Sometimes I am lead down unexpected paths of discovery. I have been sick for ten days, so I have spent a lot of time searching shoes, purses and brooches on-line. I have been sucked into the internet for hours at a time. Here is an example of one of my internet adventures.
My latest path started with a tea box. I was perusing the many choices of teas on the internet and was drawn to a specific type due to its lovely box. I purchased the tea to get its box to make a bookmark with it. I was drawn to the box because it reminded me of the botanical work of Mary Delany.
Then I looked up Mary Delany and ordered this lovely box of cards with photos of her flower mosaics on them. I was trying to tell folks about this remarkable woman who did not start making these marvels until the age of 72. She is one of my ‘old lady idols. ‘
The cards came in the most beautiful box…another box for me.
I realized I wanted to learn more about Mary Delany, so I looked up books about her life. I ordered the one by Molly Peacock and put another by Ruth Hayden on my Christmas list. I hope Santazon brings it!
We even waited at the gate for the book’s delivery. (I stalk my delivery people on-line.) It was later delivered to our neighbor’s porch, so Mr. Flower had to go retrieve it in the dark. Since he went to all that trouble, I felt compelled to start reading the book immediately. It is fabulous and has many photographs of Mary Delany’s art and several of Mary herself.
Then a fellow blogger posted a lovely blog about painted rocks being left out for folks to find.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/24620341/posts/4372809849.
I thought this was an interesting idea since I am intimidated by the thought of painting on canvas. I have plenty of river rock and paint. I also have thousands of photographs of flowers. I figured that painting my flowers onto rocks would make better plant markers than my chop sticks, plastic knives, etc. that I inevitably step on and break.
So, this is how a box of tea lead to stones.
FLOW
floweralley 
You’ve been busy even in your down time! The botanical art is lovely. I hope you’ll post some of your stone art. It’s a great idea to use the stones as markers!
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I am looking forward to getting started.
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I love the idea of stone art! I too loved Molly Peacock’s book. Interesting fact: it was recommended to me by the staff of Louise Erdrich’s Indy bookstore in Minneapolis.
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I am loving this book. Such great writing. Of course I love the photos also.
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Oh, I loved this post Flower! The book looks lovely and your boxes are sompretty. You could keep pebbles for painting in them…. 😃
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Thanks Cathy. This adventure kept my cheered up through my illness. Now that I am well, I have a fun project in the wings to keep me busy on cold days. The book is amazing!!!
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Looking forward to seeing you rock with paint.
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I am looking forward to painting portraits of my favorite flowers on stones to mark their location. I have not painted in years.
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Love botanics and indeed, Mary Delany! In fact, went to London in November hoping to view her collection at the British Museum. Sadly, study rooms were not available.
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Oh, what a disappointment.
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Then did spend wonderful time at the Marianne North gallery at Kew gardens. Botanical paintings from around the world by a woman independent in her time.
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Another one of my heroes!!! You are so lucky.
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