Colored Pencil Play Date - Snow Drop Love

Snow Drop Love - a beginner class in Colored Pencil Play Date 2015 ©CindyRippe2015

I taught this class in the online workshop "Colored Pencil Play Date".  14 teachers and 16 projects over the course of 16 weeks.  Students were able to watch the video lessons at their leisure and create new projects along with each teacher as many times as they like for 9 months.

I sketched the idea for this design around Valentine's Day.   Taking a few creative liberties, with the way the plant actually grows, I styled it like a heart.  The flowers nodding toward each other was originally sketched to create a more pleasing design but I noticed later that it looks like they are connecting with each other.  Like two flowers in love.  My class started the week that Spring began so the Snow Drop seemed like a good choice.

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 ESV

Nature's Peace for the Human Spirit

Creek at Pilcher Park. Joliet, IL ©CindyRippe2014 

Instead of sitting in the waiting room at the Auto Repair center today I took advantage of the free car rental option in my warranty and headed to the woods.  I've posted pictures from the greenhouse at Pilcher Park before but this one is from the Nature Trail.

I was in search of Virginia Bluebells and there were millions of them.  Waves of the bell shaped blue flowers covered the landscape.  I will be posting pictures of them soon, along with an assortment of other spring flowers, but wanted to share this picture first.  The creek winds through the woods along the trail and was incredibly peaceful today.  If you look closely in the upper left you can see some of the bluebells growing under the trees.

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. Author Unknown

Hollyhocks, Happiness and Ambition

Happy Summer Hollyhocks ©CindyRippe2013

The Hollyhocks were beautiful this summer.  I guess the weather must have been just right for them.  These are from Cheri Rol's Garden just outside the studio window and were blooming while I was there for a week of Design and Inspiration with Mary Jo Leisure.  That week made me happy and filled with ambitious plans for my artwork.  Just like the Hollyhocks.  The Victorian language of flowers says that the meaning of hollyhocks is Ambition. Perfect timing I'd say!

I don't think about what I have done. I only think of the things I want to do, and I haven't done. Martha Graham

Have you ever tried to grow tulip bulbs from seeds?

Tulip Seeds - ©CindyRippe2013

The rain finally stopped long enough for me to get into the Tulip Bed and clean it up.  There are many different plants in here and we have something blooming most of the year but the bed started out with over a hundred tulip bulbs.  The name just stuck.

I was surprised to see this seed pod tucked in among the iris leaves.  When I got close enough I could see that it was part of a tulip plant.  Cool... I've never had seed pods before on the tulips.  I guess we must have had "tulip" bees busy in the garden.  I did the research and I may be able to grow more bulbs.  It would be fun if it worked but just having this unexpected surprise is enough for me right now.

Have you ever tried to grow tulip bulbs from seeds?

Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations.  It is not much matter if things do not turn out well.  Charles Dudley Warner

Wondering about Bunnies in the Garden today.

As I walked through Mom's yard this morning I startled a rabbit that was hiding in the hosta bed. It made me wonder why we don't have rabbits in our garden. I certainly have enough plants and flowers. Maybe they don't like the trains that are a block away. Can't say that I blamed them. The whistles are really loud!

Here's a flashback post from my Art in Entertaining blog showing the only kind of bunnies we have around here. Enjoy!

Using my calendar as part of a centerpiece ©CindyRippe2013

I moved my miniature daffodil plant into a terrarium style vase with terra cotta bunnies from my garden and moss.  The little vintage planter and my Marjolein Bastin calendar propped on an easel and placed on a vintage yellow dinner napkin.  Voila! I have a tablescape that makes me smile as I walk in the door each day.

Vintage Marjolein Weekly planner - photo ©CindyRippe2013

I've been using this calendar/datebook on my kitchen counter for 9 years. I love the Nature's Sketchbook artwork by Marjolein Bastin and there's a picture for each week of the year in this book. It's a little worn out and has been splashed many times but I still look forward to changing the page each week (or two if I really like an image).  Do you have a "well loved" decoration for your tablescape or kitchen decor?

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  ~John Muir

Sparkling Raindrops

Sparkling Raindrops on the Hostas - ©CindyRippe2013

The spring rains have lasted a long time this year.  I've been taking advantage of the days between to get the garden in shape for summer.  Most of the perennials have been enjoying the cool nights and rainy days and have done well.  The sparkling raindrops on the hosta leaves above are a favorite reminder of how the rain and sunshine work together to create beautiful moments. I try to take a few minutes right after the rain stops to walk through the garden and enjoy them whenever possible.

 Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams. Hosea Ballou 

Lots of little things to do Today

Little raindrops on Hostas - ©CindyRippe2013

We celebrated Memorial Day yesterday by honoring those who've served in the Military, remembering those who built our church 150 years ago, and with a family picnic.  We've set aside the day today to get started on our giant list of chores.  The choice of working outside or inside was made for us by the rain.  I did work out there for a little while, and checked two jobs off the list, but my shoes were soaked and it's chilly, so I headed back inside.

Before I came in I noticed all the sparkly raindrops on the hosta leaves. They reminded me that our large list consists of many little jobs.  If we can focus on one thing at a time it will make a difference.  So, with this post I can check number 3 off my list and get started on the next project.

I hope that you're able to enjoy your day today. Whether you are resting, or working on chores, try to break them down into a list of little things.  I believe in you...you CAN make a difference!

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.  John Wooden 

Feeling Blue is not so Bad Today

Beautiful Bluebells -quote by William H Gass - photo ©CindyRippe2013

I'm not feeling great today.  Seasonal headache, nothing serious, but I thought it would be a perfect day to find something blue to match my mood.  Well, it had the opposite effect.  I love these Virginia Bluebells that were along the path in the shade garden last week.  Looking at the image didn't take the headache away but it made me happy because of the calm blue color.  I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that blue is my favorite color too!  Enjoy....


If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. Eleonora Duse

Abundant Lilac Blooms and Blessings

Our lilac bush went crazy this year with lovely flowers ©CindyRippe2013

I'm not sure if you can see the top of the fence, but it's 6 ft tall.  This French Lilac bush is about 25 years old and has never grown to more than 6 feet.  It's always been really delicate, with few flowers. Enough flowers, but still only a few compared to the more common variety of Lilac bush. That might be due to the partly shady location, but was labeled as a variety that would grow to about 5 feet tall. I liked that trait.  Well this year, along with all the rest of the Spring flowering bushes and trees, it bloomed abundantly.  I mean, it's crazy huge, with tons of flowers that I've been sharing with the neighbors and smells fabulous!  Maybe it's making up for last year when an early heat wave zapped all the spring flowers.

There won't be too many days left for these flowers, as it's getting warmer, so I thought I'd take a few pictures to document this years growth.  You never know what to expect each year with Northern Illinois weather.  I'll be grateful for the good times, that's for sure!  I hope you enjoy it too!

When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.  Joel Osteen 

Lily of the Valley - May's flower of the month in the care of my garden fairy.

Lily of the Valley from my Garden - ©CindyRippe2013

Well, the lily of the valley flowers have finally bloomed!  I know they are late this year but with everything else taking so long to bloom I'm not even sure when they should have opened.  I've been checking for flowers for the last two weeks!  Lily of the Valley is May's Flower of the Month and I had hoped to post an illustration this year drawn from my own garden. The photo from last year turned out to be a Snowdrop.  oops!  There are fewer flowers on my plants this year overall but the delicate little bells are a welcome addition to my desk. I share some each year with my neighbor, Grace, as she says they are one of her favorite flowers.

I'll be drawing and painting them soon, but not today.  Too many other things to do!  Not to worry though.  My little garden fairy will take care of them for me until tomorrow.

Who would have thought it possible that a tiny little flower could preoccupy a person so completely that there simply wasn't room for any other thought. Sophie Scholl 

Poinsettia's Spring Surprise

The 4 foot tall poinsettia from the basement - ©CindyRippe2013

Mom and I set up an area with grow lights in her basement over 10 years ago.  We used it to save geraniums and a few other annuals each year before they were killed by frost.  It allowed us to enjoy flowers for most of the winter.  It's an old unfinished basement, always slightly damp with a consistent cool temperature. If we brought the plants up into the heated area of the house they would dry out, so we left them down there and just enjoyed the flowers on laundry days.  We also used the area to force Spring bulbs and enjoy their blooms in the house during the most depressing winter days.

Several years ago I saved this poinsettia for my Mom-in-Law, Alice, at the end of summer.  She didn't want it back so it's spent every year on my deck.  I never did the work timing the lights to get it to re-bloom but I couldn't just let it die.   For more information on the correct way to care for poinsettias CLICK HERE. 

This year all of the plants were ignored.  I saved a few, but  they'll need some work when I replant them outdoors.  I guess the poinsettia liked being left alone.  I found it covered in red "flowers" and brought it up to join the rest of the Spring plants. It was a nice surprise.

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.  Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Good Days, Rough Edges and Ice Cream

Blue Anemone - Fernwood Gardens - Rough Edges and a Good Day - ©CindyRippe2013

These anemones looked a little worse for the wear at Fernwood Gardens last month but I fell in love with the blue color. As I snapped the photo I thought I'd never use it for anything other than reference material.  I guess I was wrong!  It's a perfect representation of my day today.

You know how it is... busy, strange and blessed all mixed together.  You can't wait to go to bed and think "Whew!  I made it!".  As I juggled several home projects and care-giving issues, the ants (that I have to work hard at keeping under control around our back door and deck) decided it was time to move.  Did you know they swarm after mating?  (I checked and they are just common house ants - not termites - thank goodness but they are still kind of creepy!)  Apparently they are sick of the vinegar, cinnamon, and other natural deterrents I keep spraying, and decided to find a new home.  Yeah for me!

I had several really good moments today though.  The weather was beautiful so I took Mom to the walking park. I was able to dry washed fabrics outdoors (far away from the ants - lol), had a nice visit with my TOPS friends, wandered through the garden center while waiting for my sister, got a much needed hug (for both of us) from my husband and we capped off the day with a treat of ice cream.  I tried to give up ice cream in order to lose weight but I only succeeded in eating way less than I used to .  (Moderation - that's the excuse I'm using) Yep, I'm exhausted, had a few setbacks, feel a little sad that I can't help someone I love, and still haven't finished half of the jobs I wanted to do today but, I am happy and feel blessed tonight. A little rough around the edges but a GOOD DAY after all!

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  II Tim. 1:7

The Last Amaryllis Flower and Hope for Blooms next year

My last Amaryllis flower this year - quote by Ladybird Johnson - photo ©CindyRippe2013

This was the Amaryllis plant that I bought at the Antiques and Garden Fair last month.  It ended up being the last one that bloomed for me this year.  I had 6 bulbs, 4 saved from previous years and I staggered the bloom time for several months.  It was the best year ever for them.  I think they helped me to get through the long winter and reeeaallly late spring!

I'll start preparing them for growing outside soon.  If I can stand the wilting old leaves, and remember to feed them often, they grow stronger and the bulbs with be restored.  I can hope for another year of blooms next winter.  I think it's worth the work and I'm lucky to have the space to store them in our cool basement until I bring them out "into the light" and they'll start their blooming party all over again.

If you'd like to make your Amaryllis bloom again there are great instructions HERE at the United States National Arboretum website.  I've always left them in the pots in the shade during the summer but this year I'll try the instructions that they recommend.  Good Luck!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13

Life Changes and Growth - Something Different Every Day

Something Different every day - Double Daffodils and Life Changes - ©CindyRippe2013

I've been asked many times about the double daffodils in the garden.  Since they don't look like the traditional variety with the cup in the center most visitors are pleasantly surprised. They look so different!  While they have their challenges they are certainly beautiful and add to the daily changes in the spring flower bed.  Every morning lately something else has bloomed. One day the entire bed is filled with white flowers, the next the pink tulips bloom, then the red, orange and yellow varieties popped open all at the same time.  I have daffodils that are early and late blooming varieties, as well as the multi-color, miniature, double blooming and traditional style. It's an ever changing show around here.

Such as life for me, as I'm sure it is for you.  Just about the time you think you've made a plan something happens to change it.  I for one have been working around  life's kinks, taking time for rest and restoration (and of course using every opportunity to enjoy the flowers) and succeeding at my goal to just "deal" with less stress.  I'm trying hard to avoid that depression and stress level that exhausts me, paying attention to my health, and accomplishing projects by taking many small steps.  I guess I'm finally growing.  Took long enough to figure it out that's for sure!

Faith, it does not make things easy it makes them possible. (unknown quote - adapted from Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.)

What are you Grateful for Today?

"Working" in the Garden today - ©CindyRippe2013

Working in the Garden had a different meaning for me today.  I sat on the deck sorting paperwork for a few hours and this was my view.  It's a portion of my "Tulip Bed".  It's actually a perennial bed now and blooms from spring though late fall, ever changing, and always interesting.  I'm really glad that Mom ordered way too many tulips one year and I dug up a portion of the grass right before the first snow.  Back in those days Lee didn't believe in planting flowers in the middle of the yard but it was the only place I knew that there would be enough sun.  The plan was to get them planted before he got home from work and then if he was really unhappy I would move them after they bloomed in the Spring.  He teased me a bit at the time but we have both enjoyed the flowers year after year.

So today, I'm grateful for that garden, the lovely weather and the opportunity to work in these beautiful surroundings.  What are you grateful for?


This is the Day that the LORD has Made; Let us REJOICE and Be Glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

The Sweetness of Broken Flowers

Saving the daffodils ©CindyRippe2013

The flowers are really doing well this spring.  In fact the double daffodils have flowers that are too large for their stems.  I thought by giving them extra nutrients with compost last fall they would be stronger.  It did help the flowers, there are more than ever, but the stems are still really fragile.  After cutting the flowers with the stems that were bent the most I was able to tie the rest up with string.

The up-side to this was that I could save the broken ones to enjoy inside.  The flower heads are resting on the top edge of the vase.  They're so lush and beautiful!  I had enough to share with a neighbor and we are both enjoying their delicate sweet scent.

Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day - like writing a poem or saying a prayer.  Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Spring Kissed Tulips and Anne of Green Gables

Spring Kissed Tulips - quote by L. Hughes - photo ©CindyRippe2013

Finally!  A beautiful Spring day.  After a bit of frustration today I finally just gave in and gave up trying to accomplish anything from my "to do" list.  Took Mom outside to sit on the deck and enjoy the flowers, birds, and sunshine. She needed the rest and so did I.  After taking a few photos of the garden I decided to read a book.  I chose my Anne of Green Gables Anthology, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

I think the first book in the series, Anne of Green Gables, is my favorite. It's written in such a way that it makes you slow down and enjoy the deliciousness of each word.  I love the style of writing and descriptions of the characters, their life and country surroundings.  I can imagine riding in the horse drawn buggy through the "White Way of Delight".  "a stretch of road four or five hundred yards long, completely arched over with huge, wide-spreading apple-trees, planted years ago by an eccentric old farmer.  Overhead was one long canopy of snowy fragrant blooms. Below the boughs the air was full of purple twilight and far ahead a glimpse of painted sunset sky shone like a great rose window at the end of a cathedral aisle."  text quoted from  Anne of Green Gables - Three Volumes in One - written by Lucy Maud Montgomery - published by Avenel Books, New York.

I had plenty of interruptions while reading but made a point of enjoying every minute that I could of the lovely day.  I'm pretty sure Mom enjoyed it too.

“Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”  L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Leftovers Antiques at the Chicago Botanic Garden Show

Leftovers Antiques and Home Mercantile booth at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

As promised, I'd like to feature some of my favorite booths at the Antiques and Garden Fair at the Chicago Botanic Garden last weekend.  I really enjoy the combination of antiques and collectibles with plant, flowers and in this case, terrariums that the vendors strive for in their displays.  It represents living with your antiques not just displaying them which is what we do around here.  Yes, some things have been broken, and yes I was disappointed, but at least we got to use them! I do get picky when I'm decorating though. It takes me a while to decide how I want to set things up but once I'm happy with it we enjoy our tiny house.

When I walked into Leftovers Antiques, Home Mercantile's booth I received a warm welcome, and that warmth extended to the displays that surrounded me.  The shop in Brenham, Texas, offers a mix of items in their ever-changing 10,000 sq ft showroom.  If you have the opportunity, try to stop in and get inspired.  I know it's on my "someday" list!

Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey. Tad Williams 

From the Ground Up at the Antiques and Garden Fair

Organic Gardening Display at the Antiques and Garden Fair - photo ©CindyRippe2013

This charming display by The Organic Gardener reminds me of the way my Grandfather would garden.  He was very proud of the natural materials that he used.  We've been going through old family pictures this week and even found one of him standing next to a pile of compost bigger than he was.  Maybe it was manure, I'm not sure. But the point is that he took care of the earth, didn't use chemicals, and had the most delicious vegetables I can ever remember eating.  There were flowers mixed in and they worked well together.

Throughout the Antiques and Garden Fair there were displays that combined leaf lettuce, herbs and flowers. I like the thought of enjoying the view as you gather the ingredients for your lunch.  All the while, your are making good use of the soil, enriching it for future generations, and all that healthy food is good for you!


When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.  David Orr

Art and the Garden - Chicago Botanic Garden - Antiques and Garden Fair

One of the reason I love the Antiques and Garden Fair is that the dealers combine plants and floral arrangements with their wares.  There are unusual, and sometimes really large, garden ornaments and planters.  I've seen vintage lawn furniture, cast iron fountains, statues, and even a gazebo for sale.  Several of the vendors hired professional florists to create the floral arrangements that add elegance and charm to the booth displays.

This vintage planter and cement statue, filled with hydrangeas, welcomed us to the Fine Art Collection in the Framont booth. Owner, Bruno Francois, explained that it's considered Secondary Art.  I really enjoyed viewing the combination of Vintage and Contemporary pieces in the booth.  The shop is located in Greenwich, CT and you can find more information about the gallery at ArtNet and Dealers Showcase.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”  Edgar Degas