Day 288: Seen Better Days

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Battered

This little guy looks like he popped his head out of the ground a little too soon, then got battered around by wind and snow. He's enjoying his sunbathing on this Spring day, though, just reaching for the clear blue sky.

Ah! North Idaho!

A Framing Adventure

A friend of mine from church asked me to frame some special cards for her. I wanted to do it in a way that she could use the cards some time in the future, should she choose to, and they would not be damaged in any way.

But if you read my story in the Crafts section of my website, you'll see I had a lesson or two to learn to complete this project.

Day 287: Heeeeeere, Birdie, Birdie

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Caught in the Act

Is this yet another sign of spring?

As I was out on my walk today, I crept up on this kitty that was apparently creeping up on a bird! Mr. Kitty was not happy to see me, as his expression clearly shows. I got a little too close, and he hopped down to the yard on the other side of this fence.

Guess he'll have that bird for a morning snack some other day.

Day 286: Downtown Spokane

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Riding the Escalators

We stopped at River Park Square to pop into Pottery Barn to check out a sofa and love seat.

On the way back to the car, I caught the silhouette of shoppers on the escalators. The four-story windows made for some great back lighting.

Day 285: Northwest Architecture

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
Spokesman-Review

While driving around downtown Spokane on Sunday, Dale and I stopped at a light a block away from this building. I love the way it contours to the corner, then reaches to the sky.

It's the home of the Spokesman-Review, Spokane's major newspaper.

Day 284: The Art Museum

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Hansen's Rooster

My husband Dale and I went on a date on Sunday! We headed over to Spokane, WA to visit the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. There were a number of exhibits there. The two I enjoyed the most were Sudan: The Land and the People, an exhibit of photographs, and Gaylen Hansen: Three Decades of Paintings, an exhibit of artwork by a regional artist.

This was my favorite painting in the exhibit. It's called:

At first glance, Hansen's artwork looks like it was done by an amateur who just said, "Hey, I feel like painting!" Then he got out his brushes and paint, pinned the canvas to the wall, made some cartoon characters, and globbed on the paint. All his works have a painted frame on the edge of the canvas and were literally pinned to the wall. Very informal.

But the more I looked at the paintings, the more they grew on me. There is a lot of humor here! A lot of crazy stuff. He's got trout swimming in a stream of tulips. A still life of a fish, a tulip and a bison standing on his head ... all out of proportion to real life size, but in proportion to each other. He has self-portraits of his alter ego, the Kernal. He paints things I know about here in the Northwest, but they are all in odd colors and the sizes are off balance. It's fun stuff.

This rooster, though ... just pulled me in. Really like it.

After spending time at the art museum, Dale and I did a bit of furniture shopping, drove around downtown a bit, then went out to dinner. I've got a couple more Spokane photos to share with you this week.

Day 283: Deli 6

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Dinner at the Deli [6]
Plate Holder Portraits: Dale

The last in the Deli series ... heeeeeeeeeere's Dale!

Day 282: Deli 5

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Dinner at the Deli [5]
Plate Holder Portraits: Margaret

Here's me! I look a bit mischievous, don't I?

I think Jodie's portrait came out better than mine because of the distance between the plate holder and the subject. It's hard to figure that out when you're holding a plate holder with one hand and your camera, at arm's distance, with the other!

Two More Cards

These are the final two cards I created from the embroidery on paper kit I bought. I've really enjoyed this process a lot and hope to stitch more using this technique in the near future.

Day 281: Deli 4

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Dinner at the Deli [4]
Plate Holder Portraits: Jodie

Still playing around with my camera at dinner time, we shot photos of each other through the plate holders. Made for an interesting effect.

Day 280: Deli 3

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,Dinner at the Deli [3]: Paper Plate Holders

I just thought these looked cool all stacked up. Neat texture.

Bird House Card

One more card made from the embroidery on paper technique. This, again, was from the kit by Erica Fortgens.

You can read more about it in Cameo's Corner. (I even show my messy back side!)

Another Embroidered Card

I finished another embroidery on paper card last night. I've discussed the method quite a bit on my website, so if you're interested in learning this technique, I invite you to pop by Cameo's Corner and check it out.


This design came from this book by Erica Fortgens, New Ideas with Embroidery on Paper.

Day 279: Deli 2

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Dinner at the Deli [2]

We moved on to the massive sandwiches ...

Day 278: Deli 1

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Dinner at the Deli [1]

Dale and Jodie and I took a night off from cooking, got some new office toys at Staples, then had dinner at the deli.

The lemonade must have made us silly with the camera. You'll see the results over the next few days.

We started with chips and a drink ...

Tulip Card

I finished another embroidery on paper design today, this Tulip Card. It comes from the same kit as the Wedding Card I completed yesterday.

These are fun, fast, and oh, so pretty!

Wedding Card

I finished another project today. This is using the technique of embroidery on paper. It was one of my Projects in Long Lines.

I'm not sure when I'll use this card. I just wanted to try out the technique, so I bought a kit and the proper tools and gave it a try. This has been waiting in line for at least a year and a half ... probably longer. You can learn more about this piece on my website in Cameo's Corner.

This is a very relaxing technique. Easy to do while watching TV. I stitched the majority of this card while watching the DVD of The Secret.

Like thousands of you, I first heard about this on the Oprah show. It peaked my interest, and I kept hearing about it over and over from other sources, so I figured I might as well watch the entire DVD.

It gives me pause to ponder.

Skating Reindeer 3

Here's my third skating reindeer ornament that I stitched up for charity. Chubby little guy, isn't he? You can read more about him on my website.

Day 277: Imitation

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, No. 2 Pencils

I found a new-to-me photographer online whose photos really capture my imagination, Jason from Springfield, MO. I thought I'd take a page from his book and try my hand at similar photos.

The original photo is called Number 2. Jason explains that he's trying out a new camera gadget (Kenko Extension tube) that can take wonderful close-up photos. I love the lighting, the detail, the relief in his photo! Look at the way his "2" pops out on the pencils! Look at the dings and dents in the metal part of the pencils. Look at the grain of the wood. Wonderful.

So, here's my knock-off version of his great photo. My detail is not as crisp. But I did get some repetition of line, some detail flecks in the pencil paint, and the lighting isn't too glaring on the metal ends.

Day 276: First Bloom

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
First Crocus Bloom

I suppose all it wanted was a little sun. When I walked out the front door this morning, the first crocus bloom greeted me. This means Spring in north Idaho!

I asked my husband if we can get the snow tires changed this weekend. He told me yes, but there is rumor of another snowfall predicted for Wednesday. Ah, yes. That is a sign of spring in north Idaho, too!

Day 275: Bulbs, part 2

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Emergence

After 156 days of waiting, my new bulbs have sprouted!


Last Fall I covered them in screen and weed stop cloth to protect them from the hungry squirrels that live in our back yard. This morning I uncovered the beds to find that my bulbs have sprouted about three or four inches!

Looks like a lot of them are viable! I expected the new bulbs would grow, but I wasn't so sure about all the old bulbs that I'd pulled up and replanted. The rest of the yard is a drab mess of pine cones, pine needles, broken branches, moss and overgrowth. But my flower beds are cleaned up and ready to burst into color.

Let's hope these little bursts of courage call me outdoors often to play in the garden and get more of the yard ready to bloom.

Day 274: First Warm Day

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Spring Skies

After a few days of rain, the skies started to clear today. The sun came out and the temperatures hit 65 degrees. My husband Dale and I stopped for lunch, then had a "top down" ride in our convertible on the way home -- the first since winter!

I love the way the wind blowing through my brain clears out the cobwebs and lends a new perspective. The harsh stuff is not over completely and the new growth has not come in, but the skies are clearing and a new light is shed. We'll all be blooming before long.

Day 273: The Times They Are A-Changin'

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Third Sign of Spring

I'm so glad the days are warming up and Spring is in the air. Every day as I take my walk, I get to see the subtle changes.

There are sure to be flowers very soon!

Skating Reindeer 2

Here's my second skating reindeer ornament that I stitched up for charity. Another cutie! You can read more about him on my website.

Day 272: MacroDay

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Common Toothbrush

The theme for MacroDay this week is Common. So I chose to photograph something I use every day, my toothbrush. If you go take a peek at the photos on the MacroDay site, please take a little time and vote for your favorite photo.

Day 271: Another Boise Moment

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Canadian Visitors

These two Canadian geese were taking a short rest in front of the Ada County building, just across the street from the state capitol building.

My favorite distinct sound since moving to Idaho is hearing the geese call to one another as they migrate. Time to fly back north now.

Day 270: Boise Depot

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Boise Depot

From our hotel in downtown Boise, we could see the tower of the Boise Depot. It was beautiful and intriguing. It reminded me of the architecture I grew up with in southern California.

We didn't have enough time to visit the grounds, but on our way out of town on Sunday, Jodie and I did have a chance to drive up to the back side of the depot and capture this picture. Now that I've seen what the depot has to offer, I hope to spend a little time there the next time I return to Boise. Hope I'm there on a non-holiday Monday. According to the web sources I looked at, it's the only time the public gets to see inside the building.

Day 269: Another View

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Boise Capitol Dome - Close-up

This is another view of the inside of the capitol dome on the inside of the building. The center is full of stars. Pretty!

Day 268: Being a Tourist

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Inside the Boise Capitol Dome

After the MathCounts competition was over, Jodie and I took an hour to tour the state capitol building. It's always impressive to walk through the hallways of that building, peek in to see our representatives names on the front of the desks in the legislature, walk up to the governor's office. The state capitol building is an odd mixture of grandeur and plain old office equipment.

Jodie hopes to be a speech writer one day, or maybe a TV correspondent reporting on the goings on in government. So it was fun to watch her eyes light up and she pictured herself working in a building like this.

This photo is looking straight up into the center of the capitol dome, through four stories in the center of the gallery. Jodie kept saying, "Look, Mom. Two of the light bulbs are burnt out!"

Day 267: Jodie's Boise Adventure

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, MathCounts: The Competition Begins

Jodie and I traveled to Boise, Idaho for the MathCounts state competition. We were both a bit nervous about the trip. Me, because I don't do a lot of driving and traveling to unknown places. Jodie, because she wasn't sure what to expect in the competition. She placed 9th in the regionals, but was quite new to the math team and was not feeling prepared.

But we found our way to Boise. We found our way to the hotel (very nice!) We found our way to the BSU student union. And we found our way into the competition. It was a big challenge. Jodie did not do as well as she hoped. But one of her old friends did quite well and made it to nationals.

Jodie and I spent the rest of the time in Boise acting like tourists. I'll post some of what we saw over the next few days.

Day 266: Second Sign of Spring

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Children's Balls

Every year as spring approaches, our local grocery store displays these colorful plastic children's balls. My own kids used to jump up and down and throw a fit until I relented and bought one.

This week, I saw a young mother and a toddler going through the same ritual. Ahh, fond memories.

Day 265: Lines

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Lines

This week's theme for MacroDay is "Lines." Since my first love is embroidery, I decided make a special piece for this challenge. I embroidered a design using metallic thread on a heavy parchment. I took this macro photo of the completed stitchery.

I'll post the entire design on my blog early next week. As it turns out, learning to embroider on paper is also one of my Projects In Long Lines. I love it when I can complete two challenges in one swipe.

Day 264: First Sign of Spring

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Lilac Buds.

There's just a bit of snow and ice left at the curbs. On my walk today in the misty rain, I found my first sign of spring. The lilacs are forming their buds.

Needlework Guilds & Schools

For those interested in joining a needlework guild, I've updated the Guilds and Schools page on my website, CameoRoze's Stitcher's Studio.

As a note for EGA members: I no longer have links to individual chapters, but I do still link to the national EGA website. The national site now links to individual chapters.

Day 263: Chihuahua Time

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Chico

When I went to pick Jodie up from school today, two brothers and a sister were in the school yard playing with their sweet chihuahua, Chico. They allowed me to take their picture. Isn't Chico a cutie?

Day 262: Lacy Apron

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Child's Crocheted Apron.

The history of this apron is a bit of a mystery to me. When I was growing up, it was in my mother's linen closet with the other items created by my grandmother, but I have no way of knowing if this, too, was stitched my Grandma Bertie. I'm going to believe it was stitched by her for my oldest sister. This apron also survived the house fire in 1987. It's in very good condition for all it's been through.

Isn't it pretty!?! The top of the apron measures about 9.5 inches. The lower edge is about 17 inches wide. The length is just over 12 inches. It's made with blue and white crochet cotton and stitched in a ripple pattern with alternating vertical stripes of double crochet and a very pretty split shell stitch.

So you can see a closer version, if you click on the image above, it will take you to a high resolution, detailed image of the apron rather than to my Creative Journey photo section.

Book Review: A Favorite Children's Volume

I recently bought a used copy of one of my favorite children's books, Just Being Alone by P.K. Hallinan.

I've added a book review to my website, and a link to Amazon.com where there are several used copies available.

Day 261: Heirloom Doily

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Grandma's Thread Crochet Doily

This is another of Grandma Bertie's creations. It's a fairly simple thread crochet doily that appears to be stitched from a heavy crochet cotton. It starts with a row of double crochet worked in the center circle. Then a row of single crochet. The rest of it is graduating lengths of chain stitch connected to the center of the row before it with a single crochet.

I suppose the pattern itself would be easy to replicate. But what makes this special is that it was created by the grandmother I never knew. This doily survived the 1987 house fire, too. But it came through the ordeal better than the embroidered napkin.

If you click on the image above, it will take you to a high resolution, detailed image of the doily rather than to my Creative Journey photo section.

Furr-Ever Friends Giraffe

Last night I finished this quilt square for charity. It's the giraffe from Furr-Ever Friends, a chart by Designs by Gloria & Pat.

This was a stitch-along project for CrossStitching for Charity. Those participating chose a chart of our choice from the Furr-Ever Friends leaflet. Since the giraffe was already in my stash in my PILL (projects in long lines) pile, I offered to stitch it. Another two for one deal! I get to complete a chart I've been hoping to stitch for quite some time and I get to take part in a charity quilt project. This is my preferred kind of stitchery these days!

I've posted a bit more about this design and the bibliographic information on my website in Cameo's Corner.

Day 260: Legacy Stitchery

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Grandma's Embroidered Napkin

In the last few weeks, there has been some discussion in emails sent by extended family members about our maternal grandmother. She died before most of us were born, and we were tapping our collective memory to share how much we knew about her.

In doing my personal research and writing my memories of what my mother had told me, I recalled the needlework legacy I inherited. My grandmother and her mother were dressmakers by trade. Grandma Bertie also loved embroidery and crochet -- especially thread crochet. I feel blessed to have this love of needlework in my genes.

Over the next few days, I'll post some images of some of the items my grandmother created and were gifted to me. This first image is the corner of a linen napkin with embroidery. It is edged in thread crochet lace.

Part of the history of this piece is that it went through a house fire in 1987 when I was separating from my first husband. It was packed away with his belongings. Years after his death, my first husband's sister returned several of these family heirlooms to my daughters. Most of those linens are quite damaged now, from being in the fire, being in storage, getting moldy, getting bleached. But this corner of this napkin looks pretty good. Now it is preserved in a photograph.

Day 259: Trying a New Technique

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Inside the Car Wash.

I stopped by the automatic car wash to do a Dust Buster and get some of the winter ick off my car. While inside, the water jets were making some really interesting patterns on my windshield. So I grabbed my camera and started snapping shots.

This image is a combination of two of the shots. The first was the big door with the "Car Wash Doors Open For 24 Hours" as seen through a wet windshield. The sign is on a big opaque Plexiglas garage door, so it reads in reverse when you are sitting in the automat. The second shot was when the spray finished hitting the windshield really hard, and the water was streaming down.

I took the photos into my editing program. I took shot #2 and created a layer at 50% transparency. I then took shot #1 and layered it behind shot #2. So now it looks like you can still read the sign, but through a rippling layer of water. Then I colorized the photo just a bit, making it a little more purple.

I know very little about layers. This is the first photo that I've used layers on successfully. I'll have to get my daughter Julie to teach me more about them. She's done some lovely combo photos which you can see on her website.

Day 256 - 258: Catching Up

I added three new photographs to Creative Journey in my Photography section.

The first is Canfield Mountain. This is more of a hill than a mountain on the eastern border of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It's been wild land for most of my history in Idaho. But housing is beginning to encroach.

Today was just a gorgeous day. Spring is in the air. We've had six or more inches of snow in the last few days, so the mountains are dusted again. But the sun came out and the breezes were blowing the clouds out of the area today. This is why I moved to Idaho!

On the way home from Coeur d'Alene, I drove by this Tax Prep Pimp. Man, I'd hate his job. These folks stand out on State Hwy 41 in either a Statue of Liberty costume or an Uncle Sam costume and try to lure residents in to have their taxes prepared by this outfit.

He looked like he was having fun today. I wonder if he still had a good attitude by the time he was given "the finger" several dozen times.

I took the photo out the window while driving by (well, stopped at the light), so I framed it all wonky. That's why there's a goofy fill job in the bottom left corner.

Finally, Another Thaw was taken on my back deck. The six inches of snow that built up on the deck railing have melted down to three inches of ice. This patch of ice was dripping off the side of the railing. I love the way ice releases its water in endless drippy ways. These are pretty cool formations.

And I'll have you know I waded into six inches of snow on the deck floor and braved the wet socks and slippery shoes to get this shot. Oh, what we photographers will do for our art.