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

Poppy (and Puppy) Love

 How is everyone doing? I was kept busy all last week with dog sitting duties, and despite the fact that it rained every day except one it didn't stop Riley and I from going for a walk each day. He completely bonded with me and I loved having him!

  I miss him already but am glad knowing I can see him anytime.
Now I'm busy trying to help my Mom get situated with a trip to France to visit family this summer. I'm hoping we get tickets and such done tomorrow when we go back to the travel agent.  Last week after we went there the first time and did some shopping Mom treated me to dinner and we went to Va Va's Creperie Café again! So this is for Bleubeard and Elizabeth and peeps at T Stands For Tuesday (and if you're reading this Carol R. that is our next lunch date-coming soon:):

 Mom got the Lyon( her favorite) with chicken, mushrooms, swiss cheese and bechamel. And I went for another I hadn't had before-pesto. As you can see - lots of spinach,turkey, gruyere, sun dried tomato sauce and pesto. SO good!

 At Try It On Tuesday the challenge is "Destinations" for another week so I made a tag:

 I am also joining the Simon Monday Challenge for this week "Inspired by a Song". All I could keep humming to was "Come Fly with Me" by Michael Bublé and now I dare you not to hum along:):)

 Products: Tim Holtz Distress Tag, Paper Dolls, Quote Chips, Chit Chat stickers, layering stencil(Mosaic); modeling paste; postage washi tape(Recollections); Distress Spray Stains in Fossilized Amber, Twisted Citron; Dylusions Ink Spray in London Blue; Circle stamp - Bokeh dots (Ellen Hutson); script stamp Wall Art (Wow!); Archival Jet Black ink; word snap at tag hole- unknown.

 This card is for the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Stencil It),  Moo Mania and More (Even More Flowers), and the Simon Says Flickr Challenge #97:

The background stencil is one I made using the gorgeous Clustered Leaves die from Simon Says Stamp!

 Other Products; Neenah Classic Solar White 110# card stock; thin cardboard(to make the stencil); Altenew Peony Bouquet Stamp and Die set, Label Love stamp set; Colorbox Chalk inks- gray Whale, Prussian Blue; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Colorbox Pigment ink- Pink; Distress inks- Mowed Lawn, Worn Lipstick; Archival inks- Sky Blue, Leaf green; Simon Says Stamp Moonshine sequins.

 And now, for the poppies! Anyone that's been here before knows how much I love poppies- especially the Oriental red ones so of course for Paint Party Friday and Art Journal Journey (theme is Flora and Fauna) I painted a poppy field using a palette knife inspired by a You Tube video by Angela Anderson:

 I just HAD to make mine using striking reds and orange :):) if you type"poppies" in the search bar at the top on the right you can see my other paintings and such.

 Some detail shots:

  We are heading into another holiday- Memorial Day next Monday so most will have  the day off from work. It's usually a first beach weekend for lots of people or backyard picnics and grilling.Not sure what we'll be doing yet, maybe even nothing- how about you?

 Thanks as always for popping in. Have a wonderful week!

    " If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."  
                                                                           Vincent Van Gogh

T is For Lots of Things

 Letting you all know in advance this post is photo heavy - with a big mix of things so I'm going to get right to it!

 First up: There is a new challenge at Try It On Tuesday and the theme is "Destinations". I am Guest Designer and for the next two weeks I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Here's my inspiration to get you started:

 First stop - Paris! Products for my postcard: 140# watercolor paper; music and text papers; white gesso; Paris label ( Cavallini); Paper Dolls Quote Chip (Tim Holtz); French postage stamp; various washi tapes; Archival Jet Black ink.

 More photos from Cape May:

 I love visiting the alpaca farm and feeding them baby carrots! They are just the sweetest- and no one got spit at this round:) Do you think Bill looks like one of them? lol!

 Speaking of cuteness:

We are dog sitting Riley for the whole week and he is a love! First night was rough though - he just couldn't settle anywhere and whined a bit off and on- so we didn't get much sleep. It was like getting up every other hour for a baby-and I am too old for this anymore! Thankfully he's been fine since.

 Back to Cape May and I have a special place to share with the T Stands For Tuesday gang- the Tea By The Sea Shop:

     I cannot believe that it was established in 2002 and this was my first visit!

 This store was huge and at every turn there was something else to see! This is going to be another regular stop when in town:) I did get a small amount of loose health tea (relaxation) and two scone mix packages. I made the raspberry white chocolate one so far. So easy and delicious-just slightly sweet. I'd definitely buy this brand again!

 For the Simon Monday Challenge (theme is Stencil It) I made a simple tag:

 Products: manila tag; spray inks (Inkadinkado); Distress Oxide ink-Faded Jeans; white, black paint; Tim Holtz Layering Stencils- Mosaic, Linen; Silhouette of Flowers stencil, bee stamp (Magenta); Archival Jet Black ink; Stickles glitter glue; washi tape (Recollections); Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker.

 And finally I got back to doing another lesson in Tam Laporte's Lifebook 2015 series. This one is 'Seeds Of Love'. It was so good to get all painty and messy again! I worked on it off and on throughout the weekend adding the doodles and such after the base layer and drawing was done.

                                                      First layer

                                                     after many layers

                                                        Finished!

 Some detail shots:

  Joining in at Art Journal Journey (theme is Flora and Fauna), and Paint Party Friday. Many thanks for stopping in!

" Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all."                         Robert Louis Stevenson

Back In The Game

 Hello everyone, it's been awhile! Hubby and I unplugged and spent almost a week in our beloved Victorian seaside town of Cape May, NJ. We've been going there 25 years now and each time we get into town we say how much it feels like home. It only rained during a night or two, the days were mostly sunny, albeit sometimes quite chilly and windy. It didn't stop me from doing this though:

Only lasted a brief moment because it felt like I stuck my feet in a bucket of ice! Had a wonderful time. Met up with some CM friends along with new people visiting, went to some favorite places to eat, went back to the alpaca farm, did lots of beach and town walking, and found a fabulous tea shop- all of which I will share gradually in my posts:)

 A big hi to Bleubeard and Elizabeth and the T Stands For Tuesday gang! For this week I'll share our dinner the first night in CM. A favorite place- Oyster Bay Restaurant and Bar . This is one place we really enjoy eating at the bar and chatting with people.

A crab cake sandwich, waffle fries and Stella Artois for Bill

while I chose another flatbread-fresh veggie- sauteed with roasted peppers, spinach, zucchini, yellow squash with fresh pesto and a glass of merlot. Bill had to help me a bit but the flatbread was very thin and crisp-very light :)

 When I got home I made this collage in my calendar journal. And here are the completed pages for April:

  For the Simon Monday Challenge (theme is "ombré") I have this card:

 Products: white cardstock, black cardstock; lotus acetate sheet (Stamp On It); stitched circles dies (Our Daily Bread Designs);  several pink and yellow markers; glitter glue; vintage gold dresden corners.

 And for Art Journal Journey (this month's theme is flora and fauna - hosted by Jo);  Moo Mania and More (theme is flowers), and Paint Party Friday I have this journal page:

 (You may remember the similar style painting I did in this post inspired by the Art Sherpa You Tube videos). Page covered with black gesso. Acrylic paints, brushes and q tips. I have two double white lilac bushes in the yard and they are finally blooming and smell gorgeous!

 My days are getting busier with gatherings and events, and of course the fine weather has me outdoors quite a bit so my art time may wane a bit and that's OK. Oh, and next week we'll be dog sitting a friend's shih tzu for a whole week and I cannot wait!!
              Does your art time fade and then pick up as the seasons change?

 Sunday is Mother's Day here in the US, so I want to wish everyone an especially happy and loving day!

" Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life."  Rumi