Taking Summer with me...to Christmas.

Every year at Christmas time

I participate in a craft sale in town.

(Yes, Christmas on the brain already.
But, it's a lovely thought!)

The craft sales at Christmas
motivate me to make a little extra Christmas money 

for presents for friends and family;
it's a great way to have some things made for gifts as well.

These were especially good sellers last year:

I bought frames at second hand stores and yard sales

and then did some calligraphy work 

surrounded by dried, pressed leaves and flowers.

Anybody can write neatly,

if guided by lines to keep them straight.

A bit of practice and time can do wonders
(Okay, if you're a doctor or a college professor,
I've met some exceptions,
but there may be hope for you yet).

Even some old painted cabinet doors...

can be transformed into pretty wall art.

But of course, what really makes these pictures beautiful

is the dried leaves and flowers.

Last year, I ran out of them,

so this year,

I tried a few more selections,

adding a variety of flowers.

Queen Anne's Lace should be a beauty when dried.

I used some books to press them

that I knew I wouldn't be using for a while

and that were heavy and large

to hold the flowers better.

I'm hoping these thin roses will dry okay;

they aren't as thick as hybrid roses.

This pink yarrow was just too pretty to pass by.

I'm not sure how it will dry,

but I thought it worth a try.

And these airy purple veronica have such a long bloom season;

I hope they keep some of their color the way violets do

since I forgot to do some violets when they were dancing in the springtime grass.

These garden phlox seemed a bit wet and fragile...

but if they end up gluing themselves to the pages,

they won't be hated for it.

The thing I told myself the most last year

was to dry more greenery.

Even when all the flowers run out,

greenery alone can be so stunning...

...like these interesting coral bell stalks...

which can also be broken up into little pieces.

The variety of coral bell leaves themselves

are promising of a bold touch;...

while the fairy-like leaves of the yarrow plant,

 will make a perfect background for any arrangement.



I even tried some thicker leaves that sported unusual patterns;

 I'll be sure to let you know how they turn out.


 Until that time,

They are safely tucked away under some heavy books

where little prying hands will not discover them...

 I hope.

If you'd like to try a fun and easy craft
that even your kids might enjoy,
get out for a walk and pick some pretty plants to press.

They look really sweet on cards, too;

Is there any of us who wouldn't love a good excuse to go take a refreshing walk?

"Consider the lilies how they grow:

they toil not, they spin not;

and yet I say unto you,

that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Luke 12:27


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