I'm not sure where last week went, but I finally feel like a human being now. It took a whole week of napping and catching up on household chores, along with business matters that needed attention. I also got to spend some time with the grandkids with a few visits.
Well, while gone during my last trip away, the weeds did grow. No hail, but more rain and the growing conditions were right for flowers and weeds alike.
The first Photos show some of what my gardens still look like even after being home for a while. Too many gardens to get it all done. I just do a little each day, and have discovered some good size patches of buried plants and flowers.
The great thing about taking photos is that I can shoot the flowers and ignore most of the weeds. I did leave the weedy Oxalis that was in bloom with these Impatiens flowers- some weeds can be pretty.
Here are a few more of my flowers taken with the blue sky as the background. The plumbago on the left are really a sky blue color, and just about blend in.
As you can see in the above photo, the hail smashed planters are now blooming nicely. Very handy to the painting area- I always plant things to use for sunprints so they're easy to grab. The flowers print best when fresh, so having them grow right near is perfect. The Phlox in the nearby garden are perfect for using now, too.
Now, back to work.....
Well, here it is.... my first post from the road. I'm finally learning how to use my new laptop computer. Right now I am at Morrisville College in NYS, at Quilting By the Lake (QBL). I was honored to receive a scholarship to attend a 5 day class here. It's like being a college student again for a week. We are staying in the dorms and eating in the dining hall. Wonderful food! I'm taking a class from Elizabeth Busch- Small Works. I am learning so much and having a wonderful time. I really neded to get away, and this has been just what I needed. We began on Monday, and have not used our machines yet. We have spent our time so far painting fabric. OK, anyone who keeps up with me knows that I already do a lot of paintng, but there are so many new techniques out there. More tools in the toolbox.... New ways to think about paints and fabric.
Today, we begin cutting and composing some small pieces. The machine will come out, and I will see what will come from what I have produced along with what I have brought with me.
Here are a couple sunprints from my last painting session at home. I finally got a day that would work for printing. There have not been too many this summer with all the humidity.
Well, time for breakfast!! Did I say the food here is great? Then on to class-- more photos later of my progress.
It's finally ready for sale!! I have been making these cozies to dress up and control drips from my cold drinks. I developed a pattern for them that can be used by anyone with beginning to advanced sewing or quilting skills. Instructions are included for measuring any water, soda, or reusable drink bottle you use. With your own stylish cozy, you will always know which drink is yours, too.
The Pattern is in PDF format, to be printed or used right from your computer. Many full color photos show the step by step process to help guide you along. The simplest method uses a single fabric, while instructions are also included for 2 other construction methods that will make use of some of those scraps that accumulate so rapidly. The possibilities are endless for embellishing and personalizing these.
I have tried to set a Paypal button here for those who would like to purchase the pattern, but no luck and my tech support son is not available. If interested in this pattern, please use the link on the left sidebar to email me, letting me know you would like my Bottle Cozy Pattern, and I will send an invoice. The price of the pattern PDF is $8.00 each, and will be sent as an email attachment.
The pattern is also available at my Etsy Store-AndrusGardensQuilts.etsy.com, if you wish to use that method, but I have to re-list as each one sells, so if you don't find it, I will be adding it again.
I finally took some time for painting on fabric. The first for the year, Wow, late start for sure.
I played with squirting on yellow paint from a small bottle, instead of brushing it on in some areas. The effect in the lower piece, especially, made some neat effects. The next time I try this, I will have my materials ready better. I was digging through my pressed leaves in paper, while the paint was trying to start drying- lots of spraying with water to keep things wet.
The mud and rocks are back, too. I still have pictures in my mind of the rocky roadsides, and played with these two pieces. I painted the deeper colored one on the left, first then added some green and gold metallic. I then added a dry piece of fabric placed over the first, brushed the rose onto the top (back of piece #2) and pressed them together while brushing. I then scrunched and lay the pieces separately on the rock pile in our side yard that was to house a swimming pool. The lichens on the rocks helped to make some neat patterns.
I'll see what happens today, still humid, but sunny.
To those who thought I may have dropped off the face of the earth.... I really think I did!!! It has been over 2 months since my last post. I didn't even have time to keep up with much of my email or anything.
Since last checking in, I finally have found life outside the greenhouses and much prefer to keep things that way. So much for part time..... The job did help me get the money to attend QSDS a few weeks ago, and QBL next month. The month of May and first part of June were filled with just about every day at the greenhouses. Thankfully, the worst is over, and I am hoping that more of the flowers and plants will still sell there. It was super stressful, making all the purchasing decisions for someone else. Also scary was being the only one who knew what needed to be done. Good thing for fast learners, I still have a bit of teaching to do before working out of that job, but next year, I will not "live" in a greenhouse again.
QSDS- the Quilt Surface Design Symposium, was held in Columbus, Ohio. I earned a scholarship that paid for a 1 week class that I took with Rosalie Dace from South Africa. I really enjoyed my time in the class. We were encouraged to go in our own directions, trying new techniques in our work to add textures. It was great fondling the many fabrics and fibers everyone brought and that were available for purchase. The only thing I would do differently next time, would be to rest up more before going.
To be sure Ken had the least extra work while I was gone, I spent every daylight hour for over a week before leaving, planting all my new treasures acquired from the greenhouses. OK, really bad for me to work there- too many neat, fun plants I want to take home. On top of being tired from gardening, my plan of arriving in Columbus early, checking in at the hotel, and napping before things began, changed due to a bit of car trouble 90 miles from Columbus. Don't you just love it when you are tooling down a 6 lane highway at 65 MPH in traffic, and the car decides to die!! Roll off the road, check vital fluids, will it start again?? It restarted, but died again many times before finally getting the last 40 miles to the hotel in 1 run. So much for the nap..... At least it was "just" a fuel pump problem- not the first time for this car- formerly our son's. When I called him about it- he just said "pull over, let it cool a bit, start again, go until it dies again" and repeat until my destination. 20 year old VW Jetta- needs some work... or replacing....
This was taken at a rest area in Ohio on the way to Columbus. I always carry my camera in my purse for just these occasions. The rest areas have some pretty impressive gardens. My travel day was very nice, sunny and a bit hot, but OK with the windows down. Yea, no AC.
Upon my return home, I was discouraged to see that a severe hailstorm had shredded much of what was in my gardens. My front planters looked like someone's little kid took off all the leaves and mashed the flowers.
This was a photo of a Hosta and a spirea flower I took before my trip.
The next photo shows the same Hosta plant after I got home. The leaves were in ribbons. Amazingly, the flower stalks are now starting to rise up out of the mess, so I will have flowers at least. Not sure if there will be many new leaves or not.
The great thing about coming home, was that my son and his family were home from North Dakota. I have a new baby granddaughter!!! She was 5 weeks old when I first saw her and took these photos.
Here are photos I took the first day home. My sister gave me the dress we have her in. My mom made it for one of my niece's baby dolls. My sister thought I would like to have the outfit for Jenna to use for a future baby doll. She was so tiny, we tried it on, and it fit!! Her brother is 4 1/2 yrs old, and loves his baby sister. It will be even better, now that they will be in PA instead of ND.
This is what Rhubarb looks like after a hail storm. They have new leaves, now. Fast growers!!
My lilies look battered, but had some flowers opening. the plants look ragged, but the flowers only have a dent or 2 in them.
I guess this gets you caught up with me. I plan to get back into regular posting again, along with re-starting my web stores, and maybe even being able to get my website updated. It's hard with my tech support in Texas on an Army base. Maybe he can figure out how to teach me long distance what I need to know.
Where has the time gone??? Time really has flown since I have been working at the greenhouses again. Grand opening is May 10th, and the new owners and I are totally frazzled. So much still to do. I am also going to ring in May in 2 different ways this year. In addition to helping with the greenhouses, I am escaping this coming weekend to vend for the first time at a quilt show. I am not sure how things will go, but it will also be an escape from the greenhouses that I need right now. (I'm leaving lots of list of things to do, remember, etc.- kind of scary).
The other new way to ring in May for me, is that I am participating in Virginia Spiegel's "Collage Mania" to benefit cancer research. Three of my collages were accepted and will be available for sale Monday May 5th and Tuesday, May 6th. You can access the page they are on from here: Link to "Collage Mania"
The link will take you to the page where my collages are available. Below are photos of them that I posted earlier.
I began with the catalog photo of the flowers, washed with a light coat of iridescent paint and backed it with a piece of my handmade paper with lots of gold glitter in it. I placed these over a collaged background of fabric paper, sunprinted fabric, and colored card stock. Pastel was rubbed over the printed word foxglove that was cut apart. Eyelash yarn was stitched on, and the botanical name, Digitalis written on with dye pen. The 5"x7" collage was edged with a nubby, hairy yarn, and mounted to 8"x10" bristol, ready for framing.
Here is a closeup of a corner of the collage.
My mom loves colors in the orange and apricot ranges, so this one is dedicated to her, a 7+ year breast cancer survivor.
Here is the second one- "R is for Rosa" (botanical name for Rose- not someone I know). Another flower photo, this time with a handmade paper I made with flecks of gold, silver glitter, and deep blue tissue paper. The background of this is also a collage of painted fabric, fabric paper, and commercial fabrics. "Rosa" was written with pastel, on a silver flecked fabric, and "silk" leaves were stitched on, accenting the veins, using yarn as the stem. Eyelash yarn, butterflies stamped with gold paint, and a dye pen accented organza butterfly, add to the composition. The blue flowers in the photo called for the addition of the ribbon border, tied in a bow, around the appx. 5"x7" collage that is attached to the 8"x10" bristol with bright blue eyelets.
A closeup of a corner, showing a butterfly, and some leaf detail.
This collage is dedicated in memory of my aunt, who was only 13 years older than me, and died of colon cancer at only 46 yrs. old- my age, now.
Here is a closeup showing a gold butterfly and some of the stitching. The word Aster is also stitched along the left side.
This collage reminds me of, and is dedicated to my grandmother who is a 10+ year breast cancer survivor, 94 years old, and still living on her own.
Making these collages was very different from what I usually do, but I enjoyed the processes a lot. I will be making more papers, and painting more fabrics after life slows down after the spring rush. I will be selling these at my new Etsy Store- Andrus Gardens Fibers. Here is a Link to Original Post that shows other collages I made at the same time, and some of the treasures I found while looking for items to use.
Here is another link to the "Collage Mania" page my collages are listed on. There are many more from other artists as well, so shop for art with the proceeds going to a great cause. You can go to page one of the collage list for information about purchasing the collages.
Well, here we are a month from my last post. I have felt like the greenhouse job has sucked me away from everything else. There are now plants in 3 greenhouses- all types of annuals and perennials, and even a few veggie plants (many more arriving this week). Quilt wise, I have not done too much, even after a quilt retreat. The first week of planting our new babies in the greenhouses really took it's toll on my body and brain. I had been feeling really lucky as far as the fibro goes, but that ended with a major crash last week. After spending 4 more hours than planned at the greenhouses the Monday after my retreat, I spent most of Tuesday in bed. I kind of felt like our cats- pretty lazy- here is a photo of my Baby Cat sleeping on a pillow on the couch. I thought she was going to fall off. The rest of the week was spent in the greenhouses.
I should have taken photos by now, but have not used my camera down there, yet. I do have to take it with me so I can get some shots of some of the blooming plants. There are beautiful Aquilegia (Columbine) flowers in blue, pink and white that are calling to be photographed. The photo below is of a Bog Lily in my indoor pond that bloomed a week ago. The flowers look like huge, white spiders (missing a couple legs).
The greenhouse startup is so different from when we owned the business. We used to start most of our own seeds, and divide and take cuttings of many other plants. This season, things are being started from basically nothing- no equipment, plants, seeds, or enough time. We are starting from rooted cuttings, pre-started plants, and seedlings in plugs. It's like Christmas, opening all the boxes- some with tiny baby plants tumbled out of their trays (I really think FedEx and UPS bowl with the boxes). Some babies come in blooming. One tray of violas were 1" tall with full sized blooms- I love pansies and Violas!! Some of the plants we purchased were half grown to use in hanging baskets, and planters to be ready for Mother's day in less than a month. The other big worry is how many people will come, since the business was closed for over a year. Lots of stress!!
Back to quilts..... I did accomplish a little at my retreat, I did a piece for the FFFC Recycled challenge, and did some samples for a class I will be teaching late this month. I also got an idea for a larger piece on the last full day, and had to be sure I took photos and scribbled ideas in my notebook for when I can get back to it.
Well, back to things greenhouse- opening day is May 1, with grand opening with all the splash is May 10. Wow, time is really flying and I am really having to tell myself not to over do, and to delegate. I just need a few more bodies to delegate to, though.
Until next time...... hopefully with greenhouse photos.
It's amazing how fast 3 weeks can fly by!! Just after posting 3 weeks ago, I was hired by the new owners of our former greenhouse. They are starting things all over due to our failure over a year ago, and most of the equipment, etc. was sold off. The new owners have transformed the storage barn into a gift shop- big change, there will be a flower shop in the main garage building, and some of the greenhouses will be full of plants again. Much of my time has been spent pouring over plant catalogs and availability lists and planning what will be needed to get things going again.
Ken and I did take a couple days off to spend a day at the Philadelphia Flower Show. We live just under 4 hours from there, and Ken's daughter lives in Philly now. We were able to see all of our granddaughters, while seeing the flowers, and stayed over night before coming home. It's been a while since we've seen the girls- the two youngest aren't very little any more. It was a very long day, with the ride down, then walking through the show till it ended that night. Here are a few pictures.
Here is a photo of a display that used a tuba for a water fountain, the rest of the brass section was used for another fountain. The theme was based on New Orleans and Jazz.
The next Photo shows a tree in bloom, possibly a cherry. Great to see spring blooms while things are so muddy and brown outdoors.
The last of these photos, shows a great garden gate with colored Heucheras at it's base and lilies blooming next to it.
I called this Photo "Marla's dress", because Marla (Ken's daughter) thought it would make a great wedding dress if she ever got married again. The skirt has a base of curly willow branches, with a moss bodice, and other foliage and flowers as decoration.
The color orange might just be growing on me more. These Orchids and Rhododendrons were in real yummy shades of orange with apricot. The variety of Orchid must be fairly popular, there were a lot of these in different displays. The Rhododendron was just about the same shade as the Orchids.
I took down the photo of the full view of the quilt, just found it is to remain secret till displayed if chosen for a showing. Left what I wrote, though. It is where a few more of the photos from the flower show ended up. I had been trying to design a quilt for a show with the theme of "The Voice Within", dealing with where our artistic voice comes from. I have spent most of my life with flowers and gardens, and found an old photo of me holding what else, but a flower in my hand. It was a rose, but when I photo collaged the flowers around myself, I changed the flower to one of the Osteospermum daisies from another photo used. I got the idea for this composition after the flower show. Nothing like doing things last minute- it had to be done and photographed by the end of today.
I left the closeup shot of the quilt. Whole quilt is 27 1/2"x32" in size. I was really glad I found the fabric I used for the border in my stash...... It is just the right combo of blues to go with the flower photos I took with blue sky as the background. The deep rose, deep blue, and pink corner squares are batiks from a square exchange with my quilt guild. The timing was great. The photos on this quilt are printed on cotton fabric.
I figure my artistic voice began when I was very young, helping my mother in the gardens. Flowers have been such a big part of my life, that it is no wonder most of my quilts are inspired by them.
Now back to my hole.... More planning, ordering, etc. to do for the greenhouses. Hanging out with more flowers means more inspiration!!
This week has really passed quickly! I began early in the week, trying to reclaim my wet studio space in our greenhouse, to get back to painting, while still having room for more plants and seedlings. It turned into a much bigger job, and I also ended up doing more unplanned work in my studio.
Here in PA, we have nearly 3 months before much can be done outdoors. I successfully grew zucchini indoors when we had our greenhouses. I just got seed for the one variety that will set fruit without pollination- Perfect Pick. It is very productive, so I planted only 3 seeds in a very large pot, along with some sweet peas around the edges for some flowers too. My big challenge was to empty my germination chamber, so I can start my flowers and herbs, plant my zucchini, and still have room for my painting supplies and paint table. After doing some major purging of a storage cabinet, I now have places to store my gardening supplies and painting supplies, neatly, my table is now up on quart paint cans for a better work height, and am ready to start flower and herb seeds in the chamber. A huge accomplishment.
If this had been my only project, I would have actually painted some fabric, but while looking for something in my studio, I found puddles of water on the floor under my cutting table. I had to run a lot of fabric that was in a pile there through the wash (doesn't everyone store things in piles on the floor?). We think that the water from melting snow and rain earlier in the week, started wicking up through the floor. The room is pretty much sitting on the ground, now that so much gravel and silt from the driveway has washed down around that end of the trailer. The water level outside was higher than the fl