My new Clematis.

So excited, my first time with an actual Clematis bloom. Have tried a few times and in different areas of the garden, but they just would not, either bloom or just died off. I don't know much about growing Clematis other than they like to have sun on the top, but the roots sheltered from the sun. I gave her extra mulch and she does have some shelter from a huge Pecan tree. 

Well, whatever it is, she sure is very happy there and blooming almost in November, go figure. Now I have to get her a proper trellis, too many choices, actually that's what I want for my birthday. She's beautiful and I'm so happy. 

 

This favorite spot of mine.

I have so much going on in my art studio and that's ok by me. I'm a visual person I need to have thing out, I need to be inspired in order to create. Texture inspires me, color inspires me, form inspires me and even shadows inspire me. I think out all the little pretty nooks and crannies in my studio this little spot is my favorite. 

I think is because I love the gable shaped roof on this shelving unit. I love all things in the shape/silhouette of a house, I find that shape so adorable. But the thing that I love most about this area, are the retro pastel pipe cleaners that my sister gifted me. They remind me of something, maybe the colors or the fuzzy look about them. I can't quite put my finger on what they remind me of, but whatever it is, it warms my heart and I just love looking at them. That's all that I have left, I had lots and lots but I've been gifting them out little by little to friends that love the same things that I love. These are are all mine, for now.  

 

I'm back.

God has a plan for everything in our lives. Why do we keep trying to open doors that he doesn't want us to open. Just walk in the door that is open. I can pray about things, but I think it's just as crucial to pay attention to what he's saying.  Thank you Lord for closing the doors that you did and for pointing me to the right direction, once more. It's going to keep me busy and it's going to be fun sharing with like minded crafty peeps. 

 

Happy Sunday.

 

She loves this spot.

We use to have a couple of these around our pool in Miami. Actually this is from a cutting that I brought with me. We had dinner outside the other day, it was so nice to enjoy the garden and no bugs, I guess cause it's fall??? Jamo kept saying that it reminded him of Miami. We had so many around our neighborhood, that when we walked our baby the perfume was all over the air. Now it's in our backyard, I think God gave her just the right amount of scent, perfection!

 

A few more pages, can't get enough of this junk journal.

Not sure if I posted these before, mainly posting to keep a record for myself. I have so much fun creating this journal and they are loved by their new owners now. 

Plenty of pretty images in old magazines, why not use some of them in your paper crafting. This originally was going to be a tag, but I turned it into a page that she can journal on the back.  

 

My rose no longer smells like a rose.

This rose is my pride and joy, it's a David Austin treat. Well nature is amazing and it teaches you something every day. The minute I step down from the back porch into the little courtyard area I can smell this beautiful rose,  she is the most scented rose that I've ever had. Well I have not been noticing a scent in the air for a few days now, but I payed no attention. As it turns out she no longer smells like a rose, she smells citrussy, the rose scent is completely gone. She is planted in front of my robust Lemon Grass and has taken that scent, amazing. I will finding a new spot for her very soon, I loved her scent.   

 

Miniature Roses.

These miniature roses are the work horse of the garden. I can rely on them for color all year round. Just got some for the front garden nd I can't wait to get those in.   

 

One final look at this pretty lady.

 

Freshly picked.

In the middle of October, so is taking fall a little time to get here and that's ok by me. 

 

The Roses are loving life.

Maybe last year was not the same or maybe I was so busy that I paid no attention. I did go back to my garden journal and read up on last year's and year before. I made no notes on the Roses being so beautiful during the fall. I think it might be because "fall" is taking it's time, it hasn't been as hot for a while now. Well it hasn't been cold either. Maybe that's it, they like this in-between weather. I don't know what it is, I'm still earning about my new garden zone, but whatever it is, the Roses are loving life here in southern Alabama.  

 

Happy and beautiful Sunday to you all.

 

They will be loved.

Happy Saturday friends, I can't believe we made it. It seamed like such a long week to me. I'm always so nervous before they arrive, I put my heart and soul into every project. I meticulously pick every single little thing, like I'm sure you all do too and can relate to what I'm trying to say. But, is your customer going to see what you see? Are they going to like the colors? Is there enough paper? I can go on and on..... I try my very best to take good pictures, but the feel of a journal in your hands, even the scent of a journal is magical and you just know when it's yours. These two ladies found their happy home and are going to be loved and enjoyed for many many hours.

 

Daisy and Rose, a Victorian lady's journal.

I had so much fun creating these journals, for the cover I used a piece of vintage tapestry fabric that I found while junking around. Her pages are full of vintage papers and pretty ephemeras with lots of laces and trims. She has two signature with a basic stitch, I used a new linen wax thread that I'm in love with. 

Daisy found a happy home last week and Rose was just shipped out yesterday. I placed her inside a round crochet doily and wrapped a necklace round her to secure the doily. I figure she can reuse or take the necklace apart and make charms or something. Now I can't wait for her to get her. 

 

A treat for fall.

I don't usually purchase Mums for fall because the blooms do not last long. Since I recycled and repainted some old pumpkins for the front porch, I felt like I need some pretty Mums to go with all those pumpkins. I do cut them back and maybe I'll get a second flush, but that's it. In this zone it's like they're annuals and I try as hard as I can to grow all my annuals from seeds. There is nothing like annuals for color, but it can get very expensive and that's just not in my gardening budget. I rather save my money for like a big purchase, like a tree that I've been saving up for. 

These were a treat, I do enjoy them very much, but not doing it again unless I grow them from seeds. 

 

My Latest journal.

Here is an inside look at these yummy pages. This pretty lady found a happy home.

 

Hang on for a little while longer.

These peppers are almost all turned red and they sure look pretty. In just a bit I should be able to pick again, that is if we don't get a cold snap. 

 

A journal for a friend.

This project started because I wanted to create special journal for a very sweet lady. She's not a crafter, yet lol. But, we have lots of thing in common, for one, she loves to garden and has a lovely garden and she enjoys decorating and making a pretty home. She's kinda frugal like me and is always repurposing and bringing new life into old things. 

I wanted her journal to reflect her personality and what she enjoys doing. So, I went with a garden/home décor theme. I figure she can use it as a garden journal for a season or for a project journal. Like a place to plan, make list and keep track of her next home décor project. Or she can just use it for anything she likes. I know she likes vintage and I've seen her use some pink too, so I went with it. 

The cover is made out of some old pillow shams that I added fabric and laces to. The metal beads are part of a bracelet and the metal buckles I found at a garage sale. I used some alcohol inks to paint the metal and I just love the old patina it took. I think it gives it a l little boho vibe to it, I sure hope she likes it. Since I had two pillow shams I made two journals, and they're almost exactly inside too. The other one is already spoken for and has shipped out. 

The inside is so pretty, I used coffee and tea dye papers and they look so vintage. I used old book pages and music sheets. I added some book pages from a garden book with the pretties images of Roses. I also found a  book on home décor and added some of those pages too for inspiration. I created lots of little tuck spots for her to write her story in it. I'm hoping to get hers out this week, but I keep on adding things to it, lol. I have to stop. I always like to name my journals after flowers and I didn't get to name these.      

This is the inside of the cover page. I tuck a pretty picture under a piece of lace fabric, you have to move the fabric to see the image, kinda like a little curtain. I made a small pocket out of some salvage lace fabric from a little girls dress and added a pretty tag with a vintage film slide and tiny key, just for fun.

                             I used some crushed velvet ribbon. My latest obsession is crushed velvet.  

       Used lot of bits and bobs and tiny dangle pieces. I was going for lots of texture and movement. 

 I made a pocket out of a glassine bag and added a tag that I covered with a pretty image of a white mantel. My favorite tag in the entire journal. 

 

Finishing touches on a journal that's ready to go.

I can go on and on adding little bits and bobs to this new journal. I guess that's what is all about, however you can express your creativity, just go for it. Even during these difficult times, not only for us, but for everyone in the world. It's important to keep your mind and body busy and overflowing with positivity. I thank God every day for this nation, for my family, for my awesome husband, for my garden, for my art and for my bits and bobs. Thankful, Grateful and Bless.