South Florida Swallowtail

Our wildflower garden has been attracting lots of butterflies and we finally got a good photo of what we think is a swallowtail. He is much larger than any of the other butterflies who visit; such fun to watch!

Rain Texture

Although we are enjoying gorgeous weather, summer is not far away and we've already had a preview of the summer rains. The colors and textures are so vibrant following an afternoon rain storm. I took a few photos of the screen just after the last down pour as the texture was so enticing.

Now, where to use these textures? Must be studio time!

Green!

While considering ideas for the current 'Green' challenge for Tangled Textiles I came across these great green recipes for cleaning. They are from the David Suzuki's Foundation at Lindsay's 'queenofgreen' blog, one of seven excellent blogs at The David Suzuki website. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2011/QueenOfGreen-Green-cleaning-recipes.pdf

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I don't think there can be a simpler or greener cleaner than this, one of the many recipes at The Queen of Green blog.

                  

      All-purpose powder: 

•  1/2 cup  borax
•  1/2 cup  washing soda
•   1/2 cup  white vinegar

 Combine dry ingredients. For toilet: sprinkle onto surface, scrub, and chase with vinegar. For dishwasher: add dry ingredients to soap dispenser and vinegar to rinse dispenser.

One of my personal challenges for Earth Day and beyond is to try and reduce the number of cleaners I had stored under the cabinets and replace them with earth-friendly green cleaners such as the one above.

Do you have plans for Earth Day and beyond?

(note: Photo from David Suzuki Foundation website) PS Book fans, check out some of David Suzuki's books. 

Radish Bouquet!

Many of the veggies and herbs are flowering now that the hot steamy summer is approaching. Last year I must have pulled out the old radish plants before they flowered because I don't recall seeing this beautiful mix of white and purple flowers last year. What a bonus at the end of the season!

 Above are my favorites, beach dune daisies. Although we are several miles from the beach they love our sandy yard.

 Flaveria is another favorite. They have grown very tall in behind the wild flowers.

 The salvia add lots of red, pink and white throughout the wild flower garden. Below is a close-up of the flaveria.

I need to get out there and do some pruning!

Ft. Lauderdale Quilt Show

Last month some friends and I spent a few hours at "The Quilt Show by the Sea 2012". I managed to get a few photos before my camera battery died .....

Melanie Kane Brewer had several quilts ... these were my two favorites of those she had displayed.

A few years ago I saw The Quilts of Gee's Bend at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art and was thrilled to see several at the Quilt Show this year ....

My favorite of the show, Moon Dance by Karyn Dengler and Lisa Wilson.Wish I had a better photo as it was stunning in person .... but you can see great up-close photo over at Jackie's blog.

For more photos of the show visit Jackie's blog (wise lady who was prepared with a fully charged camera battery ... and her photos are much more artistic!) .... http://blissfullyimperfect.blogspot.com/2012/03/quilt-show-by-sea-2012.html