Art Unexpected

In the spirit of warm weather, more sunshine and my need for flowers everywhere, I thought It would be the perfect time to showcase my friend and mentor's website Art Unexpected.

Christine and I met at an antique store when I was in college.  She had a successful interior design business where she specialized in decorative painting and faux finishes.  We hit it off immediately and she hired me as a paid intern to assist with painting projects.  Working for her was one of the best and most enjoyable jobs I have ever had.  Christine's creativity and energy is contagious.  She filled my head with wonderful inspiration and ideas that I still carry with me.  From Christine I learned to decorate with what I love and to create an interesting and warm home that I can actually LIVE in.  It is because of her that I am still addicted to antique stores and always make sure there are fresh flowers in at least one room.  Twelve years later and we are still good friends who continue to inspire each other.

Christine's latest project has been to create beautiful paintings to be displayed outside.  They look beautiful in gardens, on porches or hung randomly on a fence to make a dull area in your backyard suddenly exciting! She takes the inspiration from her own amazing garden and paints in a fun and whimsical style.  She applies tons of varnish to each completed piece to protect them from the elements and keep their colors glowing.  Her paintings look great inside and out and I am so proud of what she has accomplished!

Visit Art Unexpected to learn more!

The Earth Laughs in Flowers

The Daffodil House

This house is down the street from where I live.  It is currently vacant, but the caretaker has planted hundreds and hundreds of daffodil bulbs.  For the last couple of weeks I have gone out of my way to drive by it daily because seeing this house and all the beautiful daffodils always makes me smile.  Plus, I think it is wonderful that someone has gone out of their way to do something like this to enhance the beauty of our community.

I absolutely LOVE flowers and I try my best at gardening.  For my garden this year I am going to by most of my plants through fundraising organizations.  I bought some wonderful hydrangeas and coleus at a plant sale sponsored by the gardening club at a local community college.  It felt great to get a good deal on plants while helping an organization to raise money for their annual trip to Chicago.  Today through Sunday there is a plant sale at the Sunshine Children's Home  in Maumee, OH.  This greenhouse employs people with developmental disabilities as part of their vocational services.  I plan to make a stop there too!

Those orange things are actually pipe cleaners trying to hold up my attempt at giant sunflowers.  I at least should get credit for trying:)

I have also created my own make-shift greenhouse in my laundry room. It is driving my husband crazy, but my kids think it is pretty cool.  I give these seedlings a 50/50 chance at survival.  My fingers are crossed!