Using up the peonies---

I can hardly believe that I have finally made something new.

My old peony wreath was getting very faded and tired so I decided to make a 

new brighter one for the wall.

The peonies are actually left over from last year and have been in the loft of 

the studio for over a year now.

 The peonies didn't dry well this year because of a rain storm that got them 

before I did, so I am glad I had these left over.

I picked the Annabelle hydrangeas in their green stage for this wreath and I 

like how bright and fresh it looks. 

 

The reflection was a happy surprise.

A couple of leftovers for the coffee table.

Since I have become such a lazy blogger 

I have missed sharing some of the photos I've 

been taking of the roses and other blooms in the garden.

So if you will indulge me,

I have a few to share

~~~~~~~~~~

more like a whole bunch!

The Fall roses are always brighter and richer in color

than those that bloom in the heat of Summer.

Maybe it's just the slant of the light we have this time of year that makes it so,

but I love it!

-I couldn't help taking photo after photo of them-

The Morden Blush are blooming again.

Their soft pink is perfect with the turquoise bench.

They are pretty special on the bush too.

More roses along the driveway.

The hydrangeas are blooming finally.

I know my year is later than many of your's,

but better late than never I guess   : -)

Casa Blanca lilies in the living room

and in the garden

I also wanted to post some of the photos I have taken in the garden 

the past two weeks. 

hydrangeas, roses and garden phlox

  My little tool bucket hanging on the tree.

Below are some wide shots of the rest of our place

(that I wish Dale would let me make into garden : )

Most of the garden beds are on the other side of this hedge.

After all the work that I have done this Summer in the garden though,
I think he just might be right!

I really have a hard time sitting down at the computer even to check my 

e-mails these days because it has been such a beautiful Summer.

Soon the weather will turn cold and you won't be able to whip me hard enough to go outside,

and my computer will once again become my best friend.

So hopefully it will be 

bye-bye lazy blogger!

Roses, cherries and presents from Austria!

So-
the other day I realized I hadn't even sat in the gazebo this entire Summer.
So-
I decided to remedy that.
So-
I thought I would set up a little tablescape
and maybe even sit in it awhile.

A very little while-

but at least I can now say I have sat in it!

I wish I were different,
 but when I sit very long I think of all the things I should be doing,
 so then I'm up and doing again.
(unless I'm sitting at the computer ;-)

I do admit that this felt good.

Just sitting in the breeze

eating cherries

and enjoying the garden views.

Here are a few I would like to share
with all of you.

Now for the giveaway win.
Coming to me across the Atlantic from Austria. 

 I have been visiting Traude's blog, Rostrose (translated Rose Rust)

for as long as I have had a blog myself.
I so enjoy reading about her life in her beautiful country.

 Traude and I have become good friends and I 

love reading her blog.

She travels to some amazing places. 

Places I would never see if it weren't for her photos.

One thing I love about her is that she has the best sense of humor and 

after reading her posts, I always leave with a smile.

(the little angel on the card she made is her own grandfather as a baby)

I had to unwrap several layers to get to the gift but it was so worth it.

Isn't this fabric pretty?

I think this will end up in one of my quilts and then whenever I see it I will 

think of my sweet friend Traude!

I am really going to enjoy using my coasters with the lovely designs of

William Morris on them.

Thanks Traude, for your lovely letter and many gifts.

I'm sure glad that I was the lucky girl to win them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rose love

I've been wrapped up in blog hopping lately, trying to visit all of the beautiful creative spaces

of women all over the world who joined Karen Valentine's party.

I love the Where Blogger's Create event and look forward to seeing

where so many of you make your beautiful art.

I was going to link my garden blog to the party too, but it was all I could do to get the 

studio in shape for photos. 

It's always such a wreck in there.

But to me that's the fun of having a separate place to create...leaving the mess.

Before I had the studio space I would have to create in different areas of the house.

(mostly the kitchen table or kitchen island)

I would have to gather all my 'stuff' up at the end of the day 

or at meal time and that was such a bother.

(that is---when I used to cook) : )

In my garden is where I really love to create though.

Where I love growing things like these roses in my photos.

I found this old blue kettle at a yard sale one sunny afternoon a few years ago.

We stopped at the home of an old gentleman who's mother had passed away,

and she had many treasures like this kettle. 

When I went up to pay him for my things, he asked me what I was going to do

with the junk.

'Treasures' I said...'they are treasures'.

  Now for some of the roses blooming right now in my garden.
Where I really love to create!

rose---

Morden Blush

and 

Annabelle hydrangea 

rose---

Guy de Maupassant

rose---

Lambert Closse 

I really like the form of the Lambert Closse blossoms.

such a hardy and vigorous rose in my garden

 not to mention---the perfect pink! 

rose---

Aunt Honey

with clematis

rose---

Adelaide Hoodless

a pretty cherry red and so far it's surviving in the shade.
It's getting scraggly though so

eventually I will have to move it, but that will have to be next year.

my new little Mary Rose

It's one of the many David Austin roses I bought this Spring.

I hope it makes it through our cold, cold Winters.

I love it and all the others I bought and planted this Spring.

For more of the things I love to grow in my 'creative space' you can visit
my garden blog Grace Gardens.