Minutes for Me - Colors in My Yard

Why should you take some Minutes for You?

I do it, because it makes me smile. Yes, a few minutes of smiling a day can make all the difference in the world to me.

It's like taking time to smell the roses, even if they are dandelions!  Do you know what dandelions look like up close in the early morning?  The petals are tightly twisted in a spiral.

Take time to check it out. (Minutes for Me)

Look at the tiny bee on a dandelion in full bloom in the afternoon.

Our pines are budding out too.  Love the richness of the greens, even though I do not like the color green.

I was taking photos of my containers for my container garden. I wanted a "before photo" and then I noticed the green on the pines.  Tons of pollen is flying through the air and into my windows and up my nose! But they do look pretty.

I can't wait to fill the containers. It is still too early in Wisconsin... waiting til later in May.

We have three apple trees in our yard. They were in full bloom and are starting to loose their petals with the rain and the wind.  The morning sun was hitting them just right this morning for these photos.

Take time for a few minutes for you!

If you are following me on Instagram, you know I take photos of all the colors around me. I share my Instagram photos on Twitter and facebook too.  

Later, this month, I will share the photos of the all the colors in my kitchen, including my pretty plates, quilted placemats, and my colorful food. 

It looks like a quilt to me! This was my lunch on Tuesday!

Enjoying May, one day at a time...

Marcia

First Tomatoes on Display!

My first couple tomatoes started to ripen around the 4th of July.  These were the first three!

I had a couple every day and now about 10 a day.  I expect by the end of July to have way more than I can use.

I added the daisy for some highlights of color! They are always in full bloom around the 4th of July.

This photo would make a great inspiration for a quilt color combination. "It looks like a quilt to me!"

I am planning to make pizza sauce this summer.  My brother and his son and my Mom are coming to visit sometime in August.  We can make pizza sauce in memory of my Dad.  He made the best pizza and pizza sauce!


I find inspiration when taking photos of my garden and all the colors in my world...


Enjoy your day!


Marcia


This post is from my Lunch Looks Like a Quilt Blog.  I just wanted to share it today with you to share where I find my inspirations.

Is There a Sunset After the Rain?

It was extremely windy all day, yesterday. The storms came in and it poured.  Not a lot of thunder and lightening -- just rain.  Then it stopped and the sun tried to shine through the clouds at the end of the day.

Everything seems to be refreshed by the rain...

Even the little blossoms on the Thyme.

I was worried my plants wouldn't make it through the wind and the rain, but they awoke with a renewed freshness after the storm.  This little wood violet was protected by it's leaves.

The violas look a little damaged, but they are pretty tough and will bounce back with more blooms.
Can you smell the sweet basil?

I took time to smell them this morning and I plan to enjoy my garden and everything around me with a renewed freshness.


I lost a good friend, unexpectedly this week. The sadness I am feeling is overwhelming with empathy for her family members and our friends.  We have been friends since Middle School. She was a strong vibrant woman who gave so much to everyone including her family, her church, and her community. I am proud to say, she was my friend. This world has lost a wonderful woman too early in life - she was only 53. 

This is my friend, Mary Jo!


So in closing today, I would like to say something I say quite often:  Take time to play, take time to enjoy the moments of your life, and most importantly take time to be with the ones you love...
Marcia

The First Morning Glory Bloom Inspired My Quilting

It was Project #13 from my Minutes for Me Adventure at the October quilt retreat and I finally started it at the November quilt retreat, last weekend.  I was able to quilt it today! I thread painted it on the raw edge applique. I only have the binding and the hanging sleeve left to do.

This is the original photo of the first bloom.  I used it as my inspiration for the quilt.  I added a few leaves and changed the color of the bloom.

I had fun with the leaves using three thread colors.

I started with a print of the photo to use as a guide. I printed a large draft quality print of the bloom to use as the pattern to create the flower. I drew the leaves free form. 

I drew out all the pieces onto lite heat and bond and ironed the it to the back of the fabric.  Then cut them out.  I arranged them on the background and then pressed them with the iron in place.

I used Fine Point Sharpie markers to draw the lines, so I would know where to stitch when I did the thread painting on the pieces.

I started to thread paint on the bloom using several colors.

Added some grain lines to the wood with a brownish grey.

Three thread colors for the leaves.

Started with four thread colors for the bloom.

Then a light pink for the center of the bloom.

Then a light blue.

Stitched with a light blue thread to form tiny circles for the background filler.

Flipped it over so you can see the back of the quilt.

I was inspired by the "first" bloom from my container garden this year and I am pleased with the results.

This was my second quilt that was inspired by my garden.  I created the first one this spring and named it Blooming Beans. 

I also wrote a post a month ago about photos from my garden that I will use to inspire more quilts - Quilting the Colors and Textures from My Garden.

I am ready to try another one soon.

What inspires you?

Enjoy your day! 

Marcia

Linked with:

Minutes for Me Linky Party # 3 - Nov. 16, 2011

A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday - Nov. 16, 2011

Happy Quilting: TNT - Trying New Things - Nov. 17, 2011

Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday - Nov. 18, 2011

Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? - Nov. 18, 2011

Homemaker in Heels: Weekend Soiree and Blog Hop #28

Sew Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty Party #41

Pieceful Life: Little Quilt Monday - Nov. 21, 2011

Sew Chatty: Made with Love #52 - Nov. 21, 2011

Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday Linky Party - Nov. 21, 2011

Canoe Ridge Creations: Sew Modern Monday - Nov. 21, 2011

Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show - Nov. 22, 2011

Life in Pieces: 15 Minutes Challenge - Nov. 22, 2011

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Nov. 22, 2011

Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On - Nov. 22, 2011

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures - Nov. 22, 2011

Savvy Southern Style: WOW Us Wednesday - Nov. 23, 2011

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff - Nov. 24, 2011

At The Picket Fence: Inspirational Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

Stuff ans Nonsense: fridays unfolded - Nov. 25, 2011

Faith, Grace, and Crafts: Pearls and Lace Thursday - Nov. 24, 2011

2805: Potpourri Party #13 - Nov. 25, 2011

Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish it up Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

Amylouwho: Show 'n Tell Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

and

Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday - Nov. 23, 2011

and

The Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Things Friday - Dec. 2, 2011

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can #54 - Dec. 2, 2011

Roca and Company: You ROCK #11 - Dec. 2, 2011

The Shady Porch: Rock'N Share - Dec. 7, 2011