This morning I wrote a scene in my latest novel, Whatever Goes Around, in which my protagonist, Claire Kincaid, is shopping at a garden center.  The setting is Dallas, Texas, the month is late February, and Claire is longing for the colors of spring. Knowing it’s too early–even in north Texas–to plant outdoors, she chooses daffodil, crocus and hyacinth to create an indoor container garden.

After finishing the chapter, I had a compelling desire to add some color to my own gardens. After a summer of triple-digit temperatures, my only surviving plants are sage, salvia, honeysuckle, jasmine, sweet potatoes, gardenias, begonias, hydrangias, coleus, oxalia and shasta daisys. I love their lovely multicolored leaves, but none of them are blooming.

So, I visited my favorite plant nursery in the hope I would find some colorful plants. Alas, the owner informed me that, although we are experiencing 80 degree weather at the moment, the heat will return next week. She advised me to wait a few weeks before adding verbena, snapdragons and dusty myrtle and, in a few more weeks,  add pansies and geraniums. Sadly, I took her advice and left empty handed.

Back at my house I saw my craft basket filled with all the colors I wanted to see in my garden. If I couldn’t produce blooms outside, I could do so with my trusty crochet hook and knitting needles.

The following directions will produce countless blooms that you can use as hair accessories, jewelry or even attach them to clothes or shoes.

Give it a try.

This morning I wrote a scene in my latest novel, Whatever Goes Around, in which my protagonist, Claire Kincaid, is shopping at a garden center.  The setting is Dallas, Texas, the month is late February, and Claire is longing for the colors of spring. Knowing it’s too early–even in north Texas–to plant outdoors, she chooses daffodil, crocus and hyacinth to create an indoor container garden.

After finishing the chapter, I had a compelling desire to add some color to my own gardens. After a summer of triple-digit temperatures, my only surviving plants are sage, salvia, honeysuckle, jasmine, sweet potatoes, gardenias, begonias, hydrangias, coleus, oxalia and shasta daisys. I love their lovely multicolored leaves, but none of them are blooming.

So, I visited my favorite plant nursery in the hope I would find some colorful plants. Alas, the owner informed me that, although we are experiencing 80 degree weather at the moment, the heat will return next week. She advised me to wait a few weeks before adding verbena, snapdragons and dusty myrtle and, in a few more weeks,  add pansies and geraniums. Sadly, I took her advice and left empty handed.

Back at my house I saw my craft basket filled with all the colors I wanted to see in my garden. If I couldn’t produce blooms outside, I could do so with my trusty crochet hook and knitting needles.

The following directions will produce countless blooms that you can use as hair accessories, jewelry or even attach them to clothes or shoes.

Give it a try.