Savanna Georgia: Let's Take a Photo Walk

My family has a special name for my long walks in new places.  They call them "LaVera Tours" It is a loving term which means: "Oh no not another all day walk about!" I am not totally merciless I do let them take bathroom and food breaks.

Why  am I telling you this is? Because if you so desire to take a "LaVera Tour of Savanna Georgia" it's your lucky day. Since the LaVera Tour is through photos your feet will be spared but maybe not your pointer finger.

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna Georgia took me off guard.  I expected it to be beautiful but it far exceeded my thoughts. My pictures do not do it justice because I can't give you the cozy sweetness of this tightly woven city canopied in large arching trees.

Savanna, Georgia

I also can't show you how each unique neighborhood butts up one against each other.  There are changing styles ranging from classic American to Victorian and everything in-between.

Savanna, Georgia

I also can't share with you in my photos the beautiful sounds that make Savanna special. The different bird calls, crickets, and the bells that ring from the Churches. There is also wonderful jazz music being played in the streets and bars that make Savanna come to life with a personality all of it's own.

Savanna, Georgia

Beautiful details are everywhere: in the walls, on top of buildings and even on down spouts.

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

                                            The tourist transportation was unique and fun.

Savanna River, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia River Front

                                The water front was old and new which made for an interesting mix.

Savanna, Georgia

                            Alleys looked like gardens. The wonderful outdoor living was very apparent.

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

 Spanish Moss hangs from Savanna's tall old oak trees. It's neither Spanish nor Moss.  It's an air plant and is a distant relative to the pineapple. The Spanish Moss gives the trees a mysterious chandelier like look that is so unique you feel like you are in another very special world. 

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

 Gardens are grown in even the tiniest spots giving the allusion that the whole city is a garden.

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

         There were so many styles of  houses that you feel as if you are walking through a House Museum.

Savanna, Georgia

                                               The history of this city engulfs you at every turn.

Savanna, Georgia

Savanna, Georgia

                      Savanna was laid out in 1733 around four squares.  It has now grown to 21 squares.

Savanna, Georgia

                          The squares through out the city make it a very wonderful place to walk.

Savanna, Georgia

Forsyth Park, Savanna, Georgia

                                                                     

Forsyth Park, Savanna, Georgia

 Savanna, Georgia

Savanna at night is lit in a magical way.  Music is everywhere making you just want to stay out all night and dance.

 Savanna, Georgia

 I am definitely going back to Savanna to enjoy the wonderful out door life. I want to spend more time walking the beautiful neighborhoods street by street, finishing my days eating great southern food and listening to the live music that leaks out onto the streets.

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

This is a fun gift for anyone who likes to write letters. Yes, people still do that.

Craft: Comic Book Stationary Pattern

Supplies you’ll need:

Download of my envelope pattern

Old comic book

Glue stick

Scissors

Several sheets of paper

Craft: Comic Book Stationary 

1) Start by cutting out my envelope pattern and word bubbles.

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

2) Lay the envelope pattern over a comic book page and then cut out the shape.

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

3) Fold back the edges along the broken lines.

4) Glue the bottom and top flaps in place by using the glue stick on the underside of the flaps. Leave the sides flaps unattached. 

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

5) Now fold the bottom up and attach it to the folded sides by using your glue stick only on the outside of the side flaps. 

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

6) Cut the two word bubbles out of a white piece of paper. Glue them in place on the front of the envelope.

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

7) Now cut a piece of paper to fit into your envelope.

8) The Finishing touch is to find a funny blurb from the comic book and glue it to the top of the paper as a decoration. 

Craft: Comic Book Stationary

Craft: A Christmas Tree Extravaganza!

I was asked to put together a Christmas Tree for the Whatcom Museums "Old City Hall Holiday Extravaganza." I couldn't resist because Santa's going to be there which means lots of kids who love whimsy.

My Tree is called "Once a Upon a Time I Dreamed."

Garland: once upon a time I dreamed

The Christmas tree is going to be covered in all different paper dolls I have drawn and colored. The fun part is none of the dolls have faces so the purchaser of the tree will have to fill in all the faces with family and friends.

Alice in Wonderland Ornaments

Paper Doll Ornaments from Fairy-tales and History 

Like this.

Ornaments with faces added 

A Fall Walk: Birch Bay State Park

Last Sunday was a beautiful day so my husband and I decided to take a drive.  We headed to Birch Bay on the coast here in the northwest near the Canadian Border. We had breakfast at a restaurant right on the beach. Then we drove a short distance to Birch Bay State Park and Camping ground.

Birch Bay State Park 

                             The day was warm and smelled of salt air with a scent of wild roses.

Birch Bay State Park 

              The sky was a beautiful clear blue which reflected so brilliantly off of the smooth ocean water.

Birch Bay State Park 

                      The sand had been newly arranged by a storm the night before
                                               the only foot prints were those of the birds.

Birch Bay State Park 

Birch Bay State Park 

                             

The long beach curves around the point and

 is made up of a mix of sand and beautiful colored stones.

Birch Bay State Park 

A river also runs through the park adding another wonder sound.

Birch Bay State Park 

 Behind the river are the camp grounds surrounded 

by large evergreens whose smell reminded

 me that the holiday season is almost here.

Birch Bay State Park 

The last of the fall leaves clung to the trees 

making a beautiful yellow accent to the park.

Birch Bay State Park 

Here in the North West we treasure these last few days of sun

 because we know it may be months before we see it again.

Birch Bay State Park 

For more information please click on the link below.

      http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Birch%20Bay

Craft: Decorating Note Books

I’m going to do a series of Fun and Easy Christmas gifts you can make with or without your kids.

Notebooks

Tote bags

Comic Book Stationary

Painted Candles

Paper Dolls

This week it is Notebooks anyone male or female can use a notebook be sure to customize it with images they like. For example: race cars, bikes, flowers, fashion.

Supplies you’ll need:

Composition Book

Glue stick

Images from: magazines, old books, or newspapers.

Ribbons, etc.

White glue

1) Tear or cut out images that you want to use.

2) Then arrange them near or on your book in order to make sure your colors work together. You will know this by how you feel when you look at them together.   If one of the colors jumps out at you or you don’t like one of the items you've picked take it out.

3) I like to do an under layer first. Then build up my design.

 Another way is to layer one image over another working your way down the book cover.

This one was made by my Mom 

4) Lastly use the white glue and add any thicker trims.

                                                              And these two by my nieces.

5) Let dry thoroughly.

I used a black felt pen to make the frame. 

6) Do the same process on the back or not.   It’s up to you.

Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2013/2014

Happy Fall!

Craft: Salt and Pepper Tassels

              Make these fun tassels out of salt and pepper shakers.

Supplies you’ll need:

A salt or pepper shaker

1/8” ribbon 12 inches long

One foot of fringe

Weldbond glue or hot glue

Needle and thread

 1) Fold a foot of ribbon in half and thread the first half of the ribbon through one of the holes at the top of the salt shaker then thread it out the bottom.

 2) Then take the other half of the ribbon and thread it through another hole and again out the bottom.

3) Tie both ends together below the salt shaker.

4) Then pull the folded part of the ribbon left on the top of the salt shaker up. (to make the hanging loop).

 5) Then roll your fringe into a tassel and stitch to secure the roll together.

6) Glue the tassel to the bottom of you salt shaker and you’re done.

 These make great gifts. Single salt or pepper shakers are very inexpensive.