Nature Journal: Daisies

Here are some daisies from my perennial garden.

Embellisher Experiment

This is an embellisher sandwich made from tulle, a single ply of painted paper towel, stamped PFD cotton with black ink (hand carved stamp) and Kunin felt. I needle punched it from both sides. It will make a background for something, I guess...not sure what…had fun, though…

Bee Balm Flowers

I planted bee balm last year and was rewarded with these funky-looking flowers! I like ‘em! Both the flowers and leaves are edible.

TAST: Long & Short Stitch

My first attempt and what a little buster! And that’s the long and short of it!

TAST: French Knots

This is a quick stitch combination from Judith Montano’s book, Floral Stitches, using tied herringbone stitches, straight stitches, detached chains and French knots.

Binky's Garden (WIP)

Here is a little more embroidery on my (5 x7 inches) quiltlet, “Binky’s Garden.” I’m trying to decide whether to scatter beads throughout or just add beaded fringe to the bottom… I wonder if it needs buttons in each corner…decisions, decisions…

TAST: Wheatear Stitch

Oooh, another fun and useful stitch! Here, I used it to describe (well, sort of) the flower spikes on common plantain (Plantago major).

My All-Time Favorite Flowers!

These are planted in a wooden tub in the garden right outside my studio door. Big, colorful old-fashioned zinnias – they make me happy just to look at them!

TAST: Satin Stitch

This is a quick flower with satin stitched petals and fused, embroidered leaves on an embellished background (consisting of a painted paper towel, wool roving, a used dryer sheet and Kunin felt).

Ocean City Boardwalk

We went to the Ocean City boardwalk last night for pizza. Have I mentioned before that we don’t eat pizza anywhere else because nothing compares to Mack and Manco’s tangy sauce and crispy crust? And we spent a little time in the Atlantic bookstore where I bought an old library book to alter (someday!).

DH took this shot of the boardwalk (with my little point and shoot Sony) from inside the music pier… He didn’t have a tripod and needed a nice, flat surface on which to balance the camera - so he used the top of my head!

The Babies...

Here’s a quick update on the babies, Blake and Bridget. They are both growing so fast and are just “full of piss and vinegar!” We converted our old utility room into a nursery for them (new floor and paint). And we scored the cool play tower at Petsmart yesterday at nearly $100.00 off the regular price – YAY! We are introducing them slowly to the other cats. So far so good, except for Huckleberry who showed his utter disdain for the “interlopers” by peeing on DH’s monitor last night…