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Saturday, February 19, 2011

One of My Simple Pleasures

And  probably  my  most  favorite  one   is  my  coffee  in  the  morning.   My  coffee  in  the  morning  is  like  other  people's  glass  of  wine  in  the  evening.   First  of  all,  it  isn't  your  grocery  store  coffee  (although  they  do  sell this  brand  in  grocery  stores).   We're  a  member  of  Peet's  coffee  tour.  So  if  you've  never  drank  Peet's  coffee--then  don't  start,   because  you'll  never  drink  any  other  kind  of  coffee  again--yeah,  it's  that  good.  But  of  course  it  costs  way  way  more  than  you  should  be  paying  for  coffee,  but  it's  too  late  for  me.

 What  their  coffee  tour  means--is  that  every  month  they  send  us  a  different  bag  of  beans  (fresh  roasted  of  course)--and  no  matter  which  kind  it  is--it's  delicious.  We  only  brew  one  pot  a  day,  and  that's  the  only  time  I  drink  coffee--so  I  look  forward  to  this. 

So  along  with  my  coffee,  I  have  my  laptop  with  me  at  the  kitchen  table.  Our  kitchen  is  a  fairly  good  size.  It  has  a  dining  area  and  the  table  is  right  next  to  the  very  large  window  which  covers  the  entire  wall--so  there  is  a  lot  of  morning  sun (when  we  have  it)  that  comes  in.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  this  table  was  always  my studio,  until  I  moved  it  upstairs.  I  love  the  natural  light  that  shines  in  here  all  day.

Okay,  so  you're  probably  wondering  why  I'm  telling  you  all  of  this  information  that's  so  trivial.   Well,  when  I  was  at  Darla's  blog  the  week  before  my  birthday,  she  happened  to  mention  her  new  prints  that  she  listed  in  her  Etsy  shop,  and  as  soon  as  I  saw  them,  I  knew  that  I  was  going  to  treat  myself  with  a  birthday  present--




Okay.....NOW  do  you  understand  why  I  had  to  tell  you  about  how  much  I  enjoy  my  coffee??   And  I  always  sit  at  the  head  of  the  table--so  now  this  is   what's  on  the  wall  that  faces  me--



Alot  of  times  now,  I'll  put  my  elbows  up  on  the  table  with  my  cup  of  coffee  in  my hands  and  just   hang  out  with  the  girls  : )   Don't  mind  me--it's  that  time  of  the  year   when  I  know  it's  time  to  get  out  of  this  house  more!

And  you  know  when  you  buy  one  piece  of  furniture,  and  then  you  want  to  get  more  new  stuff  to  go  with  it?   Well,  right  next  to these  girls  is  the  corner  wall,  and  they weren't   liking  what  was  hanging on  that  wall.

So  I  was  looking  at  my  own  art (imagine that--I  actually  thought  of  hanging  my  own  art)  And  I  found  these  on  my  computer--



So  I  said--why  not,  and  I  just printed  them  out  and  framed  them--


Yeah.....that's  better!

Okay,  and  next  to  these  2  pictures  is  the  big  window  that  spans  the  whole  wall.  So  now  I'm  looking  at  the  curtains  that  I've  had  for  a  while--Hmmmmmmm....

Another  thing  that's  always  with  me  by  my  laptop  is  my  little  black  sketchbook  that  I  bought  last  month.  It  comes  in  handy  when  I'm  on  the  computer--when  I  see  things  on the  internet  that  give  me  ideas,  I'll  jot  them  down.   Or  if  I  see  things  that  I  want  to  return  to--the  same  thing.   And  of  course,  I  like  to  sketch  and  doodle.  Lately  I've  been  practicing  the  3/4 view---it's  tricky.  I  like  my  latest  lady--



I  might  have  to  do  something  with  her  in  my  artwork--or  journal--or  something.  I  hate  the  fact  that  she'll  be  just  shut  away  in  this  little  black  book!
                                                           

65 comments:

  1. All your pictures are beautiful, wonderful colors and motifs! You are a truly great artist.
    I would love to have one of these images.
    Kisses and happy weekend.

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  2. Your work printed out looks fabulous. I so love the coffee prints too. I've tried the view your sketching and it is very tricky. You are far better than my attempts, but I keep trying. Maybe someday. :)

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  3. I can just see you sitting at that table enjoying your wonderful coffee. And those prints belong there ! Must be great to have your coffee with these girls ;-)

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  4. what a cheery colorful site to keep you company in the morning, diane....and the coffee, i am with you with my morning cup(cups)... waiting for the sunshine and spring, of course.... ;)

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  5. Oh sweet Diane! I'm so happy to see the girls keep you company with your coffee!! Your artwork framed is a perfect match for that corner too!

    Thanks so much for blogging this, it's fun to get to know you and your fun routine and it's wonderful that you'd share my work as well.
    Hugs,
    Darla

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  6. You've realy chosen great prints to make you company at mornings and your prints just had to be there, next to Darla's.
    Yea, I know the feeling.. first you start with one change and then you just wish you could change another and another.. :)))
    I would love to know how to make those 3/4 faces.. just a bit of currage to find :) one day.. for now I'm still practicing fronts.

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  7. LOVE this post. I LOVE my first cup of morning coffee...even the scent as it warms and wafts from the pot....and I LOVE your prints and art! Thank you for such a nice wake-up this morning! Happy weekend to you!

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  8. Ok after you compared wine with coffee,I decided I'm a coffeeholic! I love coffee too. I drink it all day until around 4 so I can still sleep at night. I love the pictures you bought,they're adorable. And your art looks great framed. Your side view girl is beautiful,I can't wait to see what you do with her.

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  9. This was a fun post! I love the "girls" on the wall above that wonderful collection of coffee mugs!! And I'm sure we'll be seeing that new 3/4 face again! Have you been watching American Idol? Looks like there will be some good contestants this year.

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  10. What a cheery kitchen :) one thing always leads to another, doesn't it? Your artwork looks smashing with the coffee girls, love it <3

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  11. Love your prints,Diane!! and your sketch is beautiful! great post :)

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  12. I am happy to say that we both appreciate our coffee! We are definitely on the same page.:)Those prints are too cute. The large cups make me smile because I have been drinking my morning coffee out of an enormous Starbucks mug.

    What a beautiful sketch...and I agree that you must do something with her & show us what you come up with. :)

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  13. Hi Diane! Those prints are darling and your paintings look awesome with them. I bet your studio is such a creative place to hang out. Love your drawing too.I have a notebook that's waiting for me to use. You've inspired me once again! I'm the same as you when it comes to my morning cup of coffee but I haven't tried Peets yet. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment on my blog.
    Jennifer:)

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  14. Diane,
    your coffe corner is gorgeus, with all the bright colors- and the funny coffe girls- and your own art are great there -really wonderfull together.
    I will love to se your new sketch in an art piece :)
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  15. Your blog is such an inspiration with all the colorful art work. Love your coffee corner and your own art work completes it perfectly! Lovely .. :)

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  16. Love these! Everything you do is wonderful!

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  17. This is so great I linked it in my Saturday Share! http://coriberg.blogspot.com/2011/02/saturday-share-good-lovin.html

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  18. The coffee klatch gals are wonderful! How perfect to share each morning with them and a cup of your favorite brew.

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  19. Wow! Great post, you make me want to go have another cup of coffee! Love your drawings,something I wish I could get better at. Have a wonderful week full of great coffee mornings:)

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  20. wonderful post! I am reading it as I too sit at my little kitchen table with my handpainted mug of coffee..although not Peets!

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  21. Love How You Composed Darla's Work..And Love Your's As Well. So Cheerful And Happy! Thanks For Sharing Both! Yes Sweet Painter Friend..I So Totally Agree ~ That three-quarter pose is tricky. Have A Glorious Weekend Diane. Hugs Of Southern Sunshine, Terri

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  22. I like my morning mug of coffee and my evening glass of wine! Nice grouping and the prints turned out great!

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  23. love those girl cup prints and your art prints too..I think sometimes we should frame our stuff as it justs gets hidden away in journals. I love strong coffee of a morning too.

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  24. These new art prints are great, I can see why you bought them. Would you believe I haven't got any of my artwork hanging in my house except one painting in my art studio! What is up with that? Good for you! I need to follow suit because yours looks great up there on the wall! ;)

    Happy Weekend!
    Jaime

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  25. Hi Diane, thank you for telling us about your coffee and what you see now when you drink it! I'm getting to know you more, not just as a great artist, but as a person!
    Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  26. Beautiful! Now I have a couple of coffee related questions. Just how big are these bags of coffee? I brew only one pot of day and my bag of coffee only lasts me a week! Ok, that was just one question, but a very important one!

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  27. Your coffee girls are amazing. I think I just might need a cup….

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  28. what a fantastic story, and great prints! how fun for you. having that little ritual every morning is pure bliss! both of your artworks are beautiful!!
    xo, kelly

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  29. Good for you! Those prints are so lively and fun. :) And how awesome that you created some of your work as prints for your creative space. I love the sun and bird motif so much. :) Can't wait to see where your sketch leads...looks very good so far. :) Theresa

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  30. I Love the prints, too adorable:O) And they look great next to youre awesome art:O)Have a great week:O)

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  31. HI Diane, Do they have rehab for people like us?!? I love that you can accept it's too late for I don't drink good coffee, I defintiely enjoy my coffe way too much.I love these prints and yours too! I love that treated yourself to them. My birthday is coming up & I've been wanting to buy art, so I think I will. you've inspired me! this portrait looks so good. the 3/4 view is so stinkin tough!xoxo

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  32. Love this post and feel the exact same way about my first cup of coffee.. I equate it to other peoples wine too!! Usually brew one pot a day unless we have company.I buy only really good beans, it's one area I am not frugal!!! I love those girl prints, they'd be perfect in my house...so whimsical and fun! Your two prints are perfect there too! Can't wait to see your picture window...with new curtains???

    Hugs Giggles

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  33. Well you've inspired and challenged me there - I'm going to find some of my own art and frame it! I never have before ...

    Love your coffee prints - fab present to yourself.

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  34. Love the prints you bought and your cup collection is awesome. Your sun pictures compliment everything and would definitely make me happy when I looked at them. Your lady is awesome!

    PS: to answer your question on my blog the water soluble graphite pencils are General's, Sketch and Wash. I got mine at Dick Blick's but I imagine they would be available most art supply stores.

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  35. Great post, Diane! Peet's coffee is pretty amazing. Major Dickensen's Blend...so yummy! It's always been one of my favorites!

    I love your prints and Darla's, too! Your walls look so happy!

    Oh, I didn't tell you...my nephew, who was to be signed with the Browns...just as the coach left... ended up in Seattle. Which is closer to us, so that is good; we will make it to more games. I do love those Browns though! They are special!

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  36. Hey Diane,

    What a fun and bright post for the middle of winter. I love your wall and coffee too so I see some inspirations in your post for my art too. I love when that happens. :)

    Happy arting

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  37. Fabulous post, Diane! What a cheery way to enjoy your morning coffee!!! LOVE those prints, and your wall is awesome! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Terri xoxo

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  38. Those prints are perfect!! They made me smile as I'm sure they do the same for you each day!!!!

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  39. Mmmm...I LOVE Peet's coffee. Very yummy, very addicting. I think because of this coffee, my husband and I have become coffee snobs! What fun prints you treated yourself to! Hmmm...now I want to do another coffee collage!!

    And good for you to frame and hang your own prints, I've been trying to start doing that myself.

    xoEsther
    (I've missed coming by here, it was just too hectic for a while! Your blog always makes me smile)

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  40. Perfect coffee companions on both walls D! Can I have mine sweet n lite pls?

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  41. How son-of-a-gun, love this post. Love the pictures - ALL of them - the cups are too die for. Never heard of the coffee - but I feel the same about Starbucks. Love the 3/4 look. Oh, did I tell you I love this post! Hugs

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  42. So you collect ladies head cups too? I have two that look a lot like the tall gal in the back with the red hat. I just love yours, especially the one on the left. The paintings are great too.

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  43. Love the prints and love the mugs below as well!! What a colorful little spot you've created and so energizing to look at first thing in the morning with your coffee(O:

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  44. Oh those coffee cup prints are just too cute and ...so is your mug collection. I just love your sun print BTW-so beautiful:)

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  45. I'm not a coffee drinker but I wouldn't mind having those prints on my wall. :) It's a beautiful birthday treat. And as long we're on the topic I wouldn't mind having your own artwork on my walls either. :) It just so happens I was framing and putting my own abstract paintings on the walls yesterday.:)

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  46. Love that wall of gals! The cups are so whimsical and I love the paintings you placed above. Very creative. BTW, I couldn't find your e-mail but want to tell you that I posted a link to your blog this morning. http://www.healingwoman.blogspot.com

    Just a thank you for trying to help me with crackling.

    Warm Wishes
    Cheryl

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  47. Nothing is better than a great cup of coffee, I need it every morning in order to function! I looooove coffee, and your coffee prints are awesome!! and, your prints are awesome, you know I just love your work Diane, you area fabulous multitalented artist and a terrific and kind person!

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  48. I can see why you couldn't resist the girls with their coffee! They sure are cute on your wall, and your own artwork deserves a place up there for everyone to see too! Happy belated Birthday!! xoxo

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  49. What a wonderful post! So much awesome eye candy! I love your art that you decided to hang!
    Thanks so much for the inspiration!
    Much Love!

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  50. Hello name mate! I learned of your blog from "The Healing Woman's" blog. I love the paintings and I love your other posts too. I am happy finding your blog. I found one beautiful blog to follow.

    Diane

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  51. I covet my morning coffee too and my afternoon cup if I have one...wish I could just drink it alll day! Sure do love these adorable prints. I thought they looked great on the wall with the girls and your fabulous prints! Looks great!! Love your girl sketch too, looking forward to seeing her again :)

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  52. LOVE these Diane! I can see you do enjoy your coffee!!! Love the collection of mugs too.

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  53. Yes, I'm late getting here. But it's that time of year for me, too. I need to get out more, I guess. But I love both walls. I want a few walls right now (grin), but all mine are to be painted today. At least the ones in the basement.

    Thanks for stopping by and letting me know how much you care. It means a lot to me, Diane. Your little girls made me smile, too.

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  54. Your drawing is lovely, I haven't got to grips with the 3/4 face yet. Love your cheerful prints as well. Thank you for visiting my blog.

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  55. A great drawing Diane, love the prints of your work as well. Thank you for visiting my Blog. Ignore the above blog Textile travels, it has nothing on it. It's my rogue one that won't go away.

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  56. ahhhh!!! those cute cute mugs!!! and yes! i saw darla's coffee girls :) aren't they adorable! ooo... i love your sun art too ... i use to paint sun and moon faces a lot :) but i cannot for my life draw a human being! and definitely not a portrait.

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  57. Diane, thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog and so kindly offering to mention my giveaway, it's much appreciated. I've got my laptop back (yay!) so am catching up on a bajillion emails now...

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  58. what a wonderful view you have while drinking your coffee! those prints all look so cheerful. great way to start the day!

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  59. WOW I'm inspired of all your gorgeous new art works, The images, boxes, pages all things you've created is so vibrant and stunning, I`m really ecxited as ever of your talent. Thanks for sharing and inspiration.
    Hugs Anja

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  60. What a fun view to start the day with. Printing your work has given me some ideas too. As usual I leave your blog so full of inspiration. Thank you!!

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  61. Why is it so difficult to hang our own artwork in our own homes. I struggle with that....
    I can see why you framed your suns though - they are beautiful.
    Love the coffee drinkers too! So colourful.
    I;m currently doing an online protrait course and really have trouble with the 3/4 view........keep practicing my hubby says haha!
    Lesley x

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  62. wowzer so many fabby creations!!!!! tea is one of my fav things, so I just adore your fabulous pictures!!! Hugs Juls

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  63. Now it would be so cool to sit down with you and admire your art whilst sharing a coffee...

    Love the new classes you have chosen to do

    And finally...you would have loved the Tim HOLTZ workshop and that birdcage will be in e shops soon along with all the other goodies....


    Love ya xxxx

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