Summer Home and Garden

Everything is so abundant right now! I love walking around my little neighborhood, taking it all in. I live in a small countryish town, right outside the city. Even in our own yard, so much beauty...

 

The garden is doing amazing again this year. I've just picked herbs, zucchini, lettuces, peapods, cabbage and artichokes. Hopefully tomatoes and eggplant soon!

 

Outside my studio window... Iko cat watches me in the garden :)

Fresh lavendar...

 The old cottage door, a door on the house we don't use... isn't it charming? :)

Rose sketches.....

And... new art! I just released these fun wall decor panels, on sale through Sunday in the Etsy shop! Really excited about these, many of my paintings are combined with inspirational quotes. The panels are 4x4 and 6x6 wood blocks with hooks for easy hanging. 12 different designs  :)

Beach Cottage

A magical summer weekend at a beach cottage on the Oregon coast. I love the ocean, the mist, the sights and smells. I could get lost on the beach forever! The way driftwood washes on the beach and the ripples in the sand. Fresh fish to fry and eat, games and movies, and a sky that never ends....

Cape Perpetua State Park, many fun trails and views!

The dogs swam and played and fought over sticks and frisbees :)

Inside the cottage, we put together a Charles Wysocki puzzle. I love his sweet, folk art America scenes :) Had to get another one to work on at home!

And cottage inspiration came home with me.... Here's the start of my beach cottage quilt table runner. First I created the pattern and measurements on the computer, and then started piecing. I hope to have the pattern available for sale soon. Stay tuned for more details!  Update: The Beach Cottage Table Runner sewing pattern is now available in the RPS gift shop!

A super cute beach cottage pattern from Country Cottage Needleworks, I had to get this one! I just love the effect of the variegated threads in the trees and roof. Crescent Colors Willow is used in the trees.

The Old Beach Cottage ©2012

And finally, I started a new painting inspired by the cottage, still working on the details....
See more of my art on RPS Facebook,  where I post new images often. Happy July!

Strawberry Farm

Strawberries are one of my favorite parts of summer. It's especially fun going to the farms to pick them fresh and feel the country air. This weekend we went strawberry picking at a local farm on Sauvie Island. The beautiful rolling hills were our backdrop amidst acres of berries. In the Portland area, there are many farms to choose from, see a great guide at www.tricountyfarm.org. The berries were perfectly ripe and plentiful. What a delight!

Then, I came home to my studio to design a Strawberry Patch quilt/table runner! Using a collection vintage fabrics, strawberry fabrics and colors, each block will be 2". Simple chain stitch embroidered strawberries on cream cotton blocks will dot the landscape. :)

Garden Time!

I always find so much joy spending time in my garden and visiting gardens. As an artist, I love to study flowers and watch them grow. And now it's growing season! Our vegetable garden is taking shape. We planted carrots, lettuces, cabbages, beans, peas, squash, eggplants, tomatoes. The artichoke, chives and oregano are still thriving from last year, what a treat!

For Mother's Day, I took my Mom to the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens,  A beautiful garden and historic home north of Portland, with many varieties of lilacs. Truly a sweet and magical place!

 

This weekend, I walked around the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, a beautiful and often overlooked garden in Portland. Everything was in full bloom.  

I will come back and paint here sometime!

What are your favorite gardens to visit?

Summer Dreams

Sun Spirit ©2011 Robin Phillips

It's been sunny this week, yay! And I can feel it, summer's almost here! Sun light so nourishes us and connects us to everything :) It helps us create and grow :) In our yard, lilacs are blooming. In the garden, the first lettuces have sprouted. Now to plant more soon, which is one of my favorite times of the year.

Sneak peek of a new painting in progress.... Awakening!

What's inspiring you lately?

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