Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cherry Blossoms are Blooming

The Cherry Bloom trees were a gift from Japan in 1912. They signal Washington D. C.’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms.

The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. The date when the Yoshino Cherry Blossoms reach peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Cherry Blossom Festival dates are set based on the average date of blooming (April 4), but nature is not always cooperative. Unseasonably warm and/or cool temperatures have resulted in the Yoshino cherries reaching peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958). http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Most varieties produce light pink to pure white blossoms, but there are also cherry trees with dark pink or slightly yellowish blossoms. The blossom color of some varieties may change while they are in bloom. For example, a blossom may open as a white flower and change color to pink over the course of a few days.

In case of early blooming trees, the fresh leaves usually do not appear until after full bloom, which gives the trees an attractive, homogenous look while they are in full bloom. In case of later blooming trees, the leaves usually appear before the blossoms, giving the trees a more heterogeneous look. Furthermore, the color of the fresh leaves differs between the varieties. In most cases, the fresh leaves are green, coppery brown, or something in between. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_species.html

I was inspired by the season , the beautiful colors and a pendant I purchased on Etsy some time ago. I created the necklace below as tribute to Cherry Blossom Festival.








God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Dollar Store Challenge

The Dollar Store Challenge was certainly a challenge. But I was committed to make something and posting it. I chose an Easter theme and made a cross. I used a glass from a picture frame $1, flat glass marbles $1, a napkin holder to hold up the glass $1 and a miniture plaque $1. I didn't have any hot glue sticks so I used doube sided tape I had on hand.I taped the vertcal part of the cross with three 3 in a column and 12 rows. There are 9 in the row for the horizontal part of the cross with 3 in each column. I taped a few accent pieces on each side of the cross and I taped the plaque at the top which reads "Prayer is how I'll make it through Lord, these prayers I give to you."

Accepting this challenge took me out of my comfort zone which is designing jewelry. I will certainly try another challenge again so I can continue to stretch myself. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else came up with.






God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Monday, March 1, 2010

March is Craft Month

Being someone who loves crafts, I'm excited to take the craft challenge offered by www.livingwithlindsey.com. The challenge is to spend no more than $5 at a dollar store and make a product for the home. This will be my first time entering a challenge. I went to the Dollar Tree today and picked up some items. Next step is putting it all together. Click on the button to the right to learn more about the challenge. You can also enter if you're up for the challenge.


God bless,
Designs by Jenean