A Beautiful Place v. 2.0

I know the blog has been very quiet this past week, but that’s because I’ve been incredibly busy!  You may remember this post  in February where I shared our decision NOT to move, but to stay here and enjoy our lovely home.

In consequence of that decision, I have been making changes to the main living area of our home, as well as working on the front-room-to-office project (more about that here, here, and here).  This has involved electrical work, adding a phone jack, removing siding, putting siding back on, patching sheetrock, trimming windows, and LOTS of painting! 

One day soon, I will have more to share on those topics 

But until then, it seemed appropriate to share a new “make a place beautiful” plaque I made for a reader.  She wanted gray, which was new for me—but I love it!  I used a dark gray paint, then distressed it and glazed it with both black and brown to give it some depth.

Today she sent me a picture of it displayed in her home!  Thanks, Rena!  I’m so glad you like it.

 

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I love to make signs and canvases! Please e-mail redhenhome@gmail.com if I can make one for you!

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Just a quick post

I have been ordering Wool from Margie of Hungry Hook Primitives and got my last batch today.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated Margie’s diligence in helping me get just the right colors I was needing.  She over dyed many pieces especially the Teal ones to get it just right. THANK YOU MARGIE!

The top bundle is ‘Jadeite’ that she has been holding for me for quite some time until I could get the Teals (bottom 3 bundles)

Love these Golds…especially the Herringbone on the bottom

I needed some Army Green – she did a great job getting this bunch right – it is darker than it is showing up

Today I finished up my Candle Huggers and will ship some off to Patti tomorrow and pack the rest away for my show – that’s a start anyway…then it’s on to sewing a wholesale order and then back to my own sewing for the show.
Here’s Two new ones I designed…I keep them simple because the price is low and even if some look real simple there’s lots of stitching for a $12.00 hugger.

 

Tomorrow we have a funeral to go to for the daughter of a former neighbor of ours when we lived in Janesville.
She is only 47 (same age as our oldest son). She battled Cancer for Two years.
Our children grew up together until we moved away – Even though we had all boys and they had all girls they still played together.
It was the kind of neighborhood where you all were the same…young families, just built our homes and enjoyed each other’s company.
Most weekends we were all together as families at one or the others house – there were 5 of us families that were the closest.
So we will go say our last goodbye to Judy.

I have to giggle when I see this picture…this is how great they all got along – this was in 1977.
They were all over at the Wills house and came knocking on our door and this is what they had been doing … dress up!!!!  (not sure where our oldest son was but I’m pretty sure he would not have put on a dress)
The quality of the photos isn’t very good – sorry…

(From left)  Janel Will, our sons Brett and Dan and Judy Will who passed.

Update on Brett…he came home yesterday and went to bed and slept for 5 hours, woke up for dinner and slept for 5 more hours.
We took up a chair for him to sit in for in the family room – their furniture is very overstuffed and sits deep so he would not be able to get in/out of it.
We have a few extra chairs that were in the upstairs bedrooms so one of them would work out great…sits straight and regular height from the floor.
They had their choice of 3 and took the blue one.

 

Not sure how I came across this link but someone on Pinterest someone has a board for ‘blogs’. Go check it out…there are some on there I’ve never heard of and they are wonderful. 
http://pinterest.com/txsue/blogs-to-follow/

Thanks for visiting and have a great week/weekend.

Karen

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Book Into A Play, Old Barn, Customers Penny Rug, My Son

Goodness I just don’t know about blogger…I started a post and GONE!    Frustration!!!

Have you ever seen the cover of a book and just knew you had to have the book…happened to me.
I am on Wanda Brunstetters mailing list for her website and a few weeks ago she announced her new book “The Half Stitched Amish Quilting Club”.  So I bought the book on Amazon for my Kindle…It’s hard to put down…some of it’s fun/funny and some of it’s a life lesson – all around good reading.

ANYWAY….The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club is being made into a musical play.
It will open August 24, 2012 at the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, and will go through December 8, 2012.
You can purchase advanced tickets by clicking here.

You can check it all out on her site:   http://www.amishquiltingclub.com/28

A bit of a synopsis of the book:
”Amish widow Emma Yoder's first quilt class brings the most unlikely people together. there's Star, a young woman yearning for stability; Pan and Stuart Johnston, a struggling couple at odds in their marriage; Paul Ramirez, a young widower hoping to find solace in finishing a quilt; Jan Sweet, a rough and tough biker doing some creative community service; and Ruby Lee Williams, a preacher's wife looking for relaxation when parish problems mount. But as these beginning quilters learn to transform scraps of material into beauty; their fragmented lives begin to take new shape with the helping hands of each other and the healing hand of God.
Join the club of unlikely quilters who show up for Amish widow Emma Yoder's quilting classes. A troubled young woman, a struggling couple, a widower, a rough and tough biker, and a preacher's wife make up the mismatched lot. But as their problems begin to bind them together like the scraps of fabric stitched together in a quilt, they learn to open up and lend a helping hand. Is this what God had in mind to heal hurting hearts and create beauty from fragments? “

You can also sign up to win this prize package!
http://www.amishquiltingclub.com/_modules/form.php?id=25
And here’s what you could win:

• Transportation for two to Shipshewana, IN (see contest rules and regulations)
• Beautiful two-night accommodations at the Farmstead Inn
• A gift basket in his or her hotel room upon arrival
• A delicious family style meal for two at the famous Blue Gate Restaurant
• Tickets to the premiere of Half-Stitched the Musical (based on book)
• Lunch with New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter
• A carriage ride for two into the Shipshewana countryside
• The winner will arrive on August 24, 2012 and will leave on August 26
• The winning name will be drawn on June 29, 2012

So on to other things…it’s raining here – a great day to stay in and sew on my work.
Need to send some Candle Huggers out to Patti for a show she wants to take them to the middle of May.

Our youngest son Brett had back surgery on Monday – I sure don’t know what is happening to my boys – their backs/necks are giving out on them.  What did I feed those kids!!!
He had the L 4 and 5 discs fused. The discs were completely blown out and the space between them was huge so the bone grafts/fusion was large.  I pray for him for a fast and complete recovery although I don’t believe he will be able to go back to the job he had.  He operates a large Caterpillar and the bouncing will undo everything the Dr. fixed.
We were up there all day of the surgery on Monday and then had to leave before he got back into his room…I had my 2nd shot in my lumbar in the SI joint so we had to come here to the hospital to the pain clinic.
But we went up last night and our middle son Dan came along and he took a picture of Brett with his phone…it’s kind of dark though.

Poor Brett looks so frazzled.  Doug went and got him a malt before we left – one his favorite things.
He comes home today but I’m so surprised they didn’t put a waist brace on him…they stress strongly not to twist, reach or bend…can you imagine how difficult that is to get in and out of bed and even a chair???  My heart goes out to him.

We have been going back and forth to Janesville to visit my aunt who is very ill and always pass this really old and dilapidated farm/house.  It dates back to the late 1800’s and has been a landmark we always love to see coming into Janesville.  It will be no more…they are ready to burn it all down.  For years I’ve been going to take pictures of this place, mainly for the corn crib…it’s unique and stands so proudly…a part of history will be no more.  Now some of you may look at this and say ‘good riddance’ – for me part of our home town will be gone.  We’ll miss seeing this every time we get to this bend in the highway…it has just ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
If you click on the picture you can see the old vines that once grew on the side of the corn crib…they are even dead.

Sad to see it go!!!!

Needless to say I have lots of work ahead of me sewing Candle Huggers…I decided to do an assembly line and not just a few at a time.  In the end I think I counted 48 of these buggers.
I didn’t feel like working upstairs in the craft room so I set it up in the dining room – made it a bit more fun than being stuck up there all day long.  Kind of had to move the house around a bit to accommodate me – brought in a lamp….a different chair.  Oh…I did not take these pictures. (actually, I was getting the different chair when he snapped the pictures – think it should have been him carrying the chair, ya think!!!)
I think Doug has finally gotten the idea to take pictures now – he thought I needed Blog Fodder!  He trains well don’t you think!!!

Although I did take this picture…as usual Lola has to be where I am – so she curled up on the end of my workspace.

I had a special order from a lady in Canada for a 33 inch Penny Rug with horses…she chose the colors after I sent her some horse designs she chose what she wanted…I am not one for horses in my house but I think it turned out quite nice.  Hope she loves it.

The horse was just a sillouette but after laying it on I thought it looked a bit ‘flat’ so I added the black touches…I do think it gave it for life.

I see my following is getting close to 1000 – do you think I should have a giveaway if and when I reach that number????
May take awhile but I’ll start thinking.

Thank you all so much for all your support for as long as I’ve had my blog you have been wonderful, fun and faithful blog friends.

Blessings to all.

Karen

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Down the garden path....&.... BIG giveaway!

Landscape season is here, a month early! And I have been hopping, hence silent. The good news is that client demand is high........could we really be seeing the turn in the economy all of us have been hoping for?

As promised let's discuss the garden floor, an often forgotten design element. I view it as the same as selecting rugs for your interiors, and you know the thought that goes into those decisions!
So let's begin.............

Source: theenchantedhome.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

What constitutes a great garden floor versus a just nice or even, just ignored garden floor? We do know it when we see it, but we will chat about how to get there.
The above example is so well done;
 -The natural 'full range bluestone' compliments the wall color AND the roof color of this home, but does not upstage the entrance door
       -Without the vegetation inserts this would be an overly large and hard space.
                 -The squares mimic the window squares at the door

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Marble and concrete squares with vegetation inserts. The geometry of the home is repeated on the ground

Source: s3.amazonaws.com via Debra on Pinterest

Nice isn't it?
A white home can accept any garden floor. What i love is the repeat of the arch shape on the ground. Are you seeing the lesson here? Look up! What colors and architectural elements of yours can be repeated for one cohesive appearance?

Source: bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

A sense of place.
This informal shingle house screams beach, hence a boardwalk

Source: theswenglishhome.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Truly another 'sense of place'. Wouldn't manufactured paver bricks look ridiculous?
      PS: one of my favorite blogs is the above www.theswenglishhome.blogspot.com
      by Helena Bemald. I suggest a visit.

Source: dwell.com via Debra on Pinterest

Well chosen colors, layout appropriate for this contemporary home

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

Hmmmmm, what to do......again, look up! The amazing door frame has a center decoration, therefore "let's mirror that with a center decoration on the path". At least that is what I imagine these ingenious owners said to themselves. Neutral toned bluestone and pea gravel path perfectly compliment the structure

Source: seersuckerandmagnolias.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

My guess is that we are viewing a home in New England. The 'sense of place' is fulfilled with the strong paths laid with brick. The symmetry is repeated on the ground and lined up with the center windows......perfect!

Charming home but......I am not enamored with the asphalt and the largess of it. Due to expenses or a persuasive contractor, the asphalt here is an example of how a surface has no relationship with the home. Concrete would have blended.

Sometimes you may want the garden floor to be a bit player, perhaps the home has an architectural element you want to highlight. As in this case the magnificent door ensemble. A contrasting hardscape would have split your attention.....well done!

Another example with the above. Why compete with this entrance?

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

This contrasting entrance to a fabulous door is pleasing. The door is still center stage and the cream tones in the bluestone match and enhance the paint color.

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Debra on Pinterest

For a cape cod to have a grand entrance would be inappropriate. The scale and use of brick is historically accurate.

Source: fergusonshamamian.com via Debra on Pinterest

Let's look at other examples where the hardscape takes a strong role and still works.  So much pattern in the fencing that a repeat of a pattern, though not the same, adds excitement

Source: houzz.com via Debra on Pinterest

Study shutter colors and admire that they GOT IT! The bluestone is in subtle aqua tones

Source: houzz.com via Debra on Pinterest

Same here with a richer bluestone. But all these accruements accent the clear blue

Source: vreelandroad.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

In neutral color ways

Source: smg.photobucket.com via Debra on Pinterest

The variety of materials out there are unending. I have amassed a great collection in my Pinterest boards. http://pinterest.com/scentg/  Look under 'The garden floor', for more ideas.
The above is self-cast concrete. You can purchase the kits that you fill with concrete, then mixing up the shapes on the ground to look more natural.

Not bad for a manufactured stone. A good source is www.unilock.com. As an aside, I love to see plants emerging from a path or patio. How about you, do you like that look? Try getting it past a husband........

Pea gravel, an all time favorite! Love the interaction with the crunch. And, it is inexpensive.
One day I decided the entire lawn around my pond had to be removed and replaced with pea gravel. After assembling the materials, I asked my crew, can we do this in one day? We did and when Steve returned home he was, let's say......unhappy. His wood working studio was adjacent and he had to walk through the pea gravel to come and go. You see, this stone slows you down, forcing one to stop and smell the roses.

Source: hessla.com via Debra on Pinterest

You will always need an edge to keep it contained. A great plus other than cost is that it drains and allows nearby trees to soak up moisture unlike concrete or asphalt. Actually all un-mortared natural materials allows the same

Bluestone chips

If one chosen material is good, several more is better! Here is a small section surrounding our pool. I find the full range bluestone, antique bricks and limestone to be charming together.

Bunnies and brick, perfect! Old street bricks that is.  (Mary, this is for you)

Source: marjoleinbastin.com via Debra on Pinterest

Manufactured clay bricks and cut bluestone. Love the delineation of the two seating areas and the paths via different materials and pattern.

Source: southernliving.com via Debra on Pinterest

Isn't this stunning? The cut 'Shawnee' stones have an intermittent surprise, do you see it? Grayish blue mexican pebbles break up the stretch every 3 feet or so. Necessary? No. Tres chic? YES!

Source: gardenphotoworld.com via Debra on Pinterest

The near white irregularly shaped stone is clean and crisp. A great foil to allow the plants to "pop".

Source: janblok.co.za via Debra on Pinterest

Mixed materials; Mortared mexican pebbles, cut limestone and vegetation. If the latter wasn't there, it would look hard.

Imagine with me for a moment that on the structure of this garden is a giant window with large panes right above the squares. Can you envision that that would be an inspiration to replicate on the ground? Hmmmm, still with me? Imagine it in another setting and the window possessed a palladium window above it? Setting that curve at the top of the cut squares could be interesting.
Repeat; In all landscaping endeavors, look up, your home will give you all the clues you need.

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

Stairs and levels can be made interesting. Crazy for the above example.

Natural and informal. The addition of "steppables", and in this case creeping thyme, offers a fragrant path as you descend

See the house in the far back? These stones are complimentary with the color.

Ivy trained to run across the riser and meet the other side

California contemporary or a pueblo style, would look great with this composition

Into the woods?

Source: thinkingoutsidetheboxwood.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Descend to the ball? This is actually planted between the riser and the steps. I believe it to be mature, strongly pruned, euonymus ground cover or Germander plants

Source: flickr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Thank you for visiting. Hope this was of help to you.

BIG NEWS!!!!
One person signing up for this tour will receive FREE airfare!
With a maximum of 12 attendees, your chances are quite good. Winner will be chosen via a "hat pull". Starting to book.


For more trip details, send me an email. Will write about it in detail, next post.......this is a GOOD one!

debra@scentimentalgardens.com

Fondly,
Debra

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