tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21700819170791574562024-03-05T14:25:39.346-06:00The Painted Cottage StudioHello! My name is MICHELLE MEYER and welcome to my studio! This is where I hand paint necklace pendants, create image pendants, and share some of the everyday little things (and big things) that inspire me.The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-54360065354479743032015-10-30T23:36:00.002-05:002015-10-30T23:36:45.988-05:00Happy Halloween, Happy Fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Happy Halloween!</b></span> I've been hangin' on to this photo since last summer when we went to Six Flags, St. Louis. It's from a poster, advertising their Fright Fest for this month. Don't you love it?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEwLkdgFAPcp9nBhOGqF07STY1J-mOd7Fpwyx9J-M9QwjO0k4pCEa8XOwh73xs_sKRE1EVvZ5R0isQ3bncyvEiTfpdL48-IB9ZmF_KxXnQsQQzxmVq-BYrktN5OfCv4-GcLEend3AgLxJ/s1600/blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEwLkdgFAPcp9nBhOGqF07STY1J-mOd7Fpwyx9J-M9QwjO0k4pCEa8XOwh73xs_sKRE1EVvZ5R0isQ3bncyvEiTfpdL48-IB9ZmF_KxXnQsQQzxmVq-BYrktN5OfCv4-GcLEend3AgLxJ/s640/blog7.jpg" width="640" /></a>Ahh, fall. I've been going through some photos on my camera and phone and I'm posting a few here. This is a beautiful walk in one of the parks in our town. I couldn't resist taking pics of the berries. I'm glad I had my camera. </div>
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Works-in-progress. I'm trying to remember to take more of these types of photos. The "drink me" bottle was a little painting I made for my daughter's birthday/Halloween party invitations.</div>
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Rainy day, but I'm still taking pictures of the great backyard makeover. This was taken from the back door (because I'm a big baby and didn't want to get wet). You can see the neighbor's garage in the background. I love when those huge burning bushes start turning red. We had a fire going in the fire pit a couple of nights this fall. It's great to get more use out of the backyard.</div>
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I found a photo of Lucy kitty. You THINK she wants you to pet her when she's laying like this, and it's sooo hard to resist. But cat owners know better. :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250038801/raven-necklace-pendant-hand-painted?ref=shop_home_active_12" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250038801/raven-necklace-pendant-hand-painted?ref=shop_home_active_12" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutO-sweG4uEZsEZFNfxZjMByZZ5SxZ5ATHgZP-Edvz-UkY553cDgcEnZa4p92u5jskWVBtP0QBWIyyojPdXzL3jxyOTb_g4En1iJE9ujmwiT7qZBGn5B63oK3HVm3Pjc5Pxtzwe1SzeMg/s400/raven1.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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And what would Halloween be without a raven? This was a fun (and scary) one I painted this year!<br />
<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-70623498589727574112015-08-27T13:05:00.000-05:002015-08-27T16:55:05.048-05:00Summer's over already? Nope, not yet!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm starting to see things like mums and little round, pumpkin-like squash trickling into the stores this week. So it has me wondering, where has summer gone? I have to admit, the image of pumpkins and falling leaves stirs some excitement in me. Fall is definitely my favorite time of year, however I'm just not quite ready to give up on summer. Yet. </div>
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I've been going through the photos on my camera and found some very summery pics. These were from a day trip to Carlyle Lake, the lake in my home town. We try to get there at least once a year for some sand castle building. </div>
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And of course I always seem to find my way to the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis at least once (okay, several times) a year. This summer was particularly a good one, because the Gardens began selling some of my hand painted pendants in their gift shop! (yay!). </div>
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This year they have a Chinese Lantern Festival at the Gardens. It's truly amazing to see and well worth the trip. <br />
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I've included some photo samples of some of the hand painted pendants I sent over to the Missouri Botanical Garden's gift shop. It was a fun challenge to create some new pieces for them.</div>
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I also found this photo on my phone. It's interesting to see just what I can find on there, sometimes random pictures of sidewalks, etc. show up and I have no idea how they got there. Although, there are lots of times I think I'm taking a picture and it turns out to be a video. Phones can be so fun. Anyway, I thought it would also be fun to include these "before" drawings of some summer items I painted and scattered throughout this post. Some I painted in watercolor, some are acrylic. Actually, there might be a mix of both here and there as well.<br />
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So for those of us living in Southern Illinois, close to St. Louis, MO (hey, that's me!), we know how August temperatures and humidity tell us we aren't even close to being into fall yet, no matter what the stores are selling. Of course, come September 1st all of that changes and mums and pumpkins are fair game, no matter what the temp is!<br />
<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-37442467421579248862015-03-28T17:39:00.001-05:002015-03-28T17:39:43.156-05:00Paris In Springtime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's springtime, so these days my thoughts keep turning to Paris. I was
inspired to paint and create this new Springtime in Paris pendant, and I
love the colors so much I leave it out in my studio and glance over at
it every day!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRtj7pHI6jX3ImNs5SwYr_Fb4oLTUAg2XWhqDDX3vYbPjp8sQkIBMAh972-12l635MR6ZpOWZl1AmDl-VW3rumxz6JKwzVwJ3LKAluw2jqnaQr8BrzpWJk2s01ypr3WlPCx4w08gToRQY/s1600/macaroons.png" height="151" width="400" /><br />
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I was even inspired to paint these macaroons with watercolor paints. I've never actually had a macaroon, but the photos and colors make them look so yummy, I like them before I've even tried them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79f9Qwi7IM-_7uqJoMri35HkRW1vMeL_Nk3GvTHZyrsrfP6MC053VvInpo_cNQ8pS-NUnH9eMTh_NZovfYn_itrknYz1YOHRY42WZvgw4y6be4FS46ObVAwiZI9B4vecPkS2mwdmsLRSE/s1600/Trip_To_Paris2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79f9Qwi7IM-_7uqJoMri35HkRW1vMeL_Nk3GvTHZyrsrfP6MC053VvInpo_cNQ8pS-NUnH9eMTh_NZovfYn_itrknYz1YOHRY42WZvgw4y6be4FS46ObVAwiZI9B4vecPkS2mwdmsLRSE/s1600/Trip_To_Paris2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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I remembered this time to take a photo of my pendant in the middle of painting it. For some reason this is something I don't usually think of. In this case it kind-of looks like wintertime in Paris.</div>
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We actually had the opportunity to visit Paris about 9 years ago. We were only there for almost 3 days, and believe me that's not nearly long enough! We did get to visit the Eiffel Tower and rode to the top. As you can see, it was a little foggy that day but still just as exciting as ever.</div>
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Not quite France, but these pink tulips are still all spring. This is a new pendant that will be added to my Etsy shop soon. I can't wait to see the real ones in bloom in the backyard!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Happy Spring!</span></span></div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-8564320500701181232014-08-30T09:53:00.000-05:002014-08-30T10:05:04.765-05:00The Great Back Yard Makeover Before and (almost!) After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to show you the before and (almost) after photos of what I've named "<b>The Great Back Yard Makeover</b>"! We've come a long way but there's still more to come. What's interesting is how much I'm enjoying working on this project. It occurred to me I might like working on it just as much as I'll enjoy it once it's completed. I know, I know, but I've accepted that I'm kind-of that way with yard work. I have a feeling it might be an ever-changing, always-tweaking type of project, and I will love it!</div>
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After living in this house for 7 years (new when we moved in), this is the best the backyard has to offer for grass. Not too plush, you say? I agree! You can see the circle area where the trampoline used to be. This is the view from our back door, so you see the front of the neighbor's house in the photo. </div>
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Side view, even the shady area under the oak tree has problems! I couldn't wait to change this, make it something totally different.<br />
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I could begin to see the vision coming to life at this point, but it still seemed almost impossible. Almost. But we forged on ahead.<br />
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Bring on the pea gravel!</div>
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When this is completed, our plan is to have a fire pit in the center of the circle surrounded by chairs. I can't wait to see the chairs filled with family and friends. The fire pit was always the main idea but with all of the work and excitement of pea gravel, bushes and pathways, it started to take a back seat at some point! But now that it's almost finished and fall will soon be knocking on the door, we can see the fire pit vision again. Cool nights, crackling fire, marshmallows tanning in the glow of the heat and then smooshed between graham crackers and Hershey's bars. Mmmm.</div>
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Just look at that sad patch of grass. It appears to be grass but it fools us. It's about half grass/half crabgrass. I'm so glad it's (mostly) covered up!</div>
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Ahh, the beginning of something new! Making this path was a lot of work, but so well worth it.<br />
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Yay! Here it is finished from the opposite side. From this angle it looks so long. We added a little half circle for a bench and possibly flowers around it someday. I have a feeling this project will be ongoing and ever changing. (Just how I like it!) </div>
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This is the second pathway coming off of the right side of the circle. Do you see the extra pea gravel we still have to the center/right side of the picture? Still a work in progress! You'll have to close your eyes with me and imagine the boxwoods as fully grown hedges. Oh yes, now I see it!<br />
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Now you'll have to imagine the tiny little bushes in back as they'll be when they're fully grown. And ignore the bag of mulch I accidentally included in the picture. Oh, and the overgrown strawberry patch in the back. The garden has kind-of taken a back seat at the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxcVMEI3v35ufBs2swc1-7CD1sK67eXQL4ExFV4A6NUHe-aaNGX6ktWk4oUlutAEU5IimuNXyBapxc41cXhs2aNHdzS9KBppMKMKp4PTP9X23H6I7gwx8CiqJ9VqFpqei-VnbXkCTbJc1/s1600/backyard5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxcVMEI3v35ufBs2swc1-7CD1sK67eXQL4ExFV4A6NUHe-aaNGX6ktWk4oUlutAEU5IimuNXyBapxc41cXhs2aNHdzS9KBppMKMKp4PTP9X23H6I7gwx8CiqJ9VqFpqei-VnbXkCTbJc1/s1600/backyard5.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJvqBNBRwu4MhOKwNE9MfpKYYhYkbqvDZOdLm4kPAAqNHwoQsw0oBeGcaF1xRhg5lnMbEGm_fGqW72N0pt0N4_4b7bNacGV8W-yG0WB_E9tp2iHbqxxYDetJ-bcH6ye7RDIeME8MbVrrg/s1600/backyard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJvqBNBRwu4MhOKwNE9MfpKYYhYkbqvDZOdLm4kPAAqNHwoQsw0oBeGcaF1xRhg5lnMbEGm_fGqW72N0pt0N4_4b7bNacGV8W-yG0WB_E9tp2iHbqxxYDetJ-bcH6ye7RDIeME8MbVrrg/s1600/backyard6.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a>Fall is knocking...come on in!</div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-32166602862987154812014-06-11T08:47:00.000-05:002014-06-11T08:47:39.410-05:00In the Garden and the Super Cute Little Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAbrToQ_bNCoCZKKh-T5N0JttqoedD-R_0hKDtGxBwoob3J_mzKR5OBDsXl1d-K1s7Vq2LJg841IWc7R7WCLg-OD1Q8wKTxvF_l4V3TSjdx16kNRx-KBqzIWHtzoBeCt1Z3oWJV-JCEAV/s1600/springegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAbrToQ_bNCoCZKKh-T5N0JttqoedD-R_0hKDtGxBwoob3J_mzKR5OBDsXl1d-K1s7Vq2LJg841IWc7R7WCLg-OD1Q8wKTxvF_l4V3TSjdx16kNRx-KBqzIWHtzoBeCt1Z3oWJV-JCEAV/s1600/springegg.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </a></div>
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So I'm just digging away in the backyard, planting my impatiens in the big flower pot like I do every year, when SURPRISE! I found a big white egg was already planted! First I assumed it was a turtle egg, since we have several turtles that lay eggs in our yard every year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ36GXHncAw1YaVsDEls6dh8DusFxjoHlU7QNhvmJtfO91udK0z0_EEQ1-pdMa1Kh_pYR71Wy3Opqtw_8DCf54pFYbUnFYMjk3HLAf_EIrC9UqE_Lp5MjK5bB9Mumtj-tkkvzg9n_UZz0L/s1600/topiary.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ36GXHncAw1YaVsDEls6dh8DusFxjoHlU7QNhvmJtfO91udK0z0_EEQ1-pdMa1Kh_pYR71Wy3Opqtw_8DCf54pFYbUnFYMjk3HLAf_EIrC9UqE_Lp5MjK5bB9Mumtj-tkkvzg9n_UZz0L/s1600/topiary.png" height="320" width="116" /></a></div>
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Then I wondered how a turtle would be able to climb a flower pot to lay an egg? Okay, very unlikely. So I did some online checking and discovered it most likely was a sly little fox that probably stole one of the duck eggs from the pond a block away. Apparently they like to do that type of thing and then hide the egg(s) for later. I wasn't exactly sure what to do with it so I just left it right where I found it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRSmh0xfiq1M1Xv7uH5eax5xX3lqChEIwlPUOz7pvn6TDRbG4Oa0tGofHlNVwF-9kpfZYub6cZm0lMSwx_O_SOo14XdbThFEw6J-z0r2hBGsTSKJP5KidBSysHwBd_s5e1pAEKGa9Laf0/s1600/IMG_7144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRSmh0xfiq1M1Xv7uH5eax5xX3lqChEIwlPUOz7pvn6TDRbG4Oa0tGofHlNVwF-9kpfZYub6cZm0lMSwx_O_SOo14XdbThFEw6J-z0r2hBGsTSKJP5KidBSysHwBd_s5e1pAEKGa9Laf0/s1600/IMG_7144.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a>And yep, wouldn't you know a couple of days later that flower pot had been dug into again. I didn't check to see if the egg was gone -- I didn't really want to know!</div>
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I was so excited to pick the first handful of strawberries from our garden...ever! We planted these last year and whoa, they sure like to spread! We've been getting about 8 to 10 strawberries a day which makes me sooo happy, I wish they were around all summer!</div>
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It's hard to imagine they come from such humble beginnings, then spread like weeds! But that's okay, I love to see them branch out and take root.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNFWKZeg58VDW6HnXQbSXGfSWU41pWleJ28UaOWBGEp_3iGJwt0Wz0_Y2fCqPofq5dmeG-3jUt-zWBGHhI8f9rpC5N4tbwRC-21opdj1SJ7lR5E9WugCeT8NSsca-rz4pEoFJq42wEbTG/s1600/zoosigns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNFWKZeg58VDW6HnXQbSXGfSWU41pWleJ28UaOWBGEp_3iGJwt0Wz0_Y2fCqPofq5dmeG-3jUt-zWBGHhI8f9rpC5N4tbwRC-21opdj1SJ7lR5E9WugCeT8NSsca-rz4pEoFJq42wEbTG/s1600/zoosigns.png" height="480" width="640" /> </a>We had a lot of fun visiting a sweet little zoo in Belvedere, IL recently. Check out the animal sign. Don't you just want to take that home with you? It's so perfectly aged. They did have one zebra but I didn't get close enough to take a picture. </div>
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But I did get a photo of this little hedgehog! Look at that face, don't you just want to take him home with you too?<br />
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They showed us several baby animals that we were allowed to pet. These two are baby wolves, but they were too young to touch. They couldn't stop yawning. I guess we were too much excitement for them.<br />
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They called these llamas, but I've never seen animals like these. These guys were pretty friendly!<br />
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This is Casanova, a horse that likes to be petted like a cat.<br />
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He'll let you know exactly where he wants petted. Pretty cool.</div>
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Okay, here we go. This year's backyard summer project. We've lived in our house 7 years and obviously still can't grow grass in the back yard. When it rains, it stays muddy for 3 days. <i>Three</i> days! So we decided if we can't grow grass, then lets cover it with pea gravel and turn the area into a fire pit! (Yaaay!) And add some bushes and flowers! (Yaaay!) Lemons into lemonade,right?!<br />
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Here's the start of it...the pea gravel. This is definitely a work in process so I will have to update more on this later. And I'm sure again later. I've decided to name it phase I, phase II, phase III, etc.</div>
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As you can see, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the rock pile. I don't
blame her, I climbed it as well. I just happened to have a shovel in my
hand and called it "work". </div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-wlmviKv-yjw%2FU4jGmK8NAaI%2FAAAAAAAABno%2FCgkjuxe7jps%2Fs1600%2Fwhitepetunias.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvRkvPHQMaw7AXi4F6WNhubNY5-GT5yugwr1LaMRncKf3aasExYnx6Bu42tL1DE4NKvqZmQFxECNFYqN-W1QWnQz_ylCU5ysBqVVyOO3jSakrLdxWxpO62maK17A4jIVxdQGkWqGIKZBM/s1600/whitepetunias.png" -->The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-28810391525698110902014-04-18T10:26:00.002-05:002014-04-18T10:26:28.142-05:00Welcome Back, Color!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't you just love <span style="color: #e06666;">SPRING</span>? All through town, I see the earth (finally!) waking up after what seemed like the never-ending winter. Don't get me wrong, winter's okay, for awhile, but I'm ready to move on and see some green grass and colors again! </div>
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Lately I've fallen in love with these French metal pitchers. I'm not sure why, there's just something about them that screams "please take me home with you!". But until I find 'the one', I couldn't resist the urge to paint one. Maybe when I have a real one I'll add a few daffodils like my little painting. <br />
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But then I was surprised when I suddenly realized I've never planted daffodils in my yard. I see them blooming everywhere and I'm constantly saying, "Oh look, the daffodils are blooming". But I've never actually planned ahead and popped a few of these bulbs in the ground in the fall. Hmm, now that I think about it I suppose that's not completely true. My mom's neighbor was pulling all of her bulbs out of her yard (What? I know, right?) and throwing them out a few years ago. We snatched a few, thinking they were daffodils. The next year the green leaves came up, looked great, but no flowers. I figured I either planted them too deep or they need an extra year before they bloomed. Then later in the summer I noticed something pink out back by the little fence we have in the corner of our back yard. I ventured out to investigate and SURPRISE! Yes, they were surprise lilies, not daffodils. Ahem, apparently this is the perfect name for them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFOAUDAamNcCjk3Qbbman6cum4P0wZsI_7-PmDSO7To2HiEGpUVGlUB91gzZ2ZO5lOpO0HowheG87Iq8m-4OJAKhKSDOWGfN8I_E-uctMd7jqC2lLI18SAX8Ut1Xsy_hnFj9_eeR5DtUZ/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFOAUDAamNcCjk3Qbbman6cum4P0wZsI_7-PmDSO7To2HiEGpUVGlUB91gzZ2ZO5lOpO0HowheG87Iq8m-4OJAKhKSDOWGfN8I_E-uctMd7jqC2lLI18SAX8Ut1Xsy_hnFj9_eeR5DtUZ/s1600/tulips.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was so happy a few of my tulips bloomed again this year. These are the bulbs I brought back from Holland a couple of years ago. Sad to say, about a dozen of them were eaten by what I'm seriously suspecting was a mole. His tunnel ran right through the corner where they were planted. I suppose he noticed they were imported :). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMzkDCl0XTDSQ0WSKQ3pPZuuXb0YXvrJTHnIjpVJAcAHQqJ-AbJffmHgWKql7_l32IY0loChyBAUuRatXjp-W6_7t4VR2VHGDRGh-rzuWwgQBECNVfEIigA2z9eIDqEpccXb4ku-Skx6G/s1600/IMG_8623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMzkDCl0XTDSQ0WSKQ3pPZuuXb0YXvrJTHnIjpVJAcAHQqJ-AbJffmHgWKql7_l32IY0loChyBAUuRatXjp-W6_7t4VR2VHGDRGh-rzuWwgQBECNVfEIigA2z9eIDqEpccXb4ku-Skx6G/s1600/IMG_8623.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And thinking of color, I thought I'd share what I see during a typical day of painting. Kind of a mess, I know, but in a good way. (Is there such a thing as a good mess? Mom?) I noticed this the other day and pulled out the always-just-in-reach camera. I can't remember what I was painting, but I'm sure it was colorful!</div>
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have a Happy Easter!</b></span></span> </div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-53575546011889140752014-03-18T16:12:00.000-05:002014-03-18T16:14:45.788-05:00My Hand Painted Pendants Featured in the Newspaper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWUSRRUu5JMEBLvNxpMhWafeHCOG5n3Rak_BK73mLO8s9WOBjlN27OdzyzQvuQ9Et9Sv9SVeedCSn_sGYZqbXU_HkRdgdua4h3wLS2MPJQgpXigEdoFm-9khcQp3i7J4h2U0UuBQ-mj8v/s1600/bnd_newspaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWUSRRUu5JMEBLvNxpMhWafeHCOG5n3Rak_BK73mLO8s9WOBjlN27OdzyzQvuQ9Et9Sv9SVeedCSn_sGYZqbXU_HkRdgdua4h3wLS2MPJQgpXigEdoFm-9khcQp3i7J4h2U0UuBQ-mj8v/s1600/bnd_newspaper.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>It's here!</b></span> (Yippee!) Last week the Belleville News Democrat featured my hand painted pendants in the Sunday newspaper. Thank you so much to writer Suzanne Boyle and photographer Steve Nagy from the Belleville News Democrat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-H3U5AqLEF9q53xZondanjmq-bx8pExIOAoD2ZZQATsiYx4KwVJxFZUk27_RyKhLMY3U3I0Um0Dr19h2sQIYT9pZSkMNBumusa1eQcqwA882gPAM3eLSyfA9V9v0Nugd-pucf3Tdexe/s1600/WFLogoCropped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-H3U5AqLEF9q53xZondanjmq-bx8pExIOAoD2ZZQATsiYx4KwVJxFZUk27_RyKhLMY3U3I0Um0Dr19h2sQIYT9pZSkMNBumusa1eQcqwA882gPAM3eLSyfA9V9v0Nugd-pucf3Tdexe/s1600/WFLogoCropped.png" height="154" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPK_woB3H77Nlv5vj3tGlf2EJuYAAhl2pGKirRtxPZg8HCm3gfK5zXuBWPBnv5nDkDxtPwMEW9SFgVnTw-hT23kmlPSdYbby_XkFkjyCD7OGrSvz4-K1socLCaJ2myJIiJ7AUYjs0Jmdv/s1600/bnd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPK_woB3H77Nlv5vj3tGlf2EJuYAAhl2pGKirRtxPZg8HCm3gfK5zXuBWPBnv5nDkDxtPwMEW9SFgVnTw-hT23kmlPSdYbby_XkFkjyCD7OGrSvz4-K1socLCaJ2myJIiJ7AUYjs0Jmdv/s1600/bnd2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
It was a surprise to see my pendant on the top of the FRONT page!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbtRu2zt3YK6JRr3xhCZZQcTchoCnVBKUPmS_0V4_CI17jHmroSbQ32GcCDhrr8o0rVcfb7J1NOaWedGGMTlpPJEMud7TDHI50OgxBPEZwjGfG7oTiuGM3-aAvje-NN4hFoGrH_ZQyBTC/s1600/bnd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbtRu2zt3YK6JRr3xhCZZQcTchoCnVBKUPmS_0V4_CI17jHmroSbQ32GcCDhrr8o0rVcfb7J1NOaWedGGMTlpPJEMud7TDHI50OgxBPEZwjGfG7oTiuGM3-aAvje-NN4hFoGrH_ZQyBTC/s1600/bnd1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a> The newspaper also included a link to the online write-up. It's at <a href="http://www.bnd.com/2014/03/09/3095856/painting-small-a-lot-of-creativity.html">http://www.bnd.com/2014/03/09/3095856/painting-small-a-lot-of-creativity.html</a>.<br />
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The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-71204208488872082412014-02-13T13:14:00.000-06:002014-02-14T15:43:26.695-06:00Getting the Studio Newspaper Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyaeg_qhIpjWLnrMsFDuaiQAdV-LYi3Qr1Jy8vIcuxzoU-tcumujLCa4x6c-9U332o0aN8fxZtB-A9dhFVeFhHc_gazt3SKfd8C1pjbJeQ50MmBKdptGOK5hwCwwmVzz5vxYi95HQjfhR/s1600/studio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyaeg_qhIpjWLnrMsFDuaiQAdV-LYi3Qr1Jy8vIcuxzoU-tcumujLCa4x6c-9U332o0aN8fxZtB-A9dhFVeFhHc_gazt3SKfd8C1pjbJeQ50MmBKdptGOK5hwCwwmVzz5vxYi95HQjfhR/s1600/studio2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's one of those rare times when my studio is cleaned up and everything
I'm working on is put away. I had to grab some photos before it was
too late and the clock struck midnight, back to the way it was. The
Belleville News Democrat, a local newspaper, contacted me to do a
feature about my hand painted pendants. Woohoo! This is the first time
my pendants will be featured in a newspaper. (Yay!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fvPqYBvz8TTb25_oVMXDJTRdIA0eyRbm0LqUorTz2qpvmocuoJWRaECpupESZdAd_P1qmDuKojiLQY8NcrcmAQ9jjQ17c4_0yR-CZLhgL12hDFr6FHL0rQr0JuTiznyPOw8YxL9RHFKp/s1600/BlogVal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fvPqYBvz8TTb25_oVMXDJTRdIA0eyRbm0LqUorTz2qpvmocuoJWRaECpupESZdAd_P1qmDuKojiLQY8NcrcmAQ9jjQ17c4_0yR-CZLhgL12hDFr6FHL0rQr0JuTiznyPOw8YxL9RHFKp/s1600/BlogVal.png" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNctXQliBkBFVEkSbDul-0uyxKKft1dChCWNpoxTK7q_eN7hT0-TA8zotsVmk9apBigDpeKisZR0RGhurJoL7taqCzjF1kuhEQ3cvXoFyOjblVvrDjzzfKlHEdzaUMNdFsPPS92w7mMjl/s1600/studio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNctXQliBkBFVEkSbDul-0uyxKKft1dChCWNpoxTK7q_eN7hT0-TA8zotsVmk9apBigDpeKisZR0RGhurJoL7taqCzjF1kuhEQ3cvXoFyOjblVvrDjzzfKlHEdzaUMNdFsPPS92w7mMjl/s1600/studio3.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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The article should come out in a couple of weeks or so. The feature writer, Suzanne Boyle, stopped by last week to ask a few questions. It was a lot of fun to chat with her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEDwv2mStKJq-nG7eUuf70jWwvYI6rgEd06gplgbhnC0gOBb9jxXfxA3J-Eivfa3zewWDHCel7xOIP6jE4aWl1LfxAB25HAtDw5yYuyg7Cbm5dSQDzFyVWSl8ZPFbx9n6r0o0pJNc5IiR/s1600/studio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEDwv2mStKJq-nG7eUuf70jWwvYI6rgEd06gplgbhnC0gOBb9jxXfxA3J-Eivfa3zewWDHCel7xOIP6jE4aWl1LfxAB25HAtDw5yYuyg7Cbm5dSQDzFyVWSl8ZPFbx9n6r0o0pJNc5IiR/s1600/studio4.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
She brought a photographer along as well. Wow, I had never been photographed while painting! He took so many pictures, far away, close up, and oh so close up on my painting hand and brush while I was working. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzrgWG3Lra9ATEhANYhJwJm8VOJMftAy5L7k8Hi0JsFtMeMLn_zH5fuclVd7sDFpmCF_OgVWIwEEIBUDcA8C5Xb0RsR4VOPbEhYGaJ3bgXAbbb7xtOHoiDdxtJUkCe2eXEnC-e0UE_-qM/s1600/studio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzrgWG3Lra9ATEhANYhJwJm8VOJMftAy5L7k8Hi0JsFtMeMLn_zH5fuclVd7sDFpmCF_OgVWIwEEIBUDcA8C5Xb0RsR4VOPbEhYGaJ3bgXAbbb7xtOHoiDdxtJUkCe2eXEnC-e0UE_-qM/s1600/studio2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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I found some old frames stashed away for a rainy day. I tied string onto a few nails I hammered along the sides, then had fun hanging pictures with tiny little clothespins. I hung copies of some of my mini paintings and commissioned jewelry pieces I had done in the past.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGggrBqIwebK9Axa3JJfwoyWfJBd9sr2_Z2jS_Ez5o7hOKaApfOibhmhY2M5J9T6onosBmW57phw8ZwHf58niCvQwLYmdqgYl0Re7ZtwgednlAk22lmGgL_-ap0D4M2CXu4zOcS7vztQa/s1600/studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGggrBqIwebK9Axa3JJfwoyWfJBd9sr2_Z2jS_Ez5o7hOKaApfOibhmhY2M5J9T6onosBmW57phw8ZwHf58niCvQwLYmdqgYl0Re7ZtwgednlAk22lmGgL_-ap0D4M2CXu4zOcS7vztQa/s1600/studio1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
It's so fun to create these mini paintings. Some are watercolor and some are acrylic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcgUfSQko8icmBgvtPhWOk7oJRfRRv-rwH2r0t0DUuCm3fpwh_VY4TVlvh4aaNeSTyyVw535PIwO1ta8LbGIVSirnqFEXVy7gAXDBKITHVOsoR-dGF4BLuyz6Ox73IeieDeZ0XelW3eUo/s1600/Michelle_green_apples_bowl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcgUfSQko8icmBgvtPhWOk7oJRfRRv-rwH2r0t0DUuCm3fpwh_VY4TVlvh4aaNeSTyyVw535PIwO1ta8LbGIVSirnqFEXVy7gAXDBKITHVOsoR-dGF4BLuyz6Ox73IeieDeZ0XelW3eUo/s1600/Michelle_green_apples_bowl.png" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178781347/hand-painted-original-cardinal-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178781347/hand-painted-original-cardinal-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_3" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWySnWMGCrVQNN_LeOuwCzg0N81-43mpzaB27Tw90c4BNYF_q5GievJPsvCSepubIriRcE65RAfyo78VIZl9m02CiK0sTf2ZuuL1e33AhdHmY3zXKLytbuIVn7wbO3H22tk49Iz27B0aR/s1600/cardinal_2_words.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
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This is my new cardinal pendant I was painting when the photographer was here. I looove this new tray/bezel. So pretty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u-6h-dPP6PTqAe_EuVtaia5D-HwZJeRPM2SumJt7V8ifW1FrIzEfj-XgHIrLK1ZLaoO40lRMve4-vWZKfX07PbELixaacX_DKbCSPMccrGN1mVve76wwlJAxXMizGHIXIBkIwyeeevKm/s1600/flower_shadow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u-6h-dPP6PTqAe_EuVtaia5D-HwZJeRPM2SumJt7V8ifW1FrIzEfj-XgHIrLK1ZLaoO40lRMve4-vWZKfX07PbELixaacX_DKbCSPMccrGN1mVve76wwlJAxXMizGHIXIBkIwyeeevKm/s1600/flower_shadow1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
Speaking of things I love, check out the shadows on the wall I noticed the other day. We actually had some sun (and not snow)! I was so excited. This was in my bedroom and I didn't have to think twice to grab my camera. I climbed right up to it and took way too many photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfTBzyGbF_by2Y870pm2bKQ1J1zRqEDWSMvPFz7hvEg4APz1AQAvCm3AlEF8rgmxS_Vtvq0pKmGei9wIVAphQHaFKrp3F9Fn-W8Tl8cDeRrrlgxLgLs0pY-en2LpQUHCiQEH3GzGgSP0e/s1600/flower_shadow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfTBzyGbF_by2Y870pm2bKQ1J1zRqEDWSMvPFz7hvEg4APz1AQAvCm3AlEF8rgmxS_Vtvq0pKmGei9wIVAphQHaFKrp3F9Fn-W8Tl8cDeRrrlgxLgLs0pY-en2LpQUHCiQEH3GzGgSP0e/s1600/flower_shadow2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkBlJmzDQ2wTEK0mlrBcDwY1i_AdYdGk3IBFsqWE0g46uSpDfjYTHqdFTPDg58obawnops3tSa70u77fKuXb_af4sICTCkOBqm8hmmzXf_lJQq5Kha0ODk8gZRPwo3UYrY2bmD44H32yk/s1600/magnets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkBlJmzDQ2wTEK0mlrBcDwY1i_AdYdGk3IBFsqWE0g46uSpDfjYTHqdFTPDg58obawnops3tSa70u77fKuXb_af4sICTCkOBqm8hmmzXf_lJQq5Kha0ODk8gZRPwo3UYrY2bmD44H32yk/s1600/magnets.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
Adding one more thing to the list of things I love...I found these tiny magnets in a drawer the other day. I had forgotten all about them (another rainy day item!), but I knew my daughter would have fun with them. When I walked back into the room this is what I found that she wrote about me. Sooo sweet!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentines Day!! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpphRV9CxZRFk3r7Shavxkp6djJZSQsLgGF9tuAie0h4b_96CJjVeAW2f95BRmKLKH8yPkvCmzV_9ImM_0wykjfUboHFIUKPKbFG8osIn2vlRu5XfbPkgCLZGfOLnKeaq28iadB31xoLh-/s1600/BlogValCup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpphRV9CxZRFk3r7Shavxkp6djJZSQsLgGF9tuAie0h4b_96CJjVeAW2f95BRmKLKH8yPkvCmzV_9ImM_0wykjfUboHFIUKPKbFG8osIn2vlRu5XfbPkgCLZGfOLnKeaq28iadB31xoLh-/s1600/BlogValCup.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175678575/hand-painted-original-snowman-face?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175678575/hand-painted-original-snowman-face?ref=shop_home_active_1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtGkpg2WKaybX035kmCvAnctuAfaTy3N6HZsOlfLG5-ZGjCObGCVeJ7lQ0eGsUD0k4rUbslTDNweE6rdIxuN-QH7f3NfKTWVohQGNEM5rqWy3mdIlvPXmihnvW1Ez5jJ7JZndRdL25lmh/s1600/snow_man_face6_words.jpg" height="640" width="524" /></a></div>
Ohhh, the weather outside is... yes, snowy! Or at least it <i>was</i> snowy last week. 13" of it in one day. Time to stay inside and drink hot chocolate. Yum!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175678575/hand-painted-original-snowman-face?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175678575/hand-painted-original-snowman-face?ref=shop_home_active_1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB672c-flHRosIrwjWXqF7BGOHC4DZ7iWPgxVtFhe7oJWgK6R6CZNkSMjJx5ONCCNb7ZRzBdZ2MjBSx3LX0mdva9IcOrTOFqfFyV4FI-J8bhWv23SRws0t9l1MtdyjJAo6ro6UqwdUVbCi/s1600/snow_man_face_side.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh sure, it was beautiful to watch it come down...<span style="font-size: x-small;">and down...</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and down</span>. All of that snow <b>inspired</b> me. It inspired me to paint this snowman pendant. He's a cute little snowman, I can wear him all winter long!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATUCF15Q5v5LSffjPX49mTiNMHJM0BHeKbs8GhrB4VAD4QOmss_0uiZbEnOmH1Npbmo6dq3rtKnRaKCu5eFnDQsOfXFi8xw5knvE-_v6c5RB9-AtCA7W9ZIzRgCuYXzhtOPbOmJFJX-Fq/s1600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATUCF15Q5v5LSffjPX49mTiNMHJM0BHeKbs8GhrB4VAD4QOmss_0uiZbEnOmH1Npbmo6dq3rtKnRaKCu5eFnDQsOfXFi8xw5knvE-_v6c5RB9-AtCA7W9ZIzRgCuYXzhtOPbOmJFJX-Fq/s1600/snow1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
This was the view from our front door. It was early and I still had my robe on, so I wasn't about to go out any farther than just opening the door. A few snowflakes blew in, our indoor cat loved it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJs0c2XBVrrAZWSUpIvA1UpIFxzTYeFKWPFJcHO1VRZAiQZWCNJw9ml6BRTk_YxMi1-5Q_pR26kFqH0QtMZ9Y4KabFTejrOiOZkBDxZsk10KsiHIw_pslKR-oj6N559AONiz7EF5x_6TI/s1600/snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJs0c2XBVrrAZWSUpIvA1UpIFxzTYeFKWPFJcHO1VRZAiQZWCNJw9ml6BRTk_YxMi1-5Q_pR26kFqH0QtMZ9Y4KabFTejrOiOZkBDxZsk10KsiHIw_pslKR-oj6N559AONiz7EF5x_6TI/s1600/snow2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the back yard. The small square at the bottom left side is a bird feeder we put out on Christmas Day. The birds still haven't found it yet, and I was pretty sure they weren't going to find it that day either.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fNG1EkN5tzVvTTv2Ze39hjt6nArs-yIe93-BtMZabNCBnSYV0N04NwoOVq-SqLyEkLPyVsqAsbDDElMMgMAYkuNStUKd9xAqnG-Zg97U4jiiwE9jg4HiX_6-s9vQ7R4X08KUpTCv5mfv/s1600/snow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fNG1EkN5tzVvTTv2Ze39hjt6nArs-yIe93-BtMZabNCBnSYV0N04NwoOVq-SqLyEkLPyVsqAsbDDElMMgMAYkuNStUKd9xAqnG-Zg97U4jiiwE9jg4HiX_6-s9vQ7R4X08KUpTCv5mfv/s1600/snow3.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10wvVRXtVuU0CJe9vm9ciIk2uBsY3_wmB4HbR79In-ypDLDmxRy5OyiJi5xbj7qLtdtLfTle7vbDjH62pgP-AAjg49axTuqey1Y52DbzEPyTML3361ANIKig-TGxeQa2O8owID45njatA/s1600/winter+birds+on+branch_together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10wvVRXtVuU0CJe9vm9ciIk2uBsY3_wmB4HbR79In-ypDLDmxRy5OyiJi5xbj7qLtdtLfTle7vbDjH62pgP-AAjg49axTuqey1Y52DbzEPyTML3361ANIKig-TGxeQa2O8owID45njatA/s1600/winter+birds+on+branch_together.jpg" height="60" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOelVKB5uTzLw2mXGB_wSaV4UGdcUPV-4BBi0IKC45viStZ7RJc8CS6vs7H85iWhSSveZK7Ec-r2fWnSD28U7riAMk4H39g9uOqsF7SYM01K0O-LnSE28EXDfD05-5W1VD_Y0C6f7Ep1l0/s1600/snow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOelVKB5uTzLw2mXGB_wSaV4UGdcUPV-4BBi0IKC45viStZ7RJc8CS6vs7H85iWhSSveZK7Ec-r2fWnSD28U7riAMk4H39g9uOqsF7SYM01K0O-LnSE28EXDfD05-5W1VD_Y0C6f7Ep1l0/s1600/snow4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I can't believe how much snow this little bush can hold! Sure, there was a little drifting, but still. LOTS of snow out there. And cooold (brrr) too, below 0 degrees. Did you notice the little bird prints on top of the bush? (Now how often can I ask that question?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kRMjkSsy5b_oH6gg9mL6pWwNg3kzzeFsrHYTjQbDWYJpBNR47lu68t8WId_vHkCtbPFJ_bUR52s_05VkHrxDukA7MAkiZN8C-1zjKjR5KIF_by7OqvgNGjHdgBZhXMRsAz8VZ72ZgoJ1/s1600/snow5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kRMjkSsy5b_oH6gg9mL6pWwNg3kzzeFsrHYTjQbDWYJpBNR47lu68t8WId_vHkCtbPFJ_bUR52s_05VkHrxDukA7MAkiZN8C-1zjKjR5KIF_by7OqvgNGjHdgBZhXMRsAz8VZ72ZgoJ1/s1600/snow5.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
We noticed birds in the front yard looking for food, so we threw a little bird seed out that way as well. Actually, we threw a <i>lot</i> of bird seed out there. Check out all of the bird footprints left behind. Wow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkycTceTz0tWKdZavarTaqNo20XNN344C9ld1PwVidvqpGu-OTNtqvOm8gg7GkzDh_bO7XW0OA47zN4Bc_TQ3k9xj2r6JRnZk5CgPQp5n_TTDNx0l7KB2Un-XP1BEGtzrtudYPeU66qO_/s1600/snow6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkycTceTz0tWKdZavarTaqNo20XNN344C9ld1PwVidvqpGu-OTNtqvOm8gg7GkzDh_bO7XW0OA47zN4Bc_TQ3k9xj2r6JRnZk5CgPQp5n_TTDNx0l7KB2Un-XP1BEGtzrtudYPeU66qO_/s1600/snow6.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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The snow has melted now, except for a few little piles here and there. But I still have my snowman pendant, he'll never melt. Even after I bake him! (haha, I always bake my pendants after I paint them :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXvtmesKs8NJzEqVVDPsyLwEIwT2PGQLk7KhQ_hetSVHDiz6S0GxOO2fr_o6aG0dwUTKOc9NGO2w_xFoJEhnJy2jXItb1yk0UqyAsZFKIeJx273OsNbVCAF2PoSsYVxM8LZDsQKIKsms6/s1600/snowman+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXvtmesKs8NJzEqVVDPsyLwEIwT2PGQLk7KhQ_hetSVHDiz6S0GxOO2fr_o6aG0dwUTKOc9NGO2w_xFoJEhnJy2jXItb1yk0UqyAsZFKIeJx273OsNbVCAF2PoSsYVxM8LZDsQKIKsms6/s1600/snowman+face.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a></div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-59204438233552783322013-12-27T10:08:00.000-06:002013-12-27T10:08:51.305-06:00A Christmas Hello<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/173858307/hand-painted-original-cardinal-ornament?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/173858307/hand-painted-original-cardinal-ornament?ref=shop_home_active" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb40X5-n3rDFeMxvvu8_VJvJrQxZCkF_mAf7tJ-08j5XUpmLZThmdUhnZKuJLoO8dIokgyK86uvGTX4gkWefqHRz8uhngfIiEIHk7fWIKKPftfHpjnNczwz5iZBWGlvp_FHjftQRniqV0/s400/cardinal1.jpg" width="341" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtM_zJbMeeUkDs9bbLqGv85_xl6RtteIc1hl4-D98QKwd9gW9YAvsEkT0O3oGXEDsGhfpThCOBoroOdRQONNPKkXAhBXpLGQtyyr2pL199cDe8xOw2GtoFZi1PuDox4GDHTPE8etaQYkU/s1600/pear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtM_zJbMeeUkDs9bbLqGv85_xl6RtteIc1hl4-D98QKwd9gW9YAvsEkT0O3oGXEDsGhfpThCOBoroOdRQONNPKkXAhBXpLGQtyyr2pL199cDe8xOw2GtoFZi1PuDox4GDHTPE8etaQYkU/s200/pear.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I've been thinking of my blog friends and hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I painted the little cardinal ornament for my brother-in-law's birthday. His wife (aka my sister) has several pendants I've painted, so it was his turn! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0PxsFudxtiVQgglLAvx0_xQGtX8yAtczP4IrHWKT0h92rpUnY7urEey4_7sOSX5IKYFsO7aA6v3ISFwyK6EF0Y8j26Asm4SI8iWNPGsAEQ8cyIsiXdklbbzNF3wGcAdPFUvg_oHvJqbM/s1600/christmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0PxsFudxtiVQgglLAvx0_xQGtX8yAtczP4IrHWKT0h92rpUnY7urEey4_7sOSX5IKYFsO7aA6v3ISFwyK6EF0Y8j26Asm4SI8iWNPGsAEQ8cyIsiXdklbbzNF3wGcAdPFUvg_oHvJqbM/s400/christmas1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had a nice quiet Christmas Eve... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bYujU2pMXnFfipYizA-OyeHiOZ5nMNf5OPxqWYMllr1adduxHvLZCIiZQ6rOFRQGjlFpkjZ7gtzoPwsSPWLgxzWRlDbW8gieAFrEqfmtrEWf-PgAgbrnpJa10GIIK1hyphenhyphenz3ql6wokD7MG/s1600/christmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bYujU2pMXnFfipYizA-OyeHiOZ5nMNf5OPxqWYMllr1adduxHvLZCIiZQ6rOFRQGjlFpkjZ7gtzoPwsSPWLgxzWRlDbW8gieAFrEqfmtrEWf-PgAgbrnpJa10GIIK1hyphenhyphenz3ql6wokD7MG/s400/christmas2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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cozying up to the the "fire". (Yes, these are Christmas lights...)</div>
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Lucy especially liked her gift box.</div>
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It's amazing how we can't see her when she hides under the bushes. </div>
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The snow melted before Christmas but we spotted a snow girl in the yard, just passing through until the next snowfall comes.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8AHz525IUIYtKCGMnEoM3nzS1a7nTd81SnyM0NLaw0GHm6rjCy13gIkaHgTHOBkKFj6hOfFoXF44G4A8Wpwm7yzB2_J_r4XE6vsB64Lh3tcgABc8Gota2vgNaBg7vH5-W2QwPNDLxDcB/s1600/BelieveStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8AHz525IUIYtKCGMnEoM3nzS1a7nTd81SnyM0NLaw0GHm6rjCy13gIkaHgTHOBkKFj6hOfFoXF44G4A8Wpwm7yzB2_J_r4XE6vsB64Lh3tcgABc8Gota2vgNaBg7vH5-W2QwPNDLxDcB/s1600/BelieveStar.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Merry Christmas </span>everyone, and have a </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Happy New Year</span>!!</span></b></span><i><br /></i></div>
<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-1757918419394960072013-11-30T14:42:00.000-06:002013-11-30T14:42:55.277-06:00Holiday Sale!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171183321/free-shipping-hand-painted-original?ref=shop_home_active" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171183321/free-shipping-hand-painted-original?ref=shop_home_active" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCzimPPLuyi8XUyD0bp6YHpHYMg29hyphenhyphenAdD2NCeuBYpyMyvIrTO1jDUCOKew8fhWgcGpF_HJeVbhSKT1YCJ2jnbSg4CDT6rSLzsPqeQpHspIjf4w952wqzl2flOeyjJXWSEnv2Tq7VeKDT/s400/snowman_words.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet snowman ornament can also be worn as a necklace.</td></tr>
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As the fall season drifts into winter and the exciting holiday shopping begins, I didn't want my sales to fly by without letting my friends know! My <a href="http://paintedcottagestudio.etsy.com/">PaintedCottageStudio.etsy.com</a> website has free shipping through Monday, December 2nd. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__ECs2w0AbZ26u7XOLnCBOGJCi6D-Wy-cd2cjWAQVrXeTIhXiGKerDXZpiMBwQTL9r8JT3-sxpbECqdNCWvZ2-PWkL9w-ncxOCw9xVfe8BeWnSokh9P6nJGZt-SaYns6QaPwzKm9kayrf/s1600/mittens.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__ECs2w0AbZ26u7XOLnCBOGJCi6D-Wy-cd2cjWAQVrXeTIhXiGKerDXZpiMBwQTL9r8JT3-sxpbECqdNCWvZ2-PWkL9w-ncxOCw9xVfe8BeWnSokh9P6nJGZt-SaYns6QaPwzKm9kayrf/s200/mittens.png" width="141" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/166856490/holiday-sale-holiday-necklace-pendant?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/166856490/holiday-sale-holiday-necklace-pendant?ref=shop_home_active" border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HgRFfJEE2oohuLFCVlfeAmX-z8UAAVcveKspzxY4XEfLpLe4DN0pgnUSmurlESGUJQBMsbJuRkVBynqitSPJdhUVFgcmE7lwE6pGjLGaQ5PBub-NfyFB54MYysw1SC089vHWXllP-wIk/s400/holiday_0520AGC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PremierPendants?ref=si_shop" target="_blank"> PremierPendants.etsy.com</a> website now offers all pendants at $12.95, on sale from $14.00 through the holiday season!</div>
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Soon, we'll be baking Christmas cookies (and I know some of you have already begun!) Mmmmm. And I'm sure we'll be building snowmen as well. These are two that my kids built when they were younger. I just love their smiles! <br />
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The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-17941357577332082452013-11-14T09:18:00.000-06:002013-11-14T09:18:45.283-06:00Apple Orchard Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yo0l_djo66dh53gVzmjJnHfpRg19vOfVy9FzslS9htiw27hSvjJorQBr0bW0ysll4-LgqoAlgvO5oeNedgyJ9-KxpPO6mPrlyGz5i2MBqHUdqqCYFlk1bKtXf-cECipM87gpE4n4PVWr/s1600/IMG_8025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yo0l_djo66dh53gVzmjJnHfpRg19vOfVy9FzslS9htiw27hSvjJorQBr0bW0ysll4-LgqoAlgvO5oeNedgyJ9-KxpPO6mPrlyGz5i2MBqHUdqqCYFlk1bKtXf-cECipM87gpE4n4PVWr/s400/IMG_8025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's always a simple, no-frills kind of afternoon, but there's something about an apple orchard that keeps me coming back every year. </div>
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Mmmm, maybe it's the apple pies, or the apple cider. It could be the big giant cookies! (No photos of the cookies, they were gone before I could get my camera out!) But maybe it's the simplicity of it all.</div>
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The timeless, uninterrupted way nature has to quietly continue on, year after beautiful year. </div>
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And then the sun begins to set,</div>
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and the animals are fed,</div>
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and you find your way back home,</div>
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back to your doorstep, full of colorful fall leaves ready to welcome you and remind you it's a beautiful day and a beautiful season. Happy Fall!The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-85083340239921287842013-08-21T13:51:00.001-05:002013-08-21T13:51:42.098-05:00The County Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It just wouldn't be summer without the county fair. Complete with that wonderful ferris wheel, </div>
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and colorful games (early in the day, before the crowds of course).<br />
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But when everyone else is watching the demolition derby and competing in the longest pigtail contest (not actually pig's tails, but girl's pig tails!), I like to sneak downstairs and see what all of the wonderful women (and men!) have been working on this past year. The quilts, paintings and crafts are always so awesome.<br />
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Especially this hand made, blue ribbon wearing, end table set made by a 12 year old. Yep, a <em>twelve</em> year old. Applause, please.<br />
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I don't know why, but I get such a kick out of visiting the chickens. Maybe because we can get a good close look at them. I mean, when else do we get a chance to get so close to these amazing, colorful creatures? Especially this little guy (girl?). Pink! Who knew?<br />
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This one was awesome but I think he looked a little angry...probably doesn't like getting his picture taken.<br />
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I couldn't resist him, I loved his colors...so Fall-like.<br />
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By this time people were beginning to look at me a little strange, wondering why I'm taking so many photos of chickens, I'm sure. I would have too if I were them. Because believe me, I took more than what you see here!<br />
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Aww, don't you just want to take him home??<br />
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Cows...love it! <br />
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The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-76491201070492482732013-06-10T10:47:00.003-05:002013-06-10T11:02:42.141-05:00Back From Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ahhh, summer. It's finally here! We just returned from Florida a couple of weeks ago and I think I'm still in vacation mode. It can be hard to get back to it, especially when we just saw scenes like this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0utOJ8tCjS3LF0TTjolBvSSmAEG029cUPKJ6T3WS0cRHovus3l02aUrhmePqno5fVqABIwWW4s_SOStRS50Yj6kWeSBZaSQKiLa12MIJjQ70zj0SGnFgLVGRlOOqXt68ZwlK8nsvIsOD/s1600/IMG_7006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0utOJ8tCjS3LF0TTjolBvSSmAEG029cUPKJ6T3WS0cRHovus3l02aUrhmePqno5fVqABIwWW4s_SOStRS50Yj6kWeSBZaSQKiLa12MIJjQ70zj0SGnFgLVGRlOOqXt68ZwlK8nsvIsOD/s400/IMG_7006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xMrJI5qLKlJJ-BXuhyphenhyphen0-indC-xT29Wk3yEkViGyQttBuaDRsS1PXcCu4Z9tbbF3958KpIyUOYMCzl1EwpjULpD93ioP_boHbZ-C88hFGNhGSLJt26rjrD-ZSJjTUUqeeYbHmjUOC38uH/s1600/starfish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xMrJI5qLKlJJ-BXuhyphenhyphen0-indC-xT29Wk3yEkViGyQttBuaDRsS1PXcCu4Z9tbbF3958KpIyUOYMCzl1EwpjULpD93ioP_boHbZ-C88hFGNhGSLJt26rjrD-ZSJjTUUqeeYbHmjUOC38uH/s1600/starfish2.jpg" /></a>This was actually a Disney/Universal Studios vacation but we stopped on the way back home for a day at St. Augustine. (Driving 16 hours each way with two kids!) When we're driving that far to Florida, we <strike>wanted to</strike> <i>had</i> to see the ocean, even if only for an afternoon. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMTq-QqFnAZv0nbjz6IJArqugzxsivWwyHl1kmpsXto3wFhuJDUsbKKQngF8b1_2Pt_f1CushSHxOq0mcugHliGbdb44Zvi0wItedyIGyQ3q9a_vhosfX6aGep4hHR43zLREZXooesPpE/s1600/IMG_7032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMTq-QqFnAZv0nbjz6IJArqugzxsivWwyHl1kmpsXto3wFhuJDUsbKKQngF8b1_2Pt_f1CushSHxOq0mcugHliGbdb44Zvi0wItedyIGyQ3q9a_vhosfX6aGep4hHR43zLREZXooesPpE/s400/IMG_7032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were lucky it was a beautiful day. That's a little more surprising than you
might think. Tony and I have a history of bringing rain right along with us
whenever we're on vacation! :) </div>
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Little bit of an odd photo, I know, but I loved the patterns the
water made in the sand that was left behind during low tide. Diamonds in
the sand.<br />
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We had a loooong walkway to get to the beach. It was <i>supposed</i> to be 500 steps from the hotel. But, well, it was a nice, new walkway anyway! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHowz6GLKV2QJr1MuMNC654wPdO1kfNtq-EzVQn_gqwrEbA2oo5zxU9LLXjflphqo2vkFTWC0u2WaRMn2XURcu3L2TuteyVx-u87JUsnTvRUU7zjsQTGNtLor-qKZ1fTO8Nuv-sdCTUQMO/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHowz6GLKV2QJr1MuMNC654wPdO1kfNtq-EzVQn_gqwrEbA2oo5zxU9LLXjflphqo2vkFTWC0u2WaRMn2XURcu3L2TuteyVx-u87JUsnTvRUU7zjsQTGNtLor-qKZ1fTO8Nuv-sdCTUQMO/s400/IMG_7020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We passed by this scene on the way. Kind of swampy looking, I searched for alligators.<br />
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If you go to St. Augustine you have to see the Castillo de San Marcos Spanish Fort. It's always an impressive sight.</div>
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The old downtown. We even found gourmet popsicles there. Mine was banana/vanilla and it was, ahem, gone before I thought to take a picture. </div>
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Driving by (literally, not even getting out of the car) the Fountain of Youth. I've driven by this entryway several times in my life. Maybe one day I'll actually go in! </div>
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Ahh, the beautiful street in front of the Fountain of Youth. The leaves on the trees meet up above and the moss always hangs. Always. Ever since I was 5 years old and saw this for the first time. </div>
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It's even hanging from the wires!</div>
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If you saw the movie 'Vacation', this goes without saying...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblvCzIX-9YyimDCt_9-M0XmLPpU9aFR9mJfYDXLden_ydZtvTgmjwSDCLi_jVMvhTCG0m5_zXgD4bSJ8czbeDSQ2gFsY5h5oZPxXXTLdTz3EYJJBB9vBVBIzSqWdloT0V8PRiKiifFsxa/s1600/starfish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblvCzIX-9YyimDCt_9-M0XmLPpU9aFR9mJfYDXLden_ydZtvTgmjwSDCLi_jVMvhTCG0m5_zXgD4bSJ8czbeDSQ2gFsY5h5oZPxXXTLdTz3EYJJBB9vBVBIzSqWdloT0V8PRiKiifFsxa/s320/starfish1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-20425488213271638542013-05-09T12:32:00.001-05:002013-05-09T12:32:42.248-05:00April Showers...and May Showers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmLsn7IKfUoMorvhvRpWQQf9eYsqVCzCDCGNmXIv49UGdFl2yw0JPKQkhj7ki9JCHLw6YDO6vBP3bgU6vQOd4Js0RiQ0WUlVf-DXUeaePTZ6N5SKV9QQWNx-KpWdykK1dFHhdheHvm2bH/s1600/mobot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmLsn7IKfUoMorvhvRpWQQf9eYsqVCzCDCGNmXIv49UGdFl2yw0JPKQkhj7ki9JCHLw6YDO6vBP3bgU6vQOd4Js0RiQ0WUlVf-DXUeaePTZ6N5SKV9QQWNx-KpWdykK1dFHhdheHvm2bH/s400/mobot1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">RAIN</span> is the word of the day around here lately. Last summer it was a drought, this spring we're swimming in the puddles of our backyards. But how can I complain when we get results like these? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwJHXgBSQa9_C5SHI21qmXTwM3Md5-9O5iWOVeNdtm-zJtpU_XG4su8PQQ6D0R0Gh8ji9K7qR6POc1sSuvTBfc1XUgVVRQmizmh2H06DxJrhodifLlaaOPuPamZETPBR-h74yGZnUr7ZY/s1600/mobot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwJHXgBSQa9_C5SHI21qmXTwM3Md5-9O5iWOVeNdtm-zJtpU_XG4su8PQQ6D0R0Gh8ji9K7qR6POc1sSuvTBfc1XUgVVRQmizmh2H06DxJrhodifLlaaOPuPamZETPBR-h74yGZnUr7ZY/s400/mobot2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These beautiful photos were taken at the Missouri Botanical Gardens last week. I like to think of it as my home away from home. I'm a member of the gardens now, so of course I feel like I'm part owner. Which, I'm sure, makes me partly responsible for these lovely grounds. Right? (Don't you love how my logic works?) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndC97qQv5lIBvO44judVVYOQqPuhGvcO2iP2pc0vj1ZjPl9-WCWXH2DGmpIoDNc1d398FthJlVxLC6GqQTjlfOpck2CVWacp-fI3VLNBb0sQmi5xgAKeVxRL5grIFy9voyRjVP2n027pI/s1600/tulips3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndC97qQv5lIBvO44judVVYOQqPuhGvcO2iP2pc0vj1ZjPl9-WCWXH2DGmpIoDNc1d398FthJlVxLC6GqQTjlfOpck2CVWacp-fI3VLNBb0sQmi5xgAKeVxRL5grIFy9voyRjVP2n027pI/s400/tulips3.jpg" width="400" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn0vDRWAT_LfKiUjG-vJeZoBtMSAME_G7jH3rLKttAqje2bnljjtiti9dxL7Fyo1d9Le-jzDuvOaZ3CClejv-Pj_ueC4-B2lqOVSc-6IOWvsue8PQ5WH3BlVnB-D6oea8_C6r3HX9e0si/s1600/yellow+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn0vDRWAT_LfKiUjG-vJeZoBtMSAME_G7jH3rLKttAqje2bnljjtiti9dxL7Fyo1d9Le-jzDuvOaZ3CClejv-Pj_ueC4-B2lqOVSc-6IOWvsue8PQ5WH3BlVnB-D6oea8_C6r3HX9e0si/s200/yellow+boots.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still have these little rain boots my son wore years ago. I just can't get rid of them! I'll do something crafty with them and show you when I'm finished.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLZIQsEanH6NNHJnhxAETeYmi6qbzNKHbYQxnBDFjQk4xY18JRp11ZYQNbtWhG5iicG0KLGXwTToRZgEN8xpBEywYfNotni2LLp5pLfLAQuNELE5NhFNn1eVw88gWcplxcso9E-8jZpPW/s1600/tulips4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLZIQsEanH6NNHJnhxAETeYmi6qbzNKHbYQxnBDFjQk4xY18JRp11ZYQNbtWhG5iicG0KLGXwTToRZgEN8xpBEywYfNotni2LLp5pLfLAQuNELE5NhFNn1eVw88gWcplxcso9E-8jZpPW/s400/tulips4.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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If you can see the people sitting behind the tulips they are all artists. That was so nice they came to visit my gardens on the same day I was there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIsImND_ucIwXE7BhGt4S7h9pPelOzbiBmgEXmlQhT6fNcUaRi81yC_3gkijs3kMhJ2mO3qi5HCKQWyYMrQQxS3rJZykW0-Bu8ZlydSOwMeaVi294bwBhyphenhyphenRzIWJTMbaYLYKbns8nmRhLk/s1600/tulips5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIsImND_ucIwXE7BhGt4S7h9pPelOzbiBmgEXmlQhT6fNcUaRi81yC_3gkijs3kMhJ2mO3qi5HCKQWyYMrQQxS3rJZykW0-Bu8ZlydSOwMeaVi294bwBhyphenhyphenRzIWJTMbaYLYKbns8nmRhLk/s400/tulips5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a closer look, they don't mind. </div>
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Back at home, I've been so excited to see my Amsterdam tulips blooming! I brought these back last summer and planted them on Thanksgiving Day. And 'poof!', like magic they explode into these beautiful bursts of color. </div>
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I brought a few in and they bloomed until the petals folded backwards! They're finished blooming now, but only for awhile, they'll be back again next year. And I'll be waiting.<br />
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I should add that I'll be on vacation soon. I'll be back in business and ready to go (painting, of course!) on May27th. For those that don't know, I have a 2nd Etsy shop...<a href="http://premierpendants.etsy.com/">PremierPendants.etsy.com</a>. I create lovely pendants from images. A few are my own design, such as this one... <br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/130641163/dream-and-hummingbird-necklace-pendant?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRKThB-cygHFqTVYYELzS8JI91XInF3DCf9e3sT1DOO4woIMm4vN0aTnq7ZrUIbm1G0kYGedQMVnC-gCCBKhUSOlGAJE3h5oz5BJOCs7ulJyhs42S0UV0XaXp3oZARbIcXYtGiJGE_-gD/s320/dream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Perfect for the beginning of summer, wouldn't you say? The hummingbird flying dreamingly (think 'summer afternoons') in the background is from one of my original paintings. Each of these pendants are $14, but unfortunately while I'm on "vacation mode" on Etsy you won't be able to see them. Be sure to come back on the 27th and until then, have a dreamy, summer-afternoon kind of May!The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-60615872286735234662013-03-29T23:42:00.001-05:002013-03-30T08:37:36.970-05:00Signs of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoKYkxDrbD9_y0hp6q7pOBVlt-mYY5macpVZtBwC21O-h89Amw-W_09lTdYnvZKV6VaSOsZD_q4mBDIxrdepO4GtYp2AL46y7z4C0NlmljNryQGy0Sowg9ikS5-PRPnzyq3Fs6A1PT-ex/s1600/EB_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoKYkxDrbD9_y0hp6q7pOBVlt-mYY5macpVZtBwC21O-h89Amw-W_09lTdYnvZKV6VaSOsZD_q4mBDIxrdepO4GtYp2AL46y7z4C0NlmljNryQGy0Sowg9ikS5-PRPnzyq3Fs6A1PT-ex/s400/EB_3.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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My little hand painted Easter Bunny pendant. He's so sweet and leads us right into spring with his smile. He knows warmer weather is coming, I can tell.</div>
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We did have snow the other day. A LOT of snow, by our standards. Ten to twelve inches. I love the way it melted through the holes of our patio furniture.<br />
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We started feeding the birds on our patio this winter. I have to admit, it was just as much for Lucy as it was for the birds. She's an inside cat but the closer I throw the seed to the house, the happier she is.</div>
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My second sure sign of spring. These are the tulips I brought back from our trip last summer to Amsterdam. If I could only bring one thing home from Holland it would be a tulip bulb. But luckily for me, I was able to bring back four <em>bags</em> :). I shared one bag but kept the rest for myself! I couldn't resist, I'm weak. Their colors remain a mystery. These <em>should</em> be either white or pink. But as long as they bloom I'll be oh so happy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kra8O1GJ63WmGp4KLNz2BTzpZ6ulvBMpDIcVLqjA24QB9nu7CswR0hZ6hV4wxjbz4fAs7MAuAljPDILPPJK352EI_fH0o_-e7wDjOEpbiiEWNpFxHSJkv106ke9lv5lINYmCcfZt-KiK/s1600/ducks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kra8O1GJ63WmGp4KLNz2BTzpZ6ulvBMpDIcVLqjA24QB9nu7CswR0hZ6hV4wxjbz4fAs7MAuAljPDILPPJK352EI_fH0o_-e7wDjOEpbiiEWNpFxHSJkv106ke9lv5lINYmCcfZt-KiK/s400/ducks2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Ducks! These were our visitors today. Or I should say, only two of many that roamed around our yard and neighborhood. There's a pond down the street so spring usually brings the excitement of ducks into the yard. I wonder if any will have a nest by our house? I'll have to take photos of the turtles this year. They come every spring and I'm sure they'll be coming around again next month. Last year we had four turtles lay eggs in our yard. We still can't figure out why they like it here so much. Did you notice our snow is pretty much gone? Twelve inches on Sunday and by Friday it disappears! Just in time for Easter and Easter egg hunting. Happy Spring! </div>
The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-74605836833422845462012-12-06T09:17:00.000-06:002012-12-06T09:17:02.641-06:00St. Nicholas Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy St. Nicholas Day to all! This is a special request pendant I painted to celebrate this special day. <br />
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It's been getting all Christmasy around here lately.We've been putting the fall decorations safely back in their boxes until next year, and slowly, one by one we bring out our Christmas items. Happily remembering past years and looking forward to this year as our house transforms into a holiday home. </div>
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Enjoy your holiday baking, Christmas shopping and decorating as you prepare your homes for this beautiful season!<br />
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-15509321511772660602012-11-21T08:28:00.001-06:002012-11-21T08:28:41.715-06:00Beautiful Autumn Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The St. Louis Botanical Gardens is the perfect place for a Fall day (or any day, as far as that goes!). I didn't expect to see many flowers in bloom, but thankfully I was wrong. It's amazing to me how they can get these mums to hang over that stone wall. </div>
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The Japanese garden area is gorgeous in every season.</div>
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My daughter can never seem to keep her fingers (hands, arms) out of the water, no matter what the temperature is.</div>
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One lonely, happy iris still in bloom. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IaOgyN7jwgfdLYP966HAg6pCbT_nUOVUjB-3xOZAX0X1sDG5CZVk1e0-smzW06uWmZ1hb8_qOyN8bQTpqXtC17rvRrBopwkgfj7ZfrhOpaKtsuu6JppUDRzypbQQHOaG7ayfpMoayiVR/s1600/gardens5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IaOgyN7jwgfdLYP966HAg6pCbT_nUOVUjB-3xOZAX0X1sDG5CZVk1e0-smzW06uWmZ1hb8_qOyN8bQTpqXtC17rvRrBopwkgfj7ZfrhOpaKtsuu6JppUDRzypbQQHOaG7ayfpMoayiVR/s400/gardens5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
I don't know what it is about this photo (my husband took this one!) but I love it. Maybe it's the colors, or that it looks like it's both spinning and sitting still at the same time. It just looks so peaceful.<br />
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And, on this beautiful Autumn day, I want to wish everyone a<strong> <em><span style="color: black;">yummy</span></em>, <em>friend and family-filled</em></strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew-ZMUHchyevMGdZLUFQYMymOkQzblo_fPnw47Yu3yyJEwvkIa3FA2P16ppfcGWLE3N67K-kQJ3LpM4ocU6MkIyheJugwdTwN0zGmgdseFREu9dlLA-WVMUd106QrWm3YkQo0VPTN4gci/s1600/ApplePieResized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew-ZMUHchyevMGdZLUFQYMymOkQzblo_fPnw47Yu3yyJEwvkIa3FA2P16ppfcGWLE3N67K-kQJ3LpM4ocU6MkIyheJugwdTwN0zGmgdseFREu9dlLA-WVMUd106QrWm3YkQo0VPTN4gci/s320/ApplePieResized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Happy Thanksgiving!</strong></em></span></div>
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<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-46511949594446310482012-11-19T20:16:00.001-06:002012-11-19T20:16:47.004-06:00Yummy (and easy!) Pumpkin Muffins <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYOnc1cK-JdlFoKPIQZlNWNh4A31M10ed053BGCJie9QFV9QCRAB0g6m1R_NhHamnjgT6q0kBVPL1ptKqXl0G7Ur66hc9ROz1UeZZ9gDntHPWzyylGdVC_Ho1a3JrTPpkCUhn2nDSV4C6/s1600/pumpkin_muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYOnc1cK-JdlFoKPIQZlNWNh4A31M10ed053BGCJie9QFV9QCRAB0g6m1R_NhHamnjgT6q0kBVPL1ptKqXl0G7Ur66hc9ROz1UeZZ9gDntHPWzyylGdVC_Ho1a3JrTPpkCUhn2nDSV4C6/s320/pumpkin_muffins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These muffins are so yummy and so easy! I believe this is a Weight
Watchers recipe, but it was passed on to me by a friend. I just had to
share...</div>
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1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin</div>
1 box spice cake mix<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo0PffrmA4IPVRa1nPm5Agfa0SnZQFC8Y_6ThXascxmHXcdA7dsOiBAoSn0-c1_BQLAE7TR2MKz8DY02chsFi6TWU2KAv0Fh15lmKzB8nE4ZrX64MC8EqP_wWVDtdrdmXW9-jM4dYO-79/s1600/PumpkinMuffinPainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo0PffrmA4IPVRa1nPm5Agfa0SnZQFC8Y_6ThXascxmHXcdA7dsOiBAoSn0-c1_BQLAE7TR2MKz8DY02chsFi6TWU2KAv0Fh15lmKzB8nE4ZrX64MC8EqP_wWVDtdrdmXW9-jM4dYO-79/s200/PumpkinMuffinPainting.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
1/8 cup water<br />
<br />**option... 2/3 bag of mini chocolate chips for the chocolate lovers!
Yum!<br />
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Mix together with mixer and fill muffin cups half full, or bake in muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray. Bake approx. 12 minutes or
until toothpick in center comes out clean. Bake at temperature according
to directions on the box.</div>
<br />The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-80914663604078100172012-10-04T05:30:00.000-05:002012-10-04T06:45:09.274-05:00The Butterfly House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110570689/hand-painted-original-butterfly-necklace" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1x9VNUsaYiEQtm91E98RtvSovunpVc-6x_vgS6MfhyB0gkphA516zOoM8kK4uCUv_GV_E_p5S9JDsLm_sSt8rpf0847qPFoR3AXGrbGfMJ_r4TJhxUHfLLs679WNETj2ERFCya2e0sOb/s200/butterfly3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110570689/hand-painted-original-butterfly-necklace" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvERSihe-uLL-fPXwykT4wWPWfZ4cpmABHV6vq3Ar1vTOgkty8pR8e8KShQz3B-iowt3sIjDgWwYZh4WmyoPt1-0w7gM8V0d6e4JLywzBzHHmOXWbnwXMDcuOV2-x4lglWHgLddEMptBdZ/s400/butterfly1.jpg" width="400" /></a> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">IT WAS A</span> nice first trip to the Butterfly House with my daughter. They were so delicate...so beautiful...and there were oh so many! I loved the butterfly on this leaf, I just had to paint him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBO1Qiu9QXDU6QaGsRlRcHQm135KfSDcnb7GDounDv4m-Z60uEMJmsMdwfpnVxPjsYfCKHJto-X_OQ8c2gvBFYUXy2FDaUfiRRqLdZRVxMtpDgCAmVUi4d3ywFgAzVJKK9jsdM43fz9Zv/s1600/butterfly5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBO1Qiu9QXDU6QaGsRlRcHQm135KfSDcnb7GDounDv4m-Z60uEMJmsMdwfpnVxPjsYfCKHJto-X_OQ8c2gvBFYUXy2FDaUfiRRqLdZRVxMtpDgCAmVUi4d3ywFgAzVJKK9jsdM43fz9Zv/s400/butterfly5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are just a few of the many (many!) chrysalises hanging around. We waited for butterflies to emerge.<strong> </strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdR59KPKEI1WcUeOX2aEzWZ5wqrUZ84lMqc3NhJs1OW98un7smaNTeEP2sqvEZSirmTZIjLWF_J5nYVPJGgueWEUhhtwnFyJVmBL_RolZ4Vik4XfmC6_3f6XWq4btK9vhwFztfBSwYUmE/s1600/butterfly6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdR59KPKEI1WcUeOX2aEzWZ5wqrUZ84lMqc3NhJs1OW98un7smaNTeEP2sqvEZSirmTZIjLWF_J5nYVPJGgueWEUhhtwnFyJVmBL_RolZ4Vik4XfmC6_3f6XWq4btK9vhwFztfBSwYUmE/s400/butterfly6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure what he's eating, but it must be yummy. He stayed there for quite some time. None of the butterflies landed on us that day, but I was hoping!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvERSihe-uLL-fPXwykT4wWPWfZ4cpmABHV6vq3Ar1vTOgkty8pR8e8KShQz3B-iowt3sIjDgWwYZh4WmyoPt1-0w7gM8V0d6e4JLywzBzHHmOXWbnwXMDcuOV2-x4lglWHgLddEMptBdZ/s1600/butterfly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvERSihe-uLL-fPXwykT4wWPWfZ4cpmABHV6vq3Ar1vTOgkty8pR8e8KShQz3B-iowt3sIjDgWwYZh4WmyoPt1-0w7gM8V0d6e4JLywzBzHHmOXWbnwXMDcuOV2-x4lglWHgLddEMptBdZ/s1600/butterfly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05zaCXburmiKtFIGUUlkq49ac4br_3eDiHWc5xTZnYfLO9OXqfSO45ggWVcCvzdLaA3QsiPchBwO78AeOHcCYiYeABuKWVqdJd7l6D4QxvxnJ9uQi2I0GMzIGsvnfCFmPii3P29S2Fg15/s1600/butterfly4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05zaCXburmiKtFIGUUlkq49ac4br_3eDiHWc5xTZnYfLO9OXqfSO45ggWVcCvzdLaA3QsiPchBwO78AeOHcCYiYeABuKWVqdJd7l6D4QxvxnJ9uQi2I0GMzIGsvnfCFmPii3P29S2Fg15/s400/butterfly4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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What a nice (and huge!) statue outside the Butterfly House. The gardens were just as beautiful and inspiring outside as they were inside.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsGS76btZfGxwHvWFQBVKklZIN6bOfzliSmKLeonTEtV1sz9b92HCuiHx5S3rYQtUdWugSWY4ilt5EQlyyS8mMFjC7AYHHFlY9k8EbSsg2NGOlebCSq49bYnDNMhV70rpm4ERj8FnXtGI/s1600/butterfly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; height: 411px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 264px;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsGS76btZfGxwHvWFQBVKklZIN6bOfzliSmKLeonTEtV1sz9b92HCuiHx5S3rYQtUdWugSWY4ilt5EQlyyS8mMFjC7AYHHFlY9k8EbSsg2NGOlebCSq49bYnDNMhV70rpm4ERj8FnXtGI/s400/butterfly2.jpg" width="266" /><br />
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I love how the "eyes"on this butterfly scare away those pesky predators.</div>
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It was such a fun day, I wasn't quite ready to leave. But that's okay, because now I have my photos, and my pendant, and my great memories. And we'll be back. Maybe this winter, when it's so cold out that I just can't stand it any longer. We can go inside, find the butterflies and feel like we're back in summer once again. </div>
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The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-5235901134124572322012-09-20T10:28:00.000-05:002012-09-20T10:28:44.183-05:00Make Your Own Chalkboard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYvxm2fTISKsbeKBgEoIAtXyrWY_gQ4YjBML-W9aHJAbs0nIWV1UnYnbKThTzACpCfUsPw3_mLqBZ6n_I81xTxybNSAc0Aj-hH79BNG2pqzYUwNocXVSNl4-uhZpA3JO538A2ai8opy5h/s1600/chalkboard1soft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYvxm2fTISKsbeKBgEoIAtXyrWY_gQ4YjBML-W9aHJAbs0nIWV1UnYnbKThTzACpCfUsPw3_mLqBZ6n_I81xTxybNSAc0Aj-hH79BNG2pqzYUwNocXVSNl4-uhZpA3JO538A2ai8opy5h/s320/chalkboard1soft.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved making this chalkboard and it was oh so easy, too! (This article was also featured in the Spring and Summer 2011 issue of the <em>Shabby Lane Shops</em> magazine.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dKY_6bciGKRJibxKYqPxqb8cDvkzri75oKYGYQQl56bq9hhJ3WGzK-SaM5Q6aly24aondwyKx9KI3jqUDEk8Kndra3E40mxOjskFNHfrJEY2vJYPWuuJzuiMMTUtF-dr2ZBKSWNjrA8V/s1600/chalkboardbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dKY_6bciGKRJibxKYqPxqb8cDvkzri75oKYGYQQl56bq9hhJ3WGzK-SaM5Q6aly24aondwyKx9KI3jqUDEk8Kndra3E40mxOjskFNHfrJEY2vJYPWuuJzuiMMTUtF-dr2ZBKSWNjrA8V/s320/chalkboardbefore.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found this cabinet door at a yard sale and noticed right away it was the perfect size for a chalkboard. The surface was great too...nice and smooth for writing lists, menus, doodling. Whatever makes you happy! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The edges</span> also had the look of a built-in frame which I really liked. I was able to finish off the sides with a different color to give it the look of a frame without having to actually frame it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxQPnrlYuNtrOqdA1du9TifnGF8utt2Vnr_NCGTacR17h1tKHRqbCAedTNEEQBPFeCqJUx0ENIkb-ZT_jHlOlwS2xB8MyW5FAVoFrV_NUyeI4_tETyi5p3TBDelamvjxvtw4jpQfHFIs8/s1600/chalkboardsupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxQPnrlYuNtrOqdA1du9TifnGF8utt2Vnr_NCGTacR17h1tKHRqbCAedTNEEQBPFeCqJUx0ENIkb-ZT_jHlOlwS2xB8MyW5FAVoFrV_NUyeI4_tETyi5p3TBDelamvjxvtw4jpQfHFIs8/s320/chalkboardsupplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are the supplies I used...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Cabinet door (or you could use another smooth, flat surface)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Chalkboard paint<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Acrylic paint color(s) of your choice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Paint brushes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Primer<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Varnish</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I worked with a wooden surface, I lightly sanded the work area so the paint would adhere easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After wiping it clean I primed the entire surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Now on to the blackboard paint, applying</span> a few coats and allowing each coat to dry in between.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9RP13c16A83M1ZpLQl5GV1397yApkMNEqbVkkrsjT5k-Dg9ZxWEk84CSaadtiDRArvksr5u37QwshCcxecklOrkt8W7Svc1_aseDP1is-KsAyD4QEW459WwrB6JB2ezssqZm6p3UqE4h/s320/chalkboard4.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I trimmed the edges of my cabinet door with a red and brown acrylic paint mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When dry, I used a dry brush and lightly painted red to add highlights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought it would be a little more fun to add some wording at the top. "Menu" fit the kitchen theme I was going for. (I found a font on WORD I liked.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other wording examples could be “To Do”, “Notes”, "Dream" or you can even personalize with children’s names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When all paints were completely dry I applied a couple of coats of varnish to the edges where I added the acrylic paint.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJFgCUkdkEpcwvmWlTwz6FALgrthbcE3TApHHhdztZmwY1DweyYBBbV7dSbls_shYU1CJEXOo25naKMGcZn3sLsGCSDX28fTaYJgEk0YnGPM_X7zgwYtcsAv4TdLzkOIrlap_pt-oU6uk/s1600/chalkboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJFgCUkdkEpcwvmWlTwz6FALgrthbcE3TApHHhdztZmwY1DweyYBBbV7dSbls_shYU1CJEXOo25naKMGcZn3sLsGCSDX28fTaYJgEk0YnGPM_X7zgwYtcsAv4TdLzkOIrlap_pt-oU6uk/s320/chalkboard1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can ever create chalkboards on tiny surfaces, like this chalkboard tag I made from wooden circles I found at Michael's craft store. So easy! Then I added an extra touch by painting tiny roses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJv5qFYBLVhCaY4mJHVD11vv-bdd3wDozaTztwCFWFFp9g4jEqR3PG3wsDT7dRTx5IX52363VvkJR-g9NJSLzdV_mksfwdJJ-0RyI7_xxtlf_PwITaJoqx3YBGH0BoOJ5jubNf_4mSwEs/s1600/chalkboard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJv5qFYBLVhCaY4mJHVD11vv-bdd3wDozaTztwCFWFFp9g4jEqR3PG3wsDT7dRTx5IX52363VvkJR-g9NJSLzdV_mksfwdJJ-0RyI7_xxtlf_PwITaJoqx3YBGH0BoOJ5jubNf_4mSwEs/s320/chalkboard3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I made the mistake of hanging it by Lucy. Our fierce kitty doesn't let anything get by her!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAijv3CYtuJxurCFjWe8IZXruj7itEyl_682lh_dOdT28sjtpQMaRuCOX2VAl3YIc3nh4ZqBlMwRvsRb14_9tnxAGE0Io-puijE8mSI_L6dwYeSHF48FSuKRPdahIQ65PiWfonTjQh13P/s1600/chalkboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAijv3CYtuJxurCFjWe8IZXruj7itEyl_682lh_dOdT28sjtpQMaRuCOX2VAl3YIc3nh4ZqBlMwRvsRb14_9tnxAGE0Io-puijE8mSI_L6dwYeSHF48FSuKRPdahIQ65PiWfonTjQh13P/s320/chalkboard2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yep, she loves it!</span></div>
The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-32233864210188147492012-08-23T16:17:00.000-05:002012-08-23T16:17:39.439-05:00Time for Chocolate Chip Cookies!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndxffUSymzHr3r2WjRGJ7ruYQ38kEztnzZ-4Uu-3B-JeBLF6pvgQW1QY4x1JYWZv7T9_GpZl5mlV5ktQMEQaYgcK_DmsfoTO7yD5xtzHtV4-K20x1q4a1Z27EU0DyKi6Lal4PEo50QOI8/s1600/Cookie+Tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndxffUSymzHr3r2WjRGJ7ruYQ38kEztnzZ-4Uu-3B-JeBLF6pvgQW1QY4x1JYWZv7T9_GpZl5mlV5ktQMEQaYgcK_DmsfoTO7yD5xtzHtV4-K20x1q4a1Z27EU0DyKi6Lal4PEo50QOI8/s400/Cookie+Tray.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">This</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> is</span> my favorite cookie recipe <i>and</i> the only chocolate chip cookie recipe I use anymore. I like them so much I painted a picture of them! (And see, I took a little bite out of the one at the end!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think what makes them so good is the real butter, real vanilla extract and the milk chocolate Ghirardelli chocolate chips.<span style="color: darkgreen;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTc7qQLRkC-WVTX-vacMmMgyc_hBYWLsq_yaz2HFST1e7wWUzb4OSUOQoh2EfuY10cJ8qMyLhDLfgbjGvZ4XLnZbK2dl74y09kX4Ip0wyiFra2TLrDv0epgjWeesA5z1ahJ4hHjPlHrzL/s1600/chocolate+chip+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTc7qQLRkC-WVTX-vacMmMgyc_hBYWLsq_yaz2HFST1e7wWUzb4OSUOQoh2EfuY10cJ8qMyLhDLfgbjGvZ4XLnZbK2dl74y09kX4Ip0wyiFra2TLrDv0epgjWeesA5z1ahJ4hHjPlHrzL/s400/chocolate+chip+cookies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #085408; font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: underline;">The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Unicode; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ce0067; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">3 cups flour</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">1 tsp salt</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">1 cup butter (unsalted)</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">1 1/3 cups granulated sugar</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">2/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract ( the real deal!)</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">2 large eggs</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">18 ounces (3 cups) milk chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli chocolate chips - yum!)</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: #bb1d2e; font-size: 24pt;"><span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva; font-size: 24pt;"></span></span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.</span><br />
<br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">Cream butter with sugars until light. Beat in vanilla and eggs until smooth. Beat dry ingredients into creamed mixture, a little at a time. Add chocolate chips and stir to mix well.<br />
</span><br style="color: darkgreen;" /><span style="color: darkgreen;">Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets and bake at 325</span><span style="color: #0f6e0f;">°</span><span style="color: darkgreen;"> F for approx. 10 minutes. Enjoy! </span></div></div>The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-4817637950930593832012-08-15T09:17:00.000-05:002012-08-15T09:17:59.931-05:00Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/104859637/hand-painted-original-pumpkin-necklace" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTO7VxoNjyw8eZC0MquYqetpTaWKf68OMsz9XkBpYgtuLh2e-LcVdvIPLN05nIQih4OvQjeUVAdyxbhEEo4L2ymxFIQFqdyCFxb_kNKqBE03Z7hzlXL-6I8U5atPedANkaebHpsEsAyFc/s400/pumpkin3.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_n9nHb2GNZP0eADzEOqbt7vBcGOPbr8622x_bvg7AVVXMqAAoiLRL4VAhKBZTGvUjqwmIvzJWjntVr-vU1e78EcQDndbdorREtgxYTTdrEKtvJiQrcl1IIlLSJfkeLmyP0A_jBcx6tg4/s1600/yellow_flowr_paintng010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_n9nHb2GNZP0eADzEOqbt7vBcGOPbr8622x_bvg7AVVXMqAAoiLRL4VAhKBZTGvUjqwmIvzJWjntVr-vU1e78EcQDndbdorREtgxYTTdrEKtvJiQrcl1IIlLSJfkeLmyP0A_jBcx6tg4/s200/yellow_flowr_paintng010.jpg" width="162" /></a><span style="color: #990000;">I KNOW</span> what you're thinking...it isn't fall yet. But when I see the school buses driving by and smell the cool morning air (and with a little imagination mixed in...) in my mind, it becomes fall. And in these colorful autumn dreams the leaves are falling, the mums are blooming and with my jacket on I'm walking through it all, dried leaves and acorns crunching under my feet. Ahhh. Autumn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy976OKpHHuatg1SiMGb58DYYEEm8tse-dXbFVqAbK29T3FQlogc6C4lwAtKTdfPO53DzG02AvQILnzu4T3qM-EUpNcC0NK3TDXOcLTJA6mbdgrCLXEGCgnoahMICaljv9-zTSC80INIB/s1600/fall_pic_birdbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy976OKpHHuatg1SiMGb58DYYEEm8tse-dXbFVqAbK29T3FQlogc6C4lwAtKTdfPO53DzG02AvQILnzu4T3qM-EUpNcC0NK3TDXOcLTJA6mbdgrCLXEGCgnoahMICaljv9-zTSC80INIB/s400/fall_pic_birdbath.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72Wo6pvc-hbUlXr8AzwjrFRrcmV29tmncWwPLwANIjHqlJyNC0oksMpt6AWA1BkAU1JIeqPiHqxjEYK0AOiyHyGhekLmw-zG3rpHOZ3dztvdZq53ZIpMi2H2o7anjTUxv2WshDtxNHKtV/s1600/mums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72Wo6pvc-hbUlXr8AzwjrFRrcmV29tmncWwPLwANIjHqlJyNC0oksMpt6AWA1BkAU1JIeqPiHqxjEYK0AOiyHyGhekLmw-zG3rpHOZ3dztvdZq53ZIpMi2H2o7anjTUxv2WshDtxNHKtV/s320/mums.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-90566080949185833952012-08-08T05:30:00.003-05:002012-08-10T22:55:23.591-05:00How it Started<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM94nVcN6zFegcgDKyX4CwQbVrTeFT2-O7RN8VcB94-ZusG1T4oXD2INlG88Z065k5sPzd1SnJoPOMjmumYz98TbBaZFcLPWE-kKKGARDql5kaKBFpCyNEiAW4JBzXmpmuxQqxqnLXdTe/s1600/bird_on_topiary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM94nVcN6zFegcgDKyX4CwQbVrTeFT2-O7RN8VcB94-ZusG1T4oXD2INlG88Z065k5sPzd1SnJoPOMjmumYz98TbBaZFcLPWE-kKKGARDql5kaKBFpCyNEiAW4JBzXmpmuxQqxqnLXdTe/s400/bird_on_topiary.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">SOMETIMES</span> I'm asked how I started making painted jewelry. I didn't always paint so small. In fact, I've painted on walls from time to time. Some are small-ish but a couple of times I've painted the entire wall. This topiary is a sample I made on paper as a possibility for a friend's wall. But now that I'm looking at it again, I'm thinking I might have to find a place on MY wall for it. (<em>yay</em>!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBHsxegBmAmLX9-lhRnHEbcdSDsHusX31zoPyPilfKDbq6nd7WX7FSb3jaZNNb8OPsFIKj8o_HM0hu8rW7IrG2Esh9NlAZFVUQ7yGUsAawTtI7dITp_ooEQavTjyXjYRdCU_jSCPr8SYf/s1600/bike+with+ivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBHsxegBmAmLX9-lhRnHEbcdSDsHusX31zoPyPilfKDbq6nd7WX7FSb3jaZNNb8OPsFIKj8o_HM0hu8rW7IrG2Esh9NlAZFVUQ7yGUsAawTtI7dITp_ooEQavTjyXjYRdCU_jSCPr8SYf/s400/bike+with+ivy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I typically painted on canvases like this 16" x 20" bike with the basket. I haven't been able to part with this one, it hangs on the wall above my computer. I can lean way back in the chair and see it up there. Then I can imagine I visit there one day, and ride that bike with the flowers, and see the ivy hanging down over the beautiful windows. (As you can tell, I get easily distracted!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ONE day,I came across a pendant in a magazine that caught my eye. The pendant had a picture of flowers on it and was somehow magically made from broken china. It was beautiful. Right then and there I had a sudden urge to paint one of my own. It didn't happen quite as suddenly as I thought it would. The long process of finding what to paint on and what to put it in began. I learned lots of new jewelry terms, like bezel and cabochon, findings and jump rings. Deciding <em>what</em> to paint was next. But throughout this whole process I realized that hey, you know what? I really <em>like</em> doing this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Kp9IUu6gYs_lonc__sIFwf6QSQIGtbAHwDMF8jE__pNsYlU6RFpKVRnmVDCMNl7pGYxGXeZC7DhB55i0LIgMs_pHmrgkIoPuPCG3_r5jy8F8Utwm8L2Ku8x2qMCoaW92MDg3y-8IXmcH/s1600/first_bluebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Kp9IUu6gYs_lonc__sIFwf6QSQIGtbAHwDMF8jE__pNsYlU6RFpKVRnmVDCMNl7pGYxGXeZC7DhB55i0LIgMs_pHmrgkIoPuPCG3_r5jy8F8Utwm8L2Ku8x2qMCoaW92MDg3y-8IXmcH/s400/first_bluebird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is the very first pendant I painted and it's the one at the top of my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaintedCottageStudio">Etsy shop</a> and on my business cards. When one of my sisters first saw it, she bought it from me <em>while I was</em> <em>wearing it</em> -- right off of my neck. That's been a good thing because I still get to see it! I painted a few others for myself and people started noticing and asking about them. Before I knew it I had an online Etsy shop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyAfbsO0YI2P2rfycpDYEe8H3FaRL-0Thu3z612GAPvY8WVZb7kgnx8o1dsyjKC24nYT63B_zrjqc3q1ZK5wBKNBkJJUERpOMoUEvxajub9NbULPAI3edUkQ3y8OcrIQPHXT5j4q4xZsf/s1600/horse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyAfbsO0YI2P2rfycpDYEe8H3FaRL-0Thu3z612GAPvY8WVZb7kgnx8o1dsyjKC24nYT63B_zrjqc3q1ZK5wBKNBkJJUERpOMoUEvxajub9NbULPAI3edUkQ3y8OcrIQPHXT5j4q4xZsf/s400/horse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the thing I didn't expect is the fun I'm having with custom orders. Sometimes people have a particular item in mind, or something personal they want painted. Like this horse... the parents wanted a painting of the horse their daughter rides. I had never painted a horse before but I was really excited about it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now I'm continually learning what looks best on a pendant and what size. I've learned I really need to take my camera everywhere I go (which I don't!). And I've also learned I have so many ideas for new pendant designs I don't know that I'll ever catch up with myself!</div>The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170081917079157456.post-66362437174984287702012-07-29T05:00:00.001-05:002012-07-29T05:00:01.206-05:00Scotland and England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqXR9nr8-qvvycp0WCvjmVzNr8UygR2Qkb77SGxSRHI604wuFKkvifcpnSDHvgJJb4wK5B4F6TzAh9q_pUP3K2djNjx-5NLaZd49UIEzSdmrpe1HeAeyTHnZ5KLnbGGCS7Yn928-3jHH5/s1600/blog_rothesay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqXR9nr8-qvvycp0WCvjmVzNr8UygR2Qkb77SGxSRHI604wuFKkvifcpnSDHvgJJb4wK5B4F6TzAh9q_pUP3K2djNjx-5NLaZd49UIEzSdmrpe1HeAeyTHnZ5KLnbGGCS7Yn928-3jHH5/s400/blog_rothesay1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, Scotland. Even the name sounds dreamy. It was overcast with rain sprinkling from time to time, but it was a gorgeous day.</div><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmYj2ojZhwa3ChkLVDZ_pKiz9GtqBdwcIciSCttLWIiM4O-fGXcJm9N582bxG7uifUh7PZUH5stwPcaikYQgkvUSWN1DWSiaEs-u5B4DnCSKmCj5_HQ8qEH8K8Dcvstlk1P5DCVa-xvzA/s400/blog_castle2.jpg" width="400" /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8WDdPHiZu6G30ZdvDm6duDpH28TjQN62Ieb20sX788dIMptnzqIzE8bkHQJnrm_BcVacUIENpIaX1axNHGAU6Y3cCO0vdHfF9sycGAgb-Zv9yH6l6Mzq4fMwL9R7vQXYFES2Ezs_ds1Q/s1600/blog_palm_trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8WDdPHiZu6G30ZdvDm6duDpH28TjQN62Ieb20sX788dIMptnzqIzE8bkHQJnrm_BcVacUIENpIaX1axNHGAU6Y3cCO0vdHfF9sycGAgb-Zv9yH6l6Mzq4fMwL9R7vQXYFES2Ezs_ds1Q/s200/blog_palm_trees.jpg" width="173" /></a>We toured the castle in town, dating back to the 1200's. The view of Rothesay from the top wall was amazing. Can you see the road winding down in the background? And the palm trees? I still can't understand how they have palm trees in Scotland! (I couldn't resist including one of my <em>wee little</em> palm tree paintings!) </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8WDdPHiZu6G30ZdvDm6duDpH28TjQN62Ieb20sX788dIMptnzqIzE8bkHQJnrm_BcVacUIENpIaX1axNHGAU6Y3cCO0vdHfF9sycGAgb-Zv9yH6l6Mzq4fMwL9R7vQXYFES2Ezs_ds1Q/s1600/blog_palm_trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8WDdPHiZu6G30ZdvDm6duDpH28TjQN62Ieb20sX788dIMptnzqIzE8bkHQJnrm_BcVacUIENpIaX1axNHGAU6Y3cCO0vdHfF9sycGAgb-Zv9yH6l6Mzq4fMwL9R7vQXYFES2Ezs_ds1Q/s1600/blog_palm_trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKfJ_64g2RI7cTi162cIHQlj-JkCYb40K8SEFPHic1HeJZ-gSoMJ6SVYKO1M_7GfNbHATh8YyInWWehveNUsI5jNWvoHybyuqffa3OYUTV0hbPNiBPjYjP_5cLy3tTzDADOCfOCijlNt4/s1600/blog_castle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKfJ_64g2RI7cTi162cIHQlj-JkCYb40K8SEFPHic1HeJZ-gSoMJ6SVYKO1M_7GfNbHATh8YyInWWehveNUsI5jNWvoHybyuqffa3OYUTV0hbPNiBPjYjP_5cLy3tTzDADOCfOCijlNt4/s400/blog_castle1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The old, old castle is in ruins now, but still a sight to see. All of that history, it was amazing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrO7JbfoyxN2C6k8kKl03VT3omfRYLR6X7IeWYxkdOjxB2IL62WrAO3k5zu6LHlSOSvb6XswUvr6USvBCQ_jgffJZkeHQwfSQ59e2GBRJZ1tRqe8My_BZHyV-H5cj_-m5bQM7NALZno_m/s1600/blog_bagpipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrO7JbfoyxN2C6k8kKl03VT3omfRYLR6X7IeWYxkdOjxB2IL62WrAO3k5zu6LHlSOSvb6XswUvr6USvBCQ_jgffJZkeHQwfSQ59e2GBRJZ1tRqe8My_BZHyV-H5cj_-m5bQM7NALZno_m/s400/blog_bagpipes.jpg" width="266" /></a>When we entered Scotland we were greeted by a bagpiper at Gretna Green. How awesome is that?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NwKTu8mikN1TYYyav66WLqyU30OVOrtnxyZEz6n8VMBg3mHo3mJC_U1e5KbdbSrxC0ONWdtcWO85UPxr0axRd5yQTIMRUi7KbhItAKJsFgHx9UYZctorDzY8DgS0cAZQ0Pb8joyFcy3n/s1600/blog_hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NwKTu8mikN1TYYyav66WLqyU30OVOrtnxyZEz6n8VMBg3mHo3mJC_U1e5KbdbSrxC0ONWdtcWO85UPxr0axRd5yQTIMRUi7KbhItAKJsFgHx9UYZctorDzY8DgS0cAZQ0Pb8joyFcy3n/s400/blog_hills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0wcbFCXXgbc0P-hPdNd7_J0sVYgARd0cSFq_7UP2bXYshfBfESuI6A07lXB4nd72ZoUwe-vesRAushRjHpOEH_VhcNaEb4DYffuBB7Lb6rkogZ-naXPm6UQh7dpoIZgUfxtdxJY-0wR0/s1600/blog_rothesay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0wcbFCXXgbc0P-hPdNd7_J0sVYgARd0cSFq_7UP2bXYshfBfESuI6A07lXB4nd72ZoUwe-vesRAushRjHpOEH_VhcNaEb4DYffuBB7Lb6rkogZ-naXPm6UQh7dpoIZgUfxtdxJY-0wR0/s400/blog_rothesay2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxosRPWgtg1ej2udaj832ZnTtEy0TOiyRDFwqQo9TyQcPyM6fm02bL3dBWt9sg9_eWokOZdyKc5xoNCxT6GnDXQl2LLmAQDQBNpfOg8JPMrZ7FRu4BGJEUMku-CcVioZ3aOUOYgdgKTsyX/s1600/blog_shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxosRPWgtg1ej2udaj832ZnTtEy0TOiyRDFwqQo9TyQcPyM6fm02bL3dBWt9sg9_eWokOZdyKc5xoNCxT6GnDXQl2LLmAQDQBNpfOg8JPMrZ7FRu4BGJEUMku-CcVioZ3aOUOYgdgKTsyX/s400/blog_shop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The <em>Wee Big Shop</em>. Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lcUEtWNWQFbfN3DL50R6b_-OysekP6TerorbHoCIlkAArLDCRq-oYGLZdrNg1RLr_-WkiplPI0l9-VGLfDAmGCMIKnqYCIDy_7RUe1219lOOLhpGb3SGHxl99Q2bqtQF7qJA-x68F8W2/s1600/blog_sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lcUEtWNWQFbfN3DL50R6b_-OysekP6TerorbHoCIlkAArLDCRq-oYGLZdrNg1RLr_-WkiplPI0l9-VGLfDAmGCMIKnqYCIDy_7RUe1219lOOLhpGb3SGHxl99Q2bqtQF7qJA-x68F8W2/s400/blog_sheep.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you visit Scotland, you have to include a photo of sheep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcaWZrU_VPYolS-E5xRmhdUTFOiux2XIJS5W4_d77H_gQ7HyovEX66UAjOUS9lAhgydVPughnAm6HeOjVJ1GVDHLuyMeBuPQdmU4adB1wJTT2KergWPj_1UBsZZz1EOw7Vr1zQLMIvqMY/s1600/blog_hills2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcaWZrU_VPYolS-E5xRmhdUTFOiux2XIJS5W4_d77H_gQ7HyovEX66UAjOUS9lAhgydVPughnAm6HeOjVJ1GVDHLuyMeBuPQdmU4adB1wJTT2KergWPj_1UBsZZz1EOw7Vr1zQLMIvqMY/s400/blog_hills2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The beautiful, quiet hills in Scotland. (Notice the one lane road?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO8OHemZ6DqEU8s34TaKjpLLc-twWfYr7kCGriV9jFRIP6uge0FfNsv7DLiTPJ3fhoOWxfQvpfGZ_tWthJ3VUOnrVJQCf7FI0AiZX8Jne-0u9j8qiLL78fVPUZYCFgQb5s9MyJih-bjdF/s1600/blog_hills3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO8OHemZ6DqEU8s34TaKjpLLc-twWfYr7kCGriV9jFRIP6uge0FfNsv7DLiTPJ3fhoOWxfQvpfGZ_tWthJ3VUOnrVJQCf7FI0AiZX8Jne-0u9j8qiLL78fVPUZYCFgQb5s9MyJih-bjdF/s400/blog_hills3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took this photo from the car window. Just to give an idea of the size of the hills, the little white dots are sheep. Amazing, right? The fences are made from stone and are so very beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUbhFembSGpNEPOraxL3JWxyWhR08dgJsGvtuBmY6JN-fBoklEbHYLJEvInYKCtO9t4qlxP9302VYzQ5XubbqwP2CHI9M0XYhSQ7KpTkS5Bef4Ygxe9Q4t8poX10FQt6xct2ZoMZ_Fmed/s1600/fish_chips1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUbhFembSGpNEPOraxL3JWxyWhR08dgJsGvtuBmY6JN-fBoklEbHYLJEvInYKCtO9t4qlxP9302VYzQ5XubbqwP2CHI9M0XYhSQ7KpTkS5Bef4Ygxe9Q4t8poX10FQt6xct2ZoMZ_Fmed/s400/fish_chips1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB8XSWjMNV_5McKr1Ykvj54Kgo4cafqii1_e27NBD7bGTsCFsWUvaBTtoD0XgZO6ubxOro8l6J8JQIqjySMobNqTTYzDjRpPH_zKo-dPkxgYBU_pnJFSRLlHzwpCq0WcrgA1nygh_0_tA/s1600/fish_chips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB8XSWjMNV_5McKr1Ykvj54Kgo4cafqii1_e27NBD7bGTsCFsWUvaBTtoD0XgZO6ubxOro8l6J8JQIqjySMobNqTTYzDjRpPH_zKo-dPkxgYBU_pnJFSRLlHzwpCq0WcrgA1nygh_0_tA/s400/fish_chips2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You just can't visit England without stopping at a fish-n-chips restaurant! (Or two...or three...). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV7AoqBJLi5jQVZ13wea68o76f18sh4b74fIbDLr1ooQRDEsTtWLVrJ5rbdn7IPkAkqnf0J4p4-K5rtMiAlTrNEF-icuuIg9Z8JVv8Un6P8Bmlt3HZcuuKxKbvVXMlbpvJ7pKFXnx7N3g/s1600/blog_pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV7AoqBJLi5jQVZ13wea68o76f18sh4b74fIbDLr1ooQRDEsTtWLVrJ5rbdn7IPkAkqnf0J4p4-K5rtMiAlTrNEF-icuuIg9Z8JVv8Un6P8Bmlt3HZcuuKxKbvVXMlbpvJ7pKFXnx7N3g/s400/blog_pier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It was a cool and (very) windy day in Blackpool, England. But the sky was blue and the air was fresh so we took in all we could, knowing our time in Britain was short, but oh so sweet.The Painted Cottage Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17243332093730069291noreply@blogger.com3