Ulyana Sergeenko, Russian Fashion Designer

Source: treee.tumblr.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Makes me proud of my Russian heritage and makes me want to wear a babushka!!

first neighborhood walk this season

there are still some flowering shrubs in the neighborhood

oh, and here are the completed mushrooms, the shorter ones with white stems are the clay ones I made, the taller ones are the paper bag ones I made from this super easy tutorial

a tree fell over across the street from us the other day and the city is finally taking care of it

This morning was cloudy, gloomy and in the low 60s when I left my house for the first outdoor walk of the season. As you may know, I have been holed up inside during the sweltering summer with my trusty exercise bike, dreaming of the cooler days to come when I could reacquaint myself with the outside world. There was a lot of debris and a few fallen trees along my route due to tropical storm Lee, but in spite of the grey weather and disheveled look of things, I enjoyed every minute of it!
It was very quiet though, no scurrying squirrels or fluttering birds. They must have been weary from the heavy rains and winds we had been having and having a slow start to their day.
I hope, wherever you are, that you are experiencing some refreshing changes in your life,whether it is through the weather or some other means!

anticipation

I can't explain to you the feelings of joy I have when Fall approaches.
A cool breeze on the front porch,
sipping coffee, watching the crazy squirrels leap among the tree branches as they hoard the pecans for winter

thinking of the happiest season to come,
while visions of pumpkin spice everything
tea with ginger and cream
and family gatherings dance in my head.

mushrooms on my mind

click here for tutorial to make mushrooms from a paper bag!

I made the ones above from air dry clay
I will be painting them after they dry!

For over a month now I have been thinking about making some clay or paper mache mushrooms. I know, the weirdest things run through this brain!

I actually, finally made some clay ones this morning out of air dry clay I purchased from Hobby Lobby with my 40percent off coupon. Then I saw this tutorial for paper bag mushrooms and was quite intrigued to see how they would turn out. Well, I did it and it was incredibly easy!
If you have a fall party coming up or a woodland forest theme one, this is a great and inexpensive way to add some earthy decor! I will post some pictures of my clay and paper bag ones after they are completed!
top of the mushroom to ya!

Fall Fashion Dreamin

Oh, I love the colors, shape and pattern of this dress along with the cute ankle boots. Sophisticated but not stuffy!

This Fall I really want to get a pair of ankle boots that have a small heal (not totally flat) and can be worn with dresses. Similar to the two pictures above.

Of course I love the vintage look and shape of these dresses

Now this is a dress which makes me drool. I love the shape, the colors, the bag, the ankle boots! A perfect retro yet modern look!

sweet September

ahh, sweet September, the promise that summer will soon end and the days of crisp air and opulent beauty are just around the corner...

summer doldrums...autumn hope

a rough sketch of friend Rachel, daughter Jenny and daughter Christina I did from a photo about 10 years ago!

Do you ever feel like you are just floating along, not making much headway? No breeze, no movement? Well, that's me during the summer! Stagnant, hot, blah!

Well except for three glorious weeks this month which made August fly by, when my daughter and grandson visited us from Florida. Even though it was mega hot, I was refreshed by Christina being with me every day and energized by my grandsons cheery disposition! Each morning I would hear "Nannnnnnny!, Nannnnny!" and Kavi would come to my room and climb into bed to watch cartoons. Grandpa was already gone for work and Christina relaxed a little longer in bed while Kavi snuggled on Grandpa's pillows in the room with me.
At the end of their visit, my son in law was able to fly up for a few days and then drive back home with Christina and Kavi.
Now that they are gone it's like...crickets...crickets...
But I am so thankful for the time together and look forward to the next visit with them!

Now, this summertime business...I am over it! This week's forecast includes several upper 90 days, but some high 80s are in the near future and they better be right about that. I need it to be ''non heat wave" weather to really get in to crochet projects and I need to start preparing for Fall etsy sales and an upcoming craft fair in December, which I hope to be doing with Christina as well!
I also have a hankering to start drawing again after being inspired by talented Erika from
A Tiny Rocket, who did a gorgeous painting a day and shared them on her blog and also a facebook friend who just started sketching and is super talented at it. I haven't sketched for several years, but I did enjoy it and it is a fun way to make gifts or home decor for your own home.
Even with all this "not fun for me" weather, I am hopefully looking forward to what Fall may bring our way. Cooler weather, brighter colors and new adventures, I believe!!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot