Better Late than Never Butterflies

So, I was supposed to make a little something for my mom for her birthday... that was in May.  I am now finally finished with it... I think!  I still have to see how it looks in her bathroom to know if I'm really finished.

I used my recycled painting paper butterflies.  Aren't they cute?!

And then I painted another little something to go with it.  A coral and green plant to go with my mom's coral and green bathroom.  I love those two colors together (if you haven't noticed already)!

New in the Shop

Just a little note today to say I'm now selling these lovely little paintings here :)  You can click on the links below or click here to go to my Etsy Shop.

Birds

Stencil Flower

Japanese Quince

Hollyhocks

Have a wonderful day!

Photo of the Week

Sagebrush...... not exactly my favorite plant because of allergies, but it can be quite beautiful if caught in the right light.  I spent my weekend surrounded by the stuff in the high desert of Nevada.  Man, am I glad to be home again!

Checking out the Chalk Art Festival

Last weekend was the chalk art festival in Salt Lake City... it was pretty cool!  My husband and I went out on a date (that doesn't happen often enough) the first night it was open, so most of the artworks weren't complete yet.  Even so, it was fun to see.  I was so inspired that I want to sign up to do one next year... but I'm not sure my back and knees could take it.  We'll see...

My all-time favorite was Animal from Sesame Street!  The color contrast is so striking!

Another favorite... a Japanese style chalk drawing.  So unique!

And the feature of the festival...too bad it was only half-way done.  This one was looking amazing!

 After seeing the art, we enjoyed a little treat while sitting on a nearby bench, when I happened to spot this....

...definitely an artists bike!

Mint Limeade

My new favorite drink..

Mint Limeade!

I made this for the first time ever and it was so delicious!  Thanks to my in-laws for their fresh mint! This limeade would not be the same without it.  

Photo of the Week

Life is great when your neighbor lets you have the cherries from the branches of her cherry tree that hang into your yard!  No bugs or anything...  I'm loving these!

Artist Spotlight: Jamie Swim

Hey guys! Today I'm putting in a plug for my good friend, who happens to make some pretty cool art.   She's got a website up now, so go check out Jamie Swim Art sometime!  She mostly paints with acrylics on canvas, but I've seen some of her work on guitars and hats even!

She paints Hawaiian landscapes that are so bright and happy. It seriously makes you want to live in Hawaii like she does... ya I'm a little jealous about that!

Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Watercolors and ink go together so well... so well in fact that you could say they go together like peanut butter and jelly, don't you think?

These little paintings actually came about partially by accident.  They started out as plain stenciled watercolors, but they looked kind of lonely. So I got out my pen and started drawing some leaves around the birds, not intending to do any shading, but then, I smeared it. I decided to just make it look like that's the way it was supposed to be by smearing other parts.  Then I went a little crazy and starting smearing water on it too.  It was one of those accidents that actually turn out making something cool!  I love it when that happens!

Photo of the Week

My favorite hang-out these days.... the man-made lake at Daybreak!

I'm planning on doing a painting of this sometime.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I may never have enough money to live here, but at least I'm close by so I can visit often :)

What to do with a Pineapple Top

Ever notice how beautiful pineapples are? I bought one the other day for $.98 at my local Winco- love that store!  After I cut it up, I couldn't bring myself to throw away the top, so......

I turned it into a center piece!

I'm loving it :)