"She walks in beauty,
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes."
~ Lord Byron ~

As the lazy days of a carefree summer close, school schedules, and work routines return, I have been thinking of the most beautiful tranquil place I have ever seen. A place that the moment I landed I knew I was surrounded by raw beauty.

The sun is vivid making every plant shine, the ocean a blue wonder of shades lapping at the shoreline, landscaped by local survival with barely a glimmer of any commercialization, just the natural lifestyle make this a delightful place to see. Shopping is virtually a void, unless you happen upon the local art market or those wonderful huts selling the infamous “Mama Juana” , an intoxicating drink of “love”! No, this piece of heaven on earth is all about relaxation, beauty and serenity.

Nightfall brings about an exquisite color scheme comparable to one of the local peacocks loving the land! Gorgeous blues, violets, and perhaps a hint of deep green gently blow through the palms floating out toward the starlit sky. As the waves rock by, a subtle reflection of the moon dances along the water. This is truly a place I can go to in my mind and still hear the waves, smell ocean and see the colors!

I decided that I needed a trip “back” to this place. Last week I began pulling out the silk again….and I chose a peaceful jacquard. I then began playing with my blues and violets and realized that the varied hues along with the weave itself was creating the nightfall memories I have of Punta Cana. The colors blended dramatically to give that “palm tree sway” and the “ocean wave”. Guys….I dedicated this one to you and made it into a nice tie….kind of a get-a-way all your own!

Dominican Nightfall…..for a romantic trip anytime


By the way….you can contact me now at www.melissamarschwalblay.com

That Wonderful Someone

Written by Gertrude Burg
(As recorded by Patsy Cline 5/23/57)

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the stars all shine
Who fashioned the mountains
To reach to the sky
Who brings each tomorrow
Who hears every prayer
In sunshine or sorrow
If you call He'll be there

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the flowers grow
Who paints ev'ry sunset
With colors that glow
Look all around you
And these wonders you'll see
Designed by that Someone
For you and for me

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the flowers grow
Who paints ev'ry sunset
With colors that glow
Look all around you
And these wonders you'll see
Designed by that Someone
For you and for me


Today would be my Mother’s 68th Birthday. Mom always made Birthdays special and a day to honor. I have been thinking the past few weeks about some of my favorite memories of mom and possibly her favorite things.

She loved listening to Patsy Cline….making homemade cinnamon rolls…walking through the woods and finding a stray blooming flower. She enjoyed watching the clouds rumble over the lake, the white caps warning us of storms to come. She always had her Reader’s Digest nearby, with a page folded back for later reading. Mom was never a “prissy” woman. She never wasted money on frivolous things like manicures and pedicures. She “fixed” her own hair up until her mid-forties. Her wardrobe was complete, but one of quality…not trends. Mom could pick beans in the morning, can in the afternoon, and host a Homemaker’s meeting at dusk. At the age of 35 she went to college, completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Rank 1. Mom was strong, kind, funny, smart and she carried a beauty and grace that was timeless….much like her only scent….Chanel 5.

Last night I received a lovely message from mom’s sister. She too had been thinking of her and was reminiscing of a visit years ago when mom came to her home in Michigan. Her memory was filled of quiet days by the fire, good reading, wonderful dinners and a dance nearby. We all remember the same lady….

I started trying to pull something together that truly suited mom. I chose a lightweight Crepe De Chine Silk, transforming it into a feather weight open jacket. Mom loved something on her arms, and preferred a jacket style over anything that she would have to “struggle” to keep up with! A memory I have of her is when she and I went to Hawaii. She loved the weather, the sun, and the exquisite flowers. She could not get over the rich color of the ocean as it swayed in and out from the beach. I pulled greens and blues together to help form those rich hues she was in awe of and allowed them to spread like the waves onto the silk. The margins of each hue mingled just enough to favor a deep blue-green, breaking back into a dramatic tropical green. I realized then that this creation was also looking like the natural spring we used to drink from on the family farm. As the water pebbled down the side of the hill, the rich colors of the grass and trees reflected up from the crystal water. I guess you could say I brought it all back home.

Happy Birthday Mom!

“Woodland Waterfall”……a treasure to be worn by a true lady

"Deep Violets, you liken to the kindest eyes that look on you, without a thought disloyal"....A Flower in a Letter....Elizabeth Barrett Browning


My maternal grandmother passed away in early September 1989. I was very close to her and have countless memories of time I spent with her. Grandma loved her flowers, roses, peonies, daisies, and so many more decorated her yard lush with color during the summers. Year round however, inside she delicately nurtured numerous violets. The colors varied from paper white, shades of pink, and her favorite, deep violet.

After her passing, I claimed one single violet as my personal treasure. "Lena" has the most typical velvety, moss green petals and is adorned with a wonderful rich shade of violet when in bloom. Her bloom is complimented by a smile of yellow dotting her center. It has almost been twenty years, but she still blooms. Early years she kept to herself only blooming once a year, late summer to early fall. As time has drifted by she regally shows her beauty on various occasions. I always feel she is sending a sort of blessing to me when she opens her blooms to me.

Grandma had three granddaughters, her last is to be married this Saturday. She has selectively waited for this day. This lovely lady did not get the close relationship I had with Grandma, but I know Grandma thought the world of her. Every picture sent, Grandma would proudly show it to all. Miles apart, short visits coming and going, Grandma would be joyfully elated and explain to all of her granddaughter's beautiful dancing days. She would hold to a photo in particular and describe how talented her "Tasha" was.

In two days this beautiful lady will wed. I noticed this morning, "Lena" is blooming.

Fittingly so, I have been dabbling with various silks in varied shades of violet. My first creation is from the Crepe De Chine. First, I must admit, for a crepe, it is buttery soft, and with an incredible drape! I decided to allow this fabric to become a lovely wrap, something elegant, yet cozy and warm. Seems fitting for a day like today...

"Violets"....55"x76"

"An aunt is a gift whose worth cannot be measured except by the heart."...unknown


So many of my memories I carry include a very special person....Aunt Adrian. I know she was a dear friend of my mother's long before her brother, became my father. She became my second mother....the other "mom" I could always look too for advice. She has always had spunk and a zest for life that is filled with fun. I find it funny that when I see certain colors I immediately think of her. A favorite is orange....one of my favorites. During the summer, I would go across the lake to visit and play with my cousins. Aunt Adrian was always "put together". Her home, her outfit....everything, perfect. I loved just looking at her, but my favorite thing on her was her toe nails! Bright orange dazzled her toes in her cute sandals, I think they were called Dr Scholl sandals.

While mom was ill, she was there for her and me....and she still is. Strong willed, hearty laugh and wonderful wisdom she is still full of life!

I thought of all the days she would sit in the kitchen at our old home, looking out towards the lake but watching those cute squirrels eating on the dogwood tree feeder. In the Fall as the leaves would change, I would have to say goodbye to her shocking toes, but knew that color was still there in spirit. I chose beautiful vibrant shades of vintage kimono panels and arranged them into a soft, draping scarf...just for her. Happy Birthday Aunt Adrian!

"Dogwood in the Fall"

"A sign so slight....
A dance so elegant....
Her message one of hope, faith, love and perseverance"
Melissa Marsch-Walblay

One of my most cherished friends, Debbie, loves to encourage me to recognize the signs sent to me daily. I've always been a strong believer, just get to busy some days....thanks Debbie!

Occasionally a sign is so strong and I cannot miss it. This sign began June 27,...June 27, 2007 to be precise. It was a rather rainy, dreary summer day and my mood suited the day. I was sitting in my sun room watching the rain when this beautiful little hummingbird danced at my window. I knew who she was....
She returned on June 27, 2008 and yes, stopped in this year, same time.

This year she danced a lovely performance above my butterfly bush full of succulent violet blooms. She reminded me to be malleable in my life...to be more tenacious and not look back...live today. A message I needed to hear.

Her choice of nectar brought more messages. Purple, or Violet flowers attract hummingbirds, but this hue suits my lady so well. I have spoken of violet before, it is the hue representing good judgment, peace of mind, magic and mystery, imagination and inspiration. Violet is a symbol to show re-balance in life, to help remove obstacles from personal growth. The beautiful color places a calmness to over activity, yet energizes the soul from depression. Yes, my lovely messenger was packed full of encouragement to me this year!

When we wear violet, or add it to our chosen ensemble it encourages the fantasy or mysterious side. I hope you start incorporating this "ideal" color into your life. Being a secondary color it requires the perfect blending of the warmest primary, red, with the coolest primary, blue. The blending will stabilize the red while lending a practicality to blue. Through shading, violet reflects a more sorrowful, spiritual effect but still regal. When tinted to a more lilac hue, a deeper draw to love and humanity is felt. One step further, adding more blue for the tertiary color, blue-violet, the perfect "healing hue" is established.

I have been playing at some new ideas to create and took my first concept from my messenger. Color. I dyed four types of fabric in the same dye bath. Crepe de Chine, Charmeuse, silk-linen blend, and a rayon-silk blend were my samples. The result is an awesome display of how no creation is the same. All four accepted the dye differently yet beautifully. Now it is time to begin designing.

One last note....follow Debbie's advice and see your own signs....I love my special messenger!

The Memory Scarf

Here are a few samples of the memory scarf. For the average, I use six photos, mingled with both hand painted silk, raw silk and vintage kimono panels. The size is 7" x 72" and runs $135. For more information or questions on designing your own special scarf please contact me!

“Doris”
August 5, 1941

"Inspirational
My mother, my friend, my confidante
Beauty captured in the reflection of Heaven on Carpenter’s Lake
Strength equivalent to the wild rose from days gone by
Victory found through freedom June 27, 2006"....
Melissa Marsch-Walblay

There are so many days I long to just talk to you. The admiration I carry for you is tremendous. You faced your Perpetrator with your head held high never allowing Evil to take your dignity. I miss you so but realize that the only victory you could find over this Evil was leaving to watch over us all in Heaven.

It has been three years since your last breath. You held tight to life as if you knew the special date. As time slipped past the day I sat with you as Cancer with all its evil evaporated from your body. You found safety, you found peace, you went home.


My mother’s death sparked an idea three years ago. The Memory Scarf. The one pictured I made for myself. I wear it when I need a hug from her, or to feel her strength, or to just have her close. I offer this wonderful self-indulgent gift to you. My prices vary and I will post a few others I have made. They are true treasures and the perfect keepsake of a memory, forever.

"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words!"....Plautus


I celebrate today by sharing my orange rose! Her beauty represents some of my favorite things in life...glowing sunsets...delicious taste of citrus on a hot sunny day....passion, for all you love....and romance, in every step!

Happy Birthday to all who share today with me!