from Bluebird Hill

I have been encouraged by friends to open an Etsy shop for some of my paintings, and other items that I create. I have always loved the creative aspect in life, started with my design career.  But now I have a chance to go in a different direction and I would love to share it with you. My painting will be very reasonably priced, as I am not a professional, and will be unframed.  That is something that was discussed on Facebook, and oh my... So, check it out and let me know your thoughts!

I have been painting with watercolors now for over a year and loving it more all the time! I am by no means a professional, but joy comes in seeing improvement and sharing with my friends and family. I am considering opening an Etsy shop and adding some of my painted creations. Any thoughts from any of you??

Before I have seen some diy posts on painting fabric so decided to try it on my husbands nasty desk chair.  It was really either needing to be replaced or reupholstered.  But since he is not in his office very much anymore I decided to try paint! I used a product called Farmhouse Paints.  The primary color is Indigo and I did the inside back in Parisian Blue, almost the same color as the walls. After I watered it down a bit, put on one coat and let it dry.  I brushed it to soften the fabric a bit and then repeated the process.  It was painted yesterday and my husband used it today! I am quite pleased with the results, and it cost me around $10 and saved the cost of a new chair!

Over the holidays I received some great books on how to watercolor, and one I especially like is The Modern Flower Painter by Anna Mason. Her tips can be used for any watercolor scene you might be doing, but her thoughts on building up the color with layering was really useful to me in this rose. Now remember, I just started this 6 months ago so try not to be too critical because I know I will never be Rembrandt! Here are some other tips that I have learned and would like to share.  Learning and being self-taught, I have had many frustrating moments that knowing these few tips could have saved me from. ( I also could have taken classes to learn these things, but that is not me!) Buy good brushes.    Research them for the type of painting you want to do and then get the best you can afford.  When I first started I just bought a bag of brushes.  I have now disposed of all of them.  A good brush will hold the water and your paint, as well as keep...

photo by Alex Mihis I have been trying to teach myself to watercolor paint since summer. It is something that I have found to be relaxing and challenging at the same time.  Between watching you tube videos on various blogs, looking closely at other artist's work and trial and error I can see an improvement in my little works of art!  ( I use that term very loosely ! ) This is a photo of a Christmas card that I did this morning.  It is a new technique for me, and I am quite happy with the way it turned out. Below are some samples of invitations I did earlier in the month. These are very simple little designs, as I have not mastered anything complicated yet! But still, it gives me great pleasure to do these for friends, and I hope they enjoy them. Putting a bit of yourself into the things you send out to others  takes courage.  None of us wants to be criticized for not being good enough.  But real friends will cheer ...

Sitting in a rocker on the porch is the ultimate summer pleasure.  Just listening to the birds and watching the hummingbirds and butterflies gives me proof that there is a divine being.   Some of my favorites are butterfly bush, for the obvious reason.  Of course who can resist roses? Hydrangeas do so well here in the south, that I have several varieties.  No fragrance, but definitely a great show!  Coneflowers and black eyed susans hold up well to any heat and do well in arrangements too. Hydrangea Coneflowers Cleome

Are you looking for a quick and satisfying meal that is different from your norm? This Fish Chowder might just what you want. Add salad, crusty bread and dinner will be ready in 1/2 hour! FISH CHOWDER 4 sliced of bacon, cut up 1 large onion, sliced thick 1 pound mild fish, skinless & boneless 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes boiling water 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp flour 2 cups milk, scalded 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/4    tsp pepper 1/4 cup chopped parsley Put bacon pieces in large heavy saucepan. Fry until pan is well greased,  then add onion and cook 3min. Stir so it does not stick. Put fish into saucepan.  Add potato slices and cover with boiling water. Bring to boil, turn down heat and simmer, approx 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender, (fish will be in pieces) Blend butter and flour into hot milk with salt & pepper. Add to saucepan and stir.  Simmer for 5 minutes. Top with parsley and serve.