Little Scraps

"Sometimes it is enough just to listen to music and cut and paste little scraps of hand painted papers." Rebecca Sower 

Keeping with the round 16 theme for our 4 x 6 exchange I used some precious little scraps from my hand painted papers.  This time I created a very simple patchwork like piece inspired by the artist who taught the "Land and Sky" course, Rebecca Sower. 

When I was making these papers I mostly made blues....because it was hard to stop.  I realized when I made Brenda's landscape card last week I will really lacking in the greens and other colors so I'll have to get back to making more. I really like the not so perfect hand painted patterns and textured look.

 

Rebecca Sower is mixed media artist from Tennessee and I've been following her for quite some time on Instagram.  Her work is organic and beautiful...and I just love her simple style.  When I saw that she was teaching an online class called "Land and Sky" I got really excited.  But it was during a busy stretch back during the move.  I got as far as making papers....and hope to get back to the videos and lessons....thank goodness I have lifetime access.

My simple patchwork piece was inspired by this post on her Instagram page...and her caption was the quote at the top of this post: "Sometimes it is enough just to listen to music and cut and paste little scraps of hand painted papers."  I absolutely love her mix of papers....and her wonky stitched circle.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNZ6qC8gEk3/

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasower/

Just winging it....

Sometimes simple is the way to go....this is one of my favorite cards so far....and took about 15 minutes to make.  Lesson learned.

Becky's card came today.....so round 16 is a wrap!

Becky used more supplies from the "Art Box" gift from her kids....this time gelatos, Faber Castell pens, a water brush, and watercolor.  Doesn't it look like a soft summer day?

Round 16

Liz made it back to Denver safely....and I spent the day inching my way back into my routine. It's always good to change things up...but then there's nothing better than getting back to the familiar.  It's all good. 

I did get my keeper card done for round 16 of our 4 x 6 exchange today....but I'll write about that tomorrow. Today I'll catch up on the others.  My only theme this time was to use the hand painted textured papers I made a while back.  I made a seascape for Becky....which I already shared here....and this landscape for Brenda. 

I might have given this another go if I had time....but it was right before Liz came and I was busy puttering around the house. So this one had to do.

There are many things I would do differently....but I'll be playing around with landscapes again so I'll count this as a practice. 

I worked within a general 4 x 6 area...then cut it down.  It was much better in my head.....but I do love these textured papers...and I do know I need more a variety of greens and other colors.  This was the only photo I took part way through.

I think more hand embellishments would have helped....and I certainly second guessed the big sun swirl.

I still love this grassy art paper.....I use it sparingly as I haven't been able to find it again.

I just got Brenda's card a few days ago and think it's pretty clever.  She made a strip collage using magazine papers then used a cut stencil design in black cardstock for an overlay.  I think the stencil pattern is unique....and the papers showing through give it a nice effect.  Well done Brenda! I'm expecting Becky's card from last week anytime.

Out Exploring

Today is Liz's last day here in Portland.  She took a drive this morning with Margie and Paul....and she and I spent the afternoon exploring the coast stopping at some of my favorite spots: Kettle Cove, Two Lights, and Willard Beach. That's one of the plusses of having house guests....they get you out exploring....and Maine hardly ever disappoints.

Liz has always enjoyed beach combing.....just like me.

How did I get to be so lucky to live in a place with access to such natural beauty!

It's because of this guy.  We had Liz take some photos of us....so much better than a selfie. 

Life is good with the guy.

Meadow Rue

Today I'm celebrating my meadow rue.  I've had a taller plant for a few years against my fence....but it blooms at about the 7 ft mark...so I can't really enjoy it up close.  It also must not be the best location because it doesn't bloom as robustly as ones friends have.

But this spring I bought a shorter version blooming at about 3 to 4 feet....and I've been watching it for weeks.  It has several branches of buds and they're just now starting to open. 

The buds start as these incredible lavender pearls....so delicate and nearly impossible to photograph.  Believe me....I've tried quite a few times.

The plant is airy and wispy....almost like lace....you can barely see it in this photo....but it's so pretty in person. It adds yet another wonderful texture to the garden. Even though the plant is taller than others around it....it doesn't block them.....so it can go anywhere.  I'm going to be shopping for more to tuck in.

And I love the combo of the pinky purple with my purple coral bell....and it goes well with all the limes and yellows.

The blooms are tiny and sweet....and more pink than purple with fringy yellow stamens.

Here is my taller one right now....blooming and beautiful....but way up there. What's not to celebrate about meadow rue!

Puzzle People

A few nights ago I went to bed early and I heard Liz humming....for quite a while into the night.

My first thought was how nice that she was so comfortable and content...and in such a good mood.  It warmed my heart.  

I woke up the next morning to find my Forever Stamp puzzle nearly done....that's what she was doing while she was humming....clear evidence that she needs a permanent puzzle table at her house. 

I woke up this morning and the puzzle was done.

Paul's older sister Liz and her mom, Margie....serious puzzle people just like me.

Nooks and Crannies

"What if despite what was missing there was still open space for living? And you found joy in the everyday and saw the waiting in a new way?"  Morgan Harper Nichols.

Paul and I came upon these beauties on our walk....and they made me stop in my tracks.

Sometimes I get impatient and bogged down in the waiting and wishing for the way I want things to be with my time and my spaces. But I have to remind myself  to make peace with where I'm at....and continue to find joy in daily tasks and celebrate the spaces in between...no matter how small. Magic happens in those nooks and crannies.

All day long there was joy in tasks and chores getting done and meaningful interactions with people I love.

And beautiful hydrangeas help too!

Bug Light Picnic

If you know me at all....you knew this rainbow wreath from yesterday's fibers was inevitable. I've got plans for these.

Today was outing day.  We scooped up Margie and did a little sightseeing around Portland and beyond and had a picnic at Bug Light Park. It's always a good day when you connect with family.....and Casco Bay.

Liz had to tend to some business on the phone......so I didn't get photos of her and her mom....but will one of the next days.  

We had a great view for our picnic.  There was morning fog that was lifting....but it made for a beautiful scene.

As many of you know....I love the Bug Light.

There's a pretty little garden that was just filled with bees and butterflies.  

Rain Lilies

We've had a lot of rain lately....and the rain lilies, being true to their name, are loving it!

I snipped off the old blooms that were a little soggy and there are least 18 buds coming...probably more. They just keep on giving.

While Liz is here we've been doing a lot of visiting....which I'm loving...but I also like to keep my hands busy.  I had a big blob of mixed up fibers I've wanted to sort and organize for a long time...many of them from my fabulous visit with Barbara Willis.  You can read about that here: http://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/12/just-giddy.html

So while we've been visiting....I've been rolling little bundles of fiber. I have more to do....but there's going to be more visiting so it's all good. 

Speaking of visiting here's Paul and Liz visiting on the back patio.....where you'll find all of most late afternoon and evenings. And...we're enjoying the rain lilies.

Standing Tall

There's nothing quite like a single sunflower standing tall saying "good morning world!"

This one greeted us on our walk.

"Until further notice...let's celebrate everything!"  Author unknown

And there's potential for one tall one in my pot. I may regret not thinning the seedlings....then again it may all work out just fine.  

And here's a little glimpse into how I spent part of my day....working on Brenda's card with my textured and painted papers. It went out in the mail today.

This is a sure sign you've gone straight from the sewing machine to happy hour.

And....I've been cutting way back on sugar and Paul's presentation of my evening dessert made me smile. He's pretty good to me.