In Search Of.... Inspriation! Yahoo!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My honey surprised me this morning with a road trip..... I am so excited, I can't wait. Years ago we would take off with 10 bucks and a tank of gas and the only rules were we took back roads and had to make it home on that same tank of gas. We have been to some places with  really strange sounding names.

 Well this weekend, we are off to do the same thing. Needless to say the tank of gas costs more now than it did then and the 10 bucks has increased exponentially, but the idea has me entranced. I want to leave like now!!!

I am going to be on the look out for succulent plants, anything unusual, beads and stones for jewelry making, anything artsy or creative. Any kind of inspiration I can find in nature from wherever we end up. I'll give you a hint, we are heading west. I' ll share my ideas with you when I get back..........

Sunday's Meditation ... I need this every morning.

May you have a wonderful blessed week.

Sunshine Artist is featuring Barbara Umbel in June! Check this out!

One of my favorite artists has been featured on the cover of Sunshine Artist Magazine for June 2013.

Congratulations! Barbara & Rick. Until recently Barbara and Rick Umbel lived and worked in my neighborhood. I enjoyed times we spent together. They have since moved away, but they are doing great and her work is just as gorgeous as ever! She makes the most beautiful jewelry with shells and stones, silver and gold.  Many times I was fascinated by the designs that Barbara and Rick would make. The colors in the stones and shells were mesmerizing and every piece is a one of a kind!
That is definitely My kind of Art!

You can read a fantastic article about Barbara & Rick here.

I am so happy for you both!
 All the Best!

Steppin' Out? Maybe not.......

I have always been one that is drawn to anything different, or unique. Okay I'll even admit to sometimes even weird stuff. I like a lot of contrast, lots of colors ( especially very bright vibrant colors).  With that said, I have to say making these planters have been so much fun. My hubby has been doing the copper work and as soon as he tells me what he has in mind, I seem to plan the design. They are all one of a kind garden art designs.I  can't wait to see the next planter he designs.

In the meantime let me know what you think of these.

Not Sure I would call this working...

I had no idea how fast time had flown until I saw that my last blog post was over a year ago. It went by so fast. I went to work at a job that I absolutely loved and then walked out over a matter of principal and didn't look back or think twice at least until the next payment was due on my new little car.  After a few weeks,  I decided I knew I had to go to work, but I really just want to plant plants and make pretty containers and crafty things.
My projects this week have been string gardens.

 I have watched tutorials on the web and they are so easy to make, once you start you just can't stop. If this is work, I think I could easily become a workaholic. I found some miniature orchids on sale and mixed those with tricolor sedum and a very fragile looking rosary vine. I mixed some ferns with pink splash polka dot plants and variegated english ivy. Geraniums, petunias, million bells, there are so many varieties to choose from , the possibilities are endless. I found a great tutorial here.

Try one out today. You will be surprised at how fun and easy they can be.

Silence Is Golden......

And this one has gone on far too long. 




The garden has been loved in some areas and totally neglected in others.
 We had a part of a big oak tree fall and land on 3 of my biggest prettiest Camellia Sasanquas and now my big experiment will be to try to save the shrubs and  propagate  what I can from them out of season.


These are from top to bottom, Camellia Sasanqua :"Taylors Pink Perfection", Apple Blossom, and Sparkling Burgundy. All 3 have been in this spot for at least 15 years so it is very traumatic to see them in this state of damage.

Are you ready for a good experiment? 


Camellias are normally rooted during the summer months when the new growth has hardened a little.
Cuttings taken in late June are usually tough enough so taking cuttings now means they are still very soft.
I plan to use several different methods,  and I will document them here. 
Check back later this week for the methods.


The Jewelry Studio has been totally neglected, but I hope to get back to work there soon too.  I have missed doing the Diva's zentangle challenges every monday. It;s funny how your routine just changes suddenly. Does that ever happen to you?

Happy Fall Y'all !

Happy Fall Ya'll

It's that time of year in the garden. The weather is cooling, the plants are setting buds and seeds and there is much to be done. We are even getting some desperately needed rain! This has been an incredibly hot dry summer here on the coast. The tropical storms that we usually have early in the season didn't show up this year. I am not complaining though, I don't  ever  wish damage or destruction on anyone, but we sure needed the rain. The plants that are still alive are true survivors. ( note to self, plant more survivors for next year)
If you grow Camellia Sasanqua, or Camellia Japonica, now is the time to collect seeds. The pods are beginning to split and drop their seeds and these are best planted immediately. Try planting some as you would winter sow other seeds and see what surprises you get in the spring. It will take 3-5 years from seed to bloom, but you never know what you get may just be a beautiful new variety.
Propagation done now is also ideal. Things that you root now have a better chance of getting established without the stresses of heat and longer day times.
Try cutting some of your flowering shrubs and sticking  them in a forsythe pot. See this post..
I am also trying some cuttings in a propagator and some in water. I read an interesting article the other day about rooting clematis in water. Needless to say...

                            I FEEL AN EXPERIMENT COMING ON!
Have a great weekend, get outside and enjoy a fabulous fall!