What can you do in Wisconsin for a winter birthday party? When you are sweet sixteen and somewhat goofy, you can run around the house barefoot in the snow.

My neighborhood has a greenway where I often like to walk for exercise or contemplation. My favorite route is where I can pause on a wooden bridge over a small stream. Unless there’s been a hurricane, there is never much water flowing, but it is enough to delight my eyes and ears and heart.

The windows of a city building are at once identical and unique. In their form they are indistinguishable from each other, yet their reflections of what is outside – and inside – may be infinitely varied. The inhabitants too are individuals, yet from the outside are indistinguishable.

Oak Hill I was ecstatic to be chosen to make an ornament for the official White House Christmas Tree in 2001. My ornament portrays Oak Hill, near Leesburg, Virginia, as it was originally built. It was the home of our fifth president, James Monroe. He wrote the Monroe Doctrine in this house.

These mini-quilts of scenes from Washington, DC are literally postcard-sized. Springtime brings the cherry blossoms, making it one of the favorite times to visit our nation’s capitol. I used fusing, inking, and machine free-motion stitching, also known as ‘thread painting’ (though I sometimes call it ‘thread scribbling’). The stitching is easy and fun! Each scene is about 4 x 6 inches, with border optional. See Order Form for patterns.