Allowing Nature To Have Her Say

I've had a few emails inquiring if I am okay since I haven't blogged much lately.

I want to say "Oh yes, I am fine!" but truth is -

I'm not.

I've got a bad case of the winter blahs...I'm ready to be playing around outside, aren't you?

I did go on a short bike ride (about 18 miles) with my husband this week.

I also went sledding with him and a few friends (and family members) in the great snow that we had.
And wasn't it wonderful to see 8-10 inches of snow in upstate SC??
I loved it!

I've been reading a lot (mostly in my Kindle).

Watching movies.

Moving supplies around on my studio table.

Looking at patterns (apparel!).
I am going to try to stitch up a few pieces of clothing.
I haven't sewn apparel in years (with the exception of fingerless gloves and scarves) and am itching to get started. I thought that I would start with a simple knit tee shirt.

What I would LOVE to have is a sewing group to bounce questions off of...
Any takers?
Maybe I'll search for one or create my own.
Email me (or comment below) if you're interested in being a part of a group like that.
It would be so much fun to sew the same thing together!

I must say that just jumped out of my fingers onto the "page". I never intended to broach that but now that it's out there- it sounds good.

I have done a little tiny bit of art work...teeny tiny bit for sure.
I've created a sample book for a project that I am putting off doing.

You can also see the turtle shell full of buttons
that I made from shed deer antlers.
Oh, and the sample (duct tape) book.

Yep, that same project that I have written about before.
I have completed reinforcing the spine of the signatures and punched the stitching holes.

I figured out the closure and I LOVE it! I can't wait to see if it is going to work the way I hope it does.
I've got the cover completed and just need to tweak one little thing before I attach it (after the signatures are in).

Tonight (or tomorrow) I am going to stitch the signatures in.
I am, I promise!

Here's a sampling of the pages just waiting to go in.

Here's a peek or two of the rusty threads, fiber, and cloth on the cover.
The cloth that is not rusted is naturally dyed.

I've allowed Nature to have her say on this one.

There you have it - a quick synopsis of the past few weeks.
Without all of the hot tea, coffee and chocolate of course...

Check Your Calendar

Sunrise In The Studio

I had to run and grab my camera this morning when I walked into my studio.

The sunrise was spectacular!

I have a small stained glass piece hanging in my window that I made years ago.

It depicts a sunrise with the sky above it and land/water below it.

I was totally surprised when the rising sun lit the panels up to make it really look that way.

Now you can be amazed as well, since I took pictures of it as it happened.

Here comes the sun...
You can see the tail feather of a bird mobile that I have
hanging in my window.

This really shows the beautiful movement in the piece of glass
that I chose for this panel.
 I love the way that the sun is illuminating the glass.

I thought this looked the same way that water does
when the sun ripples off of waves (the lower left panel
with the sun behind it).

The illumination of this glass is truly spectacular.
(excuse the line on the right-hand side- it's the cord from the blinds)

Amazing how the sun is right at the sun on the glass!

I might get up early just to see this every morning.

 I have always enjoyed the sunrise from this window but I've never seen it through the stained glass panel this way. You can be sure that I will notice it from now on.