working over Christmas...

it's little Mr.M's Christening tomorrow...so...I've been busy.

my sister bought 4 frames and I have made 4 watercolours for Morton as a gift. This is one of my faves(if I must say so myself!)

Tiddler the fish(one of his favourite story books)...

keeping in the theme of blue and whites...I found a beautiful arctic fox to draw...

and a baby seal.

Morton, may you be blessed and given happiness and great health throughout your Life.

HUGS...we love you.

Char,ON

friendly Friday...

What a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon...having eaten lunch around noon, the girls and I walked a good 25 minutes to arrive at sister's door step...always a warm welcome waiting for us as we enter her sweet and warm,cozy house...which used to be the stables of our Childhood house which our parents sold 10 years ago. They converted it into a little 2 bedroom cottage...and now,sister and bro in-law live there with Morton.
I of course forgot my camera...but Tam did promise to post some of the pics when she got the chance.(thanks Tam)
We had a Cappuccino and mini Cinnamon roll as the kids got acquainted again...it took all of 5 minutes! Tam's kids are wonderful...as you saw in the previous post...very joyous and happy(other than Beth when at the end of the day she'd really had enough...poor little thing was exhausted)
Tam, is...you are Tam...so,and such a positive lady.Exuberant and talented...with always MUCH care for others.
Thank you for coming out to our neck of the woods!
The below pics were made as belated Birthday and Xmas gifts for her 2 sweetnesses.
I think little Miss J fell in love with Jack...even though yesterday she said "I don't really like boys Mummy." And that was that...until this evening when we came back to my parents house...and she wished to show him absolutely every material possession she owned. So cute.
Beth started the ever so endearing "Separation Anxiety" with Tam...hmm...I STILL experience this on a daily basis with Jordan...she is extremely independent and yet I walk 3 steps ahead of her and she is almost in tears...thinking I will desert her!

So...on a BLAAAA note...I have contracted a stomach bug...thanks Boo and Morton...but on the positive side...it's still a good 2 weeks until Xmas...so I have time to recuperate. YAY! Better now than later....apologies in advance to Tam...it came on suddenly and pray that NONE of you get it.

I am signing off now...I really hope Tam shows you some beautiful illustrations she has been working on for a book....they're WONDERFUL...maybe if you ask her nicely she'll give you all a sneak peak.

The one thing I look forward to next year seeing Tam...is that we WILL organise a cooking day here or up at yours...it's SO difficult with a 10 month year old in tow...but perhaps Mr. R will join us and Ron so that Tam and I and sister could enjoy the afternoon together and they take the kiddos off for a LONG walk...heehee...we'll work towards it.

What do you wish you had done today???

I must go...ciao until next time...

Char,ON

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

this one is for YOU...

The Holidays are approaching... a gifts you are buying...why not WIN one for someone special!

Tell me for WHO & WHY (it could be for yourself:-) you would want one of my "Once Upon a Time Original Watercolours"...and you could WIN one.

You have 3 chances in total:

1. leave your comment about for WHO & WHY...
2. Make sure you're a "Fabulous Reader" of our Blog
3. Blog about the "WIN WIN WIN" contest.

(make sure each of the above are left as separate comments! THX)

That's it...quick, the contest closes on Saturday 21st 8pm EST.

Winner will be announced on Sunday :-)

HUGS...have a glorious Monday.

Char,On

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED::WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER TODAY (Sunday 22ndNov)

weekend projects...

I painted Spanish bears in mountainous settings...and started xmas gifts for friends and relatives in the UK...

and finished a "Thank You" cat for our wonderful helper who's always there at our Mamas and Chicks Show...thank you L!

oh yes, we went to "Saltan's Tent" for my hubby's Birthday dinner with friends...and rolled out...I'm definitely not used to eating as much in the evening. It was delicious...but thought it could have been a touch hotter(in the Spice department).
The belly dancers were awesome...I want to be able to do that one day...they had these sheer red shawls which they would incorporate into their dancing...reminding me of a warm breeze
swirling through the restaurant. Loved the music too.

This week I'm starting 2 3ft x 3ft portraits. I know, I'm really excited too!

What are you up to this week?

Char,On

P.S.Tomorrow will be the Giveaway...so come back and enter for your chance to win an original watercolour!

Once Upon a Time...thanks.

I have a list of "Thank You"'s ...and a list of "To Do"s...today the "To Do"s can wait.
This bird is for Shelly, I introduced you to her a few weeks away...a very talented Artist and Photographer...she came to my rescue.
Usually my husband will take the day off and help me when at the Shows...because the majority of the morning is spent tending to vendors and their needs as they get settled.
Well, my husband had to teach(he teaches ground school at the nearby Airport)...so...I had to think of someone...and Shelly came to mind....and she kindly said yes!
So...thank you lovely friend, it was great hanging out with you for the morning.
I hope you love your birdie.
This has to be one of my favourite...the colours work really well and it feels Wintry.
Colour palette: inspired by my paint brushes...
Shelly loves the City and is a Free Spirit...with a heart of Gold. There are very few people in the World like this...but I am SO fortunate to know a handful of them.

Thanks for stopping by...what are you up to this weekend?

We're having quite the feast of a weekend...tonight Sushi and tomorrow Moroccan...YUM! And all in honour of my dear hubby's Birthday!

Have a good one...and remember to check back sometime this weekend...you can win your OWN Once Upon a Time watercolour!

Char,ON

Now's the time...

to order commissions for Holiday gifts.

I finished these 2 and another one which I delivered before even taking a picture...I'll get it at a later date...they were commissions for nieces and nephews and the one above of the dog is for the lady who one the contest I posted about maybe a month ago.

I am almost caught up...and ready to go for our Mamas and Chicks Show...just have to post 200 posters and put out 100 lawn signs this week...and pack 250 loot bags next week.

I am offering all of YOU fabulous readers a discount on custom commissions...

Go to my Etsy Store for more info.

This SALE will be on until the 10th of November.

All you have to do is email me/convo me with... choice of Animal, how many children(or adults)with their names , and 3 colours.

Anyway, back to the drawing board...SO much to do...and SO little time.

See you tomorrow.

Char.ON.

Cocka-DOODLE-Doo...BAAAaaaa...

2 down and MANY more to go...I have had a productive day...and now...Bon Nuit my friends.
Until tomorrow.

Char,ON

Come and see....I finished it today!!!

Well, it's been 5 days of sketching,painting and executing this fairy mural... I could have spent another 4 days on details but the budget was what it was...and so I willed myself to put the paintbrush down and called it "finished".

Don't you just love finishing a project? It's so satisfying...

We counted the fairies...there are 18 of them, each one different from the other.

I love this one maybe the best, as well as the little guy sitting on the cherries reading a book.

This client was a dream...she took care of the girls all week, and was so easy...she adores the finished mural...yay...aren't I lucky!

Oh, I like these two too, sitting on the swing catching up on the days happenings.

Even fairies have to go to school!

Bunnies and cats...and sleeping fairies.

I really enjoyed painting these cherries...is this a sign I should maybe paint some still life's?

Oh and here's the little guy reading his book.

Maybe I'll get more commissions from this piece...I'm very pleased how it turned out.

Hope you sleep well Olivia in your new bedroom...sweet dreams.

Until tomorrow everyone...I am SO exhausted, even after drinking and XLarge Earl Grey from Tim Hortons!

Char,Ontario

Finishing Friday....

I hope to finish today...but may not...I still have lots to do. Yesterday I added shadows to everything...and finished the sunflowers(which are looking not SO much like sunflowers because of the very long petals, but I like them)

I have all the fairies still to paint, but I'm happy how the Olivia turned out...

Working on the arch of the window took away a couple of hours yesterday...and I added all the climbing roses...which give a pop of colour(not that there isn't enough! lol)

I'm in a rush again to get out of the house...I finished my taxes last night...phew...now I have other paperwork to do...sorry I haven't been visiting all of you recently...this week has been SO busy,just look at how our girls were last night when we came home. They have been with me at the clients house...she has a 5 year old...so they were entertained all day! Thank you great client...you made the week SO much easier.

Hey, pass by tomorrow...I may have pics of the finished Fairy Mural.

Have a lovely Friday.

Char,Ontario