Kritters: Current and Ancient

Animals never cease to amaze me. It is good that I live out in the country, because they are all around me...my own and the wild variety. The picture above is wild turkeys and Canada geese sharing a meal together beside our house.
This little guy has made my hanging planter a home and captures insects from his perch. He looks like a little metal sculpture that has developed a beautiful patina.Even the dogs like to join in on the chores. Every time I start the mower, Milo comes running. He thinks that it is his job to keep me company while I mow. Maggie thinks that it is her job to get in the way and chase grasshoppers.
This is Bella's favorite sleeping position. I don't know how many photos I have of her in this position. I can't resist snapping a picture.
I've always loved fossils ever since I was a small child. The playground of our elementary school was full of fossils and I'm sure I worried my mother by coming home with pockets full of them. I've had a pair of these ammonite fossils for a few months and had experimented with various ways to showcase them and I finally settled on a bezel setting. I will sell one and keep one for myself.

The starfish on this necklace is a pewter button from a dress that I bought at the thrift shop and threw away the dress and kept the buttons. A reminder of my favorite place...the beach.

Spring Growth

After the drought of 2007, I don't think I'll ever complain about rain. This has been a rainy spring and I love it! Our pond is full and everything is getting green.

Small harvests feed the soul.
Unexpected things sprout from gardens and flower pots.Despite the beautiful warm weather luring me outside, I have managed to do some creating. I wanted to do something other than jewelry. I had some scans of collages that I have done, that I printed onto iron-on paper and transferred onto muslin. Then I sewed them onto some canvas along with some paint and trim and made purses.

Stop Worrying and Start Living

Time Flies Be Happy

No Pouting

I've Looked at Clouds From Both Sides Now

Hands reaching out

A snow covered mountain

What a gorgeous day! Saturday was a lazy, restful day and the clouds were amazing. I had to do a little day dreaming, watching them drift by. What do these remind you of? Remember lying on your back in the grass and watching the clouds as a child. The grass was a little damp, so I laid on the bench on the patio and took this video.


Clouds are one of my favorite subjects to paint. Here is a cloud picture that I painted several years ago of just before sunrise in front of our house.

Also, here is the most recent painting that I did for my DH's office.

Last weekend, when the family was here, my DIL took pictures around the farm. This picture of Maggie kissing Bella (or was she tasting her?) was so precious I had to post it. To see more of her beautiful photography check out Zebrainfusion.

Vision Bracelet

cAt PlAyiNg DeAd

This is a bracelet that I just finished. I seem to have a thing for these eyes. They keep showing up.

Cats and Cows

I just completed a painting of cows on an old window. A friend had given me several of the windows and had asked if I would paint one of them with cows because they live on an farm and raise cattle. They are not my favorite subject matter, but I had fun painting them anyway.

Here is Bella checking out the painting. She has to be in the middle of everything.

Kitty Castle

I just finished a project that I've been wanting to do for a long time. My cats have been using a cardboard box on our deck, for a home for the winter, like poor little homeless kitties. It was also pretty unsightly. I've been saving scrap lumber and tile from our building projects and decided that it was time to build them a house. I drafted my DH to help with the heavy stuff and technical support. I don't think he was aware of how elaborate it was going to be. I tiled on it for two afternoons and my daughter-in-law helped do one side. Today I grouted it and now I need to make them a cushion for the inside. When the guys get home tonight, I'll have them move it to the deck and goodbye cardboard box. Also here is a picture of Bella and Tilly watching me make their house. It was a fun project. Next, maybe I'll do houses for my dogs. It will have to be a really big one for a Great Pyrenees