Dog Days of Summer

It is hotter than you can imagine here in Connecticut- we've been spending time at the beach and trying to avoid the heat of the day. My family's favorite oceanside spot is Hammonasset State Park, only 10 minutes from the house and a paradise for those who love nature as well as those who love the shore. This weekend our quilt guild is having its show in Clinton with the theme of "Quilting by the Shore". The challenge quilts were to be inspired by the theme. Mine, Blue Heron, was the Guild members' viewer's choice. I had seen a heron at Hammonasset and tried to photograph it, but was unable to get close enough for a good picture. I did find a few wonderful illustrations to use as guides, then sketched one rainy day at the Yale Peabody Museum (while trying to keep 5 children and my father in law busy).