Got to Plant some Roses

Yesterday the forecasters said it might reach 70 degrees today. They were a bit off. I want to plant some Louise Odier bourbon roses so badly! First the ground was frozen and now it's a pond in some areas. I shall wait and think of fragrant, pink cupped roses that are hardy. So hardy they have lasted since 1800! That is the kind of roses I like. Super fragrant, strong and vigorous. Plus they are French. Win! Win! Win!

I did some more small watercolors. Since I am in a rose-crazed state you will notice my animal paintngs all love roses too! Hence my new blog banner. I hope you are all well and getting enough gardening.

Edwardian Westie Boy Dog Clothes

Edmund, the westie, and his friend Lester share a croquet game on the lawn. Lester is trying to line up his shot with the stars, I think.

Original aceo painting for sale on ebay. I am smitten with watercolors and india ink. These little characters are pulling on my heart strings.

Victorian Cats Lester and Eleanor Watercolor

Lester and his sister Eleanor have a pet squirrel who retrieves nuts for Lester. Yes, the squirrel can hold up to three nuts in his mouth at a time. He is used to chasing them when they roll from the trees and it's not much different when Lester tosses them.

Original watercolor illustration painting up for sale on ebay now here.

Edwardian Cat Named Lester

Lester loves being outdoors even when he is dressed for indoors. Every button buttoned and bowtie tied, but Lester hid his shoes in the bushes so they will stay clean. His feet are feeling the outdoor bliss and if I know Lester he is about to race off and his toy rabbit will be para sailing behind him. He comes here to admire the birds who are not as flighty as the birds at home. The topiary birds move ever so slightly in the breeze just enough to make them seem a bit real.

This is an original watercolor painting on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper and has been finished with a light acrylic varnish. For sale here.

Victorian Edwardian Dress Aceo Painting

I've painted a few victorian and edwardian clothed ladies on aceos. The soft colors with roses and lace have me wanting to plant as many old-fashioned roses as I can this spring. The lawn dresses these ladies wore were delicate and had yards and yards of lace on the cotton. The bodice, the sleeves and the skirt. How did they not tear it when walking through gardens? You definitely had to be a lady and not race your male friend through the rose paths.

I've got some soft, soft white cotton about 5 yards. Now to assemble enough vintage or vintage looking laces to sew up my own. I can't wait.

Original Watercolor Aceo painting is for sale here.

Walk, run...fly

Today it hit 71 degrees and we were giddy. Very careful giddiness because the ground is still frozen solid and the top 1/4 inch has melted and it makes for slippery walking on the hillsides! I took this video of some very happy Canada geese in the field.

What you could do with 19 million...

I just saw that this historic property with lovely gardens is for sale in South Carolina. It is also known as the Medway Plantation which includes 6,728 acres of wooded land, gardens, lakes, and houses, stables and other outbuildings that date back to the 1600's. Anyone have 19 million to spare? I didn't think so. There is also a greenhouse on the property. Maybe they will sell that separately? Medway Plantation property listing here for the serious gardener.

Crochet Doily-How to Heart Cone Tutorial

Make this sweet lacy cone heart in just a few minutes. I've made some and now want to share this idea with my blogger friends.




Start out with a crocheted doily like this. I used a bright white small one.



Fold the left half under so that there is a half circle on top.



Fold the right side under so that there are two half circles on top that make a heart! So cute and simple.




To secure the heart shape. I used gingham ribbon. I went in from the front right side through a large opening then through the back side through another large opening (no needle needed). Come across the back and then start back through the back right side to the front.



This is how the back will look when the ribbon pulled snug.




Then all you have to do is tie just like a shoe string in the front. This is so sweet, shabby and cute! You've also made a cone. You can slip a flower, some candy hearts, or a ring inside!


Note: For a perfect bow turn the heart upside down and tie. Meaning tie with pointed end upwards to tie. Then turn back around and the bow strings will hang downwards instead of upwards.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Edible Heart Treats

Dress up your breakfast for your Valentine.



Instead of a just a slice of bread use your heart shaped cookie cutter for a perfect heart. I then put some delicious apple butter on top in a heart shape...and now I feel like a princess!



Here we have the westie who is the Queen's Food Taster. These hearts are very cute too and tasty. An watercolor 2.5 by 3.5-inches aceo I have for sale.

Cesar Westie Dog- Sweetheart

A very darling westie!

The Little Details

These new khaki raincoats for little girls are from Land's End. I just love the little ruffles along the bottom.

Ruffles are in on everything.

Big ruffles.

Little ruffles.

Ruffles are beautiful.

Just as long as we don't get, "ruffled up." That is not beautiful.





I've finished a few more aceo watercolors. This one is titled "Watering Hope".

Some things just take time to bloom.

We have to be patient.

We have to nurture it and protect it.

Watercolor Aceo and Mermaids

On Board

Smaller and smaller my paintings become. I am bending over farther and farther to paint and am glad I can stretch back out. Truthfully the smaller the paintings are the harder they become because you have to edit your ideas. But ironically I seem to be putting more elements into the smaller ones. Go figure. I think the dreaminess and purity of watercolors is what draws me to this medium.

I had mentioned earlier about some exciting news. Some art shows and groups allow members once a year on a blind juried basis. There is one coming up that I would love to be a part of. To do this you need a large number of new artistic endeavors to show plus a larger number of past works. Then they decide whether you can be a member and be associated with this elite (read hard to get into) group. Quite a few apply. Many are declined and only a few are choosen. I am aiming for the moon and entering. Aim high. Work hard. (play hard.) Work some more!

White Metal Lantern - Wednesday

I love these lanterns and the way they are designed. You can carry them with the candle lit and not burn your hands.




Our westie gave us his approval.



He is also my assistant stylist. He's telling me he take notice of the punched holes in the metal on the top rim. Red and white is a good match all year round. Very scandinavian. It reminds me of redwork embroidery. Old-fashioned goodness. Also Sir Salty's leash is red.

Do visit the other blogs and the Faded Charm Cottage who hosts these wonderful white Wednesday parties. There are lots of pretty pictures there.

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