Eli over at Coach Daddy is celebrating Windjammer Day, the official start of tourist season in his area, with a collection of answers to his question “What would you like to do and where this summer, in six words?” Do head on over and see how I, and lots of others answered that query.
But as you may know one of the things I AM doing this summer is playing in Summer of Color. This week’s palette was two purples and a yellow of our choice. Keeping with my intention to use only papers readily on hand, at least one hand made paper, and to create a small journal I’ll use to recap the week, here’s what I came up with:
I was a bit surprised to discover I had so few purple choices available to me, and while I might have preferred to choose something a bit darker, nonetheless I’m happy with this. Especially since, in keeping with my impromtu flower-themed journals, I had some pressed pansies on hand to use. I remember pressing these a few summers ago when I had a huge crop of these delightfuls and I remember a bunch of us were pressing flowers that summer to use in some project. But I simply can’t remember now what it was. One too many memories for the storage cabinet apparently.
I can’t say that the colors look altogether true in the above photo, but the bit of yellow sticking out near the top is a peek of a pocket I’ve included in the journal. Here’s the inside view.
Pansies are another of what I consider old-fashioned flowers that I adore. They were certainly a favorite of my grandmother. Over the years I’ve collected a couple pieces of jewelry with pansies. First is a vintage pendant with a pressed flower. It has such sweet energy and I like to imagine it’s various owners have loved it as much as I have.
Shakespeare’s Ophelia said: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.”
The name ‘pansy’ is derived from the French word pensée which means thought. I read somewhere that it’s so named because the blossom looks like a human face, and when it nods forward it looks as though it is lost in thought. I always smile at the idea of that.
While pansies have long been cultivated, they remain closely related to the wild pansy, which is also known as Heartsease. And as you might guess, they have many heart associations. It was used for love potions and Victorians believed if they carried a pansy it would ensure their beloved’s affection. But just as it was meant to keep one’s love foremost in one’s thoughts, it was also considered to help ease a broken heart.
The second piece of jewelry is another one of the beads I’ve collected from Anne Choi, one of my favorite bead artists using the lost wax cast process and working primarily in sterling. This bead is very special to me.
When my mother died, I bought this pansy bead that says “PENSE A MOI” on the sides – “think of me.” I made a bracelet with it and wore it continually throughout the period that marked my formal mourning and honoring observations. When the bracelet broke, I knew that period was over and now I keep the bead on one of my altars. There’s such a sweetness in remembering, and I love that pansy is associated with that. This is how I experience the Heartsease energy.
So tell me, how would you like to celebrate summer in six words? Do you have any flower jewelry? Or perhaps a sweet flower story to share? A pansy for your thoughts – you know I’d love to hear.
lovely creations
Thanks Tammie.
Beautiful work for SOC, Valerie
Thanks. I appreciate you stopping by, and wish you a wonderful week.
I think it is entirely appropriate that the challenge is executed with materials on hand. The journal with the yellow pansies is very nicely put together. The pansy pendant is lovely too. I usually do not grow pansies I have always liked the look of it. I remember how fascinated I was when I saw it first as a young girl–it reminded me of a skull. It makes sense that it is derived from pensee (thought) since head is where thoughts are located.
Such an interesting connection isn’t it – head and thoughts. Thanks for stopping by Indira, and wishing you a color-filled week.
Super project, love the addition of the home pressed pansies. x
Thanks Sue. I’m inspired to press a few more blooms this summer. We’ll see what they turn up on.
Beautiful and creative work!
Thanks Lori. Wishing you another color-filled and creative week.
My six words for celebrating summer are: Enjoying spending more family time together! and I absolutely love your gorgeous little art journal and the story behind the pressed pansies. Your words are touching and poignant. I always look forward to seeing what you make each week! HUGS!
Thanks for the kind words Sharon. And your plans for celebrating summer sound wonderful – enjoy!
Gorgeous journal and you’re so going to enjoy using it.
Celebrating summer? Soak in the warmth of sunshine! I live in the UK!
May your summer be filled with plenty of sunshine Susan!
Your words and images help me to not let go of optimism about the summer! Beautiful. Thank you for joining in for 6 words and for writing about it here too, Deborah.
Oh indeed Eli hang on to your optimism – don’t let that heat melt it out of you. And thanks for inviting me to play along in 6 words – it’s always a delight both to play and to see everyone’s responses.
Very beautiful!
Thanks Valerie.
a really lovley handmade book-especially with the pressed flowers! SOC #54
Thanks. Wishing you a wonderful summer filled with color and flowers.
Love your book, it would be a pleasure to write in.
The jewellery is lovely and the story of the bead bracelet is touching.
My six words for summer are “hoping for some sun in Scotland”!
Thanks for you kind words Rolina. And wishing you plenty of sunshine to enjoy!
Lovely creations! A beautiful way to celebrate these colors!
It’s certainly fun playing in the SOC isn’t it? Wishing you a color-filled week.
Summer: Read books, stay safe, make money.
Wish you a happy summer Scott.
Very beautiful and tactile work!
Love and hugs
Maarit
Thanks Maarit. Have a wonderful creative week.
Your little journal is gorgeous Deborah…. and I love the idea of pressed pansies… gorgeous in the vintage pendant as well… beautiful work…
Jenny X
Thanks Jenny. Wishing you a joyful color-filled week.
I am a big fan of pansies, too. But I’ve never owned any, so no way to press them. Love what you made, though. I can’t say ANYTHING in six words or less, so I’ll say your SOC entry is awesome this week.
Glad you stopped by Elizabeth, and I’d never try to limit you to six words. Some things just take more words to say. 🙂
Your sweet little paper journal is pretty Deborah…. and I love the pressed pansies… the vintage pendant is a beauty as well… you rocked this weeks colour combo :)…
Thanks Jan. Here’s to another week of SOC fun.
Your journal is absolutely lovely! I also enjoyed you sharing the “Pense Moi” story. Sweet memories for you for sure. You are so creative!
Thanks for the kind words about my journal Elda. I’m having fun making them as a weekly project. I’m also thinking about getting a pot of pansies for my studio.
I like what you’re doing very much!
Thanks Stephanie, I appreciate your kind words!
very nice little journal 🙂
summer in 6 words??
“Sun would be nice in Scotland :p”
LOL. Well I hope Mr. Sol makes an appearance or two in your beautiful country. Wishing you a bright sunny summer!