Change of season

As some of you know, I spend a great deal of time in the garden during the summer months. Aside from photographs and fond memories of sharing the rewards of my labor with neighbors and friends, I am always looking for new ways to hold on to a bit of summer. Especially when the cold of winter has me longing for a colorful bloom. Well this year things will be different thanks to my talented Friend Ponsawan who made me some sketches from photographs I sent her. As the season changes and the effects of winter take a toll on the landscape, I need look no further than my wall to catch a glimpse of the garden. The gift of art that flows from her talented fingers is something to behold. You can see for yourself in these photographs just what I mean. Thank you Pons, You are amazing!
This last picture puts me back on the subject of Polymer clay. Some pendants and buttons I made using what else but Dried flower (Dahlia) petals from my garden as inclusions. Sanded and buffed to a high gloss shine, I am pleased with how they turned out. If you haven't tried adding inclusions, I recommend giving it a shot. Maybe some sand from your beach vacation or rose petals from a wedding, who knows what you will come up with but a simple project that can be quite rewarding and a great way to preserve a memory or a moment from a special event.

2007 Midwest Dahlia Conference

This weekend I attended the American Dahlia Society conference in St. Charles, Illinois. After months of hard work and preparation, the weekend began friday at sunrise. I spent two hours in the garden cutting blooms that I hoped would be best for judging. Carefully, I loaded them into the car and made my way to Pheasant Run Resort and Spa to set up for the following days competition.
It was 11:30 pm when I finally finished set-up and placed the last flower on the table and made my way back to the room to order some much needed dinner (I had pheasant of course).
Aside from being wound up after a long day and the anticipation of the next day's events, I had the added stress of my nephew's wedding that was also the following afternoon. Needless to say, I tossed and turned until about 8 am and stumbled into the shower.
After a quick breakfast, a few friends and I headed to the show hall to view the Dahlia's. A truly amazing sight to behold, a ballroom filled from wall to wall with blooms of every size, shape and color. The largest bloom in the show would dwarf a baskeball and the smallest about 1" or so just to give you an idea. By noon I had exchanged ideas and absorbed as much information and growing tips as possible from some of the other growers who have many years of experience and knowledge. Next thing I know, the judges place a blue ribbon on one of my blooms, then another for "Best Bloom" in that section. Once the judges had completed the section, they returned to judge all the flowers that had received a blue ribbon and would you believe I won that too for "Best Bloom" in the class. I had made it to the honors table and what an honor it was!
This was a perfect ending to the season for me, although weather permitting, I will have another month or so of Dahlia's to share and enjoy. On sunday when the show closed to the public at 4:00 pm, it was time for them to tear down the tables and clean up the hall. As a member of the society, they allowed us to take any of the blooms home that we wanted. All others would be disgarded... what a waste! I loaded as many as I could into my cooler and made my way back home smiling from ear to ear.
Hope you enjoy the pictures!