The End is near...

 I  really do love a good ending and a brilliant new start. This year has been full of ups and downs. A few things I'd rather forget, but more wonderful things to remember!  I really don't want to make a list - the stack of journals for this year is enough for me to know that the year was extremely full. 

I'm looking forward to the coming year: full of travel plans, personal goals, and am feeling positive and full of God's grace. I am so blessed. 

So why the cabbage? It reminds me of family tradition. We eat cabbage with caraway seeds on New Year's Day. When I cut into this cabbage to have it chopped and ready for the first, the "tree" jumped out at me! Or does it look like a bug with legs ready to attach itself to it's next victim? 

December 26, 2023 / Full Moon

 I know it was there, but hiding behind a thick layer of cloud cover. Next full moon is January 25th. I enjoy full moon night, as the brightness lights up our yard and forest. 

The main reason I wanted last night's moon was to try out some photo tips I had come across for better full moon photography. 

Here is the full moon from November 2021, in a very dark Caribbean sky. For now, I'll wait.

Early Christmas to myself

 My charm order arrived yesterday! They will be part of a felting project in the idea/design stage. For now, I just like looking at them! 

Mushroom play

 I don't know what kind of fungus/mushroom this is. I even have a mushroom identifier app, but do not see it. I've always just called it a shelf mushroom. Anyway - the tree that this is attached to fell earlier this fall, leaving a lovely shelf to play with! I see a whole winter of little collections appearing. It's fun to play.  Is this my artist's playdate for the week?

My Tree

 I was concerned that this very well would be the last time I could take a picture of this tree. It is dead. But of more concern was the bulldozer at work in the field. I had this vision that the guy would go crazy and push my tree over. He didn't, but he sure removed much from the tree line. I'm not very happy about it all, but it isn't my field. He took out 3 rather large trees. I will plant 3 extra trees in our yard next year. Why don't people realize that trees are what could save our planet? 

Playing with my food

 As children, we got in trouble for playing with our food. Now, I can play and only get an eye roll from my husband. I think he's finally starting to understand the creative process. Either that, or he thinks me quite insane. Does it matter? 

As I was peeling my breakfast, the shapes intrigued me. Shall I use them for sun printing? Maybe spray dye or ink over them? For now, they will dry and fill a little bowl waiting for another day. They smell good and fit in well with the holiday season! 

Yoyo planning

 I think I am totally committed to this year long project - but first, a sample block. In my dreams, I thought that I could stitch a block in 15 minutes. Surprise! this block took 30 minutes. If all the blocks are this time consuming, at 30 minutes a day, I am looking at over 182 hours, and that is just to stitch. That doesn't include dyeing, designing, and finishing work. It took Michelangelo a little over 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel. I think I can stitch for 182 hours. 

Planning for 2024

 Now is my planning time. My list includes a 365 daily stitching project. I have a "vision" of using dyed yoyo blocks from a coverlet my grandmother made back in the 70's. First step was to unsew the pieces and begin the dye process (my favorite part). Crazy... what am I doing!?!

Quilt finish

 Just can't get away from using little dresses!