A Bit more Spring

**I originally had this post scheduled to post... but for some reason it didn't....

I think we are in summer in Kentucky, the humidity is up and the fireflies are out!!! Most of the spring plants have faded and all of the trees are in full leaf. We have moved from high tree pollen to high grass pollens... so allergy season is in full swing.

When we moved into this house we were unsure of some of the plantings.... and had to wait a full year to see what arrived with spring before making any major changes to the yard and landscaping. Not that we are into totally rearranging the yard.... but the front was a little sparse.

One big surprise was a shrub in the back lawn, that was looking a little sickly over the summer. In the fall I trimmed it up... and was pleasantly surprised to see it bloom this year and discover a lilac. Although it is not very fragrant.... and has a large leathery leaf, not the delicate small leaves of the newer hybrids.

When I was out photographing the Poppies.... I found a pond with a resident wading bird. A Green Heron.... May have to come back with the bird lens...

I hope I find a few more things to photograph.... this summer. Although, once the humidity starts.... where it is humid before the sun rises I am not sure I will want to be outside! The weather has been perfect the last couple of weeks!!!

More later- Beth

Coaching Free Motion

A few weeks ago I was able to share how I create the letters..... with one of the guilds. I don't call myself a teacher or instructor, more of a coach/encourager, because creativity is a personal thing, and not something that can be taught when everyone does it exactly the same way. I try and share what I know in a way that others can use the information in their own way or style later. It was one of the very few times (in a class/workshop situation) that everyone stayed until the last minute!!! We had a total of about 10 hours (Friday evening and Saturday). All were enthusiastic from start to finish. I find that once the stitching starts, most of the enthusiasm starts to wane. Fortunately it was pitched as a technique, rather than a finish .... and once your are comfortable with the design transfer and the Free Motion.... the technique can transfer to just about anything that needs thread for the embellishment.

So what were the results????

I had a great time coaching all these folks... and can't wait to see what they do with this in the future!!! 

I completed one of the samples I made for the class... 

The letter "K" and it is the 13th... in the letter series. I started this letter several months ago, but needed to keep it until the class. I still have a few others in the sample stage.  But I the made the "K" (approx 12"x12") for a specific person and it will go in the mail, just as soon as I get the label/sleeve .... on it (probably tomorrow).






More Later-Beth