June jump in ...

 The month of June has flown by ... I've been saying this for days and then realized that I hadn't made a blog post for the entire month of June!

The first weekend of the month began with Imagine in the Park. A free children's art festival held annually in Gage Park, Hamilton on the first Friday and Saturday in June. If you missed it this year, I highly recommend putting a memo in your calendar for next year as it is absolutely fabulous! Featuring hands-on workshops, entertainment, storytelling, performance arts and so much more.

Imagine in the Park celebrates creativity and the importance of art in children's lives.

My daughter Kate & I hosted a community art mural with the theme around Kate's book Dreaming of Dresses "What is a friend?" We were so impressed by the enthusiasm of all the young artists who stopped by our tent & loved hearing all their friendship stories!

Our friends stopped by our tent and after the show took us to one of their favourite spots in Hamilton, Coven Market, a vegan deli, bakery and grocery shop. I love finding new spots like this and supporting local businesses. We took our treats back to our friend's home where we relaxed with a cold drink in her beautiful garden. (Our "What is a friend" story) xo

We had our precious grand pup for 2 weeks of pure lab love. He is so much like Archer and never leaves my side when we have him. 

Watched three fabulous plays in Stratford and Niagara on the Lake, enjoyed picnics by the lake, family birthdays, Father's Day BBQ at our daughter and son-in-law's home.... 

Thrilled to have my two submissions to Art in the Workplace exhibit accepted and dropped those off. 

~Happy Accidental Meeting~

As I painted Happy Accidental Meetings, I thought of some of the most magical moments for me that involved animals.  I've experienced many "happy accidental meetings" with possum, fox, owls, coyotes, hares in my own garden, wild horses in England, deer and moose in the Muskokas. Many just feet away, eye to eye, and of course, the moon in all her phases is always a blessed sight to see.

Speaking of moons, we have the Strawberry Moon on Monday June 29th. The Strawberry moon carries energy of contentment* reflection* alignment with it. 

~You make my heart flutter~

A painting to invite you to celebrate the time spent with those that make your soul sing and your heart flutter. Painted with a few of the things that do that for me ... birds * cloud watching* being amongst the trees & in nature.

Both Originals are 9" x 12"

Acrylic on paper

Beautifully framed in grey barnboard.

Have you visited the farmer's market yet?

Local Ontario strawberries are in and they are absolutely delicious!

We've been having them sliced on yogurt, oatmeal, waffles and indulged a few times with a strawberry flan :-)

Our sweet garden bunnies are doing well and surrounding our flowers with marigolds seems to have done the trick with protecting plants from all being nibbled! 

And last, but not least, I will be, once again, at these years Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective Art Walk. It won't be held in the usual spot of Bronte Creek, but at the Lion's Club which is located in the beautiful downtown core of Burlington at 471 Pearl Street.  

The Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective proudly presents the 6th Annual Art Walk on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 10am–4pm at Lion’s Park in Burlington! This free, all-ages event features 50+ local artists and makers, interactive art experiences, demos, music, and a collaborative community art installation. Try new art techniques, shop local art, and connect with your creative community. Walk, bike, or take transit to join the fun! Made possible by the City of Burlington and local partners. Learn more or sign up for the EGCC newsletter at creativecollectiveonline.com. Art builds community—come be part of it!

More to come closer to the date, however if you have wanted to collect an original or perhaps a print, I only bring a limited number of paintings with me so if there's a piece you've been thinking about and wanted to see it in person, please send me an email letting me know and I will bring it along with me.

Thanks for stopping by.

d xo  

May I ?

May has brought with it a myriad of weather... mostly rain which has pleased our garden greatly.

We watched before our eyes the garden growing overnight.  It's been lovely to see colour where there were only green leaves. 

"It is astonishing how short a time it takes

for very wonderful things to happen"

~Frances Hodgson Burnett~

The pond has been opened, trips to the garden nurseries resulted in a van filled with beautiful blooms, and this year Marigolds topped the annuals list.  We love our garden bunnies, but they were eating through the garden at a speed even we couldn't keep up with. Planting Marigolds all around the plants seems to have done the trick! 

I love to switch the lenses on my Nikon and at this time of year and using the Macro lens brings a huge smile on my face. The Peony are covered in busy ants tickling the blooms into opening.  It won't be long before they turn into big pink ruffled pompoms. 

Red Geraniums are a favourite in our garden, and the hummingbirds love them too.

With the lilac in bloom, we saw the return of Yellow Finch to our garden.

Each year like clockwork the two go hand in hand.

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all"

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~

Cosmos in our garden ... always!

"There can be no other occupation

like gardening in which, if you were

to creep up behind someone at their work,

you would find them smiling"

~Mirabel Osler~

Plant a garden for the birds, the bugs and the bees.

"All things seem possible in May"

~Edwin Way Teale~

Thank you for stopping by.

d xo 

 

Friday afternoon frolics ...

After watching the doves build their nests each year in our garden, they never cease to amaze us. Three twigs and a prayer as we have come to lovingly refer to their nest building, and they have spent this week choosing just the right "three twigs". Over the years we've watched in disbelief where some of these nests have been built. Though completely out in the open and exposed to all the elements, they have always sat on them faithfully through pouring rain, thunder and lightning, high winds & heat waves.  We are relieved when those two little baby dove heads are visible. Only once was the weather so severe - a night of extreme thunder, lightning and torrential rain that the dove had to leave the nest. They had built it in the front eaves of our home completely out in the open. Late that autumn my husband cleaned out the eaves and found the little deserted nest with two perfect white eggs inside ... it was heartbreaking.   

After that, he built a beautiful dove nesting box and attached it to the pergola in a spot they had nested before.  We didn't expect them to build a nest in it the first year knowing it would take time for them to get used to it, but we were really hoping they would this year. Seeing them on the pergola, walking around and cooing, we were sure this would be the year.

Well ... they did build their nest atop of the pergola again this year, however they built it *in front* of the dove box!!! We have the perfect watching spot from our dining room window, so I will be sure to keep an eye on them.
 

Needless to say, we won't be plugging in the twinkle lights. A small price to pay for such joy.

I've planted my daffodil bulbs in the garden, but my beautiful Easter tulips are still going strong.

I'll press the petals in my flower press.

Woodland walks and seeing all the trees budding and blooming has me painting flowers in my nature journal. And with the weather warming up, I've carved out a little spot in my garden room to become a "garden room studio" perfect to sit with my watercolours.

Beautiful burst of yellow from the forsythia

Watching her garden bloom

Palette knife roses

Friday nights are often pizza night for us. The dough has been sitting and rising as I type this blogpost. Tonight's pizza will be caramelized onions and black olives.  I'll make a batch of raisin and walnut scones to have with a coffee for dessert. Yum!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

d xo 

Dundas Valley School of Art Annual Auction...

Post update- Thank you to all who bided on my art again this year.

All four pieces sold. I hope they bring as much joy to their new guardians as I had creating them xo

It's that time of year again ... 

the Dundas Valley School of Art Auction 

is happening April 6 - 12.

Online bidding is happening now.

I have 4 pieces of art available to bid on and view in person.

In school previews at DVSA are Wednesday April 8, Thursday April 9 from 9am-9pm

Friday April 10 from 9 am - 4 pm and Saturday April 11 from 9 am - 3 pm

Dundas Valley School of Art

21 Ogilvie Street

Dundas, Ontario

Look for the hidden magic

Lot # 659

Located in the upstairs hallway

*sold*

Forest Frolics

Lot # 657

Located in the upstairs hallway

*sold*

A shoulder to lean on

Lot # 660

Located in Studio 3

*sold*

Poetry in Motion

Lot #658

Located in Studio 1

*sold*

***

A wonderful way to support the arts, artists and find an amazing piece of original art at unbeatable prices. 

I am always so grateful to the winning bidders who reach out and send me an email letting me know they have purchased my art through the auction. Thank you!! 

Happy Bidding!

d xo 

International Art and Found Day 2026

Happy to be participating again in the 6th Annual International Art and Found Day, March 12, 2026.

I will be sharing my love of art, birds and nests as I leave parcels to be found in my neighborhood.

It's been raining all day today and there is rain in the forecast again for tomorrow. My favourite choice of "hiding spots" are little free libraries. Each art package sits in a plastic sleeve, so they will be kept dry as they sit amongst the books just waiting to be found.

I've added a little note inside explaining Art and Found Day.

I'd love to hear from you if you happen to find a piece of art walking about

the beautiful downtown core of Burlington, Ontario.

You can connect with Art and Found Day on Instagram and Facebook

at artandfoundday or visit the website

artandfoundday.com 

I've also included a little hand painted ornament with each piece of original art.

The perfect size to add to your Spring wreath * Easter tree* 

You can find me on Instagram

vintage sparrow studio

where I share information on upcoming art events such as Art and Found Day, 

Art in the Workplace McMaster Innovation Park and

Dundas Valley School of Art's upcoming Art Auction.

 

Happy International Art and Found Day

March 12, 2026

I hope you find a treasure wherever you are.

D xo 

 

February's Frolics ...

The view from our kitchen window has been filled with activity.

Cold snowy days, and an unexpected ice storm tossed in, we have made sure the feeders are filled to the brim.

The resilience the birds, squirrels and garden bunnies have shown! This morning, looking out into the garden sipping my mug of tea, there are 8 turtle doves, a pair of Cardinals, 3 sparrows, too many Juncos to count, 4 bunnies and 6 squirrels. The freshly fallen snow shows the sweetest of tracks.

Watching the bunnies nibbling at the English Ivy that covers one of our garden arbours... they are standing on their hind legs now as they have stripped the bottom half.

Exhibit 43 ends tomorrow at Art in the Workplace, McMaster Innovation Park.

I'm thrilled that Trio and Soft Landing have been accepted into Exhibit 44.

I love showing my art through this wonderful space along with so many talented local artists.

SOLD

An art collector reached out to me wanting to purchase "I will always be your soft place to land"

He had spotted it hanging in a previous Exhibit.

I'm always so touched when a collector reaches out and expresses how a certain piece of art has moved them. 

Next up, it's the Annual Dundas Valley School of Art Auction

April 6-12 online bidding

April 10 live auction

April 11-12 timed auction

April 16-19 post auction sale

I have 4 pieces of art in this year's auction...

Look for the hidden magic

Poetry in Motion

Forest Frolics

A shoulder to lean on

A fantastic opportunity to purchase original art, ceramics, jewelry etc. at unbelievable prices.

I'll write more about that closer to the auction date.

Thank you for stopping by.

D xo

Winter Birthday Making . . .

I've started a little birthday tradition of making a frozen flowered banner to hang in the garden on my birthday. It's a fun way to celebrate * use up flowers from the flower press that have broken* and embrace the blessings of a Winter birthday!

Just like with candle making, I have set aside old tins for making the frozen flower discs.

The night before my birthday, I place a ribbon across all the muffin tins.

Next, I place flowers on top of the ribbon, and then, fill each muffin cup with water.

The tins then head out to the porch where they will stay overnight to freeze.

In the morning, a minute or two on the kitchen counter is all you will need 

and the frozen flower discs will pop right out.

Flowers pressed and dried from my garden, returning back to the garden.

They have only shrunk in size a wee bit since I strung them in the trees as our temps have been frigid!

Beautiful Orange tulips from my family

And gorgeous white roses with a hint of pink

from my hubby

Petals that will be pressed and find themselves in next year's banner.

Don't just count your years...

Make your years count

xo