Twist on a tradition

something old
the historic chapel on campus

This past weekend Monty and I traveled to upstate Massachusetts for the wedding of his second daughter Lauren.  The wedding was held outside of a small New England village at the secondary school where Lauren met her future husband Thomas.  The chapel on campus was the site of the ceremony.

something new
the bride & groom - Lauren and Thomas Unsworth

Lauren and Thomas had known each other for years before they decided to marry.  For them, the event was about family and commitment and not about spending outlandish sums of money on superficial things.  Simple, classic and heartfelt were guideposts for planning the event and evident throughout the weekend.  It also set the perfect tone for their new life together.

something borrowed
the weekend accommodations for the wedding guests

Moore Cottage on the school campus was the original house for students in the late 1800's.  Today is a guest house for campus events.  Since the wedding guests were a small group of 15, it was the perfect setting to let the Futch and Unsworth families get acquainted.

something blue
Lauren's bridal bouquet

All of the flowers for the wedding were provided by Isabel, Thomas's materal grandmother.  Not only did she gather the flowers from her garden, but solicited her gardening friends to contribute which they were happy to do.  The florals were charming - cottage roses, feverfew, hydrangea, lavender and asparagus fronds - all lovingly arranged in simple glass vases.

It was a beautiful wedding, an enjoyable weekend and an inspiration for the future.  Many blessings to the happy couple!

Red & green is not just for Christmas

I love the combination of red & green - especially in the summer.  The green of bright leaves and the brilliant red of poppy petals is classic.  I took this photo in my garden and then manipulated the image on my computer.  I've been using this process with several of my new artistic card designs - I love how the colors pop.

Likewise, I put together a red & green vignette at my spot yesterday at Faded Elegance.  These vintage diner dishes are perfect for a picnic - they are indestructible!

You can see just a corner of the green bistro table I made
- there's a matching bench too...

Just a few of the metal type words left...this is a great combo

be sure to stop by Faded Elegance soon - there's lots of inspiration for summer fun and entertaining.

Can't believe I waited this long...

Had my first professional pedicure today...what a wonderful experience!  Come summer and sandal weather, I had always painted my own toenails - quick, easy, done.  Since we are going away to a wedding this coming weekend, thought I would go professional.  Last week I heard from a friend about French Nail and how much she enjoyed it.  I knew there were several locations in the Seattle area and sure enough, there was a salon just a little north of where I live.  I have no idea if this is a local venture or a national/regional chain but it is well worth finding one in your area.  Not only do they paint your nails - but you get to sit in a massaging chair, the manicurist massages and moisturizes your feet, ankles and calves, there's soft lighting and gentle music - a thoroughly relaxing time.  Best $25 I ever spent...I'll be back!

In the spotlight

I am honored to be interviewed by Amy of Junkologie (and Whisperwood Cottage) about my blog.  I have been following Amy and her two blogs for the last year - I have felt such a connection to her (is it a name thing?  or a Midwestern thing?  or maybe just a junking thing!)   I have admired her design eye, her sense of humor and her enthusiasm.  When she started a blogroll, I was one of the first to sign up.  Through a link on her Junkologie blog, she is interviewing some of the bloggers on this list.  In the short time that I have been blogging, I have enjoyed meeting other creative souls through the process and Amy has certainly been one of them.  So - check out the interview (CLICK HERE)...and then add Junkologie to your favorite blog list!

A weed is but an unloved flower

This giant thistle is growing in my neighbor's front yard.  It is the largest thistle I have ever seen.   I'm not sure if
A)  they haven't seen it yet since it is behind the rose bush in their yard...
B)  they have seen it but it is now too scary & big to be dealt with any tool besides a machete...or
C)  they think this is some sort of flower.
Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder!

I came across some botanical prints a couple of years ago - they were beautiful, they were old, they looked hand-tinted, the text written on them was Scandinavian - and they were drawings of weeds - dandelions, vetch, crabgrass.  But they were still beautiful.  Here are two versions of the single print collages I designed.

Here is a collage quartet that I completed using 4 more of the original prints.  I used vintage wooden cigar boxes for the base and embellished each individual collage with interesting metal found objects.

This quartet as well as other multi-media collages, will be for sale at my booth at Fresh Paint, an art festival held at the Everett Marina from August 21-22.  Mark it on your calendar now to save the date!

The Weekly Fluff

It has been raining, raining, RAINING in my neck of the woods. Finally the sun came out. And now everything is green, green, GREEN! So when I was at Faded Elegance today to fluff my space, my eye gravitated to green!

 



















 














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Historic Downtown Snohomish
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