A Wind in the Door is a gate that announces the presence of things unseen. When open, it allows humans and other earthly creatures to pass. When closed, fairies, spirits, and other wind-borne creatures can still move through it, and the sounds of the gate panels are the only evidence they were here at all. … More A Wind in The Door: A Fairytale Gate
Many people have asked if this swoopy creature on my fairy tale gate is a Seahorse. The answer is no, but yes. He’s supposed to be Falkor, the dragon in The Neverending Story. I didn’t want to mimic the movie version of Falkor, which to me looks more Golden Retriever than dragon, and doesn’t ring true to the picture I’d … More Falkor the Lucky Sea Dragon
From The Golden Key by George MacDonald: “It was a curious creature, made like a fish, but covered instead of scales, with feathers of all colours, sparkling like those of a hummingbird. It had fins, not wings, and swam through the air as a fish does through the water. Its head was like the … More When Fish Fly
From the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams “She was quite the loveliest fairy in the whole world. Her dress was of pearl and dew-drops, and there were flowers round her neck and in her hair, and her face was like the most perfect flower of all. And she came close to the little Rabbit and … More A Flower Fairy in Beebe Woods
I never really thought much of slipper shells before. They seemed too common, piled by the hundreds all over the shores of Nantucket Sound. They’re not particularly beautiful on the outside, actually rather dull on first glance. Their shape is kind of interesting, but I always left them alone in pursuit of the perfectly worn … More Slipper Shells and Moccasin Flowers
I heart pesto. Basil Pesto. Sundried Tomato Pesto. Cilantro Pesto. Spinach Pesto. If it’s green, garlicky and full of “heart healthy” fats, I’ll eat it. So imagine my geekish glee when I learned the incredibly invasive garlic mustard weed can be turned into pesto. It’s cliche but true: If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em, and … More From the Weed Patch: Garlic Mustard Pesto
Nothing captures the ephemeral nature of summertime like the changing colors of hydrangea blossoms. I made these winged creatures from hydrangea flowers, and called them flowerflies. The petals are carefully pressed and embedded in resin. Winged things always take me back to childhood: summertime when endless days of imagination stretched ahead. Those aren’t Dragonflies, but dragons … More Flights of Fancy: Flowerflies, Wishes, and other Winged Things
To celebrate the first breath of spring, I’m sharing last year’s Easter brunch tablescape: a single branch of flowering dogwood in a white porcelain pitcher flanked by milk glass candle stick holders and potted birds’ nests. When most people think of spring flowers, they think of vibrant tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs cascading across the bare … More Tablescape Architecture: Twigs and Nests
I promised to share some of the highlights of the Philadelphia Flower Show. The theme? Springtime in Paris. Some of the participants followed this concept, albeit loosely. Others did not bother, as far as I could tell. Some of the guests really got into it, with Paris-themed shirts and accessories. Forgive the graininess of the … More Springtime in Philadelphia… er Paris.
Another Snow Day? Your kids are probably under your feet chanting “I’m Bored. I’m Bored. I’m Bored.” Or your neighbors/siblings/cousins/mail carriers were in a pinch and dropped their kids on your doorstep because you have nothing better to do. Either way, it’s time to get crafty! First, send the kids to gather some woodland stuff, like … More Snow Days Are For Cleaning Out Your Junk Drawer And Being A Kid Again
