". Arranged Words: bulbs
Showing posts with label bulbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bulbs. Show all posts

26 Mar 2019

Here Comes the Sun

Hi there,

The sun has crossed the equator and we have theoretically marched into spring. (Being a daydreamer, I imagine the sun just might be a twinkle in God's eye.) 

Anyway...the birds love the sunlight too. They are chirping, singing, courting and spooning and planning where to build their nests. I haven't seen any robins yet but I know they are out there.

We have snow on the ground and in the forecast, yet soon the earth will clothe itself in different shades of lush greens and colourful blossoms. It's just a matter of time! The trees are springing to life too and, even with snow on the ground, their branches are full of buds.

                               
 Early March snowfall.

Remember the spring bulbs that I planted and put in a fridge for about 14-16 weeks? Well, I am delighted to report that most of the bulbs bloomed. Of course, I was especially hoping that the Snowdrops would bloom. But they were the only ones that didn't take root. However, being perennially optimistic, I haven't given up hope. On the warmer days outside they go...just in case. Who knows? They may respond to the warmer sunny days enough to root and bloom. (Fingers crossed.)            
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Forgive the ad... 


Parrot tulips and Angelique tulips.  The Angelique tulips remind me of peonies.






Warning: Sun Catchers on duty. 💖


Parrot tulips open fast. I tied this one with thread so I could draw the closed flower.



In the fall, I brought my geranium inside. Ta Da!

 
Jesse brought me these lovely tulips. I'm pleased that the stems do not droop.
Obviously a new innovative hybrid.


Such beauty on the undersides of plants. I like to draw and photograph plants and flowers from different angles and perspectives.

Yes, even this angle. 

Below, a few sketches. Mostly, I draw on tracing paper to save steps, but now that I finally purchased a light box if I want to transfer a drawing for painting, it won't be a problem.


Moleskin cold press sketchbook.

Had an epiphany while using cold press paper. Although the paper doesn't fall under the rough category, it can expertly munch up a fine brush. The water brush below works well.

 
Stillman & Birn hot press sketchbook. Zeta series.


Trying Gouache in the Moleskin. An opaque medium much like acrylic, although it can be reactivated unless you buy it with an acrylic base. I love the bright colours. Verdict: continue experimenting. 



While waiting on the real Snowdrops that may or may not bloom, I've enjoyed painting and drawing more of these lovely flowers. Yes, I agree. I'm obsessed! I can't resist these delicate beauties.

I've listed this original watercolour painting in my shop.  Signed and available here.

                     Happy Spring! And for my friends down under Happy Fall!

'Til Next Time...

                                                      Cultivate Your Dreams.

13 Feb 2018

The View From Here

Outside . . .

Hello beauties! 

Doe a deer a female deer. 👀


All bluster along the river.


The yellow weeping willows.

Inside . . .

Lately, I've had the urge to knit something. Awhile ago, I bought two skeins of Brooklyn Tweed yarn, so I may knit one of their hats. In the meantime, besides a bit of seed planting, and stamp making, I've been drawing and painting flowers.


At the moment, I have snowdrops on my mind. Must be that spring thing creeping up on me again.  I'd love to see a snowdrop. Besides white, I did notice that, these days, there are amazing yellow and pink ones, too. 

Last fall, I looked for snowdrop bulbs, but didn't find any. If all goes well, and I can find them I will order some by mail next fall and try to force them. Forcing requires about 12 weeks of cool temperatures. A small fridge should work, although they can't be cooled near fruit.


I tried both sides of the Moulin du Roy 300 lb. watercolour paper for the Himalayan poppies. Another beautiful flower that I've never seen. I'm still not sure which side of the paper I like best, although the right side seems a bit more vibrant.( Yes, I am still arguing with paper. Fabriano was sooo perfect!)

I just noticed I am missing a flower stock. :)


Flower doodles.

💖


 (If you've been watching When Calls the Heart, season 5 starts Feb 18th. I can't wait!)
 My last Amaryllis for the season.


Enjoy the week . . .😘



17 Mar 2015

Anticipation

Glory Lilies
I have a book called The Indoor Potted Blub that I dig out in late winter to ease the transition into spring. After all too much beauty all at once might, I reckon, cause some sort of malady that I'd prefer to forgo, although I had it happen once when I flew from Inuvik, NWT ( well above the Arctic circle) to Hawaiian islands. I'm here to tell you Kawaii took my breath away: flowers everywhere, aqua sea, sand, a beautiful canyon, and, of course, heat, but mostly the humidity. We left a dry minus 45 and arrived to 85 degrees F temps. Stunningly wonderful. Yes! But overwhelming to  pasty-faced people who had not seen the sun for over 30 days.  But O, how wonderful the tropical sun feels and those trade winds that breeze over you... Ah... Glorious, in that case, in the extreme!
But I digress...inside the book, among other things, a Glory Lily. A fabulous plant from Africa and India that can grow to a height of six feet or more. Since that time, I've searched for glory lily bulbs and I almost had one once but the mail order company was sold out. 
 And so as sometimes happens, I recently I found myself tripping through the plant section at Walmart. Nothing interesting--a soggy grievous disaster--until, that is, I spied the bulbs and there right before my eyes a splendorous Glory Lily bulb. Needless to say, it took my breath away! I bought one and planted it a week or so ago. Fortunately, I've heard that "good things come to those who wait." But so far zilch, nada ... not even a lone sprig to welcome the eye.  But, I think, I can wait...

The watched pot.




Thank you for the lovely comments about my decoupage boxes. They were fun to make.

* * *
 A few weeks ago, I watched a 6 episode BBC production on Netflix called Africa. It's narrated by David Attenborough. If you haven't seen it, it's beyond fabulous. Because of it, I have on the drawing board a tall order: a giraffe. 

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
.. Irish Blessing..

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for reading.