Something New and a Little Green

I was gifted an herb planter set for Mother’s Day (from my Mister), and even though they were in a sunny window, it wasn’t going well until I placed them outside in the (filtered) sun. At first I thought – In jars without drain holes, bad idea but… Now they are very happy and I… Continue reading Something New and a Little Green

Flowers and a New Video

The weather is warm here, some would say hot but as I have probably said before I’m cold if it gets much cooler than 75 degrees. The garden looks like spring with flowers, bees, birds, butterflies, and lizards!My first irises have come up. I didn’t plant these here, they were displaced when the back garden… Continue reading Flowers and a New Video

Flower Power

We walked on Coronado Island this morning. There were beautiful and colorful gardens and flowers everywhere. I love flowers even though Kona (aka the cat) will inevitably chew on any that arrive in our home, they still brighten my day. When I lecture I often talk about how there really is something for everyone in… Continue reading Flower Power

Excited Over Small Things

The other day I spotted a large bright green spider on the trumpet flowers in our back garden. At the time I wasn’t sure what type of spider it was so I got my phone to take a photo and just as I did a Skipper butterfly landed near the spider. I was so excited… Continue reading Excited Over Small Things

Wabi Sabi and pulling weeds

I like to think of it as experiencing Wabi Sabi instead of weed pulling work. The ground littered with wonderful decaying plants. The textures, colors, the shadows and light, it is ever changing. I’m happy to recreate it in art… My garden has often been a source of inspiration for me – from the old fence… Continue reading Wabi Sabi and pulling weeds

Bonsai, Fiber, and Passion

Many years ago someone asked me “What do you do?” I answered “I make miniature landscapes.” In those days that was where my focus was. His response surprised me… He said “You do Bonsai?!” I said “Oh, no, I work in fabric.” and he replied with a disappointed “Oh” and that was the end of… Continue reading Bonsai, Fiber, and Passion

A Special Kitty Treat!

This is our ten year old kitty, Kona in her box (which measures 8” x 11”). The box is smack dab in the center of our so called “great” room, on a small area rug. Despite the fact that she has cat beds on just about every piece of furniture in the house she has… Continue reading A Special Kitty Treat!

Quilting Away

If you haven’t free-motion quilted or thread painted but wanted to, I encourage you to just jump in! I have had to get over a lot of hang ups because I came from the “hand quilting, perfect stitches, and needle turn applique” mindset. Working Playing with my Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen machine and thread has… Continue reading Quilting Away

Painting birds and butterflies

I’m working on a commissioned art quilt that is a little larger than anything I have made recently and it has many pastel colors which is a palette I don’t often use. I’m enjoying the process and the challenge! It was requested that the piece have monarch type butterflies and birds, specifically bluebirds. I am… Continue reading Painting birds and butterflies