"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

Saturday, August 29, 2020

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))







13 comments:

  1. Hello Gracie! What lovely photos you've shared with us. I think that blue hydrangea is stunning. I've never seen a "real" one that color before, only silk ones in stores. You have had some stunning sky shots too.
    I haven't crafted nearly as much as usual this month. It's been busy in many other ways. Moving, camping, lots of time spent in prayer for several ill family members and friends.
    I hope all is well with you my dear friend. If we are ever allowed to travel again we want to make a trip to the west and visit you and Teresa again soon. Take care dear friend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. Stunning photos Gracie. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your post this morning. I totally agree with you just being able to sit down and watch the sunset or even in my case contemplate the stars is a treat. I feel quite strange still at being able to do that now I am retired. I have my eye on Sue's new book too. I am just checking if I am going to be able to receive it or not if I buy one due to the restrictions at present with the USA....so tiresome!! Always lovely to hear from you Gracie....keep well Amanda x

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  3. Beautiful photos Gracie. I too received Sue's book this past week. It is wonderful, well written and well thought out. A huge accomplishment. Stay safe.

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  4. Hello my friend, I was happy to see a blog post from you pop to the top of my blog list. Your community sure has a lot of nice flowers planted in the beds. How nice it must be able to enjoy them but leave the maintenance to the professionals! Have you thought of using watercolors in your Bible? That would give the illustrations a lot of color. Dayle is having to start a 2 week diet of no iodized salt so they can do 3 days in a row of iodine radiation. Then I can't be near him for 2 weeks. Sheesh. During that I will have my cataract surgery so Kristi will be driving me to that procedure. Getting old sure is a pain. I have a big bag of magazines for you and will bring them soonish. Be well and enjoy life. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. Oh, what a lovely sunset! And such a bright full moon. I like the curtain of green formed by the morning glory vines, and hope they bloom for you someday. The clematis and hydrangea blossoms are so beautiful - such amazing depth of color.

    Thank you for the kind words about my book. :)

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  6. Oh, what a lovely sunset! And such a bright full moon. I like the curtain of green formed by the morning glory vines, and hope they bloom for you someday. The clematis and hydrangea blossoms are so beautiful - such amazing depth of color.

    Thank you for the kind words about my book. :)

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  7. I have just bought some watercolour pencils to experiment in my Inspire bible, I will let you now how I get on I am hopeful that the colours may be a little brighter. uch a stunning sunset.

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  8. Not much crafting in my home at the moment, it is busy with schools returning and my own teaching term just about to start again. I loved to see your gardening successes. I tried to grow Morning Glory but had no success. I love the deep purple-blue flowers, such an usual colour for a flower. Have a wonderful week xx

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  9. Love your full moon rising Gracie and that glorious sunset too. Beautiful plants and especially love the artichoke flowering....amazing. Doing a bit of sock knitting...attempting to knit a fox and about to try some sewing of pjs for me 😀😀

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  10. I'm always admiring crafting. That's one great thing about the Internet. There is so much to admire and look through and be inspired by.
    Colored pencils can give more intense color. It helps to buy expensive ones! Derwent Inktense Pencils are actually ink and they are intense.

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  11. Great to catch up on your news now that I am back on the internet. That sunset is something else. I agree with the lady above Derwent pencils are the best but a bit pricey. Jo xx

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  12. What a wonderful post, dear Gracie, I adore lady bugs. So rare to see them around here. And that artichoke! I've never seen one in bloom. I wonder if you gave an artichoke the choice - to be useful and get eaten or to go on and bloom - what would he choose? I would rather bloom, practicality is overrated.
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. Hi Gracie

    I love this post. All your photos are beautiful. I've been crafting. I have been reading quite a bit too. Corresponding with long chats on the phone with friends to keep us all sane. Im going to knit on a pretty lace scarf/wrap today. I cant seem to get off the computer though!!

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