Thursday, September 22, 2011

Nightblooming Cereus mainly

Good afternoon Folks ~ I just got up from a nap about 10 minutes ago and am not quite awake yet. I wore myself out this morning, working for about 3 hours trimming, weeding, raking and clean up. There is still more to do, but progress was made so I’m satisfied with that. I’m working on making the patio area outside my craft space window better looking too, so hope to get more done on that early tomorrow.

When I first went out this morning I noticed that the nightblooming Cereus cactus had bloomed again. I think this is the third blooming this summer. They are about 30’ up into the pine tree, so I can’t get some wonderful close ups, or take in the wonderful scent I’ve heard so much about. The blooms are huge.

Besides the cactus growing up this tree, there are also morning glories and Virginia creeper.

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I spied a bloom of ‘Golden Sun’ in my main garden and that made me very happy. This is a rooted cutting I got going last year and planted in the main garden this spring., I think. All the rain has done it and everything else good. These are small blooms with barely a scent. I’ve looked up Golden Sun in searches and never came across it. I bought it through a lady who grew and sold roses up in the middle of the state. She sold them someplace up there and advertised online. She was coming through here on her way south, so would deliver them to me, which was nice. I got a couple more roses from her, but now I don’t even remember what they were, and may not even have them anymore. I just looked in a notebook where I’ve printed out roses and info and found a couple others that I bought from her, Bon Silene and La Marne, both are great.

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This is African Foxglove. It is a volunteer growing in the middle circular path of the main garden. I won’t pull it up until it is spent. So far it is doing great guns. I love how transparent the flowers are.

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Lastly, my latest heart sachet. I will be posting these individually over in my blog ArtistikUs ElastikUs for sale at $20 a piece. These each take hours, but we all know you can’t get paid for your time. I haven’t figured out shipping yet, Continental US only, and no sales to FL unless you have a tax #.

They are approximately 4”x4”, made on quilt batting, with cotton embroidery floss, cotton perle, bugle, seed beads and other beads. Stuffed with a smaller heart shaped bit of fleece and several scoops of dried lavender. They are stored in a zip log bag to preserve the scent and keep clean. On the back I’ve put my initials, FL except for on the back of the one below, I forgot. Smile When we lived in Spain, we bought some beaded necklaces made in Morocco. There is always a strange bead in the pieces as their belief is that only God is perfect so they make sure their pieces are imperfect. I am not perfect and there are bound to be a bead or two missed, as I did find one missing last night on one of the sachets.

These can be hung in a closet, placed in a drawer, hung in a cupboard, hung on the Christmas tree. Keep for yourself or give as a gift.

They are each created with joy and love. It is exciting to pick up needle and thread and begin work. I have no plan I just let the colors inspire me.

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Thanks for visiting.

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***

Take your needle, my child,

and work at your pattern;

it will come out a rose by and by.

Life is like that -

one stitch at a time

taken patiently

and the pattern will come out all right

like the embroidery.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

***

Gardening is about

enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil,

getting dirty without feeling guilty,

and generally taking the time

to soak up a little peace and serenity.

Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

11 comments:

Sunray Gardens said...

That cactus is sure interesting and really like the gold flower.
Cher Sunray Gardens

gld said...

I just realized you southern gardeners really don't get a break in gardening like we do up north. I am not sure I could last as a southern gardener! I look forward to fall and winter each year to rejuvenate.

The needlework is gorgeous as always.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

What a wonderful post.
Beautiful flowers and you
are so talented. Sewing is not
a talent I possess :)

organicgardendreams said...

FlowerLady, the flowers of the Cereus cactus are simply amazing. I had no idea that they would grow that high up in trees. Another one of mother natures miracles!
You put so much love, craftsmanship, and time into your little heart sachets. I hope they sell well for you!
Christina

Southern Lady said...

Your needlework is absolutely beautiful. I wish that I had the patience for things like that. Maybe one day when I am through with homeschooling I will be able to sit still long enough to learn something new. For now, I will just look at your work and admire! Carla

Becca's Dirt said...

Beautiful blooms so high up in the tree. I love your beading and I'm gonna get me an order in soon. I know it felt good to get some garden/yard work done. I love when I look back at my results. Pleasing.

Debi said...

I think you could probably work yourself to death. You always have a project of some kind going. The lovely heart sachets are just adorable and should do well. You grow such beautiful and unusual flowers. All those things growing up in that tree is amazing. I just had to sit here and look at all that for a little bit. Goodness!

Darla said...

I have a night blomming cereus it just sits there! Explain the tax deal with shipping in Florida please.

HolleyGarden said...

Your sachets are beautiful. And that night blooming cereus is so mysterious to me. I've never seen one. Such unusual blooms. I would love to smell its fragrance.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

The Cereus cactus is very interesting. It must be very happy there.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Your night blooming cereus blooms are amazing! The ones I've seen on other blogs were from plants that were inside homes or greenhouses. They were only one or two blooms at a time.

I enjoyed seeing your sachet, too. It is pretty.