Happy Thanksgiving

These turkeys have a lot to be thankful for - despite initial intentions, they will bypass the Thanksgiving table and live to old age!

I was greeted by this friendly bunch (gaggle, group, flock?) as I pulled up to a log cabin in search of native plants. The 'Tree Guy' is a family-run business on Whidbey Island nestled into acres of woods where native shrubs and trees are propagated in their natural habitat then potted up for sale. The owner told me he first came to Whidbey as a kid in 6th grade camp, fell in love with the island and vowed to return. It didn't take him long - after high school, he saved up enough money to buy a chunk of land and has lived deep in the woods for 30 years.

Seems to be a common story among the islanders.

Now he shares his dream home with his family, 4 turkeys, 2 donkeys, numerous dogs and cats and chickens.

So here is to happy turkeys...

and a peaceful Thanksgiving!

Landscaping and Muddy Feet

Photo of our lot as seen by our neighbor above, Nancy

Our new beach house is located in an area known for wild winter storms and high wind. And we got it over the weekend! 75 mph gusts, thunder and lightning, torrential rains, even hail. Our neighbor captured the sunny aftermath of water flowing across our property.

While the builders make their final touches on the house, I am designing berms and paths and planting schemes. Our mission: only Island County native plants, self sustaining, no maintenance, let the grasses grow wild, protect from deer, and make it look natural. Bonus boulders are unearthed and plopped on top of the berms. Perfect perching spots for kids and dreamers.


In contrast to Kenda's elegant purple pumps... here is what my feet are up to!

Grey Skies

but still so much color everywhere.

p.s. Dagmar says purple is haute couture this fall!

Rainy Days

Cozy
Fireside
Good books
Time for beading
Colorful mixes on the dining room table
Cup of Earl Grey with a splash of cream (soy of course)
Bright yellow ponchos and boots
Muddy soccer fields
Recharge
Nap

Beaded Colorways is in print!!!

Advanced copies of my new book have arrived at North Light Books!!

Click here to pre-order a signed copy, receive a tube from my Seed Bead Medley, and be entered to win a basket of beads and fibers worth over $400! (details here)!

Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes details my journey from inspiration, to color mixing to freeform expression in beads.

In the first part of the book, I share insights and techniques in working with color to help you gain color confidence. There is even a package at the back with 2 color wheels and 6 templates to help you enhance your color palettes! Follow along with me as I go from inspiration to color wheel relationship to creating bead soups with depth and movement.

The 2nd part of the book launches into freeform beadweaving, with over 20 step-by-step projects sectioned into techniques that build on each other. By the end I hope you will feel like throwing out all of the rules and designing your own freeform works of art!

(the pages shown are pre-print images)

"We have a House to Catch!"

my son said as we raced after it in our car. Our stick frame house was built by Timberland Homes in Auburn Washington, then dismantled and trucked up I-5 and across Deception Pass bridge to our Whidbey Island property.

I took the kids out of school, my husband left work and some friends joined us to watch as the house parts were trucked in, jacked and rolled onto the foundation.

My dear friend Joie celebrated the whole process with us!

On the 3rd day, we were able to walk through the home that we designed with Timberland and could hardly contain our excitement (as you can see, I didn't) at how roomy the little cottage feels, how the windows frame the views of water and farm and how cute it looks nestled into the tiny patch of trees on our lot.

Envisioning arbors of honeysuckle... surrounded by Island County native plants

Even the wildlife welcomed us - fresh deer tracks traversed the mud every morning and bald eagles, great blue heron, ducks, geese and songbirds all swirled overhead.

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Dot (flyingbeader)
for winning the Color Give-Away!

Please let me know where to send your package and which colorways you would like for your Bead Soup Collection, Seed Bead Medley and Fiber Bouquet!

To all of my blog friends... I have been away over the last week - missing reading all of your delightful blogs. Will explain where I was next time!