Here is the little piece I embroidered and beaded. I added a little bit of lace and a wire bird nest that my sister makes. It did not photograph as well as I wanted but after about 20 different shots I gave up. In between the beads I have stitched with a gold thread, it looks neat because it picks up the gold on the little branch and on the frame. In this case a picture is not worth 1000 words,but I wanted to share what I've been working on. This cute (in real life) piece is available in my Etsy store.

Last year I bought a 6 pack of little foxgloves and planted them in my garden. I was disappointed because nothing happened. But they stayed green through the winter, appeared to be growing so I left them alone. I am not one to pull out a plant that is trying its best even if its not producing on my timetable. Anyway this spring I've been shocked and amazed, my foxgloves are blooming and looking gorgeous. They are so tall it is hard to get a good photo of one complete flower. But this will give you an idea of what I get to look at in my back yard.

Ribbons, lace, beads, felt, floss, to name a few of the materials I use when making my little mixed media pieces. For years back in the 70's I did crewel embroidery.  In the 80's and 90's I did alot of counted cross stitch. Always following a pattern, always afraid to go outside of the lines. Now I am making things up as I go. I love the freedom of it. I have no idea what this little piece will turn into when I am done but I'll have fun along the the way and let you know what the final outcome is.

Today I was spring cleaning in my bedroom and rearranging nicknacks. On top of my dresser I placed these mercury glass birds and a picture done by Laurie Meseroll. When I finished and was dusting I realized that all the birds were facing the window, as if they wanted to be outdoors. And then I realized that the painting said "Fly". No I did not do it on purpose. But the mind works in mysterious ways! Anyway for as guilty as I feel about keeping my birds trapped on my dresser they are going to stay there for a while because they look so nice.

I hit my favorite thrift store today, ARF. I love animals especially dogs and anything I can do for the better of them I am glad to. And when I find a treasure or two it makes it even nicer. This store is the best place for old books and at 50cents a piece I don't feel guilty about cutting them up. I use old books to create poetry a favorite past time of mine. Along with the old books I found today I got an old candy dish that I thought would make a pretty container for some of my beads another passion of mine. The beads I bought when visiting my sister this past weekend. One could   not be lucky enough to find beads and books in the same store. I even travel to another state for my beads!  I know there must be good bead stores nearby I just have not discovered them yet.

Today I had to return to work after a wonderful five fun days spent with my sister.  My time away from work had been creative and worry free. It is good to get away, it helps you see things in a new light. Driving past my neighbors house on the routine drive home I looked up and saw these beautiful succulents. I know they were there five days ago, they could not have grown that fast but it took new eyes to see them. I hope my "new eyes" stay with me for awhile because it makes for a more interesting world.

I had to fly today. It is one of my least favorite things in the world to do. I become anxious and quiet, afraid of everything. The energy in an airport is intense and I am learning to be aware of it but not feed into it. I was amazed when I was looking at my photos that I was able to catch a peaceful moment in the airport. It is nice to know there are peaceful times amide the chaos and that you just have to look for it.

I am new to blogging and like everyone else in the blogging world never thought I would be doing this. Anyway it is time to get outside of myself a little bit and explore the world  and so this is one of the ways I am choosing to do it.My blog is named after my little dog Lily a Bedlington terrier that I just adore. An old soul of a dog in a playful sweet little dog. Penny my Bichon is a little brat but I love her dearly. And they make for a busy handful. Wish me luck with this blog thing and bear with me as I struggle through all the electronic stuff.

I went to my sisters this weekend and we played around with fruit and trying to dye fabric. We had fun and relative success until we added chilies to the beets  and nearly choked ourselves to death!!!