". Arranged Words: 2016

20 Dec 2016

Memory Lane


The months have speedily slipped from there moorings this year and Christmas is, once again, near. I've been decking the halls and enjoying the beauty that shines from every corner of the town and twinkles across the snow from cheerily lit houses.

Amaryllis 

Poinsettia and Maiden Hair Ferns.

 Christmas trees are filled with treasured memories of people and places near and far. When we unwrap the baubles, smiles light up the room when we uncover the tissue and find a treasure given  by family and friends.  Decorating the tree is a walk down memory lane. Of course, there are nutcrackers, birds and eggs, something from the sea, and my most prized possession: a reindeer made by my son, Jesse when he was in pre-school.

There are old and new things . . .


And the unusual, too. A sea urchin tied with ribbons and bows. I bought it several years ago in Newfoundland.


A hummer and another special fellow.

The shadow of a dove.

And, luckily, outside the real McCoy: a downy woodpecker feasts on seeded suet.

Thank you for reading along.

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and very Happy Holidays!

4 Dec 2016

Wandering Camera for December

"These boots are made for walking."
A new post this time for Soma's Wandering Camera link party. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

As you can see the land has faded to monochrome, but it's still pretty out there.  About 20cm of  feather snow fell in November, but to everyone's amazement it has disappeared. You can find the pics on Instagram.
Tops of the rushes faded to beige.

These birches remind me of a giraffe.
Texture and sky striations.
Refuge for a Marsh Wren.




The chickadees love my son, Jesse.

                      
A Nuthatch checks the ground for seeds.

                                                               Dusk creeps about the woods.
Darkness arrives so fast now...almost dark at 4:19 p.m.

Off the drawing board:
 My Christmas Card. The prints haven't arrived yet, so perhaps they will be for next year.
 Arrived on the wing: Resplendent Quetzal Glicee prints.
Nonsensical doodles. My sister, Lorraine, runs from snakes. Maybe I should warn her, ;) but this wee guy looks friendly.

'Til next time...Enjoy...

29 Nov 2016

Glicee Prints

November 29, 2016
 
Today, I added this Gilcee print to my shoppe.  "Pretty Boy" is  a Resplendent Quetzal. A magnificent bird who is at home in the forests of Central America.  I'd love to see one.

It's a  grey day here today so it's been a challenge to capture the colours, although this picture is very close to the original. He's a bright boy!

Yesterday, I finished an new version of a painting that I've painted before.  The image below will be on Christmas cards, which I am about to order.


Of course, I can't forget my real feathered friends.; I have been out and about and have seen a few birds, although most have left the country for warmer climes.  But, luckily,  sometimes they pop by for a visit and perch in the trees outside my window.

The Three Musketeers.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful week...



8 Nov 2016

Outwitted

November 8, 2016
 
We had a heavy, feathery snow fall last week, but as you can see it disappeared and I am still kicking through the leaves on the trails. On this trail, there are bird feeders every so many feet. I was dropping seeds into one when when I heard the tiniest of peeps. After scanning the trees, I spied a wee chickadee. Clearly excited she swooped down several times to investigate, but wouldn't stay long enough to grab a seed. She did, however, check the ground just in case I may have dropped one. Nope not one! Then she flew up to branch at eye level and looked me in the eye. After that she flew across the path to a tree where she teetered on the limb and continued to crisscross the path from tree to tree, making, as she flew, a great flourish of it. When she reached the bottom of the hill, she chirped loudly and watched me ascend. Once I was safely at the bottom, a black and white blur whirled by overhead. I turned and looked up the hill;  I could faintly see her feasting at the feeder. Well done birdie!

Sunlit 

I'm drawn to moss. It's always looks so fresh and green.

Sketching...
 I'm gathering the sketchbooks.  I think there must be one or two somewhere with bits and bobs inside. I like smooth paper, so if it isn't smooth enough I turn it into a journal. I do draw in the margins though.




As you can see, my sketchbooks are not watercolour friendly.
Calendar dreaming...maybe next year.
I find it difficult to use black ink. I prefer blue.
On the needles..

The Violet Cap: a lacy hat from the 1st issue of Making Magazine.


For those who asked, unfortunately The Maestro will not be made into a print at this time because it's too large for my scanner. It needs to be scanned in parts and photo shopped...above my capabilities just now. I could have the printer scan it but it costs a lot. So very sorry.

Thank you for reading along.

 Enjoy the week...

31 Oct 2016

A Tour

Oct 31, 2016

A picture post today with a few pictures from Pumpkin Inferno. What a wonderful array of carved creativity.  It was even better than last year. And I thought last year's display would be hard to beat!
Cute faces and a few sinister ones too.
Something with blue.
Since I love birds, I was pleased to see this stunning solar powered display aptly titled Migration. It's reflected in the water.




Ahhh.
My very own sign on the horoscope walk. 

Van Gogh from a display titled  Night At The Gallery
An ornately carved pumpkin.
Beware the waiter is really a pumpkin.

Close up of the Butternut tree.
Witches Brew ~  "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and Caldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble... Double, double toil and trouble."  From Shakespeare's  Macbeth       
Scary
I couldn't leave this gentleman out. When I was small, I used to sneak into the Blacksmith shops on my way home from school...fascinating places!
What can I say?
The old church in the limelight.
Boo!
There's so much more. I do have videos too, but it's time to call it a day.
However, if you'd like to see more, visit Instagram and search Pumpkin Inferno.

And finally from the home front...
Have a safe and Happy Hallowe'en!