A Sketch and a Visit

Today was a busy day, so I only had time for a sketch.

Tomorrow I'll revise this a bit, color it and give this girl a name.

I went to New Hampshire today with a friend who had to pick 

up some medication from her dog's veterinarian.

The vet also treats rescue animals and I was thrilled to be able to

meet this barred owl named "Pixie".

He was so quiet and serene and, since owls are an obsession of mine,

it was a real thrill for me to see one close up.

Also, a baby squirrel was being fed with a syringe

and was absolutely adorable with his greediness and squeaking!

I hope you've had a wonderful day!

Thanks for visiting!!

The Handmade Joy Exchange 2017

The wonderful Anne Butera from the blog My Giant Strawberry has hosted yet another wonderful Handmade Joy Exchange this year and I was fortunate enough to be a participant!

My "Joy Partner" was Nichole from Vermont, who sent me a lovely package of handmade items, carefully placed in a deep green cloth bag, which I am anxious to use as a canvas for embroidery!

Inside the bag there was 

(1)a hand bound vertical sketch pad, the cover of which was embellished

 with beautiful calligraphy and watercolor flowers

(2) an original watercolor painting of a bouquet of flowers with a sweet green matting

and (3) a hand made patchwork pincushion with a pretty pewter button in the center!

I commented to Nichole, when I received her package, that it always strikes me, when I do this exchange, how kind people are and how talented. Receiving this package from a perfect stranger, who worked so hard to make each item, makes me feel warm and hopeful. Since then, I've been following Nichole on Instagram and have seen even more lovely paintings of hers! 

The person for whom I was to make something is Joan, a wonderful woman who has a cat rescue and adoption center on a small island in Greece. The center is called God's Little People, and you can read a bit about Joan here.

Being a cat lover myself, I could think only about making something having to do with cats!

I decided on this pillow with cats made with wool appliqué and the name embroidered in the middle.

Here are close-ups of some of the cats I was inspired by on Joan's blog, including one little blind cat.

Joan enjoyed the pillow and we have kept in touch through Facebook.

All in all, the Handmade Joy Exchange has been a very enjoyable experience!

Thank you Anne, for hosting this great exchange!!

Amelia

Amelia

She is strong and opinionated and she rubs

many people the wrong way.

She has had to learn, after years of repression, 

 how to express her feelings,

but her words come out harsh and unfiltered.

Time will teach her to speak confidently,

conveying her ideas with strength and certainty

without needless hostility.

Katie

A quick sketch with colored pencils for today, which 

I colored in my doctor's office waiting room!

The name was an easy choice for me - our daughter's 

nickname when she was little!

Katie

Her eyes are constantly sparkling with wonder

as she discovers new things to be excited about!

She loves bugs and chipmunks and every kind of little animal

that wanders through her back yard.

Her aqua bike is her favorite belonging as she speeds around 

the block with her best friend every non-rainy summer day.

She's a curious girl with a sense of adventure

and her joy in the possibilities of life

guarantees that she will have a good chance at happiness.

George

This weekend I met an elderly gentleman at a nursing home

who inspired this character.

George

He is a skeptical man who doesn't like change.

He lives in a nursing home because he cannot walk 

and he doesn't want to burden his six children, 

He talks proudly about how accomplished they are

and how much he cherishes his grandchildren.

He's a quiet man, who has a gentle wit,

a distinctive brogue

and a twinkle

in his eye. 

Celeste

I hope everyone reading this has had a wonderful Easter!

Celeste

She lived in a time when ladies wore hats and dresses

and sometimes even white gloves to church.

She was careful to be polite and proper, as was

expected by society,

and she never spoke out of turn.

But deep inside she felt a yearning

to be honest, to be herself

and

to be wild and free.

Margie again...

When I sketched Margie yesterday,

I did not have color in mind,

so today I decided to make her a brunette!

It's too late to write anything else!

Good night, my friends!