lake michigan shore line

i took these pictures while camping last weekend at weko beach in bridgman, michigan.

i like this one because the lines are so straight, it looks like stripes. i also like the color contrast.

it was so windy, these guys were "flying" on these water parachute things. sorry, i'm water-sport ignorant, i have no idea what they're called. but it was fun to watch.

in these next two i was trying to capture the wind-prints in the sand. it looked kind of like waves. i don't know, i'm not thrilled with the way the pics turned out, it looked a lot cooler in real life. oh well.

*i'm still working on pics from the toledo zoo. last week was very busy. hopefully i'll get them posted this week.

zoo flowers

ok, so here's the start of my toledo zoo picture extravaganza. i accidentally posted this before it was done, so i've now added all the flower pictures. there was a beautiful conservatory there that we didn't even go inside, so this is just the tip of the iceberg of what they have.

see the butterfly?

a bug

not sure exactly what this is... grasshopper? katydid? it's beautiful, but the poor little guys is missing a leg.

loose leaf tea satchel

i found the instructions for this VERY EASY sewing project here. i've never been able to find a diffuser that doesn't let little particles of tea leaves out while it's brewing, so i'm hoping this will solve that problem. i found this cotton handkerchief at the dollar store (2 for $1) with the flowers already embroidered on it. the button is one i've had forever and have been looking for the perfect use for it. now i just need to get some loose leaf tea to try it out!

at the zoo

nature walk

chain-o-lakes state park
albion, indiana




this is the first time i've been able to capture a living creature close up on a flower.

and another one, though it's not very pretty, i was excited.

oh how i love wildflowers.

some projects i'm working on

my first sewing project - i'm making a capri and top set for my daughter.

have the pieces all cut out now, just need to sew them together!

a painting i started last summer, and just finished a couple days ago.
this picture was taken with the flash off, so it's pretty "warm."

this one is with the flash, it's brighter. i like this one better.

my inspiration was the sunflowers growing along the side of our garage last summer.