As this happy weekend near and end want to share some treats from my garden. The gigantic brown moths (I actually think that's what they are called) were clinging to our climbing rose early one morning. Their pattern and delicate detailing are just magnificent. The common daylily is in full bloom right now. Each dawn a new bud unfolds just to end its glorious life span by dusk. And the next day there is another ready to steal the limelight.
I am thrilled to be part of Patricia Zapata's interview series on craft synergy this week. Through thoughtful question and answers craft synergy feature artists and artisans while showcasing their work. It is an honor to be in such talented company as Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studio, Erin Lang Norris of Yellow Canoe, Lisa Solomon, and many more. Make sure to visit Patricia's other blog a little hut where she highlights her own beautiful work and artistic reflections.
We have returned from a delightful week filled with sun, sand dollars, crabs, surfing, bocci games, scrumptious meals, sun tan lotion, sandy toes, shell hunting, sweaty morning jogs, swimming, chilled wines, beach strolls, movie watching, scrabble playing, sky gazing, giggles, reading, and family warmth. Splendid.
We are off to Sandbridge beach for a few days of family fun and much needed relaxation. It is such a beautiful place, as evident from these pictures from previous visits. Will be back soon. Happy summer everyone!
The pillows for Juno & Jove are out the door, waiting for the friendly ups driver to take them on their journey south. They turned out great. All of them are stuffed with my new organic wool inserts from Holy Lamb Organics, which are incredible soft and cushy while holding their shape nicely. The photos show a small, but representative part of the order prior to shipment. I look forward to collaborating with Juno & Jove and I appreciate their effort to combine the importance of people, planet, and craftsmanship.
Yet again I got caught up in the busyness of life. School is nearing an end which means graduation ceremonies, music auditions, soccer parties, end-of-semester projects, and exams. Most of which I did not personally partake in, but sometimes having the supporting role is just as engaging and time consuming. I have also worked on several retail orders which is always fun and rewarding. Shipment has gone out to shops like ink & peat in Portland, Oregon, field in Larchmont, New York, Eco-Artware, Washington, DC, and La Vie En Rose, Norwalk, Connecticut. This week I am finishing up a large pillow order for Juno & Jove in Sarasota, Florida. Needless to say my garden is badly neglected. Luckily it still looks green and and relatively happy. My evening stroll amongst the lushness left me most satisfied.
Recently Kristel over at Vlijtig held a drawing to celebrate her 50th post. The winner was selected among visitors who left a comment on her blog during the month of April and the price was one of her beautiful fabric baskets. Guess what – her daughter pulled my name out of the pile! I usually never win anything but I am so happy that I got lucky this time. The basket is just exquisite. My linen threads and favorite embroidery floss nestles just perfect within and it is such a bright addition to my studio decor. Tusen tack, Kristel. 
Both of my boys played in a large soccer tournament in Richmond, Virginia, this past weekend. The weather was fantastic, sunny, breezy, and hovering around 75 degrees. My main responsibility was water fetching, food providing, grimy gear washing, and lots of cheering. I must admit that I love the game of soccer. It is the a national sport in my native Sweden (after ice hockey) and now I enjoy watching all levels of soccer here in the US. My sons are both quite good and they did well in the tournament. My oldest (number 5) is in the midst of the action in the photo above. None of them won the big prize, but they were both content and happy. And so was I.
This is the view from my boys' tree house. This time of year you are engulfed in the hackberry's lush greenery when perched on the tiny porch of their hideaway. It is the best spot. 
