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April 29, 2016

Vintage Art In Recognition of Arbor Day



In recognition of Arbor Day,
celebrated every year on the last Friday in April,
I'm featuring this 1955 artwork by George Hughes.
It's called "Put the Tree There?".
Wondering how many husbands can relate!
(I think mine can!)

Arbor Day information can be found here:

April 28, 2016

Appreciating Vintage Vegetable Seed Catalogs



With gardening season upon us, I'm showing off 
the beautiful covers of some vintage vegetable seed catalogs.
These are from the late 1800's through the turn of the century into the 1920's.

Backyard gardeners of every era have loved that smell of newly tilled soil 
and enjoyed of the hard-to-beat flavor of home-grown vegetables.

From Dorothy Frances Gurney's poem, "God's Garden":
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,--
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.


Take a few minutes to appreciate this wonderful artwork, 
as well as the extensive use of decorative typography.








































These images have been gathered from Pinterest.

April 24, 2016

Check out Danielle Clough's Embroidered Racquets!



How fun is this fiber art?
Multi-talented Danielle Clough, of Cape Town, South Africa, 
had the imaginative idea of using the strings of 
vintage tennis and badminton racquets
as canvases for her embroidery.
  
She's given these old retirees another chance.
Score one for re-purposing in the name of art!




















Here's where you can see more:


photo by tyler b murphy

Images used with direct permission from Danielle Clough.

April 22, 2016

Easy Oatmeal Cake with Coconut-Walnut Topping



 Sharing a recipe that was given to me years ago by our cousin Ginny.
This exceptionally moist cake is crowned with a walnut-coconut topping 
that caramelizes a bit when you pop it under the broiler. Delectable!

Ingredients that are easy to have on-hand in your 
fridge and pantry make it a quick go-to dessert.




Easy Oatmeal Cake with Coconut-Walnut Topping


Pour 1 1/4 C boiling water over 1 C oatmeal and 1 stick butter.
Let set for 20 minutes.




Stir in the following:
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 t vanilla
1 1/3 C flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Pour into greased & floured 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Topping:
1 C coconut
1 C chopped walnuts
6 T softened butter
1/3 C sugar
1/4 C milk
1 t vanilla

Put under broiler on low for 1-2 minutes 
until lightly browned. Watch very closely.




Did I mention moist?






Thanks, Ginny!

April 20, 2016

An Earth Day Collection of Vintage Globes

Birdycoconut


In recognition of Earth Day,
I've gathered some vintage globes.
(Click the caption to go to its shop.)
I like their subdued colors and the variety of stands.

Appreciating our planet and its Creator~
"In His hand are the depths of the earth
and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
The sea is His, for He made it,
and His hands formed the dry land."
Psalm 95:4-5 


GodSaveStrawberryJam
ClevelandParkVintage




homeandhomme




Cartographics




April 18, 2016

Contemporary Bouquets Painted by Liz Innvar



Liz Innvar is a horticulturist and professional gardener whose 
inspiration and "mad laboratory" is her 10 acres of land in New York.
She's also an amazing artist, with an Etsy shop called Tardiflorus.
Using gouache, ink and watercolor, Liz creates these
modern bouquets that burst with color and interest.











Lovin' these artichokes!
Neutral shades. Off-center vase.









I really like the seed pods in this one.
It reminds me of the Arts & Crafts period.














Primroses are always a favorite.


Here's where you can see more:
Tardiflorus on Etsy
Facebook

Her "Beachrose & Sumac" print
is at Crate & Barrel!





Images used with direct permission from Liz Innvar.

April 11, 2016

The Textile Art Trees of Lorraine Roy



Lorraine Roy, of Ontario, Canada, is a master at "painting with fabric."
She has an education in horticulture- trees in particular-
and experience with plant sciences
so it's easy to recognize the source of her inspiration. 

Lorraine's special technique involves artistically combining 
great quantities of threads and fabric pieces beneath nylon tulle. 
She says, "Nothing brings me more joy than to 
coax order and beauty out o a messy jumble of materials."
 The results, as you can see, are spectacular!

Lorraine has created fabulous works of art that truly celebrate 
the beauty and majesty of trees in their natural surroundings.

































More of Lorraine's work:
Website
Facebook




Images used with direct permission from Lorraine Roy.