Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Quick and Easy Easter Tutorial

Here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to take inexpensive childs sand pails and turn them into personalized Easter Baskets.




First purchase two plastic sand pails.





Then cut a circle out of a sponge and put acrylic paint in the colors you have chosen on a paper plate. I chose cream....pink....and red for the purple bucket.




Stamp the polka dots in pink and the red on all four sides of the bucket.




Paint the childs initial in cream inclosed in a cream circle on the front of the bucket.



Paint another circle in red for contrast inside the larger cream circle. Then paint the childs first name in script over the initial in black acrylic paint.





Add some polka dot ribbon on each handle and you have personalized Easter Baskets .

For The Love Of Gold Fish



These pretty babies came from the WalMart fish tank several years ago. They have grown fat and sassy. When I come out the front door to feed them, they rise to the top of the water and wait for me to sprinkle their food. I try to make no sudden moves so I don't scare them.

I love my life. Have a Great Day!!

Laraine

Monday, March 28, 2011

Time to Start Thinking About Easter







I have been collecting images to use in my art for a long time. Here are some sweet Easter images for your Easter art projects.

Have a great day!!

Laraine

Saturday, March 26, 2011

For The Love Of Angel Face Roses




A few years back, I bought two Rose trees. I planted them in the front yard as part of a hummingbird garden. Today I took some cuttings and will try to root some more lovely angel face roses. I really wish you could see them in person. The color is truly magnificent.

Have a great day.

Laraine

Friday, March 25, 2011



This little tree has been in my front yard for years. I planted it myself. I think it is a cherry tree or at least some kind of fruit tree. The blossoms this year are just beautiful and smell sweet.




Kelly has been coming and going for days. Last night he did not want to go out and went to the spare room door asking to be let in. So he slept inside last night and at this moment is sleeping on some wallpaper books under my worktable in my studio. Perhaps he has gotten the spring itch out of his system and now wants to be with his family. I keep having to remember.....we don't own cats....they own us.

Have a great day.

Laraine

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

In Loving Memory of Jim




MY late husband "Jim" always wanted to plant these little flowers. I always gave him a hard time because my color taste leans more to the Pinks and purples. However I always let him plant the little yellow flowers and they became a running joke between us. I miss his twinkling blue eyes as we teased each other over the flowers that simply screwed up my beautiful color scheme.

Jim has been gone since 2002, but each year I plant these little yellow flowers in memory of him.

Be kind to those you love and have a beautiful day.

Laraine

Friday, March 18, 2011

He Was Lost But Found His Way Back Home !!




Night before last, I did a stupid thing. My cat Kelly was afraid to go outside because there was men on a neighbors roof replacing the shingles. Kelly is very afraid of men. So instead of putting him out in the back yard....I put him out the front door. Much to my sadness he was not at the back door in the morning.

I spent many hours walking and driving around our neighborhood looking for Kelly. Some children saw him crossing the street....some other children saw him hiding under a silver car half way down the block.

At sunset, I went out again and called his name over and over again. When I came home, Kelly had come home and entered the house through the open back door. He just looked at me and walked to his food dish as though nothing had happened.

He was lost but he found his way back home and I am joyful.

Have a wonderful day!

Laraine


UPDATE...Kelly has come home and disappeared again. I guess spring is in the air and he is seeking the company of other cats in the neighborhood. He has been altered so he probably won't be getting in fights. I can only hope for the best.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ultimate Loyalty: Japanese Dog Refuses to Leave Injured Friend Behind





I have been trying to wrap my mind around the tragedy in Japan. The loss of life is untold. Whole towns swept away....whole family's swept away. Somehow in the midst of all this destruction the nobility of the people seems to transcend the species barrier. I have followed this story and can report that both dogs are alive and being cared for.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Playing with Suitcases



As usual, Spring cleaning is in full swing. Besides cleaning, I also like to move the furniture around. I removed a small wooden chest from my spare room and replaced it with a stack of vintage suitcases. I like the "New" look !
Have a great day.
Laraine

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Sweet Farmhouse Style

'Farmhouse style' by JennDiggs






















Vintage Dressing Bench ...


$275.00

Ring Bearer Bird Nest


$15.99

Antique French Paper Ma...


$56.00

French Bread Bag


$28.00

Rustic Woodland Antique...


$12.50

Turquoise Wooden Distre...


$17.00

apron - SALE


$5.00

Rustic Banquet Table - ...


$3000.00

Antique French Key and ...


$44.00

French Farmhouse Grain ...


$20.00

Green Hardwood Frame


$50.00

Shabby Chic Designer Fa...


$14.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Down The Rabbit Hole

'down the rabbit hole' by belewis




























BRAND NEW- ALICE IN WON...


$

Alice in Wonderland Tut...


$55.00

CORNISH DORMOUSE TEA CO...


$

WHO ARE YOU-ALICE and t...


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Alice in Wonderland'...


$

RESERVED for sunshinean...


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Major Arcana 22 Handmad...


$225.00

Alice in Wonderland Tea...


$

Alice and W. Rabbit - S...


$48.00

Alice In Wonderland - D...


$

Follow the White Rabbit


$

Nursery Mobile - Tweedl...


$58.00

Vintage Book Journal - ...


$




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FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE...


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Wonderland Inspired lac...


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Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

New Items at Sweet Laraines Closet





I am trying to photograph my items in the French style of Atelier des Ours, my favorite french style clothing blog.

Things have been very busy here, so I have been away from the computer. Spring is on it's way and I have much to do, cleaning up the yard. Many things died during the hard freeze and need to be cut back. I think I will buy some hardy roses to plant in the front yard where I lost all my tropical ferns. SO much to do....so little time!!!

Have a great day.

Laraine