Monday, May 28, 2018

This Week's Meanderings


 How are you? It was a long weekend for us in the US with Memorial Day- a special day to remember and honor those who fought and continue to fight for our country. It was quiet here. The weather wasn't the best but Bill managed to weed our shared garden with the next door neighbors and got it tilled and all ready for planting.



 Last week I found this in one of my hanging geranium baskets. I know it's a purple finch. But what about that odd brown speckled egg? Could a cow bird have layed one of her eggs for the finch to hatch? I've heard that does happen.

 And here is the latest:

  
  That is some BIG mouth on such a teeny thing :) I only peek in and take a pic when I have to take the basket down to water. Momma waits in a nearby tree branch until I go in.

 For T Stands For Tuesday I have two special drinks to share:


 Bill and I have never had a martini and were always curious as to what the fuss was all about. At one of our favorite places to eat in Cape May we noticed the bartenders serving up LOTS of them. So we figured this would be the day to give them a go. Bill had a poma martini (on the left) made with pomegranate while I went for the original. I cannot tell you what alcohol is in them. Our verdict- they were pretty good but we're really not mixed drink people. Do YOU like martinis?

 While in Cape May last year we bought this Turkish lamp:


Although a general pattern is used each shade is unique due to the hand cut glass and beads. It is so beautiful. I had my eye on another one but we didn't get it. Until this last trip:):)


 I couldn't stop thinking about it, and fortunately it was still in the shop! Only one other item was purchased (in another shop) which I am currently reading:



  For Tag Tuesday ( theme is "locks and keys"):




 Products: manila tag- Ranger; Tim Holtz Idea-ology- Worn Wallpaper (LOVE!!) used on the tag and as a backdrop, Paper Dolls, Alpha Tiles, Harlequin Grungebord (which is like a flexible cardboard you can ink, paint, etc.), ChitChat Stickers, Distress Tool; Distress Oxide - Frayed Burlap; Distress Inks- Vintage Photo, Weathered Wood; Stickles Diamond Glitter glue; vintage lace, hand dyed ribbon.

 For Art Journal Journey (Flora and Fauna), Paint Party Friday, and Moo Mania and More (Even More Flowers) I have this art journal page:


 This was painted with acrylics, meant to imitate Japanese style painting with sumo ink. Inspired by an Art Sherpa You Tube video. Not one of my best but I enjoy the learning process. And I think this would be much prettier with the flow of the ink.

 Lastly- thought I'd let you all know I am finally on Instagram!! You can find me here . And my son has helped me start to navigate, etc. He also put the link at the top right side of my blog for me. I've been looking into starting  a Society 6 shop the last few months but will -yes- wait for Todd to help me. He really wanted me to set up an Etsy shop but I'm just not into it. Do let me know if you're on Instagram -I'm trying to find my artist friends! If you have any favorites to follow I'd love to hear about them too. And don't forget to follow me:)

 Will catch up with everyone throughout the week and weekend. Be well, and happy arting!

" Share your smile with the world. It's a symbol of friendship and peace."   Christie Brinkley

38 comments:

  1. Loving those Turkish lamps. I have never seen one and I can see why you wanted a new one. And I am loving your tag and the pretty painted flower page too. I am not really a martini drinker, except a chocolate one. But it is pretty rich and is more of a christmas drink, or a cold winter night drink.I usually make maybe 1 or 2 a year only though. Have a wonderful T day and I hope you had fantastic long weekend too. Hugs-Erika

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  2. Lovely post. Those photos of the hungry baby birds is gorgeous, how wonderful to have the nest in your garden. I am not a big Martini fan, I prefer my drinks straight! The new lamp is gorgeous. Love the art you made, the journal page is gorgeous, as is the wonderful tag you made for Tag Tuesday, much appreciated. Have a great T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  3. You sure pack a lot of art into a single post, Linda. Your bird's nest in your plant really impressed me. I had one of those one year, but some critter got to the hanging basket and killed all the baby birds. I'm glad yours are faring better.

    I really enjoyed the lovely art you made for Jo's theme at Art Journal Journey. It's very pretty and very oriental. Thanks for sharing it there.

    I've never had a margarita, but I'm not a drinker, so I'm sure you aren't surprised. I think some will really appreciate it. I've never heard of more than one margarita, though, so Bill was quite adventurous.

    Thanks for sharing your baby birds, your lovely lock and key tag, your beautiful oriental art journal page, and your margaritas with us for T this Tuesday.

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  4. What a beautiful friends tag! How lovely to have found the nest too, it's so cool to see the eggs and chicks and that's one big mouth ...lol 😉. A martini is a mixture of gin and vermouth, they area bit strong for me so I don't tend to drink them, it would be fun to try the one with pomegranate though as I like sweet and fruit based cocktails best ...lol 😉. Your Japanese inspired journal page is gorgeous, such a beautiful design with the monochrome and pink - perfect! Thanks so much for joining us at Art Journal Journey and Happy T Day! J 😊

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  5. i have never had a martini but i would love to try one.. I'am a mixed drink person but hubby is not.. although he likes a rum and coke or whiskey and coke.. Your nest reminds me of how much fun it was in CA to watch the baby hummingbirds hatch and grow.. They grow so fast!!! Will be interesting to see if that is a different bird.. LOVE your turkish lamps! All that detail just sings doesn't it!! I used to watch the ArtSherpa all the time and i have since moved to her mother GingerCook.. Love Cinnamon but i find Ginger is a little more the style i'd like to pursue.. Happy Tday hugs Linda!! deb

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  6. i know the habit of let breeding the eggs by other birds only from the cuckoo - not sure if you have them over there? it´s such a joy to see the little birds in their nest. i only have closed bird houses because of the cat...
    wonderful artwork as well, linda! and i would be tempted by the turkish lamps, too!
    have a great week and happy t-day:)

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  7. I love your tag and page Linda, and those Turkish lamps are stunning! Never had a martini either, I prefer a beer.
    Happy T-Day,
    Alison xx

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  8. Hihi, maybe the cow bird played the egg trick!Lovely nature shots Linda!
    I love your asian inspired page- think it turned out really nice- art sherpa and angela anderson gingercook Lindsay weinrich - this woman are all so talented and so generous to share their work - ok. I think the get money via theri YT channels - but much deserved!
    And I am happy to see this fabulous piece linked to Art Journal Journey and Moo Mania & More dear Linda- much appreciated!
    Your tag is so gorgeous as well - made with so much love and talented Mixed Media hands and the lamps look amazing both and the drinks look fantastic to me as well.
    You were so nice to me recently, that I am so busy online beside of family and house and dogs! I can tell you that I sometimes am really tired in the evening ... but I love the challenges so much and it seems I am addicted to Art Journaling and Mixed Media.
    So I steal the time from housework often. Lately I am very good organized - it surprises me - but maybe I get finally grown up...lol!

    Hugs, Susi

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  9. Great shots of the bird nest and babies, Linda. I can't tell if the brown egg hatched yet. I'm curious to know what kind of bird emerges.

    I don't like martini's at all. But I love your Turkish lamps. You were lucky to get the second one. You must have been delighted it was still there.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  10. Fabulous art pieces you shared today, I loved the painting of the flowers in the jar.
    The young bird chicks in your hanger looked amazing, mother bird mustn't mind you being close to the nest if she waits for you to leave.
    The lamps also look beautiful, they must look good lit when it gets dark.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  11. I really like your tag, perfectly vintage style. Those baby birds are too cute. How much fun you must be having watching from the egg on. Your floral painting is lovely, I can see the Japanese influence.

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  12. Your tag is so lovely and the flower painting is very pretty as well! What sweet bird pictures and I'm glad you were able to get both lamps.

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  13. those pink flowers painting is awesome! love it!

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  14. Don't like martinis at all! Love your little birds and your friend tag is awesome!

    Happy Times to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  15. the lamps are gorgeous. I'm not big on mixed drinks. My Eldest enjoys the foo-foo tinis. A martini is gin and vermouth. How sweet to have baby birds and a mama bird who is patient with you. That is one hungry baby! Your sumi-e painting is lovely. I use sumi ink when I letter as it is a nice dense black. Happy T Day

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  16. Love both the tag and the painted page. So different from each other yet both so well done!! I am a fan of a good dirty martini with gin of course.
    Happy T day!

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  17. Such lovely pieces! Great photos of the birds - I missed having a nest this year on our porch.

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  18. Those Turkish lamps are so gorgeous! I am looking for something along the same line but in hanging form for my entrance way. Those globes are amazing and I can't imagine the craftsmanship put into them.
    Those bird eggs are beautiful! I am not very happy when the birds build nests in my hanging pots as they destroy some of the plant. But once they lay eggs it is enjoyable to watch the process of them hatching.
    Beautiful vintage tag for Tag Tuesday! I love those paper dolls.
    happy Belated Tea Day,
    Kate

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  19. Wow, you do a lot of challenges and keep up, that is so impressive to me. How cool to have a bird's nest that close. I hope bird moma can keep up with the extra kid?!

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  20. If your bird nest was in the UK I would say it had to be a cuckoo's egg and baby. Love your lamps, so gorgeous. And it was great to connect with you on Instagram too!

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  21. A wonderful tag for Tag Tuesday, thank you. Some other lovely art work and photographs as well.

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  22. I've never tried a martini, but keep thinking I will some day. The baby birds are the cutest, and wow!! You've been busy making lots of art. :) How do you keep up with all those challenges every week?

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  23. wonderful art projects. :) I'm late to Instagram as well.

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  24. Can see how much you enjoy Cape May ~ wonderful lamps and food and all ~ and your creations are wonderful!

    Happy Times to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  25. Your art journal page is very pretty!
    I love those photos of the bird;s nest and I'd bet that the Cow Bird did leave that mom an extra mouth to feed :)
    Great post! You sure keep busy and beautifully so~

    Happy PPF!

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  26. I smile every time I see those birds with their wide open beaks. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  27. Great post and so much interesting to see. What a magical bird world news. I know one bird which lays eggs to the others nest but dont know in English the namen.
    Love especially your sweet tag.
    Happy weekend 🌼

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  28. Lovely work this week, so glad you got your beautiful Turkish lamp!

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  29. I loved your photos of the bird nest. I surely do hope that brown speckled egg isn't one of those types of chicks who gets rid of the other babies! Your art is lovely, by the way.

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  30. Ohh the sweet floral is just right for an etergami. luv it
    Happy PPF. Thanks for dropping by my blog today

    much love...

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  31. What pretty delicate little eggs! How cool you knew what birds they would be! And I am totally drawn in by that mysterious egg. The only weird egg thing I know is that terrible cuckoo birds lay their egg in someone else's next, and the cuckoo chick hatches first and rolls the other eggs out of the nest, and grows bigger than the unwitting adoptive parents as they continue to struggle to feed it. It makes me mad just typing that. ANYWAY, I hope this extra egg hatches a different mysterious but small bird that does not murder the others.

    And finally, absolutely cherish your friends. We should all be reminded from time to time! :)

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  32. yep, looks like an egg imposter to me
    and instagram is great to fin other artist and inspiration :)

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  33. Awesome Tag..loving the image of the girls...
    Thank you for joining us at Tag Tuesday..x
    Fabulous photos of the nest and chicks...

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  34. beautiful lamps :) Love your flowers too. :)

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  35. Lovely tags. It'll be interesting for you to watch the birds develop.

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  36. You are so talented ~ every thing is lovely ~ ! xxx

    Happy Times to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  37. How wonderful to have this nest in your garden and being able to watch it so closely! Interesting about that egg. I only know of the cuckoo to place its egg in other birds' nests, but I thought she chucks the other eggs out. I've never had a Martini, never really fancied one. Probably because of the olive. Great artwork too!

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!