Hello,
I passed many idle pandemic hours working on a number of cross stitch pieces – busy hands, quiet mind, dontcha know — including a turquoise pineapple (a symbol of hospitality during a not-very-social time), numerous nasturtium garlands, individual snowflakes, and more until I nearly went blind counting stitches.
Cross stitch became my soothing practice, the benefit was in the doing not the results, most of which were immediately gifted or packed away. My favorite project was a sampler I designed using a demo version of an online pattern mapping program long since lost to the mists of time. The finished piece has hung in my office ever since as a gentle reminder that it’s ok to be human.
All this thinking about samplers came to me this morning as I was preparing to remind everyone that you’ve still got a couple of weeks left to get * 20% off the price of an annual subscription. That’s a savings of $10 on your first year of paid support for a weekly dose of color and community. I don’t paywall any of my posts, however after four weeks everything gets stashed in the archives. Paid subscribers have unlimited access to all archived content for as long as they continue to financially support Cultivating Color, even if that’s only for a single month.
Archive is a funny word. Are we talking about a dusty trove of tired writing or a secret compendium of delight and connection, only you can make that call. That’s why I’ve put together a tasting menu of free archived content as a way for you to sample the goods before deciding if this offer is right for you. Who doesn’t love free samples? I dream of indexing my posts so that they’re easier to search. I also dream of world peace.
All subscribers, paid or not, have my deepest gratitude. I’m so glad you’re here.
ox Lorene
*the fine print: This offer only applies to new paid annual subscriptions and you must use this dedicated link to receive savings. Offer ends 9/5/2025.
Free Samples
2026 in Living Color
Pre orders are now open for the 2026 In Living Color calendar. This is my fifth year creating the calendar and I love the idea of walking our days together. For those of you who may be new to this project, here’s a first look for 2025:
With 12 unique botanical color study images, accompanied by seasonal thoughts and markers, these limited-edition print calendars are a celebration of color in the natural world and an encouragement to pay attention to every passing moment.
A calendar and a keepsake postcard collection in one, the 12 pages (+ cover) are loose, unbound, 5- by 7-inch sheets printed on durable 18 pt. paper. Display on a desktop photo easel or hang on the wall using a humble binder clip. As each month is over, simply trim along the guideline to create a postcard or small print that will add a little color to someone’s world.
Presale orders are now open. Preorders save you money and they help me plot and plan. Email subscribers get first dibs and can save $5.00 on the purchase of each calendar by entering the code: YAY2026 at checkout on orders place now through September 30, 2025.
Calendars will begin shipping in late October.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out.
Colors
Less than 10% of all flowers are actually true blue. Which makes this floret from a delphinium spire all the more special. It’s really no wonder that generations have called blue sacred.
You can have your ballerina fuchsias skirted in tutus, I’ll take sassy Gartenmeister Bonstedt with taffeta foliage any day.
I’m saving the dried petals of ‘Black Knight’ Scabiosa this summer with dreams of a plant-based color dying project.
Here’s how my mind works: tidal rhythms pulled by the moon => lunar cycles => lunacy. With few exceptions, humanity has regularly endured cycles of lunacy. Which gives me hope.
I've just pre-ordered my third year of your delightful calendar! I love the monthly ritual of changing the page and seeing what new seasonal color awaits. Thank you!
Lovely. Thank you. These are good words to take to heart during trying times.