Some Gave All - A Memorial Day Remembrance

As we recognize Memorial Day,

we remember and honor those who

gave their lives for the peace and freedom

we enjoy in these United States of America.

May God bless and comfort those whose son, father, husband,

brother, or friend - bravely made the ultimate sacrifice.

"They fell, but o'er their glorious grave

Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save."

-Francis Marion Crawford

Sarah K. Benning's Embroidered House Plants

Contemporary embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning exhibits 

quite the green thumb as she hand-stitches her lush house plants.

Palms, ferns and philodendrons, along with cacti and succulents -

quite a detailed collection arranged in pots & baskets, all within the confines

of simple embroidery hoops which serve as their frames.

Each work of art is one-of-a-kind. For those who'd like to give it a try,

Sarah also has a DIY pattern subscription available in her Etsy shop.

Find more of Sarah's work here:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Etsy

Images used with direct permission from Sarah K. Benning.

The Captivating Art of Mary Alayne Thomas

Summer Habitat

I'm spellbound by the art of Mary Alayne Thomas!

Her works depict a calming nature tableau or a surreal fantasy world;

either way, I'm captivated by her soft edges and intriguing details.

Mary's process begins with watercolor, over which she

layers encaustic (heated wax) and silkscreen.

The mixed-media result is a dream-like aura that's just beautiful!

Homage to the Realm of Living Beings

The Pomegranate Thief

Autumn Habitat

A Shadow in the Garden

Quest Through the Forest of Mystery

The Lullaby of the Lilies

The Secrets of Spring

The Artist

Here are links to Mary's website & Facebook page.
Her shop on Etsy is called Dream Squirrel.

Images used with direct permission from Mary Alayne Thomas.

Celebrating the Genesis Rainbow ~ God's Promise

This watercolor print by Moon River Print Co. reminds us of God's covenant

in Genesis 9:13 when He promises to never again cover the earth with water.

Here's that verse in context - Genesis 9:8-17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

In appreciation of that covenant, here are some
beautiful, bright bursts of ROY-G-BIV color!

rainblowg

sam foster

chasingrainbowsforever

tafamarket

mobiletoones

tocofi

craftnikonline

juniorslayouts

mysonictruth

Glass Bits

fujiellena

indulgy

popsugar

rainblowg

See these and lots more

on my Pinterest board,

Rainbows of Color.

rainblowg

Images gathered from Pinterest and given credit when possible.

Tile Festival at the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

Doylestown, PA is the home of the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works,

built by Henry Chapman Mercer in 1912 during the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Every year, for the past 18, a festival is held on the grounds.

It's an opportunity to view historic and contemporary art tiles

displayed by artisans from near and far.

What an enjoyable experience! 

While attending craft fairs and art festivals, I enjoy chatting with the artists. 
I really appreciate the vast variety of works represented.

I've gathered photos of my very favorites to show you.

Above ~ gorgeous, rustic leaf designs by Steve Day, of Berks County, PA.

Below ~ a photo of the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

with its large white tents pitched for the Festival.

A National Historic Landmark, it's maintained by the 

Parks & Recreation Dept. of Bucks County.

The style of architecture that Mercer used was inspired by the 

missions of San Juan Capistrano and Santa Barbara, California. 

I enjoyed meeting Patricia Tolton of P2 Ware and seeing her awesome,

earthy, Arts & Crafts style tiles. She's based in Kennett Square, PA.

Isn't this dragonfly stunning?

This amazing piece is by Audrey Ketterer Pianko of Wild Heart Pottery & Tile.

Such bright colors in this contemporary, abstract mosaic!

Loved talking with Mandy Baker of Whispering Hill Studio in Jamison, PA.

She creates several series of tiles that are just beautiful!

Fabulous Craftsman-style tiles by Mission Guild!
Nature as subject matter, simple designs, beautiful quotes, and 
subdued color choices for the glazes combine to evoke a calm serenity.

Here's Lynn Hume, of Sligo Creek Tile Co., who creates 

terrific porcelain and stoneware tiles. She's from Takoma Park, Maryland.

I couldn't resist this lovely dogwood brooch;

it'll be a nice surprise for my mother-in-law!

These are among many gorgeous ceramic tiles by artist

Mary Philpott of the Verdant Tile Studio in Ontario, Canada.

Edwin Mighell, Jr. of Redoubt Press is from Anchorage, Alaska.

He creates these terrific tiles using a mix that includes glacial clay.

It was so nice to meet Gregory Hicho and see his exquisite mosaics...

...along with his retro designs for a bit of nostalgic fun!

The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works is located

 at 130 E. Swamp Road in Doylestown, PA.

Website

Facebook