The Farmer's Market has begun...

Hello Everyone!
Isn't it wonderful now that Summer is almost here the days are longer and the temperature is so enjoyable that no jackets are needed anymore...
This past couple of weeks I have been painting a trailer to be parked up near where our local Farmers market is held weekly...
I thought I would show you all the process from start to end... Even little miss J helped a couple of times :-)

Enjoy your Saturday, I will be passing by the market for my weeks supply of veggies... And maybe some apple cider.
What are you up to this weekend?

X
Char

Wordless Wednesday

The Mamas and Chicks Spring Market

I have been busy organising the Mamas and Chicks Show which is on THIS Friday...

I haven't forgotten about ANY of you...I will be back with a Birthday GIVE-AWAY on Sunday!

PLEASE take a peak at ALL the amazing vendors we have at our Show...just CLICK HERE and it will take you to all the 55 plus incredible entrepreneurs and local businesses here and in neighbouring cities.


HUGS
Char.x

Wordless Wednesday

Predictions

I hope you're all well. I have been an awful blogger this month...and haven't gotten around to visiting you all... But I will soon... Things should start to calm down a little now that Christmas concerts are almost over, packing for our trip to Europe is almost done... We are still without snow up here in Ontario... Well those of us who live near the lake, I know just 2 hours north of us has over a foot of snow.
How about you? Do you have snow yet?
Last year this time, our girls were playing outside in it and making snow forts...London airports were being shut down because of the amount of snow they had!
Are we in for a mild winter ? What are your predictions?

I will leave you pondering whilst I show you a few pics of what we have been up to…

Hugs
Char.x

December lists

I think lists in December are probably the longest out of all the months... Gift lists, shopping lists, house cleaning lists , mailing lists, Xmas card lists, project to do lists... It goes on and on...
How do we manage it all?
One day at a time... That's how.
I'm finishing this Xmas card for our family today... I had other plans but non panned out.

Hugs to you all.
Happy December !
Char.x

On my shelves

I found some more of my art books in bins we have been moving to start phase 3 of the basement construction.
It's so good to have all my books in one place now...
I love looking at bookshelves and finding treasures... Many of my larger books are stuffed with beautiful dried maple leafs and summer flowers.
I'd love to see what's on your bookshelf... Please share a link in the comments below.
Have a lovely Tuesday... I hope many of you who were effected by the early winter storm have power back up and running...
Hugs
Char.

Wordless Wednesday

Hugs
Char.x

bye bye bols...

 hello lovelies...I know I haven't been around for a few days, I have been enjoying my parents whilst they're here in Canada visiting.
My Mum gobbled up all these Cafe Bols and Tea Cups to take back with her to England. So these are a few which I won't be selling on Etsy.

I painted a few new Cafe Bols which I will also be placing in the shop...they're a little larger than the 5x7 watercolours...I think they measure 11x7 inches.
Below you can see one of them framed...

so, after being super productive...it's good to see many of them going to new homes...


This week is the start of another VERY busy crazy week...I am delivering tickets and flyers to our Mamas and Chicks vendors.Our Show is in 3 weeks time...
I'll be making more Gift Cards,Tooth Fairy Pillows, Lavender Pillows and selling my prints at a great discount...


Did you know my Esty Store has a SALE at the moment? EVERYthing is 25% off! 


I'll be passing by to say hi to you later...until then have a fabulous Monday.
HUGS
Char.x

crostini per tutti!

thanks to all your suggestions last week...the avocados ripened really well with the apples and bananas...
I made my crostini...or bruschetta...(Crostini are usually smaller,thinner pieces of bread toasted with toppings on)...for Saturday's get together...everyone LOVED them...my favourite were the tomato crostini.They were like an explosion of flavour in your mouth...YUM!
I think I could have added a bit more heat to the guacamole...


TOMATO CROSTINI
the tomatoes I roasted in the oven for 40 minutes...drizzled with olive oil,balsamic vinegar,basil and sea salt...
Toasted thin slices of Focaccia in the oven with Olive oil drizzled on top.
I then sliced some mozzarella, laid the cheese on top of one basil leaf and added half a tomato...grilled again for 5 minutes until the mozzarella started to melt.
EASY and delicious.


GUACAMOLE CROSTINI
This is my recipe for my guacamole...every time it changes depending on what I have in the fridge.
Take 4 well ripened avocados.
Chop up and place in a bowl
Add a pinch of salt and pepper
one whole banana chile pepper(hot but not too crazy) chopped up finely.
6 of the grilled tomato halves chopped up
juice from one whole lime
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Mash it all together...but don't blend.
YUM!


BTW...you may already know this...you can prep the guacamole ahead of time, just keep one of the avocado stones and place it on top of the guacamole and cover with cling film.THIS WAY it won't turn brown.


I hope you're having a lovely Monday.
I'm counting down the days until I see my parents...


HUGS
Char.x

French coffee bols

hello ... did you know in France they drink Coffee from "Bols" (bowls in French) in the morning for breakfast...many say it's so they can dip their delicious croissants and tartine's in their coffee. 
I love going over to France and having a BIG BOL of coffee... so... here are MY French Coffee Bols...all original watercolour paintings to accompany my T-cups HERE and HERE.


Have a lovely day!
hugs
Char.x

eyes on you

happy Friday lovely....thanks for passing by.
I finished one commission but can't show you the completed picture until Sunday...JUST in case it's seen by the wrong eyes!


HUGS and have a great weekend!
Char.x

just going with it.

Hello everyone...and a very lovely Thursday it is....beautiful blue skies...great for a Cross Country race...which Miss A will be participating in this afternoon. And neither I nor her daddy can watch unfortunately...BUT I am and will be thinking of her speedy legs...and hoping that she doesn't give up half way. I was never good at Cross Country but I do think she has her daddy's power legs...so we'll see.


T-CUPS...what do you think? I think this will be a new theme for my Mamas and Chicks Fall Show this year. I am going to be selling the originals in my Etsy Shop as soon as I get a chance to post them...


I have plans on making pillows, posters and embroideries.
Along side selling these originals...they can be used as gift cards or framed in a sweet antique white frame...I must try and find a couple of examples...


In one week's time...my Mama and Papa will be here...flying all the way from the UK. I can't wait to see them...9 months is a long time away from family.


I have a little dog portrait to get started on...and a baptism gift to finish...so busy hands are waiting to get started.


HUGS and have a wonderful Thursday.
Char.x

a humming Sunday...

I know many, many of you don't just live around the corner...BUT if you do...be sure to check out my Saturday Art Classes.


So this is what I've been doing the majority of the day...who would have known that figuring out and planning could take ALL day!?


Hope you've had a glorious weekend.
HUGS
Char.x

HYPE DANZ...the dancing mural...

Hello weekend readers...I have to say, this week was a busy one...but I love finishing projects and I am really very happy how this one which I did for a wonderful lady called Margarita who runs a fantastic Dance studio just minutes away from where we live.
The girls have been dancing at Hype Dance for the past 4 years...this will be Miss A's 5th year.


She started just a few years ago and has grown on her reputable reputation as an excellent dance instructor in many different areas of Dance.
Margarita now has other instructors working with her. She also offers adult drop in classes in Ballet/Jazz...Ballroom and Hip-hop...I hope I can gather enough adult ballerinas to do ballet again this year!


IF you live in the Durham Region of Ontario Canada...and are looking for a Dance School to put your kids in...or yourself...please visit HYPE DANZ's website HERE.


Well...now I am warm again indoors...and am about to organise my Saturday morning Art Classes.
They'll be running from October 8th all the way through to December.
If you're interested please email me and I can send you more information.


Have a lovely day.
hugs
Char.x