Paper and Petals Reimagined

10/25/2026

An ode to our evening cicada hunter. 🦉💙

​Every summer an amazing owl has made a habit of visiting our yard. In the quiet of the evening, I love watching him hunt cicadas—silently gliding from tree to tree, watching with sharp eyes, and doing that adorable, awkward head-tilt run across the grass to snag his prey! 🌾

​While I haven’t managed to capture a clear photo of him in action yet (scroll to see my best blurry attempt!), this new artwork in progress is my homage to our summer guest. 🎨✨

​What animal visitors or regular wild guests do you love watching around your home?
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10/23/2026

Leaf Me to My Flying 🦋🍂

​I was outside recently when a lingering October monarch visited the garden. I tried to get a picture, but every time I thought it was settled, it would flutter away—only to circle right back around to the exact same spot. It was almost as if it was telling me, "Leaf me to my flying."
​It got me thinking about how much transition and transformation happen all around us this time of year. Both flowers and butterflies undergo quiet, beautiful changes—blooming and letting go in their own time.

​This piece was born out of that gentle autumn dance, combining intricate paper quilling, on-edge filigree, and preserved florals to capture those fleeting moments of wonder before the season turns.

​📍 Details & Where to Find It:

​Title: Leaf Me to My Flying
​Size: 15" x 12" with a depth of 2 inches
​Availability: This piece will be for sale at the Annmarie Garden Holiday Show & Sale, starting November 1st! Come out and visit to see Leaf Me to My Flying in person alongside many other unique creations.

​What lingering signs of fall are you noticing around you right now? 🍁🌸

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10/18/2026

✨ NEW ARTWORK ALERT! ✨
​Meet "Evergreen in Bloom" (16" x 14" x 3") 🌿🌸
​This piece brings together paper quilling swirls and real preserved blooms to create a holiday tree full of color and life!
​You can view it in person at the Annmarie Garden Holiday Show and Sale, starting November 1st—and this is just a preview! I'll have a whole collection of quilled and botanical artwork available, so drop by to check it out, explore what else is waiting for you, and support local art this season. 🎁✨
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10/09/2026

Tonight's the night!
Come see The Garden Within at the opening reception of the Inked Tattoo exhibit at Annmarie Gardens Gallery in Solomons, Maryland from 5-7 pm. I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing how your stories connect with my work. Who knows? Maybe tonight will be the night I'm inspired to get my first tattoo!

10/07/2026

✨ Exhibition Announcement: The Garden Within is headed to the gallery! ✨
Excited to share that my newest piece will be featured in the upcoming exhibition! 🌸✨
🎨 About the Artwork:
Nicole Ayres
The Garden Within, 2026
On edge quilling and dried florals
31 x 16 x 2 in

I am incredibly honored to have this piece selected for the show. Check out the details in the shared post below to learn more about the exhibit dates and location. Hope to see you there!

09/12/2026

Harvest Tapestry.
​ There is something unforgettable about walking through a chilly pumpkin patch, breathing in the crisp autumn air, and searching row after row until you spot the one.
​I wanted to capture that exact feeling in this 11 x 14 inch creation: a mix of quilled paper and hand -preserved botanicals from my garden.

I’ll have Harvest Tapestry with me at the upcoming Anne Marie Garden Monster Market, fully ready to find a cozy spot in someone's home for the season. 🎃🍂

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