Patty Van Dorin

an idea or two

 I have stacks of journals and books that I am wanting to work in. Last night, I found some time to play with a simple self portrait.
 
 
There is always time for a simple collage that can be used as a "tip in" page.
 
A "tip in" page is something that can be added to a completed book or one that is in the process of being worked. These tip in pages are kept in a box and sometimes I will have enough to bind and make an entire book or journal.
So here is my "tip in" tip - keep a small box of materials handy and if you find a few minutes, try making a simple collage that can be added and worked on when there is more time. Keep these little collages in a box so they can be found easily and added to a project.
 
Yesterday, I was all over the place working in paper and fabric. This is the start of another page in the fabric journal I am working in.
 
Often when I am sorting through fabric or picking things up, I will find a composition that I like. But I find if I set it aside, things get lost or by the time I take it to the sewing machine, I forget the layout of fabric.

Here is another tip:
Take a digital photo of the composition and put the photo on the computer and that way you will have a reference to placement of materials, whether it is fabric or paper.

Don't forget to look at things from different directions. In the end, I flipped the fabric and liked the flower that is emerging.

Pop Culture

 
collage on cardboard

wisteria color palette

 
also blooming
 
Bee's Knees

color palette

 

 I am still searching for a color palette to paint the outside of my house. To start, I am taking some of my favorite photos and picking five colors. I think this is a good place to begin. The house is a small Florida beach cottage so almost any color palette would work, in addition the roof is a silver metal.  So far, I am thinking a light pale pink house color in the palette above with deep coral and steel gray.

Once I have the colors narrowed down, I will take a good photo of the house and try the colors in Photoshop.

Do you have a method for choosing house colors?  Do you have a favorite paint or color?

street art

 
and Ralph the Dog giving an up close inspection
 

color inspiration

 
color palette inspired by last nights walk

Louis XIV

 
I always make a big deal about the first rose to bloom for the season. Louis XIV was the first this year and I almost missed it since the bloom was in the back and low in the plant.

All the roses are doing spectacular despite their having to have a "buzz cut" for the move to our new location. When I knew that this move was coming up, I made cuttings of all my favorite and rare roses. These cutting were rooted and I have about 16 roses in pots this spring. They are all happy and doing well, most have buds which surprised me because I didn't think they would bounce back so quickly after having been cut back so hard.

Anyway, there will be many more posts about roses and congratulations to Louis XIV for being first to bloom.

shop updates

I have just updated and added a few items to my etsy shop.
 
 
A nice pair of vintage Mary Jane shoes in hard to find white.
click here for more pictures and details 

 
A great spoon bowl or urn with interesting embossed and raised pattern that would make a perfect vase or urn to hold collections.
click here for more pictures and details

Welcome Spring