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Clematis for a Texture Tuesday

 
{Magic layer from the Kim Klassen Ben Collection}

The theme for this week's Texture Tuesday Party at Kim Klassen's Cafe is "garden"...something near and dear to many of our collective hearts. Although my gardens {mostly of the flower variety} have been severely neglected compared to the time I typically enjoy working in them, I am forever grateful for those dear friends we call perennials.

For the past month, my purple clematis vines (grows in a variety of colors) have been strutting their stuff. Each winter the vines go dormant and anyone who didn't know better would most likely think the plant was a has-been.

      {3 layers of a Kim Klassen May Magic texture, one as an overlay-27% opacity}
I started this one from a one foot little root...and now a few years later, it has filled out quite nicely with very little encouragement on my part. The key is keeping them well watered as they establish their root system as well as an ample pile of mulch around their base. So don't be afraid to start with a little guy as the cost is much more affordable compared to buying a potted plant with a big long vine already growing. 

 

{Kim Klassen textures applied: Magic scratches, May magic on color burn}

Despite their delicate appearance, these little flower heads have been through whipping winds, pelting rains, and yet they've held their ground.

 
{Kim Klassen texture: Sonnet Magic}

 In fact, for a whole month the large clump of flower heads have been smiling sweetly in my gardens. Ample time for me to play around with my vintage amethyst bottles, or whatever else catches my fancy.

Gardens, to me, are a magical place...hence, my choice of applying magic textures to all of my photos today. Now I'm off to see what magical photos everyone else has shared today!

Be blessed! Xo, Sue

Pretty Flowers and Happy Birthday, Pink Saturday!

 
There are so many awesome parties in the world of blog these days. The talent and inspiration found at each of these events is beyond wonderful. Wish there were enough hours in the day to participate much more often than I do. But today, for the first time, I'm joining the party over at A Rosy Note. Loads of inspiring photography each Friday!

 
I discovered this  beautiful blog and the party through the big dreamer, Connie! {Also a fun blog to visit!} Today's theme is flowers....something near and dear to my heart. {insert a sweet, contented sigh}

There is also a BIG PARTY about to take place at Pink Saturday. It's the three year anniversary of this event! As soon as my friend Beverly posts the gathering spot, I'll be updating to play in her event as well! Rumor has it that there are lots of giveaways happening during this celebration!

Update: click on the Big Party above and it will take you to the celebration!

 
And we all know, that without these scary little creatures, there wouldn't be flowers. Despite the fact that I am deathly afraid of bees, I still find them to be fascinating little fellas. So much so, that after trying unsuccessfully with my longer lenses [meaning: stay as far away as possible!] to get a good shot, I threw caution to the wind and slapped on my 50mm lens.

I am so brave. Half the battle is just facing our fears, isn't it? Moving forward despite how uncomfortable it happens to be.

 
Who knows? Maybe one day I won't search the web for ways to deter bees from messing with my space.

Here's a few of my favorite:

~Hang a fake hornet's nest in one of your trees. Hornets are territorial and once they see another colony has claimed this turf, they move on. One source even said a brown lunch bag stuffed with plastic would do the trick as the hornets won't come close enough to find out it isn't real!

~Wear light colors and smooth fabric. Bees are attracted to dark and texture. Wool and leather make them angry!

~If you kill a bee and the hive is nearby...watch out! They can smell the kill and will come and attack you.

~There are all kinds of non-toxic, homemade repellents plastered throughout the internet. I've seen ones with ingredients such as Ivory soap, tea tree oil, orange oil, etc.

~Also, if you're going to take a nest out at night {the recommended time for doing so} never shine a flash light into the nest. This will make them mad. Instead, cover the flashlight with red cellophane as bees can't see red light! 

~This one I learned from an exterminator after I had the misfortune of walking across a ground nest once...if you do come across a ground nest, before you move, stand and watch and observe the flight pattern the hornets use to enter the nest. They have a definite pattern for approaching and entering. If you cross the flight pattern line, you will get stung!

Then again, maybe you don't care about avoiding bees because you're REALLY brave like these young ladies:

 
{{source}}

Seriously. Who would do this? Don't do this. But do take a peek at all the participants in Pink Saturday and over at A Rosy Note!

Looking forward to browsing myself over the long three day weekend!

Xo, Sue

{p.s. several have commented that when I leave a comment on your blog using Typepad's Open ID credentials that it says: "no reply comment" in the from address line. But located right below that you will see my email address. Should you wish to respond via email to me, you need to hit "forward" instead of "reply" and then copy and paste my email address into the "send to:" line.

"No reply commenter" does not mean that I don't care to have you reply to me!!! It just means the address from Typepad that sends the message does not receive replies!}

Bird chatter

 

 

Pink Rose for Texture Tuesday

 
Joining Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday party. Used two layers of Yesteryear (multiply and soft) and one layer from the May magic pack.

If you've ever wanted to learn Photoshop, Kim is a great teacher! I noticed on her post today that she is offering up another session of her Photoshop Essentials course. The highlighted link above will tell you more...

Happy day to one and all...xo

Vintage Laundry Drying Rack

I love vintage.

But I don't love laundry.

However, I do love my new vintage laundry drying rack.

 
...just think of all the things you could display on this sweet thang...

 
 
 
Endless possibilities...

...balloons for a celebration, little doll dresses, drying artwork, hangtags, if your children are little-their artwork, inspirational quotes, drying flowers, or I guess you could even use it for its intended purpose.

If I were wise, I would clip matching envelopes to each clothespin. Inside each envelope would be "something" I've been putting off for too long. Each day I would force myself choose one envelope and force myself happily complete that task.

 
 These are the kinds of finds that I love to drag home with me.

 
Not something I was looking for necessarily...it just caught my eye. Something nostalgic about it...a throw back to the times when people actually {gasp!} washed lingerie by hand. Can you imagine?!

Xo, Sue

p.s. On a more somber note, my heart and prayers go out to all who have suffered loss during this latest rash of deadly storms here in the U.S. May their be an outpouring of love and support...  

I wish... {and some free images}

 
{applied textures from Kim Klassen}

I wish {and maybe you do too!} that I weren't so WISHY-WASHY! Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. But after realizing that moving my blog was going to cause a host of yicky problems, I changed my mind, AGAIN.

So with my little tail between my legs, and peeling egg off of my face, it's official. I'm going to stick with Typepad. But if anyone wants to know how to export their blog, ask me, I know how to do it!

All was not lost though as making the temporary move resulted in me learning a little more about the inner workings of a blog that will come in handy in the future. Did you know that by exporting your blog to a file on your computer that you have effectively made a copy of your blog complete with photos and links? Nothing was physically moved per se...my blog remained intact. I just ended up with a copy of it in a downloaded file on my computer.

ALSO!!!! I learned how to comment on blogs using my Typepad Open ID credentials...thanks to Wordpress. Long boring story. But for any other Typepad users who want to know how, holler. I'll share my limited wisdom.

 

Here's a beautiful print I snagged from the Graphics Fairy. The frame is one I made by taping some punched papers together. Feel free to use the image if you would like...

And heres a few more I made from the same template using Elements. You will need to use a photo-editing program that allows you to work in layers in order to slide a photo behind the frame. Enjoy! I only ask that you not sell the images themselves in a collage sheet or CD or anything of that nature.

 

 
 
And last, but certainly not least, as I am so looking forward to it...

 ...Christy Tomlinson's newest online class begins on Monday, May 23rd. You can still sign up through Sunday, the 22nd. Click on this picture over in my sidebar if you want more details!

I adore her style and this one looks packed with lots more yummy journaling goodness.

 

 

Xo, Sue

Treasures found...

 Originally posted May 18th over on Wordpress. Copied and moved  back to Typepad.

Rarely does a day pass when I don’t venture into the out of doors. Soaking up some warm sunshine, and in season, gathering a few flowers and offerings of nature to bring indoors. We are blessed in Northern Georgia with a bountiful supply of trees with an equally impressive variety of  types of trees.

My one clump of River Birch trees is definitely a much loved tree in my book.

 Loved for its beautiful peeling and curling bark, I am always gathering up the naturally shedded pieces. Eventually they find their way into an artsy/crafty project. 

But early this winter, I spotted something unusual hanging from the tree’s bare branches. Even with a goober-sized zoom lens it was hard to get a good shot of it as it was perched way up high. But that didn’t stop me from trying.

 

 For months I checked on it…after every bout of high winds, snowstorms, heavy rain, I’d check to make sure it was still there. And it held fast…but then in the Spring the tree leafed out and I could no longer find it amongs the heavy growth of leaves.

 

 

But yesterday, while walking among my flower beds, I spotted something laying on the ground underneath the River Birch. My heart skipped a beat…it was the cocoon! I was surprised at how sturdy the little thing was made…like a very stiff, rugged cardboard covered in delicate silk threads.

And when I turned it over in my hand….

 
Look at what I saw! Is that awesome or what? So intrigued…it sent me running off to google to see what I could learn about this cocoon. I discovered that it was not a butterfly cocoon, but a silk moth’s cocoon {I think!!}. Which led me to this intriguing website called Aurora Silk.

 In addition to selling silk cocoons {30 for $12} she has directions for soaking the cocoons in order to harvest the silk. My favorite part was her suggestion to save the water for a superior shampoo/conditioner!

As an artist and into all things natural, she has a line of dyes, silks, homeopathic creams, etc. There is even a kit to buy that would be perfect for a classroom teacher {or a science fair project} depicting the life cycle of a caterpillar. If you enjoy these kinds of things, you might enjoy browsing through her site.

I did place a little order as I could never soak the little treasure I found in order to harvest the silk…way too personally attached. smile.

Here’s to finding {seeing} the treasures in our days.

Xo, Sue

2 Responses to Treasures found…

1. ~*~Patty says:

   May 18, 2011 at 1:47 pm (Edit)

   ooo you had me in such suspense AND delight (as always) dear Sue!

   you nature girl you! the butterfly wing and blue flowers (name escapes me)!
   we took the road less traveled on our way home from VA Tech for the graduation and enjoyed the slow and scenic pace of The Blueridge Parkway….we saw SO many large yellow butterflies…I almost drove Mr Magpie nuts counting them….out loud heehee!

   I was on Cloud Nine anyway with the weekend’s festivities!

   to see where the cocoon was attached to the leaf with that perfect impression must have made you gasp with joy…these sorts of things are so wonderful…leave it to you to get to the bottom of things and share such lovely info with us…imagining you rinsing your hair soon with some VERY special rinse water

   oh and your WP blog looks wonderful…really lovely with so many sweet touches…your artful techieness is enviable lady!

   Happy May…it is always sweet to come for a visit…
   oxo
   p.s. oh and it is much easier for me to leave a comment too I see
   AND I can get notification when you update your bbb
   Yippee Yay!
   That is the one thing I wish WP had…a blogroll that reflects others updated blogs

   Reply
2. Zuzu says:

   May 19, 2011 at 12:12 pm (Edit)

   LOVE the photographs in this post, Sue. That first one had me oooing and ahhhing. Don’t you love how one great find leads to the next? I’m off to visit the website link…
   Have a happy one,
   Zuzu

From a little cottage...

This post originally went to print at wordpress on May 14. I recreated the post to bring it back to Typepad.

…nestled in the mountains of Colorado, to the piedmont region of the Appalachians, came this sweet little petit point cross-stitched topiary!

 

ZuZu, one of the sweet friends I’ve made through blogging, mailed this to me. It was a thank you gesture for having sent her some chalk paint samples.

In order to fully appreciate how tiny each of these stitches are, I’ve placed the framed beauty next to the tape dispenser.

Tucked inside the envelope was the cutest little card made of a pressed flower. A pressed flower with a glittered center. Just darling!

 

Love how she finished off the backing of the frame…

I just happend to love topiaries and have them scattered throughout my home and in my flower beds.

 

In fact, if you were to venture up my driveway you’d find six topiary-type trees, three flanking each side of the driveway. In the back I have a few topiary projects I’ve been working on as well. Too early to show those…they are works in progress…just like a 100 other projects I have going on!  

But THANK YOU, ZuZu! I just love what you made me! These are the types of treasures that I like to tuck throughout my house as they never cease to warm my heart and bring a smile to my face! Such thoughtfulness….

And if you’d like to do a whole lot more ooohing and aaahing, check out ZuZu’s Pinterest Boards. Oh my…you’re in for a treat!

Long Live Kindness!

xo, Sue

Posted in flowers, Inspiration, Pressed or dried flowers | Tagged pressed flowers, topiary | 3 Comments | Edit

3 Responses to From a little cottage…

1. Terri@PringleHill says:

   May 14, 2011 at 7:58 pm (Edit)

   I, too, love topiaries! Your garden is stunning! Hugs, Terri xoxo

   Reply
2. Zuzu says:

   May 16, 2011 at 11:42 am (Edit)

   OhMyGoodness, Sue – how sweet of you! I’m so glad you like it!
   I have been playing with the paints you sent me and LOVE them! I’ll post pics of what I’ve been up to soon.

   Happy week to you!
   Zuzu

   Reply
3.  Cherie Wilson says:

   May 16, 2011 at 7:53 pm (Edit)

   Such a sweet gift! So perfectly thoughtful. Welcoming your new sweet spot in blogland too dear Sue! Again, I admire your adventurous spirit………….and brave new trails always. XO

From a little cottage...

…nestled in the mountains of Colorado, to the piedmont region of the Appalachians, came this sweet little petit point cross-stitched topiary!

 
This story is continued over at my NEW BLOG ADDRESS!

Yes, a long story...nothing newsworthy...just a lot of frustration with leaving comments on other blogs since I've never been able to figure out how to comment using Open ID/Typepad. And believe me, I've asked so many other Typepad people and searched Typepad, and it is still a well kept secret to all of us.

Leaving comments using the Name/URL option, if that option was available, did not give my email address. Several of you have commented on that before...it takes a whole lot of extra effort for blogger accounts to hunt me down.

Anyhew, make note of my new blogging address!

Why God Made Mothers

 

...how time flies...blink, and we're now well into May.

My days have been jam packed with fun, and the not-so-fun...in other words, life. One of the funs is my continued love of taking photos.  Today, to wish my sweet bloggie friends a Happy Mother's Day, I'll share a few of those photos taken of my flowers.

But with a little humorous twist...

You've all probably seen this somewhere along life's path, but it's just too stinkin' cute not to share again. It's entitled: Why God Made Mothers. The answers were given by second graders. Enjoy...

 
WHY DID GOD MAKE MOTHERS?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

HOW DID GOD MAKE MOTHERS?

 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
 2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
 3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger 
parts.

 
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE MOTHERS MADE OF?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in
the world and one dab of mean. ha ha ha
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use 
string, I think.

 

WHY DID GOD GIVE YOU YOUR MOTHER AND NOT SOME OTHER MOTHER?

 1. We're related.
 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

 
WHAT KIND OF LITTLE GIRL WAS YOUR MOM?

 1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
 2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty 
bossy.
 3. They say she used to be nice.

 

 WHAT DID MOM NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DAD BEFORE SHE MARRIED HIM?

 1. His last name.
 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk 
on beer?
 3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to 
chores?
{{having been a former elementary school teacher in one of my lives, i can attest to the fact that these answers are mild compared to what many teachers hear!}}

 
WHY DID YOUR MOM MARRY YOUR DAD?

 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
 2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
 3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

 
WHO'S THE BOSS AT YOUR HOUSE?

 1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof 
ball.
 2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the 
bed.
 3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

 
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOMS AND DADS?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work. 

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause 
that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine..

 
WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO IN HER SPARE TIME?

 1. Mothers don't do spare time.
 2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

 
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE YOUR MOM PERFECT?

 1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of 
plastic surgery.
 2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

 
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR MOM, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

 1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid 
of that.
 2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did 
it not me.
 3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of 
her head.

 
Here's sending out loads of gratitude to all the mothers of the world, and those who practice the gentle art of mothering {a trait found in many women who never had their own biological children}, the world is a sweeter place because of you.

And special hugs and whispered prayers for the precious hearts that for a number of reasons, find this day extra hard. May grace give you the strength you need...

Xo, Sue

p.s. Joining Miss Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday today!