It’s Cut and Sew Time

It’s Cut and Sew Time

June 30, 2018

I gave up growing morning glories several years ago when they started invading their neighbors space. Now, I’ve discovered a new place for them, I sew their dewy images into beautiful scarves. It wasn’t so much the flower vines traveling all over the garden as it was their insistence on climbing every plant they touched. And. After the first year, they rarely bloomed, so their prime “reason for being” had passed. I still have MANY fab photos of the glorious midnight blue flowers. Maybe another year. Related Images:
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Is it Art or Craft?

Is it Art or Craft?

June 26, 2018

Something well crafted is something that’s well made, even handmade. Art is far more esoteric. And probably NOT functional, as a craft might be. Sounds a little confusing. What determines art or craft? Related Images:
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Beneath the Canopy

Beneath the Canopy

June 23, 2018

I got my first introduction to the rain forest when I visited my son Dan in the state of Washington last year. Did you know it’s not uncommon to have different weather systems in a rain forest? If you ever walked through one and it started raining of a sudden, you’d quickly get the picture. The trees are huge and the high canopy creates the feeling of a cathedral in the out-of-doors. Wonderfully quiet – a mysterious sensation. Related Images:
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Peonies- Full On Color

Peonies- Full On Color

June 12, 2018

The peonies are coming in, in their lurid, unabashed color. Even the ivory ones look  wildly extravagant. I designed this peony pillow some months ago and was warned off producing it because it was too much color. What IS that? Wake up world and embrace the horror. Life is colorful no matter where or how you live. You take the good with the bad. And so often color brings abundant beauty. And wonderful summer scents. Related Images:
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Garden Therapy

Garden Therapy

June 9, 2018

I met a gardener last week. She’s living with her husband who has Alzheimer’s. It sounds like she’s only able to have limited conversation with him. Once a successful architect, he’s simply forgotten a lot about their life together. We talked about our gardens and it occurred to me that gardening brings her a lot of comfort. I understand. Gardening, for all its activity, is an opportunity for reflection. And somehow, it has the power to erase stress. Garden therapy. I’m a fan. Related Images:
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How Green is Your June Garden

How Green is Your June Garden

June 5, 2018

Nature is growing greener by the day- even as the azaleas fade away. There’s a certain truth about tending a garden. You can plant what you like, where you want. Care or neglect them. In the end, Mother Nature is the one in charge. She brings light, shade, water and warmth. I know I get more than I give these plants. Just the same, tending to their needs is not for the lazy. Related Images:
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Trouble, Trouble

Trouble, Trouble

May 29, 2018

A garden can bring truth to bear on everyday life, as hard as we might fight it. Right now, my garden is full of itself. Blooming and growing green like crazy. With all the activity out there, I’m still inclined to want more and more. What’s going to bloom next, what next do I need to plant, why are the azaleas not more full? Related Images:
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Garden Obsessed

Garden Obsessed

May 26, 2018

My name is Mary and I spent the entire day in the garden. If you’re not a stranger to obsession, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. You start with the best of intentions and before you know it, the day is OVER and you just noticed. This time it started as I tackled the insidious azalea fungus. It’s been a few years since I’ve confronted that problem. Happily, the disease appears contained to the one azalea that lives farthest from its relatives. Related Images:
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And So We Go On

And So We Go On

May 22, 2018

We spent a few days in Greenwich, as guests of a friend and set up our tent at the Bruce Museum Craft Festival. It poured rain the first of two days – and was cold too, worst I’ve seen at an event like that. We’ve been spoiled as we’ve only shown the pillows indoors. Related Images:
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