Monday, July 29, 2013

My first Mandala Monday

Now that the Summer of Color is over, I'm joining Dawn at Girl Unwinding for Mandala Monday.  I first learned about this project on my friend Patty's blog.  If you want to see some gorgeous mandalas, you should check out these gals sites.  I even went to Patty's blog to see what a mandala consisted of and learned hers are mostly made with eight objects radiating from the center.

I actually headed to my herb garden today with plans for my T post.
 
Then it hit me that I had the perfect mandala right in front of me.  So, after a few snips and running down some wayward herbs, I was ready for my first mandala.

I call this my "FRESH HERB MANDALA."

The light sage leaves are what I call "traditional" sage.  I have no idea what it's really called.  The longer leaves are Mexican sage.  The herb sitting on top of some of the traditional sage is rosemary.  Unfortunately, it is still in its infancy, so I couldn't cut much.  The small leaves around the outside of the mandala are cilantro.  The cilantro will soon turn to coriander when the flowers turn to seeds.


In the middle of the mandala is a sprig of dill that has turned to seed.

The mandala was created on a copper charger.

Here are a few things I learned when I created my first mandala:

1.  Make sure you create your mandala out of the wind, or bits and pieces will fly everywhere.

2.  If you must move your mandala after you have made it, do so with caution.  Or, be prepared to straighten it once you have it in position.

3.  Use a better camera (grin).

Thanks go to Dawn for hosting this fun experience.  And yes, even though the only things in my yard are green, I'll still be back next week.

Now I'm off to have breakfast using some of my fresh herbs to season my eggs.

22 thoughtful remarks:

Anonymous said...

What a perfect way to make a mandala. I can almost smell thst sage fromhere and the dill flower is perfect for the center. xox

Linda Gibbons said...

What a creative soul you have, Elizabeth! It's lovely, and I'll bet it will make your kitchen or studio smell wonderful for days.
It reminds me of sand paintings, made to be fleeting and ephemeral, and at the whim of the wind.

SandeeNC said...

Love your fresh herb mandala, very unique. Not sure I understood the better camera, but I hope you got a battery charger for the one I gave you and that you like the camera. waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

Nan G said...

Fabulous interpretation of a mandala!

Beverley Baird said...

That's the trouble with creating outdoors - the wind can be a big factor!
Love your nature mandala! I love creating them - you've inspired me to join in!

Dawn said...

Brilliant idea Elizabeth, you go girl. Mmmmmm bet it smelled wonderful too.
Huge hugs x

voodoo vixen said...

That looks fabulous and you get to use it too! Bonus!! I love herbs... am thinking that the landlord won't mind if I keep them in pots on the deck!!

Divers and Sundry said...

what a beautiful design!

~*~Patty S said...

Oh Elizabeth your Herb Mandala is beautiful and contrasts so nicely on the lovely copper plate ...
it must have been a pleasure to work with so many fragrant plants...
Wind can definitely rearrange a mandala in the blink of an eye LOL
I so enjoy collecting some of this and that in the garden and seeing where the mandala leads me...
Happy that you are joining in too!
♥ Patty

Krisha said...

Love your herb mandala. The copper charger really sets it off, perfect background. Went to the other blogs and checked them out too, so many pretty ones, has my brain thinking in circles....LOL

Darla said...

You are a clever one. Love the use of nature's bounty to create a mandala.

Darla

Rebeca Trevino said...

what lovely art materials for a mandala!

Terrie said...

Now this is what I call creative! I love how you created the symmetry as well as interest and variety with the variety of leaves. A job very well done! The dill is the perfect addition!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Lovely unique mandala! I'll have to go check out all the others now!

Caterina Giglio said...

love, love, love your mandala!! just lovely!

Anonymous said...

It is so great to have you join Mandala Monday~
I love an herb mandala~ yours is super sweet! I dig the center, it reminds me of a starburst! and against that gold plate with the braid around it, just sets it off nicely.
You've got to love the elements, i.e wind and rain, it's all about the moment and not clinging to tightly.
Thank you for sharing this lovely mandala with us and for all of your kind words on my blog; it touches me right here {{pointing to my heart}}
Happy Mandala Monday, Elizabeth!!
~Dawn

cjsrq said...

I look forward to seeing your Monday Mandalas along with Dawn's and Patty's. You are certainly off to a great start. It's too bad that I don't have a "scratch and sniff" computer screen. :D

Rita said...

I have never seen an herb mandala. This is lovely! :)

Halle said...

It's a lovely mandala. Love the smell of sage!

Lorinda.C.F said...

I love this version of a mandala! I'm sure it smells amazing!! Thanks so much for your very kind comment on my ICADs xx

Julia Dunnit said...

How inspired and inspiring you are E. Love this idea..doesn't the Dill look lovely, even gone to seed. Do the two Sages taste different I wonder?

Dianne said...

absolutely gorgeous mandala, my dear! love the soft gray green of those sage leaves...