Scatterday - W

For Christmas, my husband gave me a new camera, along with multiple bottles of good-smelling lotions, creams and scents. However, he wisely allowed me to shop for my own camera for which I spent considerable Internet research time choosing the right one. Several friends had recommended a digital SLR camera - the Canon Rebel. I thought I wanted one until I seriously considered carrying around its bulky size, particularly when traveling, and having to learn all its features and lense options. I decided the best camera for me is the point-and-shoot variety. Lots more online reading helped me choose the Canon Powershot S100. It's labeled a camera for "advanced shooters," and I think that describes me.

With this brand new camera in mind, I signed on to Cinzia's schedule of Scatterdays. Periodically, we'll receive an alphabet letter, and three to four subjects/topics. We'll have a week to find and photograph those items. Hopefully, during these exercises, I'll learn more about my camera and improve the quality of my photos.

Since my camera arrived late yesterday afternoon, I've been rushing around to capture three pictures worthy of blogging. Without further ado, I give you the letter...

Expensive - Wine
For Christmas we bought ourselves a slimline 18-bottle wine refrigerator where our "good stuff" is now stored at an optimum temperature. This particular bottle traveled by car with us to Iowa from a September 2011 trip to Napa Valley, California, and again when we moved to Florida. It's a 2008 vintage Cabernet Franc from the Reverie Winery. Since it's the most expensive bottle of wine we've ever purchased, we're saving it for a special occasion.

Music - Wind Chimes
A neighbor allowed me to photograph this at the front entry to their home. I wish this picture included sound!

Exciting - Winning!

I can't remember anything quite as exciting as learning that my Snowflake Medallion quilt won Best of Show in the "Just for Me" division of the May, 2012 Machine Quilter's Showcase. It was such a shock! Here, Bernina Sewing Center Overland Park (Kansas) owner Myron Schwery presents me with my prize, a Bernina QE440. Could my grin get any bigger?

WIP (Work in Progress) - Winding Ways quilt top

I've had this hand-pieced top around for so long, I can't even remember when I started it. The late 1990's perhaps? Blocks are nine inches, making the top 54" X 72". I thought I'd add another column (vertically) or two and then borders, but to expedite the finish, another column of blocks ought to do. But to be true to what I started, the new column must be hand-pieced. 

Another W that I'm adding was on the front page of this morning's newspaper. "Welcome." We're learning that January heralds a huge influx of people. That translates to bigger crowds and longer lines at activities and restaurants, and much more vehicular and golf cart traffic. We're saying "welcome" too, and staying home a bit more.

So that's it for my first Scatterdays post. Next time we'll visit the letter R, and my interpretation of mammal, technology, transportation, and something red from my sewing room

In 2013, I've been invited to participate in the Mid-Century Modern Bee (MCMB), organized by Cindy at LiveaColorfulLife. I could be flattered at her invitation, but what made me eligible is my age! Ingeniously, Cindy thought it would be nice to have a modern block bee just for us "more mature" modern quilters. "More mature" sure beats "senior."

Carla, who has the month of January, asked us to make this 12-1/2" four-patch churn dash block according to her tutorial. She shows a clever way of making churn dash blocks that I've never seen before.

Love this smashing, "Juicy Fruit" color combo. My MCMB month is June, and I'm blog-trolling for ideas. Linda