Goodbye to 2015

December 29th. First snow -- finally. Really more a mix of snow and icy sleet but enough to coat the green grass still growing . . .

This time of year, on the crest of the new year, I feel a bit depressed . . . tired . . . longing for a kind of hibernation of my own. Darkness creeps in so quickly, like fog, all grey and dim.

I think that's why I'm posting these "petites broderies" (sounds so much better than small embroidery). Quiet stitching, slow stitching. Stitching that soothes, that's random, repetitive . . .

So under the glow of a fire burning, the silky threads pick up the flickering light. The hubbub of the holidays is finally drifting away. Quiet returns. And slowly, steadily the light begins to return.  Each second precious against the gloom of winter. 

And yet there is such a different beauty to winter that I only wish I could appreciate a bit more than I have been -- the fleeting seconds of a warm peach sunset as I drive home from work.  The silly dance of birds on snow hunting for scattered seeds.

Quiet stitching, slow stitching . . .

Wishing you a peace-filled

New Year's Day!

Crafting in the Shade Garden

Last weekend was gorgeous -- the weather was delightful and so I spend most of Sunday under the trees working on another giant granny square afghan. Calling this one "Gumdrops" and it's almost finished. It will probably find a home on the living room sofa -- I find as the autumn and winter close in, I crave color more than ever! 

Then I did some handstitching on these small log cabin blocks. They'll probably end up in a small quilt for my niece -- such cute girly colors, I think -- perfect for a 4-year old! 

I often throw scraps into a large wicker basket and just work randomly from the pile, piecing together based more on the color combinations and patterns than using a plan. For years I've been in love with the batiks and have recently added the fabrics from Any Butler and Kaffe Fassett, as you can see here -- the colors and patterns are so rich!

I'll just keep on going until I have a significant pile of pieced blocks and then see how they fit together into something larger -- maybe a wall-hanging or even a quilted vest? Hopefully the weather holds and another afternoon in the back garden is in store . . . ?