As February fades, March, according to the weather forecast, plans to creep in with rain, and more rain, to this already damp, soggy area of the country. Bunches of tulips have arrived brightening the empty corners of the grocery stores. Buying food has become the only real shopping I do these days, months, and now a long year, which feels so strange. But, on entering the store, the flash of colorful flowers are there, near the door, and taking time to stop and look is so worthwhile. . . . . making the day feel a little more normal as silent, masked shoppers fade into the background for a while. Lately I've seen more shopping carts with a bunch of colorful flowers or a potted plant tucked in along with salad greens and toilet tissue. People need beauty and seem to be longing for spring. I have a feeling that garden centers will thrive this coming season as we start digging and delving in our gardens. I need a lot of new shrubs for the back garden.
I bought tulips twice in the past ten days!
The first bunch, a deep almost reddish pink, in tight buds
which opened into more red than pink blooms.
As they started to fade, I had to pop to the grocery again a couple of days ago - for more salad greens etc., so picked up another bunch of true pink blooms.
The combination of colors reminded me to take this floral painting out of winter storage and add some springtime color. This original painting is done on a board, not canvas, and has nothing on the back to enable hanging. Anyone know what type of hardware I could attach to the back - the board is not very thick, or heavy. Have you used any of the adhesive types of hangers? I'm thinking of designing an 'art wall' so hanging pieces without making holes would really be great if possible!
Any ideas for this project would be appreciated.
Thanks as always.
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I use Pattex fix and defix for up to two kilos to hang without holes in the walls.
ReplyDeleteI love tulips and spring flowers.
Have a good day.
Not familiar with Pattex here - but similar perhaps to Command.
DeleteHope some spring flowers come you way soon Catherine.
Mary -
Love the painting. I think if it is not too heavy double sided adhesive tape might work.
ReplyDeleteThink this painting may be a bit large for that Penny!
DeleteWe had warm weather for two glorious days - rain due again now.
Mary -
Beautiful tulips. Depending on weight, we use Command strips here, but not sure if they are available in US?
ReplyDeleteCommand strips seem to work for many here too Barbara - I may try them.
DeleteMary -
i have used the brand name Command picture stickers that go on the back of unframed work and on the wall - they can be removed for cleaning/moving house - mine worked really well but I followed an online video to ensure I did it correctly :) hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteYes Betty, I see the instructions/video online - seems Command should work if I prep my walls correctly - don't want artwork falling on anyone sitting on sofa!!!!
DeleteMary -
I have been buying fresh tulips for the house too, every time I go to Trader Joe's. They're so beautiful and definitely say "spring"! Your painting is beautiful. I would like to know how to hang paintings on boards like that, too. My son, Tim is an artist and when he was in school, he did a lot of paintings on boards. I have always wanted to hang a couple, but didn't know how - without putting hangers on them and multiple holes in the walls. So for now, I just have a couple of his paintings on long floating shelves that we have on the walls in our downstairs family room. Not sure if I want to recommend those Command strips. I have used them countless times to hang various things on walls. Sometimes they worked and didn't damage the walls when I removed the strips; other times they tore the paint off the walls - leaving a much bigger mess to repair than a simple nail hole!
ReplyDeleteMelanie - perhaps we should both try Command strips - many people seem pleased. Be sure to read the instructions online - it's important for one to prep the wall properly!
DeleteMary -
Dear Mary - I use Command picture hanging strips made by 3M. You can get them in various sizes - the picture hangs flush against the wall and if you want to move them they peel off leaving no marks whatsover. They come in various sizes, I have just looked at a packet that I bought recently in the3 size small and it states that you can safely hold 1.8kg of weight. I love that painting - it is full of so much promise of things to come.
ReplyDeleteWe have had glorious weather today - warm sunshine all day long which has really lived out spirits.
Rosemary, glad you are also enjoying some pre-Spring weather as did we this week.
DeleteGlad you endorse the command strips also -- I will try them.
Mary -
Command strips work well - but be careful that they affix well to the board - otherwise maybe you could try glueing the whole board to a thicker equivalent piece of plywood or MDF?
ReplyDeleteTulips are such brilliant blooms
Thanks for the hanging tips Mark.
DeleteI bet tulips will be blooming in your area soon.
Mary -
I have daffodils in the house at the moment, they bring lots of cheer on dull days. I love tulips and will probably buy some next time I'm shopping. I planted some in garden tubs last year so I hope they will be appearing soon.
ReplyDeleteHope your tulips bloom beautifully Polly. Sadly I gave up growing them this year because the squirrels were biting off the blooms the last few years - and tulip bulbs aren't cheap, especially as they only grow for one season here!
DeleteDaffodils are "worth their weight in gold" though - nothing seems to eat them and they just naturalize so well.
Mary -
Dearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteLovely tulips and indeed, five more days with rain, starting on Tuesday... But today was glorious with its 27°C or 80.6°F so we went to Atlanta for our shopping rounds at Costco, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's.
Yes, at Trader Joe's they especially have lots of fresh cut flowers! A very good habit of bringing them home.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Wasn't it great to have warm sunshine for a couple of days Mariette.
DeleteTrader Joe's do have wonderful flowers - also find good buys at LIDL.
Rain on the way again, grrrr!
Mary -
🌧
DeleteMy sister brought me tulips twice in the past few weeks, and they did so much to brighten my flat - even though it is rather bright in the first place, with south-facing windows in my two biggest rooms.
ReplyDeleteGarden centers and B%Q places have been shut here since mid-December and will only open this coming Monday. I expect they will be overrun with folks eager to stock up on plants for house and garden, and all the material they need for work in and around their houses and gardens.
Yes Meike, seeing your tulips made me want some of my own!!!!
DeleteI notice the garden centers and big box stores - which have never closed - are getting tons of trees, shrubs and plants in now - and there are Spring sales starting. All we need now is less rain to be able to shop and plant!
Mary -
There is something about tulips that lifts the spirits. I love the tulips with this beautiful painting! We have rain today and thru the weekend but we did enjoy 2 days this week without. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. As for hanging the painting, I've seen adhesive hangers that should work because as you say it it not that heavy.
ReplyDeleteWe've enjoyed the weather too Elizabeth - not going to last though!
DeleteYes, will try the adhesive Command strips I think.
Mary -
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are so happy and lighthearted. Spring can not be far away. I love the way tulips reach for the light, always in the most artistic way.
I'm so delighted that you will hang your floral paintings on the otherwise plain wall. I have always used small nails (holes can be fixed with toothpaste) for hanging art. So I'm no help.
Thanks Gina. Love how tulips keep growing in water - I read that adding a few drops of bleach to the water helps keep stems open enabling them to drink and grow!
DeleteGuess I'll know what to keep an old tube of toothpaste for now, lol!
Mary -
Darling Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour Tulips do indeed look wonderful and you are so right to add them to the everyday shopping. Fresh flowers instantly decorate a room and fill it with life and your Tulips really do exactly this. In Budapest we have far fewer cut flowers than we would ideally like as they do not last for more than five minutes. Perhaps they are kept too long in the cold and are not conditioned so well so that when they are brought indoors, they simply collapse instantly.
As for your painting, we love its joyfulness. We would most probably have the painting framed since this would make it look 'finished' and would, in our view, really 'lift' the work. Then we should definitely give it a permanent place on the wall somewhere. This would have to be considered carefully but, as you have it, i composition with flowers, it looks delightful. So, perhaps close to a table?
You are right when you say that we all thrive on beauty. It is said that, "Art is the highest form of hope" and we would concur with this absolutely.
Dear Jane and Lance - sorry you don't have more fresh flowers available in Budapest. I always see amazing photos (and have seen in person) the Paris florists, just loaded with the most beautiful flowers along the sidewalks - wonder where they get them.
DeleteThank you so much for commenting on my painting. I think they are more poppies than tulips if one looks closely - see the buds. I found it at SuzAnna's Antiques where I used to have my booth - it was inexpensive. Perhaps I will have it framed later - any suggestions re: mat and frame type (measures 20X24 inches) would be really welcomed - you are the experts you know!
Again, so awesome to have you back blogging!
Thanks dear ones - Mary
Oh Mary, your blog is so beautiful. The tulips, the painting...all a party for these tired of white snow eyes.
ReplyDeleteWe are under many feet of snow but March always brings lots of rain so I look forward to that. Good to see your lovely post. (virtual hugs), Deb
I love your piece of artwork. Hope you figured out how to best hang it. I have a couple I need to figure out.
ReplyDelete