Marching On....
I spent a good bit of Time, Dear Readers, adding more snow to the branches of the Lilac shrub. Above you can see it in the glaring light with all the branches at least "dusted" with snow. It is very slow and persnickety work! Those twigs are very skinny and flexible and the "snow" just doesn't want to stick to them! It is important that the snow only stick in places where gravity would naturally collect it.... and the slanted stems are difficult to coat in the right places. I thought I had made pretty good progress, and maybe even had added enough snow... until I tested it in The Folly Garden again.
It hardly looks like I added any at all!
This is probably because most of what I added was on the twigs...
and when seen from the under side, you don't see the snow.
I tried to take a picture looking down from above...
but the camera wouldn't focus well...
The snow just doesn't show up very well.
I tried taking a picture in the Morning light...
it is a little more visible here...
Daylight does seem to make a difference!
And looking down form above...
(I know, it is hard to focus!)
But is it enough, Dear Readers?
Especially in light of the example set by Mother Nature last night.....
A March snowstorm.....
begun after bedtime, done by dawn......
Wet enough to stick to everything.....
No wind to speak of....
Look at the "hat" on that little garden light!
And the "pile" on the delicate rail of the gate!
I think Mother Nature was trying to show me how it's done!
And meanwhile,
the only other thing I got done was the blossom...
Number Forty-six completed!
I will be making them all as individuals from now on,
not adding them to the already finished stems,
because not every blossom on a shrub is a "double" one.
Here it is in the box...
(with the other singles in the left hand corner.)
Well, Dear Readers, It will probably have to keep on "snowing"
for a while until I get the desired effect on the shrub.
But Time is moving quickly on....
and Spring is right around the corner!
I had better get a March on!
We could do with a bit of snow in South Australia! It has been incredibly hot and dry here, so looking at your lovely snow is very refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI do think mother nature has a point about piling a wee bit more on those branches and twigs. I have no idea how you do it, but I am quite convinced it is a painstakingly, time consuming process that you will conquer with grace.
Blowing warm winds your way.
Anna
Hi Anna! I am still undecided about how much more snow there will be.... I think the bush might have to tell me... If I can't make it stick, it'll have to be enough! LOL
DeleteHello Betsy,
ReplyDeleteThese pictures make me want to shrink down to 1:12 and have a snowball fight. I think the shrubs are just amazing and while more snow could be fun, I like the light airy snow best...probably because I am the one who usually shovels. It is all so beautiful.
Big hug
Giac
Hi Giac! I know what you mean about the light snow... my favorite kind too! I just couldn't find a way to make this material look that light... so I think I will have to try to add more... we shall see!
DeleteGorgeous snow pictures! And I do have to say, the "snow" you have added to your lilac twigs looks as though the storm has only just begun. But maybe that doesn't matter?
ReplyDeleteLots of love, from
Mom
Hi Mom! I am hoping it won't matter! LOL! I am not sure how much more I can add... but will probably give it a try. :)
DeleteYour snow making efforts are commendable! I can only imagine what a delicate operation it is to make it go just where you want on such a tiny surface! Mother Nature's efforts are also noteworthy this year, as she has decided to place her work in abundance and in places it is only rarely seen! Let's hope this bodes well for an early and beautiful spring!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jodi! Yes, I am aware that snow has been falling where it rarely if ever does! (Just not much up here! LOL) I am still wrestling with the "right" amount for the shrub... I will probably add some, but I don't think I could make it look like what we got! Those twigs are just too skinny!!!
DeleteA magic atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteThank you Fabi!! :)
DeleteWhat a difference seeing your mini branches from all angles, Betsy, I was also quite sure there was te be seen enough snow before :O!
ReplyDeleteYou've had a good dump of snow, because all we see here, in The Netherlands, is as much snow as there is on your mini branches, and that's just it. And you're right: Mother Nature was showing you how it looks when there is enough snow ;).
A warm welcome to blossom number 46, hurray!!
Warm hugs, Ilona
Hi Ilona! We have had "small" snow storms that have added up to a big pile because it isn't melting! But now that we are almost to Springtime.... we will probably get much more snow! LOL! I think the shrub needs a little more... so I will have to try.
DeleteI think that's the perfect amount of snow on the shrub. It looks wonderful, my favorite thing about winter, snow on dark trees and those grey blue shadows they make across the surface of the snow on the ground.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Mother Nature overdid it just a touch.
Hi Sheila! I love the lacy look of trees against the sky in Winter... and those shadows too! I just don't love how Looooong winter is! Lol! I don't think I could copy Mother Nature in this example... I will have to make do with a relatively scanty snowfall! :)
DeleteNicely done again Betsy, but I would hate to see all of your lilac's mini branches as congested with snow as the RL ones outside your door are only because it would disguise so much of the minute details you have laboured so long and hard over.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the snows over here in western Canada are S L O W L Y melting away and we can actually see the grass again! :D
elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth! I needed reminding not to cover Everything I have worked so hard on.... even though you will still be able to see it all on the Other Winter lilac shrub! LOL! And I still need to finish Those details... it takes so much longer than I Imagine it will! But I am determined! :):)
DeleteA mi me parece perfecta la cantidad de nieve,se ve tan bonito y natural ese tronco,sus ramas acariciadas por el manto nevado...precioso!!
ReplyDeleteFelicidades por tu floración 46!!
Besos.
Thank you Pilar!!! The snow does look delicate so far.... I am going to try to add a little more... but not like the heavy snow we got... that would be too much! :)
DeleteThis is exactly how I imagine snow in a garden. Oh how I wish snow would be here. I love your photos. Congratulations for blossom No.46.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
Hi Drora! I do love a delicate snowfall in RL... that just "dusts" a garden with snow! That is a very pretty image! But this time I think I need a little more... the blanket on the ground looks so deep... I will try to add a little more but not too heavy. :)
DeleteHello, Betsy - I think your lilac branches look beautiful with just the amount of snow that you've placed on them;
ReplyDeleteenough to appreciate the snow-covered starkness of the wintry branches, but not enough to obscure your wonderful artistry. Nature can get a bit frenetic and overdo herself at times, so you can't rely on her to set a good example. The light snowfall on your lilac shrub is a delightful harbinger of spring! Blossom number forty-six is as welcome as the real thing will be - congratulations!
Marjorie
Thank you Marjorie! You put it so well.... and give me permission to go gently with the coverage! I hate the idea that I could ruin what I have done by adding too much.... but then there is always the Other Winter shrub which will be bare branches.... :)
DeleteIf you're taking your actual garden situation as a role model you'd still have a lot of March-ing on to do... My, what a huge amount of this cold white stuff you've received in just one night! But although your pictures are fascinating they somehow scared me a bit… *LOL* I'm so thankful that in my part of the world snow was only a short visitor so far during this winter season. Actually we've had a few early summer days at the end of February with nature already wide ahead but this week we jumped right into autumn with really heavy storms. But although this kind of weather at this time of the year is frightening I can't deny that I'm happy that my snow shovel and I don't have to spend time together. But isn't it amazing that snow does not only bring work with it in real life but also in miniature? I can imagine how much work it is to make your snow stuff stick on all those twigs and branches - but all this work already paid off. The shrub looks gorgeous! Nevertheless I fear you will really have to March on during March with this… assuming that your winter scene will be covered in deep snow like your little improvisation with those fluffy mats your shrub would be in need of more snow still. In the meantime - welcome to No. 46!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Birgit
Dear Birgit, this is the problem I am wrestling with! Those fluffy mats look like lots and lots of snow... but the branches have only a little bit.... aaaarrrggggh... and it isn't nice and "fluffy" on the branches.... I am still working on it! But I am Sure I will not be copying Mother Nature completely! The snow we have in RL is mostly solid frozen piles of "concrete" from all the storms ending as rain and then the temperatures get very cold.... so nothing is melting! (And can't be shoveled either! LOL!) Yes, we are hoping for Spring very soon! :):) (And I am glad you are strangers with your shovel this year.... it leaves you more time for minis!!!) :):)
DeleteI am amazed by your creativity ...
ReplyDeleteThe snow looks real, and so the tree branches are dotted with snow.
Very beautiful
Thank you Himawan! Welcome to my blog! I am glad you like the snow.... I am almost satisfied.... but still have a little to add!
DeleteI'm always very impressed with the lengths you go to just to get the detail exactly right.
ReplyDelete