Sunday, 16 June 2013

♥ 52 Weeks of Happy ♥ 24/52

Hello Lovelies,
thank you so much for your kind comments and prayers for my Mum. She is still in hospital and I will be much happier when she is stronger.
So, once again, I'm blogging to distract myself  and there have been some happy moments despite the anxiety.

1. Picking a few of the first roses in my garden and bringing them indoors to enjoy in  bud vases......


2. Water bombs. As soon as we got a bit of warm weather ( and there hasn't been a lot ) the boys and their cousins enjoyed filling loads of these mini balloons with water then divided into two teams to do battle, throwing them at each other, and getting soaked when they burst. I always love to watch them playing together and this was pretty hilarious..........


3. Long days. Going backwards and forwards to the hospital twice a day this week has been helped a lot by the light evenings and lovely summer scenery.



I stopped momentarily to take these shots of the beautiful evening light........


and this was the view from the hospital window at sunset one evening when I stayed quite late ( taken 9.30 ish I think)


4. Mums sketch book. She brought this round for me a few weeks back and I've been meaning to share it with you lovelies. Mum just said it might be useful for me as it had some blank pages I could draw or paint on......


But when I opened it up I was struck by how gorgeous her watercolour sketches were. Drawn and coloured twenty years ago and  probably seen by no one except herself..........


I've got lots of Mum's finished paintings on my walls , which I love, but I think there is something wonderfully fresh about these simple sketches .......


I've posted them all as I couldn't choose a favourite......


When I asked , Mum said she just drew them " nicely" in pencil then added the watercolour.......


Many feature water , I'm sure it's trickier to do than it looks here........


I do love to see people in a picture......


And subjects with lots of sky........


And you know how much I love pretty houses..........


This one is a bit different, no pencil lines, just paint..........


Mum still often heads out in her little car to find delightful subjects like this to inspire her.......


Many of these sketches will have been used as reference for a "proper" painting. But I think they are happy and charming as they are.

I hope you lovelies enjoy a week with many happy moments.
Jacquie x
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52 comments:

  1. Ellen Kepas16 June 2013 at 07:19

    I always love your drawings and now I love your Mum's drawings too! I hope she gets well soon!

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  2. Xelenacrochets16 June 2013 at 07:27

    The sketches by your mother are beautiful! Love them!
    It always looks like it's so simple to do watercolours and when you try...I wish I could draw like that.

    By the way, I made another owl with your tutorial, this time using toy's eyes, not buttons. I think now the owl is properly owlish ;-)
    http://xelenacrochets.blogspot.ru/2013/06/52-weeks-of-happy-1952.html

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  3. wendy16 June 2013 at 07:45

    Lovely drawings from your mum Jacquie and may she continue to improve ☺

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  4. homemade@myplace16 June 2013 at 08:05

    these sketches are so lovely!!!!!
    a couple of big hags to share with your mum, xxxx Ale

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  5. Unknown16 June 2013 at 08:06

    I can see hints of your style! You have obviously been inspired by your mum.

    I hope she is better soon. It must be very stressful to have your mom go through an operation.

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  6. Attic2416 June 2013 at 08:23

    Ah Jacquie, I do really feel for you. It was this exact time two years ago when i was also doing the twice daily journey by bus (15miles) to visit with my own Mum in hospital. It is harrowing and exhausting, I remember it only too clearly. I wish with all my heart that your lovely Mum will soon be properly out of the worry zone and showing great signs of strength and recovery. When my Mum was poorly I was working on a small tapestry at the hospital, I couldn't bring myself to take my crochet as I didn't want any bad memories getting into the yarn (I know). I worked solidly on the tapestry during the week I was there and finished it (it was a heart) but now I absolutely hate to look at it and it is stuffed in a cupboard. It was theraputic at the time, but it became full of bad memories.
    Anyhow....what I'm trying to say is that I hope you are finding a way to cope with the time, and that you are looking after your won wellbeing. Sending much love to you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. Samantha Roberts16 June 2013 at 08:30

    WOW, your Mum's artwork is wonderful and I love all those pictures too. I can see where you get your talent from - like Mother ,like Daughter. I wish your Mum a speedy recovery and you must look after yourself too, take care Jacquie xx

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  8. SaraJ16 June 2013 at 08:47

    Your mums artwork is gorgeous. The water colour of the footpath and style could be the way I walk to school each day.
    Thinking of you all and hope your mums recovery is swift. Xx

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  9. Penny16 June 2013 at 09:04

    So sorry to hear about your mum dear Jacquie, thinking of you all and wishing her a speedy recovery. Big hugs and lots of love x Your mums water colours are just beautiful, wow she is so talented. Take special care xxx Penny

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  10. Anonymous16 June 2013 at 09:10

    Wow, such beautiful artistry, I can see where you get your talents from. Wishing your Mum a speedy recovery, and peace of mind for you, xxx

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  11. Vintage Sheet Addict16 June 2013 at 09:28

    Glad your mum is getting better, such talent there! :) x

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  12. Anneli16 June 2013 at 09:54

    Your mum is amazingly talented, hope she gets well soon! :)

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  13. Anneli16 June 2013 at 09:54

    Your mum is amazingly talented, hope she gets well soon! :)

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  14. Julie16 June 2013 at 10:17

    Such pretty paintings and drawings, your mum is very talented.
    Continued good wishes for a speedy recovery for her and {{big hug}} for you to help you along. xx

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  15. Heather 16 June 2013 at 10:27

    thinking of you Jacquie. I love the one with the people in too! Heather x

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  16. Diane Kelsey16 June 2013 at 10:31

    Your mum's watercolours are beautiful, I wouldn't have been able to choose a favourite either.

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  17. Julie16 June 2013 at 10:34

    Hi. Well, I recognise many of the places in your Mum's drawings. Trent Lock is very familiar to us, we often go on bike rides down there, it was instantly recognisable. Is she a Nottingham Lass?

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  18. JaBCreations16 June 2013 at 11:06

    Your mum's paintings are gorgeous. Hope she is feeling stronger very soon.

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  19. Ashley cramp16 June 2013 at 11:21

    Lovely!... and how talented is your Mum...can you show us a finished painting....sending many healing and feel better soon wishes to her and to you too...
    D x

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  20. forgetmenotsblue16 June 2013 at 11:34

    Amazing art. I think my favourite although all wonderful would have to be the one of the style with just paint the movement in it seems to draw the eye in.
    Hope your Mum is better soon x

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  21. Anonymous16 June 2013 at 12:13

    What a lovely surprise this must have been for you :) Hope your mum has a speedy recovery.

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  22. ColourMeCrochet16 June 2013 at 12:28

    Hi, your mum's art work is beautiful. I'm always a little envious of other people's drawings and paintings, as it something I have never been able to do. I can see why you posted them all, I don't think I would be able to choose just 1 or 2. And it was lovely of you to share them all :)
    Hope your mum recovers soon.
    Sally x

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  23. Yankee Valley Stitcher16 June 2013 at 13:48

    What an honor for you to have your moms beautiful sketchbook.

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  24. **Anne**16 June 2013 at 13:52

    I missed seeing your last post and news of your Mum. I do hope she is recovering well and getting stronger, I'll be thinking of you all.
    Your Mum's sketch book is wonderful, her paintings beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
    Anne xx

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  25. elizabeth ann clawson16 June 2013 at 14:36

    Love your moms sketches!!!!!

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  26. Frances16 June 2013 at 14:43

    Jacquie, I very much enjoyed seeing your photographs of the flowers and the water balloons and the beautiful wide open summer landscapes. Hard to believe that was evening sunlight!

    And then, when I got to the picture of the cover of your mom's sketchbook, I knew I was in for a treat. Please do pass along to your mom how much I admire her watercolors. The scenes are very appealing, and she has a wonderfully light touch that combines so well with her excellent observation. There is so much love on every page.

    Many thanks for letting us see these treasures. xo

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  27. Meredith16 June 2013 at 16:28

    Hope your Mum continues to recuperate, her drawings and watercolors are so beautiful.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  28. Jo16 June 2013 at 17:31

    Ahh! delightful watercolours. Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/

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  29. Maria16 June 2013 at 17:47

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. Maria16 June 2013 at 17:52

    First of all I want to do all the best for the healing of your mom and then ... compliments for its beautiful watercolors!

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  31. Vanssmomc16 June 2013 at 18:12

    Thoughts and prayers for your Mom's speedy recovery, and her watercolors are just amazing!Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

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  32. Dotty16 June 2013 at 19:07

    Your Mum definitely has a talent. I really hope she makes a full and speedy recovery. Sending you hugs as it is a difficult time when loved ones are unwell xx

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  33. Down by the sea16 June 2013 at 20:10

    I hope your Mum is making good progress. Having recently spent lots of time in hospital with my husband I know how tiring and worrying it can be for us too. So I hope you manage to find sometime for yourself too. Your Mums pictures are lovely too capturing the familiar places closeby.
    Sarah x

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  34. Deborah Hamilton16 June 2013 at 21:59

    Those sketches are wonderful! You are so fortunate to have such a treasure as that little book.

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  35. Sweet Virginia17 June 2013 at 02:29

    Wow--you are a very talented mother and daughter!

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  36. n/a17 June 2013 at 04:09

    Jacquie, thank you so much for posting ALL the sketches. To my thinking, each is a completed painting worthy of framing; although, they DO make a wonderful keepsake bound together in a single booklet. I've missed your own drawings, so this was a sweet treat. Continued love and prayers from Alabama (USA).

    Sharon

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  37. Aishwarya17 June 2013 at 08:11

    HI Jacquie

    Saw your post. Hoping and praying for your MOM to get well soon. Please take care and please tell her that we love her paintings. They are just fabulous. If these are reference sketches, how would the real paintings have been?

    Best wishes

    Aishwarya

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  38. Unknown17 June 2013 at 11:02

    Hi Jacquie,Your Mom is incredibly talented as are you and I also love the paintings just as they are!!!Hope she'll be well soon and look after yourself!!!Hope you have a happy week!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  39. Linda Metcalf17 June 2013 at 12:24

    Talent runs in the family! Your moms paintings are just wonderful...It would be hard to pick just one! Hope she is on the mend and feeling better.

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  40. Gillian Roe17 June 2013 at 14:37

    Just catching up here Jacquie...I'm sorry to hear your mum has been in hospital. I hope she makes a speedy recovery and is home with you all soon.

    Great happy things. The light evenings are a delight and make everything more pleasant and enjoyable. Your mum's sketch book is full of treasures. The last painting of the woodland path is my favourite. x

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  41. Elizabeth M17 June 2013 at 15:30

    Very sorry to hear that your mum hasn't been well - I really hope she recovers quickly. Her watercolours are absolutely lovely. I've had a dabble with watercolours, and I know it's far harder than it looks, so all credit to her for creating such wonderful paintings.

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  42. Pink Milk18 June 2013 at 16:04

    I'm so sorry your dear Mum has been poorly, Jacquie - I do hope she makes a very speedy recovery. Her paintings are so charming - I think my favourite is the one without pencil, it's so fluid. There's something quite precious about looking through somebody's sketch book, I love it.

    Heather x

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  43. alexandrea at two-forty-six18 June 2013 at 16:32

    Goodness! Those are lovely. Can I be talented like her when I grow up? I hope she gets better. :)

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  44. Unknown18 June 2013 at 22:11

    Hi Jacquie, my name is Annie, I live in Canary Islands, Spain and my blog has received an award. I must give it to my ten favourite blogs and among all my favourite blogs I´ve chosen yours. I really think your blog is lovely. Congratulations. You only have to go to my site and take your prize. I hope you like it.
    Http://elrinconcitodeannie@blogspot.com

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  45. Gemma18 June 2013 at 22:26

    The three roses in the vases look lovely! I love your mums paintings too and wishing her a speedy recovery.

    http://thisdaytodaylife.blogspot.co.uk/

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  46. LOVE AND XXXX19 June 2013 at 02:59

    I wish your mum a speedy recovery. I bet you will feel better once she is back home. Thinking of you.

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  47. QueenieDot19 June 2013 at 16:13

    What a thing to treasure - your Mum's sketches are wonderful and I wish her a speedy recovery

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  48. lemonade kitty20 June 2013 at 14:27

    I don't know how I missed this post! Those pictures are absolutely gorgeous you have a very clever mum and I wish I could do half as well as her, Lucey x

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  49. Shirley-Ann20 June 2013 at 18:03

    Oh my goodness! I just love your Mums watercolors! What a talent. My favourite is the one looking through the little gate/style with all the countryside plants on either side - stunning! Wishing your Mum lots of get-well-soon wishes :o)

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  50. Judy20 June 2013 at 20:27

    Love Love these watercolours!! What talent you all have. I hope everything goes well with your mom and that she will be home soon.

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  51. Anonymous21 June 2013 at 21:29

    Now we know where all your talent comes from... your Mum is amazing... tell her if she ever wants to sell one of those watercolors I would love to buy one - specifically the very last one you show in your post!
    Let me know...
    Hugs and hope she is better soon!
    Beth P

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  52. Unknown23 June 2013 at 12:36

    Ive just caught up with your blog - I love the paintings xx

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