Jacki Kellum Dried Flower Bouquet I dried these flowers naturally — by hanging them upside down. It’s a hobby I have enjoyed almost all my life. Following is a video that shows how I dry flowers by hanging them upside down in the dark: When I dry flowers, I simply hang them upside down in…
Books about Mississippi Musicians
Blues All Around Me: The Autobiography of B.B. King “A treasure trove of information…told with real feeling.” —Washington Post Book World “Charming…honest…transcendent…. It reads like a warm and lengthy conversation with a close friend.” —Billboard The undisputed king of the blues, B.B. King puts his life into words in a story that spans tragedy, triumph,…
Books about New Orleans – What I Like about New Orleans
I grew up in the South in the Delta Farmland near the Mississippi River, and I have always been enchanted by the Queen City of the Mississippi River–New Orleans, Louisiana. Allow me to begin this post by taking you on a virtual tour of New Orleans: “They say that New York is a state of…
The Fabled Life of Aesop, Red Sings from Treetops, Sleep Like a Tiger, Henry & Leo, The Whisper – Magical Picture Books by Pamlela Zagarenski
I have been working in the children’s book industry for many years, and I count it a rare treat when someone finds a way to add a magical new twist to the vast field. Pamela Zagarnski is one of those bright lights. Her illustrations are magical, and she has won the coveted Caldecott Medal twice….
David Shannon’s Picture Book: A Bad Case of Stripes – Big Message for All of Us
David Shannon wrote and illustrated an outstanding picture book that illustrates the danger of trying to please others and not being true to oneself. A Bad Case of Stripes is about a girl who was overly concerned about what the other school children thought about what she did and said. I suspect that Camilla never felt…
Embroidery Practice Samplers with Thread Lists
Stitches Back Stitch Outline Stitch Lazy Daisy Stitch Lazy Daisy + Straight Line Stitch Satin Stitch Leaf Stitch Floss Colors Used 307 – Lemon 972 – Deep Canary 963 – Ultra Very Lite Dusty Rose 957 – Pale Geranium 817 – Very Dark Coral Red 3837′ – Ultra Dark Lavender 996 – Medium Electric…
Jacki Kellum Embroidery Class 1
I have taught all types of art to all ages, and as we enter this embroidery course, I invite all the participants to think like a child. Children love to make–they love to do, and they are thrilled with every exercise thrown at them. Typically speaking, adults are in a hurry. In painting classes, adults…
Learn Embroidery Stitch by Stitch
When I was a tiny child, my mother and my grandmother taught me how to embroider. The highlight of my week was when I would get to go to the dimestore and pick up my design to embroider for the week. Embroidery is still the core of my textile art. The images that you see…
In the South, April Showers Bring April Flowers
In the South, April Showers Bring April Flowers. As I’ve watched this allium mature and bloom in my garden–in the midst of this stand of bachelor buttons, I’ve been thinking about this expression all month. In essence, Thomas Tusser wrote “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” “…sweet April showers, do spring May flowers” – Thomas Tusser…
Comparing Types of Green Bean Plants: How Many Days for Each to Mature
In previous years, I have grown two types of green bean plants: Kentucky Wonder and Scarlet Running Beans. Both of these are climbing pole beans. This year, I am growing Contender Bush Green Beans, too–as well as Rattlesnake Beans. I hope to plant all these different beans this week–before the rains, and I thought I’d take…