f

Saturday, August 31, 2013

I'm Home!!

When I was a child, we had family friends who took a road trip vacation every summer. The trips were not elaborate, five children and two adults stuffed into a station wagon, but they always had a wonderful time and took loads of pictures. Their greatest joy was sharing those pictures once they returned. We would be invited over for an evening of slides and popcorn. My parents thought the evening was extremely boring, but not me, I loved witnessing the stories that each member of the family would remember as a new image would pop up on the screen. 
Although I returned last night, my heart and mind are still in Monhegan....and yes, I took loads of pictures! Sadly, I can't offer you a bowl of popcorn and in this new modern way of sharing "slides," if you are bored, you can just move on to another blog :-) So at the expense of possibly boring you, I will share a few of my pictures and memories of my trip.  
I had sunny days and foggy days while I was on Monhegan Island. I can't say which I like best as both offer a different experience. 
This sign "greets" you as you come off the boat. 
 Monhegan Inn faces the harbor and offers one of the most spectacular views.
Lobster traps. Everything on the island seems to have an air of artistry about it, even a pile of lobster traps.

This is the inn where I stayed. It is called Monhegan House and was built before the turn of the century. The man who owns the inn told me that when he and his wife bought the inn in 2000, it still had some of the original plumbing that had been installed in 1903. 
My little room. When you are here, you feel as though you are staying in a person's home rather than renting a hotel room.
Up on the fourth floor of the inn is a private little area that looks out over the island, perfect for a little morning writing. 
 The only church on the island. It was built sometime in the middle of the 1800's.
It now has electricity(not much though), but you can see that there are still gas lamps. To conserve energy, the gas lamps are used during the winter.
A view of the harbor from Monhegan House. You can see Monhegan Inn through the fog. 
 The island is called "The Artist Island" and it lives up to its name. Sculpture and artwork are everywhere.
Even a lobster buoy tossed up against some rocks takes on the appearance of a piece of sculpture.
I took tons of flower pictures. The light on the island is so incredible and the flowers seem to have an intensity that I have never seen anywhere else.
A bee busy at work in a rose blossom.
 Spectacular sun flowers.
A monarch on a Butterfly Bush.
Sunflowers against the side of a house.
Wild blackberries are plentiful on the trails.
Look at how magnificent the sky is against this house.
There are miles and miles of hiking trails on the island. This photo was taken on a trail called Cathedral Woods.
It's a rather magical trail.
  As you walk along, you'll find "Fairy Houses." I especially loved this grotto.
 Some can be quite elaborate. The folklore is that the fairies build the houses at night ;-)
 The trails open up to the most spectacular views of the ocean.
I especially loved this picture. An artist in her element.
 Even a piece of driftwood along the trail takes on the appearance of a piece of sculpture.
Looking down from the trail.

 I don't know why, but I really like this picture :-) It's as if he posed just for me.

A huge tree had fallen. I thought that the view of the massive root system was so interesting.
What do I look like while on vacation? No makeup and happy!
And finally, a happy face inviting me back.
I had a wonderful time. I'm rested, refreshed and ready to get back to my projects. Thanks for allowing me to share a bit of my vacation with you.
Rhonda



Share this PostPin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google PlusEmail This

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

On Vacation

This Friday I leave for a magical place,
Monhegan Island, Maine.
Three years ago, I found out about a retreat called http://www.knittingandyogaadventures.com/. As I read through what the retreat had to offer, and I saw pictures of the island, I wanted so badly to go, so I did. The island is about an hour off the coast of Maine. There are only 35 people who live there on a year round basis. No cars and no bicycles. Within just a few days of my stay, I knew that I must come back.
If you read my Sunday Night Reflections post, you have probably seen a few pictures that I took while I was there.
 A handmade garden gate.
The home of artist Jamie Wyeth. One morning I was sitting on the rocks doing my morning writing when the fog rolled in. It gave the house the most mysterious feeling.
Hiking trails. Most of the island is uninhabited. You can walk a different trail everyday.
My dogs and my family will stay home so I will have a quiet week. I'm taking a knitting project, my sketch pad, my writing journal and some clothes of course ;)
I had thought that I would try and have posts ahead so that I could continue to post while I'm away, but I've decided that I need a true vacation. So this will be my last post until I return on September 1st.
Once I return, I will finish up the zebra dress tutorials which now will become a denim dress. We'll have new Fabulous Free Pattern Friday pieces, and new Sleeves On Saturdays. I've mentioned that some new and interesting things are happening and I will finally be able to share one of those with you. Actually, it will be a type of a journey that you'll be able to follow as I work through the process.
One thing that I would like to share before I go is that we have reached the 450 mark with the pillowcase project!!! Beyond exciting. So when I return, we will have the big 450 hanging of the pillowcases.
I hope to see you all back here September 1st!
Rhonda



Share this PostPin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google PlusEmail This

Monday, August 19, 2013

Monday Morning Inspiration

Good Morning Everyone!!
This week I thought I would begin sharing the Ungaro books that I have.  As much as I like the Valentino books, these are by far my favorite. I'm not sure why, maybe it's the mix of patterns and the bold bright colors that captures my attention. Regardless, I think they are fabulous. I have 5 books ranging from 1986 through 1990. The first thing you will notice is the ever so accentuated shoulder. I'll warn you now, while going through the latest issue of Vogue magazine, I was struck by the fact that the shoulders are becoming quite wide and skirts and pants alike are once again becoming pegged. So pay close attention, you just may be wearing this style again!!! 




Take note of the velvet that was used for the skirts above. It is the silkiest velvet I have ever seen.





 The fabrics for the above design are below. The blouse fabric is silk and the skirt is a wool challis.

 Once again, that lovely velvet used here for the blouse. It must have felt like a dream to wear.

 Check out the mix of patterns that were used to obtain this look.







Do the drawings remind you of anyone's work? They do have the feel of Antonio Lopez, but no reference was given to the illustrator so I think not. Antonio would have wanted his name scrolled across the bottom of each and every picture and I don't know that Ungaro would have appreciated that!!!
Hopefully you'll find the mix of colors and patterns just as inspiring as I do.
Wishing you all a prosperous week!!
Rhonda



Share this PostPin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google PlusEmail This