Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Peacock on a Poppy Hill ...

Things that make me happy, Orange.


Here are a few images of my folk-art painting, “Peacock on Poppy Hill”. This vibrant painting was created on a recycled tabletop in acrylic paint. I had a lot of fun creating this piece but I am happy it is finished. I hate doing the same thing over and over again and painting all of those feathers was a little tedious. I think I will wait a little while before I tackle another peacock.












Monday, March 28, 2011

A New Banner and a Quick Question for my blogging Friends...

Things that make me happy, Sunshine!



Hi, Happy Monday! I wanted to share something new that I am putting in my Etsy shop and ask all my favorite blogging friends a question.


My Question???


I really want to start making fine art prints of my paintings and colored pencil and pastel creations, but before I start to do that I would like to buy a new printer. The printer and scanner I am using now is an Hp and it scans beautifully, but when I print out an image of a painting it is dull and looks muddy. The printer works really well for my colored pencil and pastel drawings but I know a better quality printer will also make them look even more brilliant and show more detail. I am torn between 2 different Epson printers. I was hoping that if any of you print your own art and own an Epson printer or have an opinion about another fabulous printer if you could PLEASE leave a comment. I would really love to hear some of your opinions. I am clueless in this department and I know having beautiful prints for my customers to purchase will take my business to another level. Thank you so much, Heather!


Friday, March 25, 2011

Purple Barn Owl on a Vintage Book Page …

Things that make me happy, FRIDAY!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday. It was a crazy day filled with cleaning (yuk), laundry (yuk), playing with the little lady (yeah!), and finishing a new banner to put in my Etsy shop (woo hoo!).



Yesterday while I ate breakfast I created this pretty little bird. It was nice to be able to sit at the table in the sun and create. When I am home with Abbey she usually monopolizes my time and I get very little time to work on art. However, yesterday morning she was quite content to play alone which is unusual for her.

The original drawing was completed in colored pencil, pastel, and pen on a vintage book page. I like this page because it has the name of the library it came from and where the library is. I bought the book at a Salvation Army near my house. I live in Pennsylvania and the library book was from Mississippi. I thought that was kind of neat. (I don’t get out much).


Tonight once the kids are in bed and my husband leaves for his poker game I am going to park myself in front of the TV, put on Bridget Jones’s Diary or a Lifetime Movie pull out my colored pencils and pastels and start a new drawing. I hope your Friday night is a little more lively!


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Wide Eyed Owl, art banner …


Things that make me happy, OWLS!



I love painting and drawing owls. I just think they are so beautiful. This adorable owl is modeled after the Northern Saw-whet Owl of North America. At the end of January I borrowed a bird book, well actually more like a bird encyclopedia from the library. I have renewed it three times because I can’t seem to get enough of the beautiful birds inside, especially the owls. The owl this little guy was modeled after is so cute. The owls look like they have huge sunglasses on; their faces are full of so much character.




The original piece was created with colored pencil, pastels, and pen on a vintage book page.



Have a great Night!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Wishing you a Happy Spring with a New Painting!

Things that make me happy color!




I think it is fitting that I finished my “Rooster on Dandelion Hill” painting on the first day of spring.

This colorful rooster is sitting on a hill of bold dandelions. You can find this vibrant painting in my Etsy shop.












Friday, March 18, 2011

Vibrant Barn Owl ...

Things that make me happy, feeling better and doing what I Love!


I have a couple of hours three afternoons a week when I can paint and create uninterrupted. Between not feeling well and other obligations I haven’t been able to use that time for art. This week I could not wait to create something. After I dropped Abbey off at preschool I would hurry home, turn on some music and paint. This is the first painting I finished this week, I also have a fabulous, colorful rooster in the works. It feels wonderful to feel good and to be able to do something I truly love.

Here are a few more pictures of my "Vibrant Barn Owl" painting.










Saturday, March 12, 2011

Things that make me Happy, pops of Green ...



I was so excited when I spotted one of my crocus plants blooming this afternoon.


It’s so nice to see pops of green among the dead brown leaves.



The vibrant orange and purple makes me want to create something colorful.




Have a great Saturday!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Things that Make me Happy, Painting!

Painting!


Having a little time to paint always makes me happy.



I donated this painting to my daughter’s preschool. It was one of their door prizes at their book fair. I hope whoever won the painting enjoys it!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Things that Make me Happy day 6 ...

Strawberry Red!



I adore anything that has to do with strawberries. They are fun and vibrant, sweet and yummy, and they make me happy.
These adorable nesting dolls are my newest vintage find. I have wanted to buy a set for a while and I was lucky enough to find these at a local farmers market. I love the little strawberries painted on their dresses. They are so sweet!





I found this old pillow case in a material scrap box at a flea market. The strawberry print is pretty.





These are vintage strawberry place mats, they are perfect for spring.





When I was a kid I loved Strawberry Shortcake. I had clothes, jewelry, a toy box and much more. These are some read along record books that were mine and my sisters. The illustrations are so sweet.















My great-grandmother gave me both of these Strawberry Shortcake cards. One of the cards is an Easter card the other is a Valentine’s day card. They are very special to me.






And of course you can’t do a post about strawberries without showing some delicious strawberries. I can’t wait until our strawberry plants wake up! There is nothing better than walking out to your garden first thing in the morning and picking fresh sweet berries.

If you want to see some more happy red stop over and visit, It's A Very Cherry World! , for Rednesday!




Thank you for visiting!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Things that Make me Happy day 5 ...

Birthday Memories!


Today is my 32nd birthday. The smug little girl in this picture is me celebrating my 4th birthday. I was going through old family photos tonight and as soon as I saw that cake I remembered it. My mom always made such yummy birthday cakes.

I am so thankful for all of the wonderful childhood memories I have.







Monday, March 7, 2011

Things that Make me Happy day 4 ...




My Children's Art!





Nothing makes me happier than when I open up one of my kiddies’ backpacks and find one of their newest creations.

This is my favorite piece of art Noah created last year. I love the little houses.




Abbey colored this great picture of, “The Cat in The Hat” last week in preschool. I love how she uses whatever color her little heart desires. When they are this small they love to use every crayon in the box.





I have a hard time shoving their creations into a drawer and since there is no longer enough room on the fridge we have expanded to the basement door. Their art brightens the room so much.




Noah is always coming up with crazy characters.









Looking at their creations always puts a smile on my face.