Round 14

"Optimism won't change the situation. But optimism will change how the situation feels." found here

My friend Sandy learned through her "Picture This" app that what I was calling "catchfly" is actually "Ragged-Robin."  And....after looking it up and reading more about it I'm certain she's right.

Thanks Sandy!

Round 14 of our 4 x 6 exchange is under our belt....and here are the stats: 14 rounds x three weeks in each round means we've been doing this for 42 weeks. It also means each of us have made 42 cards and that's 126 little art cards in the world. That's got to be a good thing thing!  

Here are the round 14 cards I got from Brenda and Becky.

Brenda painted sweet little shells on one of her gelli prints.

And Becky created a sticker extravaganza! 

There's nothing but stickers and washi tape.....and it's two sided...and it's awesome!

My inspiration for round 14 came from my recent thumbnail sketching class.....and doing Becky's card is what got me started with my evening painting routine.

The colors in her card were inspired by a photo of her plant pots I took a few summers ago when I last visited last.  I was just going for the color scheme....and didn't really think about shapes.  I wish I would have.  

Becky is a master at putting pots together.

I wish I would have developed it a bit more....instead I just accentuated some of the lines in the watercolor and turned them into little mini swatch designs.....but I do think it gives a nod to her plant colors.

I'm quite fond of my gold paint pen.....I do like a little glitz once in while.

For Brenda's I snuck this fun photo of her cat off her facebook page.  

I went looking for garden photos....but was kind of intrigued this one. This time I tried to use not only the colors....but also some of the shapes like the toe end of the blue slippers and the black and green cords.  I even added some white whiskers.

It's always better in my head but it's just fine.

Since I've been painting simple shapes over and over recently....for this week's keeper card I decided to just paint the colors of the plants and blooms in my garden this spring.....simple and sweet. I have loved everything about this spring.

Round 14 ✔

Final Round

I'm just loving the pop of pink of the catchyfly by the pond....I have to stop and look closely every time I walk by.  It's not like it changes....but it's just so new for me so I can't get enough of it. And I saw it in one other spot....so hopefully there will be more next year. 

And to be real honest....I'm not even sure that's what it is. So if anyone knows differently....let me know.

Eliza and I will do one more exchange of our art journals.....then this shared art project will be finished.

I just sent her this one to her to fill up that I will keep....and I will fill up the one she sends to me for her to keep.   

I spilled some paint on my cover so I added the flower....kind of like a journal bandaid.

I already posted about my bug page.....and I started a big bug on another page that I hope she finishes. 

I did a cutout around one of her green circles on the opposite page to match up with the body of the bug. And maybe she'll chose to color in the oval on the next page too which will also match up with the cutout.  I did some simple doodles around her yellow painting blobs.

I also hope she colors in the rainbow for me and there are other pages for her to do anything she wants.  

I gave her kitty a rainbow shirt.....and did some doodling inside her green circles. I've enjoyed using her shapes as starting off places and I'm looking forward to the final round...and whatever might come next. 

Vintage Tins

I've got a good start on Philippa's Vintage Tins puzzle. 

And it makes me happy when I sit down at my table and there's a little pile waiting for me to assemble. 

Like most of my puzzles....I'm taking taking it slow so it lasts a while.

Philippa did a live Instagram video where she shared the stories of these collected tins and she showed us what was inside. She spent a long time trying to open one that was stuck.....and finally got into it but the end of the video.  It was filled with almost the exact same things I got in some tins from Angie....buttons and and other sewing notions.  I have such fond memories of looking through my grandmother's button tin.

Paul had a collection of old bandaid tins he was ready to get rid of after the move....he's a bit of a collector too.

We decided to keep a few and transfer the bandages from the cardboard boxes into the tins from now on. Form and function....and a good way to honor his collection.  And it's just more fun to open a tin than a cardboard box!

This particular tin was from his high school years because he recognized the 69 cent Derby Hill Market price stamp on the top.  He should know....because he worked at the Market most of those high school years....and summers home from college.  They really wanted him to stay on and make it a career as a manager.....but I think he made the right choice.

This is another one we kept....and it's full of Band-Aids again. Gotta' love vintage tins.

Delighting

 "Keep nurturing your curiosity and creativity and never stop delighting in what you discover."  Morgan Harper Nichols

I discovered my first teeny tiny little Bowman's Root bloom....and I couldn't be more delighted.  Everyday there's something new to discover in the garden....and beyond this time of year.

This plant was a split from my sister Nancy....and it's become one of my favorites.  A "handsome plant" with very special tiny buds and sweet little blooms.

How can it not be celebrated!

It's twice the size as last year.....a delicate and airy plant loaded in buds that are so tiny you can't even see them unless you're up close.....just adding to the delight.

And Paul was quite tickled with his found object of the day.....a tiny red snake.  Perfect!

"Never stop delighting in what you discover."

Pink

I'm celebrating pink today.

I fell in love with these whimsical and wispy pink flowers scattered all through the meadow yesterday.....like something you'd find in a Dr. Seuss Book. 

   

The mowers are starting to leave an unmowed berm around the pond in our condo complex to keep grass clippings from getting in and help with erosion.  This allows more wildflowers to come up along the banks....and lo and behold these wispy pink flowers are there too.  

And just this evening I did a little research and I'm pretty sure they are called "catchfly"....new to me!  And now they're just steps away from my door.

And how can I not celebrate the pink of my rain lilies....lots of buds coming.

And I have to share these pink lupin Alyson happened upon in Colorado!  I love her photographs of all the stages.....I've not seen Lupin quits so plump,

There's even a touch of pink in the 1000 piece forever stamp puzzle finished on Margie's table.  She had fun with this one....and I will to! The move to "forever" stamps was one of the best things the Post Office has done!

Meadows

Paul has been exploring areas in and around Portland on his new e-bike....and finding new spots for us to walk.  Sometimes it's urban neighborhoods....and this morning it was part of Portland Trails.

This Forest City Trail is behind Portland Arts and Technology High School just a few miles away. There were lovely meadows and some wooded areas in the loop we walked.

The meadows were filled with wildflowers....including big patches of purple and I had to get closer to see what they were.

I was surprised to find that they were large patches of Siberian Iris scattered here and there. Not what I expected....but they were just beautiful.  Our timing was impeccable....because they were at their peak.

There was an unexpected tractor tire suspended in the trees.....an interesting art element. A round shape in a vertical landscape is quite striking.

There was a meadow with a circle of wren houses....probably made by students at the high school.  

The sun made the meadows just glow.....it was stunning.

Both Paul and I agree there is something delightful about a meadow.

Blobs of Color

I filled my day with joy....all day long.

I love these cut paper messages from Lynn Giunta.  They're just so simple...and happy.  

https://www.instagram.com/lynn_giunta/

"I am a maker of things, creating happy art and positive words with scissors and cut paper. I am always looking for the magic in the scraps and unexpected pieces left behind."  Lynn Giunta

I painted again last night.....but this time rather than blocks of color I painted blobs of color....with a few polka dots.  The tiny dots are gold....but they don't show in the photo.

I'm kind of on a roll to acquaint myself with the colors in the different paint sets I have....and this one is called Currents by Art Philosophy.  I have three different sets of this brand....and they have wonderful rich color.

Yes....there are some tiny blocks of color there too.

It looks like I'm missing a pan....hmmmm.

And I had a little time this afternoon and painted smaller blobs.  

I wasn't kidding when I said I couldn't stop.....so I'm just going to keep going.