 |
| Beginning the process....drawing your design. |
 |
| Adding the dye and learning how it flowed on the silk. |
 |
| Finished product... |
 |
| Details up close...vibrancy of color was delightful. |
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Silk Paintings - A Wonderland of Color
Wonderful colors and textures created on silk ...workshop with Elise Wilding...
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Backyard Country Wedding
My very good friend, Teri, asked me to arrange flowers for her son's open house. She wanted bright colorful garden flowers in Mason jars for the tables. What a treat for me...carte blanc on any flower, any color....free reign on design! A designers dream....
Teri is a fabulous master gardener...she says she doesn't fertilize any of her pots and her plants seem to grow like weeds. She did impart some of her hidden gems on soil and suppliments this spring to me. I don't think I actually followed through for my own pots...but after seeing her yard today, we should all be so fortunate to apply her wisdom for our growing things. She has several white hydrangea bushes on the north side of her home....an envy spark erupted from me as I used the precious blossoms as the basis of every creation. And I reflect seriously about how to make each flower play a bigger role even if it should be just one blossom adorning in a vase.... I know exactly where they should reside.
Whether our creations are painted or grown...what a delight to have a rainbow of color.
 |
| Amy (daughter) and Teri |
The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on
dialogues with him
through the graceful bending of
their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances
of
their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which
nature directs towards
him. ~Auguste Rodin
The Beginnings
Mason Jars waiting in a row
Sunflowers
Zinnias, Delphinium and Dahlias
Spray Roses -love the Bokeh (Bouquet)
Snapdragons...two toned wonders!
Lavendar Stock...a spicey peppered delight.
Winter is creeping up like a hidden feline...ready to pounce on us at a moments notice. As I contemplated the fact that the flowers in my yard were ultimately headed for a frosty grave, the flashlight was procured .... since I was arranging these jars well past sunset... and I jaunted into the yard in the darkness to pluck some pristine zinnias to tuck into the hydrangea. Pinks and oranges sang a melody of surprise that they had a chance to make friends with the "greenhouse gals". Just here to say: "the homegrown blossoms held their own".
Pink Sedum...it loves the cool fall nights!
Green Hydrangea is a perfect organizer...
"Celosia cristata"
Cockscomb
Cockscomb
Pink Beesbalm
Orange and Pink Zinnias
Burlap runners and mis-matched chairs
Miniture Orange Zinnias
Ahh...love the red accent chair
Perfect backdrop for the pop of fall colors!
Vigorous pole beans drape the fence...
Whether our creations are painted or grown...what a delight to have a rainbow of color.
Teri's pumpkin patch
 |
 |
| Look right over there....please! |
 |
| Sweet Cowboy boots...precious face! |
 |
| A Little Whimsey for the Bride |
 | ||
| Nick and his new wife!
|
 |
| S'mores Teri Style |
 |
| Love the eye lashes... |
 |
| A beauty...20 years and she will be the bride. |
 |
| Teri's beautiful garden yard |
 |
| Isn't this soooooo fun?!!! |
 |
| Teri with her mom and sisters |
 |
| Kelly and Nathan Always willing and cheerful to help us gals... |
 |
| Greg ---what can I say? |
 |
| Costa Vida---delicious food as always! |
 |
| I want one of each, please! |
 |
| Candle lit yard was breathtaking! |
Thank you, Teri, for letting me create and play with color, form, and vision. You inspire me every day to push harder, ride longer, be more precise in my measurements, and I wonder how one person can have so much talent but yet be so humble. Even though you do all those things (and not only for me, but many others) I'm more thankful that you are a true friend. Someone that accepts others just for their value as a person...not what they can do or give back.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Quintessential Summer Encounter
Today in the Hollow, we had a knock on the door. Two of the neighborhood children were doing what children for decades have been doing in the summer: selling lemonade. I think they knew we would be supportive and therefore were confident in their approach.
"Would you like to buy some lemonade?" they quoted together.
"Sure", said my push-over husband, "how much?"
"One penny" was the reply...again said together.
Although a push-over, he is not the most generous on occasion. He pulled a quarter and a penny from his pocket and deposited them in Ella's cup. This was a "problem" for Ella. She carefully explained that they were sharing the money equally and that they could not split a quarter. As I approached the door, I immediately knew that the solution was to go get another quarter and a penny and deposit it in Ian's cup.
Upon my return, Ella made sure all the change was exactly the same and then asked if I wanted a cup of lemonade, too. I assured her I did. As she handed me the cup, I was instructed that she had put a fresh leaf of mint in my lemonade, but "make sure you don't eat it." The lemonade was delicious and the mint infusion was delightful. As I caressed the leaf, the fragence of the oil touched my nose and I had to smile. I was dutiful in following her instructions. I didn't eat the leaf and I'm sure it was sound advice. At age 6, how did Ella know that small surprise would brighten my day?
A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was Ella's mother calling to apologize that the children had bothered us with solicitation. She was mortified that her daughter was in her swimming suit and looked like an orphan child. She wanted to know if Ella had asked for a large sum of money in exchange for the lemonade and if she needed to return the money. As we visited, she informed me that Ella must really like me to make sure I had the mint leaf in my drink. It was a warming thought.
This is not the first encounter we have had with this effervescent girl. Two weeks ago, she decided (probably with the same side-kick) to re-gift a loaf of bread nestled on my neighbor's porch to me. I called her mother to thank her for her thoughtfulness and discovered that mom wasn't the gifter. We never found out who delivered the gift to the neighbor, but the gift was enjoyed all the same. Another time, Ella took some treats out of our freezer in the garage (yes, a trusting neighborhood here), came to our front door and gave us a "gift". It took me a couple of days to figure out that I had essentially provided the gift to myself.
Sometimes, the surprise gifts give us great pleasure. I found a cupcake kit that helped me create a gift for my neighbor up the street. I am supposed to be a "caretaker" for this woman. My role is to get to know her likes and interests, keep up to date on her family, and uplift and inspire her with spiritual messages. We have planned lunches and I have shared my love of flowers with a beautiful arrangement for her on a couple of occasions. This week, she will receive a pre-4th of July treat since I know she will be busy next week celebrating with her family. I had a smile inside my heart as I made these beautiful cupcakes...
vanilla cake in festive paper cups,
red juicy raspberries
and intense blueberries to adorn the tops.
Wrapped in wax paper and tied with a patriotic bow, they are sure to inspire a smile on the receiving end. Hopefully, she will also know of my love for her.
Isn't that what we want summer to be about? Lemonade stands or doorstop delivery with a hint of mint? Gifts that let others know we care? For me, this was a memory day!
"Would you like to buy some lemonade?" they quoted together.
"Sure", said my push-over husband, "how much?"
"One penny" was the reply...again said together.
Although a push-over, he is not the most generous on occasion. He pulled a quarter and a penny from his pocket and deposited them in Ella's cup. This was a "problem" for Ella. She carefully explained that they were sharing the money equally and that they could not split a quarter. As I approached the door, I immediately knew that the solution was to go get another quarter and a penny and deposit it in Ian's cup.
Upon my return, Ella made sure all the change was exactly the same and then asked if I wanted a cup of lemonade, too. I assured her I did. As she handed me the cup, I was instructed that she had put a fresh leaf of mint in my lemonade, but "make sure you don't eat it." The lemonade was delicious and the mint infusion was delightful. As I caressed the leaf, the fragence of the oil touched my nose and I had to smile. I was dutiful in following her instructions. I didn't eat the leaf and I'm sure it was sound advice. At age 6, how did Ella know that small surprise would brighten my day?
 |
| My mint leaf "gift"...left in the cup as instructed... |
This is not the first encounter we have had with this effervescent girl. Two weeks ago, she decided (probably with the same side-kick) to re-gift a loaf of bread nestled on my neighbor's porch to me. I called her mother to thank her for her thoughtfulness and discovered that mom wasn't the gifter. We never found out who delivered the gift to the neighbor, but the gift was enjoyed all the same. Another time, Ella took some treats out of our freezer in the garage (yes, a trusting neighborhood here), came to our front door and gave us a "gift". It took me a couple of days to figure out that I had essentially provided the gift to myself.
Sometimes, the surprise gifts give us great pleasure. I found a cupcake kit that helped me create a gift for my neighbor up the street. I am supposed to be a "caretaker" for this woman. My role is to get to know her likes and interests, keep up to date on her family, and uplift and inspire her with spiritual messages. We have planned lunches and I have shared my love of flowers with a beautiful arrangement for her on a couple of occasions. This week, she will receive a pre-4th of July treat since I know she will be busy next week celebrating with her family. I had a smile inside my heart as I made these beautiful cupcakes...
vanilla cake in festive paper cups,
Wrapped in wax paper and tied with a patriotic bow, they are sure to inspire a smile on the receiving end. Hopefully, she will also know of my love for her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)