Vacation Inspiration

Travel and architecture always give me lots of ideas and inspiration for my quilts. Everywhere I look, there is always something. If you have heard my talk "Inspiration From Squiggles and Dots" , you have seen how I turn an inspiration into a quilt.
So I take lots of photos and keep a file -actually many files. Either an idea sticks in my brain or I swipe through my photos when I am ready to start a new project. Sometimes it looks like the inspiration and sometimes it does not. The inspiration may just be the germ of an idea.
Here are are a bunch of photographs if inspiration from my trip to Prague and Budapest. I don't know even or if they will show up in my work. Can you see a quilt? What inspires you?

I match!

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Budapest

I am still processing my visit to Jewish Town in Prague. Yes, that's what they call it. I visited 5 synagogues and will share photos and my thoughts in another post. While admiring all of the amazing buildings in Prague and Budapest, there is always the underlying history that accompanies the landscapes. These cities have very complicated histories and some of it has to do with the Jewish story.

For now, I'll just share my photos of Budapest. Some were taken during the day and others at night during a lovely, but damp river cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Something's Fishy Here

I try to be nice to my feet. I walk 5 miles a day when I'm home. I punish them when I ride my road bike for miles in rigid shoes. And I try to do Zumba as often as I can. I have battled Planter Fasciitis from time to time. I need to treat them special.
In the Old Town Square here in Prague there is a Thai spa. As we walked by, I could see men and women getting foot and leg massages. It looked so perfect after walking my feet off all over this city. We went inside to check it out. Not only did they have pedi massages but they also had Fish Pedicures. Fish pedicures? I had seen it on TV. The fish nibble off the dead skin and it is supposed to increase your circulation. Hmmmmm. Do I dare? It took me all of 2 minutes to decide to be adventuresome and give it a try.
First they washed off my feet. (Wouldn't want to kill those fishies!)

Then slowly I lowered my feet into this long fish tank. It was lit with this glowing green light.

After lowering your feet in, they told you to relax. Really?

So how did it feel after 25 minutes of these little fish nibbling at my feet? At first it was vey ticklish. Then it felt like tiny little bumps. I certainly could tell without looking when more and more fish found my delicious feet- anyway, delicious to them. A fun vacation adventure.

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Prague Day 1 & 2

Prague is a beautiful city with quite a mixture of architecture. It was founded in the 9th century and is currently the capitol of The Czech Republic. You can imagine all the different types of buildings that were constructed over all those years. Not much damage occurred to Prague during WW II because there was not much resistance to the Nazis. It is quaint and charming and quite walkable. There are many bridges crossing the Vltava River.

Our days have been filled with touring and eating. I thought I would have food issues, because I am a fussy eater and pork, which I don't eat, is quite popular here, but I have found lots to eat. I have had goulash a few times, even once in a bread bowl. And apple strudel is quite yummy.

 

Today we will visit the Jewish quarter where there are 5 synagogues. The weather seems iffy, but surprisingly, I am prepared with a rain jacket and an umbrella. I also will share my experience with a fish pedicure, but maybe not in the same post!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Anniversary

Today is my 39th wedding anniversary and we're spending it in Prague. How lucky can a girl get?

I've decided to try my hand at art journaling, again! Just for this trip. My thoughts were that I might run out of stitching on my quilt (ha!) and it's a lot quicker to document a trip this way instead of making a fiber book. So here I am this morning, trying to make artful pages.

I color washed a bunch of watercolor paper while I was at home. Why did I use watercolor paper? While I was looking for tracing paper last week in my studio, I noticed I had a lot of watercolor paper that I had bought at various times, forgetting that I already owned some! Why not use it. I cut the paper into a booklet size sheets and will assemble them into a book when I get home.

So here's to my honey and a day full of joy and adventure on our 39th anniversary in this beautiful city!

 

 

 

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