Spring Birding

 

Spring is such a great time of year for birding, especially during migration season. If you put out some fruits like oranges, you are likely to find Baltimore Orioles visiting one day soon. It's also a good time of year to see Scarlet Tanagers and yellow warblers. 

It's mating season for the turkeys, and we've been seeing them frequently in our yard and woods near the neighborhood.

And just last week, I saw  bald eagle perched high atop a tree just around the corner!

I think I will need to put the hummingbird feeder out soon.

In the meantime, flocks of goldfinch have been visiting every day. I can look out my window and see a dozen flying around the maple tree where the feeder resides.

Today's card uses some dies that were purchased last year from WPlus9 {hanging head in shame} that I finally got around to using.

{Today's Brew: Birdhouse and bird dies (WPlus9), The Little Things stamps and dies (WPlus9), floral background stamp (The Greetery), enamel dots}

To give the birdhouse a woodgrain look, I used a bone folder and then went back with a blender marker and some green ink to accent.

Birding...one of many spring blessings!

Spring Bouquet

 

I like to save interesting bottles for bouquets. I thought this one was perfect for transporting to my mother-in-law in the care facility.

When cutting spring flowering bulbs for bouquets, it's good to keep in mind that wherever you cut, that bulb will probably not flower next year. Spring bulbs need to die down completely, including their leaves, before you can safely cut them down and expect a return of blooms.

Some of my bulb patches grew the greenery but did not produce blooms. Either I trimmed them too soon last spring, or they just need to be dug up and re-planted. I put them in the garden seven years ago when we moved in.

This bouquet has daffodils, grape hyacinths, and some fennel for greenery. My Mom in Law always enjoyed spring flowers, and I think she appreciated them. I like to think the nurses and aides appreciate the flowers when they visit her room, too.

It Matters

 

Hello, café friends!

How's your week been shaping up?

Mine has been relatively quiet. Practicing my dulcimer, cleaning up the garden, taking Jemma for some beauty shop time.

We finally made it into the craft room today. I say "we" because Jemma had to follow. Spring thunderstorms this afternoon. Jemma is not a fan.

I saw this cute card sketch the other day (Jackie Bolhuis from SU's Klompenstampers) and I thought "I want to try that!"

This coffee card seemed like a good choice.

{Today's Brew: Simple Stories Vintage Spring papers, Simple Stories Winter Wonders images and enamel dots, MFT cross stitched die, Riley and Company sentiment}

Trust the science. The cup matters. LOL!

Lovely Lilacs

 

Did I tell you? I won a gift certificate to The Greetery on my birthday at the end of February! What a lovely surprise!

I used it to purchase the beautiful new Botanicuts Lilac dies. Betsy posted a video on how to assemble them, and it was very easy to follow.

I paired the flowers with the Put a Bow On It stamps and die.

In our corner of Michigan, the lilacs are usually blooming around Mother's Day. But up further north, they can reach their peak in June. Mackinac Island is famous for their yearly Lilac Festival. I would love to go! Can you only imagine the scent from an island of lilac blossoms?

It's a beautiful, sunny Saturday in spring. Enjoy!

A Quilted Note

 

Sometimes, making a card just makes me happy. Choosing the colors and patterns and combining them in a way that's fun and whimsical is so satisfying.

I imagine this is how my sister, Tina, felt when she made a quilt...choosing just the right fabrics, cutting them, stitching them together.

I was able to take that concept and use it to make a quilted card!

I used the Patchwork die from The Greetery, and combined it with some old papers from Simple Stories. 

{Today's Brew: Patchwork die (The Greetery), Budding Beauties Summer stamps and die (The Greetery), Opposites Attract sentiment stamp and die (The Greetery), Simple Stories papers}

Year of Plenty win! Using old old papers and finally getting around to using a die that I bought last year.

Golden

 

The goldfinch are back this week! It's so nice to see their bright and cheery plumage at the feeders.

I added some yellow feathers to this nest.

{Today's Brew: The Greetery background stamp and Curio Findings Spring dies, The Greetery Nordic Frames die, PTI Year of Psalms}

Golden daffodils, golden birds. Happy spring!

Solar Eclipse 2024

 

We witnessed the total solar eclipse yesterday, and it was spectacular!

We drove nearly two hours south, along the back roads to avoid the major traffic backups on the highways. We planted ourselves in the small farm community of Deshler, Ohio.

We got an ice cream at the Village Market, watched the trains, and enjoyed the 75 degree weather while we cruised through town.

We stopped at the community park at the center of town, where other people had gathered.

We had a great time talking to people from as far away as Grand Rapids, Michigan! Two gentlemen sitting next to us had also come from a town in our area, Blissfield. Small world!

Slowly, the sun looked as if a bite had been taken out of it. The bite got bigger and bigger.

Shadows lengthened and the temperature of the air began to cool. The light took on an intensity, and then it was as if twilight descended.

When the eclipse was complete, I could not see a thing.

"Take off your glasses!" my husband instructed.

And wow! There it was! The corona of light!

You could see stars! And you could even seen dots of red lights around the sun...solar flares!

 

When it was over, everyone started clapping. Good job, God!

A once in a lifetime event. I'm so glad my sons got to see this celestial event, too.

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1