Our August Garden . . .

A rain on and off sort of day today, and the birds don't seem to mind at all & neither do I! 

We are both happily singing  ;-)

There are so many bees in our garden which thrills us to no end! 

They especially love the trumpet vine 

tiny paper white butterflies have been visiting

the Cosmos are getting taller and taller.

Next week I will start gathering dried seed heads from the plants.

It's beginning to take on that Autumn feeling, cooler temperatures, sweater wearing, the days drawing in, all feeling very cozy (which I love). I've been making more dinners in the oven than the BBQ - comfort food.

Tonight, it's veg shepherd's pie and peach cobbler. 

Starting a new painting this afternoon

Autumn themed :-) 

Have a wonderful Wednesday

d xo  

August Happenings . . .

It's been a busy August in my little corner of the world.

From garden parties & girlfriends I haven't seen in ages to grandson sleepovers

and everything in between.

Grateful for it all!

There hasn't been much time spent in my little Sparrow Studio

but the other day, remembering I had a few canvas packages still unopened,  

I pulled out my acrylic paints, put on some jazz and enjoyed a few hours creating.

It all started with this little Wren who I had watched in our garden.

Next, a Sparrow (of course) and before I knew it, I had a Woodland Garden Collection painting everything spotted in our wild garden.

Wren* Sparrow*Fox*Raven*Hare* Nest 

I've kept a watercolour pad and my Van Gogh paints in the sunporch

and painted some watercolour tags

Both the tags and Canvas have been added to my Etsy shop today.

And as we move towards the end of August/Summer, I've included the postage :-)

Happy August days

d xo 

 

the humble bee . . .

"The world is plentiful with honey,

but only the humble bee can collect it."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

~ I could watch them for hours.

"The bee is

domesticated

but not

tamed."

-William Longgood- 

 

Christmas in July . . .

While out shopping these past few days I noticed a "Christmas in July" theme happening in so many of the shops.

Now, anything Christmas related gets my attention - I absolutely love everything and anything Christmas.

The Christmas in July theme is celebrated in our own family as one of our sweet grandsons is a Christmas baby and a Christmas in July birthday celebrations happens!

And then, once home, as I was going through my art cupboard and got the idea of adding some originals at amazing prices to my Etsy shop with this theme in mind for the month of July.

Older paintings that I created after a serious car accident .  I was driving my son to school when our vehicle was t-boned by a fully loaded transport truck that ran a red light.  

I always say we were saved by the Grace of God and our Ford Windstar! 

And I truly believe in the healing power of Art.

Over the years I created prints and cards from all these paintings but held on to the originals. 

Perhaps they were like a security blanket for me.

One of the phrases I have heard often when someone looks at my work is that it feels "gentle".

That has always stuck with me.

Gentle . . .  what a lovely word.

Now feels like the right time to (gently) let them fly out into the world and someone else's hands/home. 

I've added 2 paintings to my Etsy shop this morning.

More will follow throughout the month.

Writing Set

is a sweet original watercolour painting to hang over your desk or journaling space.

For those who love to write in their journal, keep a Diary, preserve memories with the written word or, perhaps you're working on writing a book!

Clay pot filled with brushes, pens and freshly sharpened pencils.

Journals and notebooks to fill with wishes, thoughts and dreams.

Blue Bird to signify communication and inner strength.

And next

"You've Got Mail"

"Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds"

I love snail mail, always have.  Emails are wonderfully convenient and fast, but there is, and always will be something so lovely about finding a card in the mailbox and sitting with it in your hand.  Reading the handwritten words from a friend and loved one is good for the soul.

Creating cards, writing cards, taking a little extra time to personalize each one, adding a stamp and sending it on its journey ~ I take pleasure in each and every step.

I even love walking to the post office.  Ours sits beside our beautiful Lake Ontario, so you can just imagine the view!

When our own dear postman Tom retired, I turned You've Got Mail into a card for him.

Inside we thanked him for being the "Best Mailman Ever" and he truly was!  It was around Christmas time and as luck would have it, we managed to find him a Best Mailman tree ornament!

You've Got Mail pays homage to the art of letter writing.

From Air Mail to Snail Mail.

Sparrow wears a blue jacket with red pocket and carries a satchel with red and white polka dot strap and black buckle.

Always ready for inclement weather, wellington boots are a must for those long routes and stylish walking.

And just look at those lovely letters and postcards!  Once Sparrow has flown them in from faraway places, snail, who represents a slower pace of living, will take over from there.

Someone is in for a lovely surprise.

Springtime Garden 

is in the post having found it's forever home.

A painting filled with all the little treasures spotted in my own garden.

Sent with much love and blessings.

~Have a wonderful day.  It's another hot one outside~

d xo 

 

 

July

The flowers are loving all this rain!

The nest of garden baby bunnies are having a wonderful time in our garden . . .  I can tell which flowers are their favourites and the ones they don't like (and making notes).  Noticing "just stems" in a few garden patches.

Cuteness!!

We are going through our traditional family Summer list

which always includes strawberry picking.

This has been an amazing strawberry season.

We've been eating most of the strawberries as is, cut up in cereal, with ice cream, 

but strawberry tarts and a big strawberry flan are a family fave too. 

The trumpet vine is thick and lush and hubby's Robin has built her nest well hidden all tucked in .

(This is a photo from an older nest in our garden atop our gazebo) 

Joy!

The bees love it too . . .  soon the hummers will appear. 

Happy July

d xo

 

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