New Scarf!

New Scarf!

October 28, 2020

Last fall I debuted a scarf called Watermelon, printed on chiffon at 2 yards x 18”- the size of most of my scarves to date.  A couple months ago, a family member reached out with a request for a scarf she needed for an event in October. She very much liked Watermelon as the colors matched her sweater, but she needed a scarf that was a lot smaller..and square! Always up for a challenge, I was itching to get started this fall. Sooty mold is a fungus that grows on leaves sometimes infected by aphids. After feeding, insects leave behind a
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Blossom Shopping in a June Garden

Blossom Shopping in a June Garden

June 15, 2019

The first blast of Spring flowers has past, leaving in its wake rich young green colors on every side. What’s budded up in CT right now? Well, the peonies are starting their show… The day lilies are dutifully rearing their crooked little heads as the astilbe flower stalks get fatter by the day. Welcome patches of purple spiderwort are bearing their first flowers even as they demand staking. Spiderworts are great this time of Spring, as little else is blooming. Their fat numerous buds are a promise of continuous flowering. A few patches of new white allium have appeared I
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Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

March 5, 2019

Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility. Christian leaders decided to incorporate many popular pagan traditions in a new way. In this case, the craziness got condensed into “Fat Tuesday,” a single day before the period of 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit procession with marching bands and rolling floats. This set the tone for future public celebrations that continue today in 2019- known as
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Which Way Forward the Artist’s Work?

Which Way Forward the Artist’s Work?

December 4, 2018

I read an article in the New York Times recently that chronicles a Japanese artist who has over a lifetime, worked painstakingly to create beautiful fabric using indigo dyes and the ancient process of katazome- the traditional craft of stencil-printed indigo-dyed fabric for kimonos. His work is gorgeous and meticulously fashioned. Related Images:
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My Fairy Tale

November 13, 2018

My daughter, Bridget, is the fairy tale I’ve waited for my whole life. After having three madcap little boys, I was nevertheless captivated by the desire for a girl. When Bridget was born she was ill and we embarked on years of trials to get her healthy. What a girl. Difficult, refused to wear pink, and determined to be of her own mind. Related Images:
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The Big Dig is Here

The Big Dig is Here

October 23, 2018

We’ve now had a couple hard frosts. Everybody knows the first step before that happens is to bring tender plants in before lingering flowers die or worse. House plants on vacation outside can pass away in sudden overnight shock. It’s so easy to do, but this year, all my plants escaped with their lives. Related Images:
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Just One More Dance

Just One More Dance

September 8, 2018

The rain of the last few days has been prolific. If you are lucky enough to find a late bloom, keep it close, they’re becoming limited in supply.  Only the hardy ones survive end of season craziness. Dahlias are some of those hardy survivors. Related Images:
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Here Comes Fall

Here Comes Fall

September 4, 2018

Fall is the time for learning new things. It has an anticipatory air about it. Some people go to school, others learn in different ways. I choose all ways! Including making time to improve outdoor furniture in preparation for the inevitable New England winter. And sometimes, you just have to get far away from yard work- it’s still too blazing hot! 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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