Another, "What's Blooming Wednesday"..... here already!

This is the first "Sterling Silver" rose this season. This little bush was on it's last legs last year from being heavily shaded, so I transplanted it and oh my goodness.... it must be very happy in it's new location!

This climbing rose, "Dublin Bay" is in it's second season and is just starting to be a prolific bloomer. These flowers are on the lower branches amongst the Margarite Daisys and Lavendar Gazania ground cover.

This is a very small "Peace" rose bush and these are it's first blossoms this season. Humongous!

Now.... onto the Popcorn Bush!.....

There was much interest in the Popcorn Bush last week (yes, it really does smell like buttered popcorn!) and so I thought I would give you an update.

Day before yesterday, I noticed from a distance that the blossoms looked a bit odd

so... I went in for a closer inspection.

Gah!

What a difference a few days makes!!!!

Whoooo Arreeee Youuuuu?

I wasn't looking so much at lovely flowers as juicy fat yellow caterpillars!

Not just one mind you.... but several, on each flower!

I'd never seen this guys before,  and I must admit, they were just too beautiful to remove from the plant.

These aren't tiny little fellows either, but large 2 1/2inch individuals. I'm hoping that they'll eventually emerge as a larger moth or butterfly, adding another dimention of beauty to the garden.

Lepidoptera Update:

Thank you Lori Ann for the super butterfly link!

It turns out these caterpillars are Pheobis Sennae- "Cloudless Sulphur Butterflies"!

I've been a bit delayed with my work of late....There has been some saddness in the household.... as my red factor Canary, "Montague", passed away, then 5 days later our family's elderly Pembroke Corgi, "Foxy" passed away.... then 3 days after that, the Cooper's Hawk got our male "Scarlet Chested Grass Parakeet" on the wire of the Aviary.  :-(

Strange how we can go for years without loosing our pets, then for whatever reason, like beautiful climbing roses, they creep above the garden walls out of sight, then ...

crossover all at once.

Though we can't see them, we know they're blooming still, on the other side.

      

What's Blooming Wednesday!

Following the lead of my friend Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor of Gypsy Mare Studios, I'm posting

a few shots of the lovelies that are blooming in my garden this Wednesday.

Despite the wind, rain and earthquake, the flowers are bursting forth, more and more each day.

Two years ago I took out the lawn in the front parkway and planted shrubs and flowers. It's been a work in progress and with each season they're presenting a greater show of color.

The yellow flowers above are a Popcorn Bush.

One might think it's mearly the yellow color which gives the plant it's name but, it holds a delicous

surprise... when you rub the leaves you're treated with the amazing aroma of

Buttered Popcorn! yum!

I planted this Blue Hibiscus last year and the squirrels had a wonderful time

continually rebounding off of this shrub, and were constantly breaking

it's branches... ah well. This year though, the squirrels are being kept happy with

a supply of peanuts and several lovely lavendar/blue blossoms have shown thier faces.

Each spring the miniature Ice Plant that is bordering the garden gives

this hot pink show. OooLala! When the hot weather of summer arrives, this succlent like

plant looks cool and inviting, and is drought tolerant.. something that's important here in

Southern California.

I'm working on new sculptures so check back in a few days!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter, filled with hopping bunnies, smiling chickies, decorated eggs,

colorful jelly beans, marshmallow Peeps, and of course, being the first to nibble the ears

of an old fashioned chocolate bunny! Yum! :-)

EHAG Emporium Opens tonight at 9:00pm (EST)

Tonight, I'm offering for your pleasure

"It's Only Halloween My Dear"

An original Papier Mache' sculpture; Acrylic Paint with a slight hint

of iridescense on the crows feathers.

Sealed and mounted on an antiqued wooden base.

The Crows wings were carefully crafted so as to create a

balanced look from every angle.

This is this young pumpkin's first Halloween, and the wise

ol Crow is happy to mentor this spooked little gourd.

Measures 6" (W) x 6.5" (D) x 5" (H)

Artist signed and dated.

$365.00 plus shipping

Thank you so much!

Blooming Wednesday & Hear Ye All ... the EHAG Emporium tonight!

It's Blooming Wednesday again and this week I thought I would highlight

the Borage plants which are nearly in full bloom and the plant's are twice as big

as when I posted their photo last time.

Did you know that the blossoms are edible?

These are "Elegance Lilac Sachet" Martha Washington Geraniums.

I just got these this year and the colors are just so vibrant.

Now.... on to the EHAG Emporium!!

Hear Ye Hear Ye! Tonight be the night, all Ye lovers of Halloweeen fare!

Some of the most talented Halloween Folk Artists have created special one of a kind

pieces for this evenings affaire, so come one, come all, lest ye miss out!

The EHAG Emporium tonight at 9:00pm (EST)

Log in to

www.EHAGEmporium.blogspot.com 

Tell your friends!

See you there!

Not Chicken of the Sea, but "Chickie by the Seaside"

This little Chickie went to market?... no, the Seaside.

Still in Spring mode, I've created a couple more Chickies for ebay this week, this one

having just come from a visit to the Seaside, complete with dapper blue jacket with painted brass buttons.

Also is Wizard Chickie!

Complete with official Wizard's cap and real and magikal Peridot ornamentation.

They're listed now on Ebay for your enjoyment.

I wonder what the EHAG Sneak Peek is?

What in the world is it?

Is it an ol' Hag Witch?

Is it a Gremlin?

a glaring eyed Octopuss?

Well, to find out you'll certainly want to return on Wednesday, March 31, when the EHAG Emporium will be opening their doors for lots of special original Halloween art from the artist members of EHAG.

Don't miss the EHAG Emporium GIVEAWAY, going on now during the last week of March from the talented sculptor Linda Kennon aka The Gourdqueen! Her Pumpkin Ornie is so adorable and made with a coyote gourd and clay, measuring 5 1/2" (not including it's wire hanger). He has been aged and sealed and will last for many Halloween generations! Head on over to the EHAG Emporium for all the details and to enter this free giveaway. Hurry! The winner will be picked Tuesday, March 30!

Also...

I'll be posting new items on both Ebay and Etsy this week so

keep a close eye out... cuz.....

You never know what you might find!

Let there be Lettuce!

I started my little lettuce bed early this year and

it's been bursting forth like crazy!

There has also been some surprise Borage that must

have seeded from last season and you can see it

peeking through. I don't mind it though as it does wonders to

help keep the pests away.... if only it could help with the Raccoons!

The double white Hollyhocks have multiplied as well and

I'm looking forward to thier blossoms in another couple of months.

The Sage has tripled in size over the Winter as did the Lemon and Lime Thyme.

This is the Red Salvia in full bloom... A Hummingbirds delight!

and now.....

Back to the Studio! :-)

The March 31st EHAG Emporium Artist Web Show is coming soon!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the next EHAG Emporium

Artist Web Show!

 Our next event will be March 31st at 9PM EST.

Original, one of a kind art from the Eclectic Halloween Artists Group

created especially for this show!

Yes, Possible Impossibilities Studio has created a very special piece for the occasion!

EHAG Weekly Giveaway!

This week's giveaway item is a hand painted spooky tree pendant from Jennifer at Gypsy Mare Studios. This little beauty is signed on the back and comes with a little black velvet drawstring bag. Also included are some spooky postcards featuring Jennifer's horsey Halloween art!

There are so many ways to enter, so click on the EHAG banner (top right) and give it a go!
                                                                       Good luck!

Chickie Chickie Bun Bun!

These guys were finished a few weeks ago and they've been

cheeping and hopping around trying to get my attention, saying

"It's time to post us!"

I must admit, I've been enjoying them in my Easter display on the old Cast Iron Antique Stove.

Actually, I've also been playing around with different colors and antiquing techniques.

I'll start with one and like the texture but not the overall look... then I'd try another

and like the crackle but now it's too glossy. I love the process!

For this bun I was pleased with his overall everything.... Especially his lovely expression. He's sculpted entirely by hand of Paperclay, then I custom made a little wire basket for his special handmade Easter egg His egg has German Glass Glitter detailing with green moss as a soft cradle. He also has

soft grass beneath his toes.

His little chickie friend is very proud of his fuzzy Bunny ears hat and fun polka dot vest.

         All dressed up for Easter!

Both are listed on Ebay. 

50 Guinnea Undertaker Crow

This is one of my latest creations, a high street undertaker. 

He's wearing a hint of a frock coat, and a handsome vintage Amethyst stud in his stock tie.

He sits upon an antiqued wooden base with spooky fabric funeral draping, which I'm still working on.

I have a few more crow colleagues in various stages of completion.

                                                           He'll be ready for posting soon.

Stay tuned for more crow cronies!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is not so much for it's beauty that the forest makes a

claim upon men's hearts,

as for that subtle something,

that quality of air

that so emanates from old trees,

that so wonderfully changes

and renews a weary spirit.

by Robert Louis Stevenson

I'm Now an EHAG Member!

This weekend I received the exciting news that I was accepted as an EHAG member!

                                                                            Ha Cha!!!
                                                         I cannot tell you how elated I am!

EHAG stands for Eclectic Halloween Artists Group and is a highly juried, premier Halloween art group, and I'm extremely honored and grateful to have been recommended and selected. Artist members sell Halloween art year round, and since Halloween has always been a favorite of mine, well....it's a perfect match!

I'd very much like to thank all of the EHAG members and moderators for bestowing this honor on me and 
                                            I'll do my best to do EHAG proud! Again, Thank You So Much!
                           ... Oh... and stay tuned for lots of Orange and Black spookyness this year!
                                                                                 Deb  :-)

"Vintage Black February Friday"

My"Vintage Black Friday" image, takes us to the Maritime splendor of

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse, circa 1872

I've just returned from visting my Dad up in Oregon and he and I took a wonderful trip over to the coast.

Actually, I believe we were in "Cart Before the Horse" territory.  :-)   We had delicious Clam Chowder at world famous "Mo's" in Lincoln City, then traveled on to this lovely old lighthouse. We managed to squeak in just before closing, and in between raindrops. We were greeted by two park rangers in late Victorian dress who expertly answered all of our historical questions.

Imagine being out here, all alone...

just the sound of the pounding surf and the call of the gulls,

and of course, the ever present wind.

                              

                 This is Oregon's tallest lighthouse at 93ft. Some say it is haunted by lighthouse                        keeper, Hurbert Higgens who collapsed and died attempting to light the lamps after having been very ill.

It is said he walks the spiral stairs of the lighthouse to this day, though, I didn't see him.

This light has been active since the first Head Keeper Fayette Crosby walked up the 114 steps to light the

wicks in this original Fresnel Lens.

I highly recommend a visit to this lighthouse, and be sure and build up your cardio to walk the spiral steps!

Flamingo Peep

Finally! A little peek into part of what I've been working on for the new year!

This impish pink fellow is part of my latest combo creation,

The Moon of Hearts and her pocket croquet flamingo.

I've been experimenting with rather loud paint colors, which isn't usually the norm for me, but...

So far it's working for this particular project. Queen Moon is nearly finished. Now, if I can find just the right touch of aging... something different perhaps..... I'll be posting her smiling face in a few days.

Despite the news giving the impression that Southern California has been deluged into the sea with so much  rain, I'm happy to say, we're still here with silver lined clouds and the view outside my front door even has a glint of gold at the end of a rainbow.