Interesting Nature Finds

Today Jack just couldn't wait for his afternoon walk, so we went this morning instead. I waited for him while he sniffed things and he waited for me while I got some interesting photos. We found several places where the wild things live, some cool shadows, and I noticed a date carved into a large rock that's been alongside my driveway forever. I don't know how I missed seeing that date all these years. It is 1939. It must have been here from when my husbands grandparents had this land. There's a photo of a rope that hangs at eye level from a tree that's also been there forever and I'm not sure why. I'm afraid to guess what might have hung from that rope. Anyway, some of these photos are pretty cool and others a little creepy, but all of them are kind of interesting.

Where Are The Birds

It's funny that all summer long my yard was filled with happy chirping birds and the minute I put up the new bird feeder, they all disappeared. I wonder if they'll be back.

Creating Eco Friendly Home Decor

Last summer I had a visit from my dear friend Odile Gova. She is a lovely, talented artist from Canada, who uses zippers to create beautiful brooches and other wearable art. She taught me how to make felt using recycled wool garments and since her visit I have felted a mountain of the stuff. With the holidays approaching, I have been busy using that felt to create ornaments and decorations for sale in my etsy shop as well as for a local craft sale that I am participating in on Nov. 20th. I've also been trying my hand at some eco friendly home decor using some of that felt as well. Here is an example of a pillow made from the soft, recycled, eco friendly wool.

Frosty Face

I haven't made a snowman in years, but I think this door hanger turned out okay. He's made of all recycled garment wool that's been felted, so he's eco friendly and cute too.

Pretty Bits & Pieces

Thanks to Lisa Jordan of "lil fish studios", I learned something new that I've been wanting to try for a long time. She provided me with the inspiration and the information to get started on my way to dyeing textiles using natural plant materials. So, last weekend I tried it. I used red and yellow onion skins and some cranberries. The results were beautiful. Yesterday I put all the bits and pieces of fabric and ribbon together and created a lovely collection of shabby chic decorations. Here are some pics of the finished products.

Too Early?

Okay, I know it's probably too early to be bustin out the Christmas tunes and gathering pine branches, but I just couldn't help myself. Jack and I were out walking and I broke off a bit of pine and that was all it took. The fragrance brought back memories of Christmas's past and I couldn't contol myself, so I gathered a small basket of the branches to bring back with me. I was actually out looking for berries to use for some natural dye, but only found a few which were protected by some pretty nasty thorns. Just not worth getting tangled in the thorns with a crazy dog pulling me every which way.

Natural Dye

Here are the results of my weekend project. I'm planning to make some vintage looking ornaments with some of these bits and pieces of fabric and lace.