Animal Wednesday Whimsy

I was going to post more zoo photos today but I realized that they depress me.

I like zoos that can give animals enough space to roam and mimic their natural habitats as best as they can. I know some zoos save animals from dying by offering them a life of captivity instead. In most cases I don't find this to be kind.

All I have to offer you this Wednesday are a couple of ATC's of mutts I made up.

I'm also including a photo of my sweet cat, Bliss who had another mini crisis which put me into a major financial crisis. She's fine and she's worth it!

Hug your fur babies. They are not going to be here forever.

On that note, Happy Animal Wednesday!!  



Thankful Thursday: A Bird and A Bowl

I have no idea who linked me to this generous lady's blog, but I was the lucky recipient of this wonderful cut-paper bird giveaway! I had totally forgotten I had entered. I just love it and will frame it for the guest bedroom. Thank you Norma!

Many of you know I had the pleasure of stopping by Mim's house last Sunday.

The meeting was short but sweet, each of us having to dash off in different directions.

It was so wonderful to see her beautiful home and the wonderful spaces and places she has to create her amazing art. And I saw original Miss Ems!! It really is something being in another artists space, especially if it's one you adore ;)♥

On my way out she handed me a gift wrapped in the most luscious, colorful textured paper. She said it was for my birthday "whenever it is!" Too funny.

I handed her lilies from my yard which looked pretty sad by the time I got there :P

Anyway...This is what I saw in the box! A handmade paper bowl with a bird's nest (real) and egg.

I had been lusting after this bowl ever since she posted it and I kept checking to see if she listed it on Etsy. Nope. But now it's mine!

Look at the stars on the inside....love them.

ooops, too dark!!!

This is a little better. I wish I could get a clearer picture to show off the colors. Maybe if you enlarge it you'll see the wonderful details!

I absolutely love this bowl.♥

As if that wasn't enough, she included these three ATC's. She said the last one reminds her on my dog, Emma, although Em would really be the size of his head! When she visited me over the winter she and Emma hit it right off. That's not usually how it goes with my little ankle-biter!

I really love these atc's and all the time put into them.

Thank you Mim!! Now I can get to you with my eyes closed :)

(Did I mention I was over an hour late which is why our time was cut short? Um, well, I was lost because I programmed my GPS wrong! Hey, I was born a blonde.) 

Another Thankful Thursday with so many good things to share, one of them being friendship.♥

xoxo

lolo

Animal Wednesday: Arctic Fox

For those who don't follow the ABC ATC group I'm in, this was for the letter "F."

With Bloggers new formatting I can't seem to link you to it so I brought Mr. Fox here.

As cold and snowy as it's been for so many of us, I hope his eyes warm you up a bit.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday: Spines and shadows

I've been on such a creative roll this weekend doing lots of my atc's ahead of time for our ABC group that I thought I'd wake up on that same roll and paint a cactus. Well, I think my roll has shifted slightly because I'm not too happy with this one! I've missed being a part of CM though, so here's my little offering this week, spines and shadows. And I used a bit of gouache in the spines just for Teri! But then I couldn't leave it alone. I just had to go over them with colored pencils. HCM everyone!

Cactus Monday: Desert Menorah

It seemed appropriate for me to try and paint a cactus menorah because the holiday season is upon us.

Wishing all of you a season of light, peace and an abundance of joy!

Happy Cactus Monday!!

(This atc is going out to Lynn ;) )

Cactus Monday: Mosaic

Okay, boring!! I'm running out of cactus creativity. I don't know how some of you manage to keep things so interesting and fresh. Maybe I need to go back to the west. Just kidding, I love it here ;).

HCM everyone!!

Cactus Monday: Twice the fun!

Wow, what a weekend! My oldest sister turned 65 on Sunday and on Saturday her daughters and I flew in my sister from Colorado as a surprise. Then my brother came to the cookout and blew my sister away for the second time that day. It was the first time in 22 years that we four siblings have been together!

My oldest sister's reactions and emotions were priceless!

Sunday was the actual birthday dinner and while they were busy in the kitchen I went next door and made ATC's with my eight year old Great Niece, Alexandra. I asked her to draw a cactus with me for Cactus Monday so we could post them together. She did this without reference, TA DA...her cactus in the snow. She's a natural born artist ;)

Mine is made up too, per usual!

We three sisters are spending the day together today. I'll be back to the blogs tomorrow!

Happy Cactus Monday all!

Cactus Monday: Rare Sighting

Could it be??? Why yes, it's the rare cactus-back gecko!

He can be adopted by the first one who says they want him. Hurry...he's already walking off the card! Happy Cactus Monday everyone!

Cactus Monday: A Ponderable

I went to see a long time old, old friend today which is why I'm just showing up now, and while I was driving I got to thinking about this...

What if cactus grew in cornfields???

Summer makes my head spin in the heat and humidity!

Happy Cactus Monday my friends ;)

Cactus Monday: 3 moons for the buffalo

I thought I'd try a collage for a change. I just let it evolve and then the title appeared and I knew I was done.

Happy Cactus Monday gang!

(You can click this week's entry to my ABC ATC group here.)

Thankful Thursday: Inch by inch

Well, my dear friend Soulbrush did it again. I swear she tunes into me and knows when I need a little help getting my chin off the floor. Here's a card I got from her this week, and inside it was this wonderful ATC with well wishes written on the back as well as all of these 'inchies' with their own small messages. The whole presentation made me smile! Thanks Soulbrush.

We'll always have that special connection!

It could very well be that Brian and I will be able to stay in this house if we can keep things workable for all parties involved. I just hope the day comes soon when I feel like myself again and not like someone who's been abducted by aliens. I think I'm having one huge out of body (and mind) experience!

Care to join me?

Animal Wednesday: Bliss's Window

This is my sweet kitty Bliss who had a hard time adjusting to the drive and the relocation. She finally sits in the window that is in front of my drawing table and she loves it! For those of you who don't know the latest chapter, we may have to move again because the landlady decided she needs to sell the house. Sadly, she didn't get the lease to us before we moved in. (Now we know why!)

The saga continues....

Meanwhile, HAW to all of my pals out there!

Cactus Monday: Sepia and Orange

I kind of just let my sepia Pitt pens do the talking today with nothing concrete in mind. I used an orange sharpie for the contrast. Slowly but surely I'm getting my workspace together.

Happy Cactus Monday everyone!!

Thankful Thursday: The Welcome Wagon

There were a few goodies waiting for me when I arrived in Rhode island. It helped ease the transition of closing one door and opening another.

Dear, sweet Marianne did this small canvas of the sun, moon and sparkling stars. The outer edge of the mandala has seagulls in the sky.I hung it up right away where I get to admire it several times a day.

She also sent my "H" atc for hibiscus, which I love...

...and she surprised me with this cactus rose. Such a soft, beautiful painting.

Then she wrote a "Welcome Home" note of this Frida Kahlo card.

She really knows my heart.

Thank you, dear friend!

This card winged its way to me from a friend I left behind. She and I both love ravens/crows. All of the black writing is hers, playing off that game of "telephone" we've all played as a kid. The inside of the card says "We're not ready to accept your departure." I smiled for days at her humor!

(Click to read it. Pavels is a local bakery in Pacific Grove.)

The next piece of mail to put a smile on my face was Mr. Grouper, my "G" atc from none other that Mim. I just adore her drawings!

She wrote a sweet note on the dragonfly card by Lynn. Thank you Mim!

Speaking of Lynn, she sent my "I" atc card with none other that that hoochy-coochy Inspiring Ismerelda! She's one of my favorites! I'll bring her out every time I need to channel my diva ;)

She mailed her in another one of her beautiful cards. Thanks so much Lynn!!

Inside this wonderful card from Lisa B was my....

..."J" is for Jackdaw atc. The Jackdaw is the crow of the old world. I love him!

But wait....

She also sent this long box. I hope you can read the writing if you enlarge it.

Inside it was this....

...AMAZING hand painted crow's feather depicting the great plains where Ibis and (my totem) the crow are often found. WOW! Thanks so much Lisa!

You're so very thoughtful ;)

And yesterday I went to the post office and found this wonderful card that says it all from KJ! And the bonus of my first week here so far has been meeting KJ face to face. Yay!! It was easy-peasy, like having my sister stop by. Now our friendship has taken on a new dimension and has gone beyond virtualness.Is that a word? Anyway, it felt good to finally connect. I'd love to meet all of you one fine day.

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

Whew, what a first week!! One to be thankful for, for sure.

Animal Wednesday: From my new roost

I finally uncovered a scant few art supplies so I could paint a quick 'something' and get back in the loop. This was painted in minutes in a dark room, but hey, I tried!

I've been in the new house in Rhode Island for a week and a half now. Right down the street on the same side of the road is one of my favorite places, One Hundred Acre Cove in Barrington. It's a river with marshes and a zillion birds. Okay, not quite a zillion but I'm awakened each morning by the most beautiful variety of sounds including loud, baritone bullfrogs. I was thrilled to see the posts put up for the Ospreys to nest on. Cape Cod started that years ago to get the Osprey population back up. So now I have them in my back yard. I'm grateful for that. (Mim, you'd love to kayak there.)

I'm trying to re-adjust to the climate and humidity and the awful mosquitoes who are eating me alive! Other than that, the house is coming along nicely, the animals are finally adjusting and it's good to be so close to family and friends, new and old. Well, I guess I'm officially back. That feels good too because I've missed being a part of things here. Thanks for waiting! xoxo

Cactus Monday: Twilight Delight

I took a fast break in the packing to whip up an atc for today!

HCM my friends!!

Cactus Monday: Warm and cool

I drew this atc while watching TV last night and just painted it five minutes ago using the hairdryer to hurry it along! Traded to Lynn!!

You won't see much more of me this week with Uncle here, but you never know!

Happy Cactus Monday!!

Finally...2 ATC's for trade!

My time is short for art lately but I managed to mess around yesterday and get these two done. The crowns are silver glittery stickers but they always scan yellow. The King is up top (to be traded with Deepartz), the Queen, below. Up for trade girls!

The Queen will be going to Renee in Winnipeg because Ms. K J pulled some strings ;)

I guess I'd better get busy and become as prolific as the rest of you! You just wait until I get settled in my new home, I'll be cranking them out ;)

My uncle arrives from Ottawa tomorrow so I'll be tied up all week entertaining him. No time for art I'm afraid. I'll see you soon though!

Thankful Thursday: Taking a Break To Smile

I was literally standing in the middle of the living room whining about how I'll never manage to get everything done in time to move when Brian walked in with todays mail.

"Something for you from 'Stella' and 'Cohen" he says. He just gives me the last names.

"Really?" I replied? "Gimme!"

"Who are they?" he inquired.

"Two of my girls. Lemme see!"

Opening the surprises in the envelope made me realize how lucky I am to have such thoughtful people in my life, and it also reminded me to post my Thankful Thursday which I meant to do this morning to show off my ATC's from Teri.

Now I won't have to revise this post and I can show my beautiful gifts all together.

These are the colorful and wonderful ATC's from Teri. She surprised me with two and I only sent her one. She did a crow for me because she knows how much I love them. And look, it brought me a daisy! Thanks so much Teri!!

Okay, so Mim recently asked me for my address because she wanted to send me a little something. A little something?? Look at all this stuff! It's a beautiful pear drawing by Mim on card stock with a nice note on the back. (Mim, did you know that I have a HUGE pear collection?) Then there's an ATC of Jimi Hendrix ( I think) with a sombrero and the word "air" on the card. I'm taking it as a reminder to breathe. And a Ms. Em ATC in a sweet little Ms. Em envelope!!How could I not smile after opening this package?Mim, you made my day a lot brighter!! Thank you!

And then there was this total surprise from Lynn. One of her lovely photo cards with one of her amazing quilted ATC's with a Chinese coin. No matter what way I hold the card it is a tiny masterpiece! Bless you Lynn. I love it!!

Please click on the images to enlarge the beauty of my talented friends.

Thank you ladies! We really have formed some wonderful friendships out there.

xoxo

Cactus Monday: A is for Agave

Here's my first ABC atc card which will go to Lynn.

"A" is for agave. Hey, I killed two birds with one stone, Cactus Monday and ABC atc's seeing as I was coerced by the group! Sneaky, sneaky girls ;)

HCM my loyal friends!