Red Admiral

While eating lunch, we watched a butterfly walk around our hummingbird feeder then finally find the spot to enjoy his sugary treat.  Daughter asked what kind of butterfly it was.  From the house, I couldn't tell - too dark looking out in the brightness of the day.  I left lunch to capture my prey, camera in hand!  I'm so glad I went, as there were many Red Admirals just outside the front door waiting to have their pictures taken!

Colourful Copenhagen

A walk in Copenhagen is so colourful!

Family dinner get together

Yesterday, six of us girls drove into Wheaton for a wedding shower for my brother's soon to be bride.  We had a wonderful time with much laughter and happiness.  The food was awesome, as the hostess considered my Vegan menu but had delicious desserts for the young girls too.  I must remember to drop a thank you note in the mail...

After the shower and a bit of shopping, we met up at Chuey's in Warrenville.   Mexican food for a non-dairy woman isn't always a treat, but the chef made wonderful veggie enchiladas with carmelized onions and no cheese for me.  Job well done!  Our table was outdoors and the rain started before we were finished eating.  While I moved mom under an umbrella a swarm of bartenders appeared to move our tables to safety.  We all had a good laugh and enjoyed the rest of a delicious meal.

The food and atmosphere was delightful.  I snapped a few pics as it was full of eye candy:

Butterflies - tattered lace and bling

My next group of butterflies will be made of old lace and sparkles.  They seem rather boring compared to the last 70 butterflies, but should make an interesting display once complete.  Goal is still 100 total butterflies for the 100 Day Project!

Travel badges

My travel badge project is part of #thestitchinghour2019.  The goal is to stitch each day for an hour.  So far I've missed a few days, but try to find time each morning to stitch with my tea. 

Ink making: Pansies

I went a little crazy and picked all of my purple pansies.  They will grow back... After an hour of simmering, I strained them and painted a little on some watercolour paper.  Lovely blue colour.  Will add some vinegar to the next batch. 

Pouncer find in Copenhagen!

I found this "pouncer" at a flea market in Copenhagen.  At the time when I picked it up, I thought it was a frog or a holder for hat pins.   The vendor explained how it was used...  Fill it with sand (or ground cuttlefish bone), to use with pen and ink.  I had to have it!  Not only does the design scream, Denmark, as an artist it had to come home with me.

After returning home from my trip I discovered a surprise in my photos from the Nordic Museum in Stockholm! I had taken pictures of a display of nibs and a sand jar! Silly me, I guess I was suffering from creative image overload.  Is that a thing?

Dronning Caroline Amalie

This sculpture of Queen Caroline Amalie in the rose garden at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen was one of my favorites. As a seamstress, the details on her dress delighted me. The small book she carries is a lovely size for altering!   I loved how she was placed to over look her roses. The lavendar was just beginning to bloom and the yellow wisteria behind her was still in bloom.  I would love to return at another time in the year to enjoy the roses in full bloom.