A Painted Journal for Pink Saturday

Today is Pink Saturday, and Bev from How Sweet The Sound is hosting this wonderful event. There are many pink posts to explore, so won't you join Bev in celebrating another Pink Saturday?









The large painting that I started to paint with tea stained roses is complete and off to the framer. Hopefully, it will be ready to show you on next Pink Saturday.




I have always loved diaries, journals and notebooks. I have many journals that I have illustrated and written in over the years. These journals record everything from my first love, to favorite quotations and special chapters.


I especially love Chinese calligraphy jounrals.



Recently I was browsing in the gift shop of a nearby museum and I came across this interesting journal. I love how it came in it's own book case.



When I took the book out of it's case, I was so pleased with the workmanship of the book cover. The front and back cover are made out of an enamel like material. The front cover is decorated with Chinese characters.



So, I thought I would hand-paint the pages of this book and put it in my little shop. These journals make such nice gifts, with original watercolors, you can add your own words, or give it to that special someone for them to write their own.



So, I started with painting bows, which leads to a basket of pink roses.







I love garden gates that lead to secret gardens, so I thought this would be a nice page.



A heart of roses and vines...



Pages framed in pink roses and leaves



An angel dressed in pink of course



A wreath of pink roses, a basket of flowers, a cupcake with pink icing and a cherry on top and a terracotta pot with dried roses..



These kinds of journals look wonderful if you just open up one page or two at a time...





Or if you want to open up the entire book you can stand it up like a fan.









So, here is A PINK SATURDAY JOURNAL all finished in my little shop wrapped in a bow waiting to give as a gift. The journal measures just 5" x 3 1/2 " and 1 " deep. 14 hand-painted pages, and 24 pages that you can write on. You can also write or decorate the back of the pages.



I wonder what secrets someone will write on these pages, perhaps a diary of a first love, special quotes, words of encouragement, or to use as a day calendar? Well, please stop by all the Pink Saturday places today, just stop by Bev's place and you will find the links to many journals of pink inspiration.

The song for this post is Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.

P.S. I popped on my Etsy store this morning to change a photo, and the little journal was gone. Someone bought it already. How lovely. I think that I am going to paint more of these for the shop.

Dreamin

If I could magically turn back the clock today…I would take my beautiful blue two-wheeler bicycle outside and go for a ride. I would ride so fast that my pony tail would sail in the wind and my bangs would fly straight back.

Thursday's Blog, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

And every once in a while I would ride with no hands and marvel at my sense of balance. I would weave around the rocks in the road and hear the pebbles sing inside my wheels. I would turn down Kenneth Avenue towards the High School and ride for a few blocks onto the pathway that leads into the park.



I would duck underneath the hanging branches and feel the leaves brush against my face. And then I would look behind me and make sure you were there…



because as we got further into the park, the path would become wider and then we could ride alongside each other.

bicycles in Falmouth, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Thinking about the few short days left in summer, putting away the daydreams, fishing poles and sleeping-in days. I remember that carefree summer feeling so well.



As I see my daughter Ashley today, who had a glorious summer of lazy days and restful fun, I wish I could turn back the clock to June.



The song for this post is Dream.

Tasha Tudor Day and Thankful Thursday

Happy Birthday Tasha Tudor with text, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

There are some people on earth that make you feel safe, just knowing that they are here. Even if you don't know them personally, knowing about how they live their life grounds you somehow. Tasha Tudor was one of those people for me. A copy of my favorite children's book, The Secret Garden illustrated by her sits on my bookshelf.



She influenced my artwork and made me feel free to be myself. She lived as if it were still the 1800's, her dress, lifestyle and customs created a magical world.

Today, August 28th is her birthday, she would have been 93 years old. She passed away earlier this summer on June 18, 2008.

 

Whenever I see a corgie, I think of the children's books about Corgiville, written and illustrated by her. I have a copy of Corgiville Fair.



My sister, Susan gave me the Take Peace video for Christmas one year. A beautiful interview and tour of her home, garden and lifestyle. I love to make a cup of tea and watch it for comfort and inspiration.

A few years ago, I attended the Worcester Flower show. As I turned the corner, I almost squealed with delight at the sight of a booth dedicated to Tasha Tudor.








I met her grandson Winslow, who has written the most beautiful tribute to his grandmother, called Tea Story. He suggested that I buy this first edition, signed copy of the Tasha Tudor cookbook. Serendipity surely paid me a visit on that day. Here are some receipts straight from Tasha's kitchen. "Receipt is the old spelling of 'recipe' and was still used by Tasha Tudor."





In the cookbook she writes about how she had a tradition of placing a birthday cake on a slab of wood, lighting the candles and sending it down the brook to greet the little Birthday guests. She writes...

"It was dark by then, so you can imagine the surprise of the guests at the sudden appearance of this fairy convoy."

One of the wonderful things that I admired most about her was her ability to believe in the magic that she created. She designed wonderful dolls and then held a wedding and invited her children and all the children in the neighborhood to attend. She created a dolls clothes catalog that her children could order from, and she charged buttons and made the clothing secretly herself.




Her prints hang in my guest room, and several of her books are on the night stand.






The Tasha Tudor Advent calendar was a gift given to me my first Christmas living in Hong Kong. That first Christmas that I had it on display it was cherished, and it continues to have a special place amongst my decorations each Christmas.



Thankfully, Tasha Tudor handed down her legacy of talent and lifestyles. Her web site called Tasha Tudor and Family is filled with books and artwork and information about Tasha Tudor and her family.

When I read The Private World of Tasha Tudor there was one photograph in particular that caught my eye. I did an illustration of her here as she pours a cup of tea for a little girl.


Tasha's Tea

Dear Tasha,

Happy Birthday, I know that up in heaven you are
surrounded by your angels. I imagine that your
birthday cake rests on a golden tray, reflecting the
light of each candle, as it floats down a gossamer
stream to celebrate your special day.

We are all so thankful for the pieces of heaven that you
have left here on earth for us to continue to enjoy.

You have sewn so much inspiration during your lifetime.

I chose the song Waterfall for this post. I am almost certain that every gossamer stream in heaven leads to a beautiful waterfall.



Now, you are in for a special treat. If you follow the links you can learn more about the world of Tasha Tudor because Storybook Woods and Blueberry Cottage and Cajun Cottage Under The Oaks are hosting Tasha Tudor Day to celebrate her birthday. So, please stop by and visit all the tributes to this wonderful woman.




Another nice place to visit today is in honor of Thankful Thursday. One of my favorite people in Blogland, Rhondi from Rose Colored Glasses is hosting this lovely event. For a long time now Rhondi has posted what she is thankful for every Thursday, and now she has invited us to join her. So, visit her blog and see the list of thankfulness and perhaps leave a note about what you are thankful for today.

I am especially thankful today for learning about the wonderful world of Tasha Tudor so many years ago. Her artwork, writing, inspiration, and lifestyle have greatly influenced my life.