Cherry Hill Gate . . .

We had a wonderful family hike over the weekend through Cherry Hill Gate, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens and  

an absolute hidden gem.

So many beautiful birds feeding out of our hands ... 

can you spot the Crane?

Spectacular views

and reflections

and I can never resist a little whimsy coming across magical spots ;-D 

Happy Halloween!

d xo

 

Art in the Workplace . . .

Art in the Workplace

Exhibit #35

is on now at

McMaster Innovation Park

from 

October 28, 2022 - March 2, 2023

I am thrilled to have had both submitted pieces of art accepted into

this wonderful, juried exhibition.

Always grateful to have an incredible space like the Atrium at Innovation Park which showcases and supports local artists.

Art can be viewed in person at

The Atrium

McMaster Innovation Park

175 Longwood Rd South

Hamilton, Ontario

Sales are made directly through the artist, so if you are interested in both or either piece, please contact me via email for more information.

A sold sticker will be placed beside the piece, but it must remain in the gallery until the end of the exhibit. 

Hopes, Dreams and Possibilities

Acrylic

Original

17" x 24"

Birds of A Feather

Acrylic

Original

19" x 27" 

Have a wonderful weekend!

d xo

 

Our Autumn home . . .

snapped a few pictures as I walked around the garden . . . 

dressed in the beautiful colours of Autumn that I adore! 

all the rusts * browns * golds * burgundy * yellows * creams * and greens

where even the mailbox is decorated ;-D 

my friend sent me this sweet flag from Utah 

knowing my love of crows * scarecrows and pumpkins 

It is the first thing I put out in the garden as I begin decorating for the season and Halloween . . . 

a little door hanger I needle punched a few years ago

just waiting to be carved on Halloween

a sweet little find in the mums . . .  

 the arbours are covered in vines that have turned such gorgeous shades . . .  this one is over our pond

a fallen leaf in one of our many bird baths 

and of course . . .  a heart! xo

scarecrows stand guard in the front and back gardens . . .

we've had them all for years, since our children were little, lots of sentimentality attached to each,

so even though they seem to look a bit worse for wear each year, we could never part with them.

One will need some new straw hair and new pants as the old ones are threadbare (working on that today)

paper lanterns tucked into one of our larger scarecrows pockets

lots of whimsy :-) 

and garden signs

a harvest welcome

 "To those who have not yet learned the secret of true happiness,

begin now

to study the little things

in your own dooryard"

-George Washington Carver-

~have a wonderful week~

d xo

Thanksgiving walk . . .

Keep Calm

Autumn is here!

The most gorgeous weather over the Thanksgiving weekend and a long country walk was in order.

fresh air * spectacular colours * trees and birds and chipmunks * wide open space

"It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust

of brown sugar and cinnamon"

-sarah addison allen-

... and we had a lovely apple cobbler waiting at home :-) 

bright sunshine capture

I am a magnet to the trees :-D 

just look at this beauty - it took our breath away! 

"Love the trees

until their leaves fall off

then encourage them to try again next year

-Chatt Sugg-

lifelong tree hugger

"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-

reflections

the leaves are falling

as though they are in love

with the ground

~my favourite season~

 

Fletcher the frog . . .

Scrolling through Instagram recently I came across all these adorable images of knitted frogs . . .  

each one made me smile at how they all had their own little personalities. Over the years I've knitted lots of things including toys - for my own children when they were tiny, as well as my grandchildren, but I've yet to make one that I've kept for myself. However, after knitting a few frogs to gift, I just had to make one for myself! 

I found a pattern I liked and winged the rest :-D. Since I spent my knitting time watching Murder She Wrote (a favourite show of mine since the 80's) I decided to name him Fletcher, after Jessica Fletcher. 

"There's an old lady who lives in my soul.

She loves to knit and drink tea"

-unknown-

Once Fletcher was knitted (oh, the cuteness!), I started on a pair of overalls

a jacket and a little gathering bag knapsack

"People just need to go back to the ancient crafts.

We should teach people to do whittling at school

or knitting"

-Phoebe Fox-

such a great quote and I totally agree. I've been knitting since I was 11. A neighbour who was very talented in the arts and had once owned her own bridal shop taught me to knit, crochet and embroider. She would bring out a basket of odds and ends of wool, left over from previous projects, needles and sit patiently as I started with the basics - casting on, garter stitch, moving on to purl, decrease & increase. Our grade 6 teacher had a wonderful idea that we could bring a project we were working on to class, so for me, it was a knitting project. 

... beautiful things come together . . .  one stitch at a time 

those knees . . .  those legs. . .  that tummy! 

 He's only 4" tall and the perfect size to pop into a suitcase and do some travelling :-) 

"Childhood may be over,

but that doesn't mean playtime is"

-Ron Olson-

A walk along the Avon . . .

A little get away to Stratford where we took in all the sights and sounds . . . 

It's been so nice to get back to enjoying live theatre and we took in three wonderful plays,

 walked along the Avon River

browsed through shops

enjoyed Art in the Park (so many talented local artists)

 

lots of happy bees

which made us happy to spot . . . 

Church bells 

 & beautiful cool breezes 

I love finding a little free library ...

wild flowers

and visits with favourite willow trees! 

Happy Monday

d x