"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!

“I dropped a tear in the ocean, and whenever they find it I’ll stop loving you, only then”…..Unknown


I want to wish a very special person Happy Birthday today! Mitzi, I hope today is a wonderful, relaxing, reflecting day.

Birthdays are always a day of celebration. My mother always made a birthday special. My first birthday without her was tough…and I know today may be bittersweet for you, my friend, Mitzi. Your father was a very special man and I know your heart longs for him today. Today is about celebrating life though. We miss those who have gone and we never stop loving them. We do however, continue their legacy. We always see that part of those gone in our children's smiles, in small reflections or memories that drop in our mind from time to time. We celebrate the life we were given...

Mitzi, I had you in mind when painting this morning. I thought of the emotions you must be feeling as you awakened and I thought of your father. A man of calm stories, funny wit, and a loving smile. He adored you. I know how you love the ocean, the spiritual uplift it gives. I send you this hug.

“Mystical Sea-Goddess”………Crepe de Chine Cape 55 x 76

Father's Day

“One day you swing me high
One day you build my dollhouse
One day you visit my tea party

Someday you kiss my tears
Someday you teach me to drive
Someday you mend my broken heart

A day comes you applaud my graduation
A day comes you visit my home
A day comes you hold my child

But Forever you are my Dadd
And Forever you hold my hand and heart”….
Melissa Marsch-Walblay

Today I reflect on my childhood memories….time I spent with my own father. I tried to search my earliest memory and came up with the “My First Coke”. Dad took me to Shady Rest Bar-B-Q. If memory serves me correctly my mother was in the hospital with my new brother. Dad and I sat in a booth and he gave me my very own bottle of Coke. Mom had never given me more than a small glass let alone allow me to have a bottle….but Dad gave me my very own. I remember being too nervous to hold it, but that first drink I finally took was amazing.
Another memory that is a repeat of many times is the “Liver” story. Growing up in a cabin on a lake, having a dad who was a fur trapper, well lets just say my home was always different than my friends. Whenever I had girlfriends over for the night, dad would always share the “Liver” story, a scary but silly tale that my friends heard time and time again but squealed each and every time. I think he called it “I want my Liver!“….dad would go into this tale of people going into this haunted or abandoned house and some strange man roaming around wanting his liver….as the tale unfolded the listener realizes it is about a man wanting his liver….a dinner….but again, dad made it scary and captivating! Memories….stories….so many.

I have often thought that any man can become a father….but it takes a special man to be a ‘daddy’. I am lucky to have a wonderful daddy. My dad is a man who raised me on tradition. Traditions to follow, traditional values, and traditional roles, something many could identify with if they grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. There are so many different types of fathers….but it is the true dads, the men who sacrifice all just to be a part of their child’s life and help mold that child that make this day such an honor.

I f I could make a design to reflect my dad, it would be a soft, durable wrap. Something that could be pulled around you to help keep out the chill, to lift your spirit, a form of protection and beauty of our relationship. If I had to put a color on him it would be green. A color of serenity, calm woods, and fertile land. My father, a wonderful dad that I hold dear in my heart. I hope all the ’Dads” out there have a beautiful Father’s Day.

“The Woods”…..a remembrance of dad…..$40 (14” x 60”)