Friday, March 9, 2012

Watercolor Memories

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A few sheets of aged, thick watercolor paper sitting at the back of my closet for years…carefully preserved, but not being shared…

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On my mind, the sheets of paper were pulled out, shown to my daughters…and loved.

Three pieces painted by my grandmother, LaPriel,  in the early 1950’s….

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My dear aunt, her daughter, remembers that she took a few classes with her sister.  They were outdoor classes taught locally, and she loved them.

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The desert landscapes of her beloved Arizona, pine-covered mountains, an old barn…these were the things she practiced on...

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My favorite—her color wheel, complete with the colors written out in her lovely hand…

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They will now be framed…I love them dearly.  No more dark, hidden closets for these works of art…

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Are they masterpieces?  No.  But they were painted by the hand of one that I love and have always missed.  LaPriel passed away not too very long after these would have been painted, when I was only three years old. 

Anything that her hands touched—and heart loved—are treasures to me…

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Along with the few painted pieces were two blank pieces of the same thick, aged watercolor paper…a thought came into my mind…

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Quickly cutting one of those blank sheets to fit (before I changed my mind!), I used it as the background for my newest family story page, made this week…

DSC08345_edited-1 {beautiful, vintage background prints, photo corners & tag from Crafty Secrets’ “Creating with Vintage Patterns” CD}

Feeling inspired—by my grandmother’s paintings, a beautiful sunny day and my three daughters heading out to the back yard to paint—I joined them.

DSC08185_edited-1 {yep—this is the view behind my house—not bad, is it?!}

Now, I’m no painter—I know this very well.  But there was something so very soothing, so very satisfying…so very connecting in the doing of it, that I just smiled and smiled…

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…and my canvas?  The rest of the piece of watercolor paper saved by my grandmother…

DSC08384_edited-1 {my attempt at the beautiful blue sky today on LaPriel’s piece of watercolor paper…}

Is it a masterpiece?  No.  Not even a little bit!  But I did it with my own hand, inspired by one that tried the same thing on sunny days many years ago, and I’m sure she smiled while she painted, too…

DSC08387_edited-1 {a close-up of my very impressionistic hills…don’t worry, I won’t make you look at the whole thing!}

And maybe—just maybe—one day in future years, one of my granddaughters will pull my little painting out of a spot in the back of a closet…and love it simply because I smiled and painted one lovely, sunny day…………….

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See you soon with something new…

Julie

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Easter Treats

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Do you feel it?  The breeze getting a little warmer…budding blossoms on trees just ready to burst…birds singing in the greening gardens…

Spring is almost here!

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…in California, at least!

I couldn’t resist the urge this last week to make a few springy projects…the Easter Bunny will be here before you know it, you know!

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These were all the easiest peasiest projects—and so much fun to make!  Quick as a bunny, I had three little gifts all ready to give to a few of my favorite little ducklings…

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My source for all the vintage Easter adorableness?  Vintage Street Market.

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So hop on over…I think you’ll find some perfectly sweet treats for Spring just right for your Easter projects…

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And if it doesn’t feel like Spring at your place yet, creating a little Easter joy will be just the thing to put a little Spring in your step, at least!

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See you soon with something new…

Julie

{Aqua Ribbon Card, Aqua Tinsel, Aqua Twirly Twine set, Pink Twirly Twine set, Dimestore Vogue Paper Sheets & Tags kit, Family Fun Paper kit, Bingo Craft Cards set all from Vintage Street Market.}