Ridley

Warning: I brake for turtles! Honestly, I do. I stop to save box turtles and other critters from the road. The thought of one of those little creatures getting hit by a car leaves a pit in my stomach, Yes, I am a softy, but I draw the line at snapping turtles. They...
Framed in Ferns

Framed in Ferns

Shade gardens are so soothing. The variety of greens and textures of the leaves are so interesting. Hostas have such large and lush leaves with white, yellow and green. Heuchera are intriguing with their red and green leaves with foamy flowers. Hellebore are the first...

Fairies Gathering

Stories about fairies have been around for centuries. They range from mythology to fairy tales to more recent stories like Peter Pan and the Spiderwick Chronicles. Fairies have special powers to help or hinder characters in the stories. They are rarely the lead...
Ice Cream Stand

Ice Cream Stand

No matter when you live, ice cream stands have a special place in our memories. Growing up in the Adirondacks, it was never particularly warm in the summer, but we still enjoyed the local ice cream stand in summer. Anyone who lives in the country knows that local can...
Sustain

Sustain

With snow on the ground here in Virginia, it is difficult to think about Earth Day and spring being right around the corner. But it is.  Yesterday, I saw a seemingly misguided robin. They usually arrive as the harbinger of spring. This poor guy may have had a compass...
Star of the Picnic

Star of the Picnic

When I think of picnics, I envision a quilt amidst a field of wildflowers, a wicker basket full of food, a bottle of wine, friends, and laughter. Maybe I have watched too many BBC period pieces like Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. My last experience with...
Prismatic

Prismatic

Large prints are so beautiful, but how do you use them in quilt other than as a panel?  That was the challenge when I saw the gorgeous Luminosity collection from Northcott. I wanted to highlight the magnificent large print and design something a little different. I...
American Spirit

American Spirit

My parents instilled patriotism and humility in me, not through their words, but through their actions. My father served in the US Army Reserve for 33 years, spanning from Vietnam to Desert Storm. My mother served on a variety of local boards, including her local...
Plaid Picnic

Plaid Picnic

When fall comes around, I want to pull out my turtleneck sweaters and plaid jackets. I know it sound a little old fashioned, but I love my plaid in the fall.  Maybe it is a bit of my heritage shining through. Or maybe I just like the look of beautiful colors woven...
Circling Hawks

Circling Hawks

I have always marveled at raptors. Hawks, eagles and falcons have such majesty about them. They are sentinels perching on trees, lamp posts and fence posts, waiting for some unwitting prey to cross their path. We are so fortunate to have a pair of nesting eagles near...