Love from Mrs. Claus

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens







On my work table this morning are my little snowman creations! They coordinate with Verde Cosi star pillow "Mrs. Claus Believer". Available now in my shop! I used foraged fabric pieces to sew these little cuties. Fascinate and convert that special child the night before presents with this beautiful linen pillow with a tiny note from Mrs. Claus. Visit Verde Cosi online shop for purchasing details. Happy Holidays!
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How to make the best of fall in the garden.

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens










This fall has been especially warm, which has made it easy to get outside and enjoy the yard. There are many interesting plants and bulbs for fall if you seek them out. This year I discovered millet, ornamental peppers, a beautiful dark red/purple sedum, a dusty pink sedum, a gorgeous decorative grass, and aloha lilies. Aloha lilies are a bulb and if you make sure to cover them in some hay over the winter here in New England they should come back next fall. For bulbs, I planted alliums (which I love), scented white tulips, peony tulips in pink, lily flowering tulips, white hyacinths, and species tulips. I am hoping this redo of my corner garden will bring beautiful shows of flowers this spring as well. I dug the whole garden up except for the peonies. Turns out the garden was basically being taken over by the lily of the valley. I have plenty of this, so moving it elsewhere was fine. I worked some organic fertilizer into the existing soil in my wheel barrow and added some Coast of Maine lobster compost to enhance the soil quality. I also used some soil from my compost pile. I worked all of the old roots out of the existing soil - one of my favorite things to do. I hope my efforts outside this fall inspire you to work outside and enjoy this weather. I have many shows coming up starting October 21, 2017. Please see http://www.verdecosi.com for more details. Enjoy! This post and new garden is in loving memory of my Mom.
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Foraged flowers

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens

This time of year brings such a variety of flowers at our fingertips. Just had to walk out my back door to appreciate these beauties. Some I have been selling to my wonderful customers this summer at all of the outdoor juried art and craft shows. These up close photos of the individual flowers really allow you to see the texture and bright colors. The hibiscus is at its later stages, but still interesting and pretty. Many of these are tropical flowers that I bring in during the winter. The lantana smells like a mixture of mango and citrus. The calamondin oranges are almost ready to mix into a nice ice water. Enjoy this beautiful weather! Verde Cosi will be selling our hand made wares and fine art at the 46th annual Chatham Festival of the Arts. Visit us!


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Growing calamondin citrus in New England

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens








I've had my Calamondin miniature orange for many years now. The plant has grown rather large - the fruit is a little smaller than a golf ball. It loves a nice hot, dry, direct sun. Calamondin orange plants grow great from spring until early fall outdoors. The blossoms are amazingly fragrant with a sweet smell. Bring your plant indoors in the winter months and keep it near a sunny location - water but not over water. Like most tropicals it will go somewhat dormant in the winter but does not lose all of its leaves. Bees love the blossoms as well. You will find it fascinating to watch the blossoms turn to small oranges. The oranges are very tart but edible. I use them in cooking and baking. Slice the fruit and add to sparkling water as well.

I will be selling my work at Craft Expo in Guilford, CT July 14, 15, and 16th. I will also be selling at School Around Us Craft Show in Kennebunkport, ME July 8th, 2017. 
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Into my Garden

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens





This time of year is full of changes. My garden changes daily - while one type of flower is in bud form another is in full blossom. I have captured my poppies, lavender, English blue bells, lilacs, lily of the valley, and the beginnings of my mock oranges. The rain has been quite frequent here in New England and I have savored the few opportunities without it to get outside in my gardens. I have added new soil with organic fertilizer to the garden outside my kitchen windows. The hellebores did so well starting in January - we had blooms! I have two new tree peonies outside these windows - one is slight light pink and the other a deep pink. I look forward to their blooms in the years to come. I have a variegated leaf iris that will start to develop buds soon. My daughter helped me plant two different color begonias, coral and deep pink. I was able to add some really interesting bachelor buttons by the patio. We have transferred most of my tropical plants outside again and my studio has so much extra space. I will be sewing new pillows, garden aprons, and decorative scarves for upcoming shows at the end of this month. June 23rd thru 25th I will be selling Verde Cosi handmade artisan wares at 

http://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show and 

http://www.renegadecraft.com Boston. 

Please visit us! xoxo Suzanne












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While in the Garden

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens





When we bought our house years ago we were younger, but had no choice but to leave the old landscape. I gradually, with my husband's help, or by myself dug new gardens. We started slowly by the backdoor, discovering existing plants, and have extended beyond to the corners of our property. Sometimes people look beyond what is obvious and really enjoy looking at what we've planted - they see the love we have for our home. A home loaded with what the quick onlooker may perceive as imperfections. I had a realization this morning that as time has gone by my attitude toward the well worn has changed to more of an openess toward the imperfect and charming. I surprised myself - the front stairs made of cement along the roadside approaching the front of our house are beautiful vintage architecture. I have disliked them over the years - it has always been a reminder to me what is left to complete on our house - an unpleasant and frustrating thought that I am sure fellow homeowners live with all of the time, no matter how perfect things look on the outside. That is why I like to use vintage furnishing - it is a reminder that refreshing things with care and intentional imperfections, new fabric - beautiful pillows, etc., breathes new life into the unexpected charm. Things aren't always what they may seem to be on the outside. Dig a little deeper - spend time with your landscape and surroundings, it feeds the soul. Taking your time this season to clear the landscape yourself - it has its Aha! moments - like the one I had this morning, clearing the pine needles, leaves, and debris from my yard. After all, doing things yourself is empowering - I started to sew for this very reason. Why not? - I own the work put into our products - I am connected to the joy I intentionally put into each piece of art and craft. When it is crafted by hand - there is more meaning for all involved. You, as a customer and me as maker, designer and artist. Please take a moment or moments outside, during this season of spring, and remind yourself of the connection we all have to our earth. The need we have to interact as humans with our surroundings and the constant refresh we all need to change our environments in a responsible way. Change is good - please take a look at our beautiful "About to Bloom" products and art featured in the Verde Cosi shop right now. It is all things spring - inspiring invitations, wrapping paper, boxed stationery sets, and of course pillows, there is even a table runner that has sweet grass green pom poms - just the right balance to capture the interest of your guests at table. Have a garden party a little early - pretend you are in the midst of sunshine with green trees - go ahead you deserve it. My latest work will be sold at Society of Crafts, Boston coming up on April 21 thru 23rd, 2017. Please drop by and say hello!
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How to Plant Ciao Bella Basil from Seed

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens

How to Plant Ciao Bella Basil from Seed:

Without a doubt I love to cook, it just goes hand in hand with being a gardener. It’s March and I am ready to get my hands dirty – so I’ve put together this little project to get the ball rolling on spring. One small step at a time is a good thing. Basil, oregano, parsley, mint – fresh herbs can be used all year long but basil is especially hard to keep. It seems to get shocked when I bring it home from the garden center. It can be sown indoors any time of year and it is the perfect little project to get started right now. I have chosen Ciao Bella Basil, a micro green variety of basil. Here are a few guidelines for success with seed planting.


1.     Basil seeds need a consistent temperature of 70-75 degrees to germinate. This temperature varies depending on the seed.
2.     I’m going to use my new glass cloches and small wood terrariums to keep the seedlings warm as well as a heat mat. (fig. 4 and fig. 5)
3.     Grow lights can be used as well. I will have my seedlings in my warm, light filled sunroom instead of grow lights.
4.     Use the right dirt. I am using organic seed starter as well as a bit of Coast of Maine brand lobster compost. I use this lobster compost all the time and it makes the soil a bit richer to ensure success.
5.     You can also create the soil mix yourself: equal parts potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite should give you some good results.
6.     Small seed containers work well to plant in, or I used small terracotta pots. (fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3)
7.     Spray bottle with water to gently mist your seedlings.



Enjoy watching your seeds grow, one packet of seeds goes a long way. So start off slow. I am always tempted to buy a ton of seeds. I suggest if you are new to this – start off with one or two of your very favorite seeds. Read the packet before you purchase. While Ciao Bella Basil can be started indoors anytime of year, many seeds are meant to start indoors first then transfer to your garden outdoors. For instance for flowers, the seed packet will tell you to plant seeds 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date. The expected last frost date in the Boston area, is around May 10, 2017.

Growing seedlings takes up quite a bit of space so plan the area that you will have your seedlings. Remember to keep your seedlings near by in your home and whatever you do, don’t forget to water! Once you have success with this little seed project – let me know how it goes.

Don’t forget to check the Verde Cosi shop for new products, we are adding them everyday!
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How to make a Verde Cosi “Pink Prosecco” art paper wrap Decorative Heart

by : Suzanne Luby Ahrens




How to make a Verde Cosi “Pink Prosecco” art paper wrap Decorative Heart 


This heart uses left over(from wrapping gifts) strips of Verde Cosi “Pink Prosecco” art paper wrap. 

Materials:

•19 x 24 inch pad of tracing paper, I used Canson brand

•30inch long barbecue roasting sticks or thin wooden dowels from craft store

•scrap strips of Verde Cosi art paper wrap, at least 19 inches long at widest part of heart shape

•sewing machine with jeans/denim needle, I used Schmetz brand 110/18 size

•multi purpose good quality white or gold thread for your sewing machine

•pencil, clear tape

•long 24 inch ruler

•garden clippers to cut dowels

•decorative ribbon for hanging

•x-acto knife 

•mat cutting board

Directions:

1.Lay out strips of Verde Cosi art wrap on cutting board, I used 9 varied width strips - It’s fun to buy all 3 sets of the varied wrap in the Verde Cosi “Pink Prosecco” collection
2.lay sheet of 19 x 24 tracing paper on top of strips
draw a large heart with a pencil
3.use xacto to cut out heart thru to the wrapping strips(Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.3, shown in photos)




4.remove tracing and excess paper - draw a straight line with ruler down center of heart vertically (top curves are not included in this step)
with your jeans/denim needle in your sewing machine sew along your vertical pencil line - continue to sew in between pieces leaving about a 1/2 inch gap of sewn/hanging thread in between strips. It’s coming together now!(Fig.4, Fig.5, Fig.6, shown in photos)



5.leave 8 inches of thread after sewing vertical line (this is for attaching to dowel later on)
6.start at center top of heart and sew around outside edge of heart measuring gaps against the center gaps as you go. Once you’ve gone all the way around your heart leave about 8 inches of thread at center bottom edge for hanging on decorative curls later on.
7.at 6 different evenly spaced points at curves in heart, sew with machine and land your stitches in these points - leave 8 inches of thread at each end for hanging. this step gives you attached threads to hang and tie heart to dowel
8.take full 30 inch dowel and tie threads at top of heart (twist the ones that are part of a close together area)
9.turn heart over and measure and cut with garden clippers dowels to go full length of most of the strips of Verde Cosi art wrap to stiffen decorative heart. Tape pieces of dowels down onto the back strips of paper heart (Fig.7, shown in photo)

10.how to finish top dowel to cover threads: cut 1/4  to 3/8 inch strips of Verde Cosi art paper wrap - wrap strips around top dowel, tape to secure. This gives a more finished decorative look.(Fig.8,shown in photo)

11.at center of the bottom of heart you can add swirls of paper: take same 1/4 to 3/8 inch strips of wrap and tightly, twirl around one of the wooden dowels, release, it stays curled!
Tape a few varied, curled strips at bottom center of heart for added decoration(Fig.9 and Fig.10, shown in photos)


12.Hang your heart!: take a decorative ribbon, I used a green leaf ribbon, tie ends of top dowel. Voila! Ecco! Cosi! You have made a beautiful Verde Cosi “Pink Prosecco” art paper wrap decorative heart!(Fig.11 and Fig.12 shown in photos)You can purchase the "Pink Prosecco" wrap in the Verde Cosi shop!Enjoy!
©2017 Verde Cosi


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Suzanne Luby Ahrens