Signs of Spring

It's the last day of April, but certainly not the last day of spring!

It is gloriously sunny and cool, and I am happily sitting on my porch.

enjoying the sounds of birdsong, lawnmowers and neighbors working in their yards.

My lovely friend Elaine sent me a sweet springtime picture, which I'll share with you.

As a child, wouldn't you have loved to read a book illustrated by Elaine?

I love her drawings and they way she depicts the innocence of childhood.

As a child, one of my favorite things was discovering wild violets in the grass

before the first lawn mowing of the season.

Yesterday, I saw a flash of purple in the lawn in front of our house, and there they were!

Of course, I had to bring some in and put them in my new little vase!

They remind me of a fused fabric piece I made many years ago...

and also of these painted and stitched African violets.

It's been fun capturing the first signs of spring this month. 

Thanks to my friend Andrea for the idea!

The process has made me want to carry my camera around all the time 

and notice things I otherwise would have missed.

A good habit to keep practicing.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this monthlong theme,

as I have. I'll be up to something new in the month of May!

Enjoy every sign of spring you encounter!

Signs of Spring - A Beautiful Weekend

We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend here in New England!

Trees are finally showing off their brand new spring green leaves!

Tulips are popping up,

and flowering trees are flaunting their finery!

On Saturday, I went to a lovely quilt show - (unfortunately my photos did not come out well),

then on to a local arts festival.

I immediately looked for my friend, Pam Perras, 

who was exhibiting her beautiful oil paintings.

If you go to her website, you'll see better images of her exquisite work.

There were many, many painters and photographers,

but my eye was drawn to the work of fiber artist, Sue Colozzi.

Sue does scenes of Boston, Cape Cod and landscapes in fabric and thread.

You can get a better look at her work here!

                             

And I visited another fiber artist, Beverly Hinckley, whose work is largely abstract.

It was fun to find out that she is a new member of our town's Arts Collaborative.

It was a real pleasure to enjoy the nice weather with my husband
and, I would have to say, it was a great weekend!

Hope your week is off to a good start;
May is right around the corner!

Signs of Spring - Colors!

 Today I began the job of reorganizing and sorting my embroidery threads.

It's long overdue since much of my stash looks like this and I can never find anything!

I stretched out the skeins on scrap pieces of mat board, and the boards fit nicely in a drawer. 

Some threads in my collection come from my mom, who did beautiful embroidery

such as this stitched dining room tablecloth she gave me years ago. This is not the greatest 

photo - in reality, the stems and leaves are much greener.

I'm getting a bit antsy about getting back to my own creative work,

which I'm planning to do next week. Meanwhile I'll be looking for more signs of spring!

Hope you've had a wonderful week!

How to hold a Spring Bouquet

I found this funny little vase today while shopping

and couldn't resist buying it.

                                               Only 3 inches tall, it tips forward as if to say,
                                                             "See what I have to offer?"

Love the yellow interior!

It's perfect for a few little sprigs of forsythia,

wild violets or even dandelions!

I have a feeling that it will be holding many tiny bouquets

throughout the spring and summer!

Hope you're having a lovely day!!

Signs of Spring - a Lakeside Walk

A beautiful Sunday,

and my husband and I decided to walk by the lake

in search of spring.

Nature still seems to be largely asleep, but the geese were out,

we walked through a lovely lakeside park,

saw trees with the tiniest of buds,

and some that had just begun to bloom.

The season is taking its time in fully appearing, but milder weather and sunshine 

are very welcome and there is still so much to look forward to!!

Every day there seems to be a new sign of spring!

Thank you for your comments on my last post and...

here's wishing you a wonderful week!

A Personal Note - We are OK

Dear Friends,

I've been receiving phone calls from friends in different parts of the country, wondering whether I am near the current emergency situation going on in Watertown and Cambridge, Massachusetts. My husband and I live about 20 miles north of Cambridge, and, although there is an extremely intense manhunt going on there right now, we are safe, as far as we know.

I always get such sweet comments from blogging friends, I just wanted you to know that I am OK.

Love, Judy

Added later...

Thank heaven the authorities have captured the remaining suspect! 
What a day!

Heartfelt thoughts and concern for their many victims. May peace be restored to Massachusetts!

Signs of Spring - An Abundance of Yellow

It's everywhere, my favorite color,

 and that makes me very happy!

Our forsythia hedge is in full bloom,

As well as more bushes under the porch.

And finally, our daffodils have burst forth with sunny blossoms!

Hope you've had a bright and sunny day!

Signs of Spring Around Town

Today has been a beautiful sunny day, warm enough to open the porch windows,

and a good day to be out and about looking for signs of spring!

At a shopping center, I found clusters of daffodils

and some trees about to unfurl their leaves.

In front of a store, pretty plantings of daffodils and pansies,

with pussy willows reaching up to the sky.

And, in Trader Joe's, lovely bouquets of spring flowers for sale.

 As I drew near home on the way back, bordering a parking lot,

 these flowering trees were fairly bursting with blossoms!

Soon yards will be filled with flowers, but for now, 

I was happy to see signs of spring wherever I could find them!

Hope you've had a lovely day!!

Signs of Spring Gone Wrong

Yesterday it was my intention to write about the celebrated Boston Marathon as a sure sign of spring.

It is usually such a positive celebration of humanity. I've never actually attended it, but it was always there as one of Boston's best days, Patriots Day, a much loved tradition in "our fair city". 

I'm sure you've heard about the bombs, the dead, the injured, the devastation. Our hearts are sad and I feel like this is just one more piece of innocence lost. I know Boston will rally, but this day will be forever tainted with the memory of what happened yesterday.

The sun is shining today, and I'm going to purposefully go out and look for signs of spring and hope.

Let's all have a good day!

Signs of Spring #10

Forsythia

Finally, my forsythia bushes are blooming, with a burst of yellow blossoms along the top.

It's a cloudy day, and the bright yellow flowers are a welcome sight!

And on the front door, a little spray of flowers welcomes the season.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

More Signs of Spring

Making Paper Gerbera Daisies

 Last night I took a another class with AnneMarie Gallivan

 and we made these beautiful flowers!

When I got home, I decided I wanted to add leaves, so I made some this morning.

I love the centers of the daisies...

I still have materials to make a yellow and a light pink flower, which

I plan to do another day.

Of course, as usual, Rosie had to investigate!

Hope you're having a creative day!