Crafting During Summer's Simmering Days

The glorious golden-orange Sturgeon Moon rose on August 2, 2020, and I enjoyed crafting a photo of it from across the street and further East of my condominium unit. A friend in NY had sent me a heads up email so I could be on the lookout for the Sturgeon Moon, the full moon at this time of year that became known as the Sturgeon Moon because fisher folks in the Great Lakes region noted that this time of year is a good time to catch sturgeon. 

During the first part of August, I was surprised to see this Artichoke in bloom at a neighbor's house.  I did not realize that if you did not pick an Artichoke when it was ready to be eaten that it would boom like this...pretty I think.

One day when I was tending the vines on my garden trellis I was surprised to find this small Clematis bloom after the first larger bloom was spent.

I was also surprised to see this gorgeous blue Hydrangea bloom when most of the other blooms on my neighbor's bush were spent. 

I had positioned a trellis and planted Morning Glory seeds to climb it in hopes that they would block my view into my neighbor's window and they do!  I love to look at the cascade of green heart-shaped leaves.  The curious thing to me is that so far there have been no Morning Glory blooms.

It was especially heartening to see some Lady Bugs on the vines, though because I saw holes being munched in the leaves!  I hope the Lady Bugs will catch the culprits!

To the left of the Morning Glory vines, I planted a few Sweet Pea seeds.  So far this is the only Sweet Pea bloom I have seen.

This month I have also done some crafting by coloring with felt tip pens on some pages like this one from a Tiffany design coloring book.

In my Inspire Bible, I also colored some pages with colored pencils. I sometimes wish that colored pencils could produce more intense colors.

This plant has grown so much since May when it was given to me. I have really enjoyed it and its bright colors.

I ordered this wonderful book from the multi-talented Sue Perez and was so excited when it arrived this week! For years I have enjoyed reading Sue's blog.  She generously shares crochet patterns and tutorials and also publishes beautiful photos of her bike rides and the sights around her including many wildflowers. Her book has a wide variety of patterns and thorough directions in several formats along with good photos to cheer one along on projects. I love that the book easily stays flopped open when one wants to focus on a particular page to craft.

At the end of the day, isn't it a special treat to be able to admire a spectacular sunset like this one I saw from my front porch this week? 

Have you been admiring any crafting lately?

Gracie ((hugs))

Crafting Life 2019

Ahoy, Readers!  Since the beginning of 2019, I have managed to knit a few more rows on the baby blanket I am making to give to a local crisis pregnancy center.  I am using the Grandma's dishcloth pattern.

Years ago a good friend from California crocheted this white [snow covered] evergreen tree for me. I have put a little flock of sheep by it. Two of the flock were given to me by my good blogging friend, Teresa.  I thought it would be fun to have the cute seagull skier my good blogging friend, Betsy gave me to pose as a wintery shepherd.

In January 2019 I took my New Living Translation Bible and colored some of its pages on my way flying to California to visit my oldest sister Carolyn who was in her home with hospice care.  I was so grateful for the visit with her and other family members and friends.

Early in February looking out the picture window of my new to me home, I enjoyed this sunrise view of the first snow of 2019!  It was so pretty and soon was washed away by rain.

During the first months of the year I also made some heart bookmarks to share with friends and a stranger I met when my flight was delayed on my way back to California to be with family and friends for a celebration of life service we had for my dear sister Carolyn after her passing.

One afternoon a friend stopped by and showed me how to make a boho bead with paper and cloth and wire and beads and a little heart she gave me that says "made with love."  The brown bead at the bottom was made by my good blogging friend, Teresa. 
While I am still settling in my new home and trying to make all the change of address notices and other related chores, I have enjoyed little crafting projects.
Are you enjoying some crafting time in 2019?

Gracie xx