QUAD-CITY BOTANICAL CENTER VISIT

     Since some of the area schools are already on Winter Break, we thought the Cinemas would be pretty busy today, so we decided to visit the Quad-City Botanical Center in Rock Island IL after lunch at City Limits.  There were several quilts on display which were very interesting works of art.
                 

                                                         

     

     We also went into the tropical garden area anticipating some special Christmas displays, but only found the permanent tropical plants which we had seen before.  I couldn't resist taking a few pictures anyway.       

CHRISTMAS DISPLAY AT VANDEVEER CONSERVATORY

     One day last week Irv and I stopped by the VanderVeer Conservatory to see the Christmas display.  It was very pretty and a little unusual, as many of the flowers were spray painted blue and purple.  There were several others visiting at the same time, and it seemed like everyone was taking pictures with their phones.  Below are a few of the pictures I took with my pod.
       

FIRST SNOWFALL OF 2015 WINTER

     A dusting of snow might have been OK for our first snowfall of this winter, but instead we ended up with at least 9 inches of heavy wet snow.  It also came early in the season, starting Friday night and continuing into early morning.  Irv went out Sat. afternoon with the snowblower which kept getting clogged up with the wet snow.  It was 5 degrees this morning, so we stayed home and fixed breakfast.  Good food served in a cozy kitchen.  Can't beat that.
      The Hawks played their last home football game Sat. and from the looks of the nice green field and the crowds in the stands you would never know that it snowed.  It was an exciting game and once again they came through with a win.  A perfect season so far and let's hope it continues with a win over Nebraska next Friday.  We've had a lot of fun watching the games together this year!
       I took a few pictures of our snowy deck and the back yard just so we wouldn't forget this first snow.
     

VanderVeer Park Conservatory Visit

     While I was out and about today, I stopped at the VanderVeer Park Conservatory and photographed the beautiful mum display.  It will soon be replaced with a lighted floral Christmas display, so check back in a few weeks for another conservatory visit.
     I think the "spider" mums were my favorites, but I enjoyed all of the displays.
         

HALLOWEEN SHADOWBOX

     Another fun Halloween piece that I created using a few found objects, like the skeleton and owl, and numerous Tim Holtz items.  The background of the 6"x6" 7 gypsies shadow box is covered with Regions Beyond paper and the various compartments are filled with ephemera, fragments, and various apothecary vials.  We have really enjoyed this piece displayed on an easel on our dining room table.  I hope you enjoy this piece too.
         

     Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come again.

         

EXPERIMENTING WITH PICASA

More Halloween cards made with the Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamp collection.  So much fun to play with and lots of opportunity to get creative.  Think I've finally gotten things figured out about using Picasa on my iPad along with Blogspot.  Now I just have to remember how to use it the next time I want to blog. LOL

TRICK OR TREAT

I don't post very often, so it always seems like a new learning experience and I'm never quite sure how things will turn out.  kind of like Trick or Treat!  I made a couple of Halloween cards with the Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamp collection for a niece and nephew in California.  They were fun to make and I hope the kids enjoy them.  I hope you enjoy them too.

     

TIM'S OCTOBER TAG

     Guess it's about time that I blog about my October tag since it's all about Halloween.  I didn't have any of the new monster dies, so I used the skull with a top hat stamp from the Tim Holtz "Undertaker" collection which I colored with Distress Ink.  I cut out the eyes and layered them with glittery black card stock.  I also used the same card stock for the top hat and highlighted it it with my white Molotow pen.    The tag was covered with a scrap of Regions Beyond paper which just happened to have Poe in the top corner, which I thought was pretty cool.  I also used a piece of Halloween ribbon and attached a skull charm to the hat.  I plan to enter this on the Tim Holtz website at  www.timholtz.com

      

NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS

     I can't believe I let August slip by without posting anything.  I must try to do better during September.  Every Labor Day weekend the "Biggest Show on Earth" comes to our area.  Ringling Brothers & Baily sets up at the Iwireless Center in Moline IL for multiple performances, and last night was the fourth time we have enjoyed the beautiful animals and daring performances of the acrobats and other cast members.  I especially wanted to see the show this year, because I've heard that it's the last year that elephants will be part of the circus.  So sad, but PETA has won.  

     Taking pictures was a challenge because of flashing bright lights and all of the movement, but I am posting a picture of the colorful entryway and one of the elephants.  

        

   

          

     Attending the circus was our way of observing Labor Day.  Just taking it easy today and staying where it's cool as it's supposed to be in the low 90's again today.  It's been a warm September so far. Thanks for stopping by.

FIELDS OF GREEN

     I couldn't resist posting this picture of a good friend of mine standing in a beautiful field of green.  If you're a born and bred Iowan there is almost nothing prettier than a field of corn.  It's absolutely amazing how fast it grows and how tall it gets.  My friend is about 5 foot 3 inches tall, which gives you some idea of how tall the corn is.  Won't be long before heavy ears of corn are hanging and ready to be picked.

           

BIRD CRAZY FUN

         Just couldn't resist playing with the Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamp set.  I'll have a lot more fun once my accessory stamps and dies arrive.  There are several more crazy birds to stamp too.  Endless fun ahead.  Can't wait.  The rain drops are colored with Wink of Stella to give them a shimmer and the birds are colored with Distress Markers.  

        

      

DELICIOUS TOMATOES

     One of the best parts of Summer is eating BTL's made with homegrown tomatoes.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of these beautiful "Early Girl" and "Cherry" tomatoes that Irv harvested from his garden Sunday.  We had delicious sandwiches for dinner.  Looking forward to many more and hopefully Irv will have enough to give to the neighbors.  

                     

SWEET BABY GIRL

      Yesterday my good friend Gretchen visited with her 7 week old baby girl.  I hadn't seen them since the birth, so it was really nice to spend the afternoon catching up and holding the baby.  She is such a precious little one.  Pictured below is Mom and  baby.

                      

   

BISHOP HILL DAY TRIP

Tuesday was a lovely dry Spring day, so we decided to take a day trip to Bishop Hill IL a historic Swedish village set among cornfields and windfarms.  It was a quiet day, with only a few visitors and most of them were there to have lunch at P. L. Johnson's, which is where we also ate.  Irv had traditional Swedish meatballs and a salad and I had a turkey/ham sandwich on the most delicious Swedish rye bread.  After lunch we visited a pottery, one of the few places open on a Tuesday, where we saw a variety of decorative pots and a few Christmas items.  

     Since it was still early afternoon, we got back on the interstate and headed several more miles to Dick Bliicks, an artist supply store where I made a couple of purchases.  Then it was time to head home. Pictured below is a photo of Mr. Kitty who greeted us at P. L. Johnson's and some photos from the pottery.  

                                                                  

 

 

Hope you enjoyed our trip and stop by again.

GERANIUMS IN BLOOM

      

I just couldn't resist posting a couple of photos of the three potted geraniums sitting in front of our house.  They are loaded with buds (one has 30) and are rather remarkable as this is the third year for them.  They wintered in our walkout family room where they sit in front of a large sunny window.  The first year, I cut them back, but this year I didn't as they were full of blooms when we brought them in.  They need a little trimming now, but we're very happy with all of the blooms.  I hope you enjoy them too and thanks for stopping by.  

  

                                 

TIM'S APRIL TAGS

I really liked Tim Holtz's April tags and followed up by ordering the "Flower Garden" stamp set by Stampers Anonymous.  I had never used the watercolor brush/pen before, and that proved to be a fun experience - one that I want to use again.  I am entering my tags in Tim's April Challenge - another first for me.

        

       

BEAUTIFUL SPRING FLOWERS

Just trying out some new things using the Blogger app.  Would like to make the font larger, but at least I can import pictures from my iPad.  I composed this piece using Dina Wakley stencils and paints.  The circles were painted on deli paper which was a new and fun experience.

     

    I hope you enjoyed your visit and that you come again.

      

         

Spring Comes Again

I'm trying some thing new with my blog.  I'll be surprised if it works.  I want to post a picture stored in my iPad.