Beaver in the Pond

We were all enjoying the beaver's annual visit to our pond....until he felled the tree on the right! The dogs and I sit and watch as Mr. Beaver swims around the pond and tries to tell us it is HIS pond with mighty slaps of his tail. He has absolutely no fear of the dogs and they in turn think he is a fascinating friend. However us humans are beginning to think he should not take up permanant residence in OUR pond!

Scrappy Lunar Moth

Yesterday was perfect for sitting in the garden hand stitching this moth together. So as the dogs dove into the pond in an effort to play with the beaver, I stitched three versions of this butterfly/moth. At least he started out as a butterfly with triangular wings of retro fabrics....way too neat and tidy for me. On the third try I decided to go green and scrappy...much happier...thus the lunar moth. Believe it or not one thing I did yesterday was tea dye the background...still too bright blue for me. Need to work on dulling up the background.

Dancing Trees

This has been the summer of stitching under the tutelage of Jude Hill. She is managing to draw the whimsical out of me. Think I am becoming a storyteller (in stitch..not words!). This piece remembers the year opening with a blue moon over the woods around here that manage to survive and thrive with their roots in nothing but rock.

Play Day with Girlfriends

What could be more fun than spending the day with two friends exploring India Flint's book "Eco Colour". We gathered from the garden, picked up seaweed on the beach and laid out our findings on wool, cotton and silk. The difficult part is having the patience to wait a few days before finding out the results! Oh, and then we drove down the coast to a secondhand shop where we depleted their stock of pots and pans and steamers!

Photographing texture

I am a member of a small group of fibre artists called Loose threads. We regularly set ourselves tasks or challenges and this month it was photographing texture. Normally I would have sought out textures in the woods around me; but I forced myself to move out of my comfort zone and aim my camera at some man made texture. Once you start walking up main street focused on finding textures, it is amazing how many surfaces start jumping out at you. Never go anywhere without a camera! Of these six I have two favourites, one from a rusting old boat and the other from a lichen covered rock. It is a good idea to walk a different path sometimes....we might surprise ourselves!

Beginning a new venture as I remember

New beginnings on this day of memories. Writing my first blog entry as memories flow. Stitching on a pair of eagles remembering Steven.