Monday, March 18, 2019

Flowers and Springtime


 Wednesday marks the official first day of Spring here in the Northern hemisphere -yay! It's still a bit cold and it seems that trees, flowers and bushes are late in budding but it can't be far away now.

 Last Friday it was very (record breaking) warm and a perfect birthday day for me with sunshine, and some intermittent thunderstorms (which I love when it's warm and I can sit outside, or at least have the back door open for). I enjoyed a quiet day and evening and enjoyed  the surprise flowers and mail and phone calls:


 We spent much of Saturday downtown celebrating St. Patrick's Day festivities. The temp had dropped drastically from the previous day and it was VERY cold with very gusty winds but we braved it and it was worth it!

 No pics of the main parade as we chose to go in the hotel and watch what we could from the windows. However, we did get to see the doggie parade that took place outside of Donegal Square beforehand and I did take a few pics:

                                 This is an Irish dog- a Glen of Imaal terrier.






  There was a contest with prizes awarded (no idea who won what). There was a large turnout of dogs and humans and I loved getting up close with the dogs! It was not easy to photograph them as they were all too interested in checking out the competition:) It seemed that most of them didn't mind the costumes, and the entry fees all went to a local animal shelter. But, nope, I couldn't put any dog of mine in a costume! Oh, and a few even had socks on!!

 For T Stands For Tuesday I'll share the beer we enjoyed...


 at the Hotel Bethlehem amongst the crazy crowds, great music, and friends:

Next post I'll share a few pics of our friend Lynn's baby shower. You can tell just how cold the day was by my bulky layers!

 Art Time!

 Here is a tag I made to welcome spring, and for the Simon Monday Challenge (Miniature/Tiny Things) and Tag Tuesday (theme is Hares and Rabbits):



 papers, stickers, stamps, pompom from the Simon Says Stamp March 2018 card kit. The kit has been sold out but you can buy the supplies individually. Other products: Distress ink- Tea Dye; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Stickles glitter glue; alcohol markers; twine.

 Speaking of Spring, flowers, and my birthday, I was gifted with art supplies of my choice which literally just arrived:


 I love flowers and Dina Wakley so as soon as I saw these newly released stamps I knew I just HAD to have them!! I had purchased 4 of her paints to try and love them so much I also got a few more-the last four on the right are also a new release - of soft neutral colors. And lastly - a new Tim Holtz release of collage tissue paper -this one is "typography". I know it will be used often!

 This journal page is meant for Art Journal Journey theme is "Hello Springtime"), Moo Mania and More (theme is "Close to Nature"), and of course Paint Party Friday:


  The sentiment sticker translates to "my soul lies in the sun". I have used this on other projects as I was gifted with a set of these stickers both in French and English (sorry I don't remember who gave them to me). The darling bee is from a napkin my dear sweet friend Patty S. just sent me along with a beautiful photo card for my birthday.

  That's it for now. Wishing you all a wonderful week!

" Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn."  Lewis Grizzard



31 comments:

  1. Yes, am ready for Spring! Lovely Spring tag. Love the dog in St Patrick's costume! Happy T Day!

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  2. Beautiful artwork. Adorable bunny tag. And it sounds like a wonderful St. Patty's Day.
    Looks like you got some wonderful goodies for your birthday. Those flower stamps look very versatile.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  3. Glad you had a wonderful birthday with sunshine and great gifts, happy belated birthday! Love the art, especially the beautiful tag, of course, thanks so much for joining us again at Tag Tuesday. Enjoy your new goodies. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  4. so nice to see your lucky family smiling together! and pregnancy in winter is better than in a hot summer;)
    your spring entry has the most apt colors and great details! beautifully composed!
    happy t-day!

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  5. I'm back and will play catch-up as best I can. This has been a very trying time being without internet, but I HOPE this has been the cure. I'll explain on Wednesday, because it's too convoluted to explain here.

    Once again, I am caught off guard. I had NO idea it was your birthday. I have to write it down so I don't get caught off guard again. Looks like lots of people sent wonderful goodies and cards, at least. Getting art supplies is a wonderful idea, too. You certainly chose well.

    LOVED the dogs in their St. Patrick's outfits. SO cute. I would gladly share a Guinness with you. I only like stout beer, so that I would gladly drink.

    You have some wonderful art today. I am so impressed with your journal page featuring Jo's theme at Art Journal Journey. It's a beauty.

    Thanks for sharing your spring inspired post, your journal page, and your Guinness beer with us for T this Tuesday. And of course, happy belated birthday, too.

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  6. I LOVE the wonderful "My soul lies in the sun" page you linked to AJJ and MM& M dear Linda. Absolutely adorable and feminine and it makes me so happy to see you linking to the challenges - THANK YOU VERY MUCH♥♥♥!I am happy to hear you had such a nice birthday and celebrated St. Patrick's day in such a fab way! Thank you for the amazing fun dog photos - my dogs shake their heads... specially our girl dog is never wearing anything except of her own beauty...lol.
    You got some lovely new supplies! Great! And I love the pretty spring tag you made!
    Looking forward to seeing photos of Lynn's baby shower.
    I wouldn't mind a glass of Guiness just now .....

    Cheers and happy T-Day my arty friend!
    What a lovely post this week!

    Hugs, Susi

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  7. I like all of the dog costumes for Saint Patrick's Day! The bar with the drinks looked nice. Lovely artwork. Happy T-Day!

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  8. Beautiful art projects Linda, the bunny tag looks so sweet.It was good to read you had a Happy birthday your chosen goodies looked super.
    I really feel for the dressed up dogs. Our dogs over the years would never let us do that to them, however they looked cute.
    Happy T day wishes Linda.
    Yvonne xx

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  9. Oh I trust you had a great birthday and what a fun St Paddy's Day ~ love the doggies!
    Your tag art is giving me a great uplift ~ not feeling well and winter temps still around but your tag art is exquisite and delightful! Thanks!

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  10. Happy Belated Birthday! I'm happy to see warmer weather and sunshine and an end to the dreary winter rain. The dog parade looks delightful :) Happy T Tuesday

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  11. It looks like you had such a wonderful birthday, what fun! Your spring tag and journal page look amazing 😁. The little bunny on your tag is so cute and wow, what a stunning journal page, the colours, texture and images are so beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at Art Journal Journey and happy T Day! J 😊 x

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  12. None of my dogs would have ever went for putting on a custom, but my granddaughters did decorate my last dog with stickers and chalk LOL!
    All your art is beautiful, and would not have passed on those stamps either.
    Happy T-day

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  13. Happy belated birth day! I'm glad you all had such a good time. Personally I don't like to see dogs dressed up. Poor things, but they didn't seem to mind.
    Your journal page is stunning. I to love the little bee.
    The Lewis Grizzard quote at the end is beautiful.
    Happy T-Day,
    Lisca

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  14. Happy Birthday! Sounds like a fine celebration with cards and calls. And a natural fireworks to boot. The dogs certainly don't look like they mind the wearin' o'the green. Your tag and journal page are so pretty. Enjoy your new craft supplies and use them in good health. Happy T Day

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  15. Happy Birthday and Happy St. Patrick's Day, Linda! Your birthday is easy for me to remember because my brother Patrick was born the 17th. I love the doggie parade - so cute. But I wouldn't dare put a costume on our Sadie either. She would freak out for sure.

    Love your spring tag and your new art supplies. This was a very fun post to read. Thanks for sharing your joy with us for T.

    Happy T-day! Eileen xx

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  16. Oh such a loving and creative post ~ and the Guiness sure looks good ~ wish I could drink ~ still not sure what to eat or drink ~ hope to feel better soon ~

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  17. Oh boy art supplies ~ what fun! And I agree I don't like dressing up my yorkie ~ they are not dolls they are fur persons! ^_^

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  18. Ohh Linda, My best wishes for your Birthday !! Congratulations ! (sorry two days later )You may have had a lovely day, lot of cards ! These dogs are so beautiful !
    I adore your Art journal page, love the wonderful background and the so pretty colours, Gorgeous !! Amazing.
    I wish you a very nice Friday, and send
    Big hugs. Caty

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  19. Beautiful spring page and a lovely tag!

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  20. Happy PPF and have a great weekend. Love the poppy header! Hugs, Valerie

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  21. Congratulations for your birthday which seems to go with joy and good friends.
    Your art is beautiful as always.
    Happy PPF and weekend 😘

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  22. Happy Spring my friend.
    Thanks for sharing the fun doggie parade from your downtown
    Happy you dropped by my blog today

    Much💚love

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  23. Wonderful mixed media creation ~ lovely spring like colors too!

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

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  24. Wishing you a delightful weekend and happy creating ~ ^_^

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

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  25. Pretty journal page and cute tag. I bet you'll have fun playing with your new art supplies.

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  26. Lovely soft colours on your great journal page. Thank you also for entering your bunny tag on Tag Tuesday.

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  27. The last few days it felt like spring here in North Idaho, and snow is going away.
    Dogs are sure looking like there having a good time.
    Happy PPF

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  28. Very Happy Belated Birthday! You must have had a lot of fun watching the doggy parade. Both of your spring cards are lovely. I specially love the sweet wellies! Have fun with your new art supplies.

    -Soma

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  29. I love it! So peaceful and calming yet Spring thrilling 🌸💕

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  30. So good to see all your beautiful creativity ~ hope you had a great weekend ^_^

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

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  31. My favorite this week is the last one. Very pleasing to look at :)

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