Saturday, March 2, 2013

A Walk in the Park

Hello Everyone,
 
Yesterday, Mr. Joe and I headed out to Calaveras Big Trees State Park on a photo shoot for Butterscotch Baskets. With a picnic lunch, dog, camera, quilt, and an 8 foot ladder, we drove the three short miles to the park from the cabin.
 

 
I'm calling this shot, "Where's Waldo?" Do you give up?  The quilt is on an 8 foot ladder right at the base of a giant sequoia. This park is spectacular no matter what season of the year.  Majestic. Magnificent. Spiritual. It's one of my favorite places on earth and we go here every chance we get.  When we aren't carrying an 8 foot ladder, we just walk to the park on fire roads and cross-country ski trails.
 


This stump gives you an idea of the tremendous size of these gentle giants.  Such a shame that 'man' cut down this ancient tree just to make a profit. Criminal.


The first time we came to this park was on a camping trip in the 1980's with our three little kids. We loved the area so much that we returned two decades later and purchased our first cabin just a stones throw from the park.



If always good to reflect back on a long-term project while looking ahead to the next one.



There should be a couple feet of snow at this location......but not this year.  If we do get some more snow, I'll have to go back to this very same location and take more pictures.

 
Time to leave my favorite spot and try to get more pictures for the pattern cover back at the cabin. 

 


The quilt on the wall is one I designed for a shop hop about five years ago.  I only designed the setting and the applique.  The rest of the blocks were from the participating shops.


Thought I would change things up and hang it on the wall.  The room looks like one giant patchwork! Don't laugh, but I look at my quilts on the wall and think of them as insulation during the winter.


Isn't Zinnie regal?   You know her real name is Zinfandel.  We have this thing about dogs with whine names.  We've also had a Chablis, Blush and Burgundy, Burgy for short. Our dogs are just like our kids, spoiled rotten, loyal, and they'll do anything for us.


I'm teaching Butterscotch Baskets on Tuesday at In Between Stitches.  The girls will work all of the bugs out of the pattern, then it will be available for sale down at the shop once I get the changes incorporated in the final copy.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Go hug a tree!

Soon,
Lynn

23 comments:

  1. Your quilt is gorgeous!! I love the beautiful photo settings.

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  2. Looks like another one of your quilts I need to make! I love the cheddar fabric in this one. I see the Lil' Orphan Scrappy on the bed.

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous. The butterscotch color is so warm. You are very talented.

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  4. Lovely quilt in a lovely setting- I would love to make this one, too.

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  5. Just gorgeous! You know, people did use quilts for insulation. I live in Oklahoma where the "wind comes sweeping down the plain" and the pioneer women often made quilts just for that purpose! I love the photo of the quilt hanging over the stream with the reflection showing! I would frame it if it was mine or put it on STORENVY and sell prints and note cards. I'm cutting Country Charmer blocks today. Thanks for sharing! Cheery wave from Bev

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  6. Hi Lynn, what a fantastic quilt. Wonderful pictures.

    Grit from Germany

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  7. WONDERFUL!!! Thanks for sharing your delightful pictures, too!

    :) Carolyn

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  8. Love this post Lynn! From the wonderful, amazing trees, to your beautiful quilt (you are SO talented!), to your Sweetie-Pie, Zinnie! Thanks for helping to start my day off with this wonderful post! Wishing you a fantastic day as well!!!

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  9. oh my gosh what a beautiful quilt and the scenary is amazing. I've always wanted to see those trees in person, now I think I need to for sure. Your dog is gorgeous. I tend to name my pups after rivers I love to fly fish - for instance our pup's name is Madison - after the Madison river in Montana. Thanks for sharing!!

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  10. Oh my - and to think I got to wrap myself up in Butterscotch Baskets if only for a quick photo! If ever there were a place with magic in it, I think it would be here, Lynn! Don't know if we can wait for fall to visit! Miss Zinny does look so regal and comfy in the late afternoon sun!
    Cheers!

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  11. As I have watched this quilt progress, it's been my hope that Zinnie would be the covergirl in the pattern photo...and she works pretty cheap doesn't she? Did you get any of her in the park with the quilt? That would be sublime perfection! Those reflective photos are wonderful! God's true Cathedral. My soul longs for the trees. I get that feeling everytime we drive over the Blues from LaGrande to Pendleton. As we drive down the mountain and I feel like a piece of me is slipping away.

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  12. Lynn, what a beautiful tour of the park!! Thank you, thank you!!! The photo shoot was awesome and i love this quilt!!! I have way too much on my plate now, but maybe in a year or two it will be on my list!!

    Blessings

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  13. I was fortunate enough to visit Sequoia national Park in the early 80's. Being from Northern California near the redwoods it is always awe inspiring at the size of these trees.

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  14. JUST GORGEOUS!!! I just love the picture of the quilt reflected in the stream of water !!!

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  15. The quilt is just so gorgeous! So fabulous to see the quilt in so many poses...excellent photographs and such a beautiful park. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day!

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  16. Beautiful setting for a beautiful quilt! I savored every picture!

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  17. You got some spectacular shots of it! What a wonderful place to be able to take a day trip to.

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  18. Oh Lynn, the quilt is just stunningly beautiful.
    You could not have picked a better setting to take the photos. Why chop down such a beautiful tree, I really don't understand it!
    Zinnie does look very regal in that shot, she should be on the pattern cover too!
    Julia ♥

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  19. What a stunning quilt in beautiful scenery. I think it looks even more beautiful in your outdoor shots.

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  20. Love the quilt......I was just telling hubby we must drive over and tour Calaveres Big Trees.....we have not been there in years....it is simply beautiful...

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  21. The color of the fabric you used for the setting and border on the quilt makes for a very striking quilt. Nice!

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  22. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt! Stunning photographs. I love the photos with the quilt draped over the bridge.
    Zinnie is gorgeous!

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  23. Absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the photos of the area too. It is just beautiful.

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