Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Everything's Coming Up Roses


Wild Rambling White Roses

It's really just a guess that evil fairies are the ones who plant all the weeds in my garden. It could just as easily be gnomes or aliens or time travelers. Perhaps there is even a more reasonable explanation, I don't know. All I know is that I didn't ask for them, don't want them and will defend my flowers from them at all costs.

Growing Together, White and Red Roses 

The funny thing is that weeds aren't the only thing that show up unexpectedly in my garden. Sometimes something sprouts up that I actually like, like the lovely wild white roses that suddenly appeared a couple of years ago and are now thriving. Maybe those evil fairies aren't so evil after all.
Rambling Red Roses

 Okay, here is the my garden is a metaphor for life paragraph: Weeds are like all the random things that happen in life to inconvenience me. For example, when the oven decides to stop working in the middle of cooking my pizza or someone is rude to me for no reason or a rock flies up from the road and cracks my windshield. It's easy to feel like the universe, or evil fairies, are picking on me some days.  However, just as often as some random little problem pops up, good things do too. Like when my favorite song comes on the radio, or when a stranger insists I go ahead in line at the grocery store because I only have two items or when, out of the blue, beautiful roses just decide to start growing in my garden.
Pink Ballerina Roses

 So maybe not everything's coming up roses all the time but when they do, I'm going to take the time to notice and enjoy them. I hope you did too.

Tiny Dancer - Ballerina Rose Photography Print
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pinteresting People: Emily Henderson



I am absolutely addicted to HGTV. I love watching the process of transforming homes and spaces through design. I freely admit that I cry during many of the reveals. It is just so touching to see how happy a new sofa or a better layout or a stunning fabric pattern can make a person. I can really relate to that.



There are a few HGTV designers that have really wowed me over the years but none more so than 2010 HGTV Design Star Winner, Emily Henderson. Her layered, collected, vintage meets vintage modern style is, as she would say, totally my jam! She really inspires me to mix in more modern elements and graphic patterns with my thrift store decor. I'd say that some of the choices I made when I redecorated my bathroom were influenced by her.

Following Emily Henderson on Pinterest is a must! You should also check out Emily's blog where you will not only get expert design tips but also a big dose of her fun, quirky but down to earth personality. Seriously, best design star ever!

Dragonfly Flight Pattern Purple Ombre
Dragonfly Flight Pattern Purple Ombre by Victoreeah
Check out more Insect Wall Clocks at Zazzle
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Pinteresting People: Tracy Porter



I always seem to be in the middle of one home decorating project or another these days and I totally blame Pinterest!

Many of the images I am drawn to the most on Pinterest come from or through the same people. Some of these people have been inspiring me for years and some of them I have discovered more recently. They are all unique and inspire me in different ways but I find myself returning again and again to their boards and I am always delighted with what I see.

I thought I would express my appreciation for these “Pinspiring” people with a series of blog posts about them, starting with the person I probably repin the most, designer Tracy Porter.




The book Dreams From Home by Tracy Porter changed my life. Before I read it I always second guessed my creative choices. I would get a rush of inspiration and then immediately hear this voice in my head saying, “That's too crazy!” or “That's impractical”.  What's crazy is that it wasn't even my voice.

Thank goodness for Tracy Porter. She showed me how beautiful being brave and bold can be. Now, when some wonderfully outrageous idea pops into my head, the only voice I hear is my very own and it says, “Go For It!”

If you want to be truly inspired, check out this fabulous lady's  adventures on Instagram or Facebook. You can also find more information about her and her Poetic Wanderlust line of home accessories at poeticwanderlust.com.
http://www.ibelieveinartshop.com
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, May 23, 2013

What's In Bloom: May

The Iris Show has begun!

If you saw the photos I posted on my Facebook page, you may already know that I did a little procrastinating when it came to my gardening chores last week. Truth is I was feeling a little overwhelmed again. Apparently, while I was waiting for Spring to get here, the evil fairies who plant all of the weeds in my garden got a head start and I was in no hurry to battle them.

Then things started to bloom and I suddenly became a fiercely protective garden ninja warrior armed with gloves, shovels, clippers and trimmers. And once again my garden became a metaphor for my life, reminding me that it is by focusing on what makes me happy that I find the motivation to deal with all of life's problems and challenges.

Here are some photos I took of what's in bloom in my gardens right now:

Blue Irises

Blue Star

Chives

Clematis

More of my beloved German Irises

Columbine

The very first Peony bloom this year

Purple Columbine

Sweet Rocket


Irises 2013 Calendar
Irises 2013 Calendar by time2see
Shop for Irises Calendars online at Zazzle.com
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Spring In Progress



May Flowers and Snow Showers

 The weather has been behaving a little erratically lately and so have I.  Just like this Spring season, I seem to be running into a lot of setbacks and delays with all my various projects.  However, a wonderful thing happens when I am faced with things I can't control such as the weather; I learn to adjust.
So left with no other choice, I find myself developing patience and feeling gratitude for the progress both Spring and I have made this last month or so, despite the delays, despite what I think "should" be happening.

 Here are some photos of spring's slow but still lovely progress in my yard and garden so far:
Sea of Daffodils


Vibrant Tulips


Pink Tulips

Frozen Tulip

Cherry Blossoms

Dogwood Blossoms


Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: ,

Monday, April 29, 2013

Nature Speaks


Some of my best friends are Daffodils.  They make me smile and tell me their secrets and I'm always happy to see them.  Yes, that's right, I talk to flowers and they speak back to me, not in words, but in ideas and inspirations.

Spending time in nature, hanging out with flowers, trees, birds, butterflies and bees, is like going to art school and church at the same time for me.  Every visit to my garden is a lesson in color and composition.  Every branch and blossom is a reminder of the beauty and potential in every living thing, including me and you.

I suppose if anyone has ever overhead me saying hello to a tulip or how do you do to a butterfly, they probably thought I was nuts, but that's okay.  I know that my time spent conversing with nature is actually something that keeps me sane. 

So now if you ever catch me in my garden saying, "thank you, thank you, thank you", you'll know who I am talking to and you'll know why.

Branch Out & Blossom Art
Branch Out & Blossom Art by Victoriart
Browse for more wall art on Zazzle
Comforting Peonies "You've Got A Friend" Card
Comforting Peonies "You've Got A Friend" Card by time2see
View Victoria lynn hall Cards online at zazzle
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: ,

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Cat Mom's Day Reminder (A Letter To My Cats)

View more framed poster art at zazzle.com

I know, cats can't really read (or can they?) but I wrote mine this letter anyway.  By the way, the next Cat Mom's Day is Sunday, May 10, 2015.

To My Dearest Cat Kids,

Mother's Day is coming up soon and I just want to remind you that means you must give me a card and a gift. No, I don't mean the kind of gifts you leave in the litter box or cough up onto my new area rug. And yes, you are all precious gifts yourselves but allowing me to pet you, feed you and tell you how wonderful you are doesn't count either.

Now, I would like it very much if your gift to me was a day of you all being well behaved, getting along with each other and being less demanding but we all know the chances of that happening. So what you need to do instead is talk to Dad. Remind him what a very good Cat Mom I am and that I deserve something special for Cat Mom's Day. He'll know what to do.

And before you ask me when Cats' Day is, I'll tell you: In this house and in my heart, Cats' Day is every day.

 Love,
Mom

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)