Clematis and Hydrangea

 There are so many colors in the world and yet sometimes deciding which ones to use can seem like an impossible decision. This is when I like to go outside and really pay attention to what nature has to say about color relationships. This particular hydrangea has is valued for its showy chartreuse leaves, I am never thrilled by the soon-to-open pink blooms. Too wimpy to hold their own against those bright leaves. But the magenta streaks of the neighboring clematis are bolder. Together, they hint at a zingy combination that has me searching through my fabrics, planning a design.

Weller Pottery

 Ohio has been known for it’s ceramics since the 1800s. Potteries sprang up from Cincinnati to Zanesville. The ceramic wares known as  "Art Pottery" range from rare museum-worthy Rookwood vases to mundane molded pieces that turn up at yard sales. I was taken by this collection of Weller bowls and vases from the 1930s. Most are a pattern called Cornish. The elegant shapes, leafy designs and cheerful colors are so appealing. Pick one up (carefully!) and run your fingers along the surface to experience the soft vellum finish, a hallmark of art pottery from its heyday.

Blue House, Blue Garden

 This is my dream house, at least for the moment. Built a century ago, it still shows its Arts & Crafts architectural roots. As a child growing up in apartments, an architectural feature like an arbor (or even a garden) seemed like something found only in storybooks. Right now, at the height of spring, the irises and wisteria harmonize, all singing notes in shades of blue. Later this summer, other colors will join the chorus. 

Ragwort Path

 A plant with a sunny countenance and some unattractive nicknames is blooming along a path that runs through some townhouses. It adds cheer to an area above a small creek. In rural areas, ragwort is not welcome. It can sicken cattle and horses. In the UK it is considered a somewhat noxious weed. But ragwort is also a welcome food source for many pollinator insects. It is the primary food source for some rare and endangered moths. So don’t feed Stinking Willie or Staggerwort to your pet cow but do appreciate its beauty and its place in our ecosystem.