". Arranged Words: Bright Side

11 Feb 2025

Bright Side

Hi everyone,

Starting out on the bright side today with a pic of flowers. Love the colours--so uplifting.

Just now we have a few feet of snow with more storms on the way, so I haven't been out and about to my usual haunts to take photos for a while.  We are, however, really enjoying  longer days. 

 

                                Green tea in the mug. The wood cut is by Elizabeth Harbour.

                                  Love is in the air too.  Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

                                                                          * * *

                                      

                                                   Soft pastel on Clairfontaine Pastel Mat paper

Above a large sheet of Pastel mat paper that I've been putting off cutting to specific sizes.

Since I have precision challenges, I called on Chat GBT and ask the best and most efficient way to cut the sheet into 5 x 7 inch pieces. What a wonder. Spit out the info in a few seconds. Too bad the program couldn't cut paper as well. :) 

Great to have sized paper on hand. Now I can easily grab a piece of paper and paint a small painting.                                              

                                                     

                           

 
Tried out Canson XL cold press, sketchbook paper. I think it is wood pulp paper. Not as good as cotton rag but not bad.  Still working on the pears. Will see what happens when I erase the outline and then paint some shadows under the pears. 
Plan to paint the pears using soft pastels as well.

At the end of the month, I will be closing my Etsy shop.  It's difficult to get seen there, and the fees have gone up again. 
 
 
Another drawing. 
 
Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off link party among others.
                                          

'Til next time... 

                                                 Happy Valentine's Day!

                             Linking to other Link Parties via my link party page.

                                                   Thanks to all for hosting!
      
                                                    Cultivate Your Dreams                                                                                                        



30 comments:

Kokopelli said...

What lovely flowers! I really like the Pastelmat paper, but only used it once for a horse drawing, as it's really on the expensive side. Happy T Day!

My name is Erika. said...

Your area sounds just like mine weather wise. Oh winter. Thanks for the flowers. They did make me happy just looking at them. And your pastel view is gorgeous. Have a great T day and week ahead. hugs-Erika

Mae Travels said...

Yesterday the flowers at Trader Joe’s were all beautiful and colorful, and your arrangements make me see how great they would be in my house. SNEEZE!!! Not for me , sadly.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a great way to start a post. Beautiful flowers.

Loved your paintings and enjoyed reading about best way to cut paper to size.

Sorry to read about Etsy. It started out great, then got too big. Now they have lots of ads on TV, which is expensive.

Beautiful mug. I bet the green tea tasted better in it, too. Thanks for sharing your flowers, paintings, and tea with us for T this Tuesday, dear Dixie. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too.

Let's Art Journal said...

Such beautiful flowers and your paintings are amazing 😊. Wishing you a very Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Flowers do make the world go round. :)
Thank you, Erika.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Oh, no not allergic to flowers. Sorry to hear that, Mae
Best Wishes to you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you so much.
Definitely tasty tea with all those love vibes in the cup and round about.
Enjoy the week..

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

The large sheets of Pastel mat paper are cheaper to buy.
But yes, it is not cheap. I like it because it's easier on the hands than the sanded paper, and holds a lot of layers.
Thank you.
Best Wishes

Tom said...

...there can never be too many flowers!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Jo.
Happy T day to you too. Hugs

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

I agree whole heartly, Tom.

Sharon Madson said...

Beautiful flowers and pastels. Thanks for sharing. Happy T Day.

Kim said...

It sounds freezing there, Dixie. Your pastel landscape is so pretty. Love the vase too, holding the orange flowers.

Veronica Lee said...

Such a lovely and uplifting post!
If only AI could cut paper too! 😄

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Lisca said...

Yes, it's cold everywhere in the northern hemisphere. Even here in southern Spain.
Thank you for the flowers. Tulips, hyacinths what beauties. (And the latter smelling sweetly). I grew up in the Netherlands: flowers everywhere, so I really miss having flowers in the house.
Chat GBT is so handy. I use it for recipes.
Happy belated T-Day,
Lisca

Sandee said...

Beautiful flowers and I love the artwork. Beautiful.

Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

nwilliams6 said...

Wonderful flowers - yes, they are beautiful and happy and a great way to start your post and decorate your life. Green tea is a great choice too. Your art is fabulous. Happy T-day!

NCSue said...

Such a lovely post!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2025/02/an-ghaeltacht.html

Cloudia said...

Oh how lovely. Keep heart and art alive. Aloha friend

Christine said...

Lovely flowers and art

Iris Flavia said...

Beautiful flowers - especially in this cold, dark weather. Love your art, too. Sad you have to close your shop.

Gene Black said...

I have heard several complaints about prices on Etsy going up. I think they may price themselves out of the market for real hand made goods.
Happy Friday FFO

CJ Kennedy said...

Storm on the way over the weekend so you flowers are welcome thoughts of Spring around the corner. Wonderful drawings. I like to use Canson XL Mixed Media paper. Also Canson Mi Tientes though originally made for pastels, it takes ink and other media quite well. Happy T Day

Fundy Blue said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Dixie! Your soft scene is peaceful and lovely. I'm sorry that you have to close your Etsy shop. Every online thing wants to monetize. 😵‍💫 Flowers always lift my spirits. Thank you!

DVArtist said...

Beautiful flowers and wonderful art. Thank you for joining FFO.

Gillena Cox said...

Nice art. Thanks for linking to AFFF

much♡love

Jeanie said...

Your pastels are so lovely, Dixie. Beautifully rendered. And that color is sorely needed in our world of white. Happy belated Valentine's Day!

Suzana said...

Such a beautiful presentation, with flowers and paintings.
You are very creative, Dixie!
Have a fine week ahead!❤️😘