Shady Plans

The locally grown dahlia tubers I planted this year have been thriving. I just don’t know how Amanda manages to deliver such huge flowers- they’re awesome. The sunflowers are on their way to flowering- just behind the dahlias and even taller than the five and a half foot dahlias. Related Images:
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Romance in the Garden

Late summer is an awesome time in the garden if you just relax and recognize that the dominant color is green, AND, even the once vigorous skunk cabbage becomes invisible with age. Its leaves literally become transparent. Time passages. Related Images:
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Summer Garden

Summer time is outdoor time. Of course, if you’re lucky, it can also be a direct path to beach abandon when people return to  water to become whole again. Related Images:
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A Chandelier That Glows in the Night

We cleaned the chandelier today- a once in a year event, as it hangs from a 15 ft. ceiling. I climb a very tall ladder, knock off cobwebs and spray it till the dust drips off onto the sheet below it. My husband does a great job holding the ladder. He even lets me take some photos from my perch on high. Related Images:
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Paola Prints Green

Spring has not yet come to Connecticut- although I’ve had several sprout sightings indicating it’s not too far off…Better get out soon and rake off the beds. Today was spent making calls and working on a new print order. Related Images:
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Fighting Off Cold Weather Naturally

Frigid outdoor temperatures, indoor heating, crackling fires in the hearth -these hallmarks of winter can take a toll on skin and lead to dry, cracked hands, flaky, itchy bodies and rough red faces.  Enough! You too, can beat winter dryness with a few changes to your daily routine and proper nutrition. Alison Birks is my nutritionist and sometimes I twist her arm to give me health tips. I was whining the other day about my dry hands and feet and here’s what I got…Thanks Alison! Related Images:
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Why I blog

It’s a time consuming process to shoot many photos and work on them until I’ve achieved a design I consider to be “viable pillow art”. Maybe one in 2,000 photos is even brought under that kind of scrutiny. So, I enjoy the opportunity of sharing its evolution in pictures and words. In that way, blogging balances the creative part of my life. Related Images:
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New York NOW- A Really Good Show

Just back from NYC in the ongoing quest for knowledge. A whirlwind tour of the NY NOW show at the Javitts Center followed by another go at “Trends for Spring 2016” -this time for home décor. As expected, lots of crossover in colors and concepts to apparel – a really interesting talk by Patti Carpenter at the Cliff Young Showroom in the NY Design Center. More on that next time. (One of my favorite topics). You can get a  hint about color by my photo on this post. And… Related Images:
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Super Paola 2015

This time of year, one can feel eclipsed by all the goings-on. Having raised three college athletes, I learned early to let the game roll and entertain myself on Super Sunday. This year, the sport’s latest controversy has been deflating to say the least.  But I was so pleased to find the Super Bowl has new excitement for Paola Pillows. Related Images:
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