My Russian Sage and The Scent of Summer

The Bluebells are gone and my Irises are already starting to fade, but while I'm waiting for my Purple Coneflowers to explode into bloom in July, I have purple, wavy and deliciously-scented Russian Sage.

'Sooner Or Later We All Quote Our Mothers' art print

I had a very relaxing, stay-at-home-and-do-nothing kind of Mothers Day yesterday and didn't even get online (except to check the weather, since it was so stormy) with my 2 favorite people. Those are the best kinds of days. Proud to be a mom and even to have my husband (occasionally) compare me to my own mother...the older I get the less I mind, lol. 

(btw, I saw this photo on Facebook and loved it, but am having trouble finding the original website to give credit...if anyone knows who this gorgeous artwork belongs to, please let me know!)

Bluebells in the Morning

This is the first thing I see when I open my curtains each morning. These gorgeous bluebells come up every year on their own and are the first flowers to bloom each spring - a very welcome sight after a long winter. I love to sit in my kitchen and just admire them while I sip my tea or coffee. It puts me in a great mood for the rest of the day!

Bloom Where You're Planted...Finished the Sketch Today

So this is what I've accomplished in the past 2 weeks since I posted the photo of my partial sketch. I have to say, I was definitely motivated by all your encouragement to continue working on it in whatever pockets of time I could find (15 minutes here...30 minutes there...). So thanks again! The next steps to finishing the art piece, now that it's been scanned, are for me to move and re-size portions of the drawing digitally until I have the layout exactly where I want it (this is where it helps to be a graphic designer). Then I will print it out, VERY carefully trace over it with a fine art ink pen, then re-scan it again and digitally color it so I can offer it in different color combinations. After all that, Voilà! It will be done...hopefully before the end of the summer. :)

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort...with a new mug!

After a sun-filled weekend, we're back indoors on this blustery, last day of March. But I just got a new gardening catalog in the mail today and I picked of this gorgeous green ceramic glazed mug for just $4 yesterday at Walmart (I know!). If I must be inside, I can't think of a better way to spend my last day off this week than with a hot cup of chai as I dream up ideas for this year's outdoor palette. After all, sometimes 'there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort'. (Jane Austen)

Rings for Spring!! Fun and Whimsical Vintage Button and Bead Jewelry

For the past 2 weeks, I've been focusing my creativity on making fun & whimsical rings from vintage buttons I've collected and from my ever-growing collection of beads. Of course, I couldn't help, but set aside of few of my favorites to keep for myself, but I finally got the rest of them photographed, edited, and listed in my Etsy shop. Please take a look and let me know what you think!

Casual Country Flower Arrangement Using Grouped Glass Bottles Tied with Twine

I wish I would have seen this idea before I set out garage sale-ing this past weekend (as these etched-glass bottles are so pretty and something you don't see every day), but what a lovely, effortless flower arrangement! Just tie several glass bottles together with some twine. I can't wait to try it out the next time I have company.

Fave Finds of the Week - Hand-Painted Floral Mugs (i.e. Kitchen Art!)

Check out these gorgeous, handmade mugs from 3 different Etsy sellers. With warmer weather on it's way, I'm thinking it may be time to add to my collection of 'kitchen art'.

Wild Flowers Thrown Stoneware Mug by JustMare

Herb Flowers Hand-Illustrated Mug (in 3 colors) by legrislapin

Wildflower Porcelain Handpainted Mug by LuckySkyeDesigns

Easy DIY Fabric Flowers Tutorial

It's that time of year again, when, impatient for Spring to arrive, I just can't wait any longer to have flowers in my house. So the only thing to do is to make some myself! Here's a quick & easy tutorial that will allow you to make masses of flowers that will last forever. All you need is fabric, scissors, needle & thread. Cost is $0 to just a few bucks for basic supplies, depending on what you already have in your house. Have fun and have faith that Spring is right around the corner!!!

Fabric Flowers by Shalom Schultz Designs

I used t-shirt material for the larger, floppy flowers and a printed cotton fabric for the smaller, stiffer flowers. Then I added a variety of buttons to the center for the finishing touch.

Once all the flowers were done, I hot glued them to a wreath form I had previously wrapped in burlap ribbon (also secured with hot glue).

Fabric Flowers Tutorial by Shalom Schultz Designs
Feel free to re-post with proper credit!