Archive | June 2013

Climbing Rose, ‘America’

Jun25

Nature’s Classic, America Climbing Rose: fast growing, hardy climber, abundant coral-pink blooms

I love this climbing rose! Every year it gets more beautiful & full of blooms. I planted it in June 2011 in a very sunny spot. It climbs up a trellis my our garage. Driving up our driveway, you see it greeting your arrival.

In the late fall, after it is done blooming, my husband & I wrap burlap around it. We tuck dried lots of leaves in the burlap as we wrap it. When I unwrapped it this year there were already buds!

I deadhead it almost daily to encourage new growth. I also bring blooms inside to add that wonderful bold color to our lives.

Six Pointed Star & Tumbling Blocks

Jun21

I have been continuing to use the English Paper Piecing Method to make Six Pointed Stars. [See previous post when I just began these stars.] As I continue to sew the diamonds together to make the stars, a second pattern appears. There are Tumbling Blocks appearing between the stars. FOcus on the whit on white fabrics you see stars. Focus on the multicolored scraps and you see 3D Tumbling Blocks.

Vases of Roses

Jun16

I like to snip off roses from my garden & bring them inside.

Old Fabrics

Jun14

My Nana’s Suitcase

I have an old suitcase that is full of fabrics that belonged to my mother’s mother. All the fabrics are at least 40 years old and yet most of them look like new. Some of the fabrics are in paper envelopes with postmarks for 1953. They have been out of the sun and weather,  neatly folded and separated by colors.

My Nana sewed clothes for herself and her daughter for many years and she taught both my mother and I to sew. She had a talent that she passed on. My daughters both sew. My older daughter makes intricate costumes that she wears in plays. My younger daughter sews stylish clothes she wears to work and on weekends. More than passing on these lovely antique fabrics, my Nana passed on the love of sewing.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Jun11

Seneca Falls, NY

A beautiful wetlands area for waterfowl and wetland dependent wildlife. The refuge provides resting, feeding and nesting habitat. It is situated in one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway. There are also wooded areas and grasslands. Bald eagles & Osprey are among the birds there. Other animals include: deer, muskrats, turtles, etc.

My husband & I have driven along the NYS Thruway many times, looking at the refuge alongside the highway. We finally stopped and visited. It is amazingly peaceful and lovely with sounds of birds singing.

The visitors’ center includes a gift shop, lots of information and an osprey webcam. It is free to walk or drive along the trails.