Life on the Water

Although the name is the same, I'm going to change the format of this blog a little.  As a safety net, I  will use it keep followers informed of our cruising plans and locations while on our boat, Konocti Bay.  Last year as we were cruising through some very isolated areas of Canada, it was clear that we planned with the winds, weather, charts and tides and most of the time no one knew where we were.  Probably not a great idea. . . . I'm not sure how many followers are on this blog, nor how these come to you.  However, I'm hoping a few are following at times.  Please take a moment to reply, send an email or text so I have an idea who I need to invite to view the postings.  Also, if you don't care to read this blog, just figure out how to delete yourself.  It won't hurt my feelings.  I tried, but it doesn't seem obvious from my perspective (and should be easy, right?). We are back in Washington now - blustery and cool and rainy at times. ...

I just returned from Humboldt County, spending a few days with family and my special friend Jane (on her birthday!).  And of course doing a little shopping for new beads in Arcata.  Driving home in my new car, the rain and fog were a little overwhelming at times so it slowed me down.  That's a good thing.  This little car can really go! At home today, the sun is out and the wind is really fierce, kicking up white caps on the flooded lake.  We had planned to drive the older car to Williams over Highway 20 to it's new home - - - but for the first time that I can remember, 20 is closed due to flooding!  As is the alternative route on Highway 16.  So we will have a kick back day today.  Heavy rains are in the forecast for tomorrow and Monday - enough already!

KBayCreations is the name of my jewelry company.  Sounds big time, right?  Well, not so much yet.  I'm having a great time learning a new hobby and have given away many more pieces of jewelry - mostly necklaces - than I've sold.  I set up an Etsy store to feel that out and will do some craft shows with a friend/teacher this spring.  I only used high quality gemstones (lapis lazuli, garnets, onyx, amethyst, turquoise, quartz, lava stones and obsidian), Czech glass and crystals and great metal components in these necklaces.  Right now, I'm branching into a few bracelets and earrings to see how they sell. Plus - I'm making some batik fabric beads to incorporate into the necklaces.  See the pretty model in the 3rd picture with her new fabric bead necklace. I will have a new batch of fabric beads ready this week so new photos to follow. Here are a few examples:

I've completely ignored this blog until now.  I posted the lake picture but there's so much more that has changed!  We sold Driftwood 2 years ago and didn't really have a plan, but bought another boat 8 months later.  Her name is Konocti Bay and she's a 46 foot Defever.  Yep, quite a bit larger, bulkier, roomier and wonderful.  She's a slower boat for us but now we can see the sights better, right? Hydro didn't like being left on the boat as we circled in the dinghy taking early morning pictures! For the colder parts of the winter, we are home but we spent months aboard Konocti Bay last spring, late summer and fall.  We hope to do the same this year by first cruising to our old stomping grounds, the South Sound, to visit with Shelton Yacht Club friends, then into the San Juan's and up to the Broughton's.  Last fall we went into Desolation Sound so our goal is a little farther this year.  Unless we are just having way too much relaxing fun.

Since the Blog is named "Life on the Lake", maybe it's time to post a few pictures of life on the lake. It's been 4 1/2 years since I shared any information on this blog.  My plan is to resurrect it for travels and fun.  We've enjoyed our wet and chilly winter at home - and the rain has really been coming down.  For the first time since 1998, we are above flood stage.  The lake rose over our stone pier connecting the docks to shore yesterday.  I can remember canoeing over the stone pier in the 1997 flood when the water was 2 feet higher than this!

There hasn't really been much time to quilt lately. . . I seem to spend time collecting fabrics for when I DO have time to quilt.  But I did get a few things finished.  I started Dana's quilt last June.  It was a little more complicated and time-consuming than I initially thought, especially since I kept enlarging it.  But here's the finished quilt - - - The name says it all!  Dana, the mother of 3 boys needs to slow down sometimes. Here's the overview. I think she liked it! QUILTS FOR KIDS I've done about 10 quilts for this organization in the past couple of  years.  They are easy sizes and go together fast.  Many times I use the extra fabric from baby quilts and other projects. Here are some of them: Early this year I read in the newsletter that Quilts for Kids really needed quilts for teenage boys.  Wow, this is something I can really sink my teeth into.  I have fabrics from pillowcases, the grandsons pajama pants I made...