"Hope is the anchor of the soul, the stimulus to action and the incentive to achievement."

You might infer from my given name Kristin Joy Light, that I am a positive and upward looking person. I was not born that way, nor was I was brought up to be that way. I learned how to find joy amidst life's sorrows. To realize that even on a gray day, the sun is shining above the clouds. Spring always follows winter. So if you have been enduring a very trying season, I want to encourage you to hold on. When you feel you can run no more, the finish line is nearer than ever. Here I present spring flowers from the gardens on Planet Joy. 

The flowers that appear in my garden each spring inspire hope! May you also be inspired!

Forsythia and daffodils

The very first flowers to appear are the violets, they blossom in late winter and did you know that if you steep the flowers in hot water you will enjoy a most delicate and delightful tea. Next winter, before spring arrives, pluck a handful and try, the scent and flavor from a half-dozen violet blossoms will transport you to a warm sunny disposition!

Hyacinth and daffodils 

Hyacinth was my maternal grandmother's favorite flower, that, and liatris, she favored purple, magenta, lilac colored flowers. Here is a magenta hyacinth with some early daffs in the woodland garden on Planet Joy.

Delicate pink clematis vine 

The landscape here on Planet Joy is a well established garden that was planted in the 50's when the house was built. I've been making some small additions, such as this lovely clematis that was a gift from a friend, this year I resisted the urge to prune it and it has rewarded my restraint with a glorious bounty of variegated pale pink flowers! Did you know that proceeds from the sale of all our pink scarves and jewellery benefits breast cancer research

Dicentra, commonly known as bleeding hearts

Another tender beauty, pink bleeding hearts. The colors feed my senses and inspire my silk painting, like the purple iris below,  you can see how it almost perfectly reflects the distressed hand painted silk boa on the bodice.

Misty Orchid Silk Boa 

Garden Photo Shoot during the Annular Eclipse 5/20/12

I am learning to be a better photographer, I try to shoot in natural light whenever possible, on Sunday, I thought I'd experiment in the unusual lighting conditions of the Annular Eclipse as it was viewable from my home. The light was a bit flat, but it was fun to try a new location and set up for the photo shoot.

Towering Clematis Vine 

Coral Geranium

I planted two coral geraniums in footed urns this year. 

I like to keep a pop of color handy to provide inspiration!

Spring inspired hand painted silks

Iris in the bud

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” -Anaïs Nin

Iris blossoms 

Annular Eclipse Patio Photo Shoot

Dogwood Flower Crepe Poncho with Vintage Romance Silk flower headband 

Buddha nestled in clematis flowers

Spring inspired crepe poncho worn as a scarf

Roses, Dogwood and Peacock Feather Motif Poncho

Gorgeous Dogwood Silk Poncho

Idyllic Spring Garden Photo Shoot

I will leave you with one of my favorite poems by Hafiz, a beautiful mystic sufi poet from Persia 

It Felt Love

How

Did the rose

Ever open its heart

And give to this world

All its

Beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light

Against its

Being,

Otherwise,

We all remain

Too

Frightened.

Please visit our online store at Etsy and if you are shopping - take advantage of saving 15% on your next purchase with the coupon code ETSYXO specified at checkout! It's my pleasure to create custom designs, so if you don't see the colors you are seeking, do not hesitate to inquire!

Saturated Pastels for Spring

Colorful spring flowers are the inspiration for our Spring 2012 Collection. These florals go beyond your average garden party print. There is nothing as soft as silk against your skin.

They are modern and complex ranging from a soft-focus painterly effect to sharp and bold graphic florals. It's all about mixing prints this season, mix it up and have fun with it!

Soft pastel dogwood flowers on a pale robins egg blue and lime green lattice are juxtaposed while a slash of black enclosing stylized peacock feathers adds a modern touch. Wear this pretty satin trimmed shawl with white linen trousers and a solid colored camisole or with your favorite LBD.

Coral or peach is always flattering to wear near your face. Note the vintage caged agate chain on the limited edition Spring Scarflette above.  Can you imagine this paired with white linen or denim or to brighten up your day to day business attire?

Butterfly Peacock Feather Ruana

This dreamy hand painted silk chiffon ruana inspires over-the-top style decorated with colorful peacock feathers combined with butterfly wings. I call it "Spring Fantasy"

Softly feminine, draped and embellished, it's all part of the luxe spring style we're seeing this year. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain if you add a pop of color to your style. It's so easy to do with a colorful silk scarf for your day and evening looks!

Pink and turquoise chiffon is uniquely embellished with gold hand painted Egyptian Peacock.

This is a casual wear-with-everything silk mesh scarf featuring hand-tied fringe, white sprinkled with lime and turquoise is particularly pretty and will easily transition from spring to summer.

This painterly washed out silver satin devore would not be out of place at a summer garden party. We love this lime green and pink color combo - sexy and demure at the same time!

Shop for the latest eco-couture fashions by Joyflower on Etsy or shop the classic Natura Collection at Joysilk.com