Little Yellow House Creations with Linda Aspenson Bergstrom: Flowers of My Memories

Little Yellow House Creations with Linda Aspenson Bergstrom: Flowers of My Memories:    I woke this morning with a memory stuck in my head. Not unusual. Maybe my brain is it's 'clearest' then.    I remembered wal...

Flowers of My Memories

   I woke this morning with a memory stuck in my head. Not unusual. Maybe my brain is it's 'clearest' then. 

  I remembered walks. Walks with my Grandmother.

  I was young, I'm sure just a knee high kids when these walks started, but they went on well into my teen years. 

 Spending time with Gramma, I was never too old. 

 On warm spring and summer days, we would walk down the long driveway, and many times down the dirt road. 

 Picking wild flowers, from Black Eyed Susan's that grew wild along the Wisconsin roadside to Queen Ann's Lace and Daisy's. Just to name a few!  Everything seemed to be a flower with Gramma. And...the me.

  We'd walk down the roads and she would tell me about her child hood, and her teaching days, and her life as a farmers wife. 

 She loved the farm. 

  I loved the farm. 

I would get on my blue 'Huffy' and ride that bike to her house, a seven mile ride, and a pleasant one. 

 Except for one small stretch. 

 There was a dog. That dog, I knew, would be on my 'fender' or worse, the minute he spotted me, and oh that dog could run. 

 About a quarter mile before that house, on a gravel rode, top that off with a sharp corner and up hill, this was no small feat, but that was when I gripped those handle bars until my knuckles turned white, gritted my teeth and peddled that one speed bike like no girl has ever peddled before. (I'm sure of that, I am.) 

I was terrified of that (probably really nice) 'evil killer' dog. 

 I would peddle until my legs hurt, get close to that house and, there he came, barking and ready, (I was sure) to take my legs off. I was going at the speed of, well, about as fast as a 'Huffy' one speed, can go.  I usually managed to keep him just at my heel, and when I rounded that sharp corner on the usually loose gravel I'd say a quick prayer: 'God please don't let me 'wipe out' on this corner'.  (He must have been listening. )

 I rounded the corner, and I stood and peddled harder. I had to make it up that hill and get away from the Killer Dog. 

 I always did, and at the top is where Killer turned around and went home. His work done apparently! 

 The rest of the ride was very pleasant. Long hills to coast down, beautiful scenery of the hilly Wisconsin Country side, the Drift-less Region. Blessed to have lived there I am. 

And I would arrive at my Grandparents, a quick left turn into their long drive way, and I'd coast until I got to the house.

  A quick swing on the long rope like branches of the biggest Willow tree I've seen to date, and into the house for a warm hug, a huge smile and a glass of lemon aid. 

  If it was the right time of the year, there would be fresh strawberries, to eat, and to pick. I always enjoyed picked berries with my grandfather. He had a 'pick yourself' patch and it attracted many. He had us kids pick as well, to sell to those who didn't want to crouch in the dirt, have the occasional toad jump out at them, and were sometimes just too elderly to do it.   

   My Grandpa:  'Linda, ya eat more than ya pick?"

   "Why do you think that Grampa?" 

  " Mirror''.  

Always just 'mirror'. And yes, my face was covered in red strawberry 'juice' and yes, I did eat more than I picked. Resist a fist size juicy berry? Not a chance. 

He didn't care. 

 Strawberries, milk and sugar would be our reward later, as if we hadn't already eaten our fill! 

 Then those walks. Chicory was one of my Gramma's favorites. She would always tell me stories of her walking to school to teach and how she would pick a 'bouquet' every day, her one room school always had a vase of fresh flowers. 

 The daisy's and the Queen Ann's Lace held a special magic. 

I was sure my Grandmother was the only one who knew this magical 'secret'. 

A little food coloring in the water in an old mason jar, and the flowers would suck up the water, turning the color she had added. 

It is such a small thing, but such a large, impacting memory.  

Queen Ann's Lace and Chicory don't grow on the roadsides in Barron County where I reside on my one acre of the earth. 

 I am fixing that problem however, the Chicory seeds arrived, and the Queen Ann's lace are on the way. 

Black Eye's Susan seeds or plants, are always stocked at the local nurseries, though they do grow wild here.  They were my father's favorite. A few years ago I planted some in his little flower garden, hoping for a great result the next summer. He gazed at them with a thoughtful look on his face. Always wondered what was going through his mind.  

   He never made it to that next summer. On this day, a few years ago, the day before his birthday, he passed.

  He left to go be with my Mom in the Heaven's.  I often wonder if the flowers still bloom in his garden.  

  I often thing of the walks on the dusty roads with Gramma and the time in the strawberry fields with Grampa.

  My mom loved the Queen Ann's Lace, though wild violets were of her favorites. I had planted those too, before her passing. 

 I think I should order some violet seeds today. It may only be February, but spring will come soon enough (well not really soon ENOUGH) and my garden will host the Flowers Of My Memories. 

Save a place for ya'll. I 'll see you again.

Little Crafting Going On: Bottle Your Plant!

                                      Bottle Your Plant! 

                                A CUTE LITTLE CARE FREE TERRARIUM IN A BOTTLE! 

   This is one of my favorite home made/hand made gifts to give. (I know, I make jewelry, you think I'd be giving that, or a painting, but no. Those are 'personal taste' items. 

I suppose this is as well, but it adds a little 'life' to the recipients  surroundings, and they are almost completely care free.   (and no bugs) 

              Very easy to make, but a quick how to never hurts, right? 

 

You start with any bottle you like. I love apothecary bottles, and you can see those in the top photo. Wine bottles work well, as they come in all shapes, sizes even colors, and keeping the cork in the bottle keeps the water from evaporating. (you may need to change it now and then, but not often) 

You will need glue, or Mod Podge. A glue stick works as well.. I use a sponge 'brush' to apply it. (For what? We'll get there) 

I also like to add ribbon, string, hemp, lace, there are basically no limits. Let the creative juices flow!!   Often, if the Bottle Plant is going to be a gift for a special occasion, I will choose a charm, flowers, something fitting to hand around the neck of the bottle. See what's in your 'junk' drawer! 

 I reuse items as often as possible, or use magazine cutouts, great photo's or scrap booking supplies. Seed packages are great too!  Think 'recycle/reuse'.  Below is my choice for this project: 

 I have chosen an old seed package (so pretty) some silk ribbon and silk flowers. 

The seed package is going on my bottle as 'the label'. (I do not always put a 'label' on, again it depends on the 'occasion'.  However on a wine bottle, it just makes it a bit more fun!   

 a light coat of Mod Podge. (this will just give you glue bubbles under the paper and when you push it out the sides it will wrinkle and tear your 'label'.  Be gentle! 

My 'label'.  

When you put your plant in the bottle, you will obviously want water. I cover about an inch of the bottom so that the water and the roots do not show. (Small Ivy works best, and you do not need to pre-root. It will be just fine if you clip a stem and put it in. It takes care of itself! 

 I added a small leave charm for fun. 

 Here I am wrapping the silk ribbon around the neck of the bottle.  Below, I have tucked my silk flowers in and tied up the ribbon. I like this! 

Cut a stem (size is our choice) Or several from an ivy plant or a vine of your choice. (smaller leaves work the best) 

 Then you simply drop it into the bottle and add water, as I said, about an inch or less will be enough.  

Below is my vine in the bottle (a couple different varieties looks really neat!) I then put the cork back in the top. This holds in the oxygen, and the water does not evaporate as I said earlier.  Very little care needed! 

About two or three times a year you may want to take the plants out and trim them back, and trim the roots. 

How to get them out?
Simply turn to bottle upside down, the water will help push the vine out, and if you can get it, just get a tweezers and gently yank that baby out!!! 

 These are in Apothecary bottles. (Easily found at antique stores and not expensive)  Special occasion? 

 This Apothecary bottle (BEST find EVER) is just one I've done for wedding table decorations.   

All the bottles I make do not always hold plants. 

I make 'memory' bottles as well. The contents is the choice of the person I'm making it for, but I'll show you one I have done in memory of my Mom. We shared a great love of Lake Superior and Light Houses. So....................

I couldn't fit a light house in the bottle, but I put in small pieces of driftwood and some lake stones and sea glass.  I made it look 'watery' by adding Diamond Glaze. 

Just pour it right in. 

this was taken before the glaze had a chance to dry, however it dries clear and adheres what is in the bottle so that it's not going to move around if I move the bottle. 

I love how the driftwood looks. This is a great way to make a 'memory bottle' of a vacation to the beach, or anywhere!  

I finished the top off with Hemp wound around the neck (glue around the neck first) and then randomly hung a strand of pearls that were my Moms.  Great memories of a wonderful woman.

If you go back up about four photos you see the lighthouse stamps I put around this bottle. 

You might not be making wine, but your making memories and gifts. 

Enjoy a plant in a bottle! 

Little bit of this....da da da daaaaaaaaaa

I am WAY back into jewelry these days (I now hear a Jim Croce song in my head)   These bracelets are on memory wire, and very comfortable. I usually do not use memory wire, and I was a bit hesitant this time, but so many (You and I together wouldn't be able to count them all in a week) so..too many beads, needed to do something! This is one of the 'projects I chose. There is a necklace in the works as well. Terribly fun, these little things. (well, not all that little)  There are more, and they will soon be available on Etsy.  (shameless plug:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaBOriginals)

 Then we have this little sweet things: 

This one is my personal favorite, I love all the vintage and the dangles and the sparkles, and KEYS

Soon to be available on my website or my favorite store that carries my jewelry,  20 Mile Organic in Barronette WI.  

Seeing Beyond the Photo. A photographer's story.

I am creative. I paint, write, make jewelry, sculpt, write recipes, and photograph. Sort of just scratching the surface here!
  I have a 'Photo Image Opinion'. (I made that up, like?)  I do though, really.
This opinion is that, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it goes beyond that.
 First lets look at some images I took today that represent outdoor activity in Northern Wisconsin, and, beauty in the eye of most beholders!

 So here we have it. A day on the ice known as Beaver Dam Lake, which surrounds our little town and makes us an island, in a way. We are known as The Island City.
Snowshoeing, snowmobiling with a covered sled behind (FUN), frozen guy on the lake, and ice fishing. Go 'Pack' Go! Oh, about this time I would be repainted that ice shack!
   So these are the normal daily/weekend activities in the North Country in Winter, when the ice thaws, it's boats, boards and the like.
  However, that is not what this is about.
  It's about seeing beyond the 'scenery', the common, the pretty little photo.
  I went Behind The Scenes.      I found MY Kinda OF Spectacular.                                                              These images, taken on the backstreets of our little town, the backs of the very old but beautiful (at least in front) buildings. And, other structures.   I find beauty here. I find beauty in reflections and the old door in a window, and a broken window. Yes, I enhanced the images. Yes, it added to them. But my point it, do we look deep? Do we look beyond the commonly pleasant and the norm? Do we dig deep to find beauty where no man has found it before. (Make that woman)
   The first photo is Main Street Cumberland USA.
Yes, enhanced, but it made it so peaceful and calming. Love how the truly red bench and the (not so real) flowers POPPED in red.

  We have our own little 'power supply'. I think, possibly one of the few in the State. Will have to check with BIL on that one, Yes, I enhanced again, but I see beauty, not just iron and wires.  I see shapes and forms and figures, and interest.
           Look. Close.     Take.Your.Time.        Feel.It.

 These make me think 'Big City'.   I find them beautiful. Yes, I am unusual. I except that.

Perfect spot for a senior portrait or wedding shot, this old warehouse. What grabbed my attention was the broken glass, and when enhanced, the door inside showed up. I didn't see it until then.  Beauty is in the enhancement abilities of a computer I guess.  I could work in the building. Perfect studio! Little glass work first maybe. The color of the bricks. Just a photo however, but can you find beauty in a plain, very old, broken down, every day building?  

 This place, a small space between buildings has always caught my interest. I long to see the apartment at the top of those stairs. I love the grill at the bottom of the fire escape.  Just another day in the alley. My kind of paradise at times. (I once lived about 25 steps from here. )

Yes, I am creative and I go with the flow of my right brain.  I see beauty in puddles that reflect light , and dying leaves in the fall. I see beauty in spring, summer, night and day. I see beauty in color, and in black and white or brown and eggshell. It doesn't matter to me.  

But my reason for this blog? Just a nudge in the direction of 'Looking Beyond' the 'Landmarks', the hills valleys and mountains. Beyond the sunset and the sunrise.

Find Beauty In Every Little Thing

Find Beauty In Non Spectacular. 

Life can be non spectacular, so I think we should live it and make that 'non spectacular: AMAZING. 

Putting this in 'the trash'

I'll be starting a new blog, new page. Details to come.  thank you.