keep the faith

Cardinals can bring color and vitality into our lives.

• As the cardinal red color is symbolic of faith, so it can remind us to "keep the faith" though circumstances might look bleak, dark and hopeless.

Their crimson color can remind us of the importance of ourselves as individuals in the 

circle of life.

I am having this watercolor done by Ellen Hopkins Fountain printed for Holiday cards for her as a gift.
If you are interested in purchasing them please let me know.
The cards are 5 x 7.  Envelopes are red or white.

Ellen has inspired me in many ways and recently had some surgery which required a lengthy recovery and I witnessed her faith and strength carry her.

The charming red bird house provides a beacon of hope snuggled amidst the wintry branches.
Have you spotted a cardinal?
It does capture my attention, take time to see a cardinal and feel the vitality of the crimson cloak.
Keep the faith.

monday motivation - holiday spirit

 Everyone needs a bit of holiday spirit.

 Pop over to Matthew Mead's holiday blog, and pop-up shop.

 There is a wonderful give-away for some very sweet jam jars.  How darling are they with these bulbs and clear glass pebbles!

I just ordered this wonderful linen table runner that will add a holiday spirit to my table all year long.

Are you in the holiday spirit?

sunday sparkle

Grinch got your glitter?

 I felt dull and lifeless after the tragic happening last friday and my heart aches but it surely does not mean that my right to shine and sparkle needs to be darkened.  

Each of us need to feel motivated to shine, to radiate joy and to find our inner gift to light our day.

Everyone deserves to sparkle.
A little glitter, a sequin, some star dust....

 That joy, that thing that makes us glitter is for life and not just for Christmas.

Just like the Grinch who tried to take away every bit of joy, he soon realized that he could not squash the spirit or sparkle of Christmas.

 Even the simplest brown paper package wrapped with a glitter ribbon takes on new meaning.

 An sparkly snowflake on top of an all white sweet cupcake suddenly sparkles.

 A glittery sparkly top can help to get ones shine on.

How do you add a sparkle to your day and to those around you when Grinch seems to be working hard to take it all away?

broken hearted

 We are broken hearted for the innocent victims of todays news.  

Our hearts go out to those in the Sandy Hook Elementary school district and community of Newtown, CT.

 The news hit me hard and I have had an emotional day just thinking of the families who must say goodbye to their children and to the adults.

The tears of angels weep.

As a nation, we must join together and find peace and somehow surrender such random acts of violence.

I persuade each of you to hug a child, spend time telling those you love just how much they mean to you.

I will be back next week but for now I must admit, I am broken hearted.

Christmas capes

Does this ever happen to you.  You see something and then see it again and again.

Yesterday, all signs kept telling me that I needed a Christmas cape.

The drawings of Ingres I found full of allure and charm.

How marvelously modern and timeless is a cape.  Most days, I go from my home, to my car and dash in an out of spots so a cape is the perfect foil for any sort of weather.

Spotted this one in a lovely taupe with black trim over here.

Great worn with a slim trouser or velvet jean.

These lovely ladies all dressed to an outing dressed in linens, lace and a velvet cloak or cape.  Do you have a holiday cape?  I spotted another cape at Victorinox, the Swiss Army shop in a quilted down but was not able to get an image to accompany this post.

good tidings

Good tidings are something everyone can relate to this time of year and trying to capture the family photo for the annual holiday card.

It never fails that when I illustrate people, they always ask me to make them taller, slimmer and richer.  As an artist, my sweet reward is to do just that.  However, this lovely family needs no tweaking as they are darn perfect perched on this metal farm gate.  I saved this image from last year and decided to paint it to add to my portfolio of people.  Perhaps a "pve" illustrated family photo will be on your list next year.

wunderbar christmas cookies

During the holidays, there are some simple traditions that honor those we love.

I baked these springerle cookies in honor of my Mother who is 85 and still baking.

I use this recipe found here last year.

Here they are set on the parchment paper pressed and cut into squares to dry overnight or at least 12 hours before baking.  The tiny seeds you see are crushed anisette seeds which has a sort of licorice flavor.   The wooden mold that I use was given to me by my Mother.  I love the simple shapes, birds, bees, and creatures.

After baking they "spring" up and the surface becomes hard like a thin layer of plaster.

I saved a recipe which called for a confectioner's glaze which I tried.

It gives to cookies a lovely finish.  They are lovely to share with friends.

 Do you have "wunderbar" holiday traditions that you carry on?
Just in case you don't know, "Wunderbar means wonderful" in German.

monday motivation - deck the halls

There's no place like home for the holidays, especially a new home.

 A new home and the holidays are very motivating.

A house to decorate, the tree to trim, the poinsettia's to plant, the gifts to wrap and the holiday cards to sign seal and deliver.

The image of this special home is all decked out for the holidays and ready to celebrate.

As an artist, creative license is motivating, I added the garland, the poinsettias and the scarlet ribbons.

The square pillars are all wrapped up to look like boxed gifts with red ribbons.

Do you find the holidays motivating?

Are your halls decked out and ready to celebrate?
Cheers to you and your home all decked out!

Thrilled with my client's wonderful testimonial;
"It's not often when your antique dealer, florist, accountant, grandmother and sister-in-law agree unanimously on something, well, they all have plus every other person we sent our custom drawn PVE Christmas cards to! They all loved, loved them! Through your artwork, you have captured our hopes, dreams, and especially the spirit of our home and of us. Thank you for introducing our new home with your gifted hands and mind."

festivity and goodwill

The holiday season truly is all about festivity and good will.  Open your doors, host a little festive party and share a bit of goodwill to those that might need a little joy.  Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend full of festivities and good will.

checking my list

Many friends have announced to me that they just don't feel in the spirit to send a holiday card this year.
Question, do you still send a card to those that may have divulged that they are in fact scratching the entire sending of cards?  I am checking my list and plan to send cards to those who might need a little spirit lifting.  Thanks to each of you of who do take the time to send cards.  With every card I write and send, I feel a little "Christmas."  Do you send cards?