Ellen Notbohm

We love our gourdy version of Xmas swans a-swimmin'. They don't need to be fed so they won't bite your fingers off at the joint if you're foolish enough to try.

#XmasXtra #swans #sensoryart #seasons #holidaydecor #smartist #ArtYear #gourds #gourdart #holidayhumor

For my son's wedding, he wore his grandpa's gold ring; I wore my mom's rings, my grandmother's white gold wedding ring, and an adorable manicure by my 5 yo grandie -- 124 years of family history.

#XmasXtra #GoldRings #weddingrings #familyhistory #heirloom #heirloomjewelry #grandparents

Let me tell you a story about Priceless Worthless Jewelry A flash fiction about names, heirlooms and the way value clings to the things we love.

For those who've ever cherished a grandmother, Let Me Tell You a Story About Priceless Worthless Jewelry, is my mostly true micro tale about heirlooms and the way value clings to the things we love. bit.ly/3KH4hZw

#flashfiction #shortstory #cnf #heirlooms #memoir #grandmothers #writers #writing

I think it wasn't talent so much as muscle memory because it came without thinking. Whatever, it sure was fun. Also helped that the group was utterly non-intimidating, mostly late middle-agers like us whose only goal was to not embarrass themselves on the dance floor at an upcoming wedding. :)

Autumn morning at the Hoffman Covered Bridge over Crabtree Creek in Linn County, OR.

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekWForWindows
#coveredbridge #gothicwindow #BlueSkyMonday #Photography #PacificNorthwestPhotography #historicbridge #PhotographersOfBlueSky #smartist #ArtYear #HoffmanCoveredBridge

Chilly late October sunrise over Smith Rock, Oregon.

#Stunday #ColorADay #OrangeSun #October #sunrise #autumn #CentralOregon #SmithRock #PhotographersOfBlueSky #naturephotography #smartist #ArtYear

Thanks again for the lovely thoughts. I must clarify; I gave up ballet when parenthood and career took over. I still dance, just not ballet. We took ballroom lessons before a family wedding some years ago and it all came back instantly. The instructor kept tapping me as a demo partner. Good times!

Chilly late October sunrise over Smith Rock, Oregon.

#Stunday #ColorADay #OrangeSun #October #sunrise #autumn #CentralOregon #SmithRock #PhotographersOfBlueSky #naturephotography #smartist #ArtYear

Not a chance! I danced my last a few decades ago, and rarely in performance. The movement, the music, and the company of my fellow amateurs in class filled my humble needs quite well. :) But I appreciate your lovely thought.

"To you it's #Thanksgiving; to me it's Thursday." ~Rocky to Adrian.

Please let's make room in our hearts today for those for whom the day isn't a joyous celebration. And for those who are working, largely unacknowledged but deeply appreciated by those who are aware.
#gratitude #compassion #workers

My schedule is showing Fridays ColorADay as BW (black and white).

My first (and second-to-last) pair of pointe shoes in the color known as former ballerina pink. Leg warmers #knit by my mom. I'll never part with either, though last worn half a lifetime ago.

#ColorADay #PinkMon
#knitting #knitter #KnittersOfBlueSky #ShowMeYourKnits #vintage #ballet #ArtYear

Love it. :)

I've never brought them home. This was on private property (a cemetery) and so beautiful, I would feel guilty for depriving others of the joy of communing with them. :) But I appreciate your info and will keep it for future reference. Thank you!

The 'shrooms here are just crazy this year. I've seen more varieties and vivid colors than ever before (after almost thirty years in the neighborhood), and many of them are unusually large. Something in the environment is different. What a gift it's been. Incredible beauty every day.

Laetiporus luv! Heart-shaped Chicken of the Woods 'shrooms in the sunrise, on a recent walk.

#Stunday #ColorADay #OrangeSun
#FallColor #AutumnSplendor #sunrise #onmywalk #PacificNorthwestPhotography #naturephotography #mushrooms #fungi #photographersofbluesky

Ora siamo in tre! First look at the cover of new Italian translation of 1001 Great Ideas.

Many thanks to longtime partner Edizioni Centro Studi Erickson, and to my rainmaker agent. So grateful for connections forged with families so far away, yet near in heart.

#italian #book #libro #translation

First time ever a pothole has made me smile.

#UrbanGaze #potholes #onmywalk #Thursdaymorning #smile #allheart #streetart #somebodylovesyou

#Knitters, ever have a project totally miss the mark with the giftee? This poncho with companion kitty went to a child who'd happily worn all my other creations. Poncho just. didn't. land. But my son nabbed the beta #kitty. :)

#knitting #KnitSky #handmade #smartist #ColorADay #PinkMonday #catlover

Autumn sunset at Seal Rock, Oregon.

#Stunday #OregonCoast #beach #ocean #sand #sunset #PacificNorthwest #photography #lowtide #beachsunset #autumnsunset #coastalvibe #coastphotography #smArtist #ArtYear

My #poem Boneyard of the White Elephants will ring ruefully, comically true for anyone who's ever regretted a thrifty "bargain."

Featured with author convo in the Summer 2025 issue of Macrame Literary Journal. bit.ly/3M5lpZd

#ImageAndVerse #poetry #thriftstore #yardsale #amwriting #WhiteElephant

Small trove of caps and cowls going to Rose Haven Women's Day Shelter.

Yarn for the cowls is recycled from mill ends and named for staffers' pets: Bluesy (short-coat collie), Karl (tuxedo cat), Mabel (tortoise/tabby combo), and Zeke (a Bengal). 🙂

#knitting #KnitSky #handmade #smartist #knitter

My forever-favorite never-to-be-topped craft project.
$5 for the thriftshop dollhouse and everything else from things on hand or found outdoors.

#Spooktober #31DaysOfHalloween #WackyWednesdayArt #DollhouseMakeover #HauntedHouse #ArtYear #BlueSkyArtShow #SpookySeason #Halloween #HalloweenSky #TooFun

Let me tell you a story about hash brains Sometimes the people who need us most are the ones who remind us what we’re made of. A flash fiction about care, exhaustion and a quiet return of strength.

"Sometimes the people who need us most are the ones who remind us what we’re made of."

Delighted to share my quiet comeback tale Hash Brains in the charming lit journal Let Me Tell You a Story.
2-min read

#care #exhaustion #FindingStrength #SpeakUp #advocacy #amwriting #amreading #shortstory

Potted green box laurel on a front porch, decorated as the Wicked Witch with a witch hat, scraggly gray hair, and a rustic broom. The pot is surrounded by five mini orange pumpkins, two white mini pumpkins, and three giant pine cones.

Eleven months of the year, it's just a box laurel on the porch. But for October, she gets to be Elphaba.

#31DaysOfHalloween #ColorADay #GreenSat #Halloween #Autumn #SensoryArt #smartist #Elphaba #FallDecor #FallFun #HalloweenFun

Rainbow #sunrise on our patio. My frisky colt friend is Youngsong, a metal and resin sculpture created by my late BIL as a tribute to the joy of young life. Our pony may be 30-ish in people years, but remains ageless.

#SensoryArt #rainbows #smartist #ArtYear #AlphabetChallenge #WeekMforMemories

Full card, anyone? 🤪🤪

#amwriting #amquerying #amediting #writingcommunity

95%! Pass on the caffeine, and sobbing is not gross. My square might read "Sobbing sonorously, and kind of enjoying it."

Beep beep! New baby up ahead!

Cars Blanket pattern by Filomena Lanzara
Knit Picks Swish Worsted in colorway Serene

#ColorADay #BlueTue #SleepySep #blanket #knit #knitting #knitter #KnittersOfBlueSky #smartist #KnitSky #babyblankie #ShowMeYourKnits #Craftiverse

Rainbow sunbeams on rhodies in full bloom at the height of the pandemic lockdown. A #lifewins reminder--taken in a cemetery.

No filters, no editing, no gimmicks.

#sensoryart #rainbows #smartist #onmywalk #photography #PhotographersOfBlueSky #pandemic #hope #light #rhodies #rhododendron