A few client “Afters”

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JcTaFeUdbxM6Uu_Qm_zY8RKuZAbfV3QVuq3H6Z8so5NX5lBOBmSHjpGutyLKhd1_cYhLZAoiS6fFW3Bt-a-o4LjxgACeaUESCiJuU2hnEHqUxdLzC0S41TbnC5xN75lW5-HwuvGQEmZ_/s1600/bathtub+w%253Aart.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680270840216574002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JcTaFeUdbxM6Uu_Qm_zY8RKuZAbfV3QVuq3H6Z8so5NX5lBOBmSHjpGutyLKhd1_cYhLZAoiS6fFW3Bt-a-o4LjxgACeaUESCiJuU2hnEHqUxdLzC0S41TbnC5xN75lW5-HwuvGQEmZ_/s800/bathtub+w%253Aart.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >S<span>tep one: color consultation and linen choices</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> for the bath</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step two: find artwork to hang over the spa tub</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I forget sometimes to show what I am working on with my decorating clients, so today I am featuring a few homes that I have helped transform with fresh paint colors, new art, decorative styling or design coaching. The spa tub above needed a piece of artwork that could fill the space and still make sense with the colors in the adjacent master bedroom. The bedding, which the homeowner chose, is a multicolored small print floral (scroll down below to see entrance to bath). I found this large canvas with tall flowers bordering a sandy beach. I like how it references water (i.e. being in the tub or in the ocean) plus the flowers in the painting are shown in the same rich colors that are found on the bed. </span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBySYg_wBx0ko_ETS9pQFIsz4QYGH1ym7OB6x-RlbMHnvQFUI3ucnbGbMMjv3bb2fCMzo11t5IzZdoHCkC060y49R90eHLbkjpsdWOMDJ-pe-giVb7DQLGinRaERgUuBGu2ZKUcwRedwma/s1600/monogrammed+towels.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680275232548814610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBySYg_wBx0ko_ETS9pQFIsz4QYGH1ym7OB6x-RlbMHnvQFUI3ucnbGbMMjv3bb2fCMzo11t5IzZdoHCkC060y49R90eHLbkjpsdWOMDJ-pe-giVb7DQLGinRaERgUuBGu2ZKUcwRedwma/s800/monogrammed+towels.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I suggested monogramming “his and her</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> towels</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />to add a personal touch to the new bath.</span> </span></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgOOX_zE0kF_LJig9e9LJcpS6OY6BzfOTN6i0DkYoD536SWijWamsyyt0lVKbZIBY-NsMFyg5c4Pk9lByv98MWyDRBWUbIF5VQdlJDqPVEDcDea5ZMIv-faxksLnWWvBuDceGgbKeW3tP/s1600/bedroom-tv-bath.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680270852946980466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgOOX_zE0kF_LJig9e9LJcpS6OY6BzfOTN6i0DkYoD536SWijWamsyyt0lVKbZIBY-NsMFyg5c4Pk9lByv98MWyDRBWUbIF5VQdlJDqPVEDcDea5ZMIv-faxksLnWWvBuDceGgbKeW3tP/s800/bedroom-tv-bath.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A cool blue was chosen for the master bedroom walls to coordinate with the bedding and to add a contrast to the warm wood tones of the furniture and the sandy palette of the bath. On top of the dresser, I created a focal point that would also anchor the flat screen wall mounted television. I added a pair of candlesticks for a touch of romance and to help bridge the visual gap between the television and the bureau.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKPMgWcE6Q_JUDU1MLOXBCOlmEh1UlqZpleZXHilVePuexzFFmeStfENOeKIy_3A39yv568fljOgukzbE4mwGvgTmnwXUWtQDzvljgpr-ZqVTFWdc4Ly4dRoLVr2n7aXQRXQuCLNTXwPp/s1600/top+of+dresser2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680285010413061506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKPMgWcE6Q_JUDU1MLOXBCOlmEh1UlqZpleZXHilVePuexzFFmeStfENOeKIy_3A39yv568fljOgukzbE4mwGvgTmnwXUWtQDzvljgpr-ZqVTFWdc4Ly4dRoLVr2n7aXQRXQuCLNTXwPp/s800/top+of+dresser2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />For this vignette, I chose objects that were a variety of heights, finishes and textures. A painted vintage box acts as a pretty catch-all for small jewelry boxes along with the odds and ends that typically end up being emptied from pockets at night.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2iU21tybpF0RjuoVv3iMLyrxpgXQVh9-Sdjp71ltHVYQfZwla-HdSMwYg5Jev7qUNljVTzpjpiZbk7_E6v9IzgfG-WOVvebX0EshiDuXBBDmHW61lrWzdZcHBsEKeXmwtHT5a6viU5RB/s1600/inside+box.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680275222393098978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2iU21tybpF0RjuoVv3iMLyrxpgXQVh9-Sdjp71ltHVYQfZwla-HdSMwYg5Jev7qUNljVTzpjpiZbk7_E6v9IzgfG-WOVvebX0EshiDuXBBDmHW61lrWzdZcHBsEKeXmwtHT5a6viU5RB/s800/inside+box.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />HOUSE NUMBER TWO:</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw6WzdauRB-ufqVCKBDtuY2GGuB9fUtY6TcvOiOC9wGFclFxJs19M5KqZmysRvr35X2yjkIiEHRN8OIMOTnRNK9FCSN-RW8B-ZqOD35RHjUfxtEgsHRmg1t22UeG0A2QveBWioKuuZ8jB/s1600/blue+wall+%252B+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680275455118203186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw6WzdauRB-ufqVCKBDtuY2GGuB9fUtY6TcvOiOC9wGFclFxJs19M5KqZmysRvr35X2yjkIiEHRN8OIMOTnRNK9FCSN-RW8B-ZqOD35RHjUfxtEgsHRmg1t22UeG0A2QveBWioKuuZ8jB/s800/blue+wall+%252B+chair.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A modern light blue-gray wall color was chosen to compliment the more traditional slate covered floors.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEYXR0dN9dJ_0He24SNAGfioABvdKmyHU5eO0KPpiJvVxYcp2_SKuI6ONGztAvRKlUwf8403Es5jzbrLwh20GZZNmiMwtlllebpfPA8NdImqSKJhycvWvyKAl1qCCZolbF_zigducQQU8/s1600/long+hallway.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680271075321252562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEYXR0dN9dJ_0He24SNAGfioABvdKmyHU5eO0KPpiJvVxYcp2_SKuI6ONGztAvRKlUwf8403Es5jzbrLwh20GZZNmiMwtlllebpfPA8NdImqSKJhycvWvyKAl1qCCZolbF_zigducQQU8/s800/long+hallway.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />An extremely long hallway was given architectural interest by adding crown molding and wainscotting detail. Now the walls are ready for a gallery of family photos. By keeping the palette monochromatic, the focal point is on the master bedroom at the hall’s end, instead of drawing attention to the expanse of walls.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2pFnHSEDPKV3oT8s0f6V-4qbw1GYf4zNLckhwhoHRiEkB1aowO-TOEd5Z4i6VYKooiqHIclz7B5cTqgwn5XJf_Kthpno8br7Ism3hz4eI_TEheW4T0T0Nm93PsClZF273MWQUwBY9X25/s1600/brown+bedroom.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680271085188145538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2pFnHSEDPKV3oT8s0f6V-4qbw1GYf4zNLckhwhoHRiEkB1aowO-TOEd5Z4i6VYKooiqHIclz7B5cTqgwn5XJf_Kthpno8br7Ism3hz4eI_TEheW4T0T0Nm93PsClZF273MWQUwBY9X25/s800/brown+bedroom.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The master bedroom in this home is a<br />rich contrast of chocolates and creams.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">HOUSE NUMBER THREE: BEFORE<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwy7KV5GocnRqxlQPMwVCtkPTJqxXRbmo5UFmW5G03C8zMp97D4ME2HO2PvODsRgdYlUfvFFN286qXf-YnWVofffeJavQyjf1MzeUSfmv9pYXqhyVC_EVJTbNAZuIWEzc2DfmSQZDNmk3/s1600/counter+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680270870073310306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwy7KV5GocnRqxlQPMwVCtkPTJqxXRbmo5UFmW5G03C8zMp97D4ME2HO2PvODsRgdYlUfvFFN286qXf-YnWVofffeJavQyjf1MzeUSfmv9pYXqhyVC_EVJTbNAZuIWEzc2DfmSQZDNmk3/s800/counter+before.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Existing cabinets in this home were refinished and given new hardware to match the new stainless steel appliances. By keeping their existing cabinets, the homeowners were able to splurge on a new granite countertop and tumbled marble backsplash ...</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">AND AFTER<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP2I-KzQNc5F5TFNYcTr9x3gMrWeaoRr8ZWivTPfD01bmOmiiK7dBX9egx3cK9Hrn7zFdoCiXqI6_lhGe4fkubli2EJBBNXmal3LzL0lEIXwU1RrHvzi-zA1D8aiAYkw6oGgmI8yaZPkX/s1600/counter+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680270855050929010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP2I-KzQNc5F5TFNYcTr9x3gMrWeaoRr8ZWivTPfD01bmOmiiK7dBX9egx3cK9Hrn7zFdoCiXqI6_lhGe4fkubli2EJBBNXmal3LzL0lEIXwU1RrHvzi-zA1D8aiAYkw6oGgmI8yaZPkX/s800/counter+after.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We chose a cranberry, gray and cream colored granite that would pull out the colors in the stained glass door on one of the upper cabinets. The yellow pineapple plays the same visual trick. When you work with what you have, instead of fighting it, the final design looks much more planned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learn my decorating tricks ...</span><br />Could your home use a little “design coaxing?” Do you have decorating questions that you would like answered? I am going to be presenting a series of evening decorating workshops at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Schedule_of_Classes.php">TaggArt Studio</a> in Wakefield starting in January. If you would like to sign up, email me at yblacker@verizon.net and I will send you info.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Special holiday shopping event ...</span><br />There will be a holiday shopping open house at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Home_Page.php">TaggArt Studio</a> on this Friday night, December 2nd from 6pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Along with <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Portfolio.php">fine artwork</a> from studio owner Mary Taggart, jewelry, hostess gifts, and custom children</span><span style="font-size:130%;">’</span><span style="font-size:130%;">s</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> clothing and accessories, my friend <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/">Beth Hylan</a> will be there with her always creative holiday trimmings so don’t miss out! For more details, <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=g9l8wkdab&v=001750MJEUdJzMWX3_2uGLcWzCBijQl5h8OXokxA1-3TQQHZzIHhBgyP9KYwfepc9JKPxuOxHmj8D7mj71BKLjIFFJr6HAyeSF4WkP7VNUDu-oRuUwbPzg0jnWEIOGvTzJb">click here</a>. I will be sending over some fliers with the information about my upcoming classes, and you will be able to get on the class list by signing up during this weekend sale. Decorating consultations also make great gifts and I will have some discounted gift certificates available for those hard-to-buy-for someones on your list!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JcTaFeUdbxM6Uu_Qm_zY8RKuZAbfV3QVuq3H6Z8so5NX5lBOBmSHjpGutyLKhd1_cYhLZAoiS6fFW3Bt-a-o4LjxgACeaUESCiJuU2hnEHqUxdLzC0S41TbnC5xN75lW5-HwuvGQEmZ_/s1600/bathtub+w%253Aart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>

A few client “Afters”

S tep one: color consultation and linen choices for the bath Step two: find artwork to hang over the spa tub I forget sometimes to show wha...

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Holiday open houses this weekend

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04xLAhwifvIBMUiPhR_tXKmpkgQg-s1OHOLo4Le3cJi3vyKXrBWb0gyj5nGdzMaDJj_ZibuqIedmOrer_Xyf7sXLjBuvyJWCHU79S0NISZsVbjHHdHfZp9v8_2ZJn5fXWuyAWhUfp0OLk/s1600/treats%2540AcornInteriors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664488348435554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04xLAhwifvIBMUiPhR_tXKmpkgQg-s1OHOLo4Le3cJi3vyKXrBWb0gyj5nGdzMaDJj_ZibuqIedmOrer_Xyf7sXLjBuvyJWCHU79S0NISZsVbjHHdHfZp9v8_2ZJn5fXWuyAWhUfp0OLk/s400/treats%2540AcornInteriors.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Last night was the Holiday Stroll in Andover.<br />I stopped by to visit Paula Bakies of <a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/acorninteriors"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Acorn Interiors</span></a> at her new retail location at 10 Essex Street.<br />Lots of people came in to take a look at her new space, have a few treats, and see some of the work that<br />is leaving her showroom ...<br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9NDH_OjZILcvZj_Kq7egS7npiZyoG4eHFjLRbQh9hojN3dvIZcjfaz7lMTPzY9CZBb70DeaPzwdnloxcThRssMZ35wA-gA028oP7Bci6LF6j3YENwSgW-NOCexxfjW05p_C_er-2vHlN/s1600/ottomansAcornInteriors.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664485793465522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9NDH_OjZILcvZj_Kq7egS7npiZyoG4eHFjLRbQh9hojN3dvIZcjfaz7lMTPzY9CZBb70DeaPzwdnloxcThRssMZ35wA-gA028oP7Bci6LF6j3YENwSgW-NOCexxfjW05p_C_er-2vHlN/s400/ottomansAcornInteriors.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />An array of ottomans includes a<br />“before</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (all white) and three “afters.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">These are available for purchase or can be<br />custom-designed by request. Let me know<br />if you need help choosing fabrics : )<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggLC7TesRop-1XbHxCOt4yvlmj_D-44wEtIRntSg7ur2oeeXkn_jm6sWC6tkQ-0KSUnPq1JqbKZq9jU1tfU6hlDDbMb-3ph3KJqeea2XjQjWXGyr2rIVrpIj-4n9e3q4K7tFBQD__71bj/s1600/vignetteLPasquale%253AAcornInteriors.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546669641729079330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggLC7TesRop-1XbHxCOt4yvlmj_D-44wEtIRntSg7ur2oeeXkn_jm6sWC6tkQ-0KSUnPq1JqbKZq9jU1tfU6hlDDbMb-3ph3KJqeea2XjQjWXGyr2rIVrpIj-4n9e3q4K7tFBQD__71bj/s400/vignetteLPasquale%253AAcornInteriors.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Window treatments and ottoman for a girl’s room<br />designed by Lisa Pasquale (who happens to be<br />from my home town and is very talented!)</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNOTCIz77dYzzVCcV76_84SLo8NAQTfNCdFvrknJCpmUtFlPzYfjSTAlUS4GaUBSKAh5biSd5KQdZwkdsxvvKyeJUz4oaIw4UkS9hCi-WGoqoUiK8IC0KID8xHKgQ6YVVMveY-50BCi3x/s1600/pairofchairsAcornInteriors.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546666116130273266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNOTCIz77dYzzVCcV76_84SLo8NAQTfNCdFvrknJCpmUtFlPzYfjSTAlUS4GaUBSKAh5biSd5KQdZwkdsxvvKyeJUz4oaIw4UkS9hCi-WGoqoUiK8IC0KID8xHKgQ6YVVMveY-50BCi3x/s400/pairofchairsAcornInteriors.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Paula transformed these vintage<br />chairs into modern beauties.<br /><br /><br /><br />After leaving <span style="font-weight: bold;">Acorn Interiors</span>, I headed over to<br />another holiday open house at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> TaggArt Studio</span></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> which<br />is on Salem Street in Wakefield</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. I took some pictures<br />of what you can find there on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday from</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10am to 4pm</span>, which is the last day<br />of their holiday trunk show ...<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2sN-_Hn1ekdONruOY9ZY_OZsAqb2rB2HA_IHjX9VaxIRDCwIiLwNAM0y_0gUpe54Vn7wCC4OjItLOdqxfSuV582eDX0N5_2CQ9bP0iMmoh-YOfuZLM8RrXZwnIaGArSfVzubvXKFAn94/s1600/JewelryLGovostesONeill.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664175330033234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2sN-_Hn1ekdONruOY9ZY_OZsAqb2rB2HA_IHjX9VaxIRDCwIiLwNAM0y_0gUpe54Vn7wCC4OjItLOdqxfSuV582eDX0N5_2CQ9bP0iMmoh-YOfuZLM8RrXZwnIaGArSfVzubvXKFAn94/s400/JewelryLGovostesONeill.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 376px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Some really pretty pieces of inspirational jewelry<br />designed by Linda Govostes-O’Neill<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrbhayUX6-EwDLHG1riG1DFQswe2BnmscU3TsSDZuJpzrJcUlV0EliXvWwFtHEjwyujTyMbd6lDNrWveL4lJZKxD0y4ajDqZ2FwLR1smS5dH2pWn8TvqVBVbyuo414sYrj7zLq_HqtTnK/s1600/gratitudejournalMSnow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546663298030955106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrbhayUX6-EwDLHG1riG1DFQswe2BnmscU3TsSDZuJpzrJcUlV0EliXvWwFtHEjwyujTyMbd6lDNrWveL4lJZKxD0y4ajDqZ2FwLR1smS5dH2pWn8TvqVBVbyuo414sYrj7zLq_HqtTnK/s400/gratitudejournalMSnow.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Gratitude journals and inspirational collage<br />gift items created by <a href="http://mariannesnow.com/about.aspx">Marianne Snow</a><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4JdCRdvQtEEoNfOb2NJa1UqvZQzI4RRoSdyl048FxNaVnoxDuKj_Bn-2HOxu42arFBSrE3_rJwEsMxchQiKxJKMl0Ny0WGMb7uTIeYKBhP-fZ4ris25VY7a8D3AQRxgJKuG2IeZr7JnS/s1600/ANewEnglandChristmas.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664338280425058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4JdCRdvQtEEoNfOb2NJa1UqvZQzI4RRoSdyl048FxNaVnoxDuKj_Bn-2HOxu42arFBSrE3_rJwEsMxchQiKxJKMl0Ny0WGMb7uTIeYKBhP-fZ4ris25VY7a8D3AQRxgJKuG2IeZr7JnS/s400/ANewEnglandChristmas.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Music to celebrate the holidays<br />by local talent <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-England-Christmas-Noel/dp/B002VL2MAW">Noel Smith</a><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Ty_lYh7zzh0y309NTLb6UloTuaItcVcnRUiyzG1i4XhbzPK5z0C3bGiKfCjpWkvlfIP20EP3KBGuXQaGN5SpmWpSInC1vvJN9OQY-RepFOao6t0i8tLOHOMD1drBCM92QB3HojAKbfb/s1600/redshoesMTaggart.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546664256306334706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Ty_lYh7zzh0y309NTLb6UloTuaItcVcnRUiyzG1i4XhbzPK5z0C3bGiKfCjpWkvlfIP20EP3KBGuXQaGN5SpmWpSInC1vvJN9OQY-RepFOao6t0i8tLOHOMD1drBCM92QB3HojAKbfb/s400/redshoesMTaggart.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Mary has a lot of beautiful original works of art available, but this one caught my eye. And remember when I said<span style="font-weight: bold;"> art lessons</span> would make a great gift? Mary <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Schedule_of_Classes.php">offers many classes</a> for children and adults. Contact her for schedule details.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcWTnLfw5ENscekvkmM_oew7jOTB-6EYRhd_eo1S-4CLA4JTy_Sdw8gvezlQDlW6EKDEYmjiLNhaM-mFahWwzhbCRCOqQ_d0Heix29Y8CCNj7RDTgOJgjm5PykS55qh3w_8Z_IbC7kgRb/s1600/BethHylanHoliday2010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546677876203594610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcWTnLfw5ENscekvkmM_oew7jOTB-6EYRhd_eo1S-4CLA4JTy_Sdw8gvezlQDlW6EKDEYmjiLNhaM-mFahWwzhbCRCOqQ_d0Heix29Y8CCNj7RDTgOJgjm5PykS55qh3w_8Z_IbC7kgRb/s400/BethHylanHoliday2010.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And don’t miss Beth Hylan of <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Home_Page.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Studio B</span></a> who is back in Wakefield just for this show. She has made a new home for herself in Concord, MA at <a href="http://nestingonmain.com/holidays.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nesting on Main</span></a> so you may also visit her there on Sunday from 12pm to 6pm during their Holiday Open House.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7rkDjLDTTBfGxVOB-HR9RbVn6sD6q909gCNflCnDSLHoebEhZZ3LFs6lLVnCgzvQ3I2kHhWiyclcp_dtN54i1Luv7cg8SR5xFjFEFkDXutNg-JPtu49qUuSyoASNiWCvpyILVJrDbcGn/s1600/velvetpurse%253Aowl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546683372313513490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7rkDjLDTTBfGxVOB-HR9RbVn6sD6q909gCNflCnDSLHoebEhZZ3LFs6lLVnCgzvQ3I2kHhWiyclcp_dtN54i1Luv7cg8SR5xFjFEFkDXutNg-JPtu49qUuSyoASNiWCvpyILVJrDbcGn/s400/velvetpurse%253Aowl.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A gift I bought myself at <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Fine Living</span>:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">velvet purse with gold owl clasp from </span><a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/VintageWares.html" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vintage Wares</span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It is nice to know that I do not have to resort to mall-shopping this holiday season when there are so many creative shopping venues available locally.<br />If only I had more time to visit them all!<br /><br /></span><br /></div>

Holiday open houses this weekend

Last night was the Holiday Stroll in Andover. I stopped by to visit Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors at her new retail location at 10 Essex ...

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The Summer Nursery, part 1

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEDnDQpbzY5pv72cLKdWiWSYrmFcXEUay5nwU0IxGfhNHACNYekVP0ytboLUUxojvBDXnx2cPOqnIA8tuq6FZ_C1890WmHE9Nr56CPPIp4Z31tzj2VsljHQOgBEe3gA5iZtx5MwC-w84/s1600/YvonneBlackerInteriors_E.Roth.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502307622463012962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEDnDQpbzY5pv72cLKdWiWSYrmFcXEUay5nwU0IxGfhNHACNYekVP0ytboLUUxojvBDXnx2cPOqnIA8tuq6FZ_C1890WmHE9Nr56CPPIp4Z31tzj2VsljHQOgBEe3gA5iZtx5MwC-w84/s400/YvonneBlackerInteriors_E.Roth.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">“The Summer Nursery</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> designed by Yvonne Blacker<br />Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.ericrothphoto.com/">Eric Roth</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9B6w-FehUalloC24ytMMCRNyjtaSC2WW7IZu9HoCdBJCHoPioqCVkzqwaMpXsRnrPZYdd08BnOXtrVOSv1HRrHz03x2-bf5uzlYgsw3Bjte9Gs4_7755btp4JVGyp7wlUacabzp2Lic/s1600/SummerSky_MaryTaggart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVkEIoqxVCv8dVP5ZWtI9dTeeyrCP_4Pk2QCkmWkE2rzF3a426YrxrPh8vE9BbR-QcifhBwAdJwOapQ7nZHUlPKjtR-JahC4gl0tKcHlOpWaXBdyknLkug63F1h3IeXiFMPUMDXoYbog/s1600/SummerSky_MaryTaggart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502310705195168898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVkEIoqxVCv8dVP5ZWtI9dTeeyrCP_4Pk2QCkmWkE2rzF3a426YrxrPh8vE9BbR-QcifhBwAdJwOapQ7nZHUlPKjtR-JahC4gl0tKcHlOpWaXBdyknLkug63F1h3IeXiFMPUMDXoYbog/s400/SummerSky_MaryTaggart.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">“Summer Sky” by <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">Mary Taggart</a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">oil on canvas, 24 in. x 36 in.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlct9q2xfe_gMx6ytra2erp5bwWaja3LwtBw3iwTFUxWCzAumqqRsGgNMiy6Jyjva_Ea_58FLExeVph8MMEaw2KyYFm0oJOiK8N0EZu0dUUfHjKEleRzryUdzGzaOJo-N0LvXcLG6oKI/s1600/elephantonfootstoolYB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502315342527026562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlct9q2xfe_gMx6ytra2erp5bwWaja3LwtBw3iwTFUxWCzAumqqRsGgNMiy6Jyjva_Ea_58FLExeVph8MMEaw2KyYFm0oJOiK8N0EZu0dUUfHjKEleRzryUdzGzaOJo-N0LvXcLG6oKI/s400/elephantonfootstoolYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Come back on Monday to see more photos of this nursery that I created for the <a href="http://www.danvershistory.org/">Danvers Historical Society</a> designer showcase, <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-update-design-show-sneak-peek.html">Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design</a>.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I will be sharing the inspiration behind the design, along with some<br />do-it-yourself tips and designer secrets!<br /><br />Have a great weekend!<br />xo yvonne</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv9HTK4qlYo-HYuWyGsuvZD2fSYz8OqORrhW8HTpiczSjsXwMSCKmvl9xhbJ7eN5Jju4FqtUzgmyXxzoKBfzegmFQ_8NDQGTCbFPobw14hpmxzLkAPOMqJEmLYAyjvNJ4agIdA_fzwAk/s1600/crownandpaperweight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502324694421876386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv9HTK4qlYo-HYuWyGsuvZD2fSYz8OqORrhW8HTpiczSjsXwMSCKmvl9xhbJ7eN5Jju4FqtUzgmyXxzoKBfzegmFQ_8NDQGTCbFPobw14hpmxzLkAPOMqJEmLYAyjvNJ4agIdA_fzwAk/s320/crownandpaperweight.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6WRkxKp_-kCgmCG6I9U8t3dGVuqSm-ExsAoh1mjTUnaHve9eU6TbZYVreQEjlu2Vx9rmAqN7Pv8cN5cE2b7ECIkhdk2NTi4jd8W-z3zb5sFsVBQLVxd0hDFcGF62HD8ctr5d6s8lFgQ/s1600/crownandpaperweight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);font-size:180%;" >ENTER TO WIN</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enter to win</span> an item from the summer nursery</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />by commenting on <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/08/birthday-gifts.html">my last post</a>.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Contest ends<br />Monday, 8.9.10 at 11:59pm EST.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><br /></div>

The Summer Nursery, part 1

“The Summer Nursery ” designed by Yvonne Blacker Photo courtesy of Eric Roth “Summer Sky” by Mary Taggart oil on canvas, 24 in. x 36 in. Co...

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Painting pink ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziXeJTeYyUR4gR4L9JaLfsiuGeAXO3SHhvPQtQimLkaaBSSpxelBrk5iQA6ECG_hALHfvkoKbju81NXwezK9OQxgDcYBgYf4CCacaBacoUkFu_uZpbG0gGsjDmX1sur_estbEfMRCfDY/s1600/fendiartyvonne.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481193858856790274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziXeJTeYyUR4gR4L9JaLfsiuGeAXO3SHhvPQtQimLkaaBSSpxelBrk5iQA6ECG_hALHfvkoKbju81NXwezK9OQxgDcYBgYf4CCacaBacoUkFu_uZpbG0gGsjDmX1sur_estbEfMRCfDY/s400/fendiartyvonne.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s1600/pinkpalette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Whenever I first sit down to paint, it takes<br />awhile to push away the thoughts. Then there<br />comes a turning point where I am just enjoying<br />the process of combining colors on canvas.<br />Pink has been speaking to me lately. </span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzjxDPx3YJIRdxv4AN0mpVHn89NLBAREwau-5fLFl2IVdIeEM9jPxO2Wn33yTHgVVhXNDt9iWWpY9xhuC-exwXueRzvaLhfc3pt7SCkCGOAYV-vcsqHSI-axzNlATcHlakSA09OqSz-s/s1600/fendiarrangement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481189819813926226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzjxDPx3YJIRdxv4AN0mpVHn89NLBAREwau-5fLFl2IVdIeEM9jPxO2Wn33yTHgVVhXNDt9iWWpY9xhuC-exwXueRzvaLhfc3pt7SCkCGOAYV-vcsqHSI-axzNlATcHlakSA09OqSz-s/s400/fendiarrangement.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This was the still-life set up at the studio<br />today by instructor/friend <a href="http://taggartstudio.com/">Mary Taggart</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I even like how my palette turned out ...</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s1600/pinkpalette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481190850976859394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfknFEGVxKa6Bx1lmceknm-BErYEH5CL0UlvjfKTOC35J51rgpgyCp8Jo8qDuC7o81HkIy_0m0De-Pr5umTIGUQG7voaLuSbwQI4D8hTvHnV7r0UBMHSoV4leVEn9_xu-8oEL4WV6j3gg/s400/pinkpalette.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Now that I am loosened up, I am going to<br />take out my biggest brushes and try to get some<br />painting projects done around my house ; )</span><br /><br /><br />P.S. My art teacher, Mary, recommended today that we all check out the <a href="http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/">blog of Carol Marine</a>, an artist from Texas who works on a painting a day that she later posts on her blog and then lists on ebay. I just discovered she is actually visiting New England right now for an <a href="http://www.bluecloudstudios.com/workshops.html">artists workshop</a> that she just finished in Newburyport (too late to sign up for that one!) Check out her work and you will see how committing to an artful life on a daily basis has served her talent well. Some of her paintings even made it to the big screen (Letters to Juliet)! I think she is on to something, and I may give this painting on a daily basis a shot (if nothing else, it is very meditative).<br /><br /><br /></div>

Painting pink ...

Whenever I first sit down to paint, it takes awhile to push away the thoughts. Then there comes a turning point where I am just enjoying the...

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An all white composition

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW977mODWHL3esSje5vukc2c_AFGM61BxGnybpYXWdwhALficc4r1aWgGSqE9JFMcPYwV9UXwtV1hSzzvVIwctDVJnmyIQEqBF54WxSZihgq9i6rYkqaKlnvSP9Za3qyN3zMomt-7yb4/s1600/teapotsketch2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456730269506826626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW977mODWHL3esSje5vukc2c_AFGM61BxGnybpYXWdwhALficc4r1aWgGSqE9JFMcPYwV9UXwtV1hSzzvVIwctDVJnmyIQEqBF54WxSZihgq9i6rYkqaKlnvSP9Za3qyN3zMomt-7yb4/s400/teapotsketch2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q_6hmRbtO5lL63G7j-ecDXCGBz1NpZwiuYYAClydhpZZmDAPlgKl0DxhUzHubt44vWLYvw13nmL1k0pZFs7YDfo4CKDCzFjZjN9dtNCETxLGsvgXJPHJuwSmPEF_2qaF94Xt8Qsan5w/s1600/values.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was back in the art studio recently for another lesson with instructor Mary Taggart of <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">TaggArt Studio</a>. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We practiced using varying weights of charcoal pencil to establish foreground and background values when illustrating the all white still life shown below.<br /></span></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q_6hmRbtO5lL63G7j-ecDXCGBz1NpZwiuYYAClydhpZZmDAPlgKl0DxhUzHubt44vWLYvw13nmL1k0pZFs7YDfo4CKDCzFjZjN9dtNCETxLGsvgXJPHJuwSmPEF_2qaF94Xt8Qsan5w/s1600/values.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwSeq7oku2YeJJPyxzkoiyD0WoJJ7bkiJM4lQhsf6UX7LHdWq8KuEul1MaoAxysYChzN4Hz5TQbn3nD9SOP2S_EEj4AaDWqV6Ot3hYShTYhJxYGTmmluymr95ido3Q_xiqHlZcrS2eiY/s1600/whiteteapotstilllife.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454643307030600994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwSeq7oku2YeJJPyxzkoiyD0WoJJ7bkiJM4lQhsf6UX7LHdWq8KuEul1MaoAxysYChzN4Hz5TQbn3nD9SOP2S_EEj4AaDWqV6Ot3hYShTYhJxYGTmmluymr95ido3Q_xiqHlZcrS2eiY/s400/whiteteapotstilllife.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">More art from the studio that<br />uses white as a focal point ...</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS4cWqr3o2fRH9FaZHVP_ipXz_TMrqWtelcSt2arIcxmlNuu1__XBVt-i4wohmtkr0nbNjumlj2BttKRvZc2AOXHxRVfOM9VULOO1RPbsyYB0J_4EJeIub0J9Vol1y9LU3a2RhXLbmjs/s1600/dresswithstarfish.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454643297715230930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS4cWqr3o2fRH9FaZHVP_ipXz_TMrqWtelcSt2arIcxmlNuu1__XBVt-i4wohmtkr0nbNjumlj2BttKRvZc2AOXHxRVfOM9VULOO1RPbsyYB0J_4EJeIub0J9Vol1y9LU3a2RhXLbmjs/s400/dresswithstarfish.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I am really liking white as a<br />dominant “color” right now.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlDNUhR0SDcL_5LlzVYxJ0-4aOT9Cb1KSZ5u-NBoOWcGlgprFJME52bqVQ5ziH_nR-6w9t9ycKHN-sd4ScZeGEXxdVgDFK7qOdkX_Hupe7dXjd9tLu7pbHvfLcuuAxHCSnvZLg4CeGi0/s1600/whitespace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456724232825015010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlDNUhR0SDcL_5LlzVYxJ0-4aOT9Cb1KSZ5u-NBoOWcGlgprFJME52bqVQ5ziH_nR-6w9t9ycKHN-sd4ScZeGEXxdVgDFK7qOdkX_Hupe7dXjd9tLu7pbHvfLcuuAxHCSnvZLg4CeGi0/s400/whitespace.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/white_space/set?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=17558532">white space</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=971780">designvignettes</a><br />on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></span></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q_6hmRbtO5lL63G7j-ecDXCGBz1NpZwiuYYAClydhpZZmDAPlgKl0DxhUzHubt44vWLYvw13nmL1k0pZFs7YDfo4CKDCzFjZjN9dtNCETxLGsvgXJPHJuwSmPEF_2qaF94Xt8Qsan5w/s1600/values.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456717012628169874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q_6hmRbtO5lL63G7j-ecDXCGBz1NpZwiuYYAClydhpZZmDAPlgKl0DxhUzHubt44vWLYvw13nmL1k0pZFs7YDfo4CKDCzFjZjN9dtNCETxLGsvgXJPHJuwSmPEF_2qaF94Xt8Qsan5w/s400/values.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 59px;" /></a><br /></div>

An all white composition

I was back in the art studio recently for another lesson with instructor Mary Taggart of TaggArt Studio . We practiced using varying w...

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Art is blooming ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPrVMNp239mOC4y0ufGxphtlKLUBBHFbcj7OxX_ZWFk8Om39sPRz8pd3eAvf4PMG3IjjJJPuMHBpWqLqeN9F92qQwGxupocdh_oXgoeeRyi7Ih-IG2ngWmcR9f7onEoEuP4dNniZelas/s1600-h/YogaposeArrangement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447570229455239122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPrVMNp239mOC4y0ufGxphtlKLUBBHFbcj7OxX_ZWFk8Om39sPRz8pd3eAvf4PMG3IjjJJPuMHBpWqLqeN9F92qQwGxupocdh_oXgoeeRyi7Ih-IG2ngWmcR9f7onEoEuP4dNniZelas/s400/YogaposeArrangement.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">“Utthita Hasta Padangustasana</span><span style="font-style: italic;">”</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> by <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">Mary Taggart</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Arrangement by Yvonne Blacker</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">From Sanskrit, the name of this painting translates to something along the lines of “one holds big toe!” I chose to use a large branch from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron">Rhododendron</a> bush as the foundation for my arrangement to represent the human body as it can be either flexible or brittle depending on the flow of nutrients to the limbs. The large scale branch is very asymmetrical, almost triangular, just as the student appears in the pose.<br /><br />Cheerful pink blossoms are supported by the branches, with bright <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbera_daisy">Gerbera Daisys</a> used to signify her clothing, and the single pink rose representing the opening of the heart center – or <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/898?page=5">chakra</a> – which is achieved with continued yoga practice. Peach colored <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip">tulips</a> show increased flexibility (and are close in color to the students skin tone) and the gold vessel containing these blossoms is securely grounded on a purple yoga mat (which I intend to use more often now that the show is over!)<br /><br />The arrangement is intentionally minimalist in its design, just as yoga strips away the clutter from the mind, allowing one to connect with inner harmony and peace through meditation.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste"> Namaste!</a><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcFCnLCH5bqPlxATyVYA3ucNY3yd5c0oBeBQHDI63snRrTUEfq6j9MPsNzv06aLRvpdJIoCwkFTHfIUc9fyL3KmdrtJI7USlYugMaxeTliPtdX8LebMRZCtFcHo3WQwcrLDZbOT8K_hw/s1600-h/pinkroseleaves.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567352543385298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcFCnLCH5bqPlxATyVYA3ucNY3yd5c0oBeBQHDI63snRrTUEfq6j9MPsNzv06aLRvpdJIoCwkFTHfIUc9fyL3KmdrtJI7USlYugMaxeTliPtdX8LebMRZCtFcHo3WQwcrLDZbOT8K_hw/s400/pinkroseleaves.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Here are the remainder of the 2010 “Art in Bloom</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> collaborations between the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield and the Lynnfield Art Guild ...<br /><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH2ez4n9x83LrJ4cQuGYaH5z7BGg9CXc3S3ea-Aabba8Dk-4zF5-oha6bwB5EkzfUYeupnbNegqKlZr5Z2bahkPCZ9-gcUT1O5yv3m3fshDEVsswLv_rMnJ_QHea343hCJSaJ5Wa8l6A/s1600-h/BarnSceneKG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447614220431075618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH2ez4n9x83LrJ4cQuGYaH5z7BGg9CXc3S3ea-Aabba8Dk-4zF5-oha6bwB5EkzfUYeupnbNegqKlZr5Z2bahkPCZ9-gcUT1O5yv3m3fshDEVsswLv_rMnJ_QHea343hCJSaJ5Wa8l6A/s400/BarnSceneKG.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Village Garden Club member Katerina Georges<br />also used branches to interpret artist<br />Virginia Dodwell’s “Barn Scene.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6u5qQnippMLi3th6XhsDgkwYodWh8iyyXf06-0Y6uv02HivpRfOjmyy2UgXt7m7IDWZJOamtlCjuXhTsqJUDzAv0N4v8uzdAkn-EoYG9Bd73cYzDv59CTNJeENzKaUFTdxtcDcnwU4I/s1600-h/ColorsofSpringObrien.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447549664690534882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6u5qQnippMLi3th6XhsDgkwYodWh8iyyXf06-0Y6uv02HivpRfOjmyy2UgXt7m7IDWZJOamtlCjuXhTsqJUDzAv0N4v8uzdAkn-EoYG9Bd73cYzDv59CTNJeENzKaUFTdxtcDcnwU4I/s400/ColorsofSpringObrien.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Gerbera Daisys take on the form of a woman tending her flower cart in “Colors of Spring” painted by Lorraine O’Brien, arrangement by Dorothy Goodwin.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepuhb9p3nvmjW9n4wI8-qfjZZ_jmBzwpwV9l_geMO1IpjyI0L9SpXylD1eoKbF_31J3V_566v99OSQdgYX0e3DSFMN0Sof8uK9sJrKfQK0OjAKjWMgbDsNPTa96BaXwLWEUIgOGtRdYQ/s1600-h/closeupDG.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447547614949255874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepuhb9p3nvmjW9n4wI8-qfjZZ_jmBzwpwV9l_geMO1IpjyI0L9SpXylD1eoKbF_31J3V_566v99OSQdgYX0e3DSFMN0Sof8uK9sJrKfQK0OjAKjWMgbDsNPTa96BaXwLWEUIgOGtRdYQ/s400/closeupDG.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cBQk4y55XxfmAFM_-O4-u-2vQueQ5AIHWHwLKa0J1M_5JLRZtsMOIiSt8xd2fck4NLKtRVkrIwfYtlOPK-HFtwvo4oLkzjHIoEfUCrjFM2zUv-ocXHggL6ABAiwmUgH5HbH1mL3vcjc/s1600-h/SpringFlowersAnderson.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567853066941458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cBQk4y55XxfmAFM_-O4-u-2vQueQ5AIHWHwLKa0J1M_5JLRZtsMOIiSt8xd2fck4NLKtRVkrIwfYtlOPK-HFtwvo4oLkzjHIoEfUCrjFM2zUv-ocXHggL6ABAiwmUgH5HbH1mL3vcjc/s400/SpringFlowersAnderson.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Spring Flowers” by Louise Anderson was transformed into a delightful Easter basket by club members Joan Kirk, Mary Schwartz and Micki Trigilio. Look closely and you will find some cute surprises ...</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQj_i9dcqbDQGR1EI2Pxg39dO6_vEoFx4jY4c3dooxj6mgha7RdfFc158rCUk7LjB_cpHWjiZGXt4CRlQtebQRp7r2osQs8ABkFk27onJ2DSTDiI7X-0rxca78ar9UrcvU12Mf9GZd40/s1600-h/basketcloseupVGC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567613266031346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQj_i9dcqbDQGR1EI2Pxg39dO6_vEoFx4jY4c3dooxj6mgha7RdfFc158rCUk7LjB_cpHWjiZGXt4CRlQtebQRp7r2osQs8ABkFk27onJ2DSTDiI7X-0rxca78ar9UrcvU12Mf9GZd40/s400/basketcloseupVGC.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />These miniature guests were also<br />found on the refreshment table ...</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DuBWXluHBgjMrWhBqA88j2BcFnJv3gXK5BQ1uMbORHBeEWeZ-kVpJ-6LkYWSRFLhv4DhOq4SZo8sgLN_flNWUQXSELzSdBBy2UJKNimHAtwW2rW9sgi4lz-vBQw64mJDPfbQSifUNeU/s1600-h/chickinflower.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567613687693378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DuBWXluHBgjMrWhBqA88j2BcFnJv3gXK5BQ1uMbORHBeEWeZ-kVpJ-6LkYWSRFLhv4DhOq4SZo8sgLN_flNWUQXSELzSdBBy2UJKNimHAtwW2rW9sgi4lz-vBQw64mJDPfbQSifUNeU/s400/chickinflower.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPCK-m_HbqglWA3PwU4lxW1jOXmYWxL4QmW_Uzl_sLDw8Djt99i8GcWnMbh72rGeoLvfEahAxuWXwQK3WNlXWcfBxNaqwYNw8MJ9mWlQ4SeGNAWEjVihb3W00OoujbhaiWhNeeUud-VQ/s1600-h/ForJennie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447572208670223922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPCK-m_HbqglWA3PwU4lxW1jOXmYWxL4QmW_Uzl_sLDw8Djt99i8GcWnMbh72rGeoLvfEahAxuWXwQK3WNlXWcfBxNaqwYNw8MJ9mWlQ4SeGNAWEjVihb3W00OoujbhaiWhNeeUud-VQ/s400/ForJennie.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Bold colors and flower choices made this beautiful arrangement by Jan Lisaki and Bootie Stevens<br />really stand out. I love that orange scarf!<br />Painting by Frank Colombo, MD<br />is titled “For Jennie”</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w9KD2RyRyS_fbEsnlxjl8sVwgG5e0nRWJ734lwoJnb-mCsVzI3J_SBy2ew8L5E5TVmZRYw0lZlOtWnARRzEngB3t3X92-h9F0jWsYg0C28Y3nRjrPfYcdyT9gOA55XNPBX-h3OksPjE/s1600-h/StillLifeQuinn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567594134803266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w9KD2RyRyS_fbEsnlxjl8sVwgG5e0nRWJ734lwoJnb-mCsVzI3J_SBy2ew8L5E5TVmZRYw0lZlOtWnARRzEngB3t3X92-h9F0jWsYg0C28Y3nRjrPfYcdyT9gOA55XNPBX-h3OksPjE/s400/StillLifeQuinn.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Try adding fruit to your next arrangement as<br />Maura Quinn so eloquently did here.<br />“Still Life” painting by Jim Ryan</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkcfcxQPdnFv0GgMyrDY9eyQUx9eEnODbuVvNPg_PG8zjL8cnufG2PbVBsaMe4Cui7a5Y_q6EAbN7WtH1dVxBCl8J3UU9Cxsa1FUoD36b72skkxuSr_KrQR_ANOliC3s0ckRA72xnrZg/s1600-h/roseofsharon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567605529981426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkcfcxQPdnFv0GgMyrDY9eyQUx9eEnODbuVvNPg_PG8zjL8cnufG2PbVBsaMe4Cui7a5Y_q6EAbN7WtH1dVxBCl8J3UU9Cxsa1FUoD36b72skkxuSr_KrQR_ANOliC3s0ckRA72xnrZg/s400/roseofsharon.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Rose of Sharon” by artist Carol Wilson is recreated with delicate white blossoms and trailing ivy.<br />Arrangement by Karen Hathaway and Betsy Foley</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bYAPzdiwIRfIHn0J6FplRzYO4KhScWzxuOGl38AAphxCnyG-NeY1KafDko7AL6kj1I3tAyjns-I6joUgAExGErhXMZ13J-wdP1WCDU4j9iz84NsgZmFvaNFKBu_bNE0Xy0zBQkQH7bQ/s1600-h/roseofsharoncloseup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567380712486562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bYAPzdiwIRfIHn0J6FplRzYO4KhScWzxuOGl38AAphxCnyG-NeY1KafDko7AL6kj1I3tAyjns-I6joUgAExGErhXMZ13J-wdP1WCDU4j9iz84NsgZmFvaNFKBu_bNE0Xy0zBQkQH7bQ/s400/roseofsharoncloseup.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHlFgplPESwYiMKNQ35_EehVh4rneP0hOQxO_SaKTd_dXwo65xQZC7B1eRgYkkv8xMT3oTvGlfpwsj3MFARM5lCAadZo41myhCeG-lkgl0C113fTcedEoQ1p5ywhEH36VHQQheKJxLA0/s1600-h/BirthdayParty.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567386160709410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHlFgplPESwYiMKNQ35_EehVh4rneP0hOQxO_SaKTd_dXwo65xQZC7B1eRgYkkv8xMT3oTvGlfpwsj3MFARM5lCAadZo41myhCeG-lkgl0C113fTcedEoQ1p5ywhEH36VHQQheKJxLA0/s400/BirthdayParty.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />So fun and colorful! This mixed media collage by Gail Rober is playfully named “Birthday Party” and was joyfully arranged by club member Wendy Keefe.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ZW-slVMNQZGr2s-HG91S7Y6oz3k0RA1diba7_5__ZnBHl0QLALFdx0mqHk3F2cn_HTzm3I5XdpyEw1PAFFPp5dtEw-lyy0B8ddL1iTfHnBeyX03Tl3r3SAVugZhnFTKXST1apwDQRc/s1600-h/sunflowersonblue.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447567597943472738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ZW-slVMNQZGr2s-HG91S7Y6oz3k0RA1diba7_5__ZnBHl0QLALFdx0mqHk3F2cn_HTzm3I5XdpyEw1PAFFPp5dtEw-lyy0B8ddL1iTfHnBeyX03Tl3r3SAVugZhnFTKXST1apwDQRc/s400/sunflowersonblue.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A burst of sunflowers stand tall in a cobalt blue<br />vase and capture artist Joyce Westover’s<br />watercolor rendering. Arrangement by<br />Debbie Caniff and Paula McKeever</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils7u75vEM9wRIIMIcfgc6Q4ij9jsE3PdmNsjPK_1voR5a_Evt7mqiKSXXQSpvO7eLi9slNif0ctAVbwwnMqJxBkPMRFCPNHXxAeobX8lBe_nOcV2OVp623tO82jRQQcIM3nj5auHc_SA/s1600-h/LavenderbowlcloseupLT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447566218140801970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils7u75vEM9wRIIMIcfgc6Q4ij9jsE3PdmNsjPK_1voR5a_Evt7mqiKSXXQSpvO7eLi9slNif0ctAVbwwnMqJxBkPMRFCPNHXxAeobX8lBe_nOcV2OVp623tO82jRQQcIM3nj5auHc_SA/s400/LavenderbowlcloseupLT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 344px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Lavender Fields” by Jeannette Corbett</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A delight for the senses ... this scented arrangement by Laura Thomson incorporates <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavendar">lavender</a> blossoms along with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary">Rosemary</a> branches, citrus peels, lemon leaves and cinnamon sticks. Doesn’t it just sound heavenly??</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxdu8QWBEawuC6RnGAxmvw0zV2BtnEZ6v586cfe7sj5bw2xOFi4aCYZxnDEIJ4ukluN-gN1meohp9kzwn1uIWhoIU0hP1Epw69vnH91jZ9gtLtMao1sJyR_uqV13yHcJr5USUGiGEDpo/s1600-h/DrislaneBacon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447543233567469330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxdu8QWBEawuC6RnGAxmvw0zV2BtnEZ6v586cfe7sj5bw2xOFi4aCYZxnDEIJ4ukluN-gN1meohp9kzwn1uIWhoIU0hP1Epw69vnH91jZ9gtLtMao1sJyR_uqV13yHcJr5USUGiGEDpo/s400/DrislaneBacon.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A stunning combination of branches, stones, evergreens and harvest colored blossoms were artfully arranged by Tracy Drislane to capture the spirit of “Undressed for Winter</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> by artist Pauline Bacon.<br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1hI0RURx-AaJKGjJoBS7djHZfN-sYEzDeQRz6xkZPulB3gAauegI5I4pj1UkhsmmF-ycaDRcEXAFQPGDDhtJ-4JnUFxKDaKx0wJomOtV15o2ZJscgTt0eeNl7xEfQkYeCYcJuZNamsw/s1600-h/UndressedforwinterTD.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447544833997558386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1hI0RURx-AaJKGjJoBS7djHZfN-sYEzDeQRz6xkZPulB3gAauegI5I4pj1UkhsmmF-ycaDRcEXAFQPGDDhtJ-4JnUFxKDaKx0wJomOtV15o2ZJscgTt0eeNl7xEfQkYeCYcJuZNamsw/s400/UndressedforwinterTD.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1JzK3_A9QNLq2SzX555RFjfZpTpbl-rPADc2QI6mycJznPJvAhbV1v5V2U0G2vD_ERByVYfjGV3n_bElmz3m6rkbZ6nf3fss5WS1Kii6yh7F-U67MOEiWLeTYVEQfO-mokOSvWUyAig/s1600-h/lilacsJD.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447544509501537410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1JzK3_A9QNLq2SzX555RFjfZpTpbl-rPADc2QI6mycJznPJvAhbV1v5V2U0G2vD_ERByVYfjGV3n_bElmz3m6rkbZ6nf3fss5WS1Kii6yh7F-U67MOEiWLeTYVEQfO-mokOSvWUyAig/s400/lilacsJD.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Delicate purple lilacs were successfully forced to bloom by club member Jean Dalton for this final painting titled “Lilacs” by artist Rose Keefe.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS64kHdiVxQWXKQbQz0mcubuiqNZErmRKHJaC7twBw16ZZ6KoWHzaPKiMGXgr7xhEWECKZ4nWhhA-j8fuXtJH3yd7Ds3G-nBp2IGDQciKrMcJSWwj4Pxh5X4oqk5JGdaAncshAeQqNbm0/s1600-h/paintbrushesJD.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447544507221816834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS64kHdiVxQWXKQbQz0mcubuiqNZErmRKHJaC7twBw16ZZ6KoWHzaPKiMGXgr7xhEWECKZ4nWhhA-j8fuXtJH3yd7Ds3G-nBp2IGDQciKrMcJSWwj4Pxh5X4oqk5JGdaAncshAeQqNbm0/s400/paintbrushesJD.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Even the paint brush became art at this show!<br />I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did : )</span><br /><br /><br /></div>

Art is blooming ...

“Utthita Hasta Padangustasana ” by Mary Taggart Arrangement by Yvonne Blacker From Sanskrit, the name of this painting translates to someth...

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