I have the privilege of working with Ortenstone Gardens, a 50+ acre botanical garden taking shape in my hometown. “No Risk. No Magic.” has become a favorite mantra of the group (we even have T-shirts to prove it). That phrase stayed with me as I created this new assemblage of the same name. 🪄

 

At its center is a spinner from a vintage Milton Bradley The Game of Life board game. Five rescued containers from a damaged A.C. Gilbert chemistry set represent Adventure, Change, Discovery, Possibility, and the Unknown. Together, they hold the things we might encounter when we take a chance. No Risk. No Magic. is a good reminder that to find out what is possible…we sometimes have to spin the wheel.

Let's Wander Off the Beaten Path

This past summer I had the opportunity to experience a buzz button. This flower of Acmella oleracea is edible and safe to consume. Also called the “toothache plant," people eat it for the unique physical sensation it creates in the mouth - numbness and excess salivation. No matter how old I get, it seems there’s always something new to discover! 🦷

 

If your travels take you to Atlanta, the Alpaca Treehouse looks like a fun place to stay. Built with reclaimed architectural pieces including stained glass and old French doors, it sits 15 feet above the floor of a bamboo forest. Rescue alpacas and llamas wander below, adding a little unexpected company to the view. 🦙

 

For a limited time, artists are turning an old Los Angeles hospital building into an exhibition about human emotions. Visitors can move through former patient rooms, operating rooms, and hallways, with each space transformed into unique immersive artwork. 🏥

Looking Ahead to Flowers & Flight

I've often thought about creating a calendar featuring some of my artwork. This might be the year when I actually do! Because I'm learning to “fail faster,” I jumped right into this project: decided on a theme (flowers and flight), chose the artwork, uploaded the files, and ordered a sample from two “print on demand" companies: Lulu and Gelato. (Their prices were similar, but the features were different enough that I wanted to see them both in person.) The Gelato sample arrived a week before the Lulu one so that might be the deciding factor. 

 

I need to swap out a few images before finalizing and will report back on progress in my October update! 💜

I'd love to hear about it and include it in a future update. 

 

I will reply back or answer it in a future update. 

 

Drop me an e-mail at Carmen@StrangeFarmGirl.com.

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Until next time, all the best to you!