January 7

Mother Nature graced us with a skiff of snow yesterday.

Wind is roaring today and tossing things about.

My little urchins and I marveled at Wind's leaf collage in the driveway.

The birds are thankful for a full feeder of seeds and nuts.

I am thankful for the ideas their footprints are spurring.

Frost - December 1

I've fallen in love with frost.

Once again, my parents' back deck

was a sparkly playground 

for me 

and my camera.

The frost on our back deck in Connecticut

never looks like this. 

Or is it just that I never noticed?

 I'll definitely look closer once I return home.

Until then, let me know if you tire of frost.

Frost

It 

was

frosty

this

morning.

Hilton Head - beach walk

We headed over to the beach the other day so the girls could look for shells. While they skipped along, pausing only to add to their collection and marvel over some new treasure, I noticed the patterns the retreating water had left in the sand. Enjoy!

 

 

London - Day 2

After sleeping late yesterday morning...oh! it felt so good to sleep in...we took our time deciding what to do.
First order was to find brunch - yes, it was that late before we got going. So...off we went.

 From the tube, we walked and I took photos of a fish sculpture hanging in a pizza place,

then stopped to wonder what my calligraphy friends would think of No 28.

 We soon arrived at our brunch spot, The Modern Pantry, where we had the most delicious meal.

 

Back out on the street, we began to walk...we do a lot of that.

Got a chuckle from seeing a bit of Oz had followed me to London.

 Floral inset in wall.

 Never discovered the significance of this building or the carving, but am still in awe of it.

 Once again, the design and

 architecture of London caught my eye.

 I'm assuming the flags are flying for the upcoming Olympics. 

A perfumery window.
Deb -This display brought to mind your raincoat. 

We'd finally walked so much that a rest and a snack were called for. The cappuccino 

was as delicious as it looks...as was the lemon cake in the background.

While we enjoyed our treats in the coffee shop, I mentioned that Fiona had suggested a paper store to visit and wondered if it was in the area. John got out his iPhone to map the address. Seems we'd been within a block of it at one point - turned left instead of going straight!

A short tube ride later and we were at Shepherd's Bookbinders, Ltd.

Fiona - What a great paper store! The selection is amazing and the best parts are behind the staff only sign. Those paper pajamas [below] begged for a closer look.

These reminders on the road always make me giggle yet I am thankful for them as well.

From across the Thames, the Eye of London, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.

Tic tac toe anyone?

50 golden street pianos have been set out across London for anyone to play. They are part of the City of London Festival. This was my first sighting. Fortunately, the woman playing was quite good and had a nice crowd gathered to listen.

We're getting another late start today, Sunday, as well, but isn't that what vacations are for? Brick Lane Market is on the menu. There are treasures to be hunted out...a tea set for the little urchins per their request. Keep your fingers crossed that we find one!

Circles

I semi-jokingly commented a few posts ago that winter seems to be my rusting season. After mulling the thought over, I decided to really embrace it and experiment like mad.

This past week found me waking early...4:30 am-ish early...brewing a pot of tea - to drink, not rust with - and getting to work in the studio opening bundles, taking photos, repositioning rusted elements, rebundling and rebagging, setting aside and then beginning my real day job.

Layers, repeated patterns, both. That's what I'm playing with. I kept looking at the rusty bits and my creative mind was seeing this piece

which was discharged during the summer using wine corks dipped in bleach. The repetition of  pattern and uniqueness of each circle resonates with me. So...you know what's next. Yep. Rusted circles.

 At various stages during the week.

 Opened Friday morning. Still wet.

No hanging outside to dry this time. 

 Dry. Needs ironing.

Working on this piece generated plenty of what ifs to experiment with along the way. Using circles, of course! I really should write them down while they're fresh in my mind.

Pam - I need to start a rusty what if list, don't you think? Be on the lookout and feel free to add to it.

Patterns

As I sat on the airplane Thursday morning, waiting for take off, 

the patterns on the tarmac caught my eye 

and saw it as stitching on black cloth.

 Hmmm....I may just have to try this. 

 

Rusted boro

The title of this post really should be Over thinking it, but rusted boro was more appealing...I think. Midst all the preparations for turkey day, working on the Christmas cards and life as usual in a household with 4 year olds, I managed to squeeze in a bit of time to crop the rusted cottons and sew them together.

They went from this                                                             to this

and now they're hanging like this.

In my own defense, it was viewing photos of indigo boro online that got me here what with all the wonderful contrasts in hues of indigo, patterns, stitches, etc. Well, that and I'd already decided that a bit of contrast was needed. So out came the box of rusted cottons et voila! Here we are. 

One could put forth the suggestion that I am procrastinating a bit longer before starting the patching process. One would probably be right too. Hmmm...what were those mantras I adopted this year? Oh yeah...keep it simple and just do it. Ha! Obviously, I have work to do.