Gazebo Garden Stroll

As the end of August approaches I've been enjoying the late summer blooms.  The weather has been cooler and more pleasant.  I hope you will join me for a quiet summer stroll around the gazebo.

The soft colors of 'Endless Summer'.

 

They can't seem to decide what color they really want to be :-)

Japanese Anemones are stalwarts of the late season garden ...

 

They add a bit of romance, don't you think?

 

 I have been so pleased with my 'Blue Chip' butterfly bush this year.

 

 

David Austin roses are still my favorite.   'Mary' is as fragrant as they come.

 

 

A small patch of purple and pink phlox ...

 

 

Most of them were snacks for the bunnies.

 

Leucanthemum 'Becky' blooming profusely in beautiful white.

 

The clematis I purchased earlier in the summer is now blooming.  This variety is 'Diamantina' by Raymond Evison.

 

 

When the flowers open they create a three-tiered effect.  As the outer petals drop, the flower will change shape resembling a pom-pom.  It is hard to believe the above flower now looks like this.

 

 

Texensis 'Princess Diana' has miniature, tulip like flowers with a deep pink central bar.

 

Clematis 'Jackmanii' is a classic with its blue-violet blooms.

 

 

 Campanula is covered in beautiful bells ...

 

 

The dangling bells look so pretty in the sunlight and swaying in the breeze.

 

 

Two urn planters flank the gazebo door filled with annuals.

 

 

Nemesia 'Opal Innocence' was placed in the center ...

 

 

Surrounded by Superbena 'Lilac Blue' ...

 

 

and gorgeous variegated petunias.

 

 

Thank you for strolling the garden with me today.  Did you see a favorite flower?

 

This week I am joining ...

 

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos

NF Inspiring Photography @ NatureFootstep meme

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson

Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time

Flower Art Friday @ Photos by LeAnne

Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

Today's Flowers on Saturday @ Today's Flowers

 

Hero Arts Timely Bird

 

The robins are still out and about in the yard, which prompted me to use my Hero Arts Timely Bird stamp.  French Script was stamped in Chocolate Chip on a piece of Kraft a/k/a Crumb Cake paper.  Both Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla ovals were cut from Spellbinders Classic Ovals dies.  The Timely Bird image was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.  I stamped the image several times so I could cut out the individual components and pop them up.  All the pieces were colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol.  I sponged the edges of the Very Vanilla oval with Chocolate Chip.

A strip of So Saffron was cut for the bottom.  The greeting was stamped in Chocolate Chip and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  Lost and Found crocheted ribbon was added and a Kaiser pearl in copper.

 

I hope wherever you are the birds are singing!  I'll be joining Make It Monday, Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House and Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Hero Arts Timely Bird, SU French Script Background, Bird on A Branch
Paper:  Brown, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Ink:  StazOn Timber Brown, Prismacolor Pencils; Leaves - LimePeel & Olive Green; Branch - Dark Brown; Bird - Light Umber, Dark Umber & Light Cerulean Blue; Clocks & Tag - Light Umber, Dark Umber, Light Cerulean Blue; Blossom - Spanish Orange & Yellowed Orange; French Script - Chocolate Chip; Sentiment - Chocolate Chip with Clear EP; Sponging - Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Lost and Found Crocheted Ribbon, Kaiser Pearl in Copper, Gamsol
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Last of the Pansies

Most of my vases are vintage medicine bottles, pitchers or glass treasures which have followed me home from the antique store.

I've rescued the last of the pansies from the 'dog days' of summer ...

they look so pretty in these amethyst bottles ...

and will be delightful on the windowsill with the sun shining through them.

"Nobody can keep on being angry if she looks into the heart of a pansy for a little while." ~ L.M. Montgomery

At the moment, I will enjoy these heirlooms or should I say 'tufted pansies' as they were known back in the 1800's.  Wishing you an amazing, awesome August day!

Today I am joining ...

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
French Inspiration Thursday @ The French Cupboard
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Friendship Friday @ Create with Joy

Fleur de Lys

The Roses of Sharon are bursting in shades of pink.

I picked some blossoms to fill a pressed glass basket.

It adds some sparkle to the table ...

Tea today is served in a Fleur de Lys teacup.  In French, the symbol means 'Flower of the Lily'.  I adore the ruffled edges of the saucer. 

This stoneware is so classy and elegant ...

So simple yet beautiful!

I'm enjoying a cup of rose petal tea.  It is one of my favorites :-)

I hope your weekend was filled with sweetness.

Today I am joining ...

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm

Magical Garden ...

I have some good news to share with you.  Recently, I was contacted by Tia from Old Fashioned Living asking if I would be interested in writing some articles for their magazine.  After accepting her generous offer I thought to myself what could I write my first article about.  Finally, after pondering for a day or two not only did the idea come to me, but it had been staring me in the face all along.  I'll write about how to create a magical miniature garden.  I had recently created one and had to much fun doing it why not share the idea.

Here are a few photos of my miniature indoor garden.

If you would like to read my article with suggestions on how to create your own here is the link.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me - my mailbox is always open  :-)

A big thank you to Tia and Old Fashioned Living for reaching out to me.  I look forward to working with them in the future.

Today I am joining ...

Sunday Blog Love @ Cherished Treasures
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
CraftOManiac Monday @ CraftOManiac
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy

Green Jewel

As I was strolling along the garden I noticed the green coneflowers are now in full bloom.  These fragrant 4" blooms are really a 'jewel' in the summer garden with their unique shade of green petals and deep green cones.

I picked a few to sprinkle throughout the house ...

I didn't realize they would photograph so well.  In late summer be sure to let the flowers go to seed and the goldfinches will love you.

These photos were edited with the Florabella Collection using the Seaside Texture.  No re-touching was done to the flower - this gem really is this gorgeous!

Today I'm joining ...

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
NF Inspiring Photography @ NatureFootstep meme
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Flower Art Friday @ Photos by LeAnne
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

Refreshing Sweet Tea

Today I am joining Tea Time with some delicious 'sweet tea' as the Southerners would call it.  Who doesn't love it on a hot, sultry summer day?  It seems to quench your thirst like no other drink.  Please pull up a chair and grab a glass.

This graceful iced tea pitcher is perfect for the two of us.

The addition of fresh lemon with sprigs of mint from the garden make it even more refreshing ...

Ahh, sweet tea poured over ice ...

Now, please don't be confused as I am not from the south, but those Southerners sure know how to sweeten things up!

I always keep a pitcher in my refrigerator.  It never goes out of season at my house.  How about you?

The little wooden beverage tag from The Southern Living Collection makes a great hostess gift.  They come in a set of six finished with jute twine.  So cute!

Isn't this great for your summer table?  If you have any special iced tea recipes, please feel free to share them with me.  This week I am joining the following blog parties:

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson