Friday, June 10, 2011

Paint Party Friday and our lovely weekend away!!!

Hi Everyone,

 (I took this photo outside)
This week I have been working on this painting. I really pushed through with this one.

 (This photo was taken inside with the flash, quite a difference with the colours I thought)

 At the beginning I felt like it was going through a real ugly stage and painted over things a few times and came up with all sorts of different ideas of what to put with the tree. 


 In the end I decided on this pretty girl and I'm really glad I did as I feel like she works really well with the blossom tree.
  I used texture paste, tissue paper and some crackle medium in this to create the texture. (Although you can't really see the crackle, I learned through this painting that I need to do a thicker coat for it to work better, so I shall try this effect again.)


I've been a bit absent from Blogland this last couple of weeks. Last weekend Hubby and I went away for the weekend on our first weekend without kids in 8 years!!! It was a work conference which was held at a beautiful resort so after attending a couple of sessions we were left to our own devices and enjoyed a lovely party with great food the last night we were there!!! It was a great weekend so I thought I'd share some photos :0)
 The view from our private balcony :0)

 We enjoyed some quiet beers on the balcony
 One afternoon we went on a lovely walk and found these beautiful beetles on this rose!

All dressed up for the party :0)

Hope you guys are having a great week!! :0)
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33 comments:

  1. NettyJune 10, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Wow your painting is beautiful and so full of joy. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  2. JessJune 10, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    The paintings looks fun! Great photos, you must have had a wonderful time.xx

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  3. DianeJune 10, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Love this painting and all of the details! Great weekend too!

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  4. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfJune 10, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Don't you look all cute together! :) Love the canvas. The girl does wonders!:)

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  5. Hybrid JJune 10, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Lovely color and texture. Fantastic! ;)

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  6. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Your art is beautiful and so are you both! Thank you for sharing your lovely adventure and photos!

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  7. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    So glad you had time away, it can be refreshing. Love the painting.

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  8. NellyJune 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Your painting is beautiful! I really love the way you did the flowers on the trees.

    Your getaway looked like it was fun.

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  9. AbelaJune 11, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Beautiful tree in bloom and the eyes of the girl, and beautiful couple you doing in the picture ....Saludos

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  10. wednesdayJune 11, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Looks like you had a terrific break. Love the new painting.

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  11. peggy gattoJune 11, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    what a nice vacation you had!
    I love your style, happy painting, makes me smile!

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  12. TerrieJune 11, 2011 at 2:51 AM

    I like the girl in the painting too and the textural parts of it work really well! Love the falling petals. happy PPF

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  13. UnknownJune 11, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    I love the blossom it looks wonderful ;0)

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  14. HeatherJune 11, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    Lucky you - glad you had a nice trip with your hubby! So great to see you in the photo, too!!!
    I really like this one, and the tree is beautiful! So are her brown eyes! happy weekend!

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  15. SHERI COOKJune 11, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    Both the girl and the blossom tree are delightful. HAPPY PPF!

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  16. IleanaJune 11, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Beautiful pics and I love your painting. Working with new techniques can really spark creativity. I love the way the petals are falling, bringing the tree to life. Very sweet chica as well. Great work!!

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  17. ChristineJune 11, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    lovely work and your getaway photos look fantastic!

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  18. Magic Love CrowJune 11, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Nicola, I love the painting! I love her eyes and the way you did her mouth! I really love everything about it! I'm glad you and your hubby had a nice time away ;o) Very nice picture of the two of you! You make a very cute couple!

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  19. Her SpeakJune 11, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    All the subtle color-shifts in the background are really beautiful. :)

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  20. Pam TuckerJune 11, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Ooh, this is a beautiful painting! Lovely colors and the girl is fantastic. I love your texture and the technique looks great!

    Looks like a very relaxing time with hubby. Great photo of you two! :)

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  21. Anne ButeraJune 11, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    What a beautiful painting! Lovely that you got to have a getaway with your hubby. Looks like it was a fun time! Great photo of the two of you!

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  22. Sacred YoliJune 11, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Pretty painting!
    How nice that you were able to get away. 8 years is a long time. Pretty pictures! Thanks for sharing.
    happy ppf

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  23. GlorV1June 11, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Very nice painting, I love her hair, lots of texture. The picture of you and your hubby is just awesome and it's good that you were able to get away for a while. Happy PPF!

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  24. WrightStuffJune 11, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Your painting reminds me of a bizarre TV programme I watched as a child - a magical land with beautiful blossoms is about all I remember! Beautiful :)

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  25. MarleneJune 11, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Wonderful painting. Glad you enjoyed your vacation.

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  26. AnonymousJune 11, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    LOVE the cool shape of this tree!

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  27. Kristin DudishJune 11, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    This post is beautiful from top to bottom... your painting, the views, you and your husband... all beautiful!

    Love it :)

    xo
    Kristin

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  28. AnonymousJune 11, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    a lovely painting- her eyes are amazing. glad you enjoyed your weekend away!

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  29. BahamaDawnJune 11, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    what a wonderful and serene painting!

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  30. EVAJune 11, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Beautiful painting Nicola! Love the flowers and how the petals are falling on her. Wonderful background.

    Looks like a fun weekend and so great to see YOU and hubby!

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  31. AnonymousJune 12, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    Thank you Nicola, so lovely to visit you and your blog. Loving your new advatar picture!
    Hugs!
    Julie

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  32. Denise MulliganJune 12, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Love the movement in this piece! Looks like you had a nice vacation. The colors on those beetles are wonderful, nature is so amazing.

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  33. CameronJune 13, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Some paintings need a bit more tweaking...but look at the wonderful result!

    Plus, trying new things and learning about new mediums is always a thrill :)

    I look forward to a vacation without a kid someday, too....someday....she's only 5...haha!

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