Completed Sacred Heart...

 

I finished the Sacred Heart Brooch and it now sits on a special pincushion next to my first Immaculate Heart. I'm working out the details for the lilies for the Most Chaste Heart, but in the meantime, I'll set up another of each of these two to make available in my shop for purchase. 

It was a long day yesterday, but I think we narrowed down that it's not a neurological issue with Bella, which is a good thing. I think there's still a CT scan in her future, along with a possible change in medication, but we're narrowing down the issue. I'm waiting for a call back from the clinic, but I think her next appointment will be back in Madison on May 10th - after Handsome and Carly are back home. (yay!)

My sister, Jan offered a watercolor class in her Facebook group last night, so I pulled out a set of watercolors I bought for using with needlework and just played along. I've never attempted painting an actual scene or anything, but I had fun with it. This is what I created. I have to say it was a peaceful way to end my day.

Handsome will be returning soon, so I'll probably be working upstairs again today. I really want to get this organizing and purging finished by the time he gets home, but I also want it done so I can get outside while this weather is so perfect! Time to get after it! Right after my morning cuppa...

 

Kindred Spirits...

Brynwood Needleworks via Anna Speshilova Art - Swallows

I recently came across the artwork of talented artist Anna Speshilova. I immediately fell in love with her watercolor images of humans interacting with wildlife. If you've come to know me through my posts, you'll understand how I instantly felt that she, her subjects, and I are kindred spirits.

Anna Speshilova - Instagram image

This is her Instagram image, and (to me, at least) it's plain to see in her kind eyes, where her creative muse originates. This lovely, young woman, immediately captures your heart with her images of animals and human interactions.

Brynwood Needleworks - Anna Speshilova A Walk In The Woods

I haven't found her titles for these pieces, so I've named them myself. The kindness and compassion; the sense of sharing space with nature are evident in every piece I've seen. I'm not even addressing her skill as an artist, which is clearly exhibited. She's quite gifted.

Brynwood Needleworks - Anna Speshilova Bedtime Story

 

 I'm sharing the link, in case you'd like to see more of her artwork. Just click HERE to view additional pieces, or head right to her Instagram account HERE to see even more!

It's been bitterly cold here (before windchill temps at -11º), so I've worried about our resident opossums with their naked ears, paws and tails. I pray they've been huddled together in a sheltered place to keep warm. The raccoons have their big, furry coats to keep them warm, so I don't fret for them as much.

Yesterday, I took cat and dog food, grapes and blueberries, along with the fruit and nut birdseed mix to keep all my wild friends nourished (and to share a little Valentine with them). Today, the temperatures will rise out of the deep freeze, into the 30s. I'll go out and check on the trail cam to make sure everyone is okay. See? I'm telling you. We're kindred spirits.

 

Lilac Love...

There are no lilacs growing in Florida. They need a hard freeze to thrive, and that almost never happens in subtropical climates like ours. We have bouganvilleas, magnolias and hibuscus bushes that are so stunning they'll take your breath away, but alas, you'll find no lilacs. 

Being raised in Wisconsin, I never saw any of these southern beauties until Handsome and I came here on vacation. But as lovely as all of our southern flowers are, none of them compare to the fleeting fragrance and soft lavender-blue or lavendar-pink color of lilacs in late spring...and I miss that scent every single year.

When I visit all my internet friends and see lilacs, I'm filled with a true longing. Sometimes, I'll see photographs of huge ironstone pitchers filled with freshly-cut stems. Other times, I might find a snap taken on a sun-dappled afternoon in the backyard. There are bushes upon bushes of cascading blooms and I can almost smell them!

Recently, my talented blog friend, Michelle Palmer decided to share watercolor versions of her own lilacs, and created a number of framed stems. I just knew that one of them would have to come and live in the studio! (Click here to visit her watercolor Etsy shop.)

It now resides in a favorite spot where I can see it every day that I'm at my machine. There's only one thing missing - that heady fragrance. Now, I'm in search of a "bottled lilac" that most closely mimics the real thing.

Do you have any leads you could share with me? If you have a favorite source for "lifelike" lilac fragrance - either a room spray or body mist or drawer liner? I'm desperate here, girlfriends! Any help is greatly appreciated.

Wildflower House...

 I have to crow about a friend of mine (not that she really needs it!).

Have you ever visited Wildflower House on Etsy?

This is Sharon Chapman's shop, full of her artistic creations.

 I recently received these bookmarks and notecards from her

and I can't tell you how much I love them. Sharon's watercolors

are beautiful, and her creations make me smile. She chooses high

quality stock for each item and then sprays them with a preservative

so that each little piece of art will last a long, long time.

You can also visit Sharon (and her sweet little dog, Teddy) at her blog

by the same name. Just click HERE to stop in and say "hello".

I'm sure you'll enjoy her blog and her creations as much as I do.

Sharon is a really great person, too!

Fabulous Steampunk Birds...

One of our daughters-in-law is an artist who frequently has her work on display and for sale in various galleries. Her chosen medium is watercolor and her work is stunning.

She is the owner of this little steampunk bird. When I asked her about the artist, she said that he also shows and sells at a gallery where she's currently featured in Ephraim (Door County), WI. Her artwork is available through Fine Line Design Gallery.

I'm thoroughly smitten with this steampunk art, so I did a little research and found the artist, Jim Mullan (and his wife, Tory), and their website here. They divide their time between a home in Pompano Beach, FL and another in Pennsylvania. He uses antique bird sculptures as his inspiration, and then adds found objects to create his beautiful sculptures.

Daughter-in-law's bird stands on a pair of antique binoculars...perfect for watching this gem, don't you think?

I keep expecting to find a key to wind it up so that it can flap its metallic wings and turn its head from side to side!

When I searched Jim's website, I found that he also has his work for sale in two locations in Sarasota, FL. Guess where I'm going to be window shopping very soon? I think I need to put one of his creations on my Christmas list. I guess I'd really better be a good girl this year!