Artful Journey

November's PTE exchange brings Autumn and Thanksgiving to mind.  I didn't have any Rooster stamps, which I thought could have been a cute idea..maybe next year. Instead I used the food stamps in homage to the bounty of Thanksgiving. I coordinated the lettering to the color of the stamp and added some Autumn flowers. While PTE is an envelope exchange, I  like to include a note. Here I have stamped an image (from Simon Says Stamp) using my Tim Holtz stamp positioner.  This is similar to a Misti, but less expensive. I learned about this product from Eileen, the Artful Crafter, and I love it.  I am able to achieve better results and use some interesting techniques. PTE Exchange Thankful for the chance to be creative More matching postage stamp to lettering colors I picked up this card at Hallmark....oh how I love that store! and I really love the sentiment. "If the world had more people like you, we'd all be saying that you a lot more often"  I feel truly

On Tuesday, we took a walk over the hill to Griswold Pond...very small, nestled in a neighborhood, a little bit of nature tucked in the city.. enjoyable little spot for this swan. I love how the clouds reflected on the pond on this one.  We waited patiently for the swan to move a little closer. and I did have to zoom.. The branch hangs precariously across a tranquil scene. Playing around with some of the filters, I altered the picture to this. an impressionist view... The colors on the back ground on this remind me of Monet's waterlilies What do you think?

My mom always said the man who made time made plenty of it. However at the moment, I seem to be in a time warp/stealing vortex, and time is disappearing faster than I can fathom. In the desire to take a short break, here's a post for T on Tuesday with Elizabeth and Bleubeard. such a cute fairy garden.. I think the pebbles are supposed to be potatoes, but then I have an eye for them.. 50 lbs of spuds at a time... they won't last long! We love potatoes here, and I refer to them as Irish ice cream...and as the saying goes... A constant reminder on the fridge thanks to Onz Not so sure if I would pair it with Gunpowder tea not really a gin drinker, but... When visiting my friends yesterday, Mary pulled out this cool bottle distilled in Drumshanbo, her hometown in Ireland. It was news to all of us. Just a drop, maybe? Happy t day!

Make a wish 11:11 on 11/11... Carson Beach Brisk but beautiful because sometimes you just have to believe in the magic of numbers!

Veterans Day falls on the 11 of November, but since it is a Saturday this year, it is observed as a federal holiday on Friday. Flags flying at Fellsmere Park “This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans. As a civilian I owe an unpayable debt to all our military. Going forward let’s not send our servicemen and women off to war or conflict zones unless it is overwhelmingly justifiable and on moral high ground. The men of WWII were the greatest generation, perhaps Korea the forgotten, Vietnam the trampled, Cold War unsung and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan vets underestimated. Every generation has proved itself to be worthy to stand up to the precedent of the greatest generation. Going back to the Revolution American soldiers have been the best in the world. Let’s all take a remembrance for all veterans who served or are serving, peace time or wartime and gone or still with us. 11/11/16 May God Bless America and All Veterans.”  ― 

I feel so fortunate to live in New England and have the opportunity to see the seasons change.  Each one offers its own particular beauty, and I am always inspired. Despite living only ten miles outside of Boston proper, I have a number of parks, ponds and lakes within walking distance. One of my nearby destinations is Pine Banks park,  where I can enjoy majestic trees and woodland paths. Colors of Autumn Transition Crisp, autumn colors Orange, red, and gold descend on path to winter. Pine Banks Zen like ripples in the pond morning comes with frost The nights are getting colder with a touch of frost.  I am already starting to hear the crunch of leaves under my feet, and gradually the brown is replacing all of the fallen color.  I think I will enjoy this last bit of fall, before the cold creeps in. Warm autumn wishes!

A few weeks ago, Fi and I headed into Boston for the Boston Book Fest.  We got a late start, making the first talk impossible; next, the train was delayed, followed by a diversion, so we missed our second talk.  What's to do? Why, what any good food loving females would do! Hit up Flour Bakery for lunch and sustenance before the next talks. Flour sandwich, good enough to eat and it was.. Once we finished lunch, we  headed to our first destination to hear a panel of mystery writers talking about their process. Next up and lucky for us in the same venue was the marvelous Geraldine Brooks. Geraldine is a Pulitzer Prize winner and an interesting speaker. Spoiler, her next book is titled  Horse, and it's about...wait for it, a horse!  From here, we headed out to a talk on memoirs, with an interesting panel including the writer of the Ask Amy advice column and a former dominatrix; this made for an interesting discussion. we were there.. books, books, glorious books Did

Fi and I headed out for a mini shopping expedition. First up Target for a few essentials, then Barnes and Noble for more essentials ( at least in our minds) Starbucks Latte and BoOkS!! And then we headed to our destination of choice...Wegman's food store We joined the throngs of people for the grand opening on Sunday morning, and it was jam packed. Wegmans is new to our area, and will prove stiff competition to Whole Foods and Trader Joes. So much delicious food on offer. We opted to pick up some Sushi and a bottle of Sangria...nice for a treat.  We opted for the Spicy Shrimp Po Boy.  Although pretty, we decided to pass on the Dragon Fruit.. great texture And then we finished off with a sampling dessert tray. Yum, followed by menu planning, but it is lovely to have an occasional treat. Delicious desserts, but not in the cookbook. We saw this glass at The Paper Store and I think it fits perfectly with this weeks T stands for... Just a thought... and a

Mild weather means putting some bulbs in the ground. It is  65 ° outside, so perfect for a little gardening.  Into the soil they went,  8 virichic tulips (late spring), 5 double late Dream touch (late spring), 20 large cupped Narcissus (mid spring) and leading the charge, wildflower mix tulips (early spring). They are nestled in. If you plant them, they will come.... And if you write me, I promise to write back. Though I must admit, my letter writing list is getting longer! And did I mention I love it!! Big props to my penpal Janet for introducing me to  Art Cover Exchange , which "promotes art, philately, friendship and correspondence among its members" I have already gotten some great mail and been introduced to some really interesting people. Through the mail slot! I really can't wait to see what the mailman brings every day! And of course, I have to reciprocate, so I have added that to Pushing the Envelope Exchange with Jean Wilson. That was my first art e

Five in five...and a high five for autumn color amid the warm temperatures. decorative peppers purple with a ruffle ornamental cabbage oh my gourd, so cute! even cactus have a pop of color Vivid bouquet My local garden center is always a source of inspiration...so many colors and a variety of textures.   Flowers always make me happy, how about you?

Looking up to the sky last night, the moon shone brightly as clouds drifted in front, ethereal and then majestic.. Hunters Moon Wisps of smoky clouds dreamily drifting, revealing the luminous moon Illuminating the night sky I had planned to participate in the NaBloPoMo challenge for the month of November and I almost dropped it on day 4. Then I read  Honore's  blog post and found a little inspiration.  She also shared a link to Austin Kleon's  page for a simple way to keep track of progress.  Austin's book, Steal Like An Artist  remains on of my favorites. Just the inspiration I needed to stay on track!

Warm temperatures have kept the crisp Autumn weather at bay, and flowers that are usually a thing of the past linger on... impatients...not in a rush to go anywhere... Normally by now, I'd have cleaned out the garden beds, planted some fall mums and pansies, and put in some bulbs for next year. With so much color still out there to enjoy, fall flowers seem unnecessary. I guess that means, more money for art supplies! Oh well, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! In the meantime, I think I will stop and smell the roses. Roses around the garden.. I keep trying to guess how many rosebuds will bloom before the weather turns cold.  I am just amazed that I am getting to enjoy the beauty of summer and the colors of autumn at the same time. fall colors on the trees... Why it just makes me feel like dancing or jumping for joy... I'll let you decide. Take your pick 'cuz... It's all good! Happy Friday!

you have a really big leaf???  beech tree leaf.. one of my favorite photos... Off in search of more ginormous leaves. and some inspiration... The answer is blowing in the wind. perhaps? and sending a little nature love to you...

and what better way to celebrate November 1st, the day of the dead, than with a wedding... it's really never too late.. but maybe it should be... Til Death do us Part Imbibed in witches brew, impulsively said I do rest in peace, who knew? In honor of All Saints Day, I extend the Irish blessing, Saints Preserve Us, which is a blessing asking those who have passed away for protection and safety.