So far this Spring/Summer has been busy. Every year I look forward to going to the NYC Art Expo. This year was a little different from previous years in that there were less painters and more digital and 3-D artists showing their work. Here are a few photos of some of the beautiful artwork we saw.
The variety and size and shapes of the collages were amazing...
I love anything with cards...
This artist was from Australia. The colors in her work are happy and vibrant.
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Just when we thought we've seen everything there is to see in the State of MA we were pleasantly surprised when we decided on one of our long weekends in MA to visit Marblehead. I didn't realize it's right next to Salem. This is a wonderful day trip and there's enough there to make it two days.
Right in the heart of town there's a little museum and historical society which has a lot of really interesting documents and letters written by George Washington, Paul Revere, and other famous men. This is a very famous painting called "The Spirit of '76". It's located in Abbot Hall just a few feet away from the museum. It was impossible to get a good photo without the glare because there's a light is shining right over it.
You can easily park and then walk through town. There are several interesting historical places to visit like the Jeremiah Lee Mansion which is across the street from the museum, the King Hopper Mansion and The Civil War & G.A.R. Museum at the Old Town House. There are other sights we didn't have time to see. I'm hoping to get back here. On the way out of town we did stop to look at Castle Rock on Ocean Ave. It's breathtaking.
This is a photo of Washington Street. It's filled with great little shops that carry unique, different things you won't find anywhere else.
I was in heaven when I found this little boutique called "Good for M". Most of the items for sale were outside. These handmade baskets are from Morocco. There were some amazing quilt tops scattered around too. I asked the owner how much that quilt top was and she said $500. She was nice enough to tell me the name of the line of fabric she used and the pattern. It's called Hunter's Star. It's on my bucket list of quilts to make.
The shop owner owns 4 hairless cats. The two black male cats were sound asleep on a chair. The two female cats were all over the place. She said that's a typical day for them. They girls were so adorable! This one wanted to climb all over us. The owner said it's because she lets her sit on her shoulder all the time.
When we decided to go to Marblehead I Messaged Jesse in New Zealand and asked her where we should go for lunch. She lives very near Marblehead and always tells us about the great restaurants near her so she's the expert when it comes to a good lobster roll!
And she didn't let us down. This is The Landing. It's fantastic. It was such a fabulous day we were a little disappointed we couldn't eat outside on the porch overlooking the water but it was too busy and the wait was too long.
Our server told us the clam chowder was award winning. And yes, it was delicious. Go and find out what the secret is to this fantastic chowder! It's in the cup and you'll know as soon as you taste it! I think it's the best chowder we've ever had!
As you can see the lobster roll was to die for!! Our server said if I wanted a refreshing drink their locally brewed Bent Water beer was just the thing. With a squirt of lemon I was in heaven! It was light and refreshing and hit the spot! I have to go back to Marblehead just to have this lunch again!! Thanks Jesse!! Hopefully next time you'll be with us!!!
This is the view from the dock next to the restaurant.
Marblehead is a beautiful little town. Every house we saw had more character than the next.
And the view of the ocean is panoramic. If I win the lottery you can find me living here!
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We celebrated a special birthday in June. Kristen turned 21. She has wanted a vintage typewriter for years. They're tough to find. I was very foolish when we moved into our house so many years ago. I threw out my dad's Underwood Typewriter. I'll never get over that. It was collecting dust and I never ever thought anyone would ever have any use for it anymore. If I had the hindsight I have now I would have known not to throw the good stuff away.
This typewriter appeared just in time for Kristen's birthday.
While we were waiting for it to be restored I searched the internet for typewriter fabric. Fabrics.com is my go-to for everything. They had just the thing. I couldn't get too carried away with the pattern because I had to finish this project ON TIME. So I chose to make something simple and thankfully finished it!
This is the label I sewed on the back. It says it all!
I couldn't resist making her a mug rug to go with her mini quilt.
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I had so many recipes and things planned to share with you this month but instead I wanted to end my blog this way. Last week at quilt group Sue invited Jane, the co-coordinator of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. This Foundation is made up solely of volunteers who make quilts for Vets. Jane goes all over CT presenting quilts to Vets. There's a little ceremony and then they're wrapped in their quilts. There wasn't a dry eye in the room it was such a moving experience.
Two vets were honored. As soon as I can spare a little time I would like to volunteer to do something with this Foundation. Anne, from our group and a few other ladies are very involved. Anne helped present the quilt she worked on to a Vet at one of the ceremonies. The Foundation supplies all of the fabric. All they need are volunteers who sew. Jane is an amazing lady. She long-arms the quilts. And if someone likes to bind she'll drop a quilt off just to bind. She travels all over CT to talk about QOV and present Vets with quilts. Here's her email address and phone number if you'd like to get in touch with her Jane.Dougherty@QOVF.org 203-315-0232.
Her parting words to the Vets were to use their quilts. They are to go on their favorite chair. Their pets can share them. They've been washed so they can get messed up and washed in the washing machine. And if these Vets ever have a bad day they need to remember their very own quilt is waiting at home and will wrap them in warmth and love.
Have the best start of summer and see you next month!!
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