May Showers, May Flowers

Fragrant flowers on the ornamental tree

After the Rains 

Late to arrive and late to warm, spring is slowly unfurling itself.  Many early blossoms are just now blooming; lily of the valley and columbines, lilacs and magnolias are showing off in the sun-filled day that has followed a rain-soaked week.  These plants bring patches of colour and scent to our verdant landscape which is just beginning to flourish.  So fresh, so lovely.  Ah, spring.

The scent that fills our home: lily of the valley

Buds just beginning to open on the deeply fragrant lilac

The magnolia -- an early bloomer whose flowers have since dropped

The oh-so-sweet and hearty columbine



And as night falls the sky turns a velvet shade of indigo

Images D. Sleziak

March Madness

The now-classic logo

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Antique long-stitched embroidery, early 20th century

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XOXO, Darina Sleziak, Cotton thread on cotton ground, 2014
 

Sealed with a Kiss

As the rosy-hued month of February slipped into the tempestuous month of March, an art project took hold.  Draw upon what you know, the artist is always told.  Here the inspiration is two-fold: the punchy logo of fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, and the hand-stitched vivid embellishment of a piece of traditional woman's clothing from the village of Dobra Niva, Slovakia.  The results?  A collision of two worlds where old-world creative expression melds with the bold and cheeky styling of contemporary culture.

 

 

Images D. Sleziak

A New Day Has Dawn

In full bloom: seeking richness in each and every day

"Yesterday is gone. 

Tomorrow has not yet come.

We have only today. 

Let us begin."

                                      

                                                                           -- Mother Teresa

Seize the day means different things to different people: how one accomplishes it, or even defines it, is unique to each individual.  For me, it is captured in three succinct statements. 

              1.  Seek new horizons
 
              2.  Push boundaries
   
              3.  Create

These are my goals for the days that will unfold over the coming year.  I seek to breathe deeper, to look closer, and to enjoy more readily.  With this in mind, let's meet back here, say once a month, and slowly, the vivid tapestry that I believe 2014 will be, will unfurl.

See you in February.

 

Image D. Sleziak