Day 2: Photography Challenge

I was excited when I read that Day 2 of KCBW is a Photography Challege!  I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  The last image from yesterday's post was of my Sarasota Shawl, a crescent-shaped shawl progressing from linen stitch to lace medallions to fern leaf edging.

Here's the pic again, in case any of you missed it!   = )

Let me take some time to explain the inspiration behind it. . .

It all started with scoring some absolutely gorgeous hand-dyed roving from one of my fave indy dyers, Unwind Yarn Company.  The colorway was called "Sarasota" & instantly took me to a place of blue skies, sandy beaches & lush, green palms.  Every time I sat down to spin, I pretended to be wiggling my toes in the white sand.

Once the yarn was all plied & finished, I though it might be a good idea to see what Sarasota was really like.  My Google search led me to find the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where their goal is to "understand and conserve tropical plants."  Looking through the pictures on their website made me want to book a flight that day - the variety & beauty is simply stunning.  The one thing that really caught my interest was the collection of epiphytes in the rainforest habitat.  There were dainty little ferns growing on the branches of the trees.  I love the lushness of the huge ferns that grace the front porches of so many southern homes.  I thought about those miniature ferns  for the next few days. . .

The following Friday I was playing in a local park with my youngest Princess and noticed that the oak trees were beginning to leaf out.  Imagine my excitement when I looked up and saw:  Tiny.  Little.  Ferns.  Growing.  On.  The.  Branches.    !!!

I am certain at least one mother grabbed her precious little one as she said, "Come on, honey, we have to go now.  There's a crazy lady here. . . "

I only had my iPhone with me, but the lighting was just right & I ended up with several frame-able (IMHO) shots. . . . .

All of this has led up to this moment.  The moment I share with you, Dear Readers, the following:

It is my favorite thing to wear right now.  The mornings here have been chilly, so it stays on the arm of the couch so I can grab it on my way out to enjoy my morning coffee on the front porch.