Iron Craft: Catalogue Creations

So, two weeks ago I didn't get around to finishing my Iron Craft challenge. I had gathered the materials, but the time needed to put together my project just did not materialize.

This week I did two projects and maybe, it was to make up for the last challenge. Or maybe it's because I wanted to do both of them and the longer time span for this year's Iron Craft challenges allow for multiple projects.

The first I found in a round about way. I followed a link through Just Crafty Enough that led to a tutorial about recreating an Urban Outfitters wall decoration. When I saw these I knew that I had to make the flowers for Lotus Bud's room.



I bought those animal prints before Lotus Bud was born. I thought they were super cute, but now I don't know. I'm not sure I like them anymore. Adding the flowers made that wall decoration so much more personal. And the flowers brought Spring into the room.

My second craft was inspired by a t-shirt from Dharma Shop (the shirt on the right of the image below). About two seconds after finishing the iron-patch, I realized that I should have chosen a different color shirt. I had orange and green shirts available but passed them over. That was a big mistake. I like it anyway, I just think if I had chosen a different color shirt, the image would have stood out better. The shirt would have been more vibrant.


Done and done.

I'm so glad we had some sunshine today for the photos!

E. Abbey Revisited

Paradox and bedrock.






Loveliness and a quiet exultation.


I'm less enamored by Edward Abbey on this second read-through of Desert Solitaire. More on that later. For now, I appreciate the bits that resonate through my soul.

Letters to the Lotus Bud: Year 2

Oh, My Love,

You have grown.

You were once like this...


...and now you are this lovely little girl.


We had a small birthday party for you this year. Just the three of us - you, me and daddy.



Hey! No cracks about us getting old. Truth be told, you make us young again. Enjoying the zoo with you and watching your excitement over finally meeting those creatures you are obsessed with.



Yes, I know. One day we will have a long, difficult discussion about keeping animals in the zoo. We will remember how much you were moved by Happy Feet. How sad we all are about the small confined area that keep these amazing birds. But, for now, I will take that look of sheer surprise, the 'o' that your mouth molded into when you spotted them through the window, the wonder in your voice as I made one of the penguins follow my finger as it went swimming by. I thought you would have a heart attack with all the excitement. One day it will all change and hopefully on that day, you will set your sites for Antarctica and I really hope you do because I am going to visit your while you are down there doing serious scientific research that could very well save this planet. One day. For now, I will take the joy.



I promise, I tried my best to make you a cake. It was my first, you see. I know it looks like the leaning tower of s**t. But you ate it anyway.



Well, I guess you just kept sticking your fingers into the icing and licking your fingers. I still believe you liked it and that's what counts.

That's the thing, Shunks. You make me want to do things better for you. I try everyday to be a better Moogy and I know that day will never come when I will do it perfect because that's not what it's about, is it? It's each and every day of trying, living, being. Every single day of you being in my life is wonderful.

Thank you for being you.

Love,
Moogy

Weekend in the Woods

We finally found winter!
The type of winter I love: temps in the 40s, melting snow, sun shining bright.


Growing fungi.


Perfect light for the snowgirl.


Winter flowers


Spring buds.


Another snowgirl.


Delicate grasses.


Brilliant blue sky.


Nature's paper.


Bright moon.


Perfectly poetic February afternoon.