………………………..Jac loved her garden!…………She could hardly wait for winter to be over so she could go to the garden center and buy her flats of PANSIES….Jac was like a “kid in a candy store”…..She would only buy the ones with the “faces”………I would say to her “isn’t it a little early to plant pansies?” and she would say….”no, if they are selling them it’s OK to plant them”. Many a night we would have to bring the flats into our enclosed sun porch because there was a snow or worse, ice storm coming! She would always say, “snow won’t hurt them but ice will”. She was right…….The first of March she would ask Franco to please bring out the terracotta pots and saucers from the garage……fifteen of them in various shapes and sizes. She was like a little girl waiting anxiously to get her flowers planted. On the first sunny warmish day she would plant…..usually with the pups at her back, in her lap…..where ever they could squeeze themselves. They were a great help taking the empty containers away and hiding them in the yard………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I have wanted to do a print commemorating Jac and her garden for the longest time……It has taken me two years working on it to get it just right. This was a labor of love, and I had to make sure all of her absolute favorites were represented………Her PANSIES…..Her DAFFODILS, and Her MORNING GLORIES……Of course she loved all flowers but these were her favorites. When the Pansies had reached the very end of their season, and we needed the pots and space for the summer mixed flowers…..I had to have Franco remove them when Jac wasn’t home. It was really to painful for her to see them ripped out of their little homes. We sometimes tried to save some, but it never really worked well……….Then the daffodils would start to come up and Jac was happy……..Next…..Jac would plant a wall of BLUE MORNING GLORIES and they would last until fall………I worked and worked on this print gathering pictures of all the flowers…..cutting them out and trying to create a layout…..When I basically got them to look the way I wanted I worked with a print designer to fine tune everything and put the print into repeat……Then I had to decide on colors…….ALL of the flowers are the same colors in each of the colorways…..only the background colors change………..There were two last touches I wanted in the print………..two things that Jac loved………..Butterflies………and Ladybugs………Jac was always thrilled to see them enjoying her garden……I created a signed square scarf to go with the shirt or to wear on its’ own…………………..My print for Jac was complete……………….I hope you love it as much as I do……..I’d like to think Jac is looking down at it with a big smile, and saying “I love it my Lou”……………
Oh Louis, this is just so dear and beautiful….there are no words! Using your talent and creativity to honor Jac and her garden is so very sweet and touching. This must have been a soothing project for you to spend time on. You know I love my garden and to have a shirt and necklace to wear that you designed in memory of Jac and the happy times you spendtin the garden together will be just the loveliest! I will be so happy to wear it! I do have to try morning glories this year…you have inspired me!
I am very particular about prints, but I do especially love the ivory. The multi necklace is just full of bright and sunny garden colors! I really love your sparkling glass necklaces.
Thank you for the time you spend designing these beautiful and meaningful clothes. Lots of hugs and love to you!
Dear Louis, What a wonderful tribute to your lovely wife Jac. I so love it when you post pictures of your pansies and gardens. I am being a snowbird in California at my sister’s home and I had just told her that before I go back to Chicago next week, I would plant Pansies in her garden. It will be a few more weeks
before I can plant them in Chicago. I love the shirt and scarf. I can’t wait to receive them. Thank you, thank you. I will always remember Jac in your beautiful collection. She looked so beautiful in all your designs. Thanks for sharing her memories with us.
Lovely. The pattern is as beautiful as the meaning behind it. ❤️
Chris, thank you for adding even more depth and meaning to this gorgeous tribute to Jac.
Heartwarming…romantic….lovely.
I’ve shared this story before but pansies come from the French word pensée. Which can be translated as ‘thinking of you’ — pensant à vous.
Pansies get leggy in the heat of summer.
Love reading your stories.
Chris
Dear Louis,
Reading your posts ever since you began your website, I always look forward to the pictures of yours and Jac’s garden every single spring. I can’t tell you how much I am loving this print! They are all beautiful and this white is my favorite. I have the sapphire pants, so as soon as the blouse is posted, it’s mine!
Much love,
Celia
I’m the morning glory girl and my Mother plants the pansies. And lady bugs! We sometimes broadcast them by the gallon into alfalfa fields. Love it all!
Love this! Pansies were a favorite of my mother’s, so I’m in for the white one. I think it shows off the pansies the best, although I’m usually a turquoise girl.
Thank you for this, and for the scarf, too.
Good morning Louis,
Jac is saying that and so are we!
Vacationing in Key West this week and you have capture the turquoise water perfectly.
Looking forward to your Spring collection.
Best wishes always,
Elaine
Louis, this brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely tribute to Beautiful Jac. She was a presence I will never forget.
What a beautiful tribute to your beloved wife , you honor her in the most lovely way .I cannot wait to see it offered so I may get one for myself. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful in every way, Louis!