New toy

Meet the newest member of the family. I'm so excited about the possibilities of this little traveler. It's really tiny (screen is less than 9"), lightweight (around 2 lbs) and a beautiful blue color. I know that color doesn't really matter except that if they're offering choices it's nice to have the one you like best. According to the specs, I could have had red, white, blue or black. The sales associate told me all I could have was black. Reminded me of Henry Ford and the Model T (or was it A?). However, when she went to get one, they all turned out to be blue. Happy day! That's what I would have chosen.



I'll be playing for a while. But first the tedious chore of installing everything. Funny, how no matter what, you can never play before the work is done.

Nostalgia

Today is Anne's birthday. She wanted fireworks! No, not really, but she did want to be part of Ruby Tuesday which is hosted by mary/the teach

She claims that on every birthday that she can remember, the poppies have been blooming. I tried to make that happen this year but my magical powers are limited. This has been such a cool spring that everything is at least a week behind. So, I've had to grab a photo from another year.



And, her other memory is strawberry shortcake. So, I dusted off the old Nova Scotia cookbook and made a traditional strawberry shortcake. Mmm...it was good. We cheated a bit and had the birthday party last night. But today's the day...Happy Birthday, Anne!

Sunday wonders - I

I is for Inspiration.

We take a lot of photos. Sometimes, they are just to provide ideas (another I-word) for the creative side of our lives. Our watercolors, hooked rug designs, knitting patterns are always close to our thoughts. Anything at all can provide inspiration for our crafts.


This was one of my first inspiring pictures. Actually, this - and the tortoise - were taken by my daughter in Japan. I could see a rug with the screen design and a background of hand-dyed greens.


The colors and lines on this tortoise's shell will be a rug someday. But the colors, shapes and textures could work in a watercolor, too. Or a knitted blanket, maybe.


It's good to have a reminder that leaves can be many colors. Sometimes, I get stuck in the greens or browns.



These are plastic plant pots stacked at a nursery. I like that you can't tell what they are - it's all shape.



The rough bark of a Douglas fir makes an interesting color and texture study.



This tumble-down barn on the prairies and the dry winter grass make a good contrast in texture for the watercolor artist...



Another leaf study. An oak leaf and pine needles close up on a rainy day.



These fishing nets and floats are colorful enough for a watercolor or a hooked rug. Even a sock design could come from this.

None of these subjects have been anything more than imagination (another I-word) material yet. But someday, I know they will become something quite different from their present reality.

Observation

For about six months now, I've been noticing a change in advertising. I am one of those really weird folks who likes to watch TV ads and I also enjoy the colored flyers in the paper. (Put it down to a short attention span and a love of bright colors!) Advertising is a business and part of our economy so if it's evil, it's a necessary evil for our times.

But it's that economic aspect that's interesting. I've seen the TV ads moving in a less costly direction which involves ads with out the expense of paying actors. And this is not necessarily a good thing since it puts people out of work. But so many businesses have had huge advertising campaigns which have depended upon actors and story lines. And now, their ad agencies are having to be creative without spending money on payroll. Sudden thought - maybe they're not even using agencies any more. It doesn't make the ads any better, necessarily, and I wonder if it will be effective advertising.



This morning, I was pulling the flyers out of the paper and one just jumped out at me. It was for Old Navy and all the models were mannequins. It was the strangest looking clothing ad I've ever seen. But, it did catch my eye. So, to that degree it was effective. What they sell is so not my style - they haven't lured me to their store. But, it works on a lot of levels.

I wonder if this kind of restrained advertising will be our future? Or will we just return to the old ways when the economic crisis is over? I suspect the changes are here to stay if the advertising methods work to sell the products.