Coleus

First, a comment about the new iron. Shark? My foot. It has no bite. I tried using it, and it only got lukewarm, even on the highest setting. I'm going to have to sit down and read the directions - don't you hate that? I've been ironing since I was about 5 years old. I should know how to use an iron, for heaven's sake!! Anyway, if I can't get it any hotter, I'd better dig the box out of the recycling bin and take it back to the store. harumpf.

I may just go back to a Black & Decker, which I have had in the past, but for some reason I like the more solid feel of a heavier iron. Unless I drop it on my foot. But I digress..

Now, on to happier things.

You all know how much I love my garden, don't you? I love to go out there, especially now that it's cooling off a bit, and pull weeds and pluck deadheads.

For a long time it didn't feel like my yard any more - digging everything up and having professionals suggest plants and do the planting was quite the experience. But I'm coming to know my new friends, and we seem to get along pretty well.

One of the selections of the landscaper was Coral Bells, which is a variety of geranium. I've always had good luck with geraniums, but Coral Bells seem to be temperamental. Two just up and died, for no apparent reason.

Rather than replant the same, I planted something new to me. I haven't had a coleus since I was in college. Are they making a comeback?

Our neighbors down the street have them, and they're luscious. My sister did her entire patio with them. It looks like a velveteen sanctuary. I thought it was high time to see if they work for me. Guess what? They do.

This is the second one I planted. I think it's called "Chocolate Something-or-other." It's tripled in size in the two months I've had it.

This is the first one I planted. It's more than quadrupled in size, although it's currently under attack. I don't know what, but something is eating all of the red from the leaves. Does red taste better than white, yellow or green?

As you can see, I've got Coleus on the brain.

And I've just added a new Coleus to my collection. This one is quilted.

"Red Coleus"
Susan Brubaker Knapp

I bought it from the SAQA Benefit Auction that is currently in progress. That's me, "Anonymous." Last year, when I left the square blank, it showed up as "Suzanne Kistler Collection." For some reason I thought it would be the same this year. It was not.

Anyway, I LOVE this piece. I've been drooling over it since I first saw it, and have been holding my breath that it would still be available once it entered my price range. I haven't decided whether or not to keep it - I have two potential recipients, should I choose to gift it. We'll have to see.

The quilt is white cotton, painted with acrylic paint and machine quilted. If you know me, you know that I could never produce anything so wonderful, using such methods. The best thing I can do with acrylic paint is to roll it on the wall. :)

If you haven't seen the quilts available on the SAQA site, hop on over. They are quite a lovely bunch. I've got my eye on a few more...if they're still available in a few days, you might just see a few more posted here...