Summertime...

A glimpse at what I have been up to this summer...

This is an old table that I sanded and painted a cheery red!  I covered the cushions on these two chairs with this beautiful red toille fabric to match!  This was a fun project and now a favorite place for everyone in our family to perch with a hot cuppa tea and a favorite book while looking out over the small pond where the birds, squirrels and butterflies are always busy...

I love how the chairs turned out!

This last week has seen me busy sewing new little man shirts for my little men...

This bright blue one is for Liam who is 4.  He looks so handsome in it!

And this cheery plaid is for sweet Eamonn - It looks perfect on him!  I am quite proud of how I was able to match up the plaid stripes on this one :-)

Another cheery color for Liam!  The wooden buttons are perfect don't ya think?

A long drive up the Cascade loop into the Cascade National Park and we stumbled upon this old steam engine that was used to ferry workers and supplies up to the Diablo dam while it was being constructed in the early 1900's. The boys had a blast climbing all over it!!!

Eamonn on top of the engine!

Liam is in his element!!! They just didn't want to leave!!!

Two boating trips out into the San Juan Islands - We were very fortunate to have a friend loan us their beautiful 32' Nordic Tug and as you can see the kids loved being out on the water! Above Vidal, age 11, can hardly contain his excitement at being able to sit out on the bow while we were underway!

(I just love his braces!!!)

Liam stayed inside for the most part, but loves being out on the water!

Lummi island where we stayed for several days...You can see the boat anchored out off shore a ways!

Enjoying the day...

And finally, lots of berry cobblers being made around here...My absolute favorite dessert!  With fresh vanilla bean ice cream - Oh I am in heaven!

I hope you have all had wonderful summers so far! 

I know I have been absent from bloggerland for most of the summer,

but now you have a little peak as to why :-)

Looking forward to Fall, which is my favorite season!!!  As well, when everyone has returned to school I will have much more time to visit you all and catch up on all you have been up to!

Hugs and S M I L E S

JULIA

Incredible artist Marcio Diaz

'Sunflower Dance'

'Spring is in the Air'

'Ladybug'

'The Red Barn on the Hill'

I just had to share these INCREDIBLE paintings by Marcio Diaz,  a Nicaraguan-born painter who now lives in Seattle and had a booth at the arts festival here in my little town!

I got to chat with him for a few minutes and what an interesting artist!  (also got to brush off my spanish and tho a lot rusty, I didn't do too bad:-)

Both he and his wife were very nice and didn't mind a bit when I couldn't find the right words in Spanish to explain what a HUGE reaction I had to his work!  You know how much I just love COLOR - well I sure found it here!!!  Marcio's work just MOVES as you look at it! 

Don't you just love it when you find an artist that makes your fingers itch to just get home and CREATE something, anything!  If you have the time, click on his name above and take a delightful journey through his inspiring work! 

Sunday Sketches - 'Bliss'

Happy Sunday! 

This is the progress on my latest piece that I have titled 'Bliss'.  I was inspired again by Gustav Klimt ~

His picture 'Mother and Child' is just so beautiful! 

Started with a sketch of course :-) and had a bit of difficulty with the baby's face...

I like how the faces turned out though!

This, to me, is perfect BLISS, having my babies in my arms...Such precious moments.

I wonder how all of your summers are? Mine has been very busy and not left me much time for blogging! Been really missing Sunday Sketches so up early this morning and posting this to share. I hope you enjoy it!

Head over to Sophia's for more talented artists.

Now off to the Arts Festival which is one of the biggest events here in my little town...Love all the inspiration I always find there! 

Smiles and hugs to you all!