Saturday, June 26, 2010

Gala in the Garden

Our nearly daily visits to the Arboretum gave us the opportunity to watch them set up for the Gala in the Garden fund raiser. It was an incredibly hot and humid day, in fact the very next day we had terrible storms and 20 tornadoes touching down in the state. This summer has been a study in extremes- cold and wet or hot and humid with wicked storms. It seems so unfair when we only get about 3-4 months of summery weather in any given year. That's about 12 weekends only! The tent set up was immense. I think it could seat 200 easily.
The flowers were gorgeous- mostly peonies and hydrangeas for the swags and arbors.
I loved the hanging balls of peonies. So many varieties! I wish they could have been labeled.

The table arrangements were a little different on each table.


And there were two special guests attending. Since we had such violent weather the very next day I'm sure these didn't last long.
I think the faces might be a bit scary on their own ( or should I say demented?)
All in all it was a beautiful display.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Birds and flowers

This is the batch of pincushions I just finished for the Textile center. To break up the routine a little I decided to do a bit of embroidery on a flour sack towel. I want to have a large variety of items finished to do a show in November at the Midtown Global Market. I'd like to have an entire collection of retro style household items- dishtowels, dishcloths, aprons, etc. in addition to my pincushions, handbags, and pillows.Of course Jim will do his leather purses and bags. It should be fun and is at a great time of the year- the beginning of holiday shopping.It's not that far away!
I tend to use so many images of birds and flowers in my designs I thought I would take a little tour around the house and show some of the inspiration or obsession I have with bird imagery. The following are items I have made:




and things around the house: I love these wooden shorebirds. This is one of many.
A glass plate which is one we sold at the shop.
The bluebird topped sugar bowl is from a pottery works in Missouri and the other pieces are from the Stockholm Pottery shop.
I have owned this chicken pitcher for years.
This little bird was bought just last weekend at the Stockholm Garden center. He will be living outside on the patio.
And last but not least my Mexican painted tin bird I purchased in Maiden Rock a few weeks ago. Just a small example of my love of birds!