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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: wildflowers

Minted + Pottery Barn Kids/PB Teen Art Challenge

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by melissaoconnor in Minted

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Tags

art, carnival print, clouds, minted challenge, nature, pb teen, photography, Pottery Barn, pottery barn kids, vintage carousel, wildflowers

I haven’t entered a Minted challenge since the holiday one in May, but I figured I would submit a few to this one considering it’s Pottery Barn. How cool would it be to get picked! So here are my entries below. Voting is now open!! I appreciate all your votes and comments if you want to share them. Thank you!!

For Art’s Sake Minted Challenge

21 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by melissaoconnor in Minted

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Tags

above the clouds, Alcatraz, antique birdhouse, architecture, art prints, avonlea, bayard, birch tree, blackbird, boats of summer, carnival, carnival collage, clouds, earthy roots, fire fly, fluffy wildflowers, for arts sake, gray star design, house by the water, in the shade, landscape, light house, light house on the water, Maine, minted, minted challenge, mystic, nature, nautical, nautical scale, new england, ocean, orchids, palm trees, palms, parallel universe, photography, red barn, rock wall, roof study, roots, sky, stairwell, The Calm Sea, the road home, trees, tropical, tropics, vintage carnival, vintage carousel, water penny, wildflowers

And the challenges never end. Minted’s For Art’s Sake challenge just wrapped up and voting is now open! I submitted some oldies and a lot of new entries to this one. You can view them all below and if you feel like voting, just click on each one to go to its entry page. There are tons of great art in this challenge so definitely check as much out as possible. Enjoy!

House by the Water - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The Road Home - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Fire Fly - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Boats of Summer - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Vintage Carousel - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Vintage Carnival Collage - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Fuzzy Wildflowers - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Bayard Roof Study - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Alcatraz - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

New England Sky - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Above the Clouds - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Black Bird - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Dancing Palms - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Waves of Summer - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

In the Shade - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The Calm Sea - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Parallel Universe - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Avonlea - Photo by Melissa O'Conno-Arena

Earthy Roots - Photo by Melissa O'Conno-Arena

Lighthouse on the Water - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Antique Birdhouse - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Birch - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Pink - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Red Barn in Autumn - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Rock Wall - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Nautical Scale - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Water Penny - Photo by Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Valerie + Aaron – Wedding Album

08 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Real Weddings, Weddings

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Tags

book design, custom wedding album, gray star design, july wedding, linen album, Minnesota wedding, nature, nature inspired, prairie, rustic, summer weddings, vintage, wedding, wedding album, wildflowers

A few months ago, I designed a wedding album and album box for Valerie and Aaron. I worked with Valerie on the project, which was a gift to Aaron for their 8th anniversary. It was such a pleasure creating this keepsake and I am happy I made a new friend out of the experience, as her and I still talk via email. She chose my digital linen album in olive green with ‘eyes wide open‘ embossed on the cover. The whole presentation, the album in the box, really looked beautiful and I am so thrilled they loved how it came out.

Their wedding took place on Aaron’s family estate in Minnesota. Filled with grassy plains and endless fields of wildflowers, it was a perfect place for them to share their vows and celebrate with all of their loved ones. There were many readings during the ceremony, all were beautiful, and tons of dancing during the reception. Needless to say, everyone had the time of their lives.

Here is little peek into their special day and the album I created. Enjoy!

Valerie + Aaron.jpg

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Valerie + Aaron - Wedding Album

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

26 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in The Great Outdoors

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Tags

bee balm, better homes and gardens, birdbath, birds, black-eyed Susan, butterflies, butterfly bush, cosmos, critters, flowers, foliage, garden, iris, leafy plants, native grasses, parsley, plants, purple coneflower, rocks, sedum, whimsy, wild, wildflowers, wildlife sanctuary, zinnia

I love nature and plants so when I bought my first home I was surely excited to create my first garden. Being someone who also loves animals, how could I not design an environment that invites all the lovely little creatures to play. When I first started looking for flowers and plants for my garden, I made sure I chose ones that attracted butterflies and included my bird bath so the birdies can play as well.

Here are some great tips from Better Homes and Gardens on how to invite little lovelies to your garden and what plants to pick that will lure them to explore. You may even have some who call your backyard home and in that case, yourself a big pat on the back. It’s such a great feeling to be surrounded by nature’s creations and with these next few tips you will be there in no time.

Butterfly Heaven: Invite butterflies to come and play with colorful beauties such as cosmos, zinnia, black-eyed Susan and butterfly bush. By creating a corner garden you can watch as they all explore your playground of goodies.

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

Easy Peasy: If foliage is more your style instead of flowers, then give this garden a try. Not only is it easy to care for, it will look great during the fall and winter seasons as well.  Make sure to include purple coneflower, sedum, and iris to bring all the birdies to your yard.

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

Wild and Free: If you love plants that have a sense of free spirit and wild flair then planting native grasses and wildflowers is right up your alley. Birds and butterflies love these and how could they not? Including them in your garden adds a touch of whimsy and fun that all those tiny critters love.

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

Small Spaces: Even if you only have a few feet of space for your garden, you can create a haven for happy creatures. With plants like bee balm, sedum, and butterfly bush your wildlife sanctuary can be born.

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

In Love with Butterflies: If you adore butterflies then these next plants will bring you tons of happy. The bed of the garden attracts them while all the blooms offer nectar. To nourish the larvae include leafy plants such as parsley to give them what they love. Thrown in a few rocks for the butterflies to catch some rays and a birdbath for everyone to take a water break.

Tips on How to Invite Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden

For more gardening tips check out the rest of this article on The Better Homes & Gardens website.

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