Showing posts with label garden: home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden: home. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2026

Butterfly Mosaic

Summer floated by gently, days fluttering into weeks as gatherings, events, and picnics flourished; now late evening sunsets are arriving earlier.  

I'll remind myself of this summer with my latest mosaic project - a blue and white butterfly I finished in August.     


Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Mosaic butterfly Mosaic

I envisioned a butterfly "sculpture" that would float over my fern garden, (which is starting to fade as the summer heat dries it out.)  


Blue White Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: Mosaic butterfly Mosaic

I also tried out the butterfly over/in one of my hydrangea plants (below)...  


BLUE WHITE Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 3: Blue and White Mosaic Butterfly

...but I like the butterfly flying over the ferns better.  


BLUE WHITE Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 4: Butterfly Mosaic over my Ferns


Some of you may remember there used to be glass garden flowers in my fern garden.  If you are wondering, I moved them to other parts of my yard, because the ferns looked so lush without them.


BLUE WHITE Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 5: Blue and White Mosaic Butterfly

Back to the mosaic:  My up-cycled picassiette mosaic butterfly started with a metal wall butterfly decoration found at a rummage sale.  I then covered the metal with mosaic pieces from blue and white vintage china. (Picassiette mosaics are mosaics made with pieces of china.)  

The butterfly is about 16 inches (40cm) across and 11 inches (28cm) from top to bottom.  


BLUE WHITE Mosaic butterfly by Jeanne Selep
Image 6: Mosaic butterfly Mosaic

The butterfly itself is sturdy, but not too heavy. I attached the butterfly to a pole (with some difficulty!)  I will see how the pole attachment holds up.  If the squirrels start jumping on it from the bird feeder I expect there will be problems.  The pole connection problem isn't really solved yet.

_____________________________________


I hope you have enjoyed
the long Summer days,
and I hope the rest of the year
is even better!


 (Even if like me you are going to miss summer a little...)

_____________________________________


Click on the images to see them enlarged.

 

Comments encourage me, and I like encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  


I have three large categories of posts: 
Travel, China and China hutches, and Mosaics.  

_____________________________________

hutch display
Click here for an Incredible Mosaic Collection!

_____________________________________

Recent Posts ...

Mosaic Tree #3
Mosaic Tree #2
Mosaic Tree #1
Italian Poppy Field
Journaling
Autumn Roads

_____________________________________

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

shell mirror
Shell Mirror
flower mirror
Flower Mirror
Rock Window
Heart Window
Glass Flowers
Fused Glass
Glass Leaf
Mosaics
Mosaic Birds
Italian Garden
Winter Garden

Bonsai in Bloom
Bluebirds
Canadian Hike
Autumn Wreath




_____________________________________

I am linking up to these parties: 
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 486 (Entry x of gone.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 579 (Entry 2 of 36.)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry sept back??)
More coffee breaks: Everyday Images 97 (b Entry 5 of 5.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 11x of 14x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 7 of 9.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 647 (l Entry 31 of 43.)
Keeping it Real: Mon Party 524 (Entry 12 of 40.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 15 of 16.)  Osaka bears
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry ??--)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 565 (Entry 5 of 9.)
My slices of life: Talk About It Tue 141 (Entry 88 of *)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 544 (m Entry 16 of 55.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 686 (l Entry 1x of 74x.)
Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed 276 (m Entry 32r of 134r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 525 (m Entry 15)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry x of 62.)            I was featured on 9-9-2026!
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 555 (m Entry 10 of 75.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop Wed (Entry 23 of 31.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 1 of 24.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 513 (Entry 4b of 30.)
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam Thur 22 (Entry 24 of 61.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty Th 462 (Entry 1 of 28.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 25 of 112.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 25
of 112.)   Fall Tour
Its a small town life: Thankful Th (Entry 12 of 17.)
Shelbee on the Edge: Spread Kindness 823 (l Entry 15 of 61)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 596 (s Entry 9r of 90r.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 608 (i Entry 4 of 99.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 732 (L Entry 9 of 68.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 458 (Entry 1 of 83.)
Bosworth Life: PoCoLoCo Post Comment Love (Entry 3 of 13.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 596 (L Entry 4 of 37.)   I was featured here!
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 742 (L Entry 4x of 83x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 156 (Entry 16 of 42.)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri 846 (Entry 6 of 12.)
Pams Party: Dare to share Fri 11p (m Entry 3 of 45.)             I was featured here!
Stitchin mommy: September Crafters (Entry 1x of 23x monthly)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party 40 (Entry 10)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 500 (l Entry 8)                                 500!
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 7a (Entry ***
)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 653 (Entry 6 of 69.
)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade 132 (Entry 6 of 69.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 376 (l Entry 18)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 738 (l Entry 4 of 51.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 7 of 9.)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 5)
Sticky Mud+Belly laughs: Mon Morning (Entry 1)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop Mon 427 (Entry 51 of 159.)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (bi-week)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly
)
Grace filled Moments: Sweet Tea Friends Sept (m Entry 37 of 159.
)
For the Love: Linkup Party 428 (Entry 1 of 14. monthly
)
Life Captured: Home Page Linkup 7 (Entry 2 of 21. monthly)
HP Portugal library

 
1238966


Here is a getting started with mosaics tutorial from Apple Street Cottage. 







Wednesday, December 31, 2025

When Life gives you Lemons

Lemons and flowers detail
Image 1: Lemons and flowers

I'm wrapping up 2025 with a quick final post, and wishing all a Blessed 2026!

My 2025 became the year of the trees for me, and a year of plants as well.  

Lemon tree
Image 2:  Lemon tree in my foyer!

In May my daughter and I bought two Meyer Lemon trees just for grins, to remind me of Italy.  Can we grow lemons for lemonade in Wisconsin?  I know many bloggers in warmer climates down south wouldn't think it was a big deal, but for me it was exciting to watch the tree survive outside(!), bear flowers, get baby lemons, etc.  The lemons didn't ripen before it got cold, so now I am trying to overwinter them in my foyer.  I always wanted a solarium...


Ripe Lemons on tree
Image 3:  Ripe Lemons on my tree

 

Over ten (12+ and counting) lemons did ripen indoors!


Ripe Lemon
Image 4:  Ripe Lemon

The fresh picked flavor was great, and very different than store bought lemons.


"When life gives you lemons, make Lemonade."

                                                -  Unknown


Image 5:  Lemonade


In 2025, I also planted four "taller than me" trees in my front yard.  I am hopeful they will survive the winter. [Once they lost their leaves in the fall they looked like a pole with twigs, worrying me.]  I'm counting on various plants to get me through winter.  I am a member of a garden club, a daffodil club, and in 2025 I joined an Iris club and a bonsai club, so one can guess winter I like greenery around me.

 

May 2026 be a blessed year for you, and the world if possible. 


Happy New Year!

Peace and Love for all in 2026!





Any lemon stories out there?  Leave a comment if you have time.  Anonymous comments are welcome...

_____________________________________

Recent Posts ...

Christmas Hutch
Mount Rainier
Autumn Roads
Autumn Hutch
Mosaic Tree
Seashell Mirror

_____________________________________


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

Autumn Hike
Yellowstone
Rock Window
Glass Garden
Italian Garden
Lotus Garden
Winter Garden
Spring Blossoms
flower mirror
Flower Mirror
Bluebirds
Travel Memories
Bonsai in Bloom
Orchids
Lilies of Valley




Orchid Peacock

_____________________________________

I am linking up to these parties:



I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 454 (Entry 6x of 77x.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 546 (Entry 8 of 23.)
My Random: Anything Goes 456 (Entry 18 of 33.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 7 of 18.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 11x of 21x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 14 of 20.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 613 (l Entry 5 of 45.)
Keeping it Real: Party 492 (Entry 7 of 44.)
Altered book lover: T Tuesday (Entry 4 of 10.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 339 (m Entry 18 of 77**)
Stephanie: PoCoLove (l Entry 3 of 17.)
My slices of life: Talk About It Tue 102 (Entry 1 of 109.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 510 (m Entry 18 of 70.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 18r of 84r.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 659 (l Entry 50x of 95x.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 49 (Entry 10x of 25x.)
Artsy Mama: Team Creative Crafts (Entry 26x of gone.)
Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 37 of 113.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 486 (m Entry 12 of 56.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 166? (Entry gone??)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 521 (m Entry 9 of 75.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 581 (Entry 9 of 64.)
Fine Whatever: Link up Party (Entry 9 of 65.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 47 of 72.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 482 biweekly (Entry 10 of 37.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty Th (Entry 21 of **)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 24 of **)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry )
Its a small town life: Thankful Th (Entry 15 of 16.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 562 (s Entry 8r of 110r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 11 of 83.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 574 (i Entry 12 of 91.
)
Marsha in the Middle: Weekend Traffic Jam 15 (Entry 2 of 61.
)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 700! (L Entry 5 of 94.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 430 (Entry 12 of 106.)
Shelbee: Spread the Kindness 788 (Entry 23 of 38.)
Grace Filled Moments: Sweet Tea (Entry 54 of 107.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 40 of 47.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 251 (L Entry 25 of 46.)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 707 (L Entry 37x of 54x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri 121 (Entry 14 of 26.)
Pams Party: Dare to share (m Entry 16 of 55.)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party Sun (Entry **)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry 6 of 10.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 282 (Entry 23 of 82.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade 102 (Entry 37 of 113.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 338 (l Entry 6 of 94.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 706 (l Entry 5 of 110.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 1 of 5.)
A Labour of Life: Happiness is Homemade 497 Sun a (Entry 37 of 113.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop Mon 4a (Entry **)
Pienilintu Finland: Wed around the World (monthly)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (bi-week)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)

921901