Winter's Almost Over

February 2016

I have very many interests and hobbies.  Photography is one of them.  My significant other, Ronnie also enjoys photography and he has for many years.  His town's Conservation organization held a photo contest and asked for submission of photographs taken in Alexandria, NH to be judged and put on a calendar as a fund raiser.  He entered the allowed number of photos, four.  One of his was chosen for the calendar out of over almost 70 entries.  His photograph was taken of a young bear who visited his home one afternoon.  The bear has the longest legs I've ever seen on a bear and everyone loves the photo!  It is the photo for the month of April, the month of my birthday.  I'm so pleased!  

I continue to be busy with dyeing scarves both with the transfer dye method and eco-dyeing.  I'm also working on completing some machine quilted wall hangings that I hope to sell at the Farmer's Market in the summer.  We were pleased to be invited to a wonderful craft fair to be held in Newport, NH in August!  It has a good reputation that includes excellent crafters/artists and a large attendance record. 

It's snowing out as I write this but I know it will be gone soon.  I love that the days are getting longer, more daylight to get things done.  I don't know about you but when that sun goes down I don't always have much ambition.

Remember to Play a Little Each Day!
Peace,
Diane  

January 2016 Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to All!
The Christmas tree has been taken down and decorations put away until next year. I didn't have a gathering at my house this year so I didn't put out as many decorations.  The best part of that was I didn't have so many to put away.  I was happy to have a live tree this year, it smelled so nice.

Our little city celebrates the New Year with a Kayak Run down one of the rivers that flow through downtown.  I brought along my new camera and had some fun.  It wasn't too cold this year but just a bit chilly near the water.  It was fun to watch the kayakers but I wouldn't have wanted to be in that water!!

Play Time!I've been enjoying eco dyeing with plant material I was given from my local florist shop. I also used some of the flowers from my poinsettia plant that has now seen better days. :)

Here are some pictures of the steps I took in eco printing a silk scarf with eucalyptus leaves.
l.  placed the leaves on the white scarf
2. folded over and rolled on to a dowel for "cooking" (no photo)
3. unrolled after dyeing in black tea dye
4. Two photos of completed scarf after being washed and ironed

This scarf was sold immediately after completing it.  Someone received it as a Christmas gift. :)

Remember to play a little every day!
Peace,
Diane

December Warm for New England

December is here!

What wonderful weather we are having right now in New England.  I went to the store today without wearing a jacket!  It's been in the 50's!  No snow, a bit of wind on some days and I'm enjoying every minute of it while I can. 

Silk Scarves I've made and sold at fairs. :)

The craft fairs are over for us so now it's on to making some Christmas gifts for friends and family.  I've been making and selling silk scarves but I'm not sure that's what I'll be giving as gifts.  I like an idea I saw on another blog, "Bloom, Bake and Create."  Lynda made coasters from fabric she had dyed and screen printed.  I think I'll get busy making some of those.  Lynda has wonderful tutorials and ideas on her blog and I've tried many of them with excellent results. Besides, everyone can use a coaster or two and they're good for both male and female individuals.  I have a new overlock machine that I'm wanting to practice on.  I think the coasters will be a good place to start.

I came across this quote today while surfing the net.  Good advice I think everyone could use.

"If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place."

—Nora Roberts

Enjoy the Holidays!

and remember to play a little each day!

Peace,

Diane