I never knew the emotional connection I had to all the familiar things I see from year to year or day to day until I took a few pictures in my yard and displayed these pictures in my home. Spring is a great time to capture pictures of beautiful blooms right in your very own yard. I know it is early spring and there may not be much to take pictures of yet, but I want you to ready your cameras and keep an eye out for new blooms and also wait and watch for flowers to reach full bloom. I am always taking pictures in my yard. I just can't help myself. I will even stand there and think "you know you took pictures last year" and then go ahead and snap some more. After you have taken some great shots blow them up, print them out, frame them up and put them in your home. You will be amazed at the connection you make to these pictures and the enjoyment you will get from looking at them.
These are some beautiful big peonies that we planted. I remember when, where and from whom we bought them. The local garden club sponsored the sale and it was held at the beautiful farm/estate of a neighbors. One of the ladies in the garden club had dug them up out of her yard. I can't remember what I paid but it was a deal. Early Bird Gets the Worm kind of thing. We were early birds. Every time I look at this picture I am reminded of that fun day.
I was so excited when I found these frames. They are so unique. I like the casualness of just clipping the photo a little askew in the shadow box type frame. The clips on these frames make it easy to change pictures whenever you want. I haven't changed them though. I'm surprised how attached I get to photo's. There is a delightful "ah ha" moment when a friend or family member realizes that they are looking at a picture of something they have seen in our yard.
The statue you see is my favorite birdbath. Surrounded by beautiful plantings chosen by my husband, the resident gardener. I also am reminded of whom we got this from and all the places we have used it. When taking pictures be sure to include items that you love like a tried and true container or urn that you use from year to year. This item will tie the location where the picture was taken in with the beautiful plants.
Of course here in the South we love our hydrangeas. They come in many varieties and I love them all. I have taken tons of pictures of them and am so glad to put some of those pictures to good use. This picture is actually of a chinese snowball bush (viburnum) which has a similar bloom to a hydrangea.
One of the most beautiful things in my yard is this peach tree. The bright pink blooms just put a song in my heart. Bringing this beauty into my bedroom year round was a wonderful idea. Just a few days after I took these photos the blooms began to turn brown so be watchful. Timing is everything with these blooms. Thankfully newer digital cameras make it easy now to take quality photos.
I chose these beautiful silver leaf frames to honor my peach blossoms. They compliment the silver leaf mirror that hangs over my Henrendon dresser which has silver drawer pulls. The wall is painted with Valspar Paint. The color is 5006-8A Swim. A beautiful color that I think I will never tire of. Combined with this wall color the pink blossoms just pop out of the frames.
I hope you will try this little DIY home enhancement activity. It is an inexpensive and personal way to add art to your home. Truthfully I had never been a big fan of adding photographic art to my personal surroundings until I took these pictures of things in my own yard and framed them. And now you can tell I am a really big fan. I have also added some professional photographic art to my home.
Now it's your turn. Go ahead and get out in your yard. Just don't forget your camera! - Marianne
Footnote: If you read this earlier and notice some changes you can thank my resident gardener. He gently reminded me that the tree in the backyard was a peach and not a cherry. We even had tiny fruit last year. How could I forget that? He also let me know the picture with the big white blooms was of our Chinese snowball bush not our hydrangea. This is why he plants them and I just take pictures and enjoy them.