Do you see the simple, classic beauty?

It seems I always return to nature for inspiration.
The beauty of nature is classic and timeless.
When I create a piece of artwork that is nature inspired,
I love thinking that in maybe ten years or so,
it would still be enjoyed for it's classic style.

Below, a cutting I pressed, backed by burlap and then scanned for you...
Feel free to use this if you'd like!!

A few quotes I've gathered too,
feel free to take these as well sweet friends....
Just click image, then click it again to fully enlarge
then right click and select "save image as" ~

Wishing you a beautiful Wednesday dear friends!!
hugs and love,
Dawn

To gather . . .

These beautiful images are by John William Waterhouse ~
I've given this first one to you before and I never tire of it....
and second is so lovely too ~

And still in the gathering theme....new artwork!
A shallow drawer assemblage with a treasure pocket ~
A gathering of beautiful pieces of nature...
for purchase in my shoppe ~
SOLD....Thank you so much!!!!

Should you tire of the nature items....
they all can be removed to display another gathered collection!



Remember the chubby bird stamp that you all loved?
This is the set that it came from called "Bird Notes" from Crafty Secrets.
I purchased my set from Gail at Shabby Cottage Studio....
I'm not sure if she has any in stock right now but you could ask...if not just Google it!
That row of birds is one of my favs too!!



Here are a couple of sweet little Valentine's giveaways for you!!!
Sylvia of Lily's Pad and Petals is giving away this beautiful night light....
~ Just click here to enter ~



And Donna of Brynwood Needleworks is giving away a gathering of goodies!
~ Just click here to enter ~




Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday sweet friends ~
hugs and love,
Dawn

Angel gifts ~

That's truly what these are, angel gifts.
From a precious friends hands to my home and heart.....

Sandy of Quill Cottage sent me the most beautiful creation.....

The box alone is gorgeous....
I opened the lid and saw the tiniest little shoe ~
created from beautiful pieces of nature!!! My heart just jumped!

Can you believe all of the details Sandy
incorporated into this one precious shoe??

I will treasure it always dear friend, thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
~ Be sure to visit Sandy's Shoppe
HERE to see more of her gorgeous artwork ~

Also, I received a box filled with treasures from Erica of Sweet Millie's!!!
Thoughtful little things that Erica knows I love....
in shades of robin's egg blue, sepia and cream ~
I am just blown away, Erica!!!!
I love your style, your sweet creations,
the precious ornament with buttons and sparkles...
the crumpled little baby shoes....the candle with a feather!!
Just everything is beautiful, thank you so much dear friend.
I'm so undeserving but so very thankful!!

Little touches make these gifts over-the-top special!!

A couple of things from Ikea....
tiny little stash jars for the studio! All four were like 3.49!
Pretty shades of wrapping ribbon, .49!

And these wonderful stuffed animals came from Ikea....
they are ULTRA soft, have stitched eyes and
they can't wait to go live with sweet Clara...
(Brent and Emily have an English bulldog so I had to get him for only 4.99!)

And the precious elephant mommy with baby...only 9.99!!
Aren't they adorable?? I hope Clara loves them....

Clara had to go BACK to the doctor for the third time Friday.
She was not responding to the antibiotic and
had trouble breathing Thursday night through all of the congestion....
it scared us all!!! They changed her medication
to good ole' amoxicillin and they are giving
her breathing treatments now....precious babe...
we were so worried and everyone didn't get to sleep
until after 3:00 a.m. Brent and Emily are exhausted ~
I'm hoping and praying that they are sleeping well tonight....

I have a wonderful giveaway to share with you!!!
Polly at Sassafras Stuff is having her 100th Post Giveaway!!!
~ Just click HERE to comment to be entered ~

I hope you have a wonderful weekend my dear friends ~
hugs and love,
Dawn

They know me well . . .

The other day Brad took Noah (middle son & youngest son)
to a state park nearby just to enjoy the beautiful
fall weather and get out of the house.
I always mention, "look for me some goodies while you're walking!"
just because they know what I love!

These are the treasures they returned with ~
beautiful art supplies...

I wanted to share some wonderful news with you!!!
Pam Carriker is writing her first book ~ Art at the Speed of Life...
and she asked me to be a contributing artist! How amazing is THAT???
She's started a blog to document her experience
creating the book if you'd like to take a look.
It's in the beginning stages so you can follow along!
There are many other contributing artists and
I'm so very honored to be among them ~
thank you so much Pam, you're an angel!


Wishing you a great Tuesday dear friends,
hugs and love,
Dawn

A peek inside reveals nature's treasures ~

One of the many benefits of having a blog are the wonderful people that you meet along the way. And most of those who enjoy your blog have similar tastes as well. Usually I assume that my vistors are women ~ but that's just not so!

I received an email from Gary yesterday and he included a photograph of his nest collection that he has displayed on an old store display in the shape of a tree!! I thought it was beautiful ~ just take a look.....

Well, I just had to ask him if it was fine for me to show you this amazing display! He agreed and sent me more photos of his beautiful home and of his collections.....what inspiration!

He collects antique globes and hand drawn antique maps and just look at the old books on the mantle!

This clock piece is so gorgeous to me ~

Gary believes in animal rights and has two dogs and a cat that he has rescued. He hates how birds were destroyed during the Victorian period for their feathers to decorate hats and for taxidermy, yet it did happen. Bird dioramas bothered him years ago when he first ran across them but now feels that he is saving them and giving them a place of respect.

He has created the diorama below inside of a built-in china cabinet in his home ~

Another display ~

Just look at this very old Victorian piece ~ it is over 5 feet tall!

I love the scientific look of his displays....

And this last photograph is an antique aquarium ~ it's just beautiful.....

Thank you so very much Gary for letting me share your home and collections with everyone!

Sharon mentioned on my nest post that it was against the law to retrieve nests for decorating purposes. This is probably very true so if you are going to gather a nest, please make sure that it is truly abandoned and in your own yard. She makes her own nests for display and all of the nests in my artwork are from the craft store. I buy them to serve as a foundation and add straw, fibers and feathers to give them a more natural look.

I hope you enjoyed the peek inside Gary's home and his wonderful collections ~

Wishing you a peaceful, relaxing Sunday dear friends,

xxoo, Dawn