Garden Variety

"Babylon drizzle: it's a crying shame.

Watching the skies and praying for rain...

Could you be the answer to the world in need?

Waiting for somebody to plant the seed.

Soul Hands..."

-Garden Variety

Sunflower Designs announces:

The Garden Variety Collection

An original series of beaded lace scarf and "shawlette" patterns, inspired by Nature in one of her most magnificent and varied manifestations:

The flower.

Beginning with Crocus Pocus in April, and Hydrangea in May/June, patterns will be released every 4-6 weeks throughout the summer and fall of 2008.

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Designs will use seasilk by Handmaiden, a light fingering blend of silk and seacell, suitable for year round wear, in even the warmest climates.

Most, if not all, will be one-skein projects. Some will be triangular, some rectangular and some half circles, depending upon the design. All will reflect the shape and nature of the flower in color and design.

They will also include a brief description and history of the flower and the personality associated with it.

Initial plans call for:

Crocus Pocus (Dandelion sea silk)

Hydrangea (Wildflowers sea silk)

Iris (Amethyst seasilk)

Damask Rose (Rose Garden or Rose seasilk)

Bluebells (Periwinkle seasilk)

Baby’s Breath (Ivory seasilk)

Zinnia (Origin seasilk)

Sunflower (Straw or Tiger seasilk)

Chrysanthemum (Indian Summer seasilk)

Poinsettia (Sangria seasilk)

Patterns will be available on my website. I am currently exploring options for a seasilk retailer to offer kits. I am also mulling over the option of offering a discount if you "subscribe" to the entire series.

My favorite kind of garden has always been the English garden, where a profusion of bountiful blooms intermingle in a seemingly haphazard manner. The beauty of it lies in its apparent randomness, yet it is actually quite well planned in order to present a harmonious whole.

It takes all kinds to make a garden. It takes all kinds to make a world.

And we are all master gardeners in this life. If we give things the proper attention they both need and deserve, we are privileged to watch them blossom under our care: flowers, children, shawls, friends, food, music, love...

Above all, love!

The Sunflower Society on Ravelry ( a group for middle aged women who turn their faces to the sun) has a thread called, “What botanical are you?” It has been great fun to see how people identify with the different blooms. Some are pansies; some snapdragons;some daisies (the friendliest flower, as Meg Ryan christened them.)

And all of us grow in the light of God's love.

You know, the term "garden variety" has often been construed to mean "common". And we are that. We use "common" sense (hopefully!) We live "common"- place lives.

But a "commons" in a village or town means a place to meet; a place to celebrate; a place to come together. "Common" is the root of the word communion, and communion is a miraculous thing.

We are as many and as varied as the blooms in any English Garden. And we are all...

beautiful.

I hope you will embrace this new project as so many of you have taken my eastern-inspired designs into your heart and home. And I hope you will be reminded, while you work on them, of how lucky we are...

to walk in the garden.