It's That Season Again!

At the beginning of this month Hockey Season commenced...

I know a lot of people who joy in the wins and keep the faith through the losses

while either lounging in front of a television or trying to stay warm in the arena...

It's a Canadian thing!

I made up a few quick card designs that would be perfect 

for a hockey fan to send out for the holidays or anytime 

during the 7-month long regular season!

First, for my uncle, ya gotta have "Baaa-stin":

For my husband's two cousins-in-law, John and Scott, 

and also his second cousin Joel and his son, Joshua

I had to include "The Leafs!"

For my friend Nancy I need to be sure to include "The Habs"

May your hockey season be joyful!

♥ Cath-

Autumn Down East

I was gifted a special souvenier from a recent trip 

my Aunt & Uncle took "down East" - to the East Coast of Canada.

In Mid-August as they were walking through the village of Baddeck

on Cape Breton Island in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia

my Uncle found a couple Autumn-coloured maple leaves 

which he carefully preserved for the remainder 

of their trip and the trip home...

He presented these beautiful leaves to me and I knew instantly

that I had to capture them on paper - they SO deserved to be

preserved in the form of a painting!

So over the past week I been working on layering colour...

 

 

I originally meant to leave them as a simple study on a blank/empty background...

but I wanted create a sense of where they had came from.

So I chose to make them appear to be laying on well-used dock, maybe it's one

of the docks that stretch out into the sparkling waters of the Bras D'or Lake.

"Early Autumn in Baddeck"  

(watercolour, approx. 5" x 7")

I ♥ Autumn whether it's here in Ontario or "down East"!

It's always  inspiring!!

♥ Cath-

   

Just because...

It's mid-October and much of the Autumn colour is on the ground...

The grey skies have brought with them days of mist and rain...

The wind carries leaves off the branches and lifts fallen ones off the ground 

creating the atmosphere of a great, golden snowglobe that has been wildly shaken...

On calmer days the leaves are a beautiful kaleidoscope of colour across the lawns and fields...

The trees, relieved of their leafy burden, stretch their long limbs toward the sky, 

having completed their job for another year...

What do I do on days like this,

When going out can be less than desirable?

I try to distract myself from the dreary, damp out of doors by painting.

So I grabbed up some loose pieces of watercolour paper that had been given to me,

and I just drew the first thing that came into my mind... 

"Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog In Autumn"

(watercolour, approx. 5" x 7")

Some days you just have to relax and make up your own fun - just because!! 

♥ Cath-

 

Paws For A Bit, Goldens Series

I really didn't know that I would be able to come up with 

enough Golden Retriever designs to make a series.

As I've said before I had a tough time coming up with some cute puns for Goldens.

Then one day I came up with a couple and a friend made a great suggestion 

during a phone conversation one evening and well, a series was established!

Here is the first idea I had when I tried to think outside the "Retriever" box 

and focused more on the "Golden" part of the name:

Card Interior:

"No distance can separate us! 

I'm so glad we're friends!"

(Above design also available as a blank note card) 

 

And here is the idea my friend suggested:

Ummm, wait just a moment... 

I feel that a disclaimer is needed here, before you continue on...

 

*Disclaimer: Although my 'Paws For A Bit' dog series cards can, in most cases, 

be used for various occasions the following card design should not be used 

for Bridal Showers or as a congratulatory Wedding card! Just sayin'!

Okay, now that we have that taken care of, here is the design:

 Card interior:

"Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors!"

Hope your day is golden!!

♥ Cath-

Paws For a Bit, Goldens

What would I do without friends?

I've been blessed with wonderful friends - I thank God for them often!

When I posted that didn't have a good idea for a golden retriever card

a great friend of mine messaged me with an idea.

She suggested something about "The Golden Rule"

I thought about it, either too much or not quite enough, 

- haven't quite figured that out yet -

but I went ahead and sketched out my idea...

The Golden Rule: "Treat other people the way you would want to be treated."

The Golden Retriever has gifted his people with presents of bones, fire hydrants, tennis balls, 

a perfectly grilled steak on a silver platter and what seems to be the cat wrapped up...

Don't be distressed if you don't get it... my husband and my friend were a bit stumped about it too:

"I didn't get it until you explained it."             "Nah, you're working too hard for the joke." 

So, after a further suggestion by my wonderful friend, 

I had a more simplified idea to sketch...

I was ready to go with it, but then my sister made an additional 

suggestion that created a new take on the idea in my head!

 Card interior:

"Thank you again for all that you do,

I hope one day I can do the same for you!!

  ♥ Cath-

Paws For A Bit - Lab Series, Part Two

I sometimes - emphasis on 'sometimes' - wish I was punnier...

It's times like this when I am in the midst of creating little illustrations

for my card series and I'm enjoying it so much I wish I could 

come up with more dog-themed puns.

Some thought I was going to introduce Golden Retrievers after my Collie series...

They are one of my favourite dog breeds, but I can't seem 

to come up with any humourous puns for Goldens...

Hmmmm.....  ...maybe one day.

As of today, I have 5 cards in my new Lab series!

I added a new design this morning!!

Here are the next three in the series:

Card Interior:

(blank)

 

Card Interior:

"Thinking about you today..."

Card Interior:

"Hope your day is sweet!"

The "Paws For A Bit" Lab series is available:

As a set of 5 (1 of each design)

As a set of 10 (2 of each design)

OR individually.

(Other quantity options available by request)

 

I do hope your day is sweet!

♥ Cath-

 

Paws For A Bit - Lab Series, Part One

As I mentioned in my previous post

I was inspired to design another set of note cards

featuring a different dog breed...

Introducing my new Paws For A Bit - Lab series!

This series - as of today - consists of four designs.

Here are the first two: 

Card Interior:

(blank)

Card Interior:

"Hoping you feel better really soon!"

As I state with all my cards,

interior message/sentiment can be changed/customized

or left out altogether to allow for use as a blank note card.

♥ Cath-