Good Friday and Family

Growing up and having attended parochial school in Quebec, Easter and all the days leading up to it were observed in some way.
There was of course the obligatory Lent fasting (I usually gave up chocolate) Ash Wednesday (one of my favorites) and Palm Sunday (I loved the story of Jesus arriving in town and having people lay Palm fronds before Him)!
My mother lit candles in the evening and there was the preparation of a huge Easter feast (our family was turkey all the way, no ham at the Smith house).

Family history was important and many were the times my mother told us stories about Great Grandmother McDonald and how strict she was. Being Irish and Catholic was who and what she was and she never wavered in her faith and her pride.

I am lucky enough to have her little prayer book entitled "Prayers of an Irish Mother" which is well-worn and has been repaired many times.

My great grandmother Catherine and her only daughter Maude kept a tight ship-shape home and Holy days were no exception. So in keeping with family tradition and in gratitude of Our Lord's sacrifice I offer this post to families everywhere who are keeping this special time sacred.

God bless you and yours this day!

Wow!

And I do mean WOW! March has been a heck of a month around here so far. I had not even realized how long it had been since I had posted.....
Well let's remedy that right now!

My biggest thrill this past month was receiving my mug mat from Natalie over at Tins and Treasures. What a sweet, sweet lady and when the parcel arrived I was having a grey day and this precious mug mat lifted my spirits immediately!

The colors were perfect for my kitchen and Natalie had coffee stained it so it really seemed so vintage. It was the ideal touch!
And in addition to this precious mat Natalie included one of her oh so sweet tins loaded with chocolate (which disappeared in a heartbeat). She also added a few samples of flavored coffee and lovely tea, which have also long since vanished...Hmmmm!

How cozy and homey is this hand-decorated tin? Thank you so much Natalie for such a lovely package, I am so happy to have had you as my swap partner!
And a huge thank you to Donna over at Brynwood Needleworks  Donna is the wonderful lady who sponsored and organized the swap! 
I am always amazed at the incredible talent I see everyday on Blogger and these two ladies have extraordinary talents and truly lovely blogs. Give yourself a BIG treat and visit their blogs when you have a moment to sit and relax...you won't be disappointed!

Today for International Women's Day

On this day I wanted to remember all the women of this world who do not enjoy the freedoms I take for granted each day. 

I am so thankful that I do not have to wonder this morning if I will offend someone by my very existence and pay for that with my life.

On this day I pray from my heart that in my lifetime I will see all women of this world given the gift of freedom to chose their own destinies, live in peace, and share their talents without fear.

Today I ask that we women who live in this freedom loving country take a moment to remember their sisters who live in fear we cannot imagine and pray their day in the sun is coming!

Fun With Texture Medium

Sometimes I will buy a product and hang on to it forever. There it will sit in a box, unused, staring at me!
Last week I started working on this painting of a little girl with her doll.

 I wanted to do the painting in an oval format which left the corners of the canvas crying for something interesting and different. I finally remembered the texture medium and decided now would be the perfect time to give it a try. I had purchased some little decorative "nibs" similar to cake decorating tips that fit over the tube of medium.

Well I have never decorated a cake in my life but I was willing to give this a try and in the end I like the way it turned out! I added some light color to the design but found it seemed a little too intense so I finished it with a wash of gesso to soften the overall effect.

 
I am happy with the result. I think the addition of the dimensional roses and leaves works well with this portrait of a girl and her doll.
I hope everyone is having a great week (we're supposed to get 5-10 inches of white stuff again tonight, ugh) and now on to the next project!

On Second Thought!

Yep it's true,  I sat and looked at this painting for about a week and finally decided I did not like the new style I was trying.
That happens to me often with a piece of artwork, I will hang it up and look at it in different lights and then certain things will start to irk me about it.
So yesterday I just put it back on the easel and started addressing all the areas that had annoyed me this week and here is the final updated result!

 As you can see I added a few things...a thin gold band along the edge of the halo and on the beaded neckline.

I worked on the eyes and added some lighter streaks in her hair. Then I went to work on the wings adding a light linen color, then shading with some Golden fluid raw umber.
I definitely like this version better than the previous one I posted about.

I hope everyone is planning a fun St. Valentine's Day!
I wish each one of you a wonderful day filled with Love!

P.S. And a little chocolate doesn't hurt either!!!
Tina xo