Kaseys Korner

Statuesque 'Elodie' lilies

on a soft summer night.

“In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.”

-  Aldo Leopold 

Strolling thru the garden this last eve of June, it's easy to see what spurred Leopold to write those words.

Buds and new blooms abound.

Each one looking particularly fresh in the soft light of evening.

and even more so after a quenching rain shower.

Aaaah, pure refreshment!

This time of day, along with dawn, are my favorite to walk, view & photograph the garden.

Even tho there are new blooms throughout the gardening season, June always seems the most luxuriant month.

Above & below:  Bullock's Orioles inspecting the lilies for insects.

Always a delightful combination.

(forgive the quality of the Oriole photos, I took them thru my bedroom window ~ blinds & all!)

When we flip the calendar to July in the morning, 

the real heart of summer begins.

The pace will slow.  No more "mad" leaps of growth.  

A chance for both plants & gardeners to breathe and savor the luscious time of year. 

But first a celebration.

Enjoy, as I know you will.  As Leopold said, it's impossible to ignore.

 

 

 

Antique 'Horse Ear' Urn

A new antique urn is gracing the garden.

I was "watching" it earlier this Spring on Ebay then forgot about it after losing my brother.

Last week, I finally went back to my "watch list" & couldn't believe it was still there.

I think because of the price?  I thought it was too expensive at first too but then, after what happened, I decided who cares??  

Life is short ~ if it makes you happy, do it.  I thought I might have "buyer's remorse"  after I purchased it but I didn't/don't.  It's just WAY too spectacular for regrets.

I know nothing of it's history other than it's numbered, very heavy (Iron???) and exquisitely detailed.  I think the "ears" are horses (or possibly dogs???)  

I did some quick research and found two companies (Mott & Fiske) that manufactured cast iron items around the turn of the century.  I will have to examine it closely when I remove the plantings this fall to see if I can find any other marks (besides the number.)  I didn't see anything when it arrived but I was so excited to plant it, I didn't take time to examine it thoroughly.

I hope you won't get tired of seeing it, because just as with my other antique urn, I'm thinking this one will be featured often!!  

I planted it with Begonia 'Cherry Bon Bon' and a Yellow fan-tailed Scaevola.

Once it fills in a bit, I will share a new photo of the whole container.

Meanwhile my house is filled with peonies because it's raining so much they are doing nothing but flopping over.  I had just cut some more & set them on the Trader Joe's Nectarine crate when I realized what a pretty combo that made.

Roses are starting to come on now too.  A little later than usual.  The pink (unknown name ~ already here when I moved in) are blooming.

Above:  Framing the zinc thermometer.

Over the years, many people have asked me the name, I wish I knew so I could share it.  

Whatever variety they are, they're dependably hardy even in our volatile climate which makes them a valuable anchor plant in the garden. 

The rain I mentioned earlier has forced me indoors much more than usual for June.  Today we received 1.8" in 55 minutes!!!!  A lot for us!  

As a way for me to be "in the garden" when I actually can't, I put together this quick card with one of my old rose photos.  

So simple, just a beautiful patterned paper, leaf ribbon (Martha Stewart) and bow.  

Hope you and your gardens are doing well.  I want to get back on a more regular posting schedule.  Earlier this year I was publishing a new post every Sunday.  I don't know if I'll try to get back to that day or not but once I figure out what works for the summer, I will let you know so I don't leave you hanging.  As always, thanks for all your support.

 

Valentine butterfly card

There has been some "craftiness" going on around here.  

Starting with handmade Valentine's.  

I didn't intend to make any this year.  

I purchased a few store bought cards, addressed them, sent them out & thought I was DONE.

THEN something came over me ~ not sure what?? ~ and out came the crafting supplies & a few handmade ones were "born."

These were all created using old, old, old supplies so I hope no one wants to re-create them!

It would probably be impossible, at the very least, frustrating to find the supplies.

I live in a town that hand stamps Valentine's with a special message each year which is why I always try to mail a few out.

I've even thought of sending Valentine's instead of Christmas cards (because of the special stamping) but so far, I haven't carried out that thought....

Creating the Valentine's ignited some spark in me because the next thing I knew, a banner was being crafted.

Not the best, most professionally made banner, but nonetheless, a banner!!

I thought it would dress up the mirror which was looking a little bare after removing the Christmas decorations.

Finally, after hanging the banner, the idea popped in my head to thread some alphabet beads on wire & stick them to the pot at the bottom right of above photo.

Where did that come from?

Voila!  Now I'm truly done.

That's more decorating for this holiday then I usually do!

 

I wish I would have gotten in gear sooner.  There's only one week to go then I guess even this little bit will all have to come down too.  :(  

Anyone else made anything for Valentine's?  Sent any cards??  or is this an activity now mostly for school-age kids???


 

Susan Schmitt Cards

I *have* to share my latest find ~ a hilarious card line by Colorado artist Susan Schmitt ~ have you seen them???

If not, here's a sample (i.e. one that came home with me!)

Ready for the punch line????  

It's awesome (& I could say it to SO many of you!!!!)

Love, love, love....

Want to buy some??  Here's the link. 

There are SO MANY awesome choices ~ prepare to spend some time perusing!

 You can make someone's day & help the U.S. Postal Service all at once!!  ;)

 

Flower Pot Garden Party Invites

or placecards ~ from your prodigal blogger. 

My apologies for the long unexplained absence.  My niece arrived on the 18th & left last night (28th) ~ it's been a whirlwind!  I should have given you some advanced warning but I got caught up in party planning beforehand and ran out of time. 

For so many years I've had the dream of hosting a garden party.  Partly a romantic notion but mostly because why do all this work & keep it to yourself???  Might as well share the labor of love with friends & neighbors, right??  A month ago, I decided THIS was the year (can you believe it??  Our hottest, driest year & August to boot!)  Call me crazy but host one is exactly what I've been up to!

It started a couple weeks ago with the invitations ~ flower pot assemblages created to hand out with the details:

Not too many supplies required to pull this look off. 

Here's a detailed supply list:

1 1/2" Clay Flower Pots (pkgs of six @ Hobby Lobby), Small styrofoam balls to fit inside pots, 'Chartreuse' Spanish Moss, Pkg of Memo Pins (by Tim Holtz also found at Hobby Lobby), Paper Flowers (these were by Akasha, purchased at JoAnn's), 'You're invited' Stamp (Martha Stewart), Black Inkpad, Cream cardstock, Styrofoam Glue (by Beacon)

Begin by gluing the Styrofoam balls into the flower pots:

Next, glue the spanish moss to the tops of the balls.  (I let the moss dry overnight before continuing to the next step.)

Poke a memo pin thru a paper flower then insert pin into top of moss-covered ball:

Ink the 'You're invited' Stamp using the Black Inkpad & stamp images onto cream cardstock.

I used a scalloped edge square punch around each image for a fancier look but you could also just cut the stamped images out. 

Insert stamped squares into tops of memo pins!! 

So simple I made 42!!!!

and approx 40 guests showed up!!  That was a BIG turnout for my little garden but it sure was FUN.

Party lights were strung from a gutter to the birdhouse tuteur & back to the arbor:

"Aerial" view above.   (Discovered this view totally by accident when up on the ladder clipping the lights to the gutter.)

Here's a look down the main pathway with the lights draped above the yews:

The lights were the perfect festive touch for evening (party was from 6 to 9 PM.)  People wandered about between the front & back gardens.  We served Peach Bellini's (fresh peaches pureed with Italian sparkling wine) & small finger foods. 

I have to say it was a wonderful time & I encourage any of you (who've thought of doing the same) to just do it!  You already have the beautiful gardens.  You won't regret it & I know you'll inspire your guests as well.  I'm hoping I've turned some of mine into new/more serious gardeners!! 

 

5 reasons to like snow

No, I haven't done an "about face," I'm still not a fan. BUT, in light of the fact we're finishing up the snowiest February since record keeping began, and more snow is forecasted this week (not to mention March is typically our snowiest month) I thought some slippery mind tricks were in order to get thru the remaining days of winter!

Here we go ~ let the trickery begin... (whatever works, right?)

1.  Snow is good insulation.  Okay, I can get on board with that.  I have a few borderline hardy plants that will most likely survive the winter because of almost constant snow cover. 

2.  Snow is good moisture.  Well, got me there too.  But I've always been in the camp of rain is better and less destructive.  Plus it doesn't turn dirty and icky looking afterwards.  Having said that, the worries of having to hand water all the evergreens planted last summer hasn't been an issue with regular snowfalls. Props for that!

3.  Inclement outdoor weather, forces the creative mind to turn to other pursuits.  Like crafting:

Always more fun in winter (to me) than summer.  Okay, this isn't so hard (or bad) right?

4.    Snow and cold kill unwanted pests (or at least knock them back) in the garden.  That's a very good point ~ I can't find an argument with something that beneficial.

5.  The snowy months of winter make spring all the more appreciated.  AMEN sistah.

No mind tricks required ~ I'm SO on board.  So are the Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconites) who decided enough is enough and broke into bud anyway.  *pretend you hear a 'hallelujah' chorus here*

Well now ~ there's five reasons and they were easier to come up with than I thought they would be.  hmmmm.   I think I'll let that "settle" for a spell and see if a reversal of thinking is in order.  Could this bonafide summer girl actually have a change of heart about winter??  That's probably pushing it.  But positive reinforcers don't ever hurt...

gardening on paper

Another way to get your hands dirty!! 

Although I can't even remember the last time I posted a paper project on my blog??  I'm not sure how those fell by the wayside or even when or why it happened?  I still (most definitely) enjoy time spent "playing with paper" especially when it comes to something garden related.  Today was one of those days when I had the opportunity to pull out some old (but well loved) products and just have a little fun. 

The watering can stamp (Wordsworth) hadn't seen daylight in a very long time.  I blew off the dust and used it on top of a stamped french script to create these simple garden tags:

You never know when a tag will come in handy so it's good to have a stack prepared!

That's my motto anyway and I'm sticking to it!  ;-)

Same applies to cards ~ it's never good to be caught off guard.

On the two below, I used an identical strip of a favorite craft product ~ Domestic Bliss Decor Trim ~ this one is called "Mariposa Butterfly."  It's self adhesive, removable and totally gorgeous!

As you can see, I also used the same French script background stamp plus a gold foil butterfly sticker & brown velvet ribbon. 

Below, the same trim but a completely different look:

Isn't it great how versatile craft products are?  Not to mention "FUN!" 

Must.make.more.time.for.fun!

Which means I'll have to pry myself away from Pinterest ~ I'm still completely and utterly addicted.  One of these days I'm going to force myself to go "cold turkey" then I'll free up time to get back to blogland!  Hope you can hang in there with me until that happens!

 

 

 

garden party

that never was....

Invitations were carefully handcrafted:

Drinks were lovingly adorned in paper wrappings:

Place cards were creatively constructed:

and yummy garden-themed treats were cut, frosted and individually wrapped:

but the time was never right, the garden wasn't ready, the invitees were away, etc., etc. 

Another year has come and gone and with it another missed opportunity.  Intentions were good.  Maybe next year there will be follow thru????

"sunny day dreams" card

Three days of clouds and now (today) snow has me dreaming of sunshine.  I don't think I could make it in the PNW despite the great gardening climate.  There's just something so magically uplifting about sunshine and here in Colorado, we are usually spoiled with an abundance of it.

That makes it even more noticeable when it's absent.   Unfortunately for us, the sun is not forecasted to reappear until Wednesday....

Until then I'll have to busy myself indoors, like in my office, where I desperately need to be anyway

or doing some blog maintenance, which has been sorely neglected due to my hectic personal life (of late). 

btw, the photo in the card above features the dragonfly sundial I won two years ago from Anna's blog (flowergardengirl).  It's been such a beautiful addition to my garden and I think of (and thank) Anna every time I see it.  :-)

Hoping your Monday is starting off warmer than mine ~ and that you don't just have to dream of a sunny day...

P.S.  I'm so ready for spring I'm switching my blog header early.  Over & out winter!

gardeners gift envelope

I keep forgetting to share this idea with you ~ finally this morning my brain engaged.  It's a gift envelope I embellished to give my Mom for Christmas.   A little patterned paper to cover the envelope flap, some stickers, rub on's, sticker letters and you're done.  The hardest thing about it could be finding the cash to put inside!  :-)

It could just as easily be a birthday present, Mother's Day gift or thank you.  Very appropriate for spring too ~ "seed money" for seeds or plants.  :-)  Who wouldn't love that??

Of course you could also put a giftcard inside or a gift certificate to the recipients favorite greenhouse or nursery (or any other store ~ those are the ones that appeal to me!)

The best thing about this envelope ~ it can be recycled ~ maybe back to me?!!!!  ;-)