Lilac Wine

The crazy weather moved through yesterday, and this morning I awoke to lush green and the glow of bright sunshine streaming through my windows.

Even the dogs sensed after yesterday's storms, which left a tree down on one of our roads, that today would be special and they promptly woke us up at the crack of dawn.

The other day while I was at my grandparent's little farm, I picked these lilac blossoms from a bush in the front yard.  My grandmother loved lilacs and also had a bush right near her back door.  The violets from my last post also came from her yard by the back door, I guess my Nana liked to walk in and out of her home and smell lovely things.

I'm descended from a long line of flower loving women I think.  And I never tire of smelling, picking, or having fresh flowers in my home.

I adore lilacs, but my sister K is the true lover of these multifaceted flowers.  Growing up, her room was across the hall from mine and it was purple from head to toe.  A lovely shade of lilac as a matter of fact.  Unlike me, she kept her room immaculate, and at 6 years younger than her, I used to love to wander in and check out all of her grown up stuff.  One of my favorite things was a lilac topped container.  I think it held powder, or maybe perfume and the top of it was adorned with faux lilac blooms.  I think they may have been made of plastic, but I loved them none the less.


 

My grandmother had an English lilac bush and a French lilac bush, and I can never remember which was which.  Sadly the bush in the back yard was overtaken by a wild rose and is no longer there.  Either way, these are lovely and full of wonderful fragrance.

The bush where these came from is old and needs some TLC, it barely had any blooms on it, and I almost didn't pick them.  At the last minute I decided to grab the 4 blooms it had, and after yesterday's violent winds and rains I'm so happy I did!

Today is too beautiful to spend inside on a computer, so I'm off to face the day and soak up some sunshine.  But when I come home at the end of the day, I will soak up some lilac wine and think of my grandmother!

If you are thinking to yourself...sheesh what is with all of the flower pictures...well it's spring here, and I love flowers, so I hope you love seeing flowers as much as I love photographing them!

I have decided it's a go with the Spread The Love meme party idea and will be back with more info soon.

My daughter posted this song on her blog recently and I hadn't heard it before.  I think this video is truly a work of art, and I love the lyrics, here is an excerpt...

I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light 

Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see 

and be what I want to be
I think more than I want to think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more than I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you...

Happy Sunday everyone!

Violets

Violets and sunshine, is there anything better? 

Ok, maybe violets, sunshine and chocolate might be better.

Or violets, sunshine, chocolate and the ocean...that would be nice.

Of course I wouldn't be opposed to the prospect of violets, sunshine, chocolate, the ocean, and no bills.

So, I think we can all agree that having a bouquet of violets sitting on our porch overlooking the ocean, while basking in the sunshine with a bowl full of yummy chocolate, with not a care in the world, including bills, would be pretty hard to beat!

Well, at least I have the violets! :-)

We are supposed to get the violent storms that caused so much devastation in the south yesterday, so I am hunkered down and writing.  I hope none of you were affected by these same storms, and my heart goes out to those who were.

Enjoy your weekend, and I'm so glad you liked the little store tour from my last post.  I will be firming up the plans for the Spread the Love Meme party and posting about it very soon...I'm excited about it and hope you will be too!

For Sale

I recently began selling some of my Kat W. Designs artwork at a few local stores, including Lola Belle Co. in Leonardtown,  Cecil's Country Store in Great Mills, and at The Vintage Source, also located in Leonardtown but only open once a month.

Because I love and shop at all of these wonderful stores, and because I consider the wonderful women who run these stores to be friends, I made sure that each shop had at least one item and sometimes more that was exclusive to their shop alone.  Each of my fine art prints are printed on high quality archival paper and framed in shabby chic inspired beautiful handmade wooden frames.

Over the next few weeks, I will be taking you to each shop and showing you not only my artwork, but all of the wonderful things these three shops have for sale this spring, but today I'll be taking you around The Vintage Source since this weekend they will be open for business on Saturday and Sunday!

Those of you who have been visiting my blog for awhile know how much I love The Vintage Source and their wonderful array of reasonably priced furniture and vintage accessories.

And it's always a treat to see how they have everything displayed in the shop.  Today when I was there, the girls were all frantically arranging, painting, and getting everything ready for their big weekend.

Some of these scenes will look beautifully pulled together and ready for customers, who line up early in the morning in anticipation of their doors opening, but others will show you how crazy the shop can be right before a sale.

As the VS girls rushed around moving large pieces of furniture, fluffing, and organizing as I snapped away today, they reminded me how much still needed to be done before they were ready to greet their customers on Saturday.  But they indulged me none the less and let me capture some of the chaos that comes before the beauty that we as clamoring buyers get to see after all of their hard behind the scenes work is done.

It's always a treat to see what new treasures they have found from month to month, like the beautiful transferware bowls pictured above.

And the way they create such a homey and inviting atmosphere with their appealing mix of vintage, antique, and funky accessories.

The picture above is a great example of what a massive undertaking these sales are each month.  Not only do they find the furniture they sell, but they also refinish, repaint, and even reupholster much of it.  In the final days before each sale, they are busy prettying up the place.  But before everything is made beautiful, there is a whole lot of rearranging, moving, and jumble going on.  Then, like clockwork, it's all magically done by the time they open.

I say magically, but I was just tired from being there for a short while today watching them scurry around painting, and hauling heavy furniture from one place to another until it looked just the way they wanted it to.  Imagine moving and redecorating your house every single month...yeah it's kind of like that!  I told the girls today that I'm WAY too lazy to own a shop like this, but I'm really glad they aren't!

Because they are so full of energy, lazy people like me get to come in and buy the fruits of their labor, like this beautiful piece.

Or this one...look at the beautiful detailing on the legs and the side!  And trust me when I tell you that it won't last long.  These sales have people lined up around the block and you better get there early if you see something you love on their New Arrivals page!

You never know what you'll find, like a beautiful botanical print in a gorgeous frame...

Or a to die for cupboard that would look oh so good in my house if only I had a little spare room!

There are vintage dishes, glassware, and wonderful serving pieces.

Something for nearly everyone.  Wouldn't these vintage purses be perfect for a wedding or the prom?!

And here is a find I spotted today.  It's a wonderful piece of artwork by the famed American folk artist Nancy Thomas.  Nancy Thomas' artwork is prized by collectors around the world and her artwork has appeared in numerous magazines, movies, and museums.  Her artwork has even found it's way into the White House!

The one above is a large metal piece from her original calendar series and is no longer in production in this large size.  When it was available in this large format it sold for almost $300.00, but today I saw it priced at The Vintage Source for only $150.00!!  Someone will be very lucky to get their hands on one of her wonderful pieces for such a low price, and I'm sure the collectors will be fighting for this one!

 That's what the girls at The Vintage Source do, they find great deals and then pass them along to you!

They also just find cool stuff, like this little guy above...

And if I had my new patio already, this set of 4 metal lawn chairs would have been mine!

 

Let me tell you, it was hard to stay focused today while I was there, with all of the great things they have for sale it's easy to want to walk out with everything they have.  But then I settled myself down and remembered what I was there for...to drop off some of my cards and artwork for them to sell.

Sorry for the lousy picture above, I was so busy looking around and jabbering that I waited until the light was low and didn't have my tripod with me so the picture of my artwork isn't the best.  But that's ok, it just means you'll have to visit The Vintage Source this weekend yourself to see my artwork and the other wonderful things they have for sale this month.  The iris piece above is exclusive to The Vintage Source, and I have a few other pieces there as well.  To see more of what's available for this sale, click HERE!

If you are in the area, and even if you aren't, you won't want to miss this sale...happy shopping!  And a special thanks to Sheryl for letting me sell my artwork through The Vintage Source!

And Happy Birthday to my handsome boy, he's 3 years old today!  Love you Quinnie!

Thinking of You

Thank you everyone for your sweet comments about my osprey pictures!  And for those of you who have not enabled your email please,please do so.  When I do have time to write back (which isn't often), I can't reach you because I have no way to do so...hint hint Leaf and Ink.  I loved your eagle shots but I can never reply to your comments or comment on your blog (you have comments disabled) to tell you how much I enjoy your photos!  And that makes me feel like this... :-(

We always know when a package arrives at our house, Mr. Quinn makes sure of that by barking loudly to let us know that we have an intruder, ie. the mailman at our door.

Yesterday he was barking like a madman and when Mr. Tide went to the door, he brought back a nice big box which was addressed to me!  I swear I'm just like a 5 year old when any package arrives for me, whether I'm expecting one or not.

This time it was a complete surprise, and not anything I had ordered, so I couldn't wait to tear it open.  It was from my friend and fellow blogger, Linda of the wonderful blog Itsy Bits and Pieces!  Don't you just love that name?!

Neatly packed inside the box was a treasure trove of goodies, including the beautiful beach inspired block with my initial on it!

Ephemera is Linda's middle name, and she puts together the most wonderful altered art pieces and even sells them, along with all kinds of other great vintage stuff at her 2 Etsy stores...Itsy Bits and Pieces and Romantic Farmhouse.

Just look at the darling sea shells she included in the piece she sent to me!

And I love the intricately carved K...for Kat of course...on this old wooden alphabet block.  It must date back to the Victorian era based on how beautiful and ornate it is.

I've named her "Beach Babe Kat" and she is now sitting in a bright sunny spot in my family room, because every beach babe deserves her day in the sun right?!

Now Kat the Beach Babe would have been thrilling enough, but of course Linda also sent me a few other things that made me smile from ear to ear.

She knows how I like to display old cards and ephemera using my antique flower frogs, so she sent me this wonderful vintage flash card with an oyster and lobster on it.  I come from oyster country, Linda knows this because I've pined after an old oyster tin she found, so this is perfect for me and looks wonderful displayed in my little flower frog.

And there was also an assortment of wonderful old bingo cards inside my package!  I love me some bingo cards!

The wonderful colors and fonts, and the simplicity of them is what I love most.

I can just imagine folks at the local church bingo years ago with these old cards and hoping to win the big jackpot!  Yes, our local churches still host bingo to help raise money!

The printing is beautiful on these vintage pieces, and this one even has my lucky number "8" in the bottom corner!

I created a nice vignette with my wonderful new treasures on the old chest in my living room.  Now every time I'm in there, I will be reminded of Linda's kindness and her sweet note which said, "Thinking of you Kat."

Thank you Linda, I'll be thinking of you too and treasuring these wonderful bits of history and my very own Beach Babe!!!

If you would like to visit Linda's blog and see more of her wonderful wares, go HERE!

I've decided that I might start a meme party called Spread the Love.  One day a week, other bloggers could link up their favorite blogs and help spread the love.  What do you all think?

Take Wing and Soar

I want to say thank you to everyone who visited Connie and gave her big virtual hugs from my last post.  I know she appreciates it, she truly is one of the most dedicated animal owners and pet lovers I know.

I have been busy getting ready for an art show next month.  I wish I could devote myself to this full time but I have to fit it in between developing my fine art website, finishing up several stories that haven't gone as smoothly as I would like, and spending evenings at my parent's doing the last minute things left on the list before putting the house on the market...hopefully by the end of next week.

The event in May is a wildlife art show and will feature some of my fine art photography.  So I've been camped out waiting for herons, osprey, and egrets to grace me with their presence and provide me with those perfect photo ops.

This is easier said than done most days, and it seems like every time I leave my dock feeling defeated at having missed a shot, the birds mock me and dive for a fish or perch on a dead tree within feet of where I was just sitting! 

I was reading a blog and scrolling through the website of a wonderful wildlife photographer, whose pictures have graced the covers of National Geographic and hundreds of other wildlife magazines, and I just kept thinking that he must spend countless hours and literally freeze his butt off trying to get that "one" shot.

I want the pictures I will have available for sale at this show to be special, gallery quality, and worth every penny I'm charging.  Something that when someone sees it they think...wow, that's amazing.

I know I have a long way to go, and trust me I'm not fishing for compliments, I am keenly aware that National Geographic isn't beating the doors down to request one of my photos.  Plus I really do love taking a photograph and blurring the lines between it and a painting.  I love it as much as I love taking a crystal clear photo realistic shot or a beautiful room shot.

Photography is a funny business, and there are many talented people out there with cameras in hand.  I think that is because it allows us to share a part of ourselves with others.  To take a moment in time that was special for us, and then capture it forever, kind of like a grown up version of show and tell.

When I do get those shots, it makes my heart take wing and soar, and I know that's how I feel when I see the work of other photographers and artists I admire.  It is an art form, and one I feel so blessed to have found!

Lean on Me

Yesterday was a crazy day, we had what we believe was a rabid fox down our road, the down side to living in the country.  And then Photobucket is having some hiccups so pictures aren't showing up in my sidebar.

Tuesday evening I phoned my friend Connie from Hartwood Roses to check and see how she was doing, her cat Amy has been very sick, and I know she's been struggling to deal with the impending loss.

Like me, Connie and her family love their pets as members of their own family.  Now some of you might think that's crazy, and to you I say, well then we simply will never be friends.

As someone who has lost both of my parents and also friends that I cherish more than I can put into words, I have to tell you that the hole left by a pet is a true loss, just like that of our human loved ones.

The impact may be less, I get all of that, but as someone once told me after losing his brother and his beloved Border Collie..."I loved my brother and miss him terribly, and don't want to sound like I don't care, I do, but I didn't sleep with my brother every night, but I did with my dog."  I understood what he was trying to say.

Yesterday evening while Connie was facing the grief of losing someone she loved, I walked outside as the rain was ending.  There was the most beautiful light that fell on everything as far as the eye could see.

It was then that I knew that Amy was shining down upon Connie and telling her that everything was going to be ok.  That Connie and her family had given her the life that some cats can only dream of, and that one day a long time from now she would once again sit in her lap and nuzzle her face.

Just like the roses in the photos above, I know that Connie will shed many tears as she begins life without her friend, her companion, her cat.  But just like a rose, sometimes life has thorns, but those short lived blossoms are so worth the occasional prick and subsequent pain.

If you have a moment, please stop by Connie's blog HERE and send her some love, I know she could use it right about now.

XOXO my friend...Bill Withers says it better than I ever could...