Sister Time!

Today I am off to  have a few days visiting with my sister south of here!  She and Nancy have moved to Florida full time now and I haven't seen her since last February.  I'm really anxious to have some time together.  Gigi will be coming with me and Kalee will stay home with dad!  She's hoping for walks and golf cart rides!  Gigi will get to visit with my sister's two dogs!

Yesterday I bathed Gigi and washed Kalee's face and feet, packed up my overnight bag then sat out in the lanai to bead.  My bud, Sally, called and said she was working on her coloring book.  So she gathered up her books and watercolor pencils and we both sat and chatted while we worked!  Of course Gigi enjoyed having a lap to sit on!

 I'm still working on my squirrel...this was the progress last week

And this is what I finished today!  Making headway but it does take time!!  

It is going to be a challenge working on his face and body to get the detail I want.  Just might need to make a visit to my favorite bead shop here in Ocala!  Like I need an excuse!

More EARS pics!

If you're expecting art work, just go to another blog for today....I'm showing more  pictures from our EARS tour this week!!  Sorry!

There is a 'domestic' cat that stays in with the cougar...and the dog just watches!

There are four deer also on the property.  Each was homeless and rescued by state troupers...and named by them when dropped off!

This particular bear loved the water!!!

This next little one loved the tour guide, Andy!!!  She or he (I can't remember) lost their room mate a few weeks ago and just hung on to Andy.  He had peanuts, which the other monkey's would reach in and grab but this little one just wanted to be touched and rubbed.  So sweet!

This is the types of monkey used in research...I don't know that he was but he won't be used for that now!



His expressions were priceless!  Reminded you of a little old man!

Another one who loved Andy but also loved the peanuts!  He would hang on by his tail and reach in the jar for the peanuts!

Another beautiful cat!!!

Looking at one of the enclosures and out area.









I could go back tomorrow to see all these animals again!!!  Just awesome....but I guess now it's time to get back to some artwork!  Maybe!

Tigers and Lions and Bears, Oh My!

Five of us had the best experience this past week!  One of the ladies in the community, Eunice, has visited the EARS (Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary) in Citra.    Actually, she has gone several times and suggested we do a private tour.  I am SO glad she suggested and arranged the tour....what a wonderful day it was!!!  There are 30 acres of a refuge to care for and foster animals no longer wanted or being cared for.  I didn't count all the animals we saw but there are lots!  So I'll be doing at least two posts on the rescue.

EARS takes such great care and shows so much love to these animals.

They have large cages which open into larger areas and some, if not all, have some type of pool!  Yes, these cats will swim and play in the water!

I love the different markings on their faces!  So exotic and beautiful!

Is this fellow a beauty of what!!!!

This was the position of most of the big cats!  They look very stressful don't they!  HA

This is the male lion but because he has been castrated his mane no longer grows!  Just a little fact I wasn't aware of!  Who knew!

 If you live in the area, you definitely need to take a tour of this rescue.  I'll be posting more pics tomorrow of some bear and monkey!  

And yet another friend....sorta??

You just never know who you'll meet while walking  in the community!  Early one morning I was walking the dogs when Kalee went on high alert!  I thought there was a dog in the neighbors yard but NOPE....it was this!

Yep, it's an Armadillo!!  We had heard they were in the neighborhood doing damage to the lawns.  In fact, we see the damage in Larry's yard!  But we also heard they are nocturnal and you don't see them.  Well, we sure did!

Then, the other day I had the dogs out front and saw movement across the street!  Guess who!  Yep, our friend again!  I ran into the house and had Bob get his phone out to take pictures!  He captured this video and did a great job!

This little guy certainly isn't shy!  And I don't think he knows it's day time!!  So this is the newest 'friend' I've met this year!!!  Let's hope, other than someones dog, I don't meet up with any other animal!  I don't need any more friends!

And another friend!

My  post yesterday showed some great work from a few of my Florida buds!  Today, I'd like to focus on the person who introduced me to Nancy and Beth.  Her name is Kay Sorensen and I know some of my readers already know and follow her blog,  Quilts plus Color!

I actually 'met' Kay in person at a trunk show I did back in February 2012!  You can read about that meeting here.  Kay and I were in a slice project with Tommy (The Material Girl) called To Market. in 2011.   As we talked that first day, we finally realized why our names were familiar!  HA  This was the quilt we each contributed a section on (there were sixteen of us).  We were juried into the IQA show in Huston

This was Kay's section (with her picture that she had replicate on the right)

And my section

So that was our first connection.  After that, Kay invited  me to her house for a lunch and we've been buds every since.

Kay is an artist/dyer extraordinaire!  Last month and thru March 19th, folks living near Keosha, WI will have been and will be able to see Kay's work as she has over 70 "Ice Tapestries and Shibori Quilts" on display at the Anderson Arts Center!  I can't imagine seeing all these pieces in one place!!  I have seen pictures on her blog as well as in a book Kay put together and it is awesome to see her hand dyed and shibori fabrics 'show ready'.
I hope you enjoy seeing just a few pictures of Kay's work here on my post.  Grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and head over to Kay's blog here and enjoy  seeing all of her creations!  It is inspiring for sure.  And I thank Kay, again, for introducing me to both Nancy and Beth!  You can't beat friends!

 

Some friends

About a week ago I was lucky to meet up with some 'like' minds for a few hours of show and tell and gabbing!  Front row is Kay, Nancy,  in the back is Beth (holding the camera! - She has longer arms than I do!) and myself.

Of course, we had lunch and home made cookies for a treat, compliments of Beth.  I brought Heart Shaped donuts for our morning treat!  YUM...

And this is a little fairy that Beth made me.

Actually, she made each of us a fairy!  Aren't the 'girls' cute together!

Nancy made this name tag by creating her name with embroidery machine work.  I forget the name of the 'little' men around her name.  Nancy and her hubby are travelers and she brought this back from one of their trips.

I enjoy these ladies so much and it's great to share  tips/tricks/ideas and even their 'finds'!

Speaking of which,  Nancy attended the quilt show at the Villages a few weeks ago and these were some of her finds.


This is cork fabric!  Who knew!

Isn't it beautiful!  Can't wait to see what Nancy does with this.  It feels so soft and smooth!

I've never used dye sticks before, so I'm anxious to see how Nancy uses these.

And check out some of Nancy and Beth's deconstructed screen prints!

Nancy got great color and patterns!

Beth used stencils (face) and some grunge board for the key

 

Nancy added some yellow dye to release the rest of the thickened dye

Closeup of Beth's face stencil

More of Nancy's prints

Beth was encouraged to work a series of faces

This was a stencil she used acrylic paint on

What a fun afternoon of show and tell and gab!  Hope you enjoyed seeing what talented folks I surround myself with!  I'm  looking forward to getting together again soon!