neverending winter

Just when we thought there was a light at the end of the tunnel ( it was 50 degrees three days ago with a little bit of melting) we are now awaiting the arrival of a huge storm that is expected to dump another 13" of snow and last through to sometime on Monday. This is the time of this very long season- we've been snow covered for about 4 months- that I am desperate for greenery and color. Thank goodness for the Como Conservatory in St. Paul and the orchid show at the Arboretum. We always hit both in February.
The Conservatory is about 100 years old and is located on the grounds of the Como Park Zoo. I've been coming here since I was little- at least 50 years. I remember when there was a huge tropical plant inside the front entrance labeled a "man eating" plant. I have no idea what it was but to a kid it was both scary and intriguing. I kept expecting it to reach out a tendril and grab an inattentive kid Addams family style. I always stepped lively coming in the door.
The ferns and palms lend such a tropical feel- warm, humid and with that wonderful scent of damp earth. It is hard to believe how cold and snowy it is just outside the glass.

Scattered throughout are lilies and orchids- little pockets of color. The lilies smell divine.


It can be so peaceful just sitting and listening to the trickling and bubbling water. We try to go during the week so we almost have the place to ourselves.
One area in the new section has varieties of tropical birds flying around. Warmth, greenery and birdsong- the perfect antidote to winter.

All these patterns and leaf shapes are inspirations for applique work.
And the colors and patterns in the orchids remind me of my batik fabrics.
All these orchids are in the orchid show at the Arboretum.
I can't believe the variety and the intensity of the color in some of them.


Well, the wind and snow has started now. Here's to at least another month of Winter!

the winner!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this year's OWOH event visiting as many blogs as I could and meeting so many like minded people. I've added a number to my blog roll and plan to visit often! I am looking forward to next year's new and slightly different event that Lisa is putting together-sounds like lots of fun! Read all about it and also how to sign up for info. on Lisa's blog. Thanks, again to Lisa for all her hard work hosting. Now for the winner of the pincushion- Morna Crites Moore at Wicked Waif. Congratulations! I will be emailing you for your shipping instructions. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left such nice comments- hope you visit again!

batik applique

I have been having so much fun visiting blogs this week that I haven't had time to post. Now orders are coming in and I have to get busy. I recently dug out my stash of batik fabrics to experiment with Jude's weaving method and decided to do some applique work while I had it all out.

I use a very light fusible web when I cut out all my pieces. I don't like stitching around pins
and since I use a buttonhole (or,rather, a blanket stitch) on all the edges basting everything down is just one more step I can do without.
The batiks are just so perfect for leaves and flowers- they add such texture and color . This piece will become a pillow. This is my relaxing project to work on between all the eyeglass cases and pincushions I have to finish.
I have ideas worked out for two more pillows I need to finish this month- will show them later!

fifth and final OWOH

The fifth and final One World One Heart giveaway is here! I participated the last two years and it is a great opportunity to visit lots and lots of wonderful blogs from all over the world. All you have to do to participate is have a blog, offer something as a giveaway, and leave a comment on each blog you visit to be eligible for their prize. The drawings will be on February 17th. Click on the badge at the end of this post or on the sidebar for all the info. as well as a list of all the participating blogs. I have decided my item will be the mini pincushion pictured. It is about 3 inches across and 1 1/2 inches high- a perfect size to tuck into a sewing basket.
Leave a comment and your name is entered in the giveaway. Have fun and a big thank you to Lisa at Whimsical Bohemian for hosting this again this year!

giveaway-OWOH

The fifth and final One World One Heart blog event is starting this Sunday, January 30th
and runs until Feb. 17th. I am trying to decide what to offer for my giveaway- maybe a coaster,
a regular sized eyeglass case or a reader style eyeglass case;
Or maybe a pincushion (this is what my giveaway item was the last two years) or,finally:
a mini pincushion. I will decide and post the item on Sunday. See you then!

clarice cliff

A little more progress on the hooked rug I've been working on for what seems like a very long time. It sits in the corner of the sewing room and I do a small section whenever the mood strikes.
I drew this design on a large piece of paper, transferred it to the monk's cloth and just started filling in with some of my hand dyed wools and solid mill dyed wools.
The large flowers and bold, bright colors are inspired by my favorite British pottery:
Clarice Cliff from the 1920's and 30's. Most people would be familiar with her pieces decorated with cottages and bizarre trees, which are wonderful, but I love her florals.

The following photos are examples of her work. The colors are so warm and vibrant:

AND are all my favorite colors!

Some of my applique work is also inspired by her work. I just love it!

seed catalogs

We have been out to the Arboretum for the Seed Stories exhibit four times already and could go many more times, it is so fascinating. The Andersen Horticultural Library has an extensive collection of 57,000 historic seed and nursery catalogs and this exhibit is a tiny fraction highlighting many of the companies specific to the Midwest as well as elsewhere. I am amazed at how many are right here in Minnesota. This Landreth catalog below is the oldest in the collection dating from the early 1800's. In fact the Landreth Seed Company is just starting their 228th year of business- the oldest seed company in America. They are in Pennsylvania and I tried to get this year's commemorative catalog,but it is sold out.
Three of the companies shown were started and ran by women right here in Minneapolis- Lippincott, White, and Prior- in the early 1900's.


The artwork and detail are stunning. I think everyone would have been tempted to frame the catalog cover when they were done using them! I know I would have.







So many varieties of vegetables and fruits are ones I don't hear anymore. I wonder what has happened to all those varieties?


I purchased a few calendars so that I can enjoy the images all year long ( this is the one I sent to Liz over at Lululizinlalaland). Hope you enjoyed this little look at the exhibit!