Monday 16 July 2012

The Magic of Flowers!


At last I’ve got around to making those ‘Poppies and Cornflowers’ greeting cards!



But on the other hand, that Islamic Pattern that I made for the collage for my brother’s birthday card is only partly edited. It’s going to take a very long time, and not being a person with a lot of patience, it’s quite likely it’ll languish in its current unfinished state until I forget all about it!

And I’ve only just got around to creating the customizable version of the ‘Bubbles’ Screenprint design from a couple of weeks ago!


I seem to be far more in the mood for flowery designs, in spite of our decidedly un-summery weather!

I’m sure this has been said many times before, but I really believe that this is the worst, coolest, windiest and, above all, wettest summer we’ve ever had! I shall actually be glad when the autumn arrives and we can stop pretending it’s summer!

I haven’t been a great fan of the summer for a couple of years now as I was feeling quite unwell whenever we did get a hot and sunny spell, due to my pollen allergy. I love growing flowers in my garden, particularly the sweetly fragranced ones. And most of them seem to really thrive in this Welsh clay soil!

But gradually, year after year, my symptoms increased and going out in the garden became a no-no and as for bringing flowers into the house – well, my shelves of vases had sat redundant, gathering cobwebs, for a while now -


But then, at the end of May, after the only really hot and sunny couple of days we’ve had, I had my first ever asthma attack after going out to bring my washing in from the garden! 

Scary as it was at the time, I have reason to be grateful it happened. As long as I use the puffer my doctor prescribed, I can enjoy my garden again and even fill my house with vases of flowers, just like the old days, before my allergies. I've even had the posy below in my bedroom and enjoyed a good night's sleep without coughing!

I usually like to let flowers fall naturally in their vase, rather than ‘arranging’ them. And this little posy of lavender, Albertine roses and Mock Orange Blossom particularly caught my eye and asked me to take a photo of it. This weekend I got around to using the photo as the basis of a design – not a painting as such, but a motif that I’ll use to make a repeating pattern. And probably some greeting cards as well!




First I have some more catching up to do - why do I so often seem to be trying to catch up? When Zazzle launch new products, as they have recently, I generally find that some of my older designs will fit on them nicely. So that will keep me busy this week.  

But maybe I’ll find a little bit of time for those ‘New Baby’ designs I mentioned last time!


6 comments:

Loubee said...

Hope your asthma attack wasn't too bad. I have to agree it is the worst summer yet, even now as I am typing this, it's raining!
I am always trying to catch up, when Zazzle launches new products, I am like, 'what! I haven't even done any of the last lot yet!'
The bright poppies and cornflower picture is beautiful.
Lou

Judy Adamson said...

Hi Loubee - thank you for your comments. I'm not sure how bad my asthma attack was because it's the only one I've had so nothing to compare with but it was awful at the time when I didn't know what it was!

It's good to know that I'm not the only Zazzler who is always trying to catch up!

Betsy Grant said...

I always enjoy visiting your site Judy. There's always some loveliness to be seen. In response to your comment on my blog, it's wonderful that you appreciate what you have. By the way - being an "eccentric" may mean that you see things differently than others, which may be a good thing!

Judy Adamson said...

Thank you, Betsy, especially for your kind words about my eccentricity :)

Crystal said...

Judy, I don't know anyone who paints such beautiful florals as you. So sorry you have developed asthma. I have suffered with asthma all since I was a kid but went through a period where it wasn't too bad in my 20's. Summer here in Va. is so humid and hot it has really returned in full force. My inhaler doesn't even work as well as it used to, but I don't want to get on permanent asthma steroids. Anyway...glad you are feeling better! :-)

Judy Adamson said...

Hi Crystal - glad you like my flowers :)

Sorry to hear that your inhaler isn't being effective enough. Really hope you can avoid more medication.

BTW, my brother, who has just turned 80, was diagnosed with 'late-onset asthma' three years ago, which surprised me. I thought you either had it since a child - or not! Maybe it's something in the air these days . . .?