monday motivation - friends

 One of my dear blog friends, Joyce was inspired to create porcelain baskets full of cherries for her friends.  She sent me these images and gave me permission to share with each of you.  I thought this was a lovely thing to do for friends.

This week, I am feeling motivated by friends and it is the little things they do to motivate us and to make us feel special.  I will be back shortly with the winner of the Cherries painting.  Liz Floyd selected the winner, via random number generator, number 45.  The winner is Trina from A country Farmhouse.

head of the class

June is a time for many schools to celebrate special occasions and tributes with accolades and awards.  Part of the successes are due to great academics, disciplines and the department heads who instill, inspire and lead many classes to graduate with honors.

Rigor and challenge are what make a school and it's staff as well as students thrive.

Loving and supportive parents also help as the school years require collaborative efforts.

Can you spot the uniforms, the first sketch I felt the uniforms were too light so I added a darker navy blue and felt very pleased in the illustration below.

A recent framed commission of this elite school in New York city was given to a departing school director, after many years of dedication and service.  Read these ten things from her departing speech.
Just stellar departing words of wisdom.

Do you start to get the school blues with all the special year end celebrations and speeches from graduates and special staff stepping down after being such integral parts of one's environ?

June is such a journey at every institution.

Good luck to all the students, graduates and staff at all the many institutions all over the world this June.

a present

I am giving myself a present.  I shall be attending the Jess LC, Make under my life, Business with Intention workshop in New York in June.  What was the last gift or present you gave to yourself?

We all need reminders to "Be present" - to live in the moment and to Dream Bigger!

Do you have a dream that needs a little attention or a gift to share?

Very often these little gifts are just the thing to keep us going.
These posters would be the perfect gift for a graduate, a new Mother or a friend.
You can find them all at Jess LC.
all images are from Jess LC

secret stash

 Do you have a stache or a secret stash started?

My stache jar is ready.

Bins or baskets are perfect for storing up stashes of yarn

A jar of Christmas.

Perfect for an early start to next year's gift stash.

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A stack of stash of kitchen towels to wrap up some bubbly.

Are you feeling inspired to start a New Year along with a secret stache or stash of something fun?

all images found on pinterest

dream boat

I am always amazed at what floats one's boat let alone literally how a boat manages to stay afloat.

I consider boats, cars, trains, plains as pure transportation but according to my 18 year old son who is vehicularly obsessed, I am wrong.  He has always been a dreamer and I imagine one day he will own some mega yacht or formula one race car.

Men and boats or men and their cars have provided many clients fodder for gifting.  If you cannot afford to wrap a red ribbon on the actual dream boat or sports car, then perhaps giving a gift of art of said mode of travel will be a nice surprise for your loved one.  

A framed work of art is everlasting and adds a sporty touch to any office, stairwell or foyer.

The above dream boat pve design work of art was a gift from a daughter to her father which was given shortly after she gave a home pve design work of art to her Mother a few weeks prior.

Do you have dreams perhaps of one day owning a boat, a sports car or a home?

beyond expression

I especially love when a commission is ordered as a gift.  What a sweet way to commemorate one's companion with the gift of art.  I added a bit of white to the left eye but failed to take a scan before I sent this work off to my client.  I just love this sweet dog's expression.

 Speaking of gifts,  I am beyond expression and full of thanks, a reader sent me an e-mail telling me that my blog is now a "blogs of note" by blogger.  Thank-you blogger.  I am smiling from ear to ear.

white house gifts

There is nothing better than that of having hand-made gifts at the ready. These lovely hand-made pots were made by Catherine White for First Lady Obama to give as gifts. The canisters are to hold loose chamomile tea. The gifts are symbolic of the White House garden.
Can you imagine the thrill of making each one by hand for such an honorable order. As an artist, I grapple with giving and truly feel that a hand-made gift is such a special treat. Do you have any plans to give hand-made gifts this holiday.

Let's share ideas for giving hand-made this year. If you have something you would like to share, please feel free to contact me. I would love to see what other artisans have in store to give.

beef up

Beef up all your carnivores.

Which side of beef do you want?

Where's the beef?

over here.

Add a little humor to your kitchen with these salt and pepper shakers.

Fire up the grill.

What's your beef?

If you are vegetarian, I sincerely apologize.

This post was not meant to hurt any cow.

Artwork by Martin Camille Hood, at shop bell jar in san francisco

tuck me in

I loved when my mother used to tuck me in at night. Even when I returned home from college, my Mom would still love to tuck me in. I have fond memories of pretty quilts in lovely cottons like these from here.
Even in Summer, I love a lightweight quilt in colorful charming cotton prints. Would you like to be tucked in to bed or crib, with a sweet printed quilt?

at the ocean

A memory for a Mother carrying her twins, walking along the shore. A keepsake of a fleeting moment with wee tots and a special vacation at the ocean. What sorts of memories are you making this summer? Any plans for walks at the beach?

gift of art

The gift of art is a special gift, a portrait of a home, a pet or a simple work of art elegantly framed has everlasting appeal. Flowers fade, chocolates melt, art is everlasting.
A framed work of art, perched on display on a buffet adds personality and flair when entertaining.

(Stately home illustration for sale, framed with silk matting and an ornate frame and filet, contact pve if you are interested in this work of art)

please and thank-you

Nothing pleases me more than a stack of artfully covered books, or the fact that 3 lovely books arrived this week, all "gifts" from various blog admirers.  

Thank-you for thinking of me.  Books are like friends, one can always make room for more.

The more the merrier.

Are these books not the prettiest?  I found them on-line via Haskell Harris, produced by Middleton's Library.