Are you a Planner, or a Doer?

I couldn't resist this title. It stems from a question I asked myself after a long fun conversation with my sister. She suggested that I get a sketch book and some colored pens and design my jewelry ( and doodles and etc) and keep the designs in a book. My problem is that I don't really plan out ahead of time what I am going to create. For years I designed (home) landscapes and flower beds (on golf courses Like this one at LCC)

and even then I never drew out designs or plans. I always kind of joked that I liked to design on the "fly". (I once even designed her flower boxes ( disclosure-this flower box isn't hers, but I couldn't find my pictures of her boxes)

while she worked all the while never putting pen to paper) . I like to see what I have available and use that to create whatever I am working on. I never know when I sit down to make something, what I am going to actually do. It seems like even when I have a picture or pattern in mind, what I make never looks like what I thought I was going to make.  So I guess my question is:

Do you plan out what you are going to do, or do you let the wire and beads, or paint and brushes, or even flowers and shrubs decide what the end product will be?

If like me, you don't plan anything, do you find it frustrating trying to follow a pattern?
I appreciate all of your answers to last week's question about preferences, and I hope you don't mind more questions... ( I promise this is not a quiz). I just really want to know are there others like me who don't plan, or should I start trying to be a little more methodical.

I'm your Fan... Friday

Hey check out these earrings! These gorgeous earrings are by Melissa. Don't ya just love these?

  These gorgeous earrings are by Melissa. Don't ya just love these?These are incredible. I have been forging a few things lately, but nothing like these. I think I need lessons getting them as even as Melissa does. I love all of these in her post, but this pair is my favorite.
Melissa, I'm your fan.

I also love these "snowflakes".

 This would be the only time that you might find 2 exactly alike. I don't know how  Philippa does it, when I try to make chain maille pieces, I never seem to get the aspect ratio just right.but..She does get it just right and these are gorgeous.
Silverheart, I'm your fan.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I am planning to stretch mine out a bit, then on Monday, I will post pictures of the pieces I have been working on.

Wednesday's Word

Which do you like best?

Lately as I have been trying new ideas for jewelry and other creative endeavors I have wondered, What do ya like best?

Silver or Gold

Gemstone or pearl?

Greens, blues, reds, pinks and or yellows and oranges?

And colors? monochrome? or a pallete?
Also 1 more question...
do you prefer things "folky and rustic" or  refined and precise?

Just wondering you know how these inquiring minds can be.............

It's getting colder....

Well, it is finally beginning to get cold now. Not that I would have been disappointed if it had not, it's just that being a gardener and wanting to grow things year round ( or whenever it suits me) the first frost is something that is looked forward to and yet dreaded at the same time. Is it just me, do any of my other gardeners out there feel this way too? I know there are places where this little event happened months ago, but for us, it really is right on time and I feel as though I haven't saved/cut to root enough plants just yet. There is still room in the greenhouse to walk between the plants so I can't possibly be done right?
Today, as I bought firewood I thought, ok what else can I cut and root before Sunday.  Sunday  (when our temps will really drop) is scheduled to be our first "killing frost" so I am trying to cut and root everything I can between now and then. I really should be outside and writing this later, but right now I think I will stay cozy or maybe I meant to type lazy.

I am starting lots of lantana ( 4 varieties)

this time and camellias ( this is an experiment, I have only ever rooted them in summer)

   and Azaleas.

Have any ideas? I am experimenting with flats, seeding trays, and I really want to try jelly rolling some cuttings with plastic and sphagnum moss. Have you tried this method? I really don't want to have heat mats running all of the time, but depending on the temperatures, I may have to. ( really I can't get to my water heater and the top of the freezer doesn't get warm, thanks to the energy star ratings.)

Maybe it's just me, but are any of you out trying to save plants before the cold zaps the life out of them? I will keep you posted, maybe my experiments will be successful this winter and in the spring, I can show you lots of new ways to propagate things......................

I'm your fan Friday!

Yahoo! it is finally Friday! It seems like it has been a long week and I am not really sure why. It wasn't overly packed with things to do, or as chaotic as some weeks have been lately, it just seems like it has been a "toughy. "

I'd like to start out by saying Thank You so much! to all of my followers and to those who have featured me on their websites. I really appreciate all of your comments and the encouragement you have given me. 

As the Crackerhead Crumbles featured one of my photos on their website in a sites to see post. I appreciate that so much! This particular photo is one of my favorites ( yes, you know I can't choose just 1) showcasing a big beautiful Monarch butterfly on some raspberry colored bee balm. It really was so nice to see that in my inbox this morning! 

I haven't kept up with my I'm your fan Friday postings in a couple of weeks, so today I decided, it is definitely time to introduce you to some of the things I like ( and think you might like too).

Check out what's new at Beautifully Broken Me  I really like the color pallete for this challenge and I really like Molly's necklace.

At confessions of a junque Junkie I found this spectacular use of old family photos. I've been knee deep in a genealogy project lately and being fascinated by photography I was just totally amazed by this bracelet. 

Brenda and Molly I love your work and this Friday, I'm your fan!

Thursday's Thought

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Harvey Fierstein