Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! Hope everyone has a beautiful day!

Sketch'n Part IX

I did a series of watercolors recently that I wanted to share with you. The first is a series of birds. I gifted one to Sarah for her birthday.



Another is a series of octopi - I love these little guys!



Going back to the Sketchbook exchange I participate in - I finished my last sketchbook. I can't wait to get my own sketchbook back and see all the art that was done by the other 12 members of our swap.

In addition to several of the watercolors - I added these drawings to Peggy's sketchbook.

I made these Nesting Dolls run across the page - each with their own design. The mosaic cuts out two of the dolls in the middle - but you get the idea....




And finally - I also drew some yellow birds...




I'm just back from New Orleans today. I was there for several days for a business trip. It was sooooo hot there I couldn't believe it. With the heat index it was over 110!

I'm glad to be home with my boys again!

Larissa and I saw Carlos Ruiz Zafon speak at Politics and Prose in DC. I could have listened to him talk all day - he has such a wonderful voice and tells the most amazing stories.



He was there promoting his new book "The Angels Game". I read his last book "Shadow of the Wind" and loved it. It's definitely one of those books that took over my life while I was reading it. I completely gave myself over to the world he created. I hope that this new book does the same.

One of the most intriguing things he said about his writing was that he also composes music to go with his characters and plot. You can actually download these pieces to listen to while you read. I am looking forward to doing this myself while I read his new book.

I can't wait to read my newly signed copy.

Sweet Brie

I wanted to stop and remember my friend Brie today. She passed away on this day last year.

I never knew a sweeter girl or a better smile :)

Please keep her family in your thoughts today.

Miss you Brie!

Sowebo Fest

I forgot to update you on my activities on Sunday! I went to Sowebo art fest (sowebo = south west baltimore). It's a street festival with art, jewelry, music, and people watching :)

I had a great time with the people watching especially. There was some very interesting sights including these lovely swans :)




I went with my friends Larissa, Zeke and William and we also enjoyed sampling the array of tasty treats! Watermelon/strawberry slushies, sausage and peppers, pizza, and lemonade were all sampled.



The music was great too - every area had it's own genre - folk, heavy metal, hip hop and even a marching band!



I was also lucky enough to run into an old friend! My friend Tim and I hadn't seen each other in over 4 years! How awesome is that!



I ended up buying a gorgeous handmade necklace (which I'm wearing in the above pic), and some homemade ginger hemp granola from Michele's Granola (yum!).

Stitch and Pitch!

I made my second annual trek down to the National stadium on Saturday to see the Stitch and Pitch game. This year the Nationals were playing the Orioles in the Battle of the Beltways! I didn't care who won - but in the end the O's beat the Nats 2-1.

Here is my plain sock in progress:



I went with Coleen, Hollyanne, Theresa and Jen. I was an idiot and forgot my camera - so I am stealing Theresa's pics!





We had a ball - eating way too much good stuff including Bens' Chili bowl and the most amazing Gelati! Mmm - Mint Chip for me and Theresa and Lemon for the rest!

I also have some big news - I bought a new car on Saturday!!! I got a new 2009 Ford Escape to replace my old 2004 Ford Escape. Love it! It's Sangria Red and has a sunfood and leather seats and butt warmers and an Ipod hookup and cool lights inside - on my!

I'll have to take some pictures and show you!

Sketch'n Part VII and VIII

Another double edition of Sketch'n!

The latest two rounds of the Sketchbook swap I participate in have caught me in an extremely busy time! I only had time for three drawings in each book. Here they are:




I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend!! Be safe!

Wine in the Woods

I helped out at the Far Eastern Shore Winery at Wine in the Woods. My good friends Tien and Tara are the owners.


To quote from their website:
"Far Eastern Shore Winery is a family-owned, boutique micro-winery located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in the historic town of Easton.

We produce less than 200 cases of each of our wines annually, so we hand-fill and label each and every bottle!

While we would enjoy your company in touring our facility, our zoning does not currently permit us to do this. Right now, you can only sample our wines at the Maryland Wine Festivals!

We are in the process of expanding both our production capacity as well as our wine selection, so be sure to visit our website frequently to check up on our progress!"

I highly recommend checking them out!

It was a very successful busy day!







This was the only picture I got to take before I dove in to start working. The crowds were out in force.



Here's Tien looking at the day's tally...



And here's Tara (in black) after the crowds were gone.



It was a busy day and everyone loved the wine. I may have to go back today and actually walk around!

How does your garden grow?

Happy Spring everyone!!

It's gorgeous outside today and I'm so excited for tomorrow! I'll be heading to Wine in the Woods. If you live in Maryland - stop by the Far Eastern Shore booth. I'll be working there from 3-6 pouring their wines. The owners are good friends of mine - so come out and give them a taste!


All the rain leading up to the past few nice days have caused my flowers to pop!! I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

Here's some Friday eye candy from my yard.





















Have a great weekend!

MD Sheep and Wool loot!

I finally got a chance to take some pictures of my Maryland Sheep and Wool loot!!

I got a sweater's worth of yarn from Peace Fleece!
Oh how I love this color...



I already did up a swatch.



I'm thinking of doing this sweater: Forestry (Old Penny Cardigan) I never would have thought about this pattern based on the picture in the magazine - but there are some great ones on ravelry.

The only other yarn I got was this beautiful sock yarn from Three Irish Girls:



I'm knitting the Mad Color Weave socks with it and I love how it's coming out so far.

This was definitely a year for roving and fiber.
I got this gorgeous assortment of fiber and I can't wait to spin it up.



There is some Woolarina, Grafton Fibers and Cloverhill in there from the cloverhill booth, a giant ball of Spinner's Hill roving and some Barletyarns roving in there.

Here are some closeups:











I also got some goodies from Sarah! She not only made me that gorgeous skirt in yesterday's post - she also sewed this cute pin cushion!



AND she let me borrow her hand carders and combs to try!


I can't wait to wash some fleece and give these a whirl.

In non fibery purchases - I bought Karida's new book and a lovely walnut niddy noddy:



And I also got this antique bobbin:



I plan to make a lamp out of it.

Stay tuned for more in progres pics!