PAINTING IN THE DITCH

Yesterday was a day to roam the country roads outside of Milwaukee.  We found our way out to 10 Chimneys (the historic home of Broadway actors Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt) and the area around Genesee Depot.  The hills were still holding onto their golds and oranges, but not for long I'm afraid.  

Finding a pretty little spot off the main road, we pulled into the ditch to do a little reading (Bob) and painting (me).  I set up my balancing act of water jar, sketchbook, and watercolors and got to work while Bob regaled me with the latest information in the news.

Very soon after, we were approached by 3 different cars, about 20 minutes apart, stopping to ask how they could help us.  Long story short, after an exchange of information with one couple, one of my watercolor sketches from the day is now on its way to the owners of the beautiful property we were perched on.  

This little painting is no longer mine but we are left with memories of some lovely people, and a great day spent roaming the country roads in search of the perfect ditch!

 "Nothing Gold Can Stay"

watercolor on 140# cold press paper

I named this one after Robert Frost's poem.  Seemed a fitting title considering this was painted on a sunny and golden late October day.  I know this poem has multiple meanings, but one meaning is literal when it comes to the seasons.  It won't be long and a new painting will need a new title, possibly, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" . . .

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Nothing Gold Can Stay

by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Thanks for looking!

-Nan

DOOR COUNTY LUMBAR PILLOW

Door County is one of our favorite spots to go in the summertime.  If you're not from Wisconsin or the Midwest, you may not be familiar with it.  It's a charming and quaint area filled with B&B's, restaurants, shops and cherry orchards.

We are especially fond of Door County because we spent our honeymoon there 23 years ago, and we continue to drive the 3 hours north every June to celebrate our day every year.  

I know a lot of people love this spot as much as we do.  So, I decided to make one of my "Name Your City/Burlap Lumbar Pillows" with the name of this great place on the front.  I went to the fabric store looking for a sturdy, colorful, and happy print - with one more qualification. 

It had to have cherries in the print!

So here's what I found.  I love it and I know I'll have to make one for myself as a reminder of our yearly trips to Door County.

The words "Door County" are printed with fabric ink, heat-set, then sewn onto a strip of the cherry print.  This lumbar pillow measures 12" x 16, which is a bit shorter than my Name-Your-City Lumbar Pillow.

 

The back of the pillow is made of the same cherry print and has an envelope closure.  I hand felted a Golden Rainier Cherry "button-ball" to hold the pillow casing closed.  I think that might be my favorite part of the pillow!  

The pillow looks pretty on the front AND the back!

So now I'm thinking, what other destinations have we enjoyed that I could print on a pillow like this? Fish Creek (in Door County)?  Sanibel Island?  McKinney?  The Whistling Swan (our honeymoon B&B)?  White Gull Inn (our new favorite)?  Suggestions?  I think the especially beautiful colors this fall have inspired me to sew more than ever!

Check out my new pillow at Gillyflower Cottage.