Monthly Archives: August 2007

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Heat Wave and Keeping Flowers Alive

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I love flowers.  But I am also in a part of the country that is having a prolonged heat wave – with temps over 100 daily for almost 2 weeks and counting.  To add to that, we are in a severe drought area.  We’ve had very little rain this summer and none in the past 3 weeks. As a result, we are in a tight restricted use of water.

Cock’s Comb.jpgCock’s Comb plants grow in front of my house each year from seeds from the prior year. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately because of the water shortage, most of the small plants were accidentally killed with week killer this spring.  I love the Cock’s Comb plants because of their gorgeous colors and the size of the blooms.  The blooms last all summer and just keep growing, getting bigger and bigger.  Last year, I had one that was 12″ wide.  They also dry extremely well and keep their color  Close up of Cock’s Comb bloom 

With the water shortage, keeping my flowers alive and blooming takes being creative. I conserve water inside the house and use for watering the plants. We have bowls in sinks to catch the water that is running.  Its amazing how much water is used just to wash hands or while waiting for it to heat up.

Another favorite flower of mine is the Hibiscus.  They are just so pretty with so many large colorful blooms. Hibiscus Bloom I just wish the blooms lasted more than a day. Unfortunately, it gets too cold in the winter here for Hibuscus, so they have to be planted in pots brought in when it gets cold.

Recently while plant shopping, I found some “vintage” Hibiscus. The blooms reach up to 8 or 9 inches across.  I have plenty of buds, but didn’t have any blooms today while I was taking pictures.  They are amazing in their size and beauty.

I didn’t plant many flowers this spring due to lengthy cold spring. Even though I miss them, I guess its a good thing due to the watering restrictions. I don’t wash my hands enough to keep several flower beds watered!

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Classes with Elvis Fabrics at Graceland during Elvis Week

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I had such an awesome time on my trip to Memphis. Elvis Week started Saturday. August 11 and continues all week to honor the 30th anniversary of his passing.  People were there from all over the US and the world for events planned throughout the city each day.

I taught 2 classes on Saturday, but started the day with a tour of Graceland.  It is currently extremely hot throughout the south and more so in Memphis. The temperatures were in excess of 100 F with no clouds to block the sun. We waited in line for the tour, but the line wasn’t as long as I expected. They are very organized with the tours, picking everyone up in buses across the street then driving up the driveway to the entrance to Graceland.  People lined up to enter GracelandWe did get to wait a few minutes in the air conditioned bus before we had to get off and wait in line (in the sun).  Most of the wait time was waiting to get on the bus initially but fortunately, it was in the shade.Us girls waiting to tour Graceland This is Donna (left) and Jodi (right) from Cranston with me waiting out front.

This was my first tour of Graceland and it was very impressive, to say the least.  Just being in the Mansion after years of hearing about it and seeing where Elvis lived was remarkable.  Throughout the Mansion were TV sets showing Elvis in various concerts as well as home movies taken at Graceland. Its also a reminder of how fast time flies.Horses at Graceland

The mansion sits on 14 acres.  This shot is the grounds behind Graceland. If you look close,  there are 2 horses grazing.

Walkway to Serenity Gardens at GracelandThe last stop on the Graceland Mansion tour was the Serenity Gardens.  This is the walkway to the Gardens.

This photo shows just a small sampling of floral arrangements that were sent from all over the world. Floral displays sent during Elvis Week at GracelandÂ

Later that afternoon, we toured Elvis’ jet, the Lisa Marie, as well as “Elvis After Dark” and the auto museum featuring his cars and motorcycles.  My favorite car was the Pink Cadillac, which I was thrilled to see.

After the Mansion tour, it was time for the first class to begin.  The Elvis fabrics are really gorgeous and unique.  New fabrics have also been added this week, although I don’t know when these will be available online for viewing.  You can see the Elvis fabrics as well as buy some online at Shop Elvis.

The class was a “Make and Take” class creating an Elvis fabric frame.  Elvis fabric frame and pocketsThe finished frame is hanging on the right.  The panel with 3 pockets is from the “Jailhouse” blocks.

These other models were shown to illustrate the a few of the many items that can be created with Elvis fabrics, Sundress made with Elvis Fabricsuch as a sundress, vest and pillowcase. Elvis fabric vest and pillowcase

Althought I am back home, I can still hear the Elvis songs that were played everywhere throughout the day. And with all the songs he recorded, there’s no way to pick just one favorite…they all are.

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Class at Graceland with Elvis Fabrics

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I have taken a blog break.  Not long after starting my blog, I had several design deadlines and had to work on getting these finished.  Its great that I love my “job”.

Over the years, my career as a designer for needlework, quilting and textiles has offered some fantastic work opportunities that I call “perks”. They are jobs, but fun and unusual jobs that just don’t occur every day.

Tomorrow, I’m going to Memphis, TN, and more specifically, to Graceland to teach a class. This month is the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing. How time flies – I still remember where I was and the time of day when I heard the news about Elvis. August 11 starts Elvis Week in Memphis. They have a full week of activities planned. Check this website for the activities.

The class I’m teaching is a “Make and Take” workshop by Cranston Fabrics. I will be teaching a no-sew project, a photo frame, using some wonderful new Elvis fabrics. elvis-photo-frame.jpg You can use it to frame your favorite photo of your trip. If you are in Memphis Saturday, I hope you sign up for the class. I would love to meet you.

Cranston has some fabulous Elvis fabrics. So all of you sewers and quilters who are Elvis fans, you can make a wonderful quilt or other sewing item.

As I said, some of my jobs are “perks” and I consider this one of them – I’m very excited.  I will take photos and post them next week after I return.  And…..I hope to meet some of you.