Hellebores: not a disease

Hellebores Closeup, originally uploaded by Sweet Moss.

Today I had an interview with a local flower shop to help them get through the Mother's Day madness. I am loving these hellebores that everyone has in their gardens. They are so primitive and handsome. I am also love the luecodendron (the fuchsia "pine cones"), they remind me of the protea garden in Hobart, Tasmania.

I've also been hard at work on some digital collage sheets for Sweet Moss. I have two up for sale and another currently in the works. They are such a fun idea. I can't wait to get my hands on some iron-on transfers to use them myself. Maybe on a pillowcase? I've been using Inkscape to make them, which I am getting the hang of and highly recommend for those  without the funds for Illustrator.

This Week on Paper

April 19-25, originally uploaded by Sweet Moss.

It's fun to revisit these pages and kind of doodle in the gaps as I go.

The little green kitties are for days we were house sitting. The Blue shading is for days my sweetie is out of town (looking at a grad school). The big empty spaces are for me to figure out!

Today, however, I am over-booked so I'd better get going!

Oh yes, Happy Earth Day!

The Advantages of House Sitting

Opening Night, originally uploaded by Sweet Moss.

Since moving to Portland my boyfriend and I have become expert house sitters. I would say we've spent more than 4 months of the last year in other peoples' homes. Yes, it does get old, and we miss our apartment, but then there are the advantages.

When the little theater I work for got wind that I just took a bunch of floral design classes, they asked me to do the flowers for opening night. They're a small operation with a tiny budget, but I told them I could do a lot with a little bit of cash. Spring is in full bloom here, and both of the yards I'm sitting right now are overflowing with flowers.

Everything pink in this arrangement (and its companion piece you can see on Flickr) came out of the yard. The dogwood is so beautiful I couldn't resist using it. I love the way the bright green foliage makes the dogwood centers pop. By using what I had on hand I was able to transform a $20 budget into two arrangements that could easily have cost $90 from the florist. It's good to be thrifty.

Sunday Special

This morning I made a super cute etsy treasury of unicorns for my crazed little sister. You should check it out asap because it will expire Tuesday morning.

A new release

Today I turned over a new leaf for Sweet Moss, pattern selling! I have made many many of these weird little wormies, and now it is time to share the joy. If you have basic crochet skills and want to work on one check out the pattern in my etsy shop.

Flowers for Friends

Fabric Poppies, originally uploaded by Sweet Moss.

Living on the cheap means being extra resourceful. I have been admiring the neighbor's poppies for the last two weeks, and decided to try to recreate them in fabric as a small gift for two good friends.

They were so quick and easy I think I will have to put together a tutorial on how to make them. It's time to do a supply round up!

The Journaling Project

March- April 2010 pages, originally uploaded by Sweet Moss.

This is my journal/weekly planner. It was inspired by Geninne. I love love love her style. Something about her reminds me of my Aunt Jeanne. Her journal pages are beautiful.

This two week spread is pretty rough looking, and the imagery changes from week to week. I played with a new poppy and ranunculus stamps (can you tell I'm OBSESSED with these flowers?), and some Japanese masking tape which is a brand new obsession. I totally forgot to add Easter to this coming Sunday (shows how long I've lived away from home) so I had to that in with Picnik. Note to self: watercolor does not work on non-porous surfaces.