More Cottages Coming

 

 

 

There seems to be a building boom going on in the neighborhood.  Another couple of cottages are popping up - or should I say 'looped' up. 

 

One is almost finished and you can see the back of it in this picture.

Both of these cottages will represent Autumn since that's the season we are in, and it just happens to be one of my favorite seasons. I've dug up a couple of rusty pumpkins to add to the ambience.

"Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration." - Charles Dickens

HOORAY!

Congratulations to Carol who won the drawing for "Doorways".  This comes at a good time for her as she opens the door on her new retirement status.

Meanwhile - back to the belt which has been ongoing behind the scenes.  The punching was the best part of the experience.

Finishing was another matter.  Part of it was my attitude as I just couldn't get interested in doing the finish work.  Do you ever have that problem?

After all is said and done I'm happy with it and am looking forward to getting 'dressed up' one of these days. 

"Focus on the journey, not the destination.  Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." - Greg Anderson

A Remnant of Summer

 

A short walk in the woods of the Pisgah Forest the other day.

There was damage to be seen.  A tree had broken at some point and only the bottom of the trunk was left.  But with that there was still growth.  Moss covers large sections and lichen type things grow almost symmetrically along the trunk.

A large tree had toppled over, pulled out of the ground probably during one of our many summer storms.  Already thoroughly wet ground combined with wind tore this tree down where it fell across the bottom of a huge rock. 

It is when I see this and the above picture that my fondness for rocks, both large and small, comes to the forefront.  Perhaps it comes from my desert dwelling years, perhaps I am just in awe of the beating they take in the environment and still they stand. I am always in awe of them.

This old bridge also contains rocks which have darkened with age and the elements.  At this time of the year when the water is down in the streams it seems strange to have such a large bridge standing guard over such a small amount of water.

"Geologists have a saying - rocks remember." - Neil Armstrong

Opening a door...

...to a new, and probably long overdue blog giveaway.

As we open the door to Autumn, my very favorite time of the year, I thought it might be fun to pass this doorway punchneedle creation along to one of you.

I was thinking, the other day, that each day as we rise, we open a new door.  Filled with possibilities, familiar routines, and just being alive to savor it all.  As we end the day that door (which only opened hours ago) is closed and we're on to the next one.  I love the thought that each day is a separate room but all in the same house.

To win this giveaway - just leave a comment here.  I'll announce the winner's name next Friday (the 27th).

"Follow effective action with quiet reflection.  From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action." - Peter Drucker

Making Progress

 

I'm making progress on my belt project.  Sort of dreading the whole 'put it together' finishing thing -- as I usually do. 

Meanwhile the pattern is coming along.  For those of you who might be considering punchneedle - or are new to it.  You'll notice that when you turn it over, partway through, it often looks strange.  Little loops standing there, seemingly alone, looking lost and not very attractive.

But, once the whole design is worked - it all falls into place.  No stranded loops, standing alone, but one continuous design.  Yay!

Some of you know about the great 'buckle' hunt that I've been on.  Finally success through an online store called Pacific Trimming .  Good selection at decent prices.  I will soon own several buckles, probably more than I'll ever use - but we'll see about that.

"Don't get involved in partial problems, but always take flight to where there is a free view over the whole single problem, even if this view is still not a clear one." - Ludwig Wittgenstein

Come Visit Me

 

 

Won't you come visit me - here in my little nest?  Our front door is always open but we could just as likely sit here and have a cup of tea together.

Or we could check out the pond which is just outside my studio.  Often the frogs are croaking there, or jumping into the pond as my footsteps get nearer.

There are lots of little niches here in this place.  Rocks and moss and all manner of green. 

So come on, let's sit and visit and share our lives together.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

An Experiment

 

I'm starting a punchneedle adventure.  These belts and others like them inspired me.

I wondered if I would be able to produce a belt made of punchneedle.  And so the adventure began with measuring.  My largest frame has an opening of a little over 9" so I was stuck with that length.  I needed 29" to allow for fold over at the buckle end of things.  I finally measured out an 8" span, two 6" spans and one 9" span.  I have a very short waist so I've narrowed the width on my pattern from what the above belts show.

 

I have decided to use this type of fastener because punching grommets into punchneedle would be very risky.

I won't exactly know about the fastening ends until I get most of the punching done because I'm not sure about folding the punchneedle over and through the buckle.  Would it be better to use a piece of fabric (perhaps wide grosgrain ribbon) for connecting the  belt through the buckle space?  We'll see.

My color choices are chocolate brown, colorful lime green and an off white.  I've begun the process, which I warn you might go on for awhile, we'll see where it takes me.

"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure." - Joseph Campbell 

 

The End of Summer

Our summer has been very strange this year -- sort of a 'water, water, everywhere' thing going on.  But while some of us have felt stunted by not being able to be out and about in the sunshine, our flowering plants have not disappointed.

This is probably my favorite of all of the plants - the Carolina Lily.  What a beauty.  It seems to bloom on its own, standing there alone.  How delicate it is, how intricate is its design.

The Cardinal Flower blooms every year and its deep, rich red makes a great contrast against all the green that surrounds us.

Last, but certainly not least is this small, but mighty  Evening Primrose.  Its lovely yellow flower makes me smile.  It seems so 'plain' but also so happy.  A beautiful tribute to summer, no matter how grey and rainy it has been.

"Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you". ~Rumi

 

{Just a short note to say that I think I've conquered the 'green word' thing. I will just stick here at my home of four years as long as there are no more problems.  Thanks for your input and patience.}



 

 

 



A Covey of Cottages

 

Welcome to my little village.  Of course its a village where the sun always shines (unless you get tired of that and want a little rain or a little snow) -- always the weather that you want.

Its quiet here, no vehicles in sight.  No loud music, although you might occasionally hear, on a summer night, a concert in the park.

Everyone knows everyone else and miracle of miracles everyone likes everyone else *smile*.

Welcome to my little village - which might grow on occasion since I have had such a joyful time creating these.

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou