Raindrops

I can't help but notice how nature uses raindrops as little embellishments to adorn every element in her landscape. Making a leafless tree in spring twinkle as if covered in Christmas lights, attaching a sparkling jewel to each tiny new flower just beginning to bloom or creating interest in a puddle that would otherwise go unnoticed. The soothing, rhythmic pitter patter of raindrops falling fresh from the cloudy sky, announcing their arrival as they cling to the beauty below, some gathering together to form reflective palettes of rippling water on the cool, moist ground. Simple little raindrops briefly enhancing the splendor of nature.  

So much beauty to be enjoyed on an otherwise grey and cloudy day. 

Raindrops, one of natures perfect but temporary embellishments.

Birthday Queens

Happy Happy Birthday 

to the March

Birthday Queens!

altered art collage

Doing Dishes, Oh Joy!

Last Friday morning was the beginning of 4 days of doing this:

You guessed it, old fashioned hand dishwashing-yep, our dishwasher is on the fritz! UGH. The early Friday morning discovery of the inoperable dishwasher was definitely a "Grand Surprise". We tried everything to get it working again but no luck so we now have a repair appointment scheduled for today. Hooray!
Thank goodness I was stocked up on Joy for this unexpected chore.

 After washing all those dishes by hand over the last several days, and it was a lot due to all the extra baking and cooking for Spring Break, we have a renewed appreciation for all the modern conveniences we enjoy and the extra time it gives us to do other things. Although the realization of no dishwasher was a shock at first, once I wrapped my head around it and came up with a system it really wasn't too bad. Especially when my wonderful family chipped in to help which was absolutely the best. But don't get me wrong, 

I am looking forward to "doing other things" again! 

"Aren't dishwashers wonderful?"
"Yes, indeed they are!"

felted What?

The Pine Needle

 I know, I know, it is now spring, the season we typically put away our wool sweaters, skirts and socks and get out the cotton apparel for the sunny, warmer days ahead but one exception to that rule comes to mind, Felted Wool projects, which in my book are always in season. In fact, there are amazing designs and patterns available for every season. Today I took a felted wool class at The Pine Needle with my mom and her friend. The teacher was Barbara Cribb of Wild Thymes Pattern Co. She shared lots of wool tips, demonstrated stitches, discussed embellishments and brought along some of the wonderful quilts and projects she has designed to show the class. So many beautiful patterns, great ideas and lots of inspiration. After seeing so many project possibilities I'm feelin' motivated 

so the only question now is... 

...what to make first?!! 

Itsy Bitsy Envelopes

These Itsy Bitsy Envelopes measure about 2" when finished and are made from book and magazine pages. I also made Itsy Bitsy note cards that fit perfectly inside the envelope. For the note cards I used leftover scraps of paper and card stock, stamps, glitter, embellishments and some letters and words I cut and collect from books an magazines. Some of the cards are flat and others fold, some are square and one is heart shaped. These are perfect to use as gift cards on presents, in school lunches or care packages, as a surprise in a suit case, on a pillow, attached to hostess gifts, or even in a bouquet of flowers. These are fun to create and only take an Itsy Bitsy amount of time to make.    

Cement Day

Backyard Makeover
Step 2: Cement
Final preparations yesterday on rebar, gravel and form boards for the patio and water feature. 

This morning the cement truck and pumper truck arrived at 10:30 and the work began. 

Hhmmmm, is that the sun I see??? Could it be sunny today afterall???

Our dog Bruce did not like all the commotion, the stranger or the big hose pumping the cement. He really didn't like being stuck in the house either. 

Oh boy, that looks messy! 

Oh dear.....

 RAIN, HAIL and WIND!!!!! UGH. Where did the sun go? 

We were hoping we wouldn't have to use the tarp but were prepared just in case. Good thing.  

The wind blew so hard it ripped the tarp but Ron managed to rig it up so that it would still work.  

Finally under control and dry underneath the Smurf Shelter. 

Glad that's finished!!

"A" collage

Recently, while I was creating cards, I ran across some samples of alphabet letters I had made for another project a while back. The letter right on top happened to be my sisters initial and immediately I wanted to make her a birthday card with it, which I did, but I couldn't stop there. Since then I have been working on alphabet collages whenever I find a spare minute.

This is my most recent alphabet collage. It is similar to the birthday card but not exactly the same. Each one is unique.