A World Beyond Internet

It was this tower that started it all!
Well that and the lighting storm that caused our internet to go out for four days...
Two days ago, I posted about driving over to the Wifi hot spot and stumbling upon the arts festival & musical.
It was this tower I was looking for, which is located next to the Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre which is across the street from Maymont...

This is a section of the Maymont Children's petting zoo, free to the public (though they have donation boxes located at the entrance). The paths around the children's petting area & farm leads you through gorgeous landscapes...

What was to be a quick viewing of the area turned into a three & a half hour tour
of these gorgeous grounds which are comprised of: Farm/children's petting zoo, nature centre, mansion with free tours,
Italian gardens, native animals keep, Japanese garden, herb garden, stone barn,
carriage house, waterfalls, fountains, statues, grassy hills, gazebos, flower gardens, stone bridges...

after leaving the petting farm area, the path leads down to the native Virginian animal keep...

These bears were wrestling in a huge open area, no more than hundred feet away!
Obviously very well cared for, and their keep was well managed & very natural.

Eagles, male & female, though not pictured.
Maymont houses injured animals, until recovered.

This owl was less than fifty feet from me! So gorgeous.

The grassy hills were so inviting. One can't help but think of winter and all
the fun this hill would bring to sledders.

I was so captivated by all the natural beauty surrounding me I nearly
stepped on this lively green garden snake!!! YIKES!

I'm not certain if you can make out the very tip of that tower I have
pictured in the first photo, but it right in the centre of this picture, slightly
above the tree line in the distance...

Once at the mansion, this lovely statue graces the south side of the grounds,
where the carriages use to enter, load & unload passengers & turnabout.
Grand entrance to the house from this view.

This was the view from under a huge willow pine that must be over one hundred years old.
If you look to the right, you can see the arch to the carriage entrance.

This is the north view of the mansion.

Just one of the dozen or so carriages & one sleigh partially visible.

This is a view of carriage house beyond fountain and tip of mansion.

View of the Italian gardens

One of my favourite spots, in the Italian gardens.
Next post I will cover the remaining grounds & areas of Maymont...

Scrappy Notebook Project 2

I was considering applying a few felt creations,
 that I had sewn to it, but decided it might be too bulky.
As it is, I did sew a trim on the foam with the lime green swirls.
I used brads to a fix cardstock to the foam.

Now I needed to add a few more tabs...

I loved this saying, so I wanted to use for certain!

There were so many 'good' things to choose from...

Another great saying.

I also added a few more things to the front, just to jazz it up a bit more.

Ta Da!

Another Day Without Internet

I was driving around, first to find a certain tower, secondly to find a WiFi hot spot
since internet is still down at home...I stumbled upon a free art's festival musical in the park!

Had I planned this, it couldn't have been more perfect!

Joesph's Multicolour Coat (or something like that)

What a great performance and great time. Met new friend too! Awesome night!

Scrappy Notebook Project

This is Sven's twin brother...Art

I LOVE the public library!
All the wonderful books to pour into & inspire me!

Today's New Project
Transforming a
Dollar store lined notebook

With decorative paper, trace the notebook cover...

Spray back of decorative paper and attach to front cover of notebook.
I had two spots that were too thick with adhesive (you can see the dark area)
now I'll need to embellish it!

I have plenty of scrap booking supplies to pull from

I like using up the imperfect supplies for a utility notebook, like this.

Using tabs helps me turn to the sections I use most often. I love taking photos!

I add a little text strip to the back to secure this tab!
I will upload more photo's tomorrow (or maybe later today)
as I finish this project. Sadly our internet has gone out, with the severe  thunderstorm
we just had :(
Till later...cheers~

Under the Sea Themed Nursery Decorations

A good day to paint!

I've decided to create a few canvas paintings for my grandson's nursery (he's due in August).

My daughter has chosen an Under the Sea theme for the decor. In keeping with it, I've decided to use
the bedding for my inspiration.

Many layers were needed to cover the canvas.
I have allot of craft paints to use up,
decided to use craft instead of painters grade
paint.

Little squirt is completed, nearly.

Ta Da, the first two are nearly complete...

I was painting the crab when I started craving tea & cake.
When I came back to painting area, I realized
all was red and white! ;)

Finally was able to finish these BEFORE my grandson is born :)

In anticipation of new family member...

I found this bag & thought it would make a good nappy sack for my daughter
or even me (Nana).

The inside lining is very much my daughters taste in style though.

All this needs to fit it the bag! Just a few things I've made & collected in anticipation of my grandson's arrival.

Hand crocheted hats (of course) were really fun to make, &  a couple 'Daddy' outfits
for both baby & my son-in-law.

I love rubber ducky prints. A 'little squirt' outfit in keeping with the sea theme & book.

BOOTIES! A bag full of them & a few 'to grow into'. 

Burpie & blanket. I made both. Crocheted this one with spare 100% cotton baby yarn
for stroller/car seat/nappy bag. Burpie rag was made from recycled flannel sheet and scrap material
I've had since my own kids were little!

Clothes fit...

Crocheted booties & hats next...

Burpie, blanket and bubba next, but something is missing...but what?

Yes, this complete's the nappy bag perfectly! :)