I went away for a few days to the Sierra Mountains at the high elevation that I love so much. Now that I am back at home, it is strictly playing and planning indoors for me now. As I was doing just that, I thought I share with you another set of b&w photos, along with a few other things I have been playing with – paint making, quilting, bookmaking and photography.
Simple 365 – Set 11
Here is another set of Simple365 photos. For those of you who are new here – A few years ago, I took one b&w photo per day of simple little things around me for a year. I have been sharing those photos here every now and then. These were taken during July and August of that year.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions.
I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. I continue to add photos to that page as I share them here. That way I can relive the journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.
Since I share mostly artwork and photos on this website, one thing you probably don’t know about me is that there was a time when I wrote software for most of my waking hours. I loved it and I still do.
This is the month when I worked on the computer almost non-stop while drinking countless mugs of coffee and poring over code and art photos. Tech and art side by side. My shop went live that month. Since then, I have added my handmade journals to the shop and sold quite a few, which has been a dream come true.
Paint Making
This is only a very small subset of pigments I made last year from things found in the garden. I am planning on turning them into paint this year. I need to get a respirator first since I don’t want any of this powder to get into my lungs. I can’t wait to share more with you.
Quilt Making
I design paper piecing quilt patterns from the ground up, not using quilting software, but a vector drawing program. I don’t have a design wall, so I create the layout using a software/app as well.
I have finished making all the blocks for this quilt. Now with the finished layout, I can start cutting the rest of the fabric for sewing.
Notebooks and Journals
My husband is studying for his pilot license, and he loves using paper for his notes. So, I made this notebook for him in the style of old leather books, but with new NAT / vegan leather. I saved the trim for him to use as a bookmark.
More books are in the making as I write this.
Photography
When I am out and about, my DSLR camera is my perpetual companion. A few years ago, I switched over to using non-zoom lenses, which are incidentally manual focus only. It’s a bit old fashioned compared to the modern age of auto-focus zoom lenses, but it suits my style of photography.
I find black and white photography to be highly expressive. As the color is stripped off the scene, it becomes all about light and shadow.
I wanted to try out my recently acquired new lenses. Tavish is the only cat who sits quietly enough for me to take his photos. I took two portrait-style photos of him. I couldn’t decide which one to share since they show two completely different sides of his personality – curious and quiet. So I am sharing both.
Although I miss being outside, looking through the Simple365 photos made me want to play with new ideas, plan for the next road trip, and spend extra time with the kitties. So that is exactly what I will be doing until autumn calls me out to play again.
I hope your summer is going well!
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please consider paying a visit to some of them.
40 thoughts on “Little Stories – Summer Play”
Comedy Plus June 26, 2024 at 07:33
Such beautiful photography. Love the mountain shot and the kitty is most photogenic. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter June 26, 2024 at 06:22
Black and white photos are so expressive. They remind me of the best quilts–the ones with lots of lights, mediums, and darks. Value in a quilt, like a photo, is the most important thing. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
image-in-ing weekly photo linky June 25, 2024 at 10:00
What a lovely post! Very nice images.
Thank you for sharing at
Brenda @ Songbird Designs June 25, 2024 at 07:00
Soma, you are so talented!! Your photos are fun and pretty. I am very interested in seeing how you make the paint from those items found in your garden. Your paper pieced blocks are amazing…especially since you hand draw them! Wow! I really love this one. I hope you will sell this pattern. It is so unique. Thanks for sharing your talents with us at Monday Musings!
Monika June 25, 2024 at 03:07
Sweet photos.
Veronica Lee June 24, 2024 at 19:28
I always enjoy seeing your creative projects, Soma.
Love your beautiful quilt blocks.
Happy Tuesday!
A ShutterBug Explores June 24, 2024 at 15:41
You are so talented and creative ~ favorite are the BW photos and the sweet kitty ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The Joyful Quilter June 24, 2024 at 14:30
So glad you were able to enjoy some time up in the mountains, Soma! Thanks for sharing your photos with us. It’s always interesting to see what catches your eye.
Anne Sweet June 24, 2024 at 13:17
Your black and white photos are really lovely, and so is your furry friend. I think your quilt making is truly creative too. I’d love a notebook like that you have a lucky husband.
Michelle June 24, 2024 at 09:04
I always love seeing your art endeavors, Soma. Over the past year, I have learned to use Procreate and Affinity Designer. While Procreate can do some amazing things that Affinity can’t, I find that Affinity is my favorite by far. I feel like I have more control. Your shop is amazing! May I ask how you drive traffic to it? Is through your blog alone? I am such an introvert, so far selling pattern designs (fabric) on Spoonflower us all I’ve managed to commit to. Ha!
Nancy Andres June 24, 2024 at 06:38
WOW! What creativity and beauty. Those quilt blocks are stunning, photos unique, and manner you share then=m is so interesting. Saw it at SSPS#316. My shares are #46 thorugh 50. Love you to see them.
Scriptor June 24, 2024 at 05:33
A couple years ago I completed the 365 challenge and it was hard! I put them all together in a slide show and really appreciated it. I probably would love doing this one; I love black and white and I think taking a simple appreciative photo would probably help my overall mood each day. Good idea.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting June 24, 2024 at 05:27
Your quilt blocks are so elegant and beautiful!!!
Kim Carberry June 24, 2024 at 04:16
Those black and white photos are just beautiful.
Good luck with your shop and the paint making sounds so interesting.
Divya June 23, 2024 at 12:44
Soma,
Has anybody told you this as yet — those b&w pictures are some of the warmest!!
Seriously! Lovely collection.
I’m intrigued by those pigments. I’d love to hear more about them.
And all the best to your hubby for the pilot license. So exciting!
Marsha Ingrao June 22, 2024 at 14:29
Your cat images are superb. You have a lot of interests and talents. We used to live about 45 minutes from the Sequoia National Park. I miss those views. :)
Mary June 22, 2024 at 09:23
Your black and white photos are anything but simple, Soma. They are truly lovely and reflect all that you surround yourself with daily. I’m glad you were able to make the trip up to the Sierras. You and I love those mountains so much. I’m always thrilled seeing how well you capture their beauty. K’s notebook is spectacular. It will be a treasure of his flight notes forever. It’s exciting for him to be working towards his flight license.
Connie Griffin June 22, 2024 at 07:45
The mountains look beautiful and love the touches of snow on them.
Wow your quilt is just gorgeous, so detailed and pretty colors.
Your cat pictures are so sweet, hubby has bought a lens and camera like that, he enjoys using both cameras in his photography. He has times he does them in black and white and then he will go back to color, guess whatever mood he is in at the time :)
Lavender Dreams June 22, 2024 at 07:12
I love your journals and especially the one you made for your husband. I need to practice with b & w photos! Yours are so dramatic!
Eileen June 22, 2024 at 02:55
Hello Soma,
I am impressed with your creativity. Your photos are wonderful, beautiful B&W images.
Love the Sierra Mountain lake scene, such a lovely view.
The kitty is a cutie! The quilt blocks are beautiful, I would love to see the finished quilt.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care stay cool.
Have a happy weekend.
Louise (Fundy Blue) June 21, 2024 at 18:28
Hi, Soma! I enjoyed all the creative pursuits you shared. It will be interesting to see how your homegrown pigments turn out. I really enjoy black and white photos, and I especially appreciate textures in such photos. Like Tavish’s soft fur. I like his quiet pose the best, because I like the composition the best. Both are darling. Happy weekend!
Natalie June 21, 2024 at 16:15
Beautiful creations and images. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
jeanie June 21, 2024 at 15:14
I love posts like this with so much wonderful and diverse art. I’m always impressed by the look of black and white and should do it myself more often. You nailed the two expressions on your beautiful cat so perfectly! And I’m fascinated by the paint making project. I look forward to hearing more on that one. The notebook is a wonderful, and I know greatly appreciated, gift. Your quilt piece is really beautiful. So many talents — and I love them all.
(We’re in the heat dome — your photo of the mountains was cooling!
Susan June 21, 2024 at 09:15
I remember when black and white or sepia toned photos was all there was available except from photography studios. I think I was about 5 when the general population could by colored film. Sometimes, I think all the color gets in the way of the subject of a photo, at least for me.
Like Erika N above, I am curious as to how and what you gather and the process for making your own ink.
mireille June 21, 2024 at 08:30
Pigments: that is really cool! And I love your quilt squares.
Debbie June 21, 2024 at 08:11
so many beautiful mediums!!! i really ADORE the quilt, it is gorgeous!! you have so many talents and are so creative!! you are so organized with everything!! the cat is beautiful!!
Alison Hall June 21, 2024 at 07:43
Your quilt design is beautiful Soma, and I love your black and white photos. Tavish is a handsome chap.
Looking forward to seeing how the paint turns out.
Alison xx
Writing Sparkle June 21, 2024 at 07:03
I love black & white photograph. Lots of great crafts going on.
gillena cox June 21, 2024 at 07:01
luv the notebook you made for your husband; very thoughtful and loving of you
Thanks for linkibg to Art For Fun Friday
much♡love
Dixie June 21, 2024 at 06:23
Tavish looks so beautiful and pleased.
Love the quilt blocks, and the wonderful photos.
Captivating array of pigments too.
Happy creating, Soma!
tomthebackroadstraveller June 21, 2024 at 04:58
…stay creative and have a wonderful summer.
Erika N June 21, 2024 at 04:10
What a fabulous post. That high mountain view looks great right now. It’s a bit too warm and humid for my taste. :) And it’s nice to see the photos of your art supplies and recent projects. And I’m really curious about how you collected those pigments to make paint. Please sure if you get a chance. I would love to try that myself. Happy summer, and have a super weekend. hugs-Erika
Joanne June 20, 2024 at 12:12
You have so many talents! I didn’t realize you made your own paints too. The photos are just beautiful.
Christine June 20, 2024 at 10:59
Enjoyed your lovely post!
Bill June 20, 2024 at 10:42
Is there no end to your talent, I could never get my head around code but then at my age it’s not something I would expect to. My photo editing is just basic. I do like the first photo and I must do some more Black & White photos
Carol June 20, 2024 at 08:47
As usual, your post is filled with beauty and so much creativity. I love your quilt blocks and look forward to photos of the finished quilt in the future.
John's Island June 20, 2024 at 08:14
Hi Soma, Another fine InkTorrents post. Love your first image up in the Sierras! Another fascinating set of Simple 365s. And a REALLY cool page with all sets of 365 … Nice! : – ) John PS Happy Summer Solstice!
Karen June 20, 2024 at 06:07
one of my brothers has been to Scotland 2 times now and loves it. I would love to visit it. It would be perfect to visit the high elevation places right now with the heat going on all over the US right now I’m sure a lot of us feel that way – love your kitty
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal June 20, 2024 at 05:29
You’ve been to Scotland 7 times? Oh how fun! I enjoyed your B/W photos very much. Tavish is a beautiful kitty. Love the paper pieced blocks! When your husband gets his pilot license, will he pilot you on your travels? You and I will come alive again in the fall, for sure. We are forecast 99 this weekend. :(
© Roentare June 20, 2024 at 02:02
That landscape photo is so pretty