A Good Dog

Our experiences make us what we are and, I believe, what our art is. One of my most difficult experiences was the decision I made six weeks ago concerning my beautiful English Springer Spaniel Missy. Just before Christmas she was diagnosed with cancer and within three weeks it was significantly worse. She was fourteen years old and had given and received much love and joy. She loved swimming in this Michigan lake where we go every summer, and she always insisted on having her own beach chair.

A couple of years ago I made this small wall hanging, which shows Missy with her "brother" Justin, the Shih-Tzu, who does not like swimming in the lake. He was with her at the end, and we all miss her.

Has It Been Two Months?

I can't believe it's been more than two months since I last posted. My friends tell me they are sick and tired of looking at those pumpkins. So let's see if there's another image I can burn into their brains .

I found this tea just before the holidays. Despite the smiling snowman, the name described exactly how I was feeling: snappish. Too much to do, etc., etc. However, the holidays turned out just fine, I mellowed, and now I'm worried that I only have two boxes of this tea left until next Christmas because I really like it out of all the ginger ones I've tried.

As to what I've been up to besides decking the halls, etc., I hope you remember my "red blob" piece from previous posts. (Yes, you can go back and check if you don't.) I finally beat those blobs into submission and they have metamorphosed into pomegranates (I think). Here it is, ready for basting. Now I am in the quilting stage and am quite pleased with how things are going.

And here's a close-up that shows the many layers of dyeing and printing, and the embroidery.

I'm still waiting for a snow day, but I'd better be careful what I ask for. We haven't had that much snow yet. Who knows what February will bring?