Fabulous Friday... thinking of spring.

Well, winter has officially begun.  With the temperatures here in the negative numbers the last few days -  I am already dreaming about spring.  I planted some violets last spring that I got from a friend of mine and I am looking forward to watching them bloom this year.

Here is a painting of violets I did last spring.   I thought I would share it with you.  I would love to do more flower paintings this year and have them made into cards, etc. to sell.  I think this would make a pretty birthday card... What do you think?

Butterfly weed, balloon flower...

I thought I would share two of my favorite perennial plants.  They are some you don't see everyday and in every garden and I like that.  The balloon flower, also known as Chinese Bellflower comes in a dark purple variety as well.  The butterfly weed attracts butterflies and bees.  I think it's a new hybrid of some kind of milkweed because the leaves and pods that form look similar, but it doesn't create a mess like milkweed.  It is available in several colors.

Butterfly weed in white. 

Pink butterfly weed.

Balloon flower

Balloon flower ready to "pop".

Daylilies, oh how I love thee...

I have many different types of daylilies in my garden.  I got all of them from gardener friends or family. Most of these I only planted 2 summers ago and they have filled in quite abundantly.  I might even have to thin them out next summer.  Anyone want to do a lily/flower trade?

These ones I just transplanted this year, from some that I originally planted at my parents house probably 17 years ago.

Simple bouquet...

I love lavender.  Today I cut and dried quite a bit of it, and I also decided to make a simple little bouquet that will look nice dried as well.  The house smells so good!  I am planning to make lavender glycerin soap too. (I will share photos when I do).

From Left: Santolina (great dried and used to keep moths out of closets, etc.), lavender, yarrow, blue grass, and  heliopsis.

Lavender and Santolina

Heliopsis, Blue grass, and Yarrow

Finished simple bouquet

Smells so fragrant!

Terrariums....

Terrariums have always intrigued me.  There is just something about a tiny garden world enclosed and protected in a glass container.  It is so wonderful to imagine being shrunk down to size and walking around in there with the plants...like being in a jungle.  I have been gathering my ideas for building my own small garden world and here are some I thought I would share.  When I have a chance I will share the one I decide to build.

The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin, this is on my wishlist.

A glass cloche from "Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds," (Timber Press, 2011) by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant found via Associated Press.

Little Hanging Possum Terrarium by Botany Factory

Mason Jar Terrarium by DoodleBirdie on Etsy.  I love that this has sand and shells added in.

Terrarium made from a glass shade found via Jenna 

How about this adorable Adopt a Tree Necklace from GardenofSypria on Etsy.