Amy Lilley Designs

Friday, March 7, 2014

The Finish Line is in Sight!!!

Finished the water...blue blue blue...

While still working on the 'blues'..

Yet to be completed large and 'smaller' dolphins...

As a whole...48"x32"!!!!

Truth be told, I am somewhat obsessed at this point to finish the puzzle. I think that being an artist has helped because so much of this puzzle has been about 'hues'. The blue-blues, to the aqua-blues, to the light-blues, to the gray-blue hues, to the almost white blues. Now onto the grays for the dolphin. The almost white grays, to the green-grays, to the blue-grays, to the almost charcoal grays, and everything in-between. Shapes are also key. However, with many pieces, I have looked at them, once they fit, saying 'Really??' (yes, still talking to the puzzle....).

The discussion has moved on to, what to do with the puzzle when completed. I am probably going to use Mod Podge to seal it and give it more stability. Then I can choose a backing and it will be a done deal. I am also thinking of donating it to the children at one of the community centers, where Jimmy has been doing so much work!I have my sights set on doing many more jigsaw puzzles, BUT, I will limit myself to 1000/1500 pieces, or whatever fits on Mom's old bridge table.

Lessons learned, and then again, re-learned from this marathon. You cannot fit a circle into a square space. Things will happen when they happen, and then rather quickly. You cannot force it. You can try, but it just will not work, and you will walk away frustrated and bleary-eyed too boot. Not worth it. You really can do anything you set your mind to. It all seems rather basic, but the whole point of doing this puzzle was to stay busy during this Winter, when it was below zero and everything was shut down. Granted, in Colorado, we have not had 1/2 the Winter that the rest of the country is still muddling through, but, Winter nonetheless.Clearly it, (the puzzle) has taken on a life of its own, and has been a fun conversation piece. So, excuse me while I go put a dolphin together....as a storm gathers on the horizon...

Postscript: after working on the puzzle on this wintry snowy day, I have 30 pieces left...looks like tomorrow is the big day !!!

FINISHED, Saturday, March 8!!!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wednesday Thought...

...enough said...

Friday, February 28, 2014

The 18th Mile (or so) of the Marathon....

This is a pic of the WHOLE enchilada..

My friend, back East, who has blamed me for the harrowing Winter many in the States are experiencing, simply because I had to tackle this 3000 piece puzzle, has given me a deadline....she has had enough!!! Make sure you send me a video, she said, when you put the last piece in because I will immediately start looking for signs of Spring. We have had a very good laugh for a Winter which still needs some comic relief (so so sorry East coast). I have made progress since 'East Meets West'. I feel as if I am on the 18th mile of a marathon. The end is calculated, but no less difficult. I am left with blue (the water) and gray (the dolphins) pieces!!! The days are markedly longer here in Colorado, which works in my/your favor...so, here is to a quick sprint to the end with the hope of Spring and that very first daffodil making an appearance!!!

Friday, February 21, 2014

East Has Met West!!!!

Right there.......

For anyone remotely interested in my progress, I have officially connected 4 feet of jigsaw puzzle!!! It was a golden moment. I felt like I had just won an event in the Olympics, an unmeasured feat! Well, that's what it felt like. I did get a couple of fist bumps from the men of the house.

Taaaa daaaa....

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Wordless Wednesday

Patio view...

Lake Como, Italy

ANYONE?????

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

2 Week Puzzle Progress!

Edward: 'Mom, you are aware that you are talking to yourself!'
Me: 'If you were working on this puzzle, you would be talking to yourself too!'

Well, my goal right now is to see the puzzle connect horizontally. I can most definitely see a huge difference in the number of pieces I am rummaging through (way down from the original 3000) to find the gold, if you will. So, in some respects it is easier. However, it remains a difficult puzzle. I can see that I am going to be left with a ton of gray pieces for the dolphins and another ton of light blue for the ocean. In the very short run, this challenge was a really god idea!

Old man winter is still sticking around!

A postscript :
From my friend who lives on Long Island (back East):
Next year buy a 200 piece puzzle - then maybe it wouldn't be snowing every week here - Somehow I think this long cold winter is your fault, just so you could do a puzzle!!!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Wordless Wednesday...Seriously, No Words Necessary....

Food, warmth, shelter...grateful...

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Progress!!!!

Today...

2 weeks ago..

Today...

2 weeks ago..

It is a love/hate relationship. There is no other way to put it. Just when I think that I cannot find another piece, I find 10, 20 or 30...so I continue. I am now working on the 'whole' puzzle, rather than just one area, and I am finding it easier to know exactly where that single piece goes. So, with the pics I am posting, I can keep a record every couple of weeks. It is not an everyday event, but when I can, I am giving it my full attention...the challenge continues!!!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Wordless Wednesday

'Campanella Wildlife'

Graphitte and watercolour

100x70cm, 2011

Oriol Angrill Jorda

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

#WhatwasIthinking???

So, in the middle of Colorado's 'Siberian Express' in early December, I thought, this could prove to be a long long winter. One of the best cure-all's for me has always been a jigsaw puzzle. I grew up doing them w/ Mom, and some tough one's at that. We even did a Jackson Pollack once. Off I went to Barnes & Nobel, and scoured their jigsaw puzzle section. Some just looked way too easy, and really, what would be the point. After some talking to myself, I chose the above pictured Ravensberger, 3000 piece puzzle. That should do it, I thought. Well, first, I had to figure out where in this house I was going to actually do this monster of a puzzle, and on what surface. After a couple of failed attempts, Jimmy and I finally came up w/ the perfect spot on the perfect surface...and the games began. The border was relatively easy, as it is a given. Here is what I have found so far. Anyone who does puzzles, will understand this. It rules. It tells you how it is going to work and you just have to play along. I have also found that to actually sit down and 'work' on it requires hours. It needs all your attention and you have to go through each piece over and over and over again once it starts growing. What I love about looking for that needle in a haystack, is that when you 'happen upon' a certain piece you know it, you know exactly where it goes. (Singing, 'Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...'). An 'issue' which I have to deal w/, is that I have blepharitis in my eyes. I think it came from (the best I have been able to figure) a combination of events colliding. Dry eyes, allergies, possibly picking up 'something' during our long stays @ the hospital w/ Mom...just a theory. Anywho, it cannot be cured, controlled, but not cured. So, when working on the puzzle, or doing any tedious visual work for hours on end (like making cards), I feel it, things become blurry and I have to stop and rest my eyes. Annoying, that's all. All this to say, I am taking my time.

After all, it is just mid-January.

Will keep you posted!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

So, Here We Are...

Sunset over Pikes Peak

The same morning view on a crisp clear day...today!!!

The same morning view, yesterday w/ low clouds...so beautiful!!


Instagram pic of above...detailed...

So, here we are at the beginning of 2014. Our birthdays, Christmas and New Year were lovely, low key, uncomplicated. We were grateful. I know that I have said it before. I was grateful that the year had passed, that my birthday 'felt better' than the year before, as it was the first one w/out Mom. So w/ a much lighter spirit, as a Family, we cruised through all of it, quietly. On the 18th of this month it will be 2 years since we left our sweet Dutch Colonial in Rhode Island and made the big move to Colorado Springs. I have literally seen my vision expand w/ the breathtaking skies, the majesty of Pikes Peak, which I wake up to every morning. The sun is brighter (and hotter 6000 feet closer to it's warmth), the sky is bluer. And, now, w/ my new camera (w/ WIFI!!!!) in tow, I can capture more detail from far away, and the close-up/macro shots, well, more 'macro-y'. I am still very much playing w/ the camera and have barely scratched the surface. But, these shots are telling. So, w/ hope in my heart for this new year of 2014, I continue to step forward...


Girl Whirl, sunning...

'But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.'

Deuteronomy 11:11-12

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

As We Step Into 2014....

Leaving 2013 w/ a most grateful heart, and stepping into 2014 w/ a most grateful heart!!

“Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
1 Samuel: 7:12

A safe, healthy, abundantly bless-ed 2014!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas...

To All who celebrate, a

hopeful, joyful, peaceful, grateful, graceful, inspired, prayerful, bless-ed, safe and warm Christmas!!!

Luke 2:4-11

'So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you...'