Baby Blue Faery

I don't remember where I found this particular piece--but in spite of being a tad odd, it is also rather cute!  I don't think this is the entire painting, as it appears to be cropped too closely to this little fellow's wing and hand.  Does anyone out there know who the artist is?

Have a lovely week.

Two Worlds Collide

This is a drawing by one of the old masters.  I love the intensity of this incredible painting.  This inspires me.

I apologize for being a bit out of touch this summer.  It has been a very heavy time for me and for my family.  I thank those who have taken time to inquire.  There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel now.

Best blessings to you all.

Beauty in Muted Pink - Pink Saturday

There is nothing so lovely as a bouquet of roses gathered from the garden.  The fragrance of roses permeates the entire house.  Ah...so beautiful--and that is what I wish for each of you--the fragrance of roses throughout your day today.

For more fabulous pink stuff, join Bev at How Sweet the Sound!

Fire in the Grate - Sunday Scans

This wonderful lineart was scanned from an book of children's poetry from the early 1900's.  I love the pen and inks to be found in this book--I've had the book since I was a child.  If you look at my drawing style, you can see how these long-gone artists have inspired my own artwork.

Have a lovely day!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!

Sissy Clytie is in the Hospital

This morning I awoke with a start.  My eyes flew open and I sat straight up in bed.  I should call Sissy, I thought.  I was sure it was a bit too early, so I waited.

Not too long after that Mumsie called to let me know Sissy had been taken to the hospital.  She had been rushed to emergency in horrible pain.  She'd been having trouble with bad acid reflux--had gone into local emergency a week or so ago.  Tests came back inconclusive, so they sent her home with some meds for heartburn. 

Turns out she has a blockage in her heart.  Tomorrow she goes in for an angiogram to find out where the blockage is, then they will put in a stint.  This is so frightening.  Sissy--darling Queen of Hearts--is beloved to so many people.  Clytie is heart of my heart.  I don't know what the world would be like without her in it. 

I would appreciate your prayers for her complete and rapid recovery.  Please drop by and leave her a note on her found hearts blog, Random Hearts.  I know she will be so encouraged to hear your messages of encouragement.

 I will keep you updated on how she is doing.

Faery Curiosity

I found this amazing picture at Fantasy Faeries.  What a wonderful place to visit, if you love fairies!  I loved the wings and the way this piece glows.  I find myself wondering what they're so interested in watching through that faery window.

Have a lovely week everyone!

Shimmering - Sunday Scans

This is a card I received years ago.  I love the way this fairy shimmers--the scan really doesn't do the card justice.  You can see some of the wonderful detail when you click for the larger picture.  I thought this to be the perfect thing for today's Sunday Scan!

Al over at "Al's Photography Blog" is the inventor and host of "Sunday Scans".  I think it is a GREAT idea--so pick up your old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, artwork, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!

Cupid -- EEEeeeek!

I can't remember where I found this funny old painting--suffice it to say, one shouldn't mess with Cupid!  lol  When love grabs hold of the heart--it does drive us along, doesn't it?

Have a perfectly lovely week!

Note:  To see this and other marvelous pieces of art visit The Painted Garden.

Angel Prayers - Pink Saturday

I love this picture--it is one which inspires me.  This  artist is just amazing--oh to be able to draw like THIS!

Yesterday morning I read about Angels in the Psalms, found in the Old Testament of the Bible.  "Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word.  Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.  Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion.  Praise the Lord, Oh my soul."  Psalm 103:20-22

I like the idea of God's angels here on earth doing His will--watching over our children and people who love Him.  I have seen the invisible hands of angels more than once in our travels.  I am so glad God sends them to protect us!

Happy Pink Saturday--For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at How Sweet The Sound!

Happily Ever After - Pink Saturday

Here is Cinderella in her golden gown and pink roses.  I've always loved that story--though I wish she would have gotten to know the Prince a little better before she headed off to marry him.  Yet, it must have been a good match since they lived Happily Ever After!

Happy Pink Saturday!  For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at Pink Saturday!

Bedtime Stories

I found this illustration at Coralie's wonderful blog The Vintage Cottage.  What a delightful lady she is!

This especially touched something in my heart today.  Our three grown children were so excited--they came tumbling in for a visit after purchasing their very first car.  It is a beauty, too--and they got it for a VERY good price.

But for a moment, as I watched their exuberance I remembered back to when they were small, at my knee, listening to the storybooks I read to them before bed time.

I'm so glad for those memories.

Rings on Her Fingers, Bells on Her Toes - Pink Saturday

Of course, she isn't a princess at all--things are not as they seem.  She is a poor girl of good character who's reward brought her to the attention of the ruler of the Kingdom.  Of course, there will be pain and tears, but in the end, they will live happily ever after!

For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at Pink Saturday!

My Shadow

I have a little shadow

That goes in and out with me.

And what can be the use of him,

Is more than I can see.

He is very, very like me,

From the heels up to the head;

And I see him jump before me,

When I jump into my bed.

This is another illustration from my beloved book of children's poetry.  I have always loved this poem--having a wonderful imagination, as a child--I often danced with my shadow, imagining she was my long lost twin.

The Mermaid and the Bubble

I have always loved mermaids.  When I saw this gorgeous illustration, I added it to my collection of "cyber" art.

I like the idea of wing-like fins on her shoulders--and the delicate ting of yellow and pink are beautiful.  The way this talented artist painted the mermaid's hair is phenomenal--I am fascinated by the way it is highlighted, almost as though it glows.

I also LOVE the bubble--I really like bubbles.  (grin)

Lily Pond Faeries - Pink Saturday

When we first moved here the back yard sported waist-high grass, piles of debris and five unusable barbecues!  Now it is an oasis of beauty.  Sword fern grow graciously next to a little waterfall which splashes down into a small pond where Lily of the Valley, purple violet and wild bleeding hearts grow.

Years ago, Dad gave me a lily for the pond.  The goldfish love to hide beneath those broad leaves when the sun gets hot.

I think there must be faeries in my back yard.   If there were, I imagine they would look something like this lovely illustration.

For more incredible views of pink, be sure to visit Bev at Pink Saturday.

Mother's Embrace

There is nothing so precious, warm and lovely than a Mother's embrace.  I have vivid memories of my own dear Mumsie's hugs.  I can feel her arms around me--she smells nice and her heart is warm.  Though I was just a little girl then, I will always carry her hugs with me.

And I look forward to her hugs every time I see her!  She is one of my best friends and I love her dearly.

Elven Hill

This illustration is from one of the fairytale books in my collection. When I was a little girl I often daydreamed about visiting fairyland, or entering the doorway in the hill where the Elves lived.

The style of this pen and ink drawing is wonderful. I especially love the lizards in the gnarled tree. I would pour over these drawings by the hour, dreaming, making up stories of my own.

I still have a GREAT imagination!

Ah, 'Tis the Harpist!

I adore art Nouveau. This is an illustration I simply could not resist. I love this style--in fact, I yearn to draw this way. There is something so graceful, so lovely about the flowers, hair and women of this period, which fascinates me.

Art Nouveau features "organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms." Ah, inspiration, indeed!

Joseph and His Bride - Festival of Postcards

This wonderful illustration was done by J. C. Leyendecker. He became well known for his use of light and shadow within shadow. He was the premier cover illustrator for The Saturday Post for much of the first half of the 20th century. Leyendecker was mentor and friend of Norman Rockwell, who was a pallbearer at Leyendecker's funeral in 1951.

This postcard is my submission for the Festival of postcards - White. Here is Leyendecker's fanciful illustration from the ancient story of Joseph found in Jewish history. We do know Joseph married and had children, but nothing is said of his wife--pictured here. Some say she was a high-born Egyptian Princess. I like to think so, and I love this illustration because of its beauty and passion.

Joseph dreamed his brothers and family would bow to him one day. His father clearly doted upon the boy and gave him a beautiful multi-colored coat. Joseph's brothers became so jealous of their younger brother, they sold Joseph into slavery and told their father he had been killed by a wild animal. In Egypt because of his honesty and fairness, he rose to great heights, only to be falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison.

There, despite being a prisoner in that dark place, his intimacy with God put him in direct contact with the Pharaoh. When Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams tormenting the Pharaoh--seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of famine--the ruler appointed Joseph to a powerful position just below his own. Joseph was put in charge of gathering grains and foods over the seven years of plenty, in order to have enough for the people when the seven years of famine overtook them.

When his brothers came to Egypt seeking grain, they did not recognize their own brother. In time, when Joseph revealed who he was to them, they became afraid. But Joseph told them, "Do not fear. You meant this for harm, but God used it for good."

Memories

When my darling SissyDea posted this painter's work, I had to keep a copy. I have been working at my parents home for the past month or more. I see vivid ghosts of childhood memories all around me.

It is interesting when one's mind superimposes the past upon the present. This artist (along with my sisters--you know who you are) inspire me to go further. To pursue the dream. To reach for the unattainable. How gracious God has been to give to me these precious sisters.

This picture makes me feel like weeping...so much of life has been lived.  So much yet to live.