Japan Travel Memories

 I returned from a trip to Japan with this view from Kyoto etched in my mind. 

Image 1: Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan

I took this photo of the Kiyomizu Dera Temple around sunset.  It was the last day that the temple was illuminated for the cherry blossom season in April 2025.  

My daughter and I had checked out of our Tokyo hotel and took a fast Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto.  We raced to check our bulky luggage into our hotel, and then we ran up the roads, paths, and steps leading to the Temple, not knowing what to expect.  I had made the note "last night of the Kiyomizu Temple illumination" on my calendar, but had no idea what the Temple illumination actually meant.  Much of our time in Tokyo had been rainy, so we hadn't see many "illuminations" in Tokyo.

As I stood there, shivering in the cold, I had been wishing that the clouds hiding the setting sun would somehow magically disappear.  (Shivering because the side of a mountain is much colder than valley below, and Kyoto was colder than Tokyo was, and the temperature rockets down once the sun disappears, and the extra layers of clothing and gloves were safely packed miles away in our hotel room...)  As the sky turned darker we caught our breath.  I began to appreciate the temple's orange glow against the blue and purple skies and hills framing the city lights of Kyoto.  In the cold air (I couldn't see my breath, but I felt like I should have been able to!), the crowds thinned and I felt incredibly lucky to be able to share this day with my daughter.

Image 2: Night Illumination of Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto

Back at home, I have thousands of images to backup, sort, and process, which will allow me to relive and savor the trip.  Reviewing the photos from Japan might become my major project for the summer.  I plan to share more photos over time.

Until then, I am posting a collection of other travel memory posts below - click and enjoy!

Canadian Rockies Hike

Italian Garden

New York Christmas Lights

Canada's Bow Lake

Yellowstone Memories

Grand Canyon Indian Ruins

Grand Canyon South Rim

Yosemite's El Capitan

German Castle

NY Christmas Window Display

Paris Museum

Paris Reflections

Appalachian Evening

Autumn Color in Canada

NY Christmas P2

NY Christmas P1

Chicago Christmas

New York Eggs

Las Vegas Night

Dogs of New York

Washington DC

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am linking up to these parties:
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 6)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me 516 Mon 9a (Entry 6 of 34.)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry **)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 18 of 38.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 22x of 26x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 17 of 29.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 579 Mon 1p (l Entry 44r of 55r.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 14 of 15.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 331 May (m Entry 12 of 69)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me 777 Mon 3p (l Entry 1)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 35 of 41.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 494 (Entry 12 of 14.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 475 (m Entry 21 of 81.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About 302 (s Entry 27r of 93r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist (l Entry )
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star 302 (l Entry 27r or 93r.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 634 Tues (l Entry 3x of 98x.)
My Life Abundant: Wonderful Wed 631 (Entry 13r of 86r.)
Grandmas house: G's House 450 Wed (m Entry 35 of 65.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 22 of 88.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 5r of 36r.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 132 (Entry 5r of 84r.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 488 Wed (m Entry 14 of 82.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead 546 Blog Hop Wed (Entry 18 of 78.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 1 of 72.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 452 Wed 6p (Entry 23 of 38.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 394 Th (Entry 34 of 39.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 39 of 132.)
Lisa Howeler: Sat Chat (Entry 1 of 5.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 2 of 13.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri 529 (s Entry 4r of 87r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 9 of 101.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Fri 541 8p (i Entry 10 of 119.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 668 Fr 8a (L Entry 10 of 94.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 397 (Entry 21 of 100.)
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry 29r of 39r.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 39 of 52.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 242 (L Entry 10 of 59.)   I was featured here!
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 342 (L Entry 17x of 57x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 88 Fri (Entry 12 of 28.)
Pams Party: Dare to share (m Entry 20 of 86.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 430 (l Entry 11 of 11.)
House on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 248 7a (Entry 6 of 104.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade 80 (Entry 13 of 105.)
Life&Linda: Dishing it Digging it 303 Sun 3p (l Entry 24 of 110.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 669 (l Entry 6 of 103.)               I was featured here!
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 9 of 12.)
Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 497 (Entry 4 of 107.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 14 of 98.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 361 Mon 4a (Entry 53)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry 19 monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 55 of 149 in May)

753237

Upcycled Flower Mirror

Image 1: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

Mosaic art can often include "found objects".  In my recent mirror project the found objects basically took over!  I made this floral mirror using repurposed vintage 3D porcelain flowers, a new beveled mirror, and mosaic tools, techniques, and products.  

Image 2: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

The edging reminds me of frosting flowers on a cake. As a child I wanted decorated cakes with frosting roses, so I think perhaps that unconsciously influenced my mirror.  (Because I wasn't thinking frosting flowers as I made this mirror, but now that's what I see.)  

Image 3: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

I decided to use mostly pastel flowers in spring pinks and yellows, but then I added the deep pink flowers as an accent.  The roses vary quite a bit - some of the roses are more modern than others. 

Image 4: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

The photo above has a daffodil - its the second flower from the top on the left.  There are also a handful of carnations and other flowers, (see below), but mostly the mirror is created with roses. 

Image 5: Mirror Corner Detail with Carnations

The flowers come from vintage porcelain floral arrangements which were often arranged in small white containers and baskets.  I've seen these arrangements mostly at estate and rummage sales.  Many 3D floral arrangements get thrown out because of chipped or broken flowers.  What a loss, and yet understandable - the arrangements aren't necessarily  "in" style, and a broken flower detracts from the effect.  Reusing several of the flowers in a mosaic project like a frame is great re-purposing.  Using this many in my mirror frame is probably excessive but definitely brings me spring joy. 

Image 6: Flower Mirror Border Detail

The mirror is (not surprisingly) fragile. Dusting, cleaning, and moving it requires care.  This mirror is not exactly practical! But I know, while I own it,  I would be able to repair any petals that break by replacing the flower, exact color and style not being important. 

Image 7: Porcelain Flower Mirror

Enjoy Spring and Summer,

and 

Stop and Smell the Roses!

Notes: 

The mirror dimensions are 21.5 inches wide by 25.5 inches high (about 55 cm x 65 cm).  Most of the roses I used are about 1.5 inches to 2 inches (3cm-5cm) across.  (Many flowers of this type are up to 3 and 4 inches across).

My art teacher, who has worked at estate sales over decades, and is a "professional" thrifter, collected many of these flower arrangements over the years for the flowers.  She has made at least two gorgeous larger mirror frames with the flowers.  I was fortunate enough to use her collection of flowers for this mirror - it might take me a lifetime to collect this many flowers.  I used a new frame with a beveled mirror from an "At Home" store for the base.  You can't really see the bevel in the photos above.

These types of flowers are sometimes called Capodimonte porcelain after an Italian manufacturer from 1743-1759.  That manufacturer influenced the Majello company in 1867 to revive the porcelain tradition.  Majello spurred interest in flower arrangements, resulting in companies making reproductions and new arrangements over the years.  The bouquets were sometimes wedding and shower favors, as well as gifts and Italian souvenirs.  Real Capodimonte arrangements (from 1743-1759) are collected and expensive antiques, but the term has morphed into a label for the porcelain flowers and bouquets.  While Italy was an original source for Capodimonte, England and China manufacturers also create porcelain flower bouquets. 

  

As always,
Click on the images to see them enlarged!
There is so much more detail in the larger photos!

Please leave comments, I love them!

If you enjoyed Creative Projects you might also like:

Glass Flowers 2

Rock Window

Mosaics

Bunny Mosaic

Mosaic Birds

Mosaic Birdhouse

Glass Flowers

Mosaic Cross

Mosaic Window

Valentine Ball

Spring Album

Button Pumpkin

Fused Glass

Batik Star Quilt

Circle Quilt

Heart Quilt Top

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

St. Patrick's day is March's holiday -
Here is a link to my seasonal Hutch display!

Seasonal Hutch Arrangements

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 415 (Entry 8x of 100x.)
Creativsalat.de creativsalat March (Entry 84r of 158r.)
Classical Homemaking: Pink Sunday #1! (Entry 5 of 9.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 287 Mon 4a (Entry 16 of 180.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 508 (Entry 2 of 83.)
My Random: Anything Goes 447 (Entry 35 of 51.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 2 of 27.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 842 (s Entry 16x of 35x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 18 of 31.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 571 Mon (l Entry 3 of 58.)
Keeping it Real: Party 454 (Entry 9 of 47.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 331 May (m Entry 14 of **)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 768 (l Entry 2 of 121.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 23 of 106.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 468 Tues (m Entry 19 of 92.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 26r of 111r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues 620 (l Entry 36 of 40.)
Shelbee on the Edge: Spread kindness 748 (l Entry 24 of 54.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 628 Tues (l Entry 2x of 99x.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 15r of 124r.)
Also PennysPassion: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 15r of 124r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 444 Wed (m Entry 21 of 59.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 16 (m Entry x of 26.)           I was featured here!
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 13 of gone.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 126 (Entry 18 of 98.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 482 Wed (m Entry 12 of 99.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 540Wed (Entry 11 of 75.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 6 of 80.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 456 Wed (Entry 20 of 39.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 386 Th (Entry 8 of 31.)
An Artful Mom: Th Fav Things 702 (Entry 17 of 170.)              I was featured here!
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 17 of 170.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 17 of 170.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 522 Fri (s Entry 5r of 125r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 10 of 61.)
2Chicks+Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry 8 of 105.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 665 (L Entry 37 of 98.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 390 (Entry 4 of 79.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 28 of 55.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 15 of **)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 375 (L Entry 10 of **)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri (Entry 21 of 36.)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged 771 Fri (Entry 5 of 20.)     I was featured here!
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 38 of 61.)
House on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 240 (Entry 1 of 117.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry ***)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 296 Sun 3p (l Entry 11 of 126.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 661 (l Entry 6 of 127.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 4 of 10.)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 4 of 106.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 576 Sun a (Entry 10 of 64.)
Sticky Mud+Belly Laughs: Mon Morn club (Entry 26 of 28.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry 20 monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 56 in May)

735611

Bydevis, Teacher bacn

Orchid Show Peacock

Image 1: Chicago Botanic Orchid Show Peacock

The latest orchid show I attended featured a wonderfully whimsical peacock with a tail created using hundreds of living orchids.    

Image 2: Fantasy Peacock at the Chicago Botanic

An artist created the peacock's head, and gardeners formed the tail by cleverly placing blooming live orchid plants.

Image 3: Orchid Show Peacock

You can see hundreds of blossoms (looking like dots) in the photo above that will open over the next several weeks.

Image 4: Pink Orchid Variety originally from India

These two photos show a closer view of the orchids making up the tail.  All of the varieties of orchids used originated from India (but most were grown here, I believe). 

Image 5: Orchid Varieties originally from India

The photo below shows details of the tail.  Foliage behind the orchids was tinted to highlight the orchids. This image gives some a sense of the size of the peacock: the tail is about 10 to 12 feet high.  (The peacock's head is over 5 feet off the ground)

Image 6: Orchid and Foliage Texture Detail from the Peacock

The peacock, as well as many other displays, can be seen at the Chicago Botanic Garden's latest orchid show, titled "India Blooms".  

Image 7: Orchid Show 2025 India Blooms

This show may well be their best orchid show yet, and I have attended most of CBG's eleven shows. The show runs from February 8 to March 23, 2025, and if you can catch the show, I highly recommend a visit.

Image 8: Orchid Show Passageway

The show's creators made fantastic floral fantasy displays designed to delight all ages, using only orchid species originating from India.

Image 9: Orchid Show 2025 Display Room

Many of the Indian orchid varieties will be unusual and captivating to US orchid enthusiasts, and any flower lover can enjoy the multitude of beautiful orchid varieties and displays presented.  

 

I would show more of the displays if I had more time.  And of course I with more time I would show orchid close-ups. Here is a post with close-ups of orchids from a previous orchid show. 

Image 10: Orchid Show 2025

This post is a new record for me - I saw the show Feb 19, 2025, and I unloaded the camera, picked, cropped and worked on the better photos, wrote and edited my text, etc. and made this post in under a week.  Not my usual workflow timing!  (I know many bloggers don't find this hard - I admire their drive...)

Have you seen the (USA) Chicago Orchid Show, and/or does your area have an orchid show?  If so, where, what country/park/garden?  Let me know!

 

Note: here is the link to the Chicago Botanic Garden's website, and the Orchid show in specific!

As always,
Click on the images to see them enlarged!
There is so much more detail in the larger photos!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The peacock creation at the garden resonates with me because peacocks are one of my favorite birds.  

Some readers might remember my post from 2024 featuring real peacocks from Italian gardens.
Click here to see my Italian peacock post! 

Image 11: White Peacocks in Italy

Image 12: Rare Italian Peacock

St. Patrick's day is around the corner -
Here is a link to my seasonal Hutch display!

Seasonal Hutch

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Orchids

Italy Gardens

Glass Flowers 2

Winter Garden

Lotus Garden

Japan Memories

Canada Autumn

Italian Garden

NYC Christmas

Yellowstone

Canada Lake

Art in Bloom 3

Art in Bloom 2

Art in Bloom 1

Bonsai in Bloom

Lilies of Valley

Rock Window

Mosaics

Flower Bouquet

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am linking up to these parties:
Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs: Mon Morn Blog Club (Entry 2 of 17.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 349 Mon 4a (Entry 55 of 185.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 505 9a (Entry 17 of 57.)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry 3 of 48.)
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 7 of 8.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 30 of 36.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 12x of 31.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 20 of 27.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 568 1p (l Entry 19 of 61.)
Keeping it Real: Party 451 (Entry 22 of 45.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 6 of 15.)
My slices of life: Talking About It Tue (s Entry 1 of 101.)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me 766 Tue 3p (l Entry 14 of 110.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 9 of 44.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 485 (Entry 7 of 17.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 465 Tues (m Entry 17 of 93.)
Life tales books: Will blog for comments (Entry 43 of gone.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 16r of 43r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 617 (l Entry 14 of 48.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 1 of 87.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 626 5p Tues (l Entry 1x of 109x.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Wed 70 (m Entry 97 of 112.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 441 Wed (m Entry 42 of 66.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 19 of 97gone.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 20r of 35r.)
Arts and Classy: Whimsy Home 123 (Entry 16 of 91r.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 479 Wed (m Entry 18 of 98.)      I was featured here!
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop Wed (Entry 52 of 84.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 456 Wed 6p (Entry 21 of 39.)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments (Entry 43 of gone.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 384 Th (Entry 18 of 35.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 38 of 156.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 27 (Entry 8 of 13.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 519 Fri (s Entry 7r of 91r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 5 of 115.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry **)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Sat Sparks 658 Fr 8a (L Entry 6 of 120.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 387 (Entry 9 of 91.)
Gmas photo: Linky Party (Entry 7r of 7r.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 27 of 46.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 232 (L Entry 11 of 69.)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 665 (L Entry x of 77x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 78 Fri (Entry 21 of 41.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 3 of 106.)
For the Love: Wed Party 351 Lets Grow Together (Entry 65 of 74.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 422 (l Entry 9 of 19.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 238 7a (Entry 1 of 109.)
Classical Homemaking: Pink Sunday #1! (Entry 6 of 9.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 294 (l Entry 74 of 129.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 661 (l Entry 7 of 127.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 4 of 109.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 576 Sun a (Entry 29 of 64.)
Sum of their Stories: Handmade Mon 413 (Entry 15x of 112x.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry 21 monthly)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 331 May (m Entry 13)
Shelbee on the Edge: Show your Style (Entry 9 of 57.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 7 of 195.)

716967

Spring bouquets, Van Gogh