Balcony Window Boxes and Christmas Greenery

All we need now are the little twinkling lights - if the rules and regulations allow. We went to American Plant to pick out our Christmas greenery - enough to fill the balcony “window boxes,” wall vase and plant console table. We haven’t put up a Christmas tree since we moved from the Midwest to Capitol Hill. Now we live in northern Virginia. I picked up a few sticks that were lying in the street in our neighborhood on one of our morning walks to add to the decor. Lastly, the “fake” red holly berries and pine cones that were saved from year to year make the planters pop. Already in the window boxes were pansies, liriope and English ivy. During the summer the coco lined window boxes - that are zip tied to the back of the patio furniture - face outward toward the street. But in winter, we turn the boxes towards us. Then, we can look at the arrangement while sitting in the living room. It makes sense to add a bit of sparkle to the greens by way of a string of lights. I’m still waiting to hear the verdict from the board. Already someone put a wreath on the door which I know isn’t allowed. So to be on the safe side I’m waiting for an answer. Living in a condo has its advantages, but you do need to abide by the rules. Regardless the Christmas decor looks pretty as it is and was fun to do. But there is something about the little white lights that is soothing. 

52Frames - Color

At the suggestion of a friend who already participates, I joined a photography website called 52Frames. The idea is to upload a photograph by Sunday evening taken during the given week that has been inspired by a topic that changes every Monday. Old photos are not allowed so it makes you have to ponder what best represents the subject matter in that given time period. Then, members can comment on or “like” what they see for an interactive experience. The first week was circles; the second was nature; and this week was color. My husband helps me figure out what might work and definitely helps with the final selection. The most common places I take photos is in the neighborhood park and in our old Capitol Hill stomping grounds. We try to take a ride in to DC every week for a morning walk and for a change of scenery - and now as an excuse to find some photo options. In the end the color “livid” was selected. The image was taken at the Eisenhower memorial with two GI’s with the Normandy tapestry and department of education building in the background. The selected color is supposed to be obvious at first glance. Luckily I’m not making a living doing this; rather, the idea is to stay connected every week and it is strongly encouraged to keep the momentum going. It’s a nice diversion. My only camera is an iPhone - I gave up my Sony a long time ago. So my camera is always with me to capture images for this daily blog. Now I have another reason to use it. 

Bulliant Belt Replacement

About two years ago I got my husband a belt that doesn’t have the regular holes to adjust the size. It’s a slider buckle with a belt that can be cut to fit. My husband really liked it and has been wearing it every day. It’s worn down in two places and he was hinting he may need another one. It’s supposed to be made out of leather, but I have my doubts. So I checked the last order on Amazon and we ended up getting the same belt even though it only lasted two years. I thought he might like something lighter to wear around the house and showed him a few options, but he was stuck on this Bulliant belt. It arrived this week and it comes in great packaging. It was easy enough to cut and fit and now this one will be worn every day until it wears out. The old belt was saved to be worn on other pants so he doesn’t have to take it on and off. My husband really needs something when he mentions it more than once. That doesn’t happen very often. But when it does it’s best to get something as soon as possible. 

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

If you are Polish, you probably like cabbage rolls. Even if you are not, cabbage is a great food item. Pierogi with cabbage, sauerkraut, onion, and hamburger are great; cabbage soup is even better; but stuffed cabbage is the best. Mom used to make them with a bit of bacon on the top for flavor before putting them in the oven. I always added ketchup on mine. I found an unstuffed cabbage recipe on Facebook a long time ago and we thought it was time to make it for dinner last night. We picked up a small cabbage at the grocery store so we were set. My husband always adds things that aren’t called for in the recipe whereas I always follow the instructions. Rather than plain diced tomatoes we added Italian style with basil and oregano; he likes baked beans so those were added to his portion after the fact. We were not disappointed with the results. The best part is that it is so easy to make and there are always leftovers. The next time we will make some rice and pour the contents on that since stuffed cabbage always had rice in our house. With the weather getting colder this is the perfect dinner - even if you are not Polish. 

Thanks to Etsy LITDigitalart Returning Customers

One of the highest forms of flattery is getting an order from a previous customer. I’ve been painting digitalart custom pet portraits for eight years when I opened my Etsy shop. When the iPad was introduced in 2010, it reignited my love for painting. Rather than watercolors, pastels, ink and charcoal, my studio is on the iPad and travels with me - though we aren’t traveling much these days. The holiday season is typically busier than other times of the year, and memorial portrait requests are not uncommon. Last week I received three orders in one day - from customers that I worked with many years ago. I don’t need to explain the process and it feels like old friends because there is a lot of back and forth communication during the process. Selecting the best photo, suggesting several options, creating the prelim sketch, sending updates, seeking approval of the final draft, and then sending the portrait, in process compilation, suggestions for digitalart options aside from a framed image, and a PNG image in case something doesn’t require a square background are all part of the process. I always appreciate the wonderful feedback comments that are left on my Etsy shop and to me personally. Sometimes a photo of the gift is sent to me of the completed project. So thank you for remembering me. I have a portrait of our wonderful Borzoi Tatiana in our home. Every time I look at it I remember her. It feels good to share that experience. 

Picking Up Sticks for Holiday Decor

When we lived in the Midwest we had an acre of land with several trees. They were trees that made great branches for filling window boxes and planters for the Christmas season. We also had dogwood bushes and other sticks in all colors that could be cut down for the same reason. We no longer have that luxury. We now live in a condo in northern Virginia and have a balcony. On the balcony we have three “window boxes” that are zip tied to the back of the furniture because you can’t hang anything from the balcony. It sounds weird, but our arrangement works. So this year we filled the planters with English ivy, liriope and pansies with the idea to add greenery to them for Christmas - especially since we aren’t going anywhere this year. So we got some greens from American plant, but I forgot to look for sticks. Yesterday on our morning walk I was reminded about that when we came across a nice branch that was in the street. I scooped it up and kept my eyes open for a few more sticks that could fill the planters and also the wall vase and plant container on the console table. You could say I was helping to clean up the neighborhood! Anyway, it worked out well. I didn’t dare pick things from the park, but the street seemed like an ok idea. Now I need to find out if stringing lights is not prohibited by the condo rules. 

Zazzle, Redbubble, FAA/Pixels, Amazon Merch Sales

Pet portraits are my favorite digital art projects. This time of the year is usually the busiest for me as they make for wonderful holiday gifts. I am working on three this week! When the portraits are completed, I post them on my other websites - Zazzle, Redbubble, FAA/Pixels and Amazon Merch. Getting orders for portraits is a lot more time consuming than selling products - but the gratification is equal. It’s so wonderful to get notices when items sell, but also from all over the world - United Kingdom, Canada, and everywhere in the US. A boxer mug, pooch T-shirt and Supreme Court face mask were sold on Zazzle; Birman cat mug and iPhone case, sheltie zipper pouch, husky sticker and yorkie socks were sold on Redbubble; two black German Shepherd tshirts on Amazon Merch; and Fine Art America/pixels sold two Cairn Terrier masks. I am so thrilled that people notice my work. The commissions are tiny on any of these products but I am so tickled when I get a notice. So thank you all for requesting portraits of your favorite pets. Without them I couldn’t upload the lovely images other customers like enough to purchase. It is amazing how far and wide the digitalart travels.