Soil Amendments For the Garden

Soil Amendments For the Garden

June 6, 2022

Yikes. Once again I’ve waited too long to write a blog post. So much going on. Let’s jump right in!. Some of you may know that I’ve been making scarves for a few years. I’m designing with images I’ve taken in my gardens for almost five years. Aside from adoring gardening, the beds provide me with ongoing photographic material. This year has been incredibly busy so I finally dove into necessary soil amendments to the flowerbeds. Hmm. Happily, I also had the opportunity to create and produce a quantity of beautiful chiffon scarves for my high school classmates. Featuring the Morning
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Color Transitions

Color Transitions

November 21, 2019

Well, I managed to cover the boxwoods this year without freezing to death. The gardens have finally been put to bed in preparation for winter and the holidays. Not before the ground colors conspired to deliver a gorgeous last fall palette of colors. I’ve been thrilled with the bush covers we bought last year- and learned the hard way to not store them in an unprotected outbuilding. One of them got half eaten last year. Some tips about winter garden care in general. We tagged a tree last weekend at Angevine Farm in Warren CT. I can’t tell you exactly
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Holiday Fairs Incoming…

Holiday Fairs Incoming…

November 6, 2019

And there’s a whole lotta sewing going on..This is a new Paola Prints chiffon scarf called Endless Summer. Morning glories and sunflowers. This Saturday, Paola Prints will be showing beautiful pillows and scarves- including a collection of new 100% cotton infinity scarves at the Central CT Community Women’s Club 45th Annual Holiday Craft Fair in Cromwell CT.  This is a one-day, juried craft show from 9:00-3:00 pm and will be chock full of exciting handmade gifts. See you at the Cromwell Middle School. This is a juried show so you know we’re a bunch of very special artists… Paola Prints will be
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Clothes From the Garden

Clothes From the Garden

August 6, 2019

You grow the plants. Photograph them at high resolution with your Nikon of choice and design new creations in Photoshop. Apply those to a finish product and SELL said item. A tall order. Even though I’ve bought printing for marketing purposes, experimenting with printing to fabric was a whole other story. It would be exhausting to think about doing even part of the job, if I hadn’t fallen head over heels about the potential for creating beauty. The love of transferring nature to fabric has had its way with me relentlessly. Blogging about it is my confession. Pretty or handsome?
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Relief From the Everyday

Relief From the Everyday

April 23, 2019

So much in life can become mundane if we’re not careful. Stay alert! Spring offers so much new life without any effort on our part except to stay alert to the signs. Smells, bird sounds, new green and yes, daffodils and hyacinth scattered about the slumbering beds. Gardeners experience firsthand the benefits we draw from gardening. I love my gardens and am inspired every time I look out over them. Others take comfort in ways that are uniquely healing for them. This week is full court press getting ready for the Simsbury Flea and Smorgasbord Show. Saturday, (rain or shine)
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Obsession – The Inescapable Dimension of An Artist’s Life

Obsession – The Inescapable Dimension of An Artist’s Life

March 12, 2019

Who isn’t obsessed with the promise of Spring/Summer right now? Can you just feel the sun and smell the garden in this scene from May 2018? I signed up for a show the end of April and spent lots of time this week readying art files for an order. Followed by updating the website to match. Too much time spent doing things not very fun. (And no, I haven’t started my taxes) The artist’s obsession drive for perfection overtook me as I finally made time to complete two designs, Caroline and I Feel Pretty. I’ve been selling both of them
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Winter Colors

Winter Colors

March 2, 2019

Winter surface design offers the same color combinations as in warm weather. Warm and cool. The tone however, is entirely different. It’s important to note that all of my design inspiration begins in the garden which changes with the time of day, season and light. Even as I look forward to working in the garden and photographing its fresh spring colors, the cold weather continues to interest with its intense variations of warm and cool colors. I’ve been working with some dried roses to create my last winter scarf- a tribute to my sister Laura. Orange goes to earthy rust,
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A Blanket of Snow

A Blanket of Snow

February 19, 2019

Connecticut really hasn’t had significant snowfall yet this year. The morning’s showing was a welcome sight to this gardener. Did you know that snow can be good for your garden? Less frost damage for example. Did you know that snow cover is a great insulator? Certain varieties of azaleas and flowering bushes are better suited to some zones. Think about that in Spring when you next shop for them. There are general “good practices” to be aware of in preparing for winter and caring for bushes year -round. Wind protection and bush placement are important. Watering well before winter is
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Life -A Catalyst for Creative Endeavors

Life -A Catalyst for Creative Endeavors

February 5, 2019

For several weeks, family members have been watching over my older sister who’s been ill with Alzheimer’s for many years. She’s finally reaching her end of life. Hosting out of town family members has become a new reality for those of us nearby. And not entirely unpleasant. Whenever else would we make the time? I take solace in creative work. Quiet time engaged in physical activities like gardening, cooking or sewing can go a long way in achieving internal peace- rather then hitting hard issues head on. I chose the name “Caroline” In honor of Caroline Ferriday, the inspiring former
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