Lovely Gardenia

The Lovely Gardenia Collection in my Zazzle shop is based on this photo. Last spring I added new bushes to my side yard which included two gardenias. What a wonderful surprise to have blooms the first season.

For the collection, I used Photoshop to make the photo somewhat transparent and gave it a more painterly look. I printed the photo and added pen/ink markings to accent the edges of the petals.

In working with the design, I found I liked both black and white backgrounds. So, I mixed it up a bit in the collection with black, white, and black and white polka dot backgrounds. I originally saw the design as dinnerware. Mix or match, the Lovely Gardenia design adds elegance and sophistication to any table. 

I love the design so much I added additional products including fun flip flops and high tops.

You can find the Lovely Gardenia Collection and other floral designs in my Zazzle shop.

Funky Pink Pastels

Zazzle suggests telling a story about each design collection. Most of my designs have stories that would be more than a couple sentences long.  So I'm reposting here the story behind my Funky Pink Pastels Collection.  

Looking for Inspiration

It's a new year! I've spent some time the last few days looking for inspiration -- trying to figure out just what it is that I want to do. Before I retired I had ideas for all kinds of wonderful projects. Well, it's been nearly three years and I haven't really completed one project -- except maybe some household things that needed attention.

Travel | Italy

My Zazzle Travel | Italy Collection was one of my planned goals for this year. Little did I realize I would be reliving my wonderful Italian adventures

as Italy is under siege from Covid-19. Nor did I expect to be confined to home indefinitely as Covid-19 ravages the US.

Sorting through photos from six different trips has been a poignant journey. Such happy times that now sadden me. Will I ever be able to return? I worry about the interesting, friendly, happy people I met while I was there. I have no family connections, no history, but Italy spoke to me.