December's Free Silky

Purple and Yellow Pansy in Watercolor
This little pansy silky was painted in a much looser, more casual watercolor-style...
Sometimes it's fun to just play around and not take things too seriously.
Let me know what you think??

OCTOBER'S FREE SILKY

October's Free Silky is the Lavender & Yellow Pansy

Every spring my sweet husband, with a twinkle in his eye and a dopey grin on his face, comes home with "something special" hidden behind his back. As if, after 47 years of marriage, I can't smell the rich soil mingled with the light scent of pansies. My favorites are the ones that refuse to blush at their outrageous deep burgundy, and regal gold finery!

But, it wouldn't be spring without the daintily dressed pink and peach, yellow and lavender, and light blue and periwinkle pansies. Their soft colors might not be as vibrant as their showy cousins, but their appeal can't be denied. Who can resist their soft velvety texture and impish faces? Children say that the places where pansies grow are the most wonderful secret hiding places for tiny fairies and other magical creatures. If your heart is pure, you may see them, too.

November's Free Silky - Morning Glory

In June of 1965, on a gloriously warm southern California day, I stood in the back yard of our newly-purchased first home holding my two week old son in my arms while admiring the exceptionally beautiful periwinkle-blue morning glory flowers on the vines that were growing along the short wire fence that divided our property from the elderly Mrs. Thorson's. As a new homeowner, I found everything in our realm nothing short of miraculous, and the little morning glory that I had tended and coaxed along the wire fence was no exception.

Mrs. Thorson, a no-nonsense, hard working New Englander, was an exceptionally tall and lanky woman, all elbows, knees and determination as she worked at pulling weeds on her large property. With a defiant expression on her face, she easily yanked the clumps of weeds from the hard summer soil. There was no doubt that she came from hearty stock as she tirelessly worked her way along the fence. When she finally straightened from her work and wiped the sweat from her brow, her face broke into a wide smile as she saw the baby I held in my arms. As she leaned in to get a closer look, her arm came over the fence, her large hand wrapped fully around the morning glory vine, and with one swift pull, the roots easily lost their hold in the soil and the whole thing traveled through the air to join the other weeds in the steadily growing mound! "I hate those weeds, don't you?" Those were her final words as she strode away......

"Yes," I said, as I closed my gaping mouth, "I do too......"

MORNING GLORY EPILOGUE: Do you remember years ago when Reader's Digest had a long-running section entitled something like: "My Favorite (or my Most Amazing) Character?" Mrs. Thorson was my favorite character.

I still smile over that whole incident; it just tickled me so much that this practical, hard-working, no-nonsense woman thought she was helping a young mother to keep her yard "weed"-free. It would never have occurred to her that she wasn't helping. When my husband came home from work that night, I told him what she had done, and we both had a good laugh! She was eternally "helpful." I knew, even back then, that she was a good woman with a serious veneer. She didn't go around with a smile on her face, but when she did smile, it was like the sun had risen.

She helped me raise my children, and was always coming over to "give me a break." She would head for the kitchen to do my dishes, or go get the vacuum and start cleaning, or sometimes she'd just push me out the door while she stayed and watched the kids.

You can always find another morning glory, but you could never replace Mrs. Thorson.

Carolyn

October Silky - Lily says she IS a flower, after all...

Although the October Silky has finally been posted (above), my little Bichon, Lily, has decided to hang out and keep us company for a while longer....

September's Free Silky - Strawberry & Ladybug

Two of my favorite painting subjects, strawberries and ladybugs, teamed up for September's free silky! I hope you will enjoy using it in one of your CQ blocks, paper or fiber creations.

Remember, as always, you may copy and print the image for your own use, including for swaps and round robins, but not for mass use or publication.

Enjoy!!!

August's Free Silky - Mama Hummer

This beautiful little hummingbird decided to build her tiny nest just above our fish pond which, of course, gives her access to all sorts of flitting and flying critters as well as nectar from nearby flowers to keep herself and her babies well fed. She also has a well-stocked feeder whenever she wants a quick snack.

Her nest is about the size of half of a walnut shell, and her two eggs are about the size of pinto beans. It's so amazing to be able to follow the progress of this tiny creature!

AUGUST SILKY - Mama Hummer

JULY SILKY

JULY SILKY - Blue Dragonfly

JUNE SILKY

JUNE BLOCK