More Luscious Art from Cedar Creek Gallery

In addition to the special "CUPful" teacup exhibit, we enjoyed browsing through the rest of the gallery at Cedar Creek yesterday.

Every display is artfully presented, with lots of lush plants, glassware, paintings and hand-made furniture.

I would love of this glass art to go home with me some day.

Perhaps because I like to paint, I appreciate painted pottery.

Houseplants and greenery add softness and pops of color to the displays of hand-crafted items.

We all fell in love with these whimsical "sculptures on wheels" that resemble old-fashioned pull toys.

 I like vessels in unusual shapes and glowing colors.

 How I love those green shelves with curvy branch-like supports!

I was wishing the sun would come out to light up the glass ornaments both inside and outside.

Here are some more pieces from the artist who created my teacup.

I particularly loved this painting by Sid Oakley, founder of the Cedar Creek Pottery. (NFS)

Outside there are wooden outbuildings, gardens, birdhouses, and lots of metal and other sculpture pieces tucked here and there.

 These painted wooden birdhouses with loopy poles are affordably priced at $130.00 and would certainly be conversation starters in the garden.

And here are an assortment of inviting garden seats.

For those in the Raleigh area, the Cedar Creek Gallery is only a short drive north of Crabtree Valley Mall, and well worth the trip to "the country" to see and perhaps purchase some innovative objets d'art.  The "CUPful" exhibit ends on February 21, so think about a trip in the next few weeks if you would like to view the special tea and coffee cups.

"CUPful" Pottery Excursion

Today some of the members of my art quilt group traveled once again to Creedmoor, NC, to visit the Cedar Creek Gallery.  They were having a special display and sale of mugs and cups handcrafted by artisans from all over the United States.

Some of the cups had very unique shapes, such as these with the dagger-like handles.

Some had very organic shapes and interesting ways to hold the cup.

There were lots of birds and other animals represented.

Here are the mugs that came home with me.

I love this two-sided mug.  There are painted faces on one side.

The other side is a nice floral.  The spring palette was very inviting.  I had my first cup of tea from this mug this afternoon. 

The other cup has a couple of dragonflies and a flower.

It was a very fun day.  I'll show more photos from the rest of the gallery and the gardens next time.

Mountain Therapy, Part Two

At the end of another stressful week, we finally got to our little mountain cabin on Friday night. The next morning, Charlie roused himself out of bed at 5:30 for one of his favorite pastimes, deer-hunting. It is still bow season. He did not see a buck until he was walking back, and one jumped out right in front of him. At least there is one buck on that mountain! After our usual breakfast at Mil's Stop and Shop Cafe, we headed into West Jefferson for some supplies. I had a brilliant idea to stop at Mt. Jefferson State Park. It is one of the largest peaks in Ashe County. Thomas Jefferson and his father surveyed the land along the North Carolina-Virginia border, and owned land here.

Charlie has been hunting in Ashe County for thirty-seven years, and had never been to the top of Mt. Jefferson. What incredible views!

Could you be stressed out in this location? NOT!
I loved it and took dozens of pictures. The trees have really changed color since last weekend.

If you are not able to hike, you can see the view from a drive-up scenic overlook. A short hike will take you to the rocky outcropping where I am standing.

When we finally dragged ourselves off Mt. Jefferson, I took a photo of this working water wheel fountain in a private yard. Very serene!

When we finally got to town, I took a picture of another mural of a fall scene painted on a wall in West Jefferson. Which is real and which is Memorex?This maple tree is across the street from the ABC store. For those not from the south, that is our Alcoholic Beverage Control, or liquor store. Remember we are in the Bible Belt.

When we finished our errands we drove back again on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This split rail fence is very typical along the Parkway. We stopped to buy some Sourdough Bread at the Northwest Trading Post.Can you tell I like those salmon-colored maple trees?

Here is a photo of the New River, snapped as we drove past in the car. This is the river that hosts our Fourth of July tube trip every year.

When we got home, everyone from our family "compound" was in the garden across the street at my brother-in-law's uncle's. It was time for the potato harvest.

Total : 26 bushels of potatoes and one large toad.

After the "taters" were all in the truck, I planted about six dozen more daffodil bulbs along our driveway. Charlie went back to the tree stand for another unsuccessful hunt. I got out my little baby Janome sewing machine and set up a quilting station on a picnic table in our yard. I had lots of six-inch flannel squares to sew together randomly for baby quilts.

Then I closed up quilt shop and headed out with my camera and doggy to capture more pics of our "hood" in the afternoon light.

Trees and sky reflected in the water.Peak Creek upstream.And downstream.I like this snag tree silhouetted in the sunshine over the creek.

I have lots more pictures, so tune in again to ATQ!