catherines confessions

As I have mentioned several times before, we have a lovely garden. But I am always finding interesting plants along our neighbors' fence. These bright red-orange flowers looked like this about a week or so ago. I don't know what they are called. If anyone can tell me what their name is in English, Latin or Swedish, I would be very grateful. According to Jakill from Jean's Musings, these flowers are nasturtiums . (Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me! Best wishes from Anna on October 14th 2009) Yes they were this bright! I will miss the lovely greens and bright reds, oranges and pinks of spring and summer. On the other hand, I can make jewellery as cheery as summer-flowers all fall and winter. Please come visit again and see!

Where can I find inspiration? If I just start looking around I make discoveries. I happen to live in a town with a feeling for flowers. At least during the warmer half of the year, there are these amazing floral arrangements all over the town of Norrkoping. This huge group is to be found not far from my daughter's pre-school. Why are we so blessed here? I have some theories, but I'll get back to them later.

It is April 29th at five or six in the morning, the sun rising early this time of year, and it's soon a holiday in Sweden. The pale green hue of all of the tiny new leaves are out, after a year of waiting for them. Jag pause to think about everything that has happened in the past year and want to happen in the coming. Spring gives us strength and courage to dare to think about what's up ahead. But actually it is NOW, the present moment, that begs for attention. Snowdrops and crocus are relieved from duty by tulips and daffodils. The minature magnolia's fragrant, white blossoms opened the day before yesterday. The entire garden is decked with flowers, bejewelled with spring blossoms. Bejewelled. But it is not flowering plants but jewellery made of beads and metal, that I have chosen to work with, dispite my short experience. I am a newcomer to this craft and this venture, but not a novice when it comes to the arts, design and other crafts. I have just changed direction, take...