingsville. 
The quilt garnered approx. $1,400
and is on loan from the winner of the raffle.

Sampler Quilt
by Kathy Burnett
Above is Kathy's very first quilt.   She says that she
is forging many friendships
through quilting.
Her daughter Amy
quilts also.  Amy is our youngest member.

Blue Gills or 20 in 5
by June Cress
June states, "My art students,
from Epiphany Episcopal School
challenged me to draw 20 different fish
in five minutes-
hence, the title.
This original quilt was the result of that challenge.
Hand embroidery and machine quilted.
80in. by 93in."
Now THAT is creative! 
This was my husband's favorite quilt!


Stars for a Star
by Nancy Gilliam
Nancy won the wonky star blocks
at the KSQ block lotto
and designed the remaining blocks.
She made the quilt for her granddaughter
who wins blue ribbons for her goats
and homemaking projects
 at the 4H shows.

A Celtic Quilt
by Joni Harrel
Joni has found her passion in applique!
YES, THIS IS ALL APPLIQUE!
This is what she says about this quilt...
"My favorite definition describes Celtic Knots as endless strands,
which are like the ties that bond us all together. 
As each generation passes,
the weave grows larger. 
And as the weave grows larger,
it grows more complex
 and brings itself back in on itself,
such that the next generation
will continue on
to bring forth the generation after that."

Lovely words!

This quilt below is another one done by Joan Nuesch...

Simple Blessings
Simple Blessings was designed by Kelli Saffell.
Joan states that she purchased
 the fabric and instructions
as a Block of the Month project.
Size is 97 by 102
and it has lots of applique.
Beautiful quilt!
This is my good friend Shirley.
The mini art quilt on the bottom is called
Bird, Bear, Snake
and was created using a color discharge technique
on black fabric
resulting in a relief design.
The images are based on
Texas cave petroglyphs.
***
We had such a nice crowd
and I met some great people.
I will try to show more photos
(including my two) next week.
In the meantime...
I'm headed to Bandera to attend an exhibit
for all nine of the Tx. Dept. of Agriculture quilts,
including the one that my turtle block is in.
If you have not seen the quilt,
please click on the TDA quilt in my sidebar.
I will bring back photos to share next week.

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Erosion Bundle and a Stone

The Erosion Bundle Project is
being hosted again this year by
Kris Henderson.
Some great art came out of last years project.
Click here to find out more.
Below is the bundle I put together.
I took a 1 by 4 inch board
I had in my potting shed,
and tacked layers of paper ephemera to it.
I also added some tea bags,
hoping for some staining,
and some old watercolor paper,
thinking some colors would run.


The photo below shows it hanging
out at my potting shed,
behind some rusty old "Bless my Garden" chimes.
Maybe some of that rust will transfer over
to my bundle, because they are touching.
So, we will see what happens
between now and April.


Now for today's small stone....
This little bird below
is carved stone.
It is sitting on top
of another stone.
In all it is about 2 inches tall.
I got this in Big Bend, Tx.
at a place called
Many Stones.


My small stone for today...

Soft fuzzy heads
of purple fountain grass
dance in the gentle winds
swaying back and forth
bewitching
the full wolf moon
and me
***
To find out more
click on the
A River of Stones logo
in my sidebar.
Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Small Stones are like finding art

A beautiful stone shell..

'Small stones' poetry 
 is like finding art.
Any kind of poetry is like that really.
I hope my small stones help
you, the reader,
see things as I see them.
The words of everyone's small stones
 allow entrance
into special places.
Please check out more small stones
by clicking on the
River of Stones logo in my sidebar.
My small stone for today was inspired by
Hawk's Alley near my home.
It is a 25 mile stretch of road that is home
to a large number of hawk species.
***
Soaring from broken woodlands
to summits of oak trees
scanning the world below
the Cooper's Hawk
finds it's ultimate perch and
adorns the top of the telephone pole
that leans into lost voices

***
Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Stone, Tea, and 3 Inchies

My stone for today...
inspired by the banana tree that I planted last year.
It seems to be happy at it's new home
 and is loving the recent rains.

Taking pleasure in the sunshine
the banana tree unfurls
stretches its large leaves
out into the world
looking at the birds
and the rose colored clouds
that sail above it at dawn

To find out more
please click on
A River of Stones
logo in my sidebar.
***

For today's Tea on Tuesday
I am enjoying Paris flavored black tea by
It has currant, caramel and citrus.
I have added agave nectar and
an unsqueezed lemon slice.
I love the little silken sachet.
To read more tea posts
visit Kimmie
at

***

Yesterday
I decided to join
hosted by Kris Henderson.
At the end of the year
I will end up with 52 square inches
of creativity, she states.
I liked that idea.
I decided to do mini collages
from my old watercolor papers,
with the prompt words added
from an old tattered dictionary.

As you can see,
they all measure
one inch square.

The first week had the prompt word
ECLECTIC

The second week's prompt word was
POWERFUL

...and this week's prompt word was
CARING
I want them to be simple, colorful,
and use all recycled materials.

Hope you are having a wonderful day.

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Monday, January 17, 2011

Small stone and the sky

Meteor Crater---
small stone...high speed...big hole

Inspiration for today's small stone...
when I went on a trip to California,
Az. and New Mexico
with my sister a few years back,
we visited this meteor crater.
This morning,
while it was still so dark outside,
I began thinking about the black nights
out in the desert.
 When you are far enough
away from the city
all you see are stars.

dark obsidian sky
broken only by
a handful of
constellations
dotted with twinkle

Savor the Day!
Yvonne


Saturday, January 15, 2011

Sunday's Small Stone

My friend Willie's small stone OOBOS
and other treasures.

My small stone for Sunday Jan. 16th...

Tiny chapel
shelters gravesite and
candlelit altar
which holds
handwritten testaments
of faith
and gratitude.

Worn splints
and crutches,
pain and sorrow
stay behind...
now just castaways.

***
Today's small stone
was inspired by a visit
to Don Pedrito's gravesite
a few miles
outside a nearby town.
In 1881,
Pedro "Don Pedrito" Jaramillo
arrived from Jalisco, Mexico
seeking ranch work. 
But faith healing
was soon recognized
as the newcomer's greatest talent. 
Don Pedrito claimed no special powers
and asked no fees,
but his spiritual healing
drew afflicted souls
from throughout South Texas
and northern Mexico.
Thousands still visit the site yearly.

***

Savor the Day!
Yvonne








Friday, January 14, 2011

Saturday's Small Stone

Today is my 35th anniversary.
My DH and I went out
for a nice seafood dinner
and then a movie at home.
Tomorrow we are headed into
Corpus to check out
the murals, the statues,
the galleries and Art Center.
We want to visit some of the
old historic homes too.
We're just going to make a day of it,
being together.
So, I'm posting my Saturday small stone tonight.
Enjoy!
My Small Stone for Saturday...

Savoring the slightly sweet liquid...
rich, with a slight taste of
mulberry, spice
and smooth vanilla,
watching the beads
roll transparent
down my glass.

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

My Peace Pole and a small stone

I wish Peace for all of you today.
Thanks for coming to read another stone
in the River of Stones project.
To read more you can click on the
River of Stones logo in my sidebar.
Let me tell you about my peace pole...

My Peace pole stands
in the center of my garden, and
 has words of peace on each side. 
One side you see above. 
The other three sides have
Native American tribal words of peace.
Hozhqqji is Navajo for
"blessing way",
Ikachi techqua is Hopi for
"blending with the land and celebating life",
Mitakuye oyasin is Sioux for
"with all things we are related",
and Onen is Iroquois for
"peace be with you".
I burned all the words into the pole
with a small wood burning tool
that belonged to my mother.

Stone cairns...
are about the most ancient kind of landmarks.
Each stone has been placed
 at the bottom of my peace pole 
by visitors to my home.
Each stone represents that persons prayer.

***

My small stone for today...

Like some leafy creature,
exotic and large,
the philodendron's arms
safeguard a small
and timid creature
underneath its 
green and
somber veil.
***

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Small Stone and Musings

Oobos in my garden

My small stone for today...

Fog rolls serenely in,
and the misty lunar light
becomes radiant
while the quietude and stillness
seem to unearth my soul.

***

Musings....

This stone project
is helping me to meet
one of my New Years goals.
I wanted to use all of my senses more,
and that is exactly what is needed
 in order to really pay proper attention
to single moments.
One other thing I'm doing is actually
hand writing my thoughts on paper.
These days of computers and email etc.,
I rarely do any handwriting.
My best friend Lana and I decided we would
write letters to each other
awhile back,
and we did for a time,
but then.....
back to email.  :)
I kind of miss
handwritten letters.

Another goal of mine
was to set up an aquarium.
I did....
and I bought five Tiger Barbs.
I guess I did something wrong
because...
Jonah, Calypso, Bubbles and Charlie
all died. :(
The only one left this morning is Jaws.
And I don't have to tell you why he is called Jaws!

I will start over,
and see what happens.
Wish me luck!

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Creativity and a small stone

Creativity...
Yesterday I was one of three judges
who had to judge wearables,
on their creativity,
at the fair in a nearby town.
It was the second round of judging,
as construction had already been judged.
All the wearables were
made by 3rd graders
up through 12th grade.
Of course it was divided up
into different catagories
and different age groups
throughout.
Sometimes judging
on creativity alone
is a difficult thing.
I was blown away
by the talent
of such young people.

What does being
CREATIVE
mean to you?

***

Fiona Robyn,
the originator of
a River of Small Stones,
states...
"A small stone is
a polished moment
of paying proper attention."

My 'stone' photo...
This photo was taken on Cape Cod National Seashore.
The beach is covered with small stones.

NOTE
I mentioned before that
my stones do not necessarily
relate to my stone photos.
The small stones that I write
are from observations
made here at home,
on a daily basis.

My small stone for today...

Noble live oak,
winter green and full,
acorns have fallen
to its base,
adorning the shadow quilt
of speckled light,
on saplings
wee and delicate.

To read more small stones
click on a River of Stones
in my sidebar.

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tea Day, Fiber Arts and a Stone

Lots to share with you today.
Sit, join me for tea and
I hope you enjoy.

Happy Tea on Tuesday everyone!
 I just had to show you this
lovely mug rug for todays tea post, 
made by one of the members
of the fiber arts group.
This morning I'm having
Egyptian Mint by Zhena's gypsy tea.
Visit Kimmie for more tea posts here.

The Fiber Arts group
is a diversified group of ladies.
Here are some more
of my favorite photos from
show and tell on Sunday.
Hand drawn, hand painted
and then ribbon embroidery added.

Thread work and piecing.

Asian quilt.

Civil war reproduction quilt.

Small art quilt.

Beautiful batik art quilt

Large beautiful cross made by a local area artist(non-member)
Mixed media pages.

Reverse applique for a future art piece.

NOTE:
Our art quilt project is done
but photos have to wait
until after the Feb. quilt show.
You can go here
http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2010/06/donna-and-more-pretties.html
to read about the project
and to see my contribution.


***
My small stone for today...

Fox tail ferns
living a carefree life
in a front porch pot
with fronds extending
to welcome me home

To read more small stones
click on the River of Stones
link at the top of my sidebar.

***

Savor the Day!
Yvonne