"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Friday, May 5, 2017

~~Lilac Time~~

Welcome!  Thanks for coming for a visit today.

 At a local grocery store yesterday morning I was thrilled to see a huge display of bouquets of Lilac branches with blossoms in many shades of purple. The scent of the blooms wafted about in a wonderful way.  I rushed home to check on our old fifteen foot tall and nearly as wide Lilac bush out back, and was rewarded to see a number of buds up high. I was able to cut this plume of blossom that was down low on the bush and bring it inside to enjoy. Please enjoy a cyber whiff through your computer screen.


Since I last posted I found an inexpensive picture frame online like the one I showed you several posts ago that holds an embroidery piece my mom stitched.  The frame I purchased came with an E. A. Abbey print of a woman knitting [Katrina Van Tassel from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow], and I am enjoying viewing it on my living room wall.  I am planning to make an embroidery piece like my mom's to put in the frame. My track record for completed projects stands to be improved and the planning of this project is encouraging me in that direction!

I believe the frame is from the early 1900's Arts and Crafts Movement Period, as is the one above it.  My Uncle George made the framed mirror piece in his high school shop class and gave it to my mom for her birthday.  It had pride of place in all the homes my folks had as long as I can remember.  I especially like the print of the sheep wandering down a country lane.  I think my mom told me that she thought her brother had cut the print from a calendar.

 Several weeks ago at my worship art group our facilitator gave us some sketched forms on white paper that we cut out and glued on a acrylic painted background that we stamped with a fence form and some birds...following her example each in our own way. She had us glue both sides of the sketched papers before painting them in order to discourage the paper from puckering which was a helpful tip for me since I have made other pieces with lots of wrinkles.

 Then a week ago I found a Traveler's Journal that has papers that are lined or blank or gridded.  It is handy to have one journal in which I can record in a variety of forms, my creative explorations.  So far I have written and sketched on some lined pages, I am plotting my embroidery project on gridded pages, and I painted this wonky view of sunflowers with watercolor pencils on a blank sheet..trying to learn more about perspective and shading and process.

 At my Wednesday morning stitching group I am crocheting a new baby blanket and using Deborah Norville Serenity acrylic Baby Yarn.  I am stitching in a single crochet, double crochet repeat across which makes a soft bumpy texture.

 After cutting the lilac branch some of my girls joined me outside and they perched for me on the back steps by the recycling crate.  They are among the next able generation being trained to be  recyclers!  Their attire reflects the fantastic sunny 83F weather we have enjoyed the last two days, although boots are helpful since the ground is still wet and mucky.

 
The sky is the limit!  I thought this view of the Red Maple tree across the driveway from the steps where the girls were sitting was so pretty and up lifting! 

The post I published last night around midnight  in a thunderstorm disappeared. I used my iPhone, iPad, and laptop in the process of composing and publishing and received comments from Joy and Tammy which I hope I can recover as I reconstruct and republish the post.  The sky may be limitless but technology and my use of technology not so much!

Have you enjoyed views of limitless skies or enjoyed some creative pursuits since I last heard from you? I would love to have you share with me!

Gracie xx

31 comments:

  1. Gracie I do so wish it was possible to smell the lilac it certainly looks pretty. As do those gorgeous girls enjoying the weather. I too am in the process of doing a crochet baby blanket but not a lot of time is spent on it, so it is slow going. I am also making curtains for our cottage and just enjoying life. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. http://homespunseasonalliving.com/eat-lilacs/ This is a resource about eating Lilacs, my UK blogging friend Joy shared with me. The rest of her comment about enjoying the Lilacs around her on her walk disappeared when my first post disappeared, but I enjoyed reading the article and have never thought to try to cook with Lilacs!

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  3. Tammy@T's Daily Treasures has left a new comment on your post "~ ~ Lilac Time ~ ~":

    All such lovely things. The frame by your grandfather is fantastic. Your sunflower sketch is very pretty. Sadly, we've not had pretty skies for a while. Dust seems to be a part of our every day for over a month now. It's getting to be rather depressing in a country that on the whole is already rather drab looking. Single/double is what I use when making my washcloths. Makes for a very nice pattern. Have a good Friday!

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  4. I like your photo of old things from your past. Your sweet next generation of girls in family just gave me a happy spot in my morning. We had no big storm last night but interesting clouds around 6 pm. Glad you were able to get posted again. My sis in WA had a longer trip home from work becuz of storm. Thankful for God's protection. Have a good weekend. Need to get two photos printed out and then framed later today eksewhere.

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  5. Every photograph is full of the loveliest treasures. <3 To have that beautiful handmade frame...what a treat! You have a proper spring happening there. We still have a few weeks to go before the flowers appear. Oh, I can't wait! :)

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  6. Such a lovely post. You are so very talented. I love the sunflowers. I look forward to seeing more of your creative adventures. The baby blanket will be so soft and warm. Wishing you a most lovely day filled with many blessings. :)

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  7. Hello Gracie. Thank you for popping by my blog. It seems there are lots of lovely things to see in your world. Love 'your girls' You say these are some of them. How many more are there- just curious. My lilacs are not in bloom yet. Life continues to be a little stressful but I am lucky, have many blessings. I do like your sunflowers - they are always so up lifting. I am enjoying preparing for a craft weekend. Friday evening and All Day Saturday 12th and 13th of May. I am in charge of crafting and my dear friend Marion is hosting and doing all the catering. Life is good really. Take care my friend Hugs Anne x

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    1. These are all five of my granddaughters, and my oldest daughter, so just my youngest daughter and my daughter-in-law are missing :)

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  8. Hello dear Gracie. The lilac scent is delightful. I so enjoyed reading your post today. The sunflower painting is so lovely. Maybe you can frame it? And, I love the antique frame you found. I have one very similar. Your girls are so lovely and adorable. Enjoy your weekend dear friend, Pat X (I love using the bookmark you made for me)

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  9. I'm glad I popped back in. I left a comment last night but I see it disappeared in the mysterious post disappearance! I don't remember exactly what I said, but I do know that I said I liked the embroidery and I really like the print of the lady knitting. Your girls are gorgeous as usual and you can tell that they live in a very happy home with those smiles. I miss you my sweet friend. I just got to the lake and we're having a doozy of a thunderstorm here right now. I love it but my Chloe is none too happy. Have a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings, Betsy

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    1. Thanks for commenting again, Betsy! I am sorry Chloe is not happy with the storm. Teresa told me Buddy did not like it either. Our Border Collie, Lady, used to huddle by my husband's feet, preferably under his desk during storms. I miss you, too, and look forward to the next time we can be together. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too. xx

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  10. I love the Bible Verse. Love love love it. Enjoyed the whole post actually. Your girls are amazing. how Blessed!!

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  11. Well this year our lilac bush has just 3 blooms but those 3 blooms have a lovely fragrance. That was quite the thunder/lightning storm that rolled through. Such a lovely group of girls!

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  12. You are so artistic Gracie and I thoroughly enjoy seeing all you do here ♥ Beautiful grandgirls and daughter ☺ That lilac is gorgeous and Maple tree too. Here is a beautiful sunny day bluest of blue skies and I have my girl coming for the night and my cousin too xoxo enjoy your weekend ☺☺

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  13. I love that picture of your girls, it is adorable. We used to have a lilac hedge at our child hood home and my garden is devoid of it but I think I might go out and buy one this weekend, the scent is wonderful. Jo x

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  14. I love the sunflower painting. I think you did a great job. What beautiful and happy girls! Take care, Gracie.
    Hugs, Sharon

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  15. Such sweet girls! Love the frame (and the print) Arts & Crafts is my favorite style. How sweet to fin d those lilacs. Wonderful sunflowers!

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  16. Lovely to catch up with you today Gracie. You have been busy with lots of nice times! Love the picture of your girls. The frame you found looks so interesting, I remember seeing old samplers framed in that way and wondering if I could find an original frame the same. Wishing you a happy month of May.
    Helen xox

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  17. Technology can be so frustrating! Lovely to see a pictures of your girls What a lovely family picture. Lilac is one of my favourites and we finally have flowers on our bush this year. Love your sunflowers, I must get myself a sketching book :). B x

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  18. You've certainly been busy, I enjoyed seeing your creations and WIP as well of the lovely photo of the girls :)

    Diana

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  19. Oh Gracie, your granddaughters have all grown so!! All such beauties!!! Isn't Spring just the best time! I love to be outside right now. The sun has not begun to burn the pretty plants, and I can still tolerate the temps. Your art is always lovely!
    xo Kris

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  20. I have enjoyed a double dose of serenity with a waft of lilac and a splash of sunflower not to mention the rosy glow of your family having fun! Lovely post Gracie.
    Wren x

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  21. Not many creative makes around here, but some gardening which is a creative activity, as well. The lilacs are beginning to bloom here, too, and I clipped a small branch for my kitchen counter top. The fragrance is so lovely.

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  22. There is nothing like the smell of lilac is there? We were in the garden centre a few weeks ago and went past some lilac plants, needless to say one came home with us! We were missing the lilac that we had in our old garden. You were lucky to find that lovely matching frame too. Sarah x

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  23. Lovely post. The smell of lilac is wonderful and always reminds me of my childhood as we had a huge tree in the front garden, it's such a lovely time of year:)

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  24. I've enjoyed this post, dear Gracie, catching up on your news and seeing your family and makes. I always enjoy coming here.
    Amalia
    xo

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  25. Happy Mother's Day to you Gracie! Really enjoyed your post today with the beautiful lilacs, awesome artwork (neat frame) and the ADORABLE family photo! So cute!!!
    God bless,
    Aimee

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  26. Hi Gracie, Hope your Mother's Day was very sweet. I have been noticing all the lilacs blooming everywhere and have two trees myself, but the blooms are so high up I can't reach them. It's so nice to go outside and catch that beautiful scent with the breeze. Love the vintage frames and the wonderful histories. I love that you are going to embroider something like your Mother's in your new frame. Such a precious photo of 'your girls' on the steps. I love the shy poses :) Your watercolor sunflowers are wonderful and the view of the maple tree is, too. The skies here have been so changeable - rain one minute, sunshine the next, even a little snow today in the foothills! We are locked in a cool and rainy pattern, but hoping for warmer sunshine by the end of the week. Sending hugs xo Karen

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  27. I can't believe I haven't been here to visit since early May! The photo of your family on the steps is so cute!
    I hope by now you have some sunshine--I've been hearing rumors that the rains might be over...
    Love those sunflowers!

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  28. I really like that photo of your family sitting on the steps, all those smiling girls together. I wish we had lilac growing in our garden as the scent is like nothing else. I'm so glad you had some you could bring indoors and enjoy.

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  29. Loved seeing the artwork, flowers and all the girls' lovely smiles!

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Thank you for visiting me today! I welcome your comments!