Thank you for coming by and taking time to read my journal–from the very beginning.

 

From time to time, I will be sharing my journey as an artist, what’s new at the Sandy Clough Studio, places and things I find interesting, thoughts on creativity and hopefully, some encouragement for you.

 

Why did I become an artist?  Doing anything creative simply makes me happy.  But, painting brings me the most joy.

 

I hope that if you have anything with my art on it–a book or a product–or if you have sewn with my quilt fabric, that it gives you joy too.  Even more than that, though, I hope that you do something creative that brings you a happy feeling every time you do it.

 

I invite you to come by here again for a visit.  Not only will I continue our “conversation” in my journal; but, we also will be adding some more features to our website that might interest you.

The destination of one of my favorite “field trips” is Bell Buckle, Tennessee—east of Nashville and just about 8 miles off of Interstate 24. This small town is full of Southern, country charm. We went by there right after Memorial Day and the wooden soldiers had been added for the celebration.

If you love antiques, Phillips General Store will draw you in for a treasure hunt in the artful displays of wonderful old vintage pieces. Over time, I have taken home a birdbath, a bicycle, a wheelbarrow and smaller treasures from this favorite antique store.

If you can plan your trip to include lunch time, you will enjoy the Bell Buckle Café’s homestyle cooking or there is a café at the Bluebird Antique store.

Moon Pies^® are celebrated here at a festival every year—and if you are Southern you know that Moon Pies and RC Colas belong together! The Moon Pie has its origins in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

 

Whether I have a whole afternoon or just an hour to spend, I never want to miss going to Bell Buckle.

At our house we are excited when the first green blade of a daffodil plant pokes up through winter’s dried leaves. We check regularly for new blooms opening in our daffodil patch. But for a really BIG dose of daffodils, we go to Gibb’s Gardens near Ball Ground, Georgia where the countryside looks like it has been painted with a big yellow brush. There are 50 acres of daffodils and 20 million blooms! (yes, 20 with six more zeros). What beauty to trumpet the arrival of Spring!

 

When we visited the gardens this Spring, we were delightfully surprised to see they were using the Sandy Clough “Daffodils Days” garden flags at the entrance to welcome their guests!

 

Even after the daffodils are gone, Gibb’s Gardens is refreshing place to visit—especially if you like to walk, as I do, along a creek lined with ferns or meander through a woodland Hydrangea Garden. By Summer, there is still more to see with water lilies in the ponds, roses and lilies, and a Japanese garden that segues into the gorgeous leaves of Fall.