Cake Art

I had the pleasure of meeting an inspiring young woman who has combined her knowledge and passion in life to create her own business.

Having started early in her life creating in the kitchen and combining it with her skills as an architecture, Carie Tindill began her own business, "Cakeitecture Bakery."

Using her knowledge of architecture she designs cakes that are three dimensional as well as artistic. Please check out her gallery of cakes at her website. If you are lucky to live in or near Olympia, Washington, your next party cake can be not only delicious but also a piece of art!


Carie showed me a photograph of her Mariner Shoe Cake as well as a rather real looking heart. I am looking forward to seeing the teapot cake she is creating for a sweet-sixteen party this weekend.

Artistic Gardening

A continuation of the concept that art encompasses life, I was gifted with the loan of a lovely book from my friend, Janet.

A Garden Gallery; the Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis by George Little and David Lewis.

Little and Lewis are long-time collaborators whose concrete sculptures and garden installations have been collected around the world. Their Puget Sound garden is the primary showcase for their artwork, but also for the unique gardening qualities that epitomize their style. Water features, oversize and broad-leaf plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery-all combine to create a deeply personal and magical space.

Hosta Leaf Sculputre

The book alternates voices of Little and Lewis and is filled with insights as well as stories. It is a fascinating look at a creative partnership that came about spontaneously, succeeded quickly, and, like their garden, continues to evolve and grow.

My favorite quote so far is from George in speaking about creating a garden. He says, "What matters is the relation of people to their spaces. Does the garden seem a natural extension of the owner? Is there a love of gardening here, a simple joy in the partnering with nature to make something beautiful?"

The idea for dinosaur eggs, which an artist friend created that I shared in earlier blog, is a spin off from Little and Lewis.

Northwest Horticultural Society

Today my friend Janet insisted that I must see Joyce Hawkin's garden which was on display as part of the Northwest Horticultural Society's garden tour.

For the past five years, Joyce and her family have been creating this fabulous garden. I took several pictures; hopefully you can get an idea of why this was a "must see". Joyce artistically composed colors and shapes which made her garden outstanding. Interspersed within the garden you would find Joyce's colorful sculpted cement leaves and "dinosaur eggs" of which I could not resist. Watch for a follow up blog when this piece of sculpture arrives in my yard.





And the ponds...




Have you ever seen a poppy such as this?




Lovely composition...


Needless to say, the garden was a feast for my eyes and soul.

Thank you Joyce!

If you would like to find out more about the Northwest Horticultural Society, please visit their website.

Artistic Christmas E-Cards

If you have not as yet mailed your Christmas cards, there are many FREE Christmas e-cards available.
Some of the best are on museum sites!

Victoria and Albert Museum - Christmas e-cards - these are all sent on 25th December

National Museums Liverpool
All proceeds support National Museums Liverpool. Includes specific microsites for : Vintage Christmas and New Year e-cards and the Stewart Bale collection (black and white photos of Christmas stores from the 40s and 50s)

National Museum of Wales - Christmas e-cards

Tate Museums - Tate Kids e-cards

Geffrye Museum - Christmas e-cards

Interestingly, I could find very little evidence of the development of a slick and simple e-card operation on the websites of the American Art Museums. The Met has nothing and I tried a few others with the same results.