". Arranged Words: Easter
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts

4 Apr 2023

Spring or Thereabouts

                                                       
Hi Everyone,

 Now in the early morning, the sun lights the prisms and they dance on the wall.  And in these parts that means spring.  But from the ice and snow still about, you can see that, here in Canada, winter tends to hang on, sometimes, a little longer than necessary. But it is so wonderful to feel the warmth of the sun and enjoy longer days.

Yesterday, we went to the Sugar Bush where Maple syrup is made. What a busy spot. Too busy to hang about waiting for breakfast, and the snowy trails were over flowing with people as well.  Although there was no hope of getting served breakfast before closing time, it was nice to see everyone out and about enjoying life. 

Also made a trip to the marsh. We saw a lot of robins. They were looking for a tasty morsel or two. Not easy for them to find food just now. Unfortunately, I didn't have any raisins with me. Did have sunflower seeds for the hungry chickadees, Starlings, and the squirrels were happy to see us too.



                                                             Garden Centre Easter delights.  


                                                    All that colour! It makes my heart sing.

                 Couldn't resist buying, probably, too many plants. (Is that even possible?) 
                Absolutely love the miniature African Violets dressed up in their polka dot pots.

                                 
                        Saw painted candles somewhere, so wanted to give it a go. As you can                                                              see I got a little off course. 
                                                      
                                                              * * *
 Really enjoying the linocut printer makers art I've happened upon lately. They are amazing!
 Besides Angela Harding, John Bloor is also a wonderful printer maker. 
 A link to his Etsy shop here


                                                
                                                          Stone Harbour by John Bloor  
                                                           Couldn't resist this one. 

                                       
                                                     An inspiring book. Oh to be half so good.
                                    One of these days I will dig out my carving tools.

                           

Found this embroidery kit on Etsy. Love to knit, but, for now, this is much easier on the hands.
  Made the needle minder a few years ago from paper clay; it's finally getting used.

                                                 Watercolour on Fluid 100 paper. 
                     
Because of Blogger's fickle ways, I wasn't able to leave replies to your comments here on my last post. Perhaps this time. I do thank you all for your lovely comments. 

                               I hope you all have a very Happy Easter!

                                         Cultivate Your Dreams 

                               Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 
                                                Thanks to all for hosting.  

16 Mar 2021

"In the Air

    
 Hi Everyone,

     Spring appears to be in the air one day and gone the next. Fierce March winds have been blowing everything about. But I don't mind the wind. I love to hear it blow and it helps the snow disappear.

In March, long ago, skipping along as children we always said over and over, "March winds, April showers, bring forth May flowers."  In this ever changing world, I am glad to report that that still holds true.  

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

Charles Dickens


I haven't seen a robin yet. Too early I suspect. I do open a window in the morning and listen for their songs. So far I've heard: Geese (love to hear  and see the geese flying over) and Crows and Starlings. Crows and Starlings are not the best singers, but a bird has to start somewhere.


           

                                                                  * * *

From the Easel and other Tall Tales.

                                                
          Pastel on dark maroon Pastelmat paper. I thought I had ordered all one colour. Surprises are good though. 


I've heard of the Sketchbook Project, and I was surprised to receive this in the mail. It's from Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Why am I surprised? Well, because I didn't order it. (Just to be sure, I checked my Visa.) I assume some lovely person had it sent to me. So whoever you are (I have my suspicions) I would like to thank you personally, so please let me know who you are. For now, I thank you so much!  And I appreciate your kindness.

Rules: Art must remain within the 5 x 7 inch parameters, no gesso, and you can opt to have it digitized.

The library also has a bookmobile and they drive across the country, now and then, with the collection. Mine's from Volume 18 and it must be sent in by August 31, 2021. I may fill it with flowers. Decisions, decisions.




Printing Cards       
          

I haven't printed cards for awhile, so it took some time. My notes are geared towards someone who knows exactly what they are doing, or wants to begin in the middle of things.  And sometimes you just need to go back to square one.
                                          
I hope you all have a very Happy Easter! 

                         'Til next time                                         

                                                Cultivate Your Dreams

 Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

 

24 Mar 2016

Dapper Dan/Trillium/Happy Easter


 Outside just now--howling wind and driving snow, but still it won't be long before warmer weather arrives, although March appears to have plans to go out like a lion too.

Dapper Dan will soon be on my painting board.


 A trillium. It takes awhile to build up the colour.




Wishing you all a Happy Easter!









15 Mar 2016

Watercolour ~ Rose Hips


 I recently picked these rose hips along the road side. It was a blustery day and I didn't have anything to cut them with, but, thankfully, after a lot of tugging they came free. Obviously, they survived the winter under a warm blanket of snow.
 When I was finally ready to paint, the rose hips had lost what was left of the round plump look, but I like to have a real plant for reference.
As you can see, as the light changes in a room so does the colour and shadow areas of whatever plant that you might be using as a guide. I thought about adding a grey shadow underneath the rose hips but decided to leave it. However, it would add a touch of realism.




Because I used heavy paper, which is difficult to cut, I didn't have the nerve to try and deckle the top edge so I left it.

Next: a Trillium. I'd like to paint a few more cards for Easter...a daffodil and a rose?  Perhaps. I haven't quite decided yet.


Thanks for reading along...Enjoy the week.

23 Feb 2016

Watercolour Gift Tags and A Lotus Flower

My mother loves Easter and when we were children she usually bought us pastel dresses etc. to celebrate the season and to ring in spring. In particular, I remember a beautiful multi-coloured pastel dress, sweet white socks and black patent leather shoes, topped off with a wee white straw purse with (you guessed it) an ornate ducks head on top.  So since Easter is not far away, those memories my mother created for me triggered my need to create a little beauty. I opted for these simple watercolour tags. They are pretty and easy to make, although they do take time.
I was hoping to add ribbon but I can't find any 1/4 inch pastel ribbon.  So I may have to settle for pastel twine, although I have my heart set on soft-hued pink, blue, and yellow ribbon. ( I know it's only a gift tag, but, hey, there are standards!)

If you are interested, here's how I made them.  I cut the tags out of watercolour paper using a template. Then I splashed the front of two of the cards with water (two cards--all I could manage at one time) and randomly dabbed on the paint that I had watered down before hand. After letting the water dry a little while or longer, (drying time changes how the salt reacts) I sprinkled the cards with coarse and fine salt. Once they dried, I brushed off the salt and continued on to the other side.  I left a few cards plain on the reverse side, although I do like the texture that the salt creates.
Luckily, I found a forgotten bird punch in my hoard of craft supplies to top off the tag.

Recently off the drawing board and keeping with the pastel theme: a lotus flower. They are such lovely flowers. We have waterlilies in Canada which are beautiful as well. I'd love a pond full! To emerge pristine and  beautiful from muddy beginnings has made the lotus symbolic for many religions, including Christianity. 

 I hope to paint a few more flowery watercolour cards to pop in the mail for Easter. 

And lastly, (well almost)  here's a link for my instagram account. If you follow, I will definitely follow you back.

Thanks for reading along...Have a wonderful week!