A Bird in the Hand... & a Bit of Whimsy

Even though I LOVE winter and *s*n*o*w*, I have been thinking about springtime lately. I've also already had people asking about the Bird in Hand pieces I make each year. I usually make those in March or April, but I thought I'd do something related.

These original watercolors are inspired by the saying, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". They are quite whimsical as you don't usually see a hand in the air holding a bird! I have done three paintings, same theme, but different designs.

They may be seen at Simply Primitives, The Primitive Gathering, and TDIPT Mercantile (see links in sidebar under Honeysuckle Lane Wares Are Sold Here). I have also made note cards from the original watercolors. I had such fun painting these, I think I'll do more in the future!

Here birdie, birdie...

Sam, the outdoor barn cat, recently "got fixed". After staying indoors to recouperate, he decided he'd rather be an indoor cat with outdoor visits once in a while. I have a soft spot in my heart for Sam ~ my Mom gave him to me a few years before she passed away, and he's such a sweetie to boot! Do you see the tag h got while at the vet? One of my favorite colors! Sam wanted out to sit in the sun a while, and he just happened to pick a spot under one of the bird feeders. He looks so innocent... all soft and furry and sweet... oh wait! I think he hears something!
Hmmm, I don't think THIS is the sort of bird he was waiting for...

I think we should change Tweedle Dum's name to Destruction. After he scared Sam and ate the bird seed, he knocked the little terra cotta water dish off the ledge and it broke!

Off he goes!

I think Sam has decided to be a mouse catcher ~ mice are much smaller!

~*~

Creating more and Clearing out a little more....

Roger has made the cutest birdhouse! He used an old cedar log that had been down for a few years, drilled a big hole in it through the bottom, made a hole in the front, and plugged the hole in the bottom with a cedar plug. I love it! It's very natural, and unique! Click the photo to go to my etsy shop. If the birdhouse isn't there, just keep checking. I'll try to get it listed sometime tomorrow.

Suzanne (Pear Tree Primitives / Painter of the Past) and I have another offering on our Poppets, Portraits, & Playthings of the Past blog. This time we took inspiration from Izannah Walker and her sweet dolls. Be sure to visit PPPP and let us know what you think, please!








I've listed a few more things on ebay: 2 of my paper clay dolls: Hannah and Mary, a large strawberry make-do pincushion, some pretty tin candle sconces (hearts and a pineapple), an antique sponge ware / yellow ware vase, and whatever else I come up with this week.






http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhoneysucklelane



I have finished with all of my valentine orders and have everything mailed. I have to finish up a few things for Simply Primitives, The Primitive Gathering, and TDIPT Mercantile for the 15th updates, and then I will spend the remainder of the week cleaning my workroom ~ and believe me... it needs it! I did make a few more charms before I put away my soldering supplies. Just click on the photo below to see more of them.




Next week I will begin work on springtime creations. I love winter, but this mid 60 degree weather has been so nice these last few days, it has really put me in the mood to make things with rabbits and chicks and flowers!







It's 10 pm and 59 degrees. I am in my workroom and have the door to the back porch open. There's a wonderful breeze blowing, my silver windchimes are tinkling the prettiest song, and the moon is glowing up high in the sky and has a large ring surrounding it..... it's a beautiful evening!









Have a lovely, blessed week!

Lana

of

Honeysuckle Lane

~*~

Guessing Game Winner(s)!!!

I know, I know ~ this was supposed to be announced Tuesday! First of all, I got my days mixed up. I thought Tuesday was Monday and I had another day to go. Then when I realized it was already Tuesday, I mentioned that I would draw names Wednesday. Wednesday arrived and I was so busy working on orders and running errands (or was that Tuesday, too?), I forgot until later, and was going to draw them Thursday. Thursday morning I got a call from a family member who needed to make an unexpected trip out of town to the doctor and she asked me to take her. There were complications from a previous surgery and the doctor wanted her to come in and let him see how things were looking. That turned out ok, thank goodness, but that was another day gone.

While I was running errands (Tues. or Wed.), I stopped at a little junk shop next to the post office and found this lovely old ironstone pitcher! It's not my largest ironstone pitcher find, but is a good size at 7 inches high. I love the aged look, all the crazing under the glaze, the soft color, even the crack and chip. Doesn't bother me a bit! And guess what it cost...... TWO DOLLARS!!! I was so happy to find it!

Now let's get to the giveaway...

This morning I printed all the names, and wrote extra names for those of you who mentioned the giveaway or my etsy shop on your blogs. Cut them up, folded them, and put them all in the pitcher.

I had my daughter, Jessica, draw the winner before she left for work this morning.




Drum roll please.........................




Patty of Magpie's Nest! Patty will receive a packet of my Heart in Hand Valentine cards AND another surprise because she also guessed the correct cost of my antique sofa ~ only $35! Patty, I'll be emailing you in a little while to get your mailing info.

There were 2 more guesses that were right on the money too! These came from Cathy of Hazelruthe's and Lori of Get To Goal. Cathy and Lori ~ I'll be emailing you later today for you addresses and will post later about your prizes.

Thanks for playing along. I enjoyed hearing from all of you and will be around to visit everyone's blogs by the weekend.

And I want to say thank you to etsy seller BraytonDsg including my Vintage Ivory French Paper Wreath in their treasury! Isn't the whole collection dreamy? I got home from grocery shopping a little while ago and had an email from this etsy member letting me know about the treasury. I am honored and wanted to share with you. When you have time, browse through the treasuries ~ I love how the curators choose themes and titles for the treasuries.

Back-tracking and Moving Forward...

(Vintage Ivory French Paper Wreath is available at Simple Joys Paperie)

There have been so many things I wanted to mention, people to thank for their kind words, and things to show you. You know how life is ~ as wonderful as it is, it is sometimes overwhelming and there's just not enough time in the day (even if you get up at 5am stay up till 1am!). This post may seem scattered (like most of my others, lol!) but I am going to try to make mention of several things in this one to catch up and then move on.....

Vintage Indie ~ Featured my Little Goat Vintage Paper Wreath ~ here. It has SOLD ~ thank you!

Stephanie / Primitive Folk Art ~ listed my doll in her etsy treasury here: (oops! I just checked the link and it has expired, sorry!). Thank you so much Stephanie!

Cheryl of Peaceful Blessings gave me The Lemonade Award ~ thank you Cheryl! Please stop by her blog. I'm sure you'll enjoy the visit! Oh and Cheryl ~ I love your blog banner!

And then of FlatWoods Folk Art asked to feature me in her Yummy Yummy Blog Discovery. Wow! I told her thank you but I was blushing from all the nice things she said! You may find it here: http://flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com/flatwoods_folk_art/2009/01/yummy-yummy-blog-discovery-2.html

I think that just about covers all the things I wanted to mention....

Oh wait! My new etsy shop is now open! About 2 hours before it was to debut last night, we had a major water leak which involved clearing out a large utility closet, cutting a 2' x 4' hole in the wall, and cutting out and putting in new pipes. Because of that, I didn't quite get everything listed that I had intended to list. I'll get those on one day this week. But come on over and have a look around at Simple Joys Paperie. The French text wreath at the top of this post, and the love token below are some of the new items available.