Gifts for My Girls - Part 5

During the summer and into the fall, my attention was focused on renovating our home, I didn't get much crafting (or blogging!) done. But in September I did take a little time out to make another felt ornament.

This time, a penguin for daughter #2, Julie. It was inspired by a penguin I saw on Pinterest. I used some brighter colors than the original to make him a stand-out.

He's got the sweetest fact, don't you think?

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My inspiration is from Edge of Clarity Etsy shop:

Gifts for My Girls - Part 4

This sweet little project was on my "Must Try" list since I first saw it on designer JCasa's blog several  years ago. The designer promised that the project would only take "only minutes." But I must have spent 16 hours just thinking about it. You can find the directions here.

Jodie and I finally picked out some fabrics together. I love the batik look!

If I had followed the simple directions completely, they would have only taken about a half hour. But I missed one step and had to do a little handwork, so they took slightly more time.

I love the results. Colorful. Compact. Useful. Classy.

Gifts for My Girls - Part 3

Last May, Jodie and I met up in Hood River, Oregon to celebrate Mother's Day together. One of our activities was to go out to an alpaca farm. We fed the animals and looked around Foothills Yarn & Fiber. Among the many spinning wheels and weaving looms, I found these adorable finger puppets that the owner knit.

For Jeanne, a bear.

For Julie, a penguin of course.

For Jodie, an alpaca. A little reminder of our wonderful weekend together.

Gifts for My Girls - Part 2

Throughout the year, I made little gifts for my daughters - just for fun! I gave the gifts to them at Christmas.

In March/April, I made perler bead gifts inspired by items I found on Pinterest.

Jeanne received a black cat:

Julie received a cute blue penguin:

Jodie received a colorful hot air balloon:

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Cat inspired by Doces Pontos:

Penguin inspired by SkellieBeads:

Hot air balloon inspired by Perler:

Gifts for My Girls - Part 1

Throughout the year, I made little gifts for my daughters - just for fun! I gave the gifts to them at Christmas.

In January/February, I made felt gifts inspired by items I found on Pinterest.

Jeanne received a kitty ornament:

I made Julie a penguin sleep mask:

And for Jodie I made a felt hot air balloon ornament:

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Kitty inspired by Agah

Penguin inspired by DeviantArt

Balloon inspired by Paper Is Love

Orange On Orange

Another observation during my gratitude meditation walk. I so love the colors this time of year.

Morning Gratitude

This week I'm taking a two-day silent retreat focusing on Gratitude. On my first meditation walk, I listened to my inner voice and ended up changing direction. I walked a different route than I intended to walk when I went out the door. I was rewarded with this:

Shrooms

At Circle Park

Gutter Blossoms

Most folks call you weeds.

But to me, you're two more pretty purple flowers

A Yellow Flower in White

Sometimes the simple form of the flower reveals itself most beautifully when all the color is drained.

A Lighter Shade of Pale

or ... purple

Delicate Purple

I walked through the park yesterday to see what Autumn left in the way of flowers.

Playing with Shapes

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Hosta's Last Dance

As Fall starts seeping into north Idaho, the plants in our front yard are beginning to show their wear.

These feisty hostas are going for one more round of blooms. The buds are shooting up from the leaves.

Then opening a little more day by day

Until they are in full bloom, adding a bit of color in their shady home at the base of the pines.

A last bit of summer splendor.

Goodbye, Summer

The last of the bell flowers bows to the waning sun.

Glass Art Garden

Last May when Jodie and I were exploring Hood River, Oregon, we followed some signs to a glass art studio. Outside, the owners created a garden filled with flowers - both natural and of glass. There were fairies

and angels,

giant glass flowers

and little glass hearts tucked away in the corners.

We were privileged to watch the artist as she formed some vases in this fire.

All Natural

While Jodie and I were out geocaching, we found this at the end of the road.

Along with the organic gardening going on in the neighborhood, were these pretty daisy-like clumps of flowers on the desert floor.

The insect population was glad to be away from the harsh chemicals, too.

Lupine Love

The lupines in our yard are volunteers

I like them so much, I can't think of them as weeds. They're far too pretty.

Besides, they remind me of one of my very favorite children's books, Miss Rumphius.