Dancing Lavender

Spring is official when the little goldfinches (not sure, but I believe they are goldfinches) arrive. At work there is a courtyard full of lavender and these little birds vigorously pluck out seed with their beaks, making the lavender sway. I saw them every day last week, from about 7:30am to 9:30am they fed right outside our window.

Last Saturday I headed to work (on my day off) to take a snapshot of them. With their beautiful bright yellow feathers and the gorgeous purple and green of the lavender bushes I thought it would be a great opportunity for some quilty inspiration. I waited three and a half hours for them, and they didn't show up that day. So, instead I took pictures of...

lots of lavender...

a bee...

a hummingbird...

a butterfly...

and then...

I brought the camera to work again during the week to finally get a picture of the little guys!

Happy Spring!

~~Lisa

Arrival of Autumn

On September 23 Autumn arrived in the Northern hemisphere. It's my favorite time of year! I'd love to take the camera on a lazy tour of the county and shoot some old barns, pumpkins, grape leaves turning shades of persimmon into crimson shouting the arrival of autumn. But as the days have grown shorter, lately my time at work has increased ~ my days are longer! However, I have been able to enjoy the rewards of that hard work and even been able to teach a class in addition to my day job. For that I am grateful (tired, and grateful!).

To mark Fall's arrival here are some lovely Fall-themed patterns:
The Fluttering Leaf quilt pattern would make a great throw.
Acorn Autumn is a wall hanging...along with many other gorgeous free projects from McCall's.
Quilt Magazine features several projects which could be given as gifts along with Halloween accessories.