Reflections on July and a Colorful Mandala

This year I felt like I was really able to settle into the colorful beauty July had to offer. This is the month of picnics, and many of my creations reflected that! From Wild Pizza Sandwich Cake (made with foraged herbs and flavors) to Summer Berry Pudding (with candied strawberries, there were surprises to delight every palette. One of my favorite creations was a Poppyseed Wildflower cake flavored with pineapple weed and poppyseeds. And to accompany such a cake, of course you’ll need a very special blooming tea.

In the heat of summer, it can be tough to keep up energy levels for all of the adventuring we want to do. Replenish your electrolytes with this soothing punch or embrace the energy of fireflies to give yourself a little boost.

I’ve been working away this month on “The Chamaenerion Project” - using ashes sent to me by survivors of the Camp and Paradise fires in California last year, I’ve been testing and developing custom ash glazes. These will cover the exterior of special chalices with fireweed designs and be given as a gift to those survivors once I am finished creating them. This project means a lot to me and I am so honored that so many have entrusted me with their stories about this tragedy. It’s my hope that my creations will be symbolic of a new start, that the ashes of last year will grace the art of a new beginning.

After all, fire can be beautiful in the right setting. Illumination was definitely a theme this month, as seen in this edible Art Nouveau cookie lantern I created for Enchanted Living Magazine. And finally, it’s been a month of botanical exploration, from candied elderflowers and cattail pollen tea cakes to homemade botanical perfume. What a joy it has been to create for you this month! Finding the beauty in summer’s landscape has helped me feel more connected to this sometimes-challenging season. I hope you have been enjoying the playful energy of summer too!

From the beauty of wildflowers to the wild use of herbs, July had had so many splendors to share with us. It’s been my absolute honor this month to be able to share some of them with you! I deeply appreciate all of the support I get each month, whether you are one of my patrons or not. Every like, follow, comment, or contribution truly does mean so much to me, and reminds me why I spend all of my best days creating more wonder to share with all of you. How wonderful it is to be part of such an awesome community.

If you’d like to download a high-res version of this photo to use for a variety of projects while also supporting my mission to share wonder, you can support me on Patreon for rewards like this one!

And if you’d like to get this design printed on everything from greeting cards to throw pillows, take a look at my Society6 Shop! This design looks awesome as a cutting board.

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