So I compiled a few pictures for your enjoyment & inspiration.

When I was trying to think of a title for this post

I found this page on Wikipedia called Shades of Violet

which, according to this list – encompasses many of the colors below…

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if you have alliums in your yardscape design & they’ve finished their bloom

regenerate them with paint ~ it’s super-duper easy!

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all you need is a piece of cardboard or paper plate

& your choice of color spray-paint

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spray all sides of the allium by moving around it using the cardboard/plate

as protection from spraying your deck/porch or other plants

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now your allium will continue to be delightful balls of awesome

for many more weeks!

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alas ~ we only had two {of 4} alliums pop up this year

note to self: plant more allium bulbs for more garden graffiti next year!

{thanks to mom who gave me the idea last year!}

I heard a marvelously inspiring piece on NPR this weekend

about Voluntary Simplicity

what life can be about – a less complicated existence animated by inner joy.

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it resonated with me as I clearly have been aspiring

or evolving into this lifestyle – without having a name for it

becoming less encumbered by possessions & consumerism, time for other people and oneself,

caring about the environment,

getting back to nature…

{see/hear more at http://www.humanmedia.org}

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{a little harvest from le gardens}

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“We’re really led away from what we’re here for,

which is to learn how to live sociably with others and soulfully with ourselves.

And consumerism is relatively shallow and life is deep.”

~Duane Elgin, author of Voluntary Simplicity

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{still life with wild daisies}

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{a walk in the woods}

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{homemade strawberry pie/vegan}

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handmade gifts {from up-cycled materials}

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crafting art {from re-purposed resources}

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observing the wonders of nature

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“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter…

to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”  ~John Burroughs

& last night, surprise! little baby finches to wish you

happy may day!

“when are you going to show us more of your awesome craftworks!?”

{sigh} well, i have been working on several commission orders

so i can’t show those until they arrive at their intended destinations.

 i have several art pieces in the works for some upcoming shows & whatnots

{i will share some tidbits of those soonly}

spring has sprung! so i am in full-on gardening mode.

meanwhile ~ i continue to collect inspirational images to share with you…

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mr. d and i happened upon a dilapidated & deserted shop.

in the front was a forgotten player piano.

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Abandoned Music…

but there were still magical sights to behold…

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{bamboo forest}

{japanese garden}

{crawling lady hare by sophie ryder}

{steeple dance by frank morbillo}

{untitled(in a dream) by jenny holzer}

{reflecting at the water garden}

{stately view}

{be unique}

new in le shoppe:  repurposed frog prince jars

i found cheesy resin frog figurines from a dollar store

glued them to up-cycled jars & painted them gold.

i think they would be perfect treat containers for bachelorette parties…

or just for stashing coins & knick-knacks…

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contact me about special orders!

open the gate & seize the day…

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]]> http://oliveloafdesign.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/open-the-gate/feed/ 0 oliveloafdesign Open the Gate by OliveLoaf Design http://oliveloafdesign.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/off-the-path/ http://oliveloafdesign.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/off-the-path/#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:26:34 +0000 OliveLoaf Design http://oliveloafdesign.wordpress.com/?p=7968 ]]> *

sometimes when you travel off the path ~ you find your heart.

lovely findings from the lake & forest today.

hearts & stars & swirls ~ oh my.

a bird’s nest, beach-bleached snail shells, black walnut shell, driftwood, heart stone, star crinoid fossil

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