Thursday, July 12, 2012


Hello everyone! I'm so excited about my new blog for The Painted Cottage Studio and I just couldn't wait to say welcome. For those that don't know, I love to paint...big things and small things. Mostly (lately) very, very small things. I use tiny little brushes when I create my necklace pendants. Sometimes the brushes just aren't tiny enough!

Here's one of my hummingbirds that I painted...


I gave a hummingbird feeder to my husband for his birthday and now we're envisioning busy hummingbirds flocking to our yard daily! Okay, I'm envisioning this. But it's been so unbelievably hot here in Illinois (as it is in many areas of the country). When I added water to the birdbath this morning, the birds were actually fighting with each other to decide who would get in first!


Just the other day we returned from a family trip to England, Scotland and Amsterdam. The trip to England and Scotland was to visit my husband's family (his mother is from Scotland) but we took a quick two day side trip to Amsterdam. I thought we took waaay too many pictures but now that we're back I don't think we took nearly enough! I'll share a few with you in the next post. The one above was taken near Amsterdam while walking on our way to visit the shop that makes wooden shoes. (Wooden shoes, don't you love it!?)

(I would love to figure out a way to get that photo painted onto a small little pendant!)

13 comments:

  1. Love the look of your new blog! How lucky you were to able to go to England and Scotland, wish I could have gotten in that suitcase that might have cost an additional $50 to take, lol!

    If the picture above is what it looks like in Amsterdam, I would love to visit, looking so charming and inviting!

    Have a super day, we're following you now!
    Debie

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  2. Thanks Debie! You would love it there, I couldn't take pictures fast enough!

    Michelle

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  3. You have a lovely blog! Debie sent me from Shabby Cottage Shops. What a blessings to be able to go to England and Scotland. My family originated from there and Ireland too I have always wanted to go. Love your photos and welcome to blog land. God bless you and yours, Jennifer

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  4. I hope you get to go over to Britain someday, Jennifer! You will love it. Thank you for stopping by and I just visited your lovely blog as well!

    Michelle

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  5. Hi and Welcome to blogland. So nice to meet you. Your hummingbird painted pendant is gorgeous. I am a decorative painter too. Your trip to sounds like it was fabulous. Love the pic with the bike.
    Your blog is lovely and I wish you many happy days blogging and creating.
    I invite you to visit me anytime or following along as well. I am now a happy follower here too.
    Have a great rest of the week.
    Hugs from Texas, Celestina Marie

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  6. Your new blog looks wonderful Michelle. Sounds like you had a great holiday. I'm a Shabby Cottage Shop member too.
    Enjoy the rest of your week,
    Mimi

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  7. Hi Jennifer,
    Debie from SCS sent me over and I am glad she did as it reminded me of the trip my hubbie & I made to England, Holland, & Germany about 20 years ago. I tagged along on a business trip and we had more fun! Congrats on your first blog - I need to restart mine. I've been to your Etsy shop previously, but went again and admire SO much your painting talent. I cannot imagine working with such tiny brushes. Your work is lovely! Glad to have you with us on SCS, too. Debie is amazing.
    Blessings
    Mary Helen Patterson
    www.MarysCottageTreasures.com/
    www.Etsy.com/shop/BeadMerryDesigns

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    1. Hello Mary and thanks for stopping by, both here and my Etsy shop! I just visited your loveley website as well. I plan to post more photos from our trip soon!

      Michelle

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  8. Welcome, I came over from the Shabby Cottage Shops link that Debie emailed us.
    I have to say the first thing I noticed when I came into your blog was the photo of Amsterdam and I had to ask myself, where does she live?
    I spent three glorious years in Germany and we drove to Holland all the time. It was only a 3 1/2 hour drive, so it was very easy. I do have a pair of wooden shoes to prove it. Ha.
    Once you think you have taken enough photos and return home, you can't help but want to relive it all and I am sure that's why you hunger for more. :)
    Your painting is beautiful, I love the little hummer..
    I haven't had time to blog in months, maybe a year, not too sure, so please don't be disapointed when you visit,
    Char

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  9. Hi Michelle,
    It is so nice to meet you and to tell you your work is exquisite!
    I am not good with tiny things, so I admire your talent!
    I think some of my granddaughters would love one of your necklaces for Christmas!
    ♥ Jil

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  10. Hi Michelle,

    Many thanks for visiting me and I am now following you. Great to meet you and I love your beautiful painting, the little hummingbird is sweet.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  11. Love love Love your pictures! It feels like im right there. Thank you for sharing your pictures, hope to see more!
    -Love Mom

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