The Color of Hydreangas

Today a friend stopped by to dig up moss from my yard.  She is doing table scapes for a local school auction and their committee chose to use MY FAVORITE CRAZY FLOWER (well one of them any way!)  So after we dug and peeled more moss out of my yard she said she needed to water the flowers so they didn't fry in her car before she got home.  Sure I say, so before I know it my drive is full of.....

aahhhhh I love this color range!  I think I need to paint a room in my house something in this color family. hmmm

Felt Collages

I just finished making this treat for my dear friend Betti.  To commemorate how much we love our little furry friends.  Even though they are not with us any more, they are always with us in spirit.  I was so happy with how it turned out that I can't wait till she receives it (hopefully it was today, and I don't want to spoil the fun of getting a surprise package in the mail for her just in case she reads this post first)  The "l & b" are for her little Louie and Bijou, who have both actually attended a Festive Fibers workshop!

I love my little felt hanging collages.  I have done quite a few and really plan on making a collection of them for sale, wouldn't that be different for me?

Claire Murray's Magazine and Inspiration

I have picked up this lovely magazine a couple of times before and this past week I got the most current issue and LOVE IT!!  It is beautiful.  The photos are delicious.  The quotes that used to "wrap" each section are perfect.  And the women who are highlighted in this publication are also inspiring.

Though it seems we never have to look far for inspiration, I am currently reading Three Cups of Tea (one man and many young women).

Our world is filled with inspiring stories about heroes every day helping the thousands in Haiti, so my senses are filled with inspiration.  Sometimes I feel so small, what can I do to help such a big problem?  I know there are lots of things we can do, and in the book by Greg Mortensen, when he meets with a very poor refugee, the older man is saddened that he cannot even offer a cup of tea, the only thing he can offer is a prayer.  So yes, even the smallest gesture can have the biggest effect.   ahhh... 

So back to my newest magazine, and why I love it (and so many other magazines).  We are in the throws of January in New England, and it is cold, and very white and bare.  I find most years I create the best during this seasonal void not being distracted by my gardens and the other beautiful things that surround me.

 

Photo from La Vie Claire, Quote Bloom  "Find your seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a beautiful flower" -Shigenori Kameoka

 

Photo from La Vie Claire, Quote: Indulge "Every once in a while, a girl has to indulge herself." -Sarah Jessica Parker

My studio is getting cleared out for a transformation (I am thinking Tuscany, I am going to make my studio into a Tuscan escape!) and am working on a colorful box for a customer and pillow fabric for another.  My paints are out, my notebook open and soon to have fiber in the dye pots! 

Fall Inspiration

As many of you know, I have been known to say Fall is my favorite season...maybe it is because my birthday is the beginning of October, maybe it is because I adore WOOL (Felter, knitter, designer) or the smell of mulled apple cider on the stove (which reminds me instantly of the Niddy Noddy(more about that and Irene Preston Miller later), a textile crafts shop where I grew up in Croton, NY.)  Well, in my spare moments this week, Tom and I are running out an do anything fun and fall-y, we had breakfast at a local nursery called Harlows Farm Stand.  The breakfast joint inside is called Cafe Loco and all very tasty.  We wandered amongst fall flowers and even a koi pond and a buddah with a pumpkin.