HAPPY TO BE BACK TO BLOGGING I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL SOME SUMMER FUN and HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

Greetings Everyone,

I am so VERY Very Happy to be back to My Blog and back to visiting with My Dear Blogging Friends. I have "Missed" visiting you all. I will be catching up with you all very soon. 

The Summer has passed all to quickly.  I would like to share with you all some of My Summer Photos.

First, I purchased this very lovely Lacey Looking and Artistic Crocheted Rose Clock from Astri's etsy shop on her blog at
 "Apple Blossom Dreams".
  I have this very lovely clock in our Sun Room where we spend most of our time during the nice sunny and warm days of Summer.  I love it.. What do you all think??

This Summer we had an unexpected visitor to our front yard..  It was a real JOY for us to discover that Mommy Duck pick My Garden as a place for her nest.  Huge Smile.

  She hide her nest behind My Day Lilly and Under our Bay Window.. We live 2 blocks from their owner's place where he has a pond for them. It is mystery how they choose just the right place for nesting. Can you believe 15 eggs in all????

And of course while we were gone Mommy Duck's Sweet Ducklings hatched and we missed this wonderful event.  BUT we knew the person who owns the duck and he took photo for us while we were gone.  He told us 10 hatched and two were lost.  Mommy Duck has not come back to our yard to show us her ducklings yet. 

We truly enjoyed their visit to our yard this Summer.

My garden has had a bit of a challenge this Summer.  The ongoing saga of deer which have become so use to human in our community they come right into our yard and eat everything in site.  Only One pretty pink bloom from my Hydrangea Bush was saved.

A new back yarn fence is going up while I write. Huge Very Big Smile.......

My Lime Light Hydrangea Bush did well. Look at those impressive blooms.  I love them.

Because our Summer has been so hectic we decided to escape to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a week.  Up North it is so peaceful, relaxing and there is very little traffic to deal with. It is a very spare populated area so a very special place to visit.  We did wonder a bit into Northern Wisconsin too.

These lovely 'Murals" ( click on Mural and you will find many more) are in the town of Ashland, Wisconsin.  In the brochure about the Murals they say this town has the most Murals than any other town in the USA.   Every old historic building has a Mural and I only got a few photos of these beautiful pieces of art.
I really LOVE Murals.  What do you all think??? Any special Mural in your communities??

We also visited "Porcupine Mountains State Park" which is located in the far Western part of the UP. In the top left corner is a photo of the pristine and gorgeous  "Lake of the Clouds".

During our travels we visited 3 Fiber shops. Huge Very Big Smile.  

The first fiber shop we stopped at is in the very quaint  Marina town of Hessel.. It is on the Northern shores of Lake Huron in the UP.  

 "Woolderness Fiber Art Studio and Gallery" was "Heavenly" to visit.  The owner hand dyed and spun the loose fibers above for me.  Her website is very lovely please have a look I am sure you will enjoy it.

Knit-N-Purl is a very unique and lovely yarn shop in Marquette, Michigan.  No website.  The two balls of yarn was spun by the owner of a local sheep farm.  

While on vacation My Dear Friend Shirley from Toowoomba, Qld. Australia sent me some very lovely hand dyed curls. I plan to use them in a project soon. Shirley has a wonderful stitching blog called,
 "Stitches and Life".. 
Thanks Shirley you are very kind and generous.. 

The Yarn Holder and the very soft and beautiful "Baby Alpaca Grande Hues was from a very unique shop called,  "Dutch Oven Yarn Shop"  in Alanson Michigan.. She also has a very nice website so please have a look.

While Up North My Sweetie and me spent many relaxing and fun hours walking along the sandy and rocky shores of Lake Superior.  Every beach was unique with being either very rocky or very sandy.  

We were searching for Pretty Stones or Beach Glass.  We found both.  Not lots of Beach Glass but lots and lots of Pretty Stones.  My Sweetie has several artistic plans for them that I will reveal in the future..  vbg

This trip was a very Happy and Relaxing Trip for us that rejuvenated "Our Spirits" from the hectic pace of our lives. 

Thank you all for your continue support of My Blog and your very lovely comments... They are all greatly appreciated.  

I leave you with One Last Photo of My Wet Felting Soap Project.  I plan to do more "Wet Felting" in the near Future. 

My "SEVEN" year Blogging Anniversary is in September ...  I can hardly believe it has been this long. 

 I have truly enjoyed sharing all 'My Artistic Projects" with you all over the years.  I am planning a Nice Giveaway the middle of September sometime. I hope you all will come back for another visit.  Thanks

I am linking to
Pink Saturday.

Hugs Judy

CROCHET ROSEY BUNNY SEA GLASS PENDANT FROM SEAHAM UK MY MAY GARDEN WINDING LANE BRACELET STASH BUSTER CHALLENGE

HELLO EVERYONE,

Meet Rosey the Spring Bunny.... I think she is a very sweet Bunny, what do you all think??

She was created with Encore Plymouth Yarn Knitted Worsted Wt. in 4 shades of a lovely Pink.  

The Bunny is "The Green Dragonfly Tutorial".. The tutorial was a easy pattern to follow especially for a beginner like myself.

On "Attic 24" she was reading "Coming Home" by R. Pilcher a few weeks ago while she was on vacation.. I love reading and watching anything to do with the UK so I called up our local Library and to my great surprise they had several of her books.. Huge Smile

I was so captivated by this book I could hardly put it down.. LOVED it.

 I plan to check out another one to read when we go on our holiday this Summer. Does anyone have a Very favorite of R. Pilcher books you all would recommend??
 

  Oh, BTW the photo next to the book is a photo of our Lake Michigan Shoreline on a very gloomy, blustery cold day in May which turned into a snowy day..  You can see  the Thunder of the waves continuous  crashing onto the shore and then drawing away again..

I have "Never" seen it snow in May in Michigan..it only lasted a couple of hours but it was 2 hours to long. LOL

For the past year or so I've had a lovely obsession with Sea Glass. I love its sparkle, its colorful history and it many shapes and sizes.  This pendant was a gift to me all the way from Seaham, UK..

 I really Loved this special Heart pendant because it had rare "Pink" piece of sea glass in it.

The pendant was created by Paula and bought from her Etsy shop called, "Peblsrock" and Paula's blog called "Peblsrock"... At this site Paula also tells you about the history of this Sea Glass..

Emma has a blog called, "Silverpebble" and Emma Etsy shop also has many other lovely pieces of jewelery to show everyone.  Also she tells about the wonderful sea glass history of Seaham UK.

My fingers have been very busy crocheting of late.  I finally found a simple pretty dish cloth pattern I could make.. I used yarn found in my stash  called "Sugar and Cream" called Tie Dye Stripes.

  The colors reminded me of the "Sea" and the pattern to me looks like "Waves" and the white being the "white caps" foam hitting the beach.

 I found the pattern on a blog called "Crochet Attic"  by Eileen. It was her Stash Buster Challenge posting.  It was a very easy and simple pattern which is just what I needed. 

  

What do you all think?

I recently discovered a lovely new blog called,  Mr. Micawber's Recipe for Happiness".. aka Sue.

Sue's blog shows many lovely photos of her bike rides around Wisconsin and she always has her friend Tullulah the turtle with her.  vbg He is such a cutie. 

Sue also has this most wonderful video tutorial on how to created the "Winding Lane Bracelet".. it was a bit challenging for me as a beginner but with Sue's help I made 2 lovely bracelets.  Thanks a million Sue for the wonderful tutorial.

I used Paton Grace yarn I had in my stash for a very long time in the colors of Coral and Wildberry. 

What do you all think???

Today My Sweetie was mowing the lawn and edging when he came upon a wee baby bunny hiding behind my Snowball Bush.. He caught the wee bunny so he could show me and then he left him go to roam free again...Isn't she a sweet wee bunny??

Every Morning I take a walk around in my gardens and I always find something new blooming which always makes Me Happy. 

Last week My Tulip Tree or Magnolia Bush was so glorious with all its lovely blooms.

My Frilly Tulips were also in bloom.  They are so unique, I just love them.

I've had several people stop while they are walking by our yard and ask what the 3 different shade of purple balls are made from near the tulips.

Believe it or not they used to be "Black" bowling balls... Now they are my pretty shades of purple "Garden Art".... I always get a reply,"Really"!!!  and they always smile too..  

The other 2 bottom photos are Pottery Clay Balls I made several years ago in a My ONLY class I ever took in clay..   They were suppose to be perfectly "Round" but they are far from it.

I used wood stamp of roses and butterflies and pushed them into the clay.  My teacher was NOT impressed with my artistic ideas.. LOL

  Hence I never went back and 3 years later some nice lady encouraged me to finish them. Hence more unique Garden Art.  

I would also like to THANK all My Blogging Friends who so kindly stop by to visit my blog and leave your very lovely comments for me to read.  All very greatly appreciated.


I am linking to 

and

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday

Click Here to read about the "Stash-Buster Challenge" and  the
  MAY  LINK PARTY
Thanks to Linda and Ana for this wonderful idea. Greatly appreciated.

My beautiful White Lilac Bush is now blooming in all its glory..I just LOVE it.  

In My garden this year I am enjoying ALL the fruits of My Labor and it truly makes me Happy to see it everyday.

Hugs Judy

A very blustery snowy day along the shores of Lake Michigan..

CROCHET CHERRY BLOSSOMS PHOTO TUTORIAL MY SPRING GARDENS MY SWEETIE OUR LAKE MICHIGAN and THE STASH BUSTER CHALLENGE AND LINK PARTY

HELLO EVERYONE,

My SIS sent me this photo today from her Mum's garden in Melbourne, Australia.  It is the most gorgeous flower and it is called a "Chinese Lantern".. Isn't it truly beautiful? Thanks SIS for sharing this beautiful photo with me.. It makes me "Happy" every time I look at it...

I have two passions. Stitching and Gardening!

 This posting will be about a wee bit of both. 
My fingers have been very busy crocheting how sweet, delicate, and fluffy, Cherry Blossoms.
The pattern and complete photo tutorial came from
 Mel Bondre Pattern #26 Pink Cherry Blossoms. 

I first discovered these lovely crocheted Cherry Blossom made up at
 "Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse"  where she created a very beautiful Cherry Blossom Shawl back in March of this year.. Her blog is very inspiring.

Instantly, I knew I needed to try and create some lovely Cherry Blossoms too.  I used shades of pink silk yarn bought at "Nautical Yarns" in Ludington a long time ago.. For the stamens I decided to use some of my Kreinik Metallic  white thread.

In this photo below you will see I made up 12  sweet wee Cherry Blossoms.
 I used my new Pink Tulip Crochet hooks size 8/0 5.00mm. I sure do enjoy crocheting this these very soft to touch crochet hooks.

I went out in our woods and cut a few branches off some trees. Then I spray painted them a Apple Green and then again with some white sparkle spray paint.

 I tucked them in My Polish Pottery Vase and then I wrapped some lovely natural dyed green wool from Germany around the bottom of them.  I am sorry that these photos are not so good sitting in our Bay Window.

I thought the vase needed a wee bow so I found some lovely pastel green and pink ribbon and created one. This was my first attempt at trying to create a bow..

 Now My Crocheted Cherry Blossoms Spring Bouquet is setting again in our Bay Window.... It makes me Happy when I look at it because I created it Myself...

What do you all think??

I am so happy to say I finally have blooms in my gardens.. I especially love the white and pink Trillium's that grow wild in our woods..

 In the bottom right corner are very pretty wee white flower growing around them but I have NO idea what they are.. Maybe someone will know what kind of flower they are... I would love to know..

I am also Very Happy to say we've had several very nice warm and sunny days.. So I got to work and brought out My Collection of Blue Bottles to put back on My Bottle Tree My Sweet made for me last Summer.

The Potato Wagon I bought at a Flea Market in Belgium while I was living in Germany.. It make my work so much easier when I am totting my garden art around.

My Forsythias are blooming in their glorious yellow color. They are so bright and cheery..

My sweetie has never ending energy.. He decided to blow all the Oaks leaves out of the woods this year for the first time. But he was smiling and having fun so I let him be... I told him he was "Crazy"..It will probably never happen again.. LOL

We both love living by Lake Michigan and its beautiful white sandy beaches..  This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago at the park in Ludington, Michigan. You can see they still have the snow/sand fences up. Many totally get buried by the sand during the Winter months.

  We love this area and we go to the
 "Ludington State Camp Grounds" often during the summer. It is the most wonderful and Magical place..

I Would like to Thank All My Blogging Friends for Visiting and Leaving All Your Lovely Comments for me to read... they are greatly appreciated..

I am Linking to
 Mosaic Monday..
Pink Saturday..

 Hugs Judy

Click Here to read about the "Stash-Buster Challenge" and  the
  MAY  LINK PARTY
Thanks to Linda and Ana for this wonderful idea. Greatly appreciated.

SPRING AND OUR GRAND CHILDREN

Happy Spring to you all...

The Delicate Charm of Crocuses!!

 These wee little blooms have finally arrived in our front yard.  

 

I have been wanting to get our wee grandchildren photos all together for along time. 

We are very Happy to be Grand parents!!! 

They bring such Joy into our lives.

Ethan

Chloe

Left to Right

Gracie,  Madison, 

Trenton and Baby Savannah

Tony, Rene and Baby Leliana...

A Family photo before Tony goes to Afghanistan...

Baby Vivian...

Thanks for visiting my Blog. I always enjoy reading your comments.

Hugs Judy

MY ARTISTIC IMPRESSION OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND GREEN GABLES

Hello Everyone,

For the last 1 1/2 years off and on, I have been stitching on "My Artistic Impression" of Anne Of Green Gable House and Gardens. It had always been "My Dream" to go to Prince Edward Island. In 2010 My Sweetie took me on a holiday to PEI. Oh, what a Glorious Adventure we had together.

Above you will the finished "Anne of Green Gable Journal Page". In the journal page you will find, Green Gables, Beautiful Gardens, Haunted Woods, natural Brownish Red Roads, Lover's Lane and the most famous The Lake Of Shining Waters. I truly enjoyed every minute I stitched on this Journal Page. 

The Lake Of Shining Waters was lovely to see. I have included bead rocks along the edges and "Tyvek Beads" I made into wee Logs. I have used the "Ghiordes Knots" to create the grasses along the side of the Pond.  The Leaves growing along side the rocks are made from "Open Base Picot" stitch.

This photo is a close up of "Green Gables". I used "Long and Short Satin Stitch" to create Green Gables.

 The wee round sequin with the bead in the center is made from cotton fabric sprayed with Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist and left to dry.  The the sequin was then punch out from the fabric.  They are to represent the Peonies gardens I saw at Green Gables.

I created the clouds from Angelina Fibers. The spruce trees were created from the "Drizzle" stitch.  The Birch Tree is French Knots with Silken Chenille thread.

  Along the roads we traveled on PEI I saw a great array of truly beautiful "Lupines" in shades of Pinks and Purples.  The Queen Anne Lace is also found in the Haunted Woods.  

I created the Pink Tyvek Bead I used for the body of the butterfly.

The back of My Journal Page I quoted AOGG famous words about PEI. 

"This Island is the Bloomiest place 

I just love it already.

And I'm so glad I'm going to Live here. 

I've always heard 

that PEI was the Prettiest Place in the World..."

Here is a wee collection of treasures I brought back with me from PEI along with My AOGG Journal Page.  If you look at the napkin you can see the scene that inspired me in create My Journal Page.

Here are some lovely blooms from my May Gardens.

My Clematis bush was in its glory this year. There were blooms all the way around the tower.  This is also where the Robin chose to make her nest.  I reckon she liked being surrounded by gardens too.

For the last several years I have been admiring "Bottle Trees".  This Spring My Sweetie made me one.  It took a little while to find all "Blue" bottles but the hunt was allot of fun.  Most was found in antique stores.  

The globe on top is a Iridescent Pearl Globe with lots of shimmering colors that remind me of the "Northern Lights" so well know in Alaska.  I just Love it!!

This is the latest addition to my gardens. Yup, a "Flower Bed".   A man my sweetie was doing electrical work for was going to throw the bed frame away.   Bill ask if he could have it for his wife.  LOL  It was a tattered old white frame.  Now it is a lovely Provence Blue.

In my flower bed I have an antique watering can I brought home with me from Germany.  A bowling ball I sprayed "Purple".

Another Blue Fancy Bottle. Some old antique electrical glass bulbs and last but not least some flowers.  LOL What do you all think??? 

Some times I think I spend way to much time stitching. But over the many years I have come to believe that

 that being "Creative is Divine!

 I will leave all my blogging friends with this wee though. I will be taking a break for the Summer months.

The highest , most joyful expression of the Divine Spirit within all of us is through the expression of our creativity. Nothing is more powerful. Nothing is more self loving.  And nothing is more rewarding than spending your time in a creative and artful endeavor.

It doesn't matter what you create, as long as it makes your "Life" more beautiful and satisfying than before.  This is because all "Creativity" is the "Holy Spirit" moving through us. 

Creative expression turns one's attention away from the "Chaos" of the outer world to focus inwardly for a time and isn't this lovely.  

So My Dear Blogging Friends keep being creative and I will hopefully see you all in the Autumn!

Hugs Judy