The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Around My World

Apart from a Cork Poppers gathering (post on that coming soon -- we tasted some great Spanish reds) life has been mostly odds and ends -- appointments, daily tasks and a few fun surprises.


At the top of the surprise list was the arrival of this wonderful quilt from Carole of From My Carolina Home. She had a sale last summer and I couldn't resist this cheerful (and beautifully made) piece -- and she thankfully held it for me till my return from the lake in September.


I decided to put it where I could see it all the time, taking a page out of Debra's book on Common Ground and using it on the sofa. (That makes it handy for when I want to wrap up in it, too!) Thank you, Carole!


My friend Laura has several King Charles Cavalier spaniels -- she used to breed them. She asked if I could take some photos and it was a delightful photo shoot!


She has four and they were pretty good posers that lovely afternoon.


But this is the guy that won my heart!


Breaking away from my walk-the-ditch routine, I took a long walk on MSU's campus and encountered a tree for the first time that must have been there when I was at school 50 years before!


Look how it grows both up and flat! Someone on Facebook said it was a myrtle tree. Who knew? I just was fascinated by it.


And, on the subject of nature, there was the super moon... at night...


... and in the morning.


I've been getting things together for my November sale. 10 new notecard designs arrived and I was going through paintings. I'm not sure if I shared these on the blog before. Here's my girl....


.... and a different-for-me Bird in Paradise, inspired by a Lucia Layfield of Wild Ink.


I finally finished this violin and mandolin, which took an awfully long time. I may turn this one into notecards too. 


Rick left for the lake, doing a three-day ride. His buddy Bill rode part of the first day with him. I always like it when he rides with someone!


I returned to the lake too -- and we'll have another postcard soon. I'm waiting for some good color which is a bit late this year! 


See you soon!

Sharing with:    Friday Face-Off    /   Share Your Style   /   Love Your Creativity  

52 comments:

  1. I love the cat painting, and even as I type, I'm sitting on the quilt which is spread on MT sofa. I like the millefiore pattern of the back so that's what's showing.I often like the backs of quilts.

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  2. The quilt is beautiful Jeanie, and does look wonderful to curl up in! Those dogs are precious! Love your notecards, the bird is so fun!
    Jenna

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  3. Love the quilt! Beautiful artwork.
    I love Lizzie's nap pose.
    They look like brothers.
    Have a good time at the lake.

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  4. The quilt is beautiful and looks great where you placed it. Nice paintings and fantastic moon shots. Have a wonderful time at the lake, Jeanie.

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  5. Beautiful quilt, and what a wonderful way to use it.

    The dogs are sooo pretty :)

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  6. What a cheerful quilt! Sweet friend.
    Charmed by your sleeping cat and the rest of your art.
    Hope the hubby enjoys his bike trip and has good weather.
    I know you will enjoy your time at the lake. :) :)

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  7. Oooooh, what a gorgeous quilt! Enjoy! The cocker-spaniel photos are wonderful, what sweeties they are! You have made some beautiful art, too - keep going! ave a fun week, hugs, Valerie

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  8. What a beautiful quilt! It fits your sofa so well. You do have a good friend. What a treasure. I love your bird of paradise painting. Gorgeous! I love it.

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  9. Lovely quilt! enjoy it. the dogs are just so sweet-that must have been a fun photo shoot.
    enjoy the fall colors-we don't get allot of colors in this part of Missouri-as we have mostly oaks that just turn brown. We do see early yellows from the nut treats and few reds. I have always loved autumn.
    The super moon here was fabulous too
    Happy October hugs Kathy

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  10. Your blog post is very interesting Jeanie. I'm glad Rick rode with a friend. It's good to have company. The spaniels have sweet expressions. The gift is beautiful and well displayed and you can wrap it around you too. Love your paintings and the nature photos.

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  11. Jeanie, you have me at that gorgeous quilt! What a beautiful job your friend did on this beauty. All the spaniels are darling. I thought you were going to say you would be getting one, but I imagine Lizzie would have something to say about that!

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  12. Carole did a lovely job on your quilt, I'm sure you will really enjoy it. Your Bird in Paradise painting is such a happy piece.

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  13. You got some wonderful shots and I love the painting of Lizzie;)

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  14. The quilt looks exquisite. The dogs are lovely that I want to hug them. The super moon is pretty.

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  15. I love your quilt great color! Those digs are just darling.
    Wonderful photos of the moon how I love the moon.
    Enjoy the lake
    Cathy

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  16. The violin and mandolin make a good pairing since their stringing and fingering is the same. If you know the violin, you should be able to adapt to the mandolin although I guess it might not be as easy the other way around.

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  17. That quilt looks amazing on your couch. And it's a beautiful quilt too. What a great addition to your home. And those pups sure do pose nicely. They obviously haven't met nor been influenced by my 2 crazies who do not really like to pose. And you got some great moon shots. Have fun at the lake. Is it about time to close up for the season? hugs-Erika

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  18. I love the dogs and your portrait of them seems like a beautiful help to your friend. They do look friendly.
    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  19. Enjoy your beautiful quilt!! So pretty. It must have been fun to photograph your friend's dogs- They are adorable. and you got some good shots!! I've never seen anything like the photo of the supermoon . So interesting!

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  20. What a pretty quilt, Jeanie - so good for snuggling in the cooler seasons. Those moon photos are gorgeous!

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  21. What an amazing post. LOVE the four pups together and the little one by itself. They are adorable. Well behaved, too. Reminds me of my dog Bear. I would position him and he wouldn't move a muscle until he heard the click of the camera. He was well behaved like these pups. I hate to say it, but there is something to be said about pure breed dogs.

    Lizzie looks great. I bet those cards will go fast.


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  22. That quilt is beautiful Jeanie. Those King Charles cavaliers are so sweet, and such great posers, lol.
    You have a good camera to get such a great photo of the moon! Your postcards are beautiful, love Lizzie and the musical instruments.

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  23. Hello Jenaie,
    Love your moon captures! The quilt is beautiful, you found a great spot too.
    The doggie shoot looks fun, they are all adorable. Cool looking tree. I am glad Rick was riding with a friend. Your cards are all beautiful, I love the sweet Lizzie, the Bird of Paradise and the violins, well done. Take care, have a great day!

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  24. What a great post. I love Carole's quilt, and your photos and artwork, Jeanie! I can see you turning the spaniel photo into a piece of art also. That moon!
    I hope you're feeling well as we go further into fall.

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  25. Great quilt! I have never been interested in having domestic animals in my house, but those beautiful dogs could pose serious temptation! I mean, they are adorable.

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  26. Thanks for the mention, the quilt does indeed look wonderful on your sofa. It is delightful that you'll use it, sit on it, and wrap up in it. Quilters love their creations to be used.
    Cute dogs!
    Your art is as always wonderful.

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  27. Jeanie,
    Great pictures and great paintings!! Those sweet doggies are just darling!! So cute! And I love the pictures of that Tree! How cool is that...
    And that quilt!! What a wonderful gift!! Lucky you!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  28. Love the quilt, it is so happy and whimsical. I can see why you liked it.
    Each of your paintings was wonderful too.
    What sweet dogs. That variety is one of my favorites, so cute.
    Glad you are getting back to the lake another time and that Rick could enjoy another bike ride that direction.
    What nice moon pictures. For some reason I can never get a good crisp edge to the moon when I snap a picture of it. Good job!
    Aren't trees amazing? I love the myrtle tree. It is rather whimsical too.

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  29. Your pet paintings are just getting better and better:)
    That quilt is fabulous!And perfect there.Must make you happy.Have a good weekend..

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  30. Aww, a dog photo shoot sounds so fun. Dogs are so much more cooperative than cats. :-)

    I know this is random, but will you have any raccoon designs when you do your November note card sale? I have a new chemo buddy, and raccoons are her favorite animal. I've been trying to find some raccoon cards to send to her.

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  31. My favorite of your paintings today is that lovely Bird of Paradise. I feel like I am that Bird of Paradise! Maybe you are, too.

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  32. Great photos, but I really love the art today. Enjoy your time at the lake and the fall color.

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  33. The quilt is lovely Jeanie. Carole is quite talented. Love seeing the cute spaniels photos. They are adorable. So glad Rick had a friend to ride along with. Wonderful artwork Jeanie. Happy weekend.

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  34. Somehow I missed knowing about that breed of Spaniels. They're beautiful, and your photos do them justice. We have a good number of old live oaks that will do that same thing with the branches -- extending them horizontally, and often quite close to the ground. I've sometimes seen them with little 'crutches' beneath the largest and heaviest branches to keep them off the ground. Perhaps the moisture and such would affect the limbs negatively.

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  35. Jeanie, that quilt is really nice, and it looks charming on your sofa. My sister used to sew quilts, and I've always thought it was such a talent. Those are great photos of your friend's dogs. Wow, can't believe she has four of them! The light colored ones are so cute - you can see their sweet eyes. Isn't that tree something that you came across on the college campus? I've never seen anything like that, growing flat on the ground. Your notecards are delightful, and I really like the one with the violin. I do hope your November sale turns out to be a good one for you. I'll see you soon at the lake Jeanie!

    ~Sheri

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  36. Those spaniels are gorgeous, aren't they?
    Hope today is a good day for you.

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  37. Lovely moonshots. Beautiful quilt. I almost got a King Charles when I got mollie mollie won!
    Your notecards are great. I haven’t done that yet. I’ve had some printed. Happy October.

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  38. Jeanie, I love the quilt from Carole and it looks so pretty on your sofa. The spaniels’ photos are fabulous. They are a beautiful breed. Enjoy time at the lake!

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  39. Beautiful quilt, Jeanie.
    The spaniels are wonderful. I can see so much character.
    Love your art work for your November sale.

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  40. The quilt looks beautiful, love the dogs and what a fabulous moon.
    Enjoy your October days.

    All the best Jan

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  41. Lot of good things in this post, jeanie, from great moon shots to adorable canines. But, my favorite was that beautiful quilt and it looks like it will be great to curl up into with a good read on those chilly winter days to come (sorry to mention that).

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  42. The Spaniels are cute and that is one lovely quilt. Perfect for the upcoming season. Janice

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  43. Another delightful series Jeanie, from your artwork (your notecards will be a big hit) and the gorgeous quilt, to your friend’s King Charles Cavalier spaniels. Laura must have been so pleased with your photos. Those moon shots are stunning. I always love these old trees and their magnificent shapes. I hope Rick’s bike ride goes well, and so nice that he has company on this one. Have a great weekend!

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  44. Those pups are adorable! We have a friend with that breed as well, they seem like a sweet and friendly breed. You have some serious talent, love your artwork!

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  45. Happy Friday Face off, happy Friday, happy weekend, happy everything! Hugs, Valerie

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  46. The boys - and Taco in particular - have gotten a kick out of seeing "Mr. Moon" in the morning when we leave for school. They don't typically see the moon due to their bedtimes/being inside when it rises.

    Those King Charles Spaniels are adorable. I am not much of a dog person but that is one breed that I just love. Maybe because they are comparable in size to a cat. ;) I am kind of afraid of dogs, especially big ones. But Cavaliers seems so gentle and sweet!

    I love your new quilt! Quilts are so beautiful! In her retirement, my mom has learned how to quilt. She makes quilts with old jeans for all the grandkids as a grad present. We received quilts for our boys from the mom of a friend I met through blogging. My friend's mom passed last summer so it's especially meaningful to own some of her quilts. I would always send Mandy pictures when we used the quilts and it made her mom SO HAPPY to see the quilts used. A lot of people seem to tuck them away as a keepsake, which I get, but Mandy's mom wanted them to be used. They are so sturdy and durable and wash up well so we use them when we outside at a park.

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  47. ooh what a gorgeous quilt, you will be cosy wrapped up in it. Those dogs are just so cute, and great posers :-)

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  48. You have beautiful photos and art on your post, but those dogs....they have melted my heart! ♥

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  49. Love your paintings! And, waht a neat quilt!

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  50. Your super moon photos are breathtaking.

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  51. I don´t know where to begin!
    The moon is so beautiful! And the quilt! Something we don´t have here.
    Your artwork of the instruments is the winner.
    And I don´t think anyone should travel by himself...

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  52. Such cute pups. Not as cute as Lizzie though.

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