Some day… it’s something we like to say or muse about, yet Some Day isn’t a Day of the Week. In fact, it’s sort of like ‘tomorrow’ Some Day often never comes around. It’s like Procrastination or wishful thinking. Some Day is a phrase I used for a good while about doing video or coaching or writing a mini-course. And, I’ve made more cringeworthy videos than not! Yet… as I told a friend recently- if 2020 got folks doing business virtually then 2021 is the Year of Opportunity and.. that means getting something out there even if it’s Imperfect. Imperfect can still have an Impact. So!
My hydrangeas started blooming their heads off and the Time seemed right! They are such a beautiful shade of Blue- they made me want to talk to you about Color. I call Color the Workhorse of Design. In fact, of the 5 questions I ask, as a coach is- What are Your 3 Favorite Colors? Why? Because I use Color Mapping as an insight into what their values are, what’s important to them as a person. And those colors might not even be their Brand Colors or Wardrobe choices or even colors they choose for their homes. Color is a way to express Values, even Personality without saying or writing a word.
Blue is a universally the favorite Color. In its many shades, blue represents Loyalty, Dependability, Trust, Peace, Strength and often in its darker shades- Navy Blue for instance, projects Authority, even Security. Add a bit of Green to Blue and you have the colors of the Sea or a Desert Gemstone, Turquoise. Those are a whole different set of messages.
Without writing a word, Color has spoken. Now, I have a question for you- what are your 3 favorite colors? I’d love to send you my Freebie! It’s the same format I go by! And it’s a Free Download. So! Some Day has changed to It’s Done! I’m writing my mini-course, I’ve done a video or two – and a few bloopers too! I hope Imperfect makes a bit of an impact and that the video is downloaded too! And that you’ll take me up on that free download if you’d like to do some Color Mapping too!
Thank you to all who have stayed with me during the year we’ve been through and to all who have stopped by and of course to those who have followed along! I’m grateful. 🙏Love y’all, Brenda
Drummers are uniformed, let one of them miss a beat and the melody of the other instruments could fall apart. And… We all love songs with the repetition of a chorus, right? Seedlings are charming alone, even more so in a group. An arbor of roses is pleasing to the eye as much for the repetition of the arches as for the profusion of bloom. A Checker Board is a classic example of Repetitive Design. A cooling rack filled with cookies, even if they aren’t the exact same size, still the eye sees repetition.
A winding staircase works simply because the treads are spaced at a repetitive shape, form and space. An historic staircase is beautiful – even more so because of the repetition of woodwork, including spindles and dare I add? the Color.
We’ve found rounded boxwoods tend to look good year round because of the consistent shape and form. Even clothespins on an empty line are unified in type and shape, even if they aren’t lined up. Why? Repetition of course.
We love consistency. When a design is unified it gives a sense of order and peace. Repetition could be compared to the skeleton or structure on which any or all of the elements are layered on. Alone, it might be overdone. Just remember, that repetition, whether in color, shape or form is very important in design.
Whether it’s the sound of drums, a pan of fresh baked cookies or a tray of seedlings.. An arbor of roses, a staircase winding or not, a row of boxwoods or clothespins on a line.. Repetition is good in writing, marketing- making a point in different ways over and over. Repetition is the strength, the unity, the structure, the very heartbeat of Good Design.
Resilience. The struggle to survive. I’ve learned more about the struggles of life in a garden than almost anywhere else. Observing plants teaches me about the will to live in the most unlikely places. Plants teach us about adaptation, self confidence and seizing opportunities where we can find them. What might have worked before, doesn’t always show up. The support you always had, isn’t there, the truth may be, they’re struggling too. That’s a chance to follow survival instincts. Plants know this.
Some seek Light to grow and bloom. Others flourish in dappled and damp shade and manage to be Pretty in the process. Some simply find a way. Often in the worst of conditions, a plant will sprout leaf and bloom- up through an iron railing, a cracked sidewalk or graveled garden path; a fallen log, a scorching sandy beach- even the mighty oak learns to soar above the forest floor.
Exuberance, enthusiasm, even enjoyment of living is right underfoot. Being forced in a jar or peeking through a picket fence. Or drawing life out of itself like those sweet muscari bulbs, why? Because sometimes- you just have to draw strength from within yourself- right? It’s that inexplicable urge to survive, maybe a zest for living- a joy just to be alive… spoken without words. Look close and you’ll hear these things and more.
No matter how small, it seems to me, there’s not just a the will to live despite circumstances or even survival techniques… there’s some inner workings I don’t quite understand. I only know these little survivors speak to me of purposeful filled living. Add in the will to live.
A fern sprout, a cluster of mushrooms, tiny bulbs in a jar- a dandelion or two. Wood violets, beach flowers, a crazy Iris craning her neck through a picket fence turning her face to the sun.
Even a leafy weed and most springing up from a rocky place- oh yes… they teach me so many lessons and more…
Resilience is what keeps us going. Finding light or enlightenment. Absorbing moisture, putting down deeper roots or pulling from your inner strength. A willingness to grow. Nature is where we find beauty, strength, nourishment and salve. After the year we’ve had, I hope your Resilience has shown up. Here’s to a zest for living, getting going and growing again!
Collections… we all have a collections of some sort. Whether it’s Stamps, Spices (yes, when we travel I bring back spices) Vintage Luggage? I had a small collection once that served as a portable office. Some collect oddities such as watch parts. And, I’ll admit to having a collection of garden pots. Old Garden Tools- yes, the quirkier the better. Silver Serving Pieces? Books? Heirloom Seeds… oh yes, that’s a very nice collection to have. 
Camellia's Cottage 