Photography this week

My 8 year old saw a praying mantis eating a bee.  It was fascinating to watch.  I hadn't realised that they have tongues.

New Blog Layout

Yes it is still my blog!!!

I decided I needed a new 'face lift'  

So I am designing a new blog layout. 

Could you all let me know what you think of it?

NB: Can you please be patient with me as I finish off some details.  (I could still have more changes over the next couple of days)  

Catherine xxxx

Sketchbook this week

I have been doodling this week. 

 Putting down lots of ideas for an up and coming series of small quilts.

 Here is a sneaky look at some of my ideas.

Finding inspiration through photography: Part Two

Using parts of a photograph for art design

We often use a whole photo when making a quilt design.  The look of a quilt that looks just like like a photo seems to fascinate people.  Bit we can get very effective designs with just part of photos.

This is the full photo.  It captures the frame work beautifully.

But cropping it in gives a better design and structure.  This would be a better photo to create with.

This photo was taken from a distance

This one closer.  

See how coming in closer eliminates unnecessary extras and focuses on the brick more

And when the above photo is cropped it makes us look more at the shapes and how they interact with each other more than the subject.  This would probably be a great start for a abstract design

Cropping really close even gives more design possibilities.  This shell has amazing possibilities.

See what is in small details of your life and see what can be found for designs.  

Photographing quilts

I have been doing a on-line course with quilt university on photographing quilts.  It has been an excellent way to improve my skills in quilt photography.  who would have know how easy it is with just a few simple pieces of equipment to take a really good photograph.

The greatest challenge is getting the colour accurate and to get the quilting to show.  But with 2 lamps set either side of the quilt on brighter than the other a great photo is possible.

These are my best photos.  The next job is editing them

Wow 25000 blog views

I have just hit 25000 views to day. Thanks to all those people who check in and read my blog. 

 If you come here regularly and aren't a follower come on in and join us.  We'd love to have you :)

Catherine xxxxxx

Growing up and moving on

It's been an emotional weekend with one girl off to America and Canada and the other one home to see her sister off and then back down to University.  I feel like I have lost 2 babies this weekend :(  They have both arrived safely all ready for their new adventures in their lives of which I am only a very small part.  I knew this would have to happen one day but it has come around too soon.  (The same thing goes with wrinkles and greys in the hair.....just too soon.)

 Life is just moving on and sometimes I feel with out me being ready and willing for it.  But I guess whether we are ready or not it just carries on happening so the key is to keep up and keep moving on and to enjoy each new chapter my life will bring and to remember everything we do has purpose and meaning.

I loved this quote I found today on ldsprintables.com

I am grateful for a mother who taught me so much and for my children who make me a mother. I am grateful life keeps on changing and moving and that my influence in my home is so great.  I am grateful that wherever my children are in the world I know I have given them the best start in life I could and that they are reaching for the stars.

I am missing my girls so much.....love you both xxxx