maureenthomasdesigns.com blog

While on my weekly garden photo shoot this morning I was just about to snag a closeup shot of one of the pots on my back deck. As I was about to snap the picture a hummingbird zipped right in front of my camera. The first shot turned out OK, but the bird blends into the plants. In the second shot the little critter is just a blur as it’s making its getaway. I’ve peen picking pears, plums, and (finally) tomatoes. I often put underripe tomatoes on the kitchen windowsill, which catches the attention of the hummers. They’ll hover just outside the window checking it out. I’ve been noting their favorite plants: grevillea (their absolute hands-down favorite), lantana, butterfly bush, lavender, salvia, bottlebrush, and agapanthus.

Here’s what’s interesting in my garden today…

Maureen

The tomato wars continue. First, weird spring and early summer weather (as in, not our usual sunny and hot “Sacratomato” weather). Then continued deer attacks. A bout of blossom end rot. Finally got the 8 foot deer fencing up and now the tomato hornworms are in full force. Veggie gardening is certainly not for the faint of heart! Here’s what’s happening in my garden today…
Maureen

I’ve been faithful about getting out into the garden every Monday and posting a few pictures on Facebook. I’ve also gotten hooked on a few Flickr photography groups. Color groups, artistic inspiration groups, etc. Meanwhile, I’ve been neglecting this blog.

The Sacramento summer heat has arrived, making the garden look a bit tired. So, some closeup and macro views to focus on the things that still have some life left in them.

Maureen

I’ve been heading out to the garden every Monday morning for the past six weeks to take pictures. It not only serves to sharpen my photography skills (practice makes perfect), but also allows me to look for the beauty on my property rather than just seeing the undone chores. Since I’m a very undisciplined blogger I thought that posting the pictures here as well would get me here at least once a week!

Today is an overcast, drizzly day…perfect for garden photography. We are in a “Mediterranean” climate and are fortunate to be able to grow many Mediterranean plants as well as plants from Australia and New Zealand. There are many beautiful natives to the Sierra Nevadas as well. As in gardens everywhere, there is always something blooming in the springtime…

Maureen

It’s supposed to be a lovely Mother’s Day weekend in the Sacramento area. If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend (May 8-9, 2010), check out the El Dorado Hills Art & Wine Affaire at the El Dorado Hills Town Center. A chance to check out the creations of 200 local artists, listen to some live music, and taste wine from 20+ El Dorado County wineries!

I’ll be at booth 81 so stop by and say hello!

This week I’m in production mode for the Foothill Quilters Guild show. Mary Fassler and I have a vendor booth and I’m determined to beef up my polymer button inventory. I’ve been wanting to get some buttons made for a long time and this is the kick in the pants I’ve been needing. Hope you’ll stop by to say HI if you’re in Auburn this weekend!

Maureen

Yesterday was “box day” at PlacerArts in Auburn. This is the third year (but the first for me) that area artists have been invited to reserve a box and turn it into a work of art in two months. Yesterday, we picked up the boxes. This year, they are beautifully constructed 9″ square wooden boxes. We can leave as is or deconstruct them as long as all of the pieces are used. The final work can be any size as long as it fits through the door of the PlacerArts Building!
This is a big fundraiser for the local arts. During the Exhibit from April 8 to May 22 people can make silent bids, with the highest bids being the opening bids at the live auction on May 22.

I won’t have time to actually work on my project until I return from the Synergy2 Polymer Clay Conference in Baltimore at the end of February. Meanwhile, I’ll have something to think about as I fall asleep at night. It helps to actually see the box; I’ve already crossed a few ideas off my mental list.

If you live in the area, please come to the “Outside the Box” exhibit and support the arts! For everyone else, I’ll post some pictures again when my project is finished. Wish me luck!

Maureen

Next weekend is the annual Placer County Autumn Art Studios Tour. More than 70 artists will present their works and the local wineries will be open for tasting as well. I’ll be at Fox Barrel Cider Company in Colfax as I have no “studio” to tour (I work at mini-stations throughout my house and garage).

The pendant/pin pictured will be given away in a drawing at the end of the weekend. If you’re able to stop by Fox Barrel to taste their delicious hard ciders please fill out an entry form!

Hope to see you there…

Maureen

I was so excited to finally see the November-December 2009 issue of Step by Step Beads on the magazine stand! One of my polymer clay necklaces, “Circles and Squares”, was chosen as a finalist in their first Colorworks Contest. The challenge was to create a piece of jewelry in the purple, green, and orange triad. Congratulations to the winner, Cheri Stewart, and the other finalists. I was so pleased to see two other polymer clay pieces on the page (by Lindly Haunani and Carol Simmons)!

Maureen
Maureen Thomas Designs

As a texture fanatic, one of my favorite tools for working with polymer clay is the texture sheet. Victoria James, my friend and fellow Clayville California member, creates the most amazing silicone texture sheets. There’s always at least one on my work table. Victoria started by using trees, moss, rocks, and plants to create the texture sheets, but she now offers sheets made from her vast collection of textile print blocks. If you work with any kind of clay I think you will find a texture sheet (or two or three or…) a wonderful addition to your tool collection! They are strong, flexible, and they don’t require a resist. (Note: the sheets are actually green in color.) The polymer clay box shown above is currently on display at The Art Building in Auburn, CA as part of a promotional show for the upcoming Autumn Art Studios Tour 2009. Click here for more details.

Maureen
Maureen Thomas Designs