Autumn

Kumihimo With A Donut

I found this ceramic bead at Michaels and thought it would be an interesting focal point for a braid.  I added a couple large hole beads and then added cord to string some beads at the bottom.  Now that's different!

Flower?

This must be the first cousin to the dandelion.  Any flower petals are long gone but the pretty little ball of fluff remains.

Nearly Done

It's way past prime time for wildflowers in the Colorado mountains but there are still some little beauties hanging on.  

Most Unusual

We've been over Kebler Pass a number of times but this year we found lots of tan-colored ferns at the base of some of the aspen trees.  Conditions for the ferns must have been different this year and it created some interesting contrast.  This spot was especially nice for photography because of the light streaming in and the contrast with the big aspen trunks.

Black and White

I could post more photos of fall color on Kebler Pass but decided to show some of the other subjects we encounter on our little jaunts (like the sheep posted yesterday).  Today its an aspen tree that no longer thrives.  It has many dead branches and was completely stripped of any foliage but I thought it would be interesting to try in black and white.  This is the lovely result.  Now if a red bird had just perched on one of the branches just before I shot . . . .

Surprise!

Although it isn't common, occasionally one encounters a herd of sheep on the highway in Colorado.  They are either coming from or going to high country where they pasture for several months.  On a recent trip over Kebler Pass we came around a curve and there they were! by the hundreds.  There's no choice but to stop or run over them so we waited until the herders could clear them away and took advantage of the photo op.  The furry creatures were polite and moved right along.  Of course the sheep dogs nipping at their heels and barking created a good incentive.

Things To Be Happy About

bright fall foliage colors

cross country highways

ice for frosty cold drinks

Krispie Kreme donuts

comfortable shoes

a cup of hot tea

mocha frappe

oceans

artists

socks

Pink Kumihimo

I finished this Kumihimo necklace prior to working on some that incorporated beads but didn't want to post it until I had given it to my aunt.  I used DMC cotton perle and embellished it with silver large-hole beads plus a bail with a pink bauble.  Pink was perfect.

Be Negative

This is another example of using the "leftovers" from die cutting.  I used the green label on yesterday's card and the remaining cardstock became a layer on this card.  I inked behind the window for more definition and added a contrasting, smaller label.  I hand cut the apple from embossed cardstock and die cut the leaf.  You probably already noticed the addition of my traditional narrow silk ribbon--the obvious choice since it's what's still unpacked.

An Apple A Day

This month's theme for our stamp club card exchange was "apple."  I couldn't attend the meeting but made a couple of cards anyway.  For this one I used the SplitCoastStampers.com tutorial for making flip it cards using a label die.  I folder embossed the red piece (hard to see the detail) and cut it into corner sections.  The apple and stem are hand cut but I had a die for the leaf.

It's definitely time for fresh, fall apples.  Can you believe all the varieties available these days?

Harvesting

We put in a limited garden this year because we thought we were moving.  It's always nice to reap the benefits of the planting, weeding and watering.  This is the harvest from one of the red potato plants.  We're still have more potatoes, beets, carrots and onions to harvest.  Growing season is winding down.

Now We're Cookin'

Now I've done plain braiding and beaded braiding in the same piece.  This is an 18" necklace with a l" wide heart focal bead.  The braiding was done with 1mm satin rattail so it has some sheen.  More projects are in progress.  I think I'm liking this.

Stuck

Maybe it was all that texture; maybe it was the bright yellow against the darker background; maybe it was the unusual occurrence--I just thought this was a photo worth taking and sharing.

Colorful Trees

By far the most dominant color of the fall foliage in the aspen trees is the brilliant yellow.  Occasionally there is a patch or orange or a patch of red.  But to see all of the colors together is just a treat.

It Pops

This is a red that pops.  The plant grows quite low to the ground and most of the summer the leaves are green.  But come the cooler weather of fall with the decrease in daylight and it mutates into this brilliant red.  They are pretty easy to spot in the forest.

A Bird On The Rock

This little bird was kind enough to pose on a rock at the edge of a lake on Grand Mesa.  I liked how the bird and big rock contrasted with the water and I thought the squiggly reflection lines added nice interest.  Enough is enough; he flew away soon after I snapped the photo.  Never mind that I was hoping to take another shot.  But I'm happy with this one.

Hmmmmm

Remember my saying that unusual things sometimes catch my photographer's eye?  This is another example.  It's looking down on some foxtail grass that has gone to seed--but not all of the seeds have been carried away.  Those fine little threads carry the tiny seeds and probably give them better mobility.  They are very good at sticking in socks and other clothing.  But I stayed back from the plant and am sticking with my story that it's an interesting pattern.

Contrast

I saw these bright aspen leaves with trunks as a background.  You may be thinking that I manipulated the photo to put the background in black and white but I didn't do anything to it.  Sometimes the photographer is just lucky.  

Jumbo Lake In Color

Jumbo Lake seems to maintain a pretty constant water level so it always looks good.  But add that fall color and some daisies at the side of the lake and it's a sight to behold.