my June WIPocalypse Update

Multi-Coloured Alphabet by Gail Lawther

It's WIPocalypse time again!  I have only completed a tiny bit of stitching on my WIPocalypse projects.  

I stitched a bit on my "Multi-Coloured Alphabet" (shown above), and a bit on "Afternoon Nap" (shown below). 

Since I'm a bit short on the stitching, I have a couple more photos to share from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  The first is "Earth Goddess", one of the wonderful "mosaicultures" that is featured as part of the "Imaginary Worlds" exhibit.  "Mosaicultures" are 3 dimensional sculptures made up of living plants.  

The "Earth Goddess" is part of the Cascades Garden fountain, in which water spills from her hand into the reflective pool.

And the next is a photo of the pool on the side of the "Fuqua Conservatory", which was looking lovely that day.

Gosh, I'm bound to have more stitching completed next time ... right?
Have a safe & happy Summer!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for June

Mini Banner Fall

It's time for another "Gifted Gorgeousness" update.  This stitch-a-long is being hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Gifted Gorgeousness projects are projects that were made to be given as a gift, or in some way or part received as a gift.

I did not accomplish much stitching this month ... but I did stitch a bit on "Mini Banner Fall" (shown above), which was a kit that I purchased with a gift card.

I also stitched on "To Everything There Is a Season" by Sandy Orton.  This chart is in a pattern book which was gifted to me.

Here is what the finished project looks like:

I also put in a wee bit of stitching on "Candy Nutcracker" stocking ... I may be inspired to work on this more after Summer.   This chart is also in a pattern book that was gifted to me.

On another topic, I have been spending time at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, where they are featuring several wonderful "mosaicultures" as part of the "Imaginary Worlds" exhibit.  "Mosaicultures" are 3 dimensional sculptures made up of living plants. 

That's all for this update.  I hope to work in more time for stitching this month.
Happy Summer!

Halloween Fun!

I've made several visits to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this month, as the weather has been so wonderful here.  There have been lots of Halloween festivities going on!

The multitude of scarecrows is in place along the walks ... so much fun to see them all.

This "button skeleton" scarecrow is one of my favorites this year.  It is life sized & wonderful!  I especially love that every here & there appears a colored button ... hmmm.

This year I was able to attend the "Fest of Ale" and see the pumpkin carving contest (between Atlanta area chefs).  It was very crowded that evening and hard to get a good look while the actual carving was going on, but I was able to view the pumpkins up close after the event.

The winning pumpkin is pretty cute ... but I can't help but wonder how amazing the pumpkins would've been if the general public was allowed to enter the contest.

Summer's End

I found this Monarch having a lazy summer Sunday, sipping nectar in Piedmont Park last week.

My end of summer has been anything but lazy.

There has been a lot of rushing around to get things done, and my busy season seems to have started a few weeks early!

Sundews!

I have been a bit obsessed with sundews for the last 6 months or so ... I had never even heard of them before last winter.   Sundews are carnivorous plants (they eat bugs), of which there are nearly 200 known species. Sundews secrete a sweet nectar-like substance on their tentacles, which glistens in the sun and attracts insects.

Below are photos of my new sundews.  They traveled through the postal system in near 100 degree heat from Wellspring Gardens
 in Lakeland, Florida (which caused them to lose their dew).  However, they all look like strong little plants and I expect them to rebound and put on some healthy new dewy growth in the coming weeks.

Drosera adelae: leaves are about 1-1/2" long,
plus baby plant alongside

Drosera spatulata: just over 1-1/4" diameter,
plus baby plant alongside

Drosera spatulata Fraser Island: 2-1/4" x 1-1/2"
colony of 6 or 7 plants

Sundew Grow Guides: http://www.growsundews.com/
Everything you need to know to grow healthy sundews.  Great photos!

Hello Sunshine!

Sunny and in the upper 70's, it was a wonderful day for a long walk in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
 
This month is all about the tulips.  Tulips of all colors and sizes are filling the gardens right now.  The gardens are looking quite beautiful.