LET THERE BE STEMS

I feel so powerful.  In my last post I quickly noticed that the stems in this painting were so short they were nonexistent.  So I grew, er, painted stems.  There you have it.  

DIVING BELLE

DIVING BELLS

We have been sorting through a few boxes of old photos and I got in a goofy mood.  I decided to do a little 1950's step back in time study.  All I had in the size I wanted was a high quality canvas.  Unfortunately, it had a very rough surface.  Big mistake for a small detailed piece.  But again, it was a study and next time I'll use a smooth surface, different colors, etc.  I love the lady.  My husband named this Diving Belle, which he thought was hilarious.  He had to show me on wikipedia what a diving bell was.  Okay, he wins, the pics of diving bells are quite funny.  

I have several paintings in various stages of completion, but have been under the weather and on round two of antibiotics from having oral surgery.  Paula doesn't do meds well, so this is about all I have to show you right now.  Trying to get myself in gear here since I have out of town guests coming in a week.  

SILL TO CANVAS

I have been busy bee since I last posted.  So much so that I'm a year older now.  Those birthdays sneak up on me when I'm not paying attention.  We have also been working on getting the courtyard and back patio in better shape.  One of our purchases was a white rose topiary that thanks us daily with new blooms.  I decided to paint this little bottle of roses sitting on my sill.  I popped the wet canvas in this frame to take a picture.  It helps me to see it as you would, and now I see what I need to change.  The flowers I painted had tiny stems, barely visible.  But now they will have proper stems.  Do wish I had noticed that before now.  Live and learn.  You seem to always see my "not quite" finished pieces.

A couple weekends ago we drove to Santa Ysabel to attend an art gallery reception.  It was such a beautiful drive that we took some photos with our phones.  I think it's amazing how a tiny camera in a phone can capture some pretty decent images.  You be the judge:

GARDEN TO SILL

The yard is taking shape.  Finally I have my very own Ranunculus flowers.  Oh, and for the first time I have Delphiniums!!!  My window sill is lined up with vases filled with glorious color and inspiration.  

MY FRIEND GWEN

Say hello to my friend Gwendolyn.  She's one of my Nashville buddies (sang in our wedding a hundred years ago).  Lately, she's has been hanging out on my easel for longer than anyone should hang.  But more oral surgery put me out of commission for a few days, then a boatload of yard work and changing my mind about the background has delayed progress.  Alas, I am back on track and wanted to show you the various phases I've put Gwen through to get her this far.  I still have a couple tweaks and then she's good to go.  Here's the progress so far:

The underlayment actually made me happy and in many cases would be considered done.  But it's difficult for any painting to get out from under my brush that easy.  

The original photo (above left) was taken on the beach and against my better judgement I tried to add the beach background and hated how distracting it was.  Let it sit thinking it might grow on me, but it didn't and I quit trying.  In the end my Mr. MacGyver was able to cut the rectangle canvas to a square and now I'm off to add the finishing touches and signature.  Thank you Gwen for such a joyful smile and golden glow.   

MODERN PATCHWORK

Hey, wanted you to know I have a new quilt tutorial, REGENCY SQUARED, coming out in the upcoming issue of Modern Patchwork, due out April 23.  You can preorder Modern Patchwork HERE.   

In other news, we are literally seeing the fruits of our labors.  Realizing the neglected thorny trees left in small containers were citrus we worked to identify and nurse them to health.  Transplanting, feeding, visits to the garden nursery with lists of questions and we are now the proud parents, uh, owners of a meyer lemon, blood orange, valencia orange and one more that is finally going to reveal it's identity this year.  I keep hoping it's a lime tree, but most likely another orange.  I made a marinade with lemon and dijon for grilled salmon that was to die for.   Oh dear, I might be turning into a citrus foodie.  Any recipe suggestions?

SUNSET IN PROGRESS

Have you ever had the incredible experience of catching the sun setting?  I say catching because it happens almost instantaneously.  I have been known to jump out of a moving vehicle just to snatch a quick photo of the brilliant sky works as the sun hits that horizon.  I was given an amazing opportunity to experience this phenomenon when I joined Tim on a work project in Hawaii.  Tim would make it home just in time to change clothes and I would have our glasses of wine waiting on the edge of the counter as we headed out the door for our short walk to Kai-Lani beach.  Many people converged and within minutes the sun did it's daily magic of switching out colors like a turning kaleidoscope as it fell below the horizon.  We all bid farewell and headed back to our homes, promising we would spend the next eve together, even if it was only for another 20 minutes max.  Can you imagine capturing this in a plein air painting?  I would still be setting up as it all disappeared into darkness before my eyes.

So this is a recent study I worked on in the Alla Prima class (meaning wet on wet, done in one sitting).   Each student worked from the same photograph (below) of the Santa Ysabel Valley and it was incredible how each of our paintings turned out so very different.  i can see some things I would have done differently, but working faster and looser is the goal.  

SANTA YSABEL VALLEY 

On a slightly different note, if you follow my blog you should be familiar with my friend Barbi of 40+ years.  Well, she came for a visit in January.  We galavanted all over San Diego; the beaches, Balboa Park and Coronado Island, soaking up all the golden glow with the purple highlights that is something I hope never to get used to.

BEACH BUDDIES

Here's just another path; one of many we've gone down together.

SPANISH VILLAGE

 So many fun photos from that visit, but I will refrain.  I did receive this awesome book from Barbi afterwards.  It is a precious source of inspiration from a precious friend and I will treasure this book...like forever.

SHOW + TELL CARMEL KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM

Hey friends, I wanted to show you this amazing home I worked on back in Carmel, IN.  It's getting ready to go on the market so you are getting the inside scoop.   There are many more images, but as a designer I know where the heart of the home is and the first thing people want to check out. 

Right after I completed gutting and remodeling my own kitchen HERE, I got a knock at my door from a neighbor who ended up not only hiring me to remodel their kitchen, we became and remain dear friends.  I've been in this kitchen and home for many a gathering since it was completed. 

This mudroom is right off the garage on the way to the kitchen.  The door you see was nothing more than a plain, flat metal security door so I had an artist paint it to look dimensional!  People have to touch it to believe it's not flat.  There are built-in coat racks and storage on the left of the door to coordinate with the cabinets on the right.

Recognize the painting inside the cubby above?   I painted that for Nancy without having the vase or roses to work from.  Here's a CLOSEUP along with a closer look at some interior shots.

As you can see the kitchen, breakfast and family room areas were completely opened up.  I added three sets of french doors that lead out to a huge outdoor space and and fenced yard which adds to the spacious feel.   

Guess you can tell how much I love this home, the cul-de-sac, neighbors and Carmel, IN.  It's a coveted area, as you might remember from HERE  So I am just spreading the word to you.  Let me know if you are interested and I'll be glad to help.  Somewhat selfish, as my dear friends will be moving closer to our neck of the woods.  

RUFFLED ROSES PILLOW

Still pinching myself.  There are buds on our rose bushes.  We never had roses before so we feel all grown-up here, especially since we haven't killed any yet.  My cold climate friends, you need some roses to remind you Spring is right around the corner.  How about a rosy tutorial instead?   Remember the Seriously Fun Quilt tutorial here?  Well, here's how I made the pillow on the quilt.

RUFFLED ROSES PILLOW

The finished size of this pillow: 30”w x 13”h

SUPPLIES:

2 pieces of fabric, 31”w x 14”h each

¾ yard quilters weight cotton fabric 44”-45” wide for roses

2 pieces of cotton muslin 31” x 14” each for pillow insert

Large bag of polyester fiberfill

Sewing machine, thread

Needle and thread

Rotary cutter and cutting mat

Ruler

Scissors

Straight pins

Iron, ironing board

Marking pencil or pen

Thimble (optional)

GETTING STARTED:

A note of possible interest:  I decided on the white solid fabric for the roses partly because both sides of the fabric are the same color, whereas a printed fabric will have a noticeable right side and wrong side.  The roses will have a raw edge, which will cause some loose threads.  Don’t be concerned; once the pillow is complete and you trim all the loose threads, you’ll see that the lacy, delicate roses are quite appealing.  

1    Ready-made pillow inserts come in several sizes, but it’s easy to make your own custom-sized inserts.  First, take the two muslin panels and place them right sides together; pin together.  Stitch a ½” seam around the panels, leaving an 8” to 10” opening in the center of one side and making sure to backstitch both the beginning stitches and the end stitches.  Clip the loose threads and turn the muslin form right side out.   Firmly stuff the form with the fiberfill.   Fold under the ½” seam allowance and hand stitch closed.

2    Lay the front panel of the pillow out on your work surface.  Use a ruler to measure in 10” from either the left edge of the panel (or right edge, if you prefer).  Use your marking utensil to lightly draw a straight line from the top of the panel to the bottom in from either the left or right.  This will be your center guide when you begin attaching your roses.  Set aside.

MAKING ROSES:

         

 3    I used 44"-45" wide quilt weight fabric for the roses.  Keep the fabric folded in half along the natural fold line as you lay the fabric down on your cutting mat, which will give you two strips per cut.   Measure and cut 1” strips through both layers of fabric.  Cut 20 strips, and then cut those strips in half along the fold line.  You will end up with 40 strips.   You might need more or less depending on how tight you gather the flowers and how closely you place them, but that’s a good estimate. 

4     Using a basting stitch (a wide stitch) on the sewing machine, sew a ¼” seam down one side of each strip making sure to leave at least 3” of thread on both ends of the strips and DO NOT backstitch.    Gather the strips by pulling gently on one of the long threads on the left, then one of the long threads on the right until you have about 7” of a gathered strip.  Continue this process.  

5    Take one of the long pieces of thread from the gathered ruffle, use it to thread a needle, and start rolling the gathered fabric on the same end as the threaded needle.  As you roll the fabric, stitch all the way through the layers at the basted seam line.

6    Keep rolling and stitching until you come to the other end of the ruffle.  Knot the thread at the end to secure the finished flower.  Continue this process with the remaining ruffles and make a stack of roses as you watch your favorite movie or listen to a musical.  

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

 7    Lay the front panel of the pillow down on your workspace right side up.  Place a flower 1” down from the top edge of the fabric over the center of the line you previously made.   Sew the flower in place from the back of the panel through to the bottom of the flower.  Once the first flower is sewn in place secure with a knot and sew another flower closely to the left and right of the center flower.   Move one row down and continue the process of securing each flower, using the centerline as the guide.  Make a total of 3 rows close together across and three rows down until you get to the bottom of the panel, leaving 1” of panel fabric free at the bottom.

8   Complete the three rows of flowers down the front of the pillow panel, then place the back panel of the pillow fabric over the front panel, right sides together.  Pin right sides together making sure the flowers will be out of the way of the seams.  Sew a 1/2 “ seam leaving an 8’-10” opening at the bottom length of the pillow, making sure to backstitch both at the beginning and end of your stitches.

9   Insert the pillow form. Once the pillow form is in place if the corners still need to be filled out just stuff extra fiberfill directly into the four corners of the pillow.  Turn the open seams at the bottom of the quilt under and blind stitch closed.

10   Pull and trim off loose threads from the roses.

 SPRING IS COMING.  ENJOY THE ROSES

On to other newsy things; I am having oral surgery as you are reading this.  Three implants, plus some other things I shouldn't discuss if you're eating, or even if you aren't.   Hoping I'll be up and about before you know it.    

MAWWAGGE

So guess what I was doing 31 years ago today?  

Marrying this dude.  My MacGyver; my Jesus in blue jeans.  

Tim didn't realize how quickly I'd age and I didn't know I was marrying The Godfather.

 

Or was it Hoo Hung Woo?

Tim has loved coming home to such a knockout wife

And taking me out to celebrate another wonderful year, right babe?

Here's to another fun year with my best friend.

BEACH BUDDIES

Remember this?

Well I finished it.  

Actually finished it awhile back, but just remembered to show you.   The grandkids and Papa hanging at the beach now hangs above my sofa.  I love painting water reflections.  This one is acrylics on watercolor paper.  Wouldn't it look especially nice with a painting of the umbrella from the last post, yes?

Oh, I can now respond to comments on my blog, but not sure if you will know I responded.  Anyone have the answer?  Anyone?  Let's try it.

JESUS SPOTTED ON THE BEACH

Walking along the beach in Del Mar, I spotted this wonderful orange striped umbrella.  I approached the lady sitting under the umbrella to ask her permission to take a photo on my iPhone.  I got closer, then closer, then was standing right beside her and she still didn't notice me, and NO, she wasn't sleeping.  So I politely said, "Excuse me".  I apparently startled her because she slapped her hand on her chest and blurted out "JESUS"!  I responded, "Oh no, it's just me, Paula".  Wide-eyed she says, "Jesus" again, still holding her chest and looking at me like she really was having a spiritual encounter.  Not knowing what to do I said, "I know him, but really, it's just me, Paula".  Then she relaxed and started laughing, we chatted and hence I have this photo instead of a black eye.  It was worth the risk, don't you think?

Disclaimer:  I am watching the morning national weather reports of snow or storms throughout the US today (FEB 25) as I am writing this, so I sincerely apologize for any preconceived taunting.  We have earthquakes and fires if that helps lessen the blow.

Being an artist is by nature a sedentary lifestyle.  I stepped on the scale last week.  I suspected it was broken last time I stepped on it, but now I'm sure of it.  I will walk more, get back into exercise and watch my calories.  I tried a spin class.  I walked into the dark room and was instantly intimidated.  Everyone looked all buff and in charge so I finally approached a group to ask who the instructor was.  The one sitting on the floor looks up and without speaking does this body language thing to non-verbally say "Dah".  I asked her to show me how to use the bike or any needed advise.  She instructed me how to adjust the seat and insert my feet in the basket thingies, then said, "If you feel like you're going to pass out, well...just suck it up".  I ended up in between two maniac women half my age who actually sped up during the short breaks.  I wasn't told what to do when the instructor yelled "Left".  "Left again".  I finally figured it out by watching the speed racers on either side of me.  I survived but cursed under my breath as I held on to the handrail with both hands going down because my rubber legs quit working. 

Started back into BodyPump on Saturday.  Couldn't walk or raise my arms yesterday so I decided to count my calories instead of working out.  That was just as painful and a real eye opener.  I eat all the right foods, oat bran, plain greek yogurt, salmon, veggies.  However, after lunch I had already consumed 935 calories.  What???  I never payed attention to how even the calories in healthy foods add up.  More exercise and water; less w(h)ine.  Boo hoo.  

LOVE BOATS

In January, I was able to join Tim on a business trip to Santa Barbara.  It was last minute so I threw some clothes in a suitcase, grabbed my camera and we caught a train.  It was definitely the way to go!  What I didn't anticipate is that we had record breaking low temps so anytime I went out I ended up wearing everything in my suitcase....all at the same time.  As cold and windy as it was I walked and and walked and managed to get some great photos.

This last Thursday I had my oil painting class in La Jolla and chose one of my harbor photos to paint.  I mentioned to the gal next to me that I was determined to finish my painting that day and give it to my husband for Valentine's Day (that day).  She promptly named my painting "LOVE BOATS".  

I got this much done during class and surprised Tim right before he surprised me with a trip to Coronado Island to The Boathouse for a lovely dinner.  Today I placed it in a frame to see how it looks.  My instructor says every painting looks better in a frame, don't you agree?  I still need to finish some details, sign it and then step back. 

This was the view as we drove across the Coronado Bridge as the sun was going down.  Here's an image of the Boathouse which dates back to 1887.  It was dark by the time we got there, but still a perfect pairing with the LOVE BOATS.  

  

THAT'S MY DOG IN YOUR FRAME

A few weeks ago I was in a local Home Goods and headed towards checkout when something familiar caught my eye.  I turned and what should my wandering eyes see?  My Wing Study fabric on down filled pillows!!!!  Even had zippers.  Guess how much?  No, guess again.  Yup, $19.99!  Okay, so even though it's my fabric design I was thinking the down pillow form and zipper would cost more than that.  I bought two for my house.  Crazy, huh?  Oh, and  that pillow on the lower right was just sitting there and not my design.

Then if that's not enough, I was just in a store, MG Tate's, in Indianapolis with Jennifer and lo and behold, there were my Demdaco frames.  I took a quick photo hoping no one would notice.  I'd have a hard time convincing them I wasn't trying to "copy" or anything.

I am known to do weird things in stores.  A few years ago I was designing a room in a Decorator Show House in Indy and had picked up a bunch of accessories and frames at Pottery Barn for the finishing touches.  Once I got everything in place I packed up the items I couldn't use and returned them to the store.   Then a couple weeks later I was walking through Pottery Barn and stopped to look at the frames.  Sitting right there, front and center, was a photo of my dog in a frame I had returned.  It was the same cute photo I used each year in the show house rooms I designed, but in my rush to finish up I forgot about the photo.  I kinda freaked because I had to have that photo back since it was before everyone had digital cameras and stored images.  I tried to be sneaky, but there seemed to be about 50 employees meandering and talking into tiny microphones.  I also imagined cameras and security all watching me try to steal a dog photo.    Finally I decided the only thing I could do is buy the frame.  I took it to the checkout counter and placed the frame front side down, which I hoped would work since the tag was on the back anyway.  Sure enough the one gal flipped the frame over and seeing the photo she started to remove it from the frame.   I panicked and quickly asked what she was doing.  She said they reuse the photos!  Okay, here goes...."Could you leave the photo in?  It's my dog".  The other gal behind her swings around to get a good look at the lady with the loose screw in her head, then they looked at each other as if to wonder about calling security.  Finally, after me going on and on with my tall tale and a line forming behind me, she reluctantly gave in.  I didn't shop at Pottery Barn for a while after that.