autumn blooms

We are just starting to reach peak foliage color here and it is making for some beautiful walks and drives, especially at the arboretum. Instead of showing the usual fall colors I thought I would highlight some of the beautiful flowers still blooming at this time of year.
These dahlias are in the trial area so don't have names yet, just numbers. The plants are nearly as tall as I am and the blooms can be as large as a small plate.
I find the variety and range of color amazing!
The stripey ones and bicolor ones are lovely, but my favorites are the apricot and orange-yellow ones.

The one above is spectacular!
I love how twisty this one looks.

Many of the roses are still blooming and smelling wonderfully.

The candy cane looking one is so pretty.


Again, my favorite color:
The annual beds are looking great- I love the castor bean in the background.
The limey green of the potato vine complements everything- one of my most used plants for pots at home.
In not too many weeks this area will be all dug up and planted with bulbs for next spring. It has been a gorgeous year in the gardens!

kitchen redo

My small kitchen area redo started with my desire to display some of my colorful fiesta ware. I have been lucky enough to acquire these pieces ( and more) from friends who collect and sell Fiesta. They have given me pieces that have small nicks or defects that may make them hard to sell. Some of these 'defects' are almost impossible to see and the colors are glorious!
This is the corner of the kitchen I wanted to de-clutter and lighten up a little. It is near the back door and the table becomes a catch-all. I also wanted to change the dark table and chairs for something lighter.
The table was also a bit bigger than I needed, no one actually eats in the kitchen.
I removed the shelves, added two more and painted them all my favorite light green.
The 'new' table was a library table of my grandmother's and it also got a fresh coat of the green paint. I took one of the dark chairs and painted it a pale buttery yellow.
Next it was time to arrange the dishware on the shelves- my favorite part!
Since my kitchen is in the northwest corner of the house it doesn't get a lot of sunlight, but this area now works nicely as a cozy, convenient desk and the lamplight is very inviting! Click on the badge below to see other before and after projects on Metamorphosis Monday at www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com.

Iris Towels

Just finished these appliqued towels as a special order for someone who's favorite flower is the iris.
One towel is done with blues and purples- a darker palette.
The other one is in paler blues with yellow bands- lighter and sunnier. I used hand dyed cottons for the applique pieces which gives them a nice mottled look. I think I'll do more of these, lots in different patterns, for our upcoming shows.

Metamorphosis Monday

I am participating in Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday event hosted by Susan. Take an item or decorating project and transform it into something new and improved.I have had this chair for many years, it has spent most of that time in the basement (understandably).Time for a facelift!
A few coats of paint later and I think much improved! This is the color I painted most of my outdoor furniture this year, it has become my favorite green-it complements almost any color.
It is going to find a new home in my living room (though not right in the middle!), but of course now I see many more projects in the room that need to be improved to coordinate with my new addition.
I am very happy with the result! Now to reupholster another old chair and ottoman and make some new pillows. If you would like to view some other makeover projects just click on the pic below or go to www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com. Have fun!

coasters/mug mats

We are currently getting ready for a couple of art fairs we've decided to do this fall. The first one is the first week of October- the Fresh Art tour along the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin side. We will be setting up a booth outside of Swan Song Gallery. We have some of our things there now, but will be adding new items for the start of holiday buying. These are all examples of coasters/mug mats I have started making.
They measure 5" across, so plenty big for even the largest mug. It is an economical use of any left over wool pieces and are simply backed with felt. All handwork from beginning to end- just what I like to work on. No machine sewing so it is a completely portable project.
I'm also going to do ornaments, small pouch bags, pincushions, eyeglass cases, and appliqued flour sack towels. Lots to do!

New Look

I'm playing around with a new look for this blog and thought I would post some pictures I took at home and at the arboretum this late spring and summer.
We've had plenty of rain and heat this summer and the plants have really flourished.
Peonies are some of my absolute favorites and they were spectacular.


It is such a treat to see the combinations at the arboretum, very inspiring.
I love the colors of the azaleas even though I'm not fond of the plant in general. Once the blooming is over it is ho-hum if not downright ugly.
But, you can't beat the colors!

Even though it is just the beginning of August I am looking forward to fall and our drives in the bluff country-beautiful foliage colors! Next week I hope to go picking blackberries for more jam making. The freezer is filling up with fruit and veggies for jams and chutneys. I'm hoping to make small gift baskets as gifts for the holidays and would rather do it once the weather cools down. Hope you enjoy the photos!

projects

It seems I have been spending all my time making the same thing over and over again, namely pincushions, to fill orders. It's nice to take a look at other projects, finished or not,from time to time. The above is a centerpiece of hardangar I made a number of years ago. I love the intricacy of this type of embroidery, but I'm not sure my eyesight's up to it anymore! Those are crabapples I picked today. Don't they look like cherries?
Among my current unfinished projects are these eyeglass cases waiting to be sewn up, 12 more to make and then sent to Alaska.
I have also been working on a hooked rug I started a couple of years(!) ago. I'm not sure what color to use for the background, I'm leaning toward a cream color.
The design was inspired by a book I have on Clarice Cliff pottery- the ones with floral designs. For pottery made in the 20's and 30's it is so bright and funky.
Now for some finished projects. I made two batches of jam- strawberry and raspberry/blueberry along with bread and butter pickles. The cucumbers came from the garden, but the berries I had to buy from the farmer's market. Next year some of the raspberries and blueberries will be from the backyard!
I have also kept busy painting the outdoor furniture- all in new colors.
The light green color has become a favorite- in fact I'm going to incorporate it in the kitchen when I do a little ( just painting and rearranging) remodel this fall.
It is amazing to me that all this furniture was stored away- the only thing I bought this year was a new umbrella.
And ,finally, a birdhouse I painted long ago and just recently reclaimed from storage. Well, back to sewing!