August News from Kristin Nicholas
Hello Colorful Friends!
I hope your summer has been going swimmingly. Recently, I have felt the lazy days of summer slipping by, knowing I can do nothing about the shortening daylight hours. My garden is coming along and we are enjoying lots of fresh veggies. The sunflowers are beginning to look like real plants as opposed to seedlings and the zinnias are beginning to bloom. How I love the feeling of all this incredible natural beauty this time of year.
We have been busy with the twice weekly farmers markets, selling our lamb to loyal customers who aren't away on vacation. (I'm in Northampton Tuesday afternoons - Mark is in Amherst on Saturday mornings.) The rams have been moved to the various pastures where the ewes are spending their summers grazing. Sheep are seasonal breeders and as the days shorten, the ewes begin cycling. In five months, there will be lambs again. The cycle continues over and over and it is one of the remarkable and dependable ways we feel the year pass by.
I've hosted two fantastic groups of students here at Leyden Glen Farm for Creative Retreats. It has been such fun to meet new folks and greet those who return to learn new artistic endeavors. Here is a photo of one group of students who did Fabric Printing and Embroidery. I LOVE all their projects.
You can see more photos of all the projects we did in both July Creative Retreats here.
There is one more Creative Retreat happening with a couple spots remaining. The subject is Knitting, Color, and Making a Crazy Quilt Afghan. For more information, check out my web page here.
One Day Classes are $199 and include Lunch, Morning Snack, Beverages and Some Supplies
Two Day Classes are $360 and Include Lunch, Morning Snack, Beverages and Some Supplies
Here are some fun links for you to explore today.....
• The NY Times has a video series of short 2 minute films about the homes of interesting people. Check it out here.
• I am enamored by these photos of seeds by National Geographic Photographer Jim Richardson. Visual food for surface design for sure. His photos of farmers are incredible too.
• I've followed Andrew Baseman and his collection of mended antique ceramics and glassware via his blog for several years. His collection is the basis of an exhibit at the historic house museum Boscobel in Garrison, NY. I hope I get to visit it. Information here.
• Have you heard about Little Free Libraries? There are over 50,000 in the US already. I am seriously tempted! See more here.
• The British movie Addicted to Sheep is now available via Amazon Streaming service. Check it out here. Watch the trailer here.
• I hope to get to this exhibit at The Clark in Williamstown, Mass - Picasso Encounters. Until August 27th.
• Judith Jones, editor for more than 50 years at Knopf, passed away last week. The blog she wrote is full of stories about her life in books and cooking. Check it out here.
• Do you sew using PDF patterns. Here is how not to ever have to tape them together again.
• Here are the ABC's as seen from space. This is great for kids.
• Artist and Author Salley Mavor writes about why she is now calling herself a Visual Storyteller. Lots of nice photos and some videos about her massive amount of textile work here.
Yours in color and creativity,
Kristin Nicholas
www.kristinnicholas.com
getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com/
www.leydenglenlamb.com
p.s. If you know anyone who might enjoy my newsletter, please forward it to them.
Crazy Quilt Swatch Afghan September 24
Embroidery on Knits
A fun video of our farm, our farmhouse, and my family.