Flowers, a Pelican and a Frog

Thank you to everyone that took the time to comment on my last post - the response that I received was better than I would ever have anticipated. I started feelin a bit twitchy about having it still at the top, so thought I would share some new photos.

This tree is in my neighbors yard ... it's just now beginning to bloom, but before you know it it'll be completely covered in these wild blooms:

This one below is from the desert rose in our yard (at least that's what folks around here call them - they have a crazy gnarly trunk similar to a fig tree, but some amazing tropical looking blooms). It bloomed last year when Don first planted it, but not as much as it's going to this year - there are still about a dozen or more blossoms just waiting for their moment to bloom:

Two years ago Sadie and Don planted a bunch of marigolds up against the backside of the house. That first year they did really well, last year not a single one came up and suddenly this year they have decided to come back ... here's a loner from the bunch that sprouted (pictured much larger than actual size - gotta love macro):

And here is one strange visitor - we're a few miles in from the peace river and about the same from the gulf, so NEVER see pelicans in the neighborhood ... until yesterday:

This guy (am assuming here) has decided to visit our yard - even let me get fairly darn close to take pictures, too ... so odd. Today he was hanging out across the street at the neighbors and when Sadie and I got home from errands, Don said he had a heck of a time shooing the pelican out of our garage! Maybe this guy is tired of the beach ... OR maybe I'm wrong and it's a girl looking for a safe place to build a nest! (guessing here - don't know the habits of pelican's). Personally, I find it kind of cool that the pelican decided to come around.

Finally, as some of you may know, sewing is so NOT my forte. I would love to say this is an attempt at modesty, but honestly, I am not a good seamstress ... in an effort to change this (and because I really like funny little plushies) I have been trying to sew more and more ... I went to a baby shower yesterday and made a pink and brown frog for the new baby ... I'm not sure how well it was received ... seems to me the mom-to-be wasn't very impressed. Ah well. Can't always bat a thousand. Because of this (and because I have lots of pink and brown fleece left over) I decided to make another one ... this one is about half the size of the first (measures 7"x4.5") and instead of stuffing it full of fiberfill (since I am nearly out), I decided to stuff it full of lentils (uncooked, of course!) ... it has no features and not a single embellishment (like its predecessor), but I think I love it! Here's the pink side:

and the brown:

hehe ... didn't take forever and a year to do and the little critter makes me giggle. This is from a simple pattern I found somewhere on line (sorry, I can't seem to find the link anymore, but if anyone recognizes it, please let me know and I'll be happy to add the link) ... I think I need to make more pink and brown froggies.

Wishing you all things that make you grin! ~M~

Babies ... so Charming

Can't help it ... sometimes I think I'm so clever (humor me and nobody gets hurt) ... last night there was an amazing sunset. I thought I'd try to get some photo's when this little guy decided to steal the show:

With all the rain we've been having the frog mama's and the papa's have been behaving like bunnies - there are nearly a gazillion baby frogs around (most of them pretty good at hiding) ... this brave little one posed for the paparazzi. Unfortunately, I forget how humid it would be outside, so the first few shots are foggy with lens condensation ... ah well, at least this shot is a keeper. The sunset shots ... not so much.

In other news, Amber Dawn is hosting another Black & White Charm Exchange ... I was slow getting started. The first submission was weak in the creative sense, but I still think it ended up cute (but not original quality enough for the actual swap). Check it out (the photo is larger than actual size):

The ring is the small end of a closure. If you remember the charms that I did for the Think Pink Exchange, you'll recognize the inspiration ... this one is a tad boring in comparison. :)

Next I broke out one of my tiny crochet hooks (7/1.65mm) and some black #10 cotton thread and came up with (again, photo is larger than actual size):

It's sweet ... but still didn't rock my world. AD had some concerns about it possibly snagging and the durability ... I'm not so concerned about that (plus I was thinking that I could dip it in the setting agent that I used on the paper cranes and could actually shape it and be certain that it could stand up to some serious wear). I think I would like the nest idea better if I used a natural colored cotton thread with some metallic thread laced through it here and there ... not an option in a black and white challenge, eh.

Back to the drawing board ... tonight I have been playing around with another design. Materials: shrunk down Michelle originals (thanks for the suggestion AD), decorative clear glass beads (the round ones with one side flat), Sculpy and paint ... I think I might be on the right track ... I'll share photo's when good light and I are on the same schedule. If you are interested in participating in the swap, visit Amber Dawns Black and White Charm Exchange post and leave a comment to let her know that you are interested.

Hope all is well with you and yours ...

8/31 update:

I have been playing around with the glass/sculpy pieces and haven't quite got something I like. I haven't completely thrown in the towel as there are a couple of tricks up my sleeve ... will post when I'm a little happier with the outcome. In the meantime, I have been thinking knots ... I did a search for macrame owls and found a couple instruction sheets that look promising. Since I need a break from the other ones, I plan on giving it a shot tonight after dinner - fingers crossed!