Friday 30 August 2013

rambling on . . . what makes a house a home . . . friday flowers . . . four favourite photos . . .

Well, the kitchen is almost finished.  The walls and ceiling painted, Sunflower yellow – sounds a bit bright doesn’t it, but the colour is more like banana – a soft yellow.  Pale green blinds have been fitted which give a coolish light when they are pulled down.  The overall effect though is cheerful and warm.  But it is the little things that have been introduced back into the kitchen that make it more homely.  For me, I think it is the pictures on the walls that are the finishing touch.  Take all the pictures away and it could be anyone’s home – bland and featureless.

When I first took up watercolour painting many years ago – this was one of my first attempts.  I had it framed as a souvenir of the early days.  I think I copied it from a jam advert in a magazine – well, we all have to start somewhere.

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There are so many flowers to choose from in the cutting patch at the moment – for the Friday flowers I picked Cosmos, Zinnia and Tithonia and Rudbeckia they were placed on the table in the living room, the blinds were down against the sun and this is how the picture turned out. I think it is stunning – if I had tried to get this effect I would probably have failed miserably.

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There aren’t as many butterflies in the garden now but I managed to capture one or two (not literally, of course).

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A bee on the dahlias, a poor dead one floating in the bird bath, a small white on the verbena and a painted lady on the sedum which is just opening.

It has been a glorious week weatherwise, pleasantly warm enough to work outdoors without getting too hot – oh and I found a lovely beachscape painting in a charity shop  which I couldn’t resist.

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I have taken one of my own pictures down and hung this in its place – I am going to see how long it is before my husband notices it – it will probably be a few weeks I expect.

‘Til next time!  Have a good weekend.

52 comments:

  1. I can just imagine how your lovely painting will complement the soft yellow and green in your kitchen... I bet it brings it all together beautifully. Love your find of the beach scape as well...

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    1. Thanks Glo - this picture hangs in what we call the 'breakfast room' part of the kitchen and fits in very well.

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  2. Hope you don't mind me saying but the 'painted lady' is a small tortoiseshell. We usually have lots but they seem to have gone awol this year,

    As for pictures - we are in the midst of decorating and I love pictures too but mine are lazy ones - prints of photos I've taken!

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    1. You are quite right of course - I do tend to get a little befuddled when it comes to butterflies. I love the little heart-shaped turquoise markings on the edge of the wings - so pretty. I think your photos are worthy of hanging on any wall Sue.

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    2. Did you print your own Christmas cards? I print all mine using blanks bought online.

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    3. No - I didn't have a computer or printer then. I used to take them to a shop that did coloured photocopies - cut them all out and stick them to blank cards. You can see why it cost me so much to do. Things have moved on since then.

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  3. The kitchen sounds great and I love the effect of the sun on your flowers. That charity shop find is wonderful - do you know the area the painting is of.

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  4. Elaine your vase of flowers actually look more like a painting than a photograph which to my eye is wonderful

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  5. Elaine you are a bit of a genius! I didn't know you were a painter as well as all your other talents. Flowers do make a home more special. I am realizing how much I have missed my creative Facebook friends this summer.When there is so much war and carnage hearing about something wonderful is a great balance!x

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    1. I haven't painted for quite a while now - although I was thinking of having another go this winter. I rarely go on to FB any more as the screen just freezes and it drives me nuts.

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    2. Have you used any of your paintings to create greetings cards for friends Elaine? I use My doodle a lot for this - it is getting so difficult to find good cards in the shops.

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    3. I used to produce all my Christmas cards from my own paintings - but had to stop as it was terribly expensive - they were very popular at the time. My very own 15 minutes of fame.

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  6. Your painting is wonderful - I love the colours in it as I do the colours of the flowers in your photo. We have soft yellow walls and a green blind in our kitchen too:)

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    1. Thanks Rosie - what a coincidence - great minds obviously think alike.

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  7. Lol....I have a husband just like yours, I could paint the walls black and doubt he'd notice!

    Well aren't you the talented one eh? That painting is terrific, I love to see more of your work. I'm an artist too.

    Yes, it's the paintings and nick nacks that make a house a home isn't it. Pleased to hear your kitchen is sorted, it's the worst room in the house to decorate as it causes so much disruption.

    Yes, that posy pic is a stunner.xxxx

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    1. Yes I'm relieved the worst is over and the kitchen has been put to rights - I really hate upheaval and had to stop myself tidying up whilst my husband was trying to paint walls etc. - luckily we didn't come to blows.

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  8. Your flower photo is perfectly beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Mise - if only I could say that I planned it that way.

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  9. It all sounds rather homely. I like both the paintings, and your flowers photo is superb. Flighty xx

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  10. You flowerphoto is really beautiful. I see you have Tithonias too, I have them for the first time this year and it is a success, love the orange sunny flowers. The paintings are both lovely.
    Have a nice weekend!
    Janneke

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    1. It is the first time for me with Tithonias - they were a little slow to get going but I love them - I wish I had grown a few more.

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  11. Gorgeous flowers, and I love the picture you found. How long do you think it will take him to notice?

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    1. It's quite a big picture but it is behind where he normally sits - so the answer is probably never. Ha!

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  12. I adore your pictures, the one you painted yourself (brilliant Elaine, I wish I could paint) and the charity shop beach one. The charity shop one is very reminiscent of cape cod beaches and that is where we are heading next week!! Completely agree that its the little touches that make your home!

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    1. I looked up the artist and she lives and paints at Long Island - hope you have a lovely holiday - maybe you'll come back with photos of the self-same scene - who knows.

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  13. Your flower photo is stunning! You are talented painter; I do think it's terrific that you can hang your own paintings on the wall. And I'm afraid I'd have to prompt my husband about any changes at once - I wouldn't be able to wait!

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    1. The longer he doesn't spot it the better - so that I can think up an excuse as to why I bought it when we have plenty of pictures already!

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  14. It once took my husband six months to realize I'd changed the curtains. Your flower bouquet photo is really incredible. :o)

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    1. It beats me as to why men are generally so unobservant.

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  15. The photograph of your flowers is stunning. I like your beach scape find :-)

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  16. I hope he notices soon! Mine only notices new expensive shoes I'm wearing!

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    1. When that happens to me I say - oh I've had them ages, and usually get away with it.

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  17. The sun on the flowers creates such a beautiful effect...I love it. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.

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    1. I love it too Keith - not bad for a point and click camera.

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  18. Your Friday flowers look so colourful and your painting you found is wonderfully summery. I have been changing things around the house to 'autumnise' it. It usually takes my hubby a couple of months to realise. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Chel x

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    1. Ha! I've got a husband just the same - he goes round with his eyes closed then realises something is different - but can't think what.

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  19. Everyone seems to be busy decorating at the moment, that sounds a lovely colour scheme and as the others have said your painting must fit in beautifully. yes the finishing touches make the difference.
    I'm loving the Tithonia in my garden too, it zings in flower displays.

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    1. We had to decorate out of necessity - I don't much look forward to it but am always glad when its done.

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  20. Bet you'll be glad when your kitchen is all finished and ready to be enjoyed without worrying on still-to-do lists. As always, a lovely posy here at the end of August.

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    1. Bit by bit everything is getting done and back in its rightful place.

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  21. Your newly decorated kitchen sounds a very warm place to be and I think your painting is wonderful.
    Patricia x

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  22. The beachscape is nice but I like your watercolour much better.

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  23. That's very kind of you to say so Alain

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  24. Your own painting reminds me very much of the work by our Canadian artist Mary Pratt. Her paintings sell for a healthy amount of money. Who knows fame might be just around the corner. Unfortunately my husband does notice, it's such a pain.

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  27. That is a great find...I would certainly give it wall space.

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