 Ahhhh, spring is here! It's so nice to see some green sprouting and to feel the sun's warmth getting more intense. Another seed catalog came in the mail so I definitely have to make up my mind about what seeds to get and place my order before they sell out. I'll admit the catalogs are more for dreaming about all the things I'd like to plant before it's actually warm enough to get outside. I get most of my seeds from local stores but I will order seeds for those unusual heirloom varieties that aren't popular commercial sellers. Each year I like to plant at least one thing in my garden that I've never grown before. Last year it was Escamillo peppers, a mild yellow variety that was delicious. The year before it was ground tomatoes. I didn't care for them but that's okay because the chipmunks were more than happy to come by each morning and help themselves. This year my new to me plant will be the herb Angelica archangelica.  I've been reading John Forti's book "The Heirloom Gardener" It's a beautifully designed book full of information, garden quotes, and lots of bright spring green illustrations by Mary Azarian. The first chapter is all about Angelica. I was fascinated by the description of its chartreuse hollow stems and the large white umbrels loved by bees and butterflies. As a culinary herb tea, syrup, and cordials can be made but it's also known for its medicinal qualities. Angelica is a biennial, which means I won't get flowers this first year but even so I can't wait to see the seeds sprout. Hmmm, I wonder if the angelica leaves will be good for eco-printing?
 "It's exciting to see things coming up again, plants that you've had twenty or thirty years. It's like seeing an old friend." ~ Tasha Tudor
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 There were so many beautiful days in October and November is starting off the same way. This year we are having a longer than usual growing season. The average date for the first frost in my part of coastal Connecticut is between October 11th and October 20th. It's now the second week of November and we've had a couple of very light frosty mornings but no hard frost that makes the tender annuals and perennials say their last goodbye. Look at all the color I was still enjoying during the last week of October.  One of the first plants to go when just the slightest frost hits is the sensitive fern and that's exactly why it's named as it is. The green turns to a pale golden yellow with an edging of brown. I like how the fading plant resembles the print I got when using one to make an eco-print.   I've been saving leaf skeletons for years and have a large collection I keep organized in clear sleeves in a notebook. For the past 5 weeks, I've enjoyed looking over that collection and choosing ones to feature in my Monday morning sketchbook collages. Take a look at the video below for a start to finish view of one being created.  Follow along on Instagram to see all my Monday morning sketchbook collages.
 “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour." ~Victoria Erickson |
AuthorHi, I'm Kathy an artist working in the mediums of collage, eco-printing, rust printing, and slow stitching who loves to teach. I enjoy sharing my process and guiding you on your creative journey. Archives
January 2026
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