Summer Snippets

Summer has come & gone. There was music, camping & art among the activities.  A fun ride. 

 Hard to believe it's been 4 months since my last post.

The above image is from "da UP". Flew to Houghton/Hancock for the Farm Fest music week end.  The venue was a delightful Farmstead down a long dirt road. Laid back, great performers, interesting food, a great cause.

We returned to North Fox Island a few times for camping, kayaking, butterfly watching and general merriment with other pilots & crew. 

 

Went blueberry picking 3 times to bag & freeze about 18 Lbs. 

Been making Blueberry Shrub with some of them. More on that in a later post.

 

As promised back in June, here are a few snaps from a wonderful class with 

Christine Mauersberger in Petoskey. I've been drawn to hand stitching lately

& was thrilled to be able to take a class with this artist I admire.

Some work by another student in the class.

This was an image in one of Christine's books used for inspiration. 

 

Recently I noticed this stump I see on may walks could be my own

 jumping off point for some stitch work.

 

 

In the days to come I'll share some things happening in the studio now that fall has arrived.

 Or is it winter? There were flakes in the air yesterday. 

There will be dolls, pin cushions, a deer skull, & a look at a fabulous quilt artist.

Nature A to Z Challenge

Of course N had to be Nature. I am so fortunate to live in an area that is bursting with natural creative inspiration. The fact that the Great Lakes are...great is a big part of it. We have 4 seasons, and there is a reason to look forward to each one. 

Winter gets a bit old, but that's another topic.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore was named one of the most beautiful places in the world a couple years ago. My shot of that area above. All the images in this post are my own.

 Poppies have to be one of my favorite flowers. Short lived but they pack a punch.

Fall is my favorite season, until it's time for Spring. 

 This will be happening very soon, Trillium, then morel mushrooms!

 Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a step back in time & an amazing place to explore. 

Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore is another gem. Hiking, kayaking, 

cross country skiing, it can all happen there.

 

Critters. Another opportunity. 

This is the only image not from my home, but I was so enthralled by these bugs 

I  had to include them. On the Island of Vieques. Just off Puerto Rico.

Between water, Flora, moss, critters, sky, rock formations, the everyday scenes that present creative inspiration are non stop.

The sky's the limit. I couldn't resit.

Puff Piece

It's been awhile.  I think I suffer from travel hang over after returning from a big trip like the one we had to Alaska. Lots to absorb, pictures to sort & share. Memories to cement in the brain. Then there is work to catch up on. We've been home for six weeks and this is my first post.

It's fall in Northern Michigan. Maybe my favorite season. The colors are just beginning to show up in the trees. The clouds are completely different this time of year compared to the summer. Much more dramatic. The down side is the short days. Found these beauties on my neighborhood walking trail.

                                               So now it's time to get creative in the studio!

Wanted my ATC's for this months swap to honor our recent trip. I had already thought about doing something with a puffin.  At work I spotted an old Audubon Magazine (about 3 years old) on a table at work, it was the perfect inspiration...so I brought it home.

                                                     Simple but very recognizable.  

                            I created stencils for each of the body parts so I could use my Akua Inks.

                    I am in a space at the moment where I seem to be finding inspiration everywhere.
                                                   Hope I can keep that going for awhile!