Snail mail . . .

I think there is something utterly charming about snail mail and I love to see a handwritten envelope sitting in my mailbox.

Just knowing that someone has taken the time to sit and write to me - even if it's just a few lines, lets me know they were thinking of me.  Every card I've ever received has been saved. I gather them all up with a bow and keep them in the cedar hope chest my husband (then fiance) gave me for my birthday.  There are a few cards that are so special to me that I keep out all the time, in a little bowl.

With these sentiments in mind, I put together a few card sets for my Etsy shop.  Each card is created using quality Epson archival paper and Epson Ultra Chrome K3 inks with prints of the originals mounted using acid free archival tape on lovely Sparrow brown cards and left blank inside to write your own sweet thoughts.

These cards not only let someone know you were thinking about them, but because they are created using archival quality paper/ink they are perfect for framing making them little gifts in themselves.

Or, keep for yourself and add to your journal.

All occasion cards ideal for celebrating * birthdays * anniversary wishes * new baby * new job* or simply my favourite *just because*

All occasion cards ideal for celebrating * birthdays * anniversary wishes* or simply *just because*

Cards are approximately 4 1/4" w x 5 3/4 h with envelope 6 1/2 w x 4 1/2 h

Happy Wednesday

d xo 

Colour me happy cards . . .

I love to colour, always have. Maybe it's because I just love to create and doodle and sketch on just about anyting. Random scraps of paper and envelopes around our home are testament to that!

 Having one of my illustrations make it to the front cover of the Premiere Issue of The Coloring Studio Magazine back in 2016 was such a thrill. I have the cover framed and hanging in my little Sparrow Studio ;-) 

I remember when asked the question for the We Asked The Artists column in the Premiere Issue of The Coloring Studio Magazine "Do you colour mindlessly or put a lot of thought into it?"    I replied . . . 

"I really go with the flow when coloring, which is one of the appeals of this creative medium.

Maybe because it is our first primal art form, and reminds us of childhood memories of simply picking up a crayon and creating." 

and "Do you prefer intricate patterns or whimsical ones?" . . .  anyone who knows me well already knew the answer to this question . . .  I answered

"While I appreciate beautiful, intricate patterns, it's all about whimsy for me.  I tend to anthropomorphize everything, so I am drawn to images that reflect a quirky aspect to them"  

When asked "Do you have a travel coloring kit that you carry with you?" for the Autumn 2016 issue of The Coloring Studio Magazine . . .  I replied . . . 

"My traveling coloring kit includes a pencil case holding my favourite colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, markers and Micron pens, as well as a few " color me happy cards" that I created from some of my illustrations.  I will bring out a card while waiting for an appointment, which is a lovely way to sit peacefully and mindfully"

I've offered these little cards before in my Etsy shop (link on my side panel)  and have added a new set of 4 today. I made them a little smaller than I've done in the past. I think they are the ideal tuck in your purse/knapsack size. 

Looking through all the illustrations I've created over the years, I'll probably scan and print some more into little cards too. 

Dreams really do come true! 

Mary Oliver wisdom!

Happy Saturday

d xo

 

Hello Summer . . .

Summer officially arrived yesterday at 10:57 am

I headed out early in the morning to do some shopping and drop off/pick up library books.

Along the way I stopped to "look at flowers" :-) and was thrilled to find 2 pots of hollyhocks 

which were planted in the garden as soon as I arrived home. 

Just like #the 100 day project where I painted 100 index cards,

this month I'm participating in the #tiny summer poem challenge.

Each day there is a word prompt where

you write a poem for a maximum of 10 minutes, no editing.

I do this first thing in the morning and decided that I'd write each poem with the letters of the word prompt and paint a picture in my art journal.

Looking out at our garden as I put pen to paper, the first thing I noticed was the beautiful glistening dew on the blades of grass which began the poem . . . .  

Tiny Summer Poem

# 8

Glass

Glistening dew drops, a new Season begins just like that

Let us celebrate the longest day of the year

Abundance and joy as we raise a glass to

Summer

Solstice 

Tiny Summer Poem

#7

Impression

Isn't it amazing, each quiet hushed

moment in nature, the unwavering landscape of

peaceful existance

resting, observing, healing

energy exchanged

symbolic gestures of gratitude

sun salutations and taking deep breaths

in through the nose

out through the mouth

namaste 

Tiny summer poem

#1

Roses

Ruffles twirling around

Opening at their will

Showing their own uniqueness

Each petal a world of its own

Summer garden tumbian 

Nurture your

creative 

heART

 

Rainy day garden . . . .

I can't stop taking pictures of our Peony :-)

And I can hardly believe it ...

after years and years of trying to get lavender to grow in our garden - it worked!!!

This was an end of the season 49 cent pot of lavender I found last year.

 

"The glory of gardening:

hands in the dirt

head in the sun

heart with nature"

-Alfred Austin-

In the garden with Robi & Lilacs

We have the quirkiest little Robin in our garden.

Not only is she unbelievably tame, but she is also completely obsessed with my husband ;-) 

She follows him everywhere.  Flies through the spray of the hose as he waters the garden beds, isn't thrilled about other birds being around as she does her quick walk, marching all around the garden, goes about looking for worms as he bbq's  and recently, as he's been building some new window boxes, stands beside him as he goes about woodworking. We call her Robi. 

Plants are wonderful & bring us joy, but it's all the wildlife that feel safe and secure in our garden that reflects our heart and soul. Starting my day sipping tea and hearing the birds, watching them arrive at the feeders, splashing about in the birdbaths, spotting birds I haven't seen in the garden before and need to look up in my bird books, bunnies nibbling (unsprayed) grass ...all in a tiny, city plot, what an inspiration!

The lilac really put on a beautiful show this year and their blooms seem to have lasted longer. 

Savoring every bit of blooms and scent from our 34 year old tree!

 

 

" All life is an experiment "

-Oliver Wendell Holmes- 

May mornings . . .

spotting changes in the garden daily

noticing gaps in the garden left from plants that didn't make it over the (harsh) winter 

those magical moments of a Spring Garden where you find plants you forgot planting :-)

the lilac is in bloom ~ looking lush and beautiful,  and with it the arrival of the yellow finch which happens every year

we have the sweetest finch couple who have been stopping by a few times a day

the garden went from only shades of green to pops of colour here and there

and all the gaps are filling in quickly

the peony buds are swelling, and the ants are tickling them till they open :-) 

the bird baths have been busy with birds splashing about

 red winged blackbird resting/drying in the sun after enjoying a dip

I will walk around the garden in the morning and take few cuttings of lilac and lily-of-the-valley to bring inside & place around our home 

because the aroma is intoxicating!

Happy Wednesday!

d xo

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day.

A fresh start,

with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere

behind the morning"

-Joseph Priestley- 

 

April Showers bring May flowers . . .

"If you take a flower in your hand

and really look at it,

it's your world

for a moment"

-Georgia O'Keefe-

Beautiful blooms from a flower workshop I took last weekend.

Some are on our kitchen table and others in my little sparrow studio.

There's something about flowers that just make you smile!

~Happy May~