craft lovely » the natural world

Terrarium Necklace

Colleen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:50:05 +0000

I was thrilled to find Woodland Belle while “window shopping” on Etsy this weekend. Check out their shop for terrarium necklaces, rings, and other fauna-inspired accessories. Who doesn’t love a tiny terrarium with an even tinier mushroom inside?

{images shown belong to Woodland Belle}

Dreaming of August

Colleen — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:39:22 +0000

I’ve been hoping, wishing, and praying for a vacation this summer and this weekend we made reservations! Although it was too late to book for early August as I had hoped, we’ll be camping in Acadia National Park in late August. Hey, it’s better late than never. My husband and I haven’t had an almost week-long getaway in almost 2-3 years.

I cannot put into words how excited I am.

{image shown belongs to shrike1964 from Flickr}

English Garden

Colleen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:38:02 +0000

The foxglove that reseeded itself all through my front garden beds are now in full bloom. Tall stalks of bell shaped blooms (usually humming with honeybees) are making the front yard look like an english garden… I am in heaven.

{for more of my in the garden photos, check out my Flickr}

Memorial Day Weekend

Colleen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:38:08 +0000

We had such a lovely weekend in the Berkshires. We camped, we hiked, we explored small towns, we read, and I ran. I participated in the Berkshires Memorial Day Race Weekend and ran in my second 5K race. It was quite an experience and I have to say hands-down the most gorgeous run I have ever been on. I’m still fairly new to running, but it hit me while running alongside a meadow with a full view of a mountain that one of my goals for 2010 was in action: I was running a 5K race. Sometimes you set a goal for yourself, but to reach it and be in the moment, feeling your accomplishment happening was very moving for me. Running has been more than just exercise or a place to burn off calories. Running has taught me patience, motivation, and to never give up, even when things get complicated or frustrating. It’s something I’m constantly trying to remember during all parts of my life.

Camping was wonderful and although we didn’t get to hike as much as we liked, it made us realize how much we need to go away more often (and not every two years!). We definitely felt the importance of getting back to nature, slowing down doing things like cooking a simple meal together, enjoying the peacefulness of the woods and birds, and just getting away from it all. It’s important to take care of yourselves and recharge… something I haven’t done in a while. We’re already planning another camping trip for August in Acadia National Park (a place where I’ve never been but have always wanted to visit)!

What did you get to do on your weekend? Hope it was relaxing and recharging for you!

{for more of my outings and experiences photos, check out my Flickr}

Camping Fever

Colleen — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:20 +0000

I cannot tell you how excited I am for today. I haven’t been camping in two years, and I do think I haven’t had a night away with my husband in that long as well. We’re going into the Berkshires for a mini vacation surrounded by woods and wildlife. Unfortunately we waited until the last moment to reserve a campsite, so we’ll be staying at one of those family/RV-ish private campgrounds (apparently there’s all ages bingo Saturday night…) because all the national and state park campgrounds were booked solid. I don’t mind as long as we can get a site that’s a bit further away from all the hub-bub. I plan on reading, hiking, sunbathing, spending every minute with my husband and on Sunday I’ll be running a 5K race. To be able to run a 5K was one of my goals for the new year, and this one will actually be my second race so far. I’ve already started my 10K training and hope to run a 10K in the late summer. This race should be interesting as it will be out at Tanglewoods and the location is beautiful. Anywho, back to the camping… here’s a few images that have me very excited for the weekend…

(from unruly things)

(from stephaniecb – little birds)

(from Peonies and Polariods)

I hope you have a lovely weekend, especially those of you celebrating Memorial Day here in the States!
- Colleen

{images shown belong to their respective owners listed above}

Weekend Gardening

Colleen — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:28:02 +0000

“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.”
- William Wordsworth

{for more of my in the garden images, check out my Flickr}

Late Spring Floral Heaven

Colleen — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:56:42 +0000

Spent some time in the garden this weekend, and all I have is one word for you: lilacs. Oh my god, are they heaven on earth! You can be anywhere in the entire yard (even in the front, but the lilacs are out back) and the wind will carry it’s heavenly scent to you. Why, oh why, can’t lilac season last forever?

{for more of my in the garden photos, check out my Flickr}

Daydreaming of summer

Colleen — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:52:10 +0000

While New England still can’t make up it’s mind which season it’s in (we had an overnight frost warning earlier this week and the day temps have been somewhat low for May), I’m already thinking of summer. June is just three weeks away… how did the first 6 months of this year already fly by? In any case, this image from House Doctor (via Lobster and Swan) makes me want to go camping on a beach this summer. I’ve camped right next to a beach, but not on it. Another thing to add to my to-do list…

{image shown from House Doctor}

French Hand-Tied Bouquet ~ Frolic!

Colleen — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:00:22 +0000

Check out this post on Frolic! to find out how to make your own french hand-tied bouquet. What a lovely handmade and gorgeous gift to give for Mother’s Day!

{image shown belongs to Frolic!}

Glorious Blooms

Colleen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:50:33 +0000

My garden is in full spring bloom right now. The magnolia is probably the most gorgeous, bursting with white and pink blooms floating along like little delicate teacups on every thin branch. To stand underneath it reminds me of being underneath layers of fluffy feathers or a tulle and crinoline petticoat. There are other blooms, but most are simple and small: wild violets, veronica, glory of the snow, grape hyacinth, and tete-a-tete. There’s still the May blooms to come (lilac, candytuft, jacob’s ladder, and all the tulips, to name a few) but I’m definitely enjoying this truly glorious April in my garden.

{for more of my in the garden photos, check out my Flickr}