Great times camping result in latest drawing!

This latest drawing is titled "Rosa's Flounder". We were down at the Pacific Coast in a campsite on Whalen Island the past few days and had great weather and a wonderful time. On Monday morning the camp host, Rosa, came by and showed me her catch of the day, a beautiful flounder, which inspired this drawing. The best part, however, was when she offered to filet the fish and give it to us for dinner! Cooked up in butter with pepper, season salt and garlic powder it proved to be the best tasting fish I have ever eaten! I remarked that it tasted a bit like delicate shrimp and Rosa said it was probably because flounder feed on sand shrimp. Guess I'll have to get a fishing license for my next trip to Whalen Island!

"Rosa's Flounder" 

 We spent time in the Trask River Campground in Tillamook County on Friday and Saturday and actually caught three crawdads!  We gave them back to the river the next day because three wasn't enough to cook up, boy were they happy to get back into the river!  Here are a few photos from the Trask River Campsite ....

After two days at Trask River we headed on over to Whalen Island, another Tillamook County Campground, where I set up my portable art studio and began work on "Rosa's Flounder".  Here are some of those photos ...

Another great discovery was an easy way to get hot water for washing dishes!  I took along an old roaster, filled it with water and dish soap, heated it up on the campstove and had hot water for washing!  Yes!  An added benefit is the lid keeps out bugs and pine needles.  Then I use a 5 gallon water dispenser to rinse the dishes, really makes cleaning up a breeze!

And, if you ever want the BEST camp stove that heats up water in a jiffy ... get yourself a Stansport!  It is almost as good as my domesticated restaurant gas stove at home!

We have found another Tillamook County camp ground we want to check out, it is called Kilchis River Campground.  If the weather holds up, maybe we can get over there sometime in early September, who knows, maybe we'll catch some crawdads over there???
Would be nice to catch enough for a small spiced crawdad feast with melted garlic butter!

Happy camping!
Karen Anne

Some new One Dollar ACEO's.....

"Kickin' Back At White River"

 

"Zentangle On Blue" 

 

"Undersea Panel Number Three" 

"Stand Up To Cancer Rose"

I just learned that someone special and very dear to my heart has been diagnosed with breast cancer.   I know what it is like to be given that diagnosis.  I wanted to do something, prayer is foremost, but I felt a need to pick up my pen and create something meaningful.  The result is this zentangle that I have titled "Stand Up To Cancer Rose".

I originally designed this drawing in Zentangle format size of 3.5" x 3.5" but wanted it to be available in the ACEO format size of 2.5" x 3.5" as well.  So I digitally altered it in PhotoShop.  Following are both versions....

Zentangle Tile size 3.5" x 3.5"

 

ACEO size 2.5" x 3.5" 

Continually praying for a cure so that no more victims need suffer from this disease.

Karen Anne

Roses For Norway Movement

I recently learned of the world wide "Roses For Norway" movement and was very touched by this article I read, http://flowersbyterica.blogspot.com/2011/08/92-of-my-reasons-i-blog4peace-roses-for.html.

As a result, I am sending over three original rose illustrations as my contribution to the bouquet of "Roses For Norway".

"Roses For Norway", in my heart and in my prayers.
You are invited to participate.

Karen Anne

The "Humming Belles" Had A Magical Day!

Hi Everbody!

Wow!  The "Humming Belles" had an wonderful day at the August 6th "Hip Happening" Arts and Crafts Show!

I awoke Saturday morning with a sense of foreboding and did not feel at all like setting up our displays for the day, I wasn't sure it was worth the effort.  A feeling of gloom seemed to foreshadow the day but, never one to give up, I made sure "Danny Boy" was all set up with treat balls hidden for him to find throughout his day and off we set with the "Humming Belles".

We arrived at the hall and set up our tables and arranged our displays, one table for the "Ireland Brady Etsy Shop" and one for the "Humming Belles" Etsy Shop.  We had the background pictures framed and stood the little belles in front of their scenes complete with matching outfits and props.  A gentle breeze blew through the hall and their little wings fluttered and they looked like they were ready to take flight in happy delight!

We had settled back in our chairs as customers began strolling in, seeking out new discoveries and one of a kind treasures.  Forty-five vendors were scattered throughout the inside of the hall and outside along the front and down the side.  Beautiful creations and ideas over flowed the tables welcoming patrons to come and explore.

We noticed in unison that something a bit unusual was occurring; as people walked into the hall and looked around, to get their bearings before beginning their explorations, many would stop in mid hall, look over at the "Humming Belles" and slowly walk over as if magically drawn to the little fairies on the tabletop with their gently fluttering wings.  We sat back and watched as they slowly scanned over the display and would finally look up and begin asking questions with sweet smiles of  past remembrances shinning on their faces.

Some would relate tales of their first paper dolls, others would share stories of family members and friends who loved paper dolls, many just marveled at how our little "Humming Belles" were beyond what one expects.   The "Humming Belles" were in their glory  and had a hard time trying to just sit still and smile.  Inside they were bubbling with excitement, people loved them!  They were giddy with delight!

People were pleased with the concept of being able to choose their own favorite scenes, outfits, and wings; plus the fact that this is a collection that will be ongoing and ongrowing.  They favored being able to color the pages, completing what I had started, and thereby making each set of wings, each outfit, and each scene personalized.

We listened as people spoke up and let us know what they felt we should also have to offer.  Many were disappointed that we did not have illustrated short stories about "Humming Belles" adventures for each doll; BUT the biggest item we are missing are Boy Fairies!  Well, this is an ever growing collection so I guess over the next few months you'll be finding stories and boy fairies joining in on the fun!  We may just have to change the name to the "Humming Belles and Beaus", what do you think?!

As the day grew to an end, we realized it had been a wonderfully magical day and the gloom of the morning had been sent fleeing by the sunshine of loving acceptance and charming new friends!  Eight "Humming Belles" and many coloring pages of scenes, wings and outfits have been taken to new homes were they will share their lives and adventures with new families and friends!  One "Humming Belles" Starter Kit will even be flying overseas to a young girl in Croatia!  Imagine that!

The "Humming Belles" have taken flight!


PS   I had meant to bring along my camera to take pictures of the displays and the many new friends we met yesterday but it sat, fully charged, on the seat of the old oak hall stand next to our front door.  Other than that, it was indeed a grand day!


May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends who Care!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady aka HummingBelles
MY FIRST ETSY SHOP:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrelandBrady?ref=si_shop
MY SECOND ETSY SHOP:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HummingBelles?ref=si_shop
MY BLOG  - "IrelandBrady - Musings To Ponder":
http://irelandbrady.blogspot.com/
My "Humming Belles" Blog:
http://hummingbelles.blogspot.com/

The "Humming Belles" will be presented to Portland Society!

Hi!  This coming Saturday the "Humming Belles" will be attending their first Art & Craft Event and they wanted to be sure to invite you to come on over if you are in the area!  So consider this your personal invitation!

This is a big Sellwood/Westmoreland Passport Day Neighborhood Event, in Portland, Oregon, that they are delighted to be able to participate in this year! 

If you can make it, we'd love to see you!  Our tables will be located at the "Hip Happening" inside the Masonic Hall .... plus the Mason's are putting on one terrific BBQ that is super yummy!

Happy Day!

"No Name Zentangle Design"

I haven't done any art work in the past two weeks and really felt the need to create a new piece. I didn't have any particular subject in mind but I realized I had to create something. What better to fill that creative urgency than to sit down and mellow out with a zentangle design! I have titled this piece "No Name Zentangle" because I wasn't thinking of anything in particular but it made me feel good and regenerated my "Inspiration GPS".

This piece is now available in 8.5" x 11" and in the ACEO format size of 2.5"x3.5" in my Etsy Shop.

"No Name Zentangle"

 

Wishing you a day filled with creativity and inspiration!