I have painted so many, many tiles

When you put two and two together

You get a mural

Seedlings, precious gifts.

Now is the time you might find.

Tiny seedlings, precious gifts from your garden.  

Such as this Hollyhock seedling.  Only about 4 inches tall and ready to transplant. 

Hollyhocks develop long tap roots and seldom survive a transplant.  They are 
 Bi Annuals blooming the second year.  

Transplant them when they are four inches tall, or less.   You will be rewarded with flowers the very first season.  

Unlike Hollyhocks, Aster seedlings are easy to transplant at any stage. 


Look around in your garden.  The wind, birds and bees may have left a present or two for you.

Have a great remainder of the week my 

dear friends. 

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Moving right along

The first 

The Ice is almost all gone

Only a little strip left at the back of the pond.

Snowdrops and hellebore buds have appeared.

He stopped by.  We have named him Pasha.

We think that he might stay, 

no one wants to claim him. 

He is welcome.  

And I'm moving right along with my new project. 

Have a great remainder of the week my dear friends. 

Thank you for stopping by.  It means a lot.  

Gina

My very talented students

Created beautiful work.

In only 2 days Cindy painted this fabulous masterpiece.

This was Cindy's 3rd workshop with us.

Carrie came all the way from Charleston, South Carolina.

Carrie had no prior experience. Look what a beautiful job she did.  Not only that, Carrie designed the mural all by herself.

 Cindy practiced her "hand" the first day of our workshop.

The kiln is loaded right now with more masterpieces.  Can't wait to see what comes out tomorrow.

I know that one of these days you will come and join us. 

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina



Hand Painted ceramic tiles are back

Veranda July-August 2011

Not much has changed in the making of hand painted tiles

There is no limit to the possibilities

I can give them an antique finish or they can be shiny and new

either way they will last many lifetimes

My hand painted tiles are fired to 1800 degrees, colors will never fade

 Traditional Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, French, Modern and more ...

The originals painted 600 years ago, now recreated using the same techniques and the same color pigments

Painting tiles is a lot of fun

If you don't believe me come and join my upcoming workshop

July 15th and 16th.

No prior experience necessary

Gina

Come along with me and win a prize

Let's see if you can win a prize!





Remember my earlier post entitled "I'm a copycat" ? here Thought you might like to see how really easy it is to paint your own set of dishes.

Contest rules will follow.




But first, let's learn the process. With underglaze pigments and once-fired-bisque plates (all available at any ceramic store) begin by painting a simple line. Then "attach" fruit and leaves. Then color inside the lines with colors appropriate to the design.


The image in the lower right is the finished plate after it has been fired. (Take your plate to a ceramic shop to be fired).





Now then, here is your test. Look carefully at these designs and compare them to the finished plates (below) and tell me what small detail is missing.





The winner will receive this charming, hand painted Lozenge shaped Tile. It comes complete with hanger in back, ready to hang.


If we have more than one winner, the lucky person will be chosen by the usual group of judges, who are standing by, having a glass or two of champagne.


All entries will be considered. The contest will close midnight (your time) on August 22, 2010.







The finished set of dishes, fired in my kiln to 1823 degrees Fahrenheit to last many lifetimes.

Good Luck!

Gina