Fall is only just beginning and I am already dreaming of Spring. I just learned that the companion to In This House, was posted to Amazon a few days ago and will be available in the Spring of 2009. As one of the gardeners, I am excited to finally be able to speak about this exciting new book co-authored by the lovely Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn.
So, let me tell you about the concept. Each of us gardeners were given artistic license to create unique four-paneled garden structures (staying within certain parameters). Each of us has created three outside garden walls and a gated entry, the flip side of the walls being the interior garden spaces. My garden was inspired by the gardens of Le Petit Trianon, Antoinette's Garden, which gave me the opportunity to further feed a growing obsession with all things Marie. I dedicated approximately four to five weeks of concentrated work on some new architectural paper techniques, which I also plan to teach during my workshop in Orvieto next Fall. More on that later. 
With a garden, such as those of Versailles (and Le Petit Trianon), I had the opportunity to play with some formal garden plans, including a skirt-born ampitheatre, partierres and topiaries, sprinkled with touches of whimsey. It is definitely a Spring garden, blooming with lush color, and imbued with a bit of garden magic.
In addition to Antoinette's Garden, there is a whole staff of very talented gardeners on board. Each of us designed a completely unique style garden wall, but not only will you find visual inspiration, this book as with In This House, is brimming with special techniques shared by fellow gardeners. What I love about both In This House and In This Garden, is that it is an artist book and a three-dimensional piece of artwork. I do not have all the details as yet, but there will also be a gallery exhibition of the garden structures in Southern California on Sunday evening, May 31, 2009. I will post details when they are available, but I plan on attending opening night as I am long overdue for a visit and what better time . . .
Other Book News: Altered Paper Jewelry is now available, and though I have not yet seen it, I have heard good things about it.
And, OMG, I saw The Duchess while in Seattle and what a depressing film. I have been riddled with guilt for recommending it. Dale and I left the theatre stunned over the brutality depicted and the absolute despair. My apologies, I had no idea as the book painted a broader picture of Georgiana Spencer's life. The costumes were in fact beautiful, but there was so much sadness.
