:: A stitched pillow for Olivia ::

Last week I auditioned over at So You Think You're Crafty, and I am happy to announce that I am one of 10 crafters competing in Season 9!  Take a minute and hop over there to see what it's all about!

This is what I submitted for my audition :)

With four daughters who seem to be constantly drawing and painting, I'm always looking for ways to display as well as

preserve their work. 

I traced an amazing drawing Livie made (we all think our childrens drawings are amazing, don't we?) onto soft white cotton and hand stitched the image with embroidery floss.  I sewed on a border and backing of colorful Amy Butler fabric, and slipped it over a fluffy down pillow form. 

Now her pretty picture can sit on the porch swing, on the couch or bed. 

I love adding touches like this to our home, they give it life, and a whimsical personality that's all our own!  

::

:: In Bloom ::

I could hardly contain my excitement this morning!  I went out to pick a vase of cut flowers for the kitchen, and blooming for the first time ever here on our little patch of heaven was an Invisible Lily. 

It was sticking right up through some overgrown Morning Glories, it's stem supported by the vines. 

I fell in love with this magical flower 5 years ago on a trip to Monticello.  A year or so later, I noticed them growing while visiting family in West Virginia, just popping out of the yard.  My cousin saved some bulbs for me when re landscaping, and they've been planted in my garden for almost 2 years now. 

Up until now though, they've never bloomed.  (I think possibly they prefer a different zone ) What makes these plants so unique, is that one single stem shoots strait up out of the ground, no leaves.  Honestly, I don't even know the real name of these Lilies, I need to do some more research, or if you know - contact me!

Also blooming here are these Miniature Old Fashioned Hollyhocks

Pee Gee Hydrangeas

These, I have no idea what they are called.  I stole some of the little potatoes they grow from a park, and scattered them around my fence.  The bright green vines now consume a whole 8 foot section! They get small light purple blooms, then later tiny potato looking things.   

Also blooming, :)  the beginning of my heart shaped rock collection,

so far I have 2. 

::