The Colors of Columbine - Friday's fascinations, facts and folklore

After dinner this evening, I went outside to pick some Columbines from the garden.  We have masses in flower right now.  They must have re-seeded well last year and just look spectacular. Some of them are really tall, and in lots of different shades.

I just love the shape of the petals of Columbines (Aquilegia).  It is quite a complex shape and one I wish I could sculpt.  I have actually made some silver earrings of the seed pods of Columbines but that was quite a few years ago....

The flower name people say: The name Columbine comes from the appearance of the flower looking to some as a circle of doves (Latin: columba) drinking around a fountain?????

The Aquilegia name is because the knobbed spurs look like the talons of an eagle (Latin: aquila)!!! Hmm...what's in a name anyhow??....

We, and the hummingbirds, are graced with such a wonderful abundance this year so its nice to bring some indoors to enjoy as well.  

Which is your favorite color? I think I like the soft blue/purple the best....

Wiggle Room....need your help choosing a name

I can't decide on a name for my latest little "anyone can" piece.  It doesn't haven't be an "anyone can..." name.....Anyhow, here's the necklace:

Yes, little Anyone wiggles his/her hips and legs as you wear him/her - but it's tricky to show movement in photos!!

I'm thinking:

• anyone can dance (which is what was in my head as I created it)
• anyone can wiggle (which then came next...)
• wiggle room (which is my current favorite....)

Which do you think is best? 

Let me know in the comments section which name you like best.

Music cufflinks

I just finished some cufflinks as a birthday gift for someone. Sounds delightful. Grandparents are buying their grandson his first Tuxedo/Dinner suit and wanted some cufflinks to go with it. The grandson is studying music in San Francisco so will definitely get a lot of use of the dinner suit.


They asked for the cufflinks to have a treble clef on one and a bass clef on the other and then his name across the two. His name is Allo - so here are the cufflinks.


Now whenever he performs, he'll be thinking of his grandparents! Great gift idea.

Baby Quentin Quail is born!

I have a new baby Quentin Quail :-D

I have to let you know that Daddy Quentin put on his running shoes and is running to France right now to his new home - but he left a little one in his place. As with many babes, it looks like he has yet to grow into his top knot of feathers and his legs and feet!

So what about a name? With my blog post series on naming, we need something good for him...... Quentinette? Quentino? Quentessential? what do you call a baby Quentin? All suggestions gratefully received!

Hold on to love or Follow your heart....

The voting for the name of the necklace is currently even for "hold on to love" and "follow your heart". The voting ends tomorrow evening....so if you haven't voted - please do! See the full listing from Monday January 12th. The poll is on the right hand side of the blog - just enter your choice!

Competition hotting up!!

Looks like Chui is in the lead right now with her name idea of "Chrome-o-somes"......A few hours to go yet....... Pressure is on...... Who will make it till 11.59pm tonight?

It makes me think of horse-racing! Although it's not quite neck and neck yet!!! It may not seem like an obvious connection, but I head back to England tomorrow to Cheltenham - where they have a big race course and next Sunday, we are going to the races - with Chui and family...... So the connection is there!!!!