A beautiful day....

Yesterday was the most beautiful summer day so far this season. Perfect weather here on the lake for zooming around the lake towing our grandsons on the new Razor tube. It is triangular and flies across the lake. Ethan is our fearless one and loved the speed despite getting flipped off several times.
Ole grandma had to do spotter duty and sit backwards watching him. First time I have done that! Small mishap when the rope got sucked into the jet...who knew?? Poor grandpa had to paddle on the Razor back to shore, not an easy task. E and I eventually flagged down a jet skier who towed us in.Gap and E eventually were able to dislodge it without sawing the rope into pieces, as all the google suggestions said, and we were back on the lake again. Mitch finally got out of bed, the teen sleeps like the dead, and took my place then tried it out himself. All agreed it is much more fun than the old Big Bertha tube which finally split after twenty years of fun.Wish I had a photo of us but who had times or hands.....I was hanging on for dear life!!!!

July jotting....

I'll post some work soon but in the mean time....painted Saturday with PAAWM and loved it. Painted needs work but good practice. Boys and Cutter have been here while Kris stains her oak cabinets. Kitchen is looking amazing.

Tomorrow I will be with Paige and Karen for taste testing and wedding gown shopping!!! Then the whole family will be here for the weekend. A busy week but so much fun and good memories being made.

Happy 4th of July!!!

It's been a while!!

On June 11 I participated in a paint out at Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek.  It was the first time they had hosted such an event and did it very nicely.  We painted all day with a nice lunch provided then met for a reception.  Unfortunately the weather turned ugly and the tornado sirens and warnings went off just as we were getting started.  After hurrying to take the paintings down we spent the next 45 minutes in a cellar waiting for the all clear.  Crazy end to a nice day.  Below you can see me working in oil.

 I keep forgetting to fix this umbrella!!!

Next, we went to Crown Point to celebrate Paige's graduation with a great party.  Lots of friends and relatives showed up to honor Paige for her achievements and then Karen too, who graduated from IU, got a job teaching 6th grade science and English in CP, and is turning 40 too.  Lots of happy hugs, delicious cupcakes (200) and smiles all weekend.

The T-shirt quilt was a hit and highlighted all Paige's many interests and accomplishments over her school years.

 

Paige and Thomas announced their engagement on Memorial Day.  He is in the Air Force and a fine young man.  A July wedding is planned for next year!!! Meantime she will attend IU and transfer when she moves to Georgia next summer!!  No dust collects under this young lady's feet!! 

 

 

This means next summer we will have the shower, wedding, Alli's graduation and election year all rolled into a few months!!  Yikes!!

 

 

Next we had a visit from a grade school classmate and dear friend Karen Wellington Bennett, who travels the country with her husband Rick in their 5th wheel home.  They are currently visiting Michigan lighthouses and stopped a week near by to see us.  We had a great visit catching up and talked like we had seen each other yesterday.  Such fun to have Karen back in my life.  (We kept in touch when she moved in "58 but lost touch for about 20 yrs. in the middle.  I kept googling her name and found her again!!!)  We were so busy talking this time we forgot to take any photos!!!

 

 

And this past week has been busy with the boys.  My son in law came down with a fever etc after visiting NY for a conference.  As it got worse not better the doc sent him to the hospital where Kris stayed with him and I kept the boys and Ranger.  Despite lots of tests, all negative, they never really found the cause of his illness but antibiotics seem to be helping and he was able to come home yesterday.  Still ill, but hopefully recovering.

 

 

So missing Jeff, we had the big family birthday party here at the lake with all the family except him.  The kids had a blast swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and eating!!!  Crazy day and we were pooped at the end.

 

 

Today friends are coming for a picnic by the water and perhaps we'll stay awake long enough to watch the fireworks around the lake.  It's very pretty and ends a great day.  The weather here is finally perfect for the lake and we intend to enjoy it!!!  Hope your holiday is as fine!!!

Back in the studio..finally!

Today I was able to ignore the little piles of "things to sort' here in my "sewing, computer, kids guest" room and play with my paint.  Because I will be in the Fantasy Forest Festival in Battlecreek on June 13, I really needed to get in the groove. 

 I've decided to use oils instead of my usual pastels because it is a bit easier to pop them into a frame for display.  For the event we will be greeted with breakfast and a chance to meet the other artists, be given a box lunch then sent off to paint until 4pm.  We have a chance to frame the art and wash up before the reception and meet the artist event.  It should be a great day for everyone!!  Anyone local can attend..it is at Leila Arboretum.

I've pasted my favorite pastel from Sedona below and then the oil I did today.  Using my new pochade box was an experience and I've learned a few things for the next time. Hopefully I'll be able now to paint every day and get up to speed with the oils.  Then I have a large pastel in the planning stages, in my head of course!!

 Bell Rock, pastel

 

 

 Cathedral Rock II oil

Why I am not painting....

Since I've been back I have been working on this quilt for Paige. She gave me 35 t shirts to cut into squares and create a quilt made from ceremonies and accomplishments. My goal is her party in June. I must tack the backing on at 4" intervals and sew the binding around the edges in the coming weeks.

The quilt is like a giant puzzle with a random pattern I designed and had to consult constantly while piecing it together. I think it looks great and that Paige will love it!!!

A nice surprise

Yesterday I had a nice surprise when I received notice that I had been accepted into the West Michigan Area Show with my mixed media painting called Night Lights. This was the fourth time I entered and thought perhaps I had a better chance with this painting which won a First at FMBAA a couple years ago. (it is on this blog) The venue is very nice and professional at the KIA as they repaint the gallery and do a wonderful job with signage and brochures. There will be a juror's talk on Sunday and then a reception with awards the following Friday. I plan to attend all of it. My friends Judy and Joanne have had this honor before me with a portrait quilt and a beaded crown respectively, they know how exciting it is and I am proud to follow them. In between these events I will be working on Paige's quilt of her T-shirt collection, the grant application and report for FMBAA, preparing for a plein air competition in Battle Creek, digging out genealogy for Buelow cousins and at some point working in the garden. I must download all the Sedona photos and touch up then photograph my paintings from the trip as well. Needless to say I'll be busy as baseball, picnics on the lake and family especially come first. Two grandchildren graduate from high school this June..amazing.

Goodbye Sedona

We have just returned from our last dinner together before Lynne, Dale and I leave for home.  We spent the day visiting petroglyphs, painting to finish up things started this week and ducking raindrops.  Dale toured the studios with a friend who lives here. Cozy Cactus is a great place to stay and we'll miss the wonderful breakfasts served each day. We'll take our paintings home and get a few of the best ready for the show next fall at FMBAA.Thanks again to Neil for planning another great painting trip....We are already looking forward to Charlevoix next year!!