Flowers in Watercolor~

Happy First Day of Summer!!

Hope you enjoyed a nice Father's Day weekend with your family and friends.

The temps are soaring here in Texas
and now it is a challenge to keep the flowers going strong.
The ole water meter is going round and round in our attempt to keep the flowers
alive and pretty.
My trusty large umbrella is a big help.
I simply open it up and place it by flowers in the direct sun.
It really helps to shade and give the blooms a little relief from the heat.
I move it around through the day where needed.

Speaking of flowers~~~
Here is a little share from the past giving flower photos a watercolor edit.

**********

Recently I cut a few long stems from my garden to bring inside and enjoy.

Lovely blooms of pink, red and yellow.

Using my photo programs, I created a pretty watercolor of this bouquet.

I use PicMonkey, or for quicker edits, PhotoScape.

Each has it's own specialties.

Here's another idea~

The photo was a little blurred.

  But perfect as a watercolor.

Lastly, a little bouquet of knock out roses in my kitchen.

 
Becomes a watercolor perfect for a little frame.

These watercolors were all completed using PicMonkey.

If you use this program and do not know how to get this look,

open the edits section under Effects then scroll to Posterize.

I had to experiment a lot to find this for watercolor. 

You would never think posterize would contain this edit, but it does.

From there you can raise or lower the percentages and degree of the changes for the intensity,

then save your work.

In PicMonkey, 

I have the Royale version

 which is a pay every two years program for the more involved edits. 

I'm not sure the free program has this edit version for watercolor

but if you use PicMonkey you can try and see.

Have a great first week of summer and thanks for stopping by.

See you next week.

cm

Just a Little Side Table

My neighborhood had our annual springtime garage sale

two weekends ago~

 and I found the perfect vintage side table to go next to our reclining love seat.

 

These recliner sofas are so comfortable,

but when I sit there,

I tend to drift off to dreamland in no time flat.

The side where I sit needs a table.

 

*****

 

Now the only thing about these sofas, they have to be a little distance from your coffee table

so the foot rest can come up and recline.

 

Thus the need for another small table for one side.

Being near the door, I am limited to the type of table.

 

This little one was perfect.

 

So I hand painted it an ebony black

right over it's original dark walnut stain.

I painted it black for a little accent as this room

has white cottage pieces with neutrals and black

and a bit of aqua for color.

 

Next, I added an iron gate design

using a large stencil

and cottage white paint to the table top.

With a little distress around the edges, sealed

with a water based varnish, it's complete.

 

 

Perfect for it's new spot.

 

Cup of tea anyone?

 

How about  relaxing with a movie?

 

Pretty French pillow with the Eiffel tower in silver.

 

 

Cozy spot to relax.

 

 

Gotta run,

My tea is getting cold,

and we are having a cold spell in Texas.

 

What happened to springtime?

Hurry back spring~~~~

 

Thank you for stopping by.

*****

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Smiles,

Celestina Marie

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Post from 2007, Celebrating 5 Years of Blogging

It's been 5 years since my first post below and since I am having a blog anniversary giveaway, I thought it would be fun to revisit my first post from 2007. Carol from The Polka Dot Closet actually mentioned this in her comment which gave me the idea. Much has changed since that first post. My blog name, new blogger ways and many new friends later bringing my little journey full circle. One thing hasn't changed, the joy of meeting and sharing with friends like you. So to share that post, although short and sweet, I thank you for the many kind comments and blog birthday greetings in the giveaway post below. If you have not entered, there is still time. The drawing is November 2nd.


September 2007
Welcome to La Rea Rose, a studio blog about home and garden decorating, tole painting. decorative design, romantic treasures, vintage finds, friendships and all things cherished! As a new season is upon us I felt inspired to finally start my blog. This will be a work in progress as I share with you a bit of my world that revolves around the creating I love so much. I will be sharing a few pictures of my designs in all things roses, my specialty and favorites. Later, I will share other projects around decorative painting and a few stories here and there too. But first, I took a picture today of my first mum of the season in it's yellow and rust splendor. It's so pretty. I love this time of year with the cooler days, decorating the house for a cozy and warm feel that only comes with the colors of Fall and the falling leaves.

Happy Autumn and Happy Creating, Celestina Marie

Just Some Thoughts to Revisit!

Last year I received an email with some beautiful thoughts that I want to pass along once again. It has been a very busy time here at CMD and so I decided to do a little revisit of a previous post just to let you know I am still here but swamped. I hope you enjoy the meanings of these little food for thoughts.

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble;
it is a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout life.



Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror is so small?
Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.



Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.




All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever.
If going wrong don't worry, they can't last long either.




Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold!



Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says,
"Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!




When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.



A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision."



When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes,
when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.



WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE.

Just a short 6 days till spring. Thank you for dropping by. I hope to visit you shortly when I can come up for air! LOL
Smiles and blessing be yours,
Celestina Marie

Mailbox Surprises from New Zealand

Hello blog friends ~ Blessings to you this beautiful Sunday.

Another mailbox surprise gift awaited me again last week and this one was from my friend Carolyn from Draffin Bears in New Zealand. Carolyn won my Christmas giveaway and she so kindly sent me a sweet thank you gift in return.

After opening the pretty gift wrapped package, I found a gorgeous lavender tea towel made in Germany and detailed in the prettiest designs of lavender, beautifully rose scented soap wrapped in french tissue paper, sprig of lavender all the way from New Zealand and a darling tea cup note card. Oh I love it all and what a sweet surprise I never expected. I am being spoiled lately with goodies in the mailbox, but I know the blessings I am granted and thankful to have wonderful friends from blogland.




Thank you so much dear Carolyn. I cherish these pretties because they are from you and I will think of you every time I enjoy them. You are a dear friend in blogland and I am blessed to know you.

Thank you friends for stopping by~
Have a special Sunday and see you tomorrow for a Link Party hosted by Cindy from Whimsical Musings.
XO Celestina Marie

In The Off Hours~~~

This time of year, after a day of decorating, painting, creating and more, I love to settle in for the evening with something in my lap to create. Hand stitching, crewel work, crochet or snuggling with Miss B. This new year finds me beginning a new crocheted lap throw in a very light pink and my signature broomstick lace pattern. This one is a smaller size and perfect for a light, but yet warm cover.

The fun part of this project is the fantastic tote I found some time ago to carry and hold my crochet throws while working on them. I love this one because the yarn can stand up saving room and the outside has plenty of slots for all your tools. It also works as a garden tote for tools and more. And, zips open to turn inside out so the slots for tools are in the inside if you choose. Wish I could remember where I found this little gem. More then likely one of the art shops I frequent.

Anyway, here are a few pics of this tote and my current throw.





This soft pink pretty will be in my etsy shoppe soon.
Are you working on a lap project too? Keeping busy in the off hours?
Thank you for stopping by and your welcome visit.

Have a wonderful winter day.

Creative Dreams,
Celestina Marie

Monday Market in the New Year

Happy New Year Friends,
I hope your weekend was great, safe and filled with new inspirations for 2012. Today is our first Monday Market from Etsy Cottage Style for the new year. Wonderful boutiques bringing you lots of great shopping, after Christmas sales and wonderful finds. Open all week with the list of participants ready to showcase special treasures you might be looking for. Perhaps you are redecorating like I am. Are you looking for the perfect accents? You just might find it here today and all week long. Check back often as new participants add to the shop list as the week goes along.

Yes, I am redesigning once again. It seems I get the bug to redo every new year. My life of interior decorating just can't help itself. LOL~~ So the dining room is in for a remake. It's been 7 years since I updated this space and so ready to give it a fresh new do. This room has gone from country to shabby to Tuscan and now will be more of a farmhouse Parisian chic style in blacks and ivory but still flow nicely into the kitchen decor which is updated a bit too. The lighter looks with burlap,lace, gauze and vintage treasures has really inspired me for winter after visiting 2 fabulous decorating markets over the vacation and the past year. I have already started gathering my inspiration pieces and planning.

Christmas is all put safely away once again. I can't believe how fast the holiday season flew by. Thank you to all who stopped by with your new year wishes. I will be along to visit now that I am back in the studio and ready to swing paint brushes. Oh how I miss my little creative space when I am away from it for too long. Miss B does too. She is so ready to get back into our creative routine and goes to the studio door as if to say, "come on momma, lets go to work" However, we know the work is tons of fun!!

Blessing to you all for the best start to a new beginning. See you soon with some pics of the process!! Lots of furniture painting to do. Till then, here are a few pics of the beginning and a few of my display designs.













And,before we go, Miss B wanted to show you her new purse she got for Christmas.

Welcome 2012

Happy New Year Blog Friends!
Hope your Christmas was special and you made many memories to hold dear. Now as we welcome the new year, I want to wish you all the best life has to offer. May your days be all that you hope for and blessed with good health, happiness and much love.

Thank you for your wonderful friendship, visits and encouraging comments. I'll be taking a little break for a few days to regroup and ready my studio for a new year of fun and creating.


From my heart to yours, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Best wishes to all in blogland and beyond for a very Merry Christmas and a day filled with the love of family and friends and blessings from above.
Thank you for a year of fun and friendships, encouragement and the blessings of your visits. I am looking forward to the new year filled with hope and direction with the joy found in all the inspirations of blogland.


Blessings to all and Merry Christmas!