Beauty of the Bradford Pear Tree

Bradford Pear trees are some of spring’s most beautiful sights. I’ve heard them described as “popcorn” trees since the blooms resemble popped kernels of corn.

I love how they line driveways and parking lots in neat rows with perfectly shaped branches and buds.

Bradford Pear trees are quite spectacular in fall, too. The leaves turn to a deep red, almost brown color. Unfortunately for me, they are not very good for leaf art, as they are very thick and not pliable. These are leaves I prefer to “leave” on the trees.

Don’t forget to appreciate nature today.

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Wordless Wednesday

Show Your Love on Valentine’s Day

A new year has arrived. I now believe what I was told when I was younger. Time really does fly as you age.

I am very busy preserving the leaves I collected in the fall and have begun crafting new items for the 2014 season. What better way to begin than with Valentine’s Day – February 14! Check out the beginnings of my Love Collection, featuring the American Sign Language “I love you” sign created from assorted Smoky Mountain area maple leaves and a background of a naturally heart-shaped Redbud leaf.

The cards are blank on the inside for your personal message and sell for $6.00 each. The ornaments are three inches in diameter and are clear acrylic. They are $6.50 each.

Autumn Leaf Wedding Invitations

The wedding invitations for my friends Courtney and Andy are ready! I hope they will be as excited as I am about them!

To create these invitations, I sent Courtney the blank cards and she had them printed on the inside. I got the invitations back and added the unique autumn leaf creations for the front sides.

The best part is that each invitation recipient will be able to display the card by framing it for lasting beauty and a special memory of a wedding between two very special people.

What do you think?

A small sample of the invitations for Courtney and Andy’s wedding

Autumn Leaves are Falling Here in the Smokies

It is PRIME leaf peeping season here in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas! The profusion of color is amazing and breath-taking. Here are just a few glimpses of the beautiful world God has given us this fall.

I’m under the tree shooting up for this one. Love this perspective.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Open for Business

Today’s “haul” of autumn leaves

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open for business (at least until Sunday, October 19, 2013)! Come one, come all to enjoy our beautiful mountains, waterfalls, hiking trails, visitor centers, picnic areas and campgrounds!

We are so grateful to the state leaders in Tennessee and North Carolina, as well as local county personnel, who made this happen.

Although I do not collect my autumn leaves from the national park, fall color abounds in the area right now. I stop daily to pick fallen leaves from the maple trees at a nearby mall and from the parking lot of an auto parts store. Walking in to work, I frequently stoop to scoop up a particularly beautiful leaf. I was happy to share “why” with a co-worker this morning when he asked why I was picking up leaves.

I have leaves everywhere in the house. All my heaviest books are stuffed with leaves being pressed. A large aluminum pan holds more leaves, these packed in silica gel.

It’s definitely a busy time!

 

Special Order – Autumn Leaf Giraffe

I just finished a special order for an autumn leaf giraffe as a surprise for a friend’s birthday. It turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. What do you think?

This sweet giraffe was made from acid-free cream card stock and a variety of autumn leaves for his spots, grass, tree and leaves on a beige 8 x 10 backdrop.

I am also very excited to have been commissioned to create custom autumn leaf wedding invitations for a special friend and her fiancé. Can’t wait to get started on them!