Painting, lot's of other stuff, and some more painting

July 2009 Blogging Calendar


DSC02620I continue to paint miniature paintings for everyone on my list. I have been really enjoying painting miniatures again. Aren't these Hollyhocks spectacular? I was photographing Tower Hill Botanical Gardens over the weekend and when I saw these, I fell in love. Tower Hill's gardens are one step away from heaven.

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I must say that these rainy days make it easier to be in my home painting, than if the skies were beckoning me to the beach. Beach, did I say beach?

Alison by the bayWell one of our favorite people in The Land of Blog is Alison Gibbs and she has opened up a shop called ALISON by the Bay . As I browsed her shop, I spotted this gorgeous card of the beach and had to have it. It sits right by my computer and my window revealing another rainy day. So, at least I can dream by admiring Alison's handiwork.

Alison gibbs beach

What, Christmas music? Yes, It's Christmas in July on Lollishops, the amazing Sadie Lou has created giveaways, encouraged all of us to create Christmas treasures and celebrate this Saturday.

Christmas Tree Watercolor Painting 5 x 7 inches

I am finishing my pansy painting for Snap, creating something special for Tristan and working on some Christmas miniatures for Christmas In July for this Saturday on my Lollishops. I am trying to master the perfect tatting watercolor for Tatting Chic and Lillies for LiLi and hydrangeas for a few more bloggers, violets for Mary and the list is still long, but I love this! Hey, this really does feel like Christmas.

Original Watercolor Painting of a Christmas Tree

If you remember, Celeste won my giveaway for a custom painting. She asked me to surprise her and I think she might be when she receives her painting.

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It should be arriving by today, but just in case, I'll only give you a sneak peek. Once I know that she has received the painting I will show the finished painting.

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Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage is hosting a really fun day on Friday, called Where Bloggers Create. It should be so much fun, and the list of people participating keeps getting longer. So, if you would like to join in, just pay Karen a visit and sign up for Where Blogger's Create.









SHOW AND TELL
My sister Susan just added this cutie felt creation to her shop. I just love her sense of whimsey.

He is called, Petit Champignon which means "Little Mushroom" in French. He is an amigurumi, needle felted baby; so cute and soft. Little Mushroom is made from 100% natural wool sheep fleece.




Stay tuned, my friend Judy is getting the Blogging bug, and is designing her new blog, and designing these yummy new necklaces on her shop.






Clara, The Nutcracker SuiteI am back to painting, adding Christmas to Lollishops, and painting some new originals for etsy. Designing some pink artwork. I love Christmas music, and well how do you paint Christmas in July without a bit of music? The song for this post is Ding Dong Merrily On High. I love the Celtic Women, and here they are singing this glorious song on a video.


Happy Wednesday. oooh, I just remembered I was supposed to take the family room apart today and clean...

My creation
Vee said...

I keep reading about Where Bloggers Create and will be visiting for certain. I'll be looking for all the ispiration. Beautiful post today, Karen, as is always the case. Those hollyhocks looked just like carnations to me. I had no idea that they looked that way.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour Karen! Again,a lovely, colorful post that makes my day! We have had rain as well, but we really needed it. I know that all the other lucky winners of your miniature painting giveaways are going to enjoy their paintings...I just adore mine. I still need a frame and it will go in my provençal style kitchen! Many blessings, Anita

LindaSonia said...

So happy to have found your blog and your artwork. It's glorious. I saw the hollyhocks you did for Kathy. Gorgeous. I admire your talents very much... thanks for sharing. LindaSonia

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Karen; Those Hollyhocks are just so pretty. My you sound very busy, love the Christmas tree, I really enjoyed reading your very pretty post...

Have a good week.

Hugs;
Alaura

LiLi M. said...

You have been so busy and still managed to find time for this beautiful post! I love the hollyhocks! These flowers are so pretty and just like peonies one flower is even more beautiful than the other and of course the most beautiful are to be found here! Your artwork is amazing, as always, everybody is going to be thrilled! That beach photo is really stunning! I suppose you don't have time for a vacation ;-).Have a lovely day Karen!

Wildflowerhouse said...

Hi Karen, Your wonderful art arrived and I am absolutely thrilled beyond words. Your presentation is beautiful too. Such talent. I must get this framed on Friday when I go into town.Thank you is just not enough!
I don't know why but I have been missing some of your posts and then today they just all start showing up. So I am off to read more fantastic Karen Harvey Cox posts. That should make my day! Warmly, Sharon

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, what a wonderful post, Karen! I always love coming over to your blog and being greeted by your lovely paintings and finding links to new places of wonder, too!

The hollyhocks are GORGEOUS. The painting you are sending your friend is GORGEOUS. I will check out your link to that creative post when I can, but I'm taveling beginning on Saturday.

If you get a chance, I'm having a giveaway, and I'm not telling what I'm giving. I am going to select something for the winner based on things I see that they like on their blog. Hope you'll enter your name, Karen.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Tristan Robin said...

hollyhocks! my favorite flower! these are gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Your paintings are beautiful! I LOVE that Christmas tree! Lucky Celestina Marie. She's such a sweetie! She will LOVE whatever you paint for you, I'm sure of it!

Your friend, Judy, if very talented at beading! :)

Patricia said...

Your HollyHocks are stunning !!!

Alison Gibbs said...

As always gorgeous paintings. I am happy that you loved the card that you bought from my shop and that it can give you some inspiration
Alison

a fanciful twist said...

Miss Karen, I am speechless, you are up to so much goodness it is incredible. I was just at Michael's and they had all sorts of Halloween already. So Christmas is perfect as far as I am concerned. I LOVE holiday music. Although being 110' here makes it a tad bit difficult :) to fully enjoy ;)

Miss Alison's photo card is dreamy. I need a beach!! ;)

Those hollyhocks!! I want them growing in my garden :)

I am sure I missed a whole other bunch of goodness you shared that I wanted to comment on, but I did see it all, and it left me speechless ;)

Little paintings, YAY! love, V

Snap said...

Busy, busy, busy! The hollyhocks are amazing. For some reason, they don't like my yard, but i keep trying -- every other year! ;D

Wonderful, fun post -- as usual!

Beverly said...

Karen, this post was a great read. I feel your joy of painting in every word you write. My hydrangea painting is a new and lovely way to begin each morning. It is next to my coffee pot on the kitchen counter, and it makes me happy. It is also near a bay window that looks over the hydrangea bush.

Another smile you gave me today is the Celtic Women. Their music is glorious, and my husband and I have been enjoying them for years now.

Kathleen Grace said...

The rainy cool days we have been getting this summer are certainly conducive to staying inside and creating! When you are finished with all the mini works of art for your give away maybe you will do a post so we can see them all? I will be so excited to see everyones studios friday!

Kathleen Grace said...

The rainy cool days we have been getting this summer are certainly conducive to staying inside and creating! When you are finished with all the mini works of art for your give away maybe you will do a post so we can see them all? I will be so excited to see everyones studios friday!

Gabriela said...

Hello Karen,

OMG!!! I haven't seen these "Carnation Hollyhocks" for a long time...that's how I named them.
Love them.

Awesome painting!


~ Gabriela ~

Her Art Nest said...

Hi Karen, I just love all your toile goodies! Your room is lovely and just beautiful. What a great place to relax and create. ~Nan

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