Foraging for dried material is still about the best I can do at present, which makes this collection of stems very similar to a smaller one from several weeks ago. Among the differences (if one looks a little more closely) are the scale and the presence of wild rose stems.
It actually began with some unknown, pale, herbaceous stems that carry little seed tufts near the tips.
Then there came the clustered fruits of another unknown - one that always catches my eye because of its dense, dark appearance along the fenceline.
Lastly, the rose stems. True to form, they have plenty of prickles! I selected some of the reddest growth, all of it clearly eager to break into leaf once the cold and snow decide to move out.
So the vase stayed fairly simple as there are only three different types of plants represented, but I picked a good deal of material and used one of my larger handbuilt vases. It is made of red clay, coiled and beaten rather than thrown on the wheel; and the rim was fluted much as I would crimp a pie crust.
My sister loaned me her little Mexican table to photograph the arrangement. We finally have our furniture, books, working materials (except some that inadvertently were left behind), sculptures, pots, paintings, and the rest of it. The house is chaotic as we are still trying to put things in their places! It was pleasant to take a little time out for In a Vase on Monday with Cathy!
Weather Diary: Sunny; High: 21 F (-6 C)/Low: 1 F (-17 C); Humidity: 45%-72%
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Cathy (Tuesday, 05 March 2019 01:52)
Oh I am so pleased you now have most of your belongings with you - it must seem surreal at times being in such a new place and beginning a new life like this. Your vase shows how attractive a simple vase of twigs can be and just how much detail we can find on bare stems if we care to look. They work perfectly in your elegantly shaped pot. Thanks so much for finding time to join us today
Jane (Tuesday, 05 March 2019 14:11)
Such an elegant vase you made, Amy, and the twigs have a lot of interesting detail. It looks charming on the pretty table. My goodness, it is seriously cold where you are! I’m glad to read that you’re settling in to your new home.
Diana Studer (Tuesday, 05 March 2019 14:44)
I much prefer UNpacking into an empty home.
Yesterday I was rearranging kitchen cupboards, which had been impractical for nearly four years.
So much easier to add the contents of a box to an empty cupboard.
I hope that things fall neatly into place for you now.
Kris P (Tuesday, 05 March 2019 18:52)
The foraged contents fit the stature and simplicity of the vase, Amy. I'm glad to hear that you're able to really settle into your new place now and make to feel like home now.
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 06 March 2019 14:25)
Cathy - So pleased you enjoyed this! It’s more than a little surreal, but it always helps to find the plants and enjoy them. And hopefully there will be something fresh and green pretty soon! ;-)
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 06 March 2019 14:32)
Thank you so much, Jane. - so happy you like them. :) Though it was already midwinter when we got here, I have certainly had my fill of cold days and am very ready for some springtime!
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 06 March 2019 14:34)
I quite agree, Diana! Especially as the place was neat and clean when we arrived... ;-)
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 06 March 2019 14:36)
Thanks very much, Kris! I got a little bolder with the clippers this time - probably a sign that I am settling in just fine! ;-)
Cathy (Thursday, 07 March 2019 01:27)
Good to hear you have your belongings with you and can start to get things straight in your new home. Even some bare sprigs can bring pleasure at this time of year, and your vase is lovely. I wonder how you and your garden will find the new climate... hope it's warm in your new home, and I do hope spring doesn't dally!
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Monday, 11 March 2019 23:32)
Thank you so much, Cathy - we are sorting and unpacking and muddling out where to put things. The house is quite small - this is part of the difficulty, but the rest is working around the fact that our nearly one ton of clay was stacked in what was to be Sarah's bedroom. This was my fault as I forgot to leave the shed unlocked so the moving guys didn't know where to put it either... Well, we'll be able to laugh about it after it gets moved! Spring seems to be on its way now though, which makes things much better! ;-)