In the Big Red capitol

I took some time off and went to visit my sister who lives in the state where Red is the number One color;  Lincoln, NE home to the Big Red Cornhuskers. I had a great time and was able to relax... and relax... and relax... Boy was that ever needed. ;o)  Beware as this is a photo heavy entry and not what I typically share when it comes to photos but I love the shots. Be sure to click on the photos that interest you for a larger view.

This is Big Red country:

Below: The state capitol.

Above: My silly Sister at work. :o)

Below: Some shots around town.

I love the old buildings and the bricks.

Fun wall murals - they do it to cut down on graffiti and it seems to work.

Below: An amazing show of tiny embroidery- almost all were 100% by hand.  I only wish I could remember the name of the gentleman who made them.  Photos just can't capture how amazing these tiny works of art truly are.

Below: In the quiet of the cemetary.  There is such beautiful artwork to be found here.

Below:  St. Mary's Catholic church where I spent my formative years every Saturday or Sunday.  This church is directly across the street from the Capitol building.  They were holding Mass or I would have taken some inside shots as well.  This church was featured in the movie "Terms of Endearment".

Below:  Out in the countryside.  You can actually breathe here.  I love the wide open. 

Below:  Going Home... sigh...

Sketchbook Project

Maybe I am crazy.  Maybe.  I am going to do this Sketchbook project because it seems really cool.  My artistic roots (and my first love) has always been drawing.  I know how I am and this will most certainly prove challenging for me to get it done. 

BUGS - wip

Here are some bugs I have been working on over the past week. I was inspired by the all the dragonflies.  These are not baked and they still need some legs and antennae and some tweaking.  I am hoping to have them finished this coming weekend. :o)

Rain Barrel Art

Check out this totally cool rain barrel that my sister painted.  The red/orange cat is in honor of her kitty Mesa and the black and white cat was for the ladies that requested the barrel and his/her name is Spaz.  I love, love, love this barrel!

Dragonfly Summer

I don't know about where you live but here in Virginia it has been one amazing Dragonfly Summer!  They are all over the place in a fantastic array of greens, blues, oranges, and browns.  I took some photos of them out in front of my house.  I just love these happy flying bugs.

The cone flowers and Black Eyed Susans are what they seem to be after.

Oh wait! That's not a dragonfly, it's Sydd. We just finished playing in the hose. ha ha

Antithesis to Katy Perry's "California Gurls"

I have to say I adore this song and her voice!  Thank God good music still exists. Lyrics posted below for your reading pleasure.

Lyrics to This Pretty Face by Amy Macdonald

I don't care
Who does her hair or
What clothes she wears
I don't care if it's YSL, I don't care if it's Chanel
What matters to me is a strong belief
All this beauty is skin deep
Don't care about hair, don't care about eyes
It's about what's inside

You'll never know who you'll meet on your way to the top
You'll probably see them again when your fame starts to drop
Down down, I'll meet you on the ground
It's no good with your hair and your shiny blue eyes
It's no good when you finally start to realize
I need something more
This pretty face don't work no more

What happened to achieving
What happened to believing in yourself
Why listen to the musings of someone, somebody else
I'm sorry I don't see and I can't quite believe it anymore
What happened to believing that beauty's in the eye of the beholder

You'll never know who you'll meet on your way to the top
You'll probably see them again when your fame starts to drop
Down down, I'll meet you on the ground
It's no good with your hair and your shiny blue eyes
It's no good when you finally start to realize
I need something more
This pretty face don't work no more

You'll never know who you'll meet on your way to the top
You'll probably see them again when your fame starts to drop
Down down, I'll meet you on the ground
It's no good with your hair and your shiny blue eyes
It's no good when you finally start to realize
I need something more
This pretty face don't work no more

New Jewelry

Well, maybe "kind-of" new jewelry. I made these pieces months ago but became hesitant about putting them out for sale.  Not sure how I would hang the little worm pendants - a ribbon necklace might work for them like I did with some of the others below. The oyster shells are real.  I collected them from my favorite beach and thought it would be fun to give them their pearl back. So what do you think?  Do they need more "umph" or does a satin ribbon fit the bill?  It would be good to hear what you like about them or what you might change about them and why AND I really appreciate your feedback!

Beach Baby

I got to take Sydd to the beach the other day.  He loves the sand!
His Aunt Cady is helping him climb the lifeguard stand.  He's on top of the world now!

Feeling Brilliant

Yep.  Yep I am.  I am feeling a bit brilliant right now because I was actually right about the pretty pink flowers I saw on my walk Sunday.  Um hmmm.  It feels good to be smart. Ha ha ha!  (totally having some fun here).
I present to you a very pretty picture of a Pink Ladies Slipper I found on the web and it looks just like my flower (only with more green stuff happening).   ;-)

You know.., this is really just a diversion for me since I just couldn't bring myself to create that Bird Doll I was espousing about a couple of posts ago... drats!

What flower is this?

I took a long walk (about 5 miles) through the woods and near the water.  It was absolutely stunning the way all the colors sparkled and the sky was so blue.  I was so mesmerized with looking up at the bright green leaves and the blue of the sky and then the sparkles dancing off the water that I nearly missed the beauty of this little flower.  They covered the floor of the woods.  The pink is so soft.  I thought it was a form of Ladies Slipper but I am not sure.  If you know please tell me and thanks!  Forgive the photo - I took it with the camera on my phone.