Summer pastimes

Summer is here, with its very hot days, and stormy weather as well!  Although I love summer gardens and festivals, this past weekend I decided to stay cool at home in the air conditioning.  I worked at my crafts table with embroidery and cotton threads, batting, yarn, and trims and fabrics continuing to work on the new doll.  But with the sunshine coming through the windows, after carefully adjusting the blinds, I was able to get a lot of sewing done.  Next week though, a summer festival with great lemonade stands and crafts will be in my plans...the Smithsonian Folklife Festival!

Thinking of Spring

A beautiful, slightly crisp, Sunday, here at home in Virginia.  The sky is an incredible strong blue color, and there is a bit of green in the trees.  One of my neighbours has a few bright yellow crocuses blooming and I saw one tiny snowdrop as well.  It's time to go outside and see if there are any other signs of an early spring.

Inspiration and Ideas

There is so much inspiration everywhere.  So many ideas for photographs.  When I visited Florida this winter I was overwhelmed by the colors in the flowers, and all the green, the spectacular sunsets over the ocean, and the reflections in the waters of the Venice of Florida, Fort Lauderdale.  There was one home, I think it may have been on Key Biscayne, that was painted white, and had many windows, each with its dark brown wooden shutters, to keep the rooms cool and shady, and the sea breezes flowing through.  It was also perfect for a painting.  I need to get my paintbox and canvas out for next time!

Beginning my blog

Having a blog is new to me so there will be some stumbles as I learn how to use this technology which is wonderful.  I hope to share my photographs and sewing crafts as time goes on.  There is so much beauty in nature: spring and summer always surprises me with its flowers, and the changing seasons as we enter autumn has it own special beauty.  My sewing is probably genetic, if one can call it that.  For generations the women in my family have loved textiles, fabrics, design and creating hats, clothes, and even dolls.  I hope to post as much as I can and that I think can interest others.