'Our 40th Anniversary Present from Mother Nature!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome!

Like clockwork, every spring in mid-June, just before my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, the cacti on our property bloom in a profusion of fragrant, yellow flowers.

For our 40th anniversary this year they started to bloom on June 11th and the last flower closed on June 21st. This cold-climate species of Prickly Pear cactus, named Eastern Prickly Pear, that grows like a weed here in Chicago, IL is described here.

Our patch grows, from a small neighbor's cutting taken 20 years ago, between our house and driveway, in an area sheltered from winds. These cacti are bathed in full sun with both south and west exposures. They brilliantly survive the cold weather and being buried under mounds of snow during our long winter months.

 

When we first bought our house, the previous owners had planted a wild rose bush where the cacti are now. But the ground was such a dry desert there that hubby removed the roses and we planted succulents - and later the small cactus cutting that started it all.

The cacti took over the succulents. Good thing we have the house and driveway and 'landing pad' as barriers on all sides. Otherwise those cactus plants would overgrow everything!

The yellow cactus flowers are gorgeous and their aroma is intoxicating. We enjoyed over 50 blooms this year!

YOUR TURN
Do you have cactus plants on your property? Do they flower? What is your climate? What city, state or country are your cacti in? 

Did you checkout my FREEBIES and FREE Tutorials while you're here?

Thanks for visiting - and please become a Follower and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'Grab Your Seat for Art Journaling Worklshop in Chicago, IL!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

A few seats are still available for the 2-day workshop I'm teaching at the beautiful Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, IL on Tuesday 6/14/16 and Thursday 6/16/16.

It's a Mixed Media Art Journaling workshop - an intense and immersive 2 days.

This fun workshop is 3 hours each day from 1pm - 4pm with 15 minute setup before class and 15 minute cleanup after class on  both days. Doors open at 12:45pm each day.

Hope you can join us.

Click here to register

Info here

'Incredible News - My New Studio!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

I've been swamped and not able to post much. And for good reason - I finally found my new studio space!

It's walking distance from my house in Chicago - and just a short, 5 minute drive. Here are some before pix. I'll post more pix when I can. For now, I'm deep in the throes of packing and moving multiple rooms from my house to the new place.

I'm exhausted - but so far I'm loving the new space!

Before - photos of the front porch at home, where I stored many supplies.

 

 

First Stage of Moving

into new space below.

 

 

 That's me in my new space. View East.

 

 

View East from 'zone' 1 - a.k.a. the 'Foyer'

View West of doorway.

View South West

View West with doorway.

 

Dimensions of this space are  about 27'L x 18'W x8'H. I need multiple workstations - so I had my helper, Kevin, measure and adhere painters tape on the floor to divide it into 9 'zones'.

Each of the nine zones is about 9' x 6'.

 

Kevin, my helper, does all the heavy lifting. All those boxes are in 'zone' 9 - the center of the room. I named it 'Central Processing'.

 

 

 

Furniture placement after movers left. Most everything has changed and is different now.

 

'West Wing Warehouse', view South from 'Foyer'

'Office' on the South wall = and shelving units on East side of  'Warehouse'

 

 

'Kitchen and spray painting 'booth' along south wall in the 'West Wing Warehouse'.

 'Office' on South wall, next to a free mirror hutch!

Long 8' counter was a gift from the building janitor, Scott, who is also a musician.

His counter was in a larger space that I looked at, but decided not to take. Too cold!

Scott, also a carpenter,  put casters on it for me.

 There is only one small, clerestory-type window.

So hubby bought some full-spectrum fluorescent lights.

We installed the lights in front of mirrors that we confiscated from home, to reflect more light into the room.

My husband and Carpenter, Dave. What a trooper!

 

Carpenter Dave attached casters on just about every piece of furniture in the space.

 

The 'Foyer' and 'Janitor Closet'. Dave laid the tile in a checkerboard pattern for me.

 

View EAST along South wall

The 'Library Nook'  for reading, research, and day dreaming.

The chair was free - and very comfy.

 

 

 My fave dog, 'Spot' usually sits on the arm of this chair. Spot is my fave dog because being stuffed, he doesn't affect allergies, asthma and bronchitis.

The radio/cd player was a gift from a couple who relocated to Arizona a few weeks ago.

I 'inherited' a lot of their stuff - including a laptop computer, that works!

 

We have a lot more work to do, but I wanted to let you know what I've been up to lately. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back soon!

 

Peace,

LuLu

 

BAPA Press Release - 2016

BAPA Press Release 2016

Week of May 29: West of Western

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Events

Registration is open for a 2-day mixed media art journaling workshop with local artist Mary Lou Haynes, Tues., June 14 and Thurs., June 16, 1 to 4 p.m., Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 W. 111th St. Registration/info.

Marcus Jones, author, Chicago cable talk-show host, motivational speaker, to speak Wed., June 1, 6:30 p.m. Free. Chicago Public Library Beverly Branch, 1962 W. 95th St. 312-747-9673.

Beverly Unitarian Church, 103rd and Longwood Drive, will host a Flea Market on the Lawn, Sat., June 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendor spaces are available for $25. Save the date to join neighbors who are looking for bargain! Info: 312-618-1814.

The Super Sunny 5K, an event that benefits adults with intellectual disabilities at Garden Center Services, will be held Sat., June 4, 8:30 a.m., Newcastle Park, Burbank. Info and registration.