Artful Journey

 hot. It’s easy to know that summer has arrived  with temperatures in the high nineties…so thankful for air conditioning. I will venture outside for a quick glimpse of the garden, but I love the coolness of the house when I step back in.  The irises are finished blooming; they provided a colorful show between the early spring tulips and daffodils and the summer geraniums, verbena and roses. My favorite variety is the Wabash, a sweetly fragranced  bright white with ultramarine blue falls. Although I didn’t get a photo, I was inspired to create some watercolor mail art featuring irises. On these hot and humid evenings , I am taking short walks in my neighborhood so I can enjoy the scent of the Linden tree. The beautiful fragrance is my one of my favorites as I walk along and breath it in. The aromatic blossoms are in bloom from June to mid July, so I will enjoy it while I can. My sun patients are under serious threat from the heat, but my roses seem to be thriving. I am trying to keep my

I received a fun card in the mail box from CJ. I wonder if she picked up this technique from an on-line class. I love the sentiment and the design. Looks like tulips to me. Prosecco on the patio. After some work tidying up the garden, we decided to celebrate with homemade pizza. We mixed it up with  a  ‘What’s Gaby cooking” recipe for peach and prosciutto  pizza, with our favorite pizza crust recipe from Joan Chang/ Flour. Different and delicious! Cheers to the bubbles! Outgoing mail For an envelope exchange I zoomed in on a free workshop with Judy Detrick hosted by the Society of Scribes as part of their Spring Fest. She had some great ideas for versals /decorated capitals. It provided good inspiration for a June envelope exchange and the card technique was one I picked up from Deb on a previous exchange. I’ve participated in a few calligraphy zoom classes over the last few months. Sending out some happy mail gives me a great opportunity to send some joy and put new found knowledge in

My rose bush, Mardi Gras says it all, it’s a party. Cowabunga, that is a floribunda     Onz and Fi, My favorite daughters! The  “girls’ brunch “ May birthday party was hosted by Nish at her house. Nish is a fantastic cook and baker. She says the secret is her Borough Market apron, a gift from Onz and Deets when they were living in London. If I ever get back to London, Borough Market and Kew Garden are at the top of my list. So happy to be together. I love Nish’s China, crystal  and antique trivets. Such a pretty table setting  Procreate practice 

 ...Nature’s stories. One great way is through art and right now The International Nature Journaling week is happening.   https://www.naturejournalingweek.com/  . It is free and you will find some fantastic offerings in which they explore the three languages of nature journaling - words, pictures and numbers. The presenters are excellent, and if you don’t have time to watch the zoom, there is still a lot to learn and enjoy on the site. You will be inspired to answer those nature journaling prompts...I notice, I wonder, and reminds me of... As for me, it reminds me, it’s time to head out and enjoy breakfast on the patio. Ahhh, room with a view! I notice my knock out roses have really started to pop over the last few days. I wonder how they have gone from bud to full bloom in 2 days. It reminds me of one of my favorite photos...Nish on her wedding day, her long dark wavy hair, sparkling blue eyes smiling, dressed in her wedding gown standing in our back garden with my dad’s red knockout