"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Monday, June 12, 2017

Crafting in Late Spring

Welcome!  While I had hoped to publish posts once a week since my last post, it has been over four weeks since then. I have been easily distracted by happy and sad events around me.  Creative projects stoke my happiness and combat my sadness.

 One sunny afternoon I packed the basket pictured above with some creative pastimes and hiked out to our front pond and sat at a picnic table to try to capture photos of wildlife, and then use my watercolor pencils.
 Can you see the squirrel in the upper V of the tree?  He scampered in the branches above me.
 And Mr. Mallard came into the view of my Panasonic zoom lens.
 Another day I stopped at the corner of Waybill Road and used my 7Plus iPhone to capture this zoomed in view of Mt. Hood with a row of mystery to me trees in front of it.
 Our flowers on the front porch are fluffing out in a lovely way.
 I am using Alicia Paulson's book, Stitched in Time and Helen Philipps' book Quick and Clever Cross Stitch to prime myself as I plan to do a stitching piece similar to my mom's I showed you several posts back.  My mom used linen to stitch on, but I have decided to use cotton Aida cloth.
Mid May I was given flowers to celebrate Mother's Day.  Some are now planted in the garden, but this bouquet lasted a long time and seemed to be happy on the Pioneer Woman brand tablecloth I found for a bargain price.
 We went to Wildwood State Park to celebrate birthdays while our friends from California were on a week long stay with us.
 Our friends stayed through Memorial Day, and we saw this Sandy cemetery especially decorated to honor those who have died in service while trying to establish and protect the peace.
 The first week of June my youngest daughter, son in law and son and I went camping on the east side of Mt. Hood.  We played miniature golf and the guys went back and played several rounds of golf on the big course as well.
 We had a bit of rain, hail and chilly temps, but even though we were deep in the woods we glamped thanks to being in a camping trailer.
This big black crow was our alarm clock on several mornings...just as effective as roosters!
 I have started the second part of the Ruby Shawl pattern. Guess what!  I have only seven more rows to crochet to complete the shawl!
Look what just arrived in the mail from my blogging friend, Joy, who lives in Lincolnshire, England, an area from which some of my ancestors immigrated in the1600's.  She sent a wonderful letter, and shared some lovely yarn left from a winter cardigan she just knit, some beautiful buttons, and knowing I like sheep, too, she sent me a learned one to help me count stitches! Thanks so much, Joy, for your kindness.
A few years ago a Mothers of Preschoolers group sold banners at the church I belonged to.  I bought the banner pictured above and have it hanging above my front door to remind me that it is my aim in life to get better and better at crafting love for those around me in the world, including you!

What are you crafting in the world around you in this season?

Gracie xx

25 comments:

  1. You certainly have been busy with some wonderful projects on the go. I love the crocheted shawl, the pattern and colours are a delight. What a coincidence, your blogging friend living in the same County that I have just moved from Lincolnshire, a very beautiful part of the World.

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  2. Oh your shawl is lovely. It looks so comfy, like a hug. Love that you are drawing and painting. I love my watercolor pencils, they are so handy to take along. Drawing in nature is one of my favorite things to do when we hit the parks. I can't wait to see your cross stitching. I am into it lately because it's so hot here (90's) that I am trying to do things like thread crochet and cross stitch. You are so creative. I always look forward to seeing what you are making. Oh I do think you always give out love around you....even your blog is full of love and inspiration. I know you always inspire me with all your lovely projects. Wishing you a most lovely day filled with many blessings. ((hugs))

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  3. Hello Gracie,

    I love your creativity. Thanks for the update on what's been happening. Your spring is a lot longer than ours here in Tennessee. We're practically in summer already with temperatures up in the high 80's. How wonderful it must be to live in the shadow of Mt. Hood!

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  4. Gracie there is so much to comment on this post. First of all that salt is stunning! It will be so beautiful when you're wearing it. You're drying and painting's always bring a smile to my face. You are such a talented lady. I would like to get back to cross stitching to sometime. My problem is places to put completed objects. And I don't like to always just do bookmarks etc. I'm so glad you had a good time on your camping trip. I love "glamping" too! I hope you have a lovely day my sweet friend. Please know that you always have a place to stay here on your travels eastward. We would love to have you use our house as your hotel on your way to Nebraska.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  5. Dear Gracie. Crafting love for those around you - what a beautiful sentiment. I shall try the same. Loved seeing your photos, they make me want to travel the world and pass by. I think the mystery trees might be pink flowering chestnut trees. x

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  6. "Come to me,all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest"
    Matthew 11:28

    Gracie what a beautiful shawl. You really are a talented all around crafter. What a blessing to your children and grandchildren to be blessed with your gifts and talents.

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  7. Gracie, I so enjoyed this post! It really does give an overall feeling of family love and crafty endeavors and your enjoyment of the natural world around you. I'm so happy that you're on the lacy edging of your fall shawl, I just know you'll be wearing it in the near future! I look forward to us wearing our matching shawls. :-) I'm so excited to see how your cross-stitch evolves.. have you got some stitches in so far? What a neat project! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Im not sure where to start. I Loved this post. THe Flags, the kids, the glamping, crochet and stitching. YOU Rock lady. FUn to read all about everything!

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  9. I like how you are so creative and draw, photograph, crochet....your shawl is so lovely and you'll enjoy wearing it for sure. I am working on a quilt for my granddaughter soon....it's going to happen. Hopefully this weekend I can get squares cut. That's the hardest part. Sewing doesn't bother me. Photos of Mt Hood are lovely and I'm happy you've had a good time with your family lately. Take care and thanks for sharing your life with us! Hugs and prayers!

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  10. Lovely photos, Gracie! The Mt. Hood photo with the 'mystery trees' is wonderful. I wonder if they are mulberry trees. Your tablecloth is so very pretty, as is your colorful shawl. So much love and work with each stitch. It's wonderful to spend time with loved ones out in the fresh air in this beautiful season. Sending hugs xo Karen

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  11. May your summer be filled with more creative happiness - love your paintings and shawl. Your glamping holiday looked the best too!
    Happy days!
    Wren x

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  12. Such an uplifting blog post of real life ups and downs along with a happy dose of your creative side. I am really excited about your shawl looking forward to seeing that. Jo x

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  13. Nice to read about your activities. Your shawl is looking pretty !
    I liked the front porch flower photo and the gathering of all girls in the picture :)

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  14. That shawl is a beauty. Lovely photos from around your place.

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  15. Hi Gracie, you live in such a lovely area for artistic inspiration. Your watercolors are so pretty. And, what a nice surprise to receive those beautiful gifts from your blog friend. I hope you and your family have a wonderful summer. Hugs, Pat

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  16. This is such a wonderful post, Gracie, so full of positive energy, giving and creativity. I like all your makes, they all have such charm, and I'm glad to see you enjoying nature and your family. A big big hug, my friend.
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. What a great post with such gorgeous photos of what you have been doing over the last few weeks. The flowers are lovely as is your Ruby shawl. You had some lovely gifts from Lincolnshire too. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely and interesting comments, I have replied to your query re banners or bunting over there:)

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  18. Gracie, you are so busy!!! You could not live in a more beautiful area, on that is so inspiring. So glad you have been having a fun and fulfilling few weeks.

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  19. Your sketching is delightful, Gracie! I keep telling myself I should learn to sketch. My sil is willing to teach me...
    I am knitting, knitting and knitting. Right now, it's hats and beanies. A plan is beginning to form in my mind of a top down raglan sweater.
    Thanks for always posting photos of Mt. Hood!

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  20. Oh Gracie a lovely post and so many beautiful pictures and love seeing the squirrel hiding up in the tree ♥♥ Your sketching is lovely and also your crochet/stitching inspires me to do more of my crochet/knitting. May your days be beautiful where you are blog friend xo

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  21. I've enjoyed looking at your gorgeous photo's, every one of them. I see you have had a busy and productive time :) I eventually found the squirrel in the tree. I am always surprised by how small they are, we don't have them here and I always think of them as being about the size of a cat.

    Diana

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  22. I was hoping to see more of the sketches! So many lovely subjects there - it always looks so lush and flowery where you are. Mt. Hood must be a constant inspiration and encouragement.

    I hope the happy crafting, friendship, and family moments outweigh the sad times, Gracie.

    Sue :)

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  23. The colours of your Ruby shawl are wonderful. It is lovely to see Mt Hood from a different angle. It must have been wonderful looking up at that magnificent tree. Sarah x

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  24. Lovely to see your beautiful photos of your surroundings...such a lovely place to live! Your shawl is gorgeous and I'm glad my book is helping you design your new sampler...thank you for the kind mention. I hope that your family, crafting and love of nature help you through the sad times dear Gracie.
    Helen xox

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  25. I can't relate to the stitching 'stuff' - but you have some lovely photographs there!!

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