Tioga Pass June 2024 photo by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

Little Stories – Summer Play

Tioga Pass June 2024 photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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.

 

 

InkTorrents Graphics shop @ InkTorrents.com

 

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

 


 

Making Lake Pigment by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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

 


 

Iris tulip English Garden Flower quilt pattern by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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. 

 

 

Iris tulip English Garden Flower quilt pattern by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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

 


 

Old style handmade NAT leather notebook by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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

 


 

My Cat Tavish photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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. 

 

 

My Cat Tavish photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

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.

 

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The Greekness

Greek Letters Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern

 

To Hellenikon or Greekness – Herodotus used this to describe the shared sense of identity among ancient Greeks.  You can’t look at the history of every principle of study and not appreciate the enormity of the Greek civilization.  This Greekness is still very pervasive in a lot of the literature I read, studies I do.

It was only natural that I would want to make a quilt with all the Greek letters.  I drew all 24 of the Greek letter quilt patterns a couple of years ago, but didn’t get to sew them until now.  This is one of my current large projects.

 

 

Greek Alphabet Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

These letters are 5″ x 10″.  Right after I finished the first two letters, I decided to forgo the sashing.  Instead, I wanted to add the same background fabric on each side of the blocks and make them 10″ x 10″.  There was one problem, a big one.  I only had enough background fabric to make the letters.  I bought more, but they are not of the same dye lot.  The only thing left to do was to remake the blocks.  So, I have two sets of alpha and beta.  I think I will make matching pillows with the extra blocks.

 

 

Cat In A Box | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Thinking about the size of the Greek civilization reminded me of this photo of my ginormous Maine Coon kitty who likes to stuff himself in the smallest box he can put himself in.

 

 

My Orange Maine Coon Boy | Whims And Fancies

 

 

In contrast, this is his full size, mostly stretched out.  I am sure those of you with cats know exactly what I am talking about.

 

I will leave you with that!
-Soma

 

 

 

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