Art in Bloom 2013

For the moms out there, here are some Mother's Day flowers for you to enjoy...

Flower arrangement for Milton Resnick's painting  "East is the Place"
(by Gaby Bras Floral Design)

The Milwaukee Art Museum holds a show each spring called Art In Bloom.  It is one of my favorite events in the spring. Art in Bloom is held mid-April, before spring really starts in Milwaukee, so viewers get to enjoy flowers and greens before they are appearing outside.  (I also get to enjoy flowers that will not be appearing outside, like the orchids in the arrangement below.)

Flower arrangement for "Mummy Coffin of Pedusiri" (by New Leaf Floral)

At Art in Bloom, selected art works in the museum are interpreted by area florists, many of whom are competing for view choice awards. Some of the arrangements are stunningly beautiful, and some are more abstract. There were over 45 arrangements in this year's show (2013) show.

Arrangement for John Singleton Copley's painting "Alice Hooper"
(by Sendik Food Market)

It fun to see the floral designer's work, the "state of the art" design concepts in floral arrangements.  Each year there are new plant materials and techniques.  My daughter and I rate the arrangements.  It's fun to see her perspective.

Flower arrangement detail - hydrangeas and contrasting plant material

Art in Bloom is also a great place for me to be able to photograph flowers up close in lovely and unique combinations.  The colors of flowers can be so incredibly vibrant, it takes my breath away.

Flower arrangement detail - orchids and roses

The flower arrangements also help you to study and notice more about the artwork that inspired the arrangement. It really makes it an enjoyable event. 

Flower arrangement for Jan Swart van Groningen's triptych, 
(by Nicholas Carl Design)

Don't the pink roses and matching pink tulips work well together in the photo below?  And I am going to try to mix in Queen Annes Lace into some flower arrangements this summer.

Flower arrangement detail - tulips and roses

I'm sharing this on my blog because flowers and flower arrangements are inspirational to me, and I know many bloggers decorate with flowers sometimes.  Funny, rarely do my arrangements at home look like these.

Flower arrangement for Jan Swart van Groningen's triptych, 
(by Nicholas Carl Design)

For the vintage parties I link to, the art is antique and vintage.  And so is flower arranging.


Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Chicago Garden

Chicago Garden

Art in Bloom 2008

Art in Bloom 2010

I am linking to these parties:

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 6) 
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 203, (Entry 134) *

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur (Entry 40) 
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 135 (Entry 13)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thur 66 (Entry 67) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 147 (Entry 127) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 130 (Entry 4)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 41b)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed (Entry 93)
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry 87)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 87 (Entry 76) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 57 (Entry 60) 
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 106 (Entry 4 of 103)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 107 (Entry 205)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 95)
Joyful Homemaking Think Tank Thur 29 (Entry 31)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur (Entry)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 118 (Entry 54)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 108 (Entry 5)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 77)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration (Entry 32)
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry 12)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 87) *
Chic: Flaunt it Fri 153 (Entry 25)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 313)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 713) 
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 9) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 62)  
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 186 (Entry 152) *

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 252)

Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 67 (Entry 152) 
Boggieboard: Masterpiece Mon 123 (Entry 44) *

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase 194 (Entry 34)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 92)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 79 (Entry 398)
Twigg Studios: Sun Showoff (Entry 88)

Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 65)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 65)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 17 (Entry 235)
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 16) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 101 (Entry 13)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 85) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 163 (Entry 59)

Dedicted House: Make it Pretty Monday 49 (Entry 127)

* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 164 (Entry 28)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 86 (Entry 20)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 66 (Entry 173)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 134  (Entry 82) 

Diamond: Time to Shine 116 (Entry 124)

Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 44 (Entry 10b)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed (Entry)  
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry )

Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 85 (Entry )
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 70 (Entry ) 
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 166 (Entry )
Southern Lovely: Show Share 88 (Entry )
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 55 (Entry ) 
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 104 (Entry ) 
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 133 (Entry )
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 107 (Entry )
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry )

Snap Creativity: Show and Tell (Entry )
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry ) 
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 118 (Entry 228) h *
Cozy Little House: Tweak It Tue 40  (Entry 121)
Joyful Homemaking Think Tank Thursday (Entry )

Feeding Big: In and Out of the Kitchen 13 (Entry 101)
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 44)


Fishtail Cottage: Cottage Party 2 (Entry 22)
Fertilizer Friday (Entry 7am)


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Spring Needlework

Vintage Cross Stitch from a tea towel

Here in Wisconsin, the daffodils started blooming the last weekend in April - and the tulips had buds, the grass was green, but the trees were still bare.  Since spring is finally starting I decided to share some very spring-like vintage needlework linens I have collected.  One word that describes these linens is "Sweet".  

Vintage Cross stitch detail from a pillowcase

The two photos above show two cross stitch samples.  I love the coloration on these two projects - so beautiful and springy.  I have made a few cross stitch projects, mostly Christmas ornaments, and so I have an appreciation for the time cross stitch takes.  (About eight hours to make a small Christmas ornament).  So when I see a lovely project at an estate sale or rummage sale, I enjoy collecting it. 

Vintage blanket stitch hand applique detail

The next type of needlework I am sharing I have only ever seen at estate or rummage sales, but now I have several examples.  The brightly colored blanket stitch hand applique is fascinating to me.  The blanket stitches are so tiny and nearly invisible on the back.  The fabric appliqued has beautiful variations in color, and the color is so pure.     

Details from two hand appliqued tea towels

Above I am showing the two towels together so you can see the differences in the placement of the color, for example in the blue flower.  These towels may have been "mass produced", (I am guessing), but the needlework is still done by hand.   

Needlework tree in bloom

This final example is machine done (I presume). A whimsical tree in bloom shines on the lightest weight pink fabric.  I like how the designer made the trunk detail have actual holes through the fabric.  This example is also from a towel, and I find the pink and gray combination sophisticated.  

I hope these springy needlework linens cheer you as much as they cheer me.

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Vintage Lace

Stockings

Heart Quilt

Batik Scrap Quilt

Spring Hutch

Spring China

Mosaic Heart

Butterfly Bling

I am linking to these parties:

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 147 (Entry 50 of 81.)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 15 of 20.) 
Shabby Creek: Transformation Thur 202 (Entry 376 of 475.) *

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 22 (Entry 64 of 91.)
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 134 (Entry 25 of 32.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 107 (Entry 4 of 56.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 65 (Entry 89 of 106.) 
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 86 (Entry 186 of 268.) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 146 (Entry 270 of 375.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 129 (Entry 177 of 260.) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Thur 117 (Entry 49 of 143.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 56 (Entry 88 of 116.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 105 (Entry 103 of 117.) 
Blue Egg: Vintage Love Thur (Entry 8 of 19.) 
Creative Princess: Its a Party 103 (Entry 122 of 136.)
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 15 of 141.) 

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 45 of 301.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 138 (Entry 69 of 236.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 115 of 311.)
Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Fri 152 (Entry 80 of 263.)
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 130 of 399.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 540 of 780.) 
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 184 (Entry 67 of 107.)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 150 (Entry 56 of 94.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 78 (Entry 235 of 546.)
Simple Five: Inspire me Fri 101 (Entry 15 of 128.) 
Rooted in Thyme: Simple and Sweet Fri (Entry 56 of 77.)
Dedicated: Anything Blue Fri 7 (Entry 5 of 78.)
Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 66 (Entry 118 of 191.) 

504Main: Tickled Pink 144 (Entry 161 of 238.) 

Be Different: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 288 of 345.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Mon 224 (Entry 133 of 206.) *
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 100 (Entry 27 of 64.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 122 (Entry 24 of 132.) h
Stephanie Lynn: Sunday Showcase 193 (Entry 195 of 266.) 
Making the World Cuter 53 (Entry 102 of 190.)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 16 (Entry 57 of 623.)
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 162 (Entry 19 of 252.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 60 of 171.) 
Dedicated: Make it Pretty Mon 48 (Entry 97 of 339.)

Cedarhill Ranch: The Scoop Tues 65 (Entry 210 of 345.)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 133  (Entry 108 of 245.) 
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 163 (Entry 114 of 206.) 
Diamond: Time to Shine 114 (Entry 130)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 85 (Entry 32)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 83) 
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 56 (Entry ?) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 66)

Family Home: Wow Us Wed (Entry 43)
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 169 (Entry 89)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 117 (Entry 165) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 1)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 30b) 
Annamarie: Link your Stuff 20 (Entry 174)
Le Chateau des fleurs: Mon Link Party  (Entry 178)
Cottage market: Junkin Joe Vintage  (Entry 38)
Dwellings: Amaze me Mon 5 (Entry 52) 
Cozy House: Tweak it Tuesday 39 (Entry 119)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry )
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed (Entry )
Snap Creativity: Show and Tell (Entry )


 
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Handpainted Plates

Hand painted porcelain plate A, 8.375 inches (21.2 cm)

Today I am sharing two unique hand painted Asian porcelain plates from my collection.  The first plate, (above) is exquisitely painted, with hundreds of fine tiny brush strokes, and hundreds of raised white bumps where the white background shows through.  When I hold it I feel like I am holding a masterpiece from a time gone by.  I run my hands over the bumps with guilty pleasure, because if this piece of art were in a museum I would never be able to stroke it or even touch it.  The plate is fragile, impossible to reproduce, and it's mine to hold. (I am a tactile person as well as visual - I want to touch items I find visually beautiful). 

Hand painted porcelain plate A

Maybe the blog community could help me --- I would love to know if this plate is Japanese or Chinese (or other).  The photo mosaic shows the "signature" from the back of the plate. I don't even know which way is up or down on this signature.  If anyone could care to enlighten me, I would appreciate it - maybe you or a friend can read either Japanese or Chinese...?? 

Hand painted porcelain plate B, 8.375 inches (21.2 cm)

The second plate (above) is signed the same way as the first plate, but the artwork is very different.  Both plates have intensely tiny and thin strokes precisely laid down, with an oriental feel.  Both porcelain plates are 8.375 inch (21.2 cm) across. 

Plate B, detail of brush strokes in tree

I know that the plates are porcelain because porcelain is translucent when held up to the light.  The porcelain is fragile - there is a small crack in both plates, in plate 1 the crack goes through the top flying bird.  That didn't stop me from buying the plates.  I have many cracked and chipped items that I cherish anyway, and sometimes the chip or crack is the reason I am able to afford the item I am looking at.  But often a beautiful item will be bypassed by others because the style isn't fashionable or contemporary, or because people don't know what to do with an odd miscellaneous plate.  I'm happy to take home these pieces, and protect them for several more years (and hopefully decades).  I think of my neglected and unwanted treasures as my orphans.  I purchased both of these wonderful plates with soaring songbirds at an estate sale - for a song.

Plate B, brushstroke detail. The bird is .75 inches across.
What kind of brush did the artist use to paint that? 

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


[OK, skip this part unless you are really interested.]  Here is a detailed description of the plate A, my favorite.  - A thin black border less then .25 inches thick has golden gilt lines decorating it.  Inside this border, the next inch on the rim of the plate has over 40 delicate light blue 5 petaled flowers and many more buds and petals making up a blue ground of airy flowers.  Each of these light blue flowers has a ring of about 20 really small dark blue dots around the center section of tiny lines.  (The artist missed the dark dots in one of the flowers - I noticed it as I was counting the flowers.)  Where the white porcelain shows through, there are raised white dots of paint - about 25 dots in a quarter of an inch, and yet none of the dots touch.  I know I would have a hard time painting that precisely.  Delicate sage foliage spreads from the blue in towards the center of the plate, and among the foliage pastel pink and yellow flowers emerge.  These plants and flowers are on a white background, with more of those dots, but the white dots here show more wear.  The center of the plate has an abstract circle made up of the blue flower petals in the rim, but here arranged in a mandala or kaleidoscope fashion.  And three little brush stoke birds nestle in the foliage, or fly in the white dotted air.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

China Finds

Harvest Plates

Flow Blue China

Rosenthal

Spring Hutch

Kent china

Easter Hutch

I am linking to these parties:

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 146 (Entry 25 of 55.)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 16 of 16.)                 
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 201, (Entry 390 of 441.) *

Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home Thur 116 (Entry 84 of 159.)
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 21 (Entry 81 of 94.) 
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 133 (Entry 18 of 21.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 106 (Entry 28 of ?.)    
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 64 (Entry 107 of 110.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 85 (Entry 251 of 279.)
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 145 (Entry 289 of 326.)
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 128 (Entry 222 of 248.)  
Life on Lakeshore: Bouquet of Talent Thur 32 (Entry 161)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 55 (Entry 81 of 97.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 104 (Entry 3 of 51) 
Blue Egg: Vintage Love Thur (Entry 18 of 25)               
Creative Princess: Its a Party 103 (Entry 119 of 128)   
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 89 of 159)             

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 152 of 326) 
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 136 (Entry 128 of 235)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 28 of 270.)   
Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Fri 151 (Entry 13 of 239.)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 83 of 401)            
Snap: Show and Tell 44 (Entry 182 of 187.)  
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 87 of 159) 
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 501 of 732.)

Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 184 (Entry 90 of 174.) 

Stephanie Lynn: Sunday Showcase 192 (Entry 213 of 271.)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 149 (Entry 30 of 89.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 77 (Entry 146 of 523.) 
BNOTP: Metamorphis Mon 223 (Entry 80 of 211.) *
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 99 (Entry 19 of 71)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 121 (Entry 54 of 123) h
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 64 (Entry 32 of 335)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 71 of 197)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 15 (Entry 437 of 658.) 
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 161 (Entry 42 of 271.)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 132  (Entry 1 of 247)

* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 162 (Entry 36 of 216)
Diamond in the Stuff: Time to Shine 27 (Entry 72 of 122)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 84 (Entry 10 of 74)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 106 of 155) 
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 109 (Entry 151 of 176) 

Little Read House: Mosaic Monday (Entry 40 of 58)
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 71)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 42 (Entry 1 of 32)

Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 116 (Entry 238) h *
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 1097 (Entry 86)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 108 (Entry 15) 
Family Home: Wow us Wed (Entry 43)
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 168 (Entry 3)
Snap Creativity: Show and Tell 45 (Entry 60)
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry ) 
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed 30 (Entry 67)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry )
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed (Entry 19)
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