Arranging Asparagus

One of the very best parts of living

in this little rural town

in the southwest corner of the state of Iowa

is receiving gifts

from the bounty

of Neighbor Joe's garden.

Flowering Quince

I think the flowering shrubs and trees have been extra splendid this year - our reward for survival of the bleak winter months.

This is an old bush and has never looked this good.

Blocks for the Swap

These are for Wanda (green fabric) called Road to Tennessee

and Caryn (dark brown fabric) called Arbor Window.

Button Eggs

The Buttons started it. There's a lady who collects them and gives talks about their history and so on. Her collection of 750,000 buttons inspired me to gather some too and start gluing them to other things. That led to mosaic which led to collage which led to mixed media which led to altered books and so forth and so on. Buttons are still fun to play with. These eggs are a few years old, but a couple of new ones are sitting on my work table now along with a button pear! Stay tuned.

New Wire Handled Creations

A late night spontaneous project finally finished - except for a final walnut stain bath.

Experimenting

Playing with buttons and beads and wire to create bracelets or necklaces. I like using vintage brass wire and findings.

These might become gifts for my four sisters when I see them (hopefully) in May. Working on their color choices. Wire and button idea is from Bent, Bound and Stitched by G. Cirincione.

Inspiration came from last issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors.

Tincture

Just when winter had begun to seem unbearable, we found a recipe in Body and Soul magazine for a tincture that claimed to improve energy and mental accuity. This shows it one week into the 4 week process. It is made from Siberian Ginseng or Eleuthero Roots soaked in Vodka (left) or Brandy (right). When the time is right, we will strain off the plant material and bottle the tincture in brown eye dropper bottles to be used by the dropperful 3-4 times a day. I'll keep you posted. . . . .

Quilted Cap

this is the doll that I found in the yard sale of the house that was out in the country that is wearing the brown shoes that were found at the resale shop in Stillwater OK where my sister works with her friends and the cap that was found in a coffee shop in Council Bluffs IA where I was having a cup with my daughter who bought it for me for my birthday.

Friends and Such

What fun it is to go "junking" with a friend. Friday afternoon in Plattsmouth treasures are pictured in top two pics. Thank you Pat.

And what joy it is to receive a gift of another friend's "excess!" Thank you Donna!