Nature Abounds

I have a huge clematis bush in my backyard that shows beautiful purple and lavender flowers. This year, because I can't do yard work yet because of my ankle surgery, it's overgrown. But it's all good. I have baby bunnies living under it's protection. They are just a handful of fluff and venture out on their own. Saturday morning one was standing eating my yellow flowers. Wish I had my camer! It was such a cute site! I came in to use the computer and looked out the front window and one was in the front yard. Luckily my camera was close! Shortly after a baby opossum, about the same size as the little bunny came across the street, under my picket fence, and into my yard. He moved quickly, and I don't know where he was going, but he was gone before I could get may camera out again. Can't imagine where his mommy and siblings are!

Birds of a Feather

Every year we have a nest on this support near the roof. It's usually sparrows, but the last couple of years a dove has made this spot her nesting roost. This year was no different. I think she had babies and then she or another dove re-nested. Much to my surprise I saw another nest under construction right next to hers! I finally saw who her neighbor was - a robin! I thought it was so strange to see a robin nest right next to a dove! They must be good friends or something. As strange as this is, I think it's so neat to see them share the support beam and maybe friendly support? It was hard getting a picture because although the dove will sit there forever, as soon as you pull in the driveway the robin takes flight. My daughter, Julia, captured this nice picture tho to capture this unique site!

Beautiful Nature

This morning after a rain I found wonder-ful things on my deck and front porch. A beautiful dove was perched on my front porch railing. It was a smaller dove, but looks larger in the picture. It seemed to enjoy the photo shoot and turned to show all sides and posed different ways with it's wings in different positions. Showoff...but I loved it! I found this beautiful beetle eating my lettuce. The same beetles are eating my trees! But he does shimmer and therefore is worthy of a picture! The way the drops of water beaded up on the outer edges of the strawberry plants were amazing! I wish I had a macro lens to really get close to the drops! And my zucchini bloom was open!

I'm getting a green thumb!

I had wanted to plant an organic garden this year, but because of my ankle surgery and not being able to walk for so long and get into the yard to tend the garden, I had my daughter plant a few things in containers on my deck. We only have a small spot that gets full sun and after some trial and error, my husband built a stand for the pots so they don't take up as much room and aren't getting the deck so full of splashed out dirt from the rains. Today I noticed I have a few things popping up! I have two broccoli crowns (oh, how exciting! I've never planted them before!) and my zucchini plants has blooms! My herb pot is growing great too! I just love fresh basil on my salad! Peas...not so good. I've already decided next year I'm planting my first ground garden and already designing it in my head!

Industrial Chic Assemblage

This "Industrial Chic" necklace was assembled using new charms from Susan Lenart Kazmer that are sold at Michaels Craft stores.

Sea Life Thru Layers

I love the sea and all it's mysteries beneath! This journal was created cutting larger to smaller holes, colored with watercolor crayons, then wetted to blend, with cutouts attached to both sides of the page for interest on both sides. Quite fun to make!

Poetry Spools

These were fun to make! Following the instructions from artist, Kelli Perkins, I tore muslim strips the width of wooden thread spools. I didn't have old ones so I bought them at a craft store. I sprayed fabric paint on them and let them dry. Folded them together and based stitched the edges with embroidery floss in contrasting color. I printed out sayings onto canvas, mine were self-adhesive, but you can glue them onto the fabric. Glued one edge to the spool, sewed button and ribbon on the loose end and wound the ribbon around the botton to close. I glued fancy paper on the bottoms of the spool and stuck a pencil in the hole. These would make nice little gifts of messages instead of a card too!

Wrist Bling

Aren't these fun? They're a easy chain maille braclet using wonderfully colored links and beads. There are alot of design possiblities making these, but I chose to use one color of bead, putting one bead on one ring, two beads on the other and joinging them with a blank link. Take another link with two other links with beads on them, add to the previous link between the beaded links of the previous link. Just keep doing that until it's long enough for your wrist and add a clasp. One of these are for my girlfriends birthday! Hope she likes it!

Sweater? Jacket? Sweater Jacket!

This sweater is the first thing I made while recovering from surgery. I've had the pattern and yarn for a long time and now I had the time to crochet it! I thought I purchased the kind of yarn the pattern called for, but I think I missed something and got some that was heavier. Instead of a loose sweater like on the picture of the pattern, it's a heavy jacket type of sweater, but I'm loving the color! I'd like to make it again with a lighter weight yarn.