Winter hat

sweater knit hat, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

It's a little cold in the morning when Sophie and I go out for our walk. This sweater knit hat keeps my head warm and it is cute. I am practicing sketching hats.....they are not so easy. My friend and teacher, Jane, suggested the "frame" on her tutorial post. check it out Lots of greys and whites in this watercolor. I hope you like it

Reina's Christmas stocking

Reina's Christmas stocking, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Thank goodness for the Olympics! I have enjoyed them so much and am really sad tomorrow will be the final day. Go USA! It has also given me plenty of time to sit on my AS345097! Fortunately I can stitch while I sit. I have just finished Reina's Christmas stocking and I am ready to send it to be finished. At least this one won't be late for Christmas 2010! I have stitched 2 stockings now....2 more and I'll be caught up with my grandaughters. Check out Kate's

morning breakfast

strawberries on a napkin, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Strawberries are fresh at the Farmers' markets again (well, actually they are fresh year round in southern California). Early in the season the are larger and sweeter. Yum. This morning I washed a few to add to my oatmeal and yogurt and placed them on a plaid napkin. I picked up my sketchbook instead of eating breakfast. It's the everyday things that inspire me to paint. Now that the sketch is dry, the strawberries are in my tummy.

Birdcage

birdcage, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I bought this wood and wire birdcage about 8 years ago for a birthday gift and hoped I would actually use it for birds but it has since become the arboretum for houseplants. The sunlight is good on this ledge and the watering can is ready to give the plants a drink. This is about 5" by 5" and I think I will try again a little larger. Just a little before work sketch today.

sketch and watercolor from my trip

Paso Robles, February, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

images from my weekend in Paso. I think I will add Sophie into the picture

Happy Birthday to me!

Grape vine, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Picnic table

Picnic table, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Happy Birthday to me! I have been dying to go to one of my favorite destinations: wine country. Spontaneously Friday night I decided that I would take Sophie and leave in the morning. What a fabulous day for a drive. The ocean was sparkling. The hills were green from the recent rains even the mustard and California poppies were starting to bloom on the roadside. The sky was a summer blue without a cloud disturbing.
Instead of heading north my destination was Paso Robles, inland from the central coast and San Luis Obispo, where I was born 62 years ago.
I stopped in Santa Barbara and had lunch at the Farmers' market and then headed inland near Lake Chumash, passed Solvang and reached the wine country in the late afternoon. The drive was passed rolling hills dotted black with live oak trees that are simply majestic against the green hlls. Paso is filled with working farms, grazed by cows, goats, sheep and llamas. I stopped at a couple of small wineries and looked for a place to lay out my watercolors.

Meantime in Colorado, my family celebrates without me. Please click on this link and sing along. It's pretty darn cute.

Valentine week!

Valentine box top, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

My mother was a tole painting artist. I found this wooden box top today and thought it perfect for this week. This sweet little Valentine box was painted in 1984....just about the time my mother had a craft shop called "The Gingham Dog and Calico Cat. She taught classes every week her favorite students.....her grandchildren. My daughter, Whitney, has fond memories of painting next to her "Grammie". Thank you, Mom, for this lovely Valentine/ birthday gift.

Gabriela, 14 days old

IMG_0141.JPG, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Sweet little Gabriela is growing...just like she should. She sleeps a lot, eats a lot and yes...poops a lot. She looks like she is Reina's sister but she has her own beautiful face. I haven't seen her in 10 days and it is killing me already.

More green!

avocado, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Is there anything more delectable than this California fruit? I haven't done much sketching lately but as I cut into this avocado to make my lunch the other day I was immediately inspired to do a watercolor of it rather than make guacamole. I must me crazy! What a choice. Do any of you remember when this was the popular color for kitchen appliances?