Treasuries

I love when some of my art or my knitting is included in a treasury, because through that I get to see so many new and beautiful pieces on Etsy and meet new artists!

Just click here to check out these treasures in gray/green colors, curated by soozo from South Korea (click here to visit her beautiful shop).

And then you must click here to see all the dragon- and butterflies in this sweet collection of pretties, put together by Silver Beach Sea Glass (click here to visit her shop).

And then, as some of you are thinking about Mother's Day, take a peak at these selections (click here), all "Gifts She Will Love...," beautifully put together by the talented and generous Theresa of Faerie Moon Creations (click here to visit her shop).

Thank you all for including my pieces!!

If you have a few minutes, make sure to visit them - you'll be inspired by all the great creations on Etsy! It amazes me every day that we never seem to run out of creativity...how great is that?!?

Sunday Mishmash

Here are some things that make me happy on this beautifully sunny and cool Sunday!

A new centerpiece for our outside table, created by Daniel! 

A black lizard inspecting the hydrangeas.

Actually, he was upside down like this:

Pretty impatiens planted in colorful pots (thank you, Daniel!). Actually, the pot in the back I painted with acrylic paints about four years ago - it's been outside ever since and has held up beautifully. I think I might paint some more of them...

Flowers in my kitchen.

Even more flowers in my kitchen!

Sweet Ramses contemplating life...

Winslow, inspecting my artwork!

And four originals that made it into my Etsy shop. Click here to take a look at all the originals and prints I am listing and adding to almost daily. I am getting my act together, people, and it feels great!!

Messenger of Hope,
acrylics on 12 x 24 inch wrapped canvas

Once Upon a Time
Acrylics on 8 x 10 inch wrapped canvas

In the Vortex
Acrylics & fiber paste on 5 x 7 inch wrapped canvas

Earth Angel
Acrylics on 11 x 14 inch wrapped canvas

I am in my studio today making more art and sketching for my class tomorrow. I hope you are all having a most relaxing and creative Sunday!!

Finished Still Life

Well, the drawing is finished (you can click on it to see a larger version) and I am darn proud of my very first still life drawing. This morning, we had our critique in class and it was so great seeing everyone's finished pieces. We all have our different styles and perspectives. Some pieces were cropped, some were not, and all of them were interesting to look at.

This was definitely an exercise in drawing slowly and being patient! You know how well I do with being patient...

I was going to show you a few more things today, but I'm a little pressed for time, so I'll save those for this weekend. And I hope to visit some of your blogs this weekend as well. I need to get back into my normal blog commenting routine - I miss you all!!

Nests

This morning I got this little snapshot of one of the little wrens by the nest. They are so adorable! We think our bluebird house was abandoned after all the storms we had. Yesterday, I saw some chickadees checking it out - I hope someone else will move in. 

And speaking of nests, I want to tell you about an amazing giveaway my friend Vicki is having on her blog 2 Bags Full. She is giving away one of her most gorgeous nests. You know how much I love her nests... Head on over to her blog for a chance to win!!

Tomorrow, after class, I'll show you my final drawing and also share a few other things with you...

This morning in the garden...

I am starting to find back to my old routine and it feels so good. Well, with the drawing class thrown in, it's a different routine from before, and I love it! Tomorrow, after class I'll show you my finished still life contour drawing...

This morning, Winslow and I took a walk, something I haven't done in quite a while - at least not in the early morning.

It was gorgeous and I so wish I had had the camera to share some of the beauty with you. Steam was rising from the neighborhood ponds and the sun was kissing the tops of the big pine trees as it was rising in the sky.

So, when I got back to the house, I quick took a few photos for you of what is happening in our garden!

So much is blooming right now.

Spring at its finest!

The azaleas are all done, but the roses are in their full glory.

Our bottle brush tree is blooming so beautifully and I keep watching for hummingbirds to arrive to drink from it.

And there even are still a few late-blooming daffodils gracing our yard.

And then ... the figs! Look how big they already are. I cannot wait for them to be ripe.

Maybe this year our pomegranate will not only flower so gorgeously, but also bear some fruit. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm planning to have some serious studio time today! I've so missed just playing with my paints and papers and canvas. We'll see what emerges...

To you a most wonderful day!!