Four o'clocks…

While blog cruising yesterday afternoon (while taking a quick break from long days glazing in the studio),

 I happened upon a blog post over at Mr. Brownthumb on these very cool flowers…

These "four o'clocks" which I have been calling them "night bloomers":

 These are all pictures of variations grown in my garden this year…
Some pictures with my digital SLR, some with the point and shoot, and many with my iPhone photo apps (hipstamatic as well as regular photo)

 I just collected the seeds last year (from my all pink flowers - they were light pink - picture at the end of this post...)

 And all these variations just popped up from a few scattered seeds I spread in the garden...

 My mind just races back to college courses in genetics. Oh, how I would love to figure these out...

 Cross pollination in a controlled environment would be so cool (I do have an Entomology BS degree - there is a scientist still in there at the core!)...

 Ah, but then it is so delightful to just see what nature has in mind...

Variations, variations, variations…

Haven't noticed any yellow and white varieties…

Hmmm… what if any variations will the seeds from next year produce?

Ah-ha… A picture from my 2009 Garden Pictures File: My all light pink "night bloomer". Which I am happy to feel more confident and educated to be calling it with it's proper name: four o'clock...

Mosaic Monday: Hipstamatic iPhone App Detail Pictures

Welcome to my contribution to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Little Red House…

My post is a bit of a tutorial this week.

I wanted to share with you my "test results" from using my iPhone "Hipstamatic" camera app.

I am slightly obsessed with this app and the photos it takes…

I wanted to discover the film and lens combination to get the images I am attracted to, so I sat down and took a picture with each film, and lens…

Alfred Infared Film

BlackKeys Film

Blanko Film

Float Film

Inas 1969 Film

Kodot Verichrome Film

Pistil Film

Helga Viking Lens

Jimmy Lens

John S Lens

Kaimal Mark II Lens

Robo Glitter Lens

And they just updated the app with another lens… So I'm going to add that to the mix.

I know there are programs that allow you to edit your photos and create these effects.

But I guess I'm the type that likes instant gratification…

Too much going on to sit and try to figure out another computer program (and waste time getting pissed off trying to edit it all). Forget that!

Into the garden with my camera phone I go!

Weee….

September 2010 Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Welcome to September in my garden!

It's the 15th, so that means it's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day…

If you have pictures of your garden as it is right now and want to share, hop on over to May Dreams Gardens Blog to participate...

Above is a mix of Russian Blue Sage, Cone Flower and Nasturtiums that for some reason within the total chaos of their garden presence (way too close and cluttered together for growing potential in the coming years)… 

Really makes me feel happy…

Maybe it is the way that the plants are seeming to want to take over the lawn…

We know which side I'm on for that… 

C'mon plants (except the crab grass: you can take your seeds and nastiness somewhere else!)

Although a little lawn is nice under bare foot…

And for kid running around areas...

The "other side hill" garden is a blank canvas at this point.

I have started to divide up some grasses and planted them for some background washes of color and texture.

If time and weather participate in the next two months I will be dividing hostas and ferns as well, and transplanting some other perennials that should do well over there. 

Riley was enjoying the ride on my chest in the baby Bjorn as we toured the garden in our leisure time together Sunday & Monday…

He loves to reach out and grab the plants…

And you can tell when he gets really excited because the feet start flailing...

The crab apples are starting to turn red...

The Russian Blue Sage is really growing now…

The whispy blooms are some of my favorite at this time of year...

This little yellow flower is seen randomly from spring to fall depending on if the deer eat the bloom…

I think this may be the 2nd bloom I've seen this year.

The cooler weather setting in means we will be outside a lot more after school.

Sidewalk chalk drawings is a favorite past time of Chloe's…

Riley doesn't mind just looking on (for a bit anyway)...

Which means I have some extra time to snap pictures with my camera phone like these...

I love this Hipstamatic app for my iPhone.

You have to buy a bunch of "film" and "lenses" for the camera app…

But I tell you what - it's SO worth it.

I mean, c'mon - having this at your fingertips then in your back pocket for a few bucks - awesome!

I love the vintage feel...

The possibilities seem endless...

The above set was taken with the Helga Viking Lens, Pistil Film.

And these above were taken with the John S Lens, Float Film.

Helga Viking Lens in 7 different film types.

And  you know that the slightly OCD person in me (that would be the scientist background part) has to be able to document and recapture and master the look of the photographs…

So I went out during Riley's nap and took a repeat image with all 5 lenses and all 7 film types.

Which meant a lot of back and forth clicking…

Much easier than having all those cameras, lenses and films by all means…

And those results will be a topic for another post…

Probably for next week's mosaic monday post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, one last thing…

Don't forget about the chance to win some gift certificates for Marsha Neal Studio (my porcelain bead business) by making a purchase through:

My Mom Pattie Etsy Shop

Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop

Marsha Neal Studio Main Website

With holiday season around the corner, you might be able to use some extra monies and handmade gifts for people on your list…

I know I love getting handmade things (and making them)!

Tuesday Garden Party: Side Hill Project

Welcome to my garden blog...

It's Tuesday, so here is my post for the Tuesday Garden Party hosted by Jami of An Oregon Cottage (you can participate too - just follow the link to the instructions on her blog).

First - a picture of me in my garden today. Happy because both kids are in school and I have the whole day to work on garden & studio projects, without interruption...

Above is the street view of the "other side hill garden". 

Love the utility boxes… 

They are SO pretty… 

I shouldn't complain: at least they are green and have decent covers.

My sister and I planted some switch grasses in front and to the side of them. 

I May consider replanting them farther away from it in the spring...

The property line falls about 4" to the right of the big square utility box, so the hill is part ours, part our neighbors. 

Some divided clumps of Karl Forester along the property line (more to hold up the walkway along the bottom of the wall for our oil heat delivery guy to use).

This is what they have to see looking out their house. 

My goal is for them to look out and see trees, shrubs and perennials. 

Something that will make them happy and relaxed...

Here is one of my clay studio windows. 

I want the daylight to keep coming in, but want to see something pretty as I peer out...

And the other studio window… 

All that rock is extra that I had the landscapers bring in. 

So happy to have it to play with and make all kinds of garden bed areas...

I wanted one of these broad flowering hydrangeas - 50% off table - sweet!

Wish I had the cash flow to buy all kinds of plants, but we don't… 

So I am making a go of dividing and transplanting plants from the main hill garden. 

Have some rooting hormone too that I think I am going to give a try on some plants (my sister is a school science teacher and wants to try it too) this fall and over the winter for spring plantings.

And more rock that I am slowly moving around…

Lots of design ideas to play with!

I really like the idea of a dry riverbed with plants surrounding it and going through it.

The main "river rock bed". 

This will function to disperse the water runoff from the swale in the backyard that has been adding to the erosion issues we have been dealing with. 

I have ferns & hostas to transplant here. 

May sprinkle some of the iris seeds I gathered last week too.

It was quite bright this morning, so I apologize for the washed out part of this picture...

I am happy that the spiderwort I planted there back in the spring took root and is now re-blooming after that bit of a dry spell this summer. 

I may put some milkweed seeds in the soil over there too. 

It gets nice and sunny and would be ideal for another butterfly garden.

The mix of Nasturtium, Cone Flower and Russian Blue Sage border is thriving. 

I love that these plants provide so much habitat and food for out pollinators...

I think some of them will be making their way into the "other side hill" garden as well. 

So far, so good... Let's keep hoping the weather stays like this (60's at night, 70's during the day). 

And we may have luck with these fall plantings...

Suggestions and advise is always welcome and appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Hydrangea and Riley Mosaic Monday

Today has allotted me a few moments to pull some pictures that I snapped yesterday as Riley and I wandered through the garden in the misty rain… 

Here is my entry for Mosaic Monday, hosted by Little Red House Blog. 

I think these camera phone applications are quite interesting.

This one was with the Hipstamatic application on my iPhone.

The vintage feel to the pictures is quite amazing, although after inspecting all the dozens of pictures taken yesterday, I am curious as to how to get a better picture with it.

Mind you, I was carrying an eight month on my chest, whom was quite eager to grab at everything in front of him including plants, my arms, my phone, sleeping bees (almost).

It was overcast and misty out…

There is no tap and focus on this particular camera app…

So today, being sunny, having a pack and play out ready to contain Riley, and then both hands available for taking pictures, I'm going to head back out there and get some more...

Will be posting more of those pictures and results on Wednesday's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post.

Tomorrow will be an update to the "other side hill" garden project for Garden Party Tuesday.

What do you have going on in your garden? 

Why don't you think about participating as well? 

Consider this your invitation from me - not that they are mine to do this with, but it is great fun, and you actually don't need to be invited - just jump in on it...

New Garden Books

These two books spoke to me last night while paroosing the shop at LongWood Gardens...


Reading this first since it applies to the other side hill garden between us & the neighbors. And needs plantings - like now...


And this one grabbed that inner passion cord...

Passing the time while Riley is sleeping reading to relax and strengthen my brain back from "mom brain"...
-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone