Formal Garden

A friend visited today and we had a little time to grab lunch and poke around the Eastman House Museum. We think this is set for a wedding later on this weekend. This museum is a treasure, and its collection of prints and film is formidable. I'll go back when I've more time. 

Behind Me

I'm standing at my front door looking out, which is the stance I need for a positive attitude. Behind me are sheets of drywall about to go up, lighting cords dangling about, and stacks of tile that need to be processed. It's a good chaos and a quiet summer, but looking forward it'll be wonderful.
 

Scale in Motif

I had a query about motif on work that scales up, 14" to 28" for example.  If the motif stays the same in relation to the size of the 'frame' then it is either too large (for the small work) or too small (for the larger work) It becomes -- if small-- background, or busy if medium, or the portrait if left large to fill the frame. Here is the same motif in two applications framed and edited.

 

The Archetypical Flower

Tobight was pasta Sunday with friends, and in the garden I found the flower most perfectly "flower". It's as if a kid drew it, added the big fat center, and dotted each petal with a dot to show it off. The humidity broke, the temp was down, and it was a nice time to sit back and declare 'summer'. Tomorrow is work.
 

Garden Tour

Yesterday's cherry on top was a stroll in the Upper Monroe Garden Walk and Ann's garden. Like the luck we all need at a deadline, her plants obeyed the call and flowered right on time for the event. Lots of beauty, unusual plants, and stone sculptures all on a little city plot.  
 

Noontime Garden

Those who have followed me in these posts know I had a wonderful mature garden at my last house. This townhouse has both full southern exposure and a north facing courtyard. Midday brings the most delightful spotted sunlight as it is directly overhead. These warm days finds me lunching there.
 

My Kitchen View

I've a red japanese maple tree outside my courtyard at my new house. It's not looking healthy, but it may recover. Lots of thoughts go out to hang on that tree, and I'd hate to loose it. 
 

This Must Be Luck

I'd moved a potted plant from a spot in the garden and a large toad jumped out. I've not seen one in years, although they were constantly around when I was growing up. Thrilled to see it, and I take this toad as a sign of good luck for all of the new things I've encountered these past few months. 
 

Delights

I've tended this garden for 12 years now, and where there was nothing, there is now loads of plants that continue to share the spotlight from one bloom to the next. This poppy is my favorite color, and I'll miss this, but I know I'll have a new landscape to enjoy. 
 

Droop in the Drought

It's been a couple of weeks of hot, dry weather and these rudbeckia are barely hanging on. At 86 degrees, I'm staying away from Studio 301 till that passes, and have loaded a quilt on the longarm instead. Also taken care of some shipping and applying for exhibitions, all a bit of back office work.
 

Fun Time is Over

With handwork, I move to the dining table to sew. My incentive is a movie. So this gathering of the blue glass and hydrangeas will have to skedaddle. I'm eager to get the last large work on the longarm, and word has it there is a lineup forming. 
 

Looking Out

Home from my family visits, and this is what I see out my front door. I can't say when I'll get out there to tame any of this, but if the heat dies down, I may get some invasives pulled. Or not. I've got dyes mixed that are asking to be used, a little commission, and some sorting in the studio to do. Why winter is nice!
 

Admirer That I Am

It was decades ago that I saw Terry Mangat's work and I was bowled over. She's on the other side of the country, but a couple years ago, through Facebook, she offered anyone seeds from her black hollyhock. These have now reseeded and returned. What a link between fiber artists that brings joy. 
 

Fourth Walk About

The hydrangeas are starting to bloom this Independence Day. I'll be away for a bit, and I know that when I return these will still be there, albeit pinker and more muted. I'll take them anyway they show up. And I know that there are glorious sites to be in the coming weeks. So, a last walk around for now. Happy 4th! 
 

Midway in the Day

Today was packed with highs and lows, and somewhere in there was the beautiful garden at George Eastman's house. I went with a long-ago friend who was in town. What a great time, although short, to see a bit of each other and a bit of this garden.
 

Garden of Delight

A gift from a dear friend, this clematis returns in its loveliness again, and I'm grateful to have this connection. Many of the plants I have are gifts, some from ones from friends who have passed on. Time and circumstances have kept me from tending this garden, but these plants continue nevertheless.
 

Morning Light

I made a quilt once about having multiple items on a checklist and only accomplishing one. This is morning light, when all promise is possible. As I close the day, I realize that I didn't get that walk in for doing all the other things on the list. Not all, only some. Walk needs to move up the list.
 

Home Stretch

I'll be traveling for my last out of town trip for this year. By my return there should have been our first frost, and the last of the falling leaves. What keeps me grounded is that I have a great and welcoming life here, and returning is always a joy. I'll take a last look at this garden before I board my flight.
 

While I Was Busy

I spent most of yesterday hanging a new door on the studio. Why, don't ask. But I made a decided turn around the garden this morning to find this. I've edited out the weeds, and you see only the best of color. I'll take a cutting of some with me to Quilting By the Lake on Sunday, just as a reminder.
 

My Yard Before the Snow

The snow is about to fall, and this snap is the before. Before nature descends on nature. Today was a bit of reunion with Take Twoers and I'll talk to another bunch tomorrow. At least nature can't snow on our design walls, that is a constant. Those designs emerge, and we let them grow without interference.