"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

Sunday, June 14, 2020

2020 Crafting in May and June

"Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen.  Construct everything that the LORD has commanded:" Exodus 35:10 NLT

This is one of my favorite quotes.  It invites the six-year-old artist within me who dreams of being a gifted craftsman to express her primitive art style with simple stitches, splashes of paint, singing words, and planted plants...like these strawberry plants I inherited from the former owner of my unit.  I transplanted them from the garden by my front door to the back patio...and I am thrilled the plants have some blossoms on them now!  Just think.  The blossoms might grow into luscious, juicy red strawberries!



I was given this beautiful purple Clematis plant for Mother's Day and in the last few weeks, my youngest daughter has helped me purchase and plant two rectangular planters.




Besides the Clematis we planted some Sugar Snap pea plants, and Sweet Pea, Morning Glory, and mixed flower seeds.



Although I do not know the variety name of the rose bush in the front of the unit I live in I am grateful it is there and I am enjoying its blooms that have a delicate rose scent.  I wish you could smell the scent through your computer screen.  Do you have a rose bush near where you live?  When walking by rose bushes in my neighborhood I sometimes stop to sniff the blossoms~~~



Around Christmas, I made quite a few towel holders in red acrylic yarn.  Recently I had several folks ask me to make them in a different color.  One wanted theirs in beige so I made the holder below.  I only had a cotton blend yarn that works, but I do not like it as well as the acrylic because the cotton has less stretch and the stitches do not look as neat to me but the holder still holds a towel.



I almost did not show you this preemie baby blanket I am still working on once a week, because I thought I hadn't changed it much, but when I looked at the last photo of it I shared with you I realized I have made progress and added two colors.



In my mind's eye, I saw myself painting a botanically accurate view of a palm branch.  I thought I would try to paint a bird as well...but this is what I ended up with...totally different!



The realities of life can be quite a contrast to my artistic dreams and happily ever after convictions, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to be constructive.  I currently am working more on listening to God and others and I want to learn about and act on more practical projects to promote love in the world around me...a grand opus, life long work of art, isn't it?

((hugs))
Gracie :-)

14 comments:

  1. Gracie 😀😀 love the smell of roses. Yum to you getting strawberries soon I have a small plant but winter now so I must wait 😌😌 Good to see you here xoxo

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  2. Yay.. a Gracie blog post! I enjoyed reading it and I was amazed and impressed with the preemie blanket.. love the bright rainbow colors of it! You should keep it to warm your lap over the winter. I love your new planters, you will enjoy your own little farm garden. You should stick in a leaf lettuce plant in that one with some room. We give lettuce and eggs to anyone we see. LOL! I hope to see you again someday soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Gracie I love all of the beautiful flowers and art projects that inhabit your world right now. I have one rosebush in my backyard but I don't have any blooms yet. It's been too cool and rainy so far. The towel holder is great and will work so well. I should make one or two for my mother in law who likes them too. Your preemie blanket is beautiful and will be loved by whoever recieves it. They will feel your love.
    It was wonderful to read your post tonight and see all of the gifts that God has blessed you with. A wonderful gift of friendship to others is one of them.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  4. I stop and smell the roses, too...I'm lucky enough to have an everblooming climber that performs all summer. My spring roses are already gone...and they are the most fragrant. Wishing I could bottle the scent...

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  5. Love the water colour Gracie. This pandemic has brought the Lord closer to us all in one way or another. I for one am certainly spending more time looking at his word in the Bible, creating pages in my journal bible and listening to sermons. Every blessing.

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  6. Gracie, I think you do beautiful work. You are very talented and above all the love you spread everywhere is amazing. stay safe.

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  7. I enjoy my neighbors roses down the street. I have one rose bush in the front and soon will put my 2 newer ones in there as well, after we get our house painted next month. I enjoy reading your post and seeing your afghan and drawings and clematis. Scriptures you shared are good to live by today and always. I need to get a few things done this afternoon. A bit behind. Take care my friend! x===x

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  8. Inherited plants are wonderful! We inherited a few iris when we moved here sizteeen years ago, and still enjoy their blooms every year. Here's to your strawberry plants, and may they bear much fruit!

    That blanket is strikingly beautiful, and your palm branch artwork is lovely. I love those verses. They seem perfect for the times we are living in.

    I hope your flowers will bloom profusely and fill your summer with beauty.

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  9. Your clematis is impressive. I've never been able to get one established. I won't even try in my current home because it's 100% shade.
    The blanket is so vibrant -- perfect for a premie.

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  10. The towel holders are so clever and the baby blanket is beautiful. I'm also admiring your garden. You've been busy, my friend!
    Amalia
    xo

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  11. Gracie

    this is a beautiful post. My clematis are doing well but I have recently been told by my husband and witnessed Myself that there are green shiny beetles eating the leaves of my clematis.I'm after them with some soapy solution that is supposed to help them go elsewhere. This was a very beautiful plant post I loved it




    myself that there are green shiny beetles on them. So apparently I need to go out with so be water for couple of days and try to discourage them from chewing up my plants. You can hand pick them off and throw them in a thing of soapy water but that's just gross. You can also hope that the birds will eat them and that's my big hope. I'm feeding the birds are I'll less hoping able eat the insects and my come out as come continue to grow.I love your primi blanket

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  13. Hello Gracie. I am back after 10 months away from my blog...much too long ...sigh!! I am saying hello to all my blog friends one by one and also inviting everyone to enter my Fresh Start Giveaway. Wonderful clematis.....what a fabulous purple! The baby blanket is gorgeous and I love those bright sunny colours!! keep well Amanda x

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  14. The clematis is lovely! My jasmine just finished blooming--I love the aroma.
    I love your little garden area! We can garden anywhere.

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