First Watercolors! I just started a watercolor class, and the flower on the right is my very first attempt, painting a black-eyed susan vine that I photographed in my yard. I changed it a bit, as I did the card by Judy Buswell that I attempted on the left. I absolutely LOVE this new medium. I have always dreamed of being able to paint the vibrant and the transparent hues, the wild frenzy of blooms, and the tranquil softness of flowers.

Hibiscus says Summer!

I caught a glimpse of the back of this gorgeous flower this morning int he early light. Isn't it something? What a miracle these tropical beauties are, even from behind. Something to contemplate in silence and wonder,......

Sandbox Time!

Here is the centerpiece I made for a baby shower I had a couple weeks ago for my friend, Heather. She is expecting her second baby, who will also be her second boy, so I decided on a sandbox theme, because I own a sandcastle Bundt cake pan. You know how you wake up with an idea in the middle of the night? This was one of those. I made a banana cake, because it turns out so very moist. The sandbox was very easy:

Go to the home improvements store, and have them cut 3" high X 6' long pieces of wood into the desired sizes. I made mine 20X 30". I just nailed them together, then I cut a black trash bag to fit inside and go up the sides a bit, and used strapping tape or masking tape to tape it all the way around. I then filled mine with a 50# bag of playsand, for sandboxes, which I also bought at the home improvements store. I bought the sand toys at Wal-Mart, Target and JoAnn. I put the cake on an overturned 9X9" cake pan that I put brown craft paper over. Done! And it cost about $10 or $12.

Easter Blessings,......

Another happy Easter day wish to all, and here is another view of my very simple eggs from many years ago. Pretty amazing how royal icing will hold up! I did learn how to make both sweet peas and roses in my one cake decorating class from back then, but for some reason I only put silk or plastic flowers on these eggs.

Panorama Eggs--

Here is the view inside one of my eggs. I put in a tiny oval mirror, to look like a little pond. The creatures are plastic, I have no idea where I found them. I had so much fun making these eggs. Our next door neighbor lady when I was a kid, was very creative, and a great baker. She made these. She had this very oversized magazine (from the south) that had lovely photos of eggs, and instructions. I asked for a copy. I wish I knew of Mrs. Billie Martin was still out there somewhere, to show her how long I have hung onto these eggs!

Happy Easter!

Hope it is full of relaxation and love for all!

Here are two of the 4 sugar panorama eggs I made when I was 15 (33 years ago!). I have been carefully moving them from house to house in the same old cardboard box, all this time. I took one cake decorating class, and went a bit crazy making things! I do wish I had photos of all of the cakes I made.

SALE!!!!!!!!!!!! I just reduced the price of my snowflakes in my shop to $10 each, from $12- it's the end of winter sale! Time to shop for decorating and for gifts for next December!
Go to: SeasonsOfJoy.Etsy.com
Thanks,
and Happy Shopping!