Story Time in Annika's Secret Garden

Words and images copyright 2011 Susan Faye. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in ANY form, including electronically, without express written permission of the artist. Thank you for respecting this policy with regards to ALL artists--it's good karma!!

Welcome
to the secret garden.

I am Paprika, the Garden Cat, and this is my boy, Sunny Sam.


Come with me through the garden gate, but shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone how you found it. It's a secret, you know...


A secret garden is a quiet place to be still and thoughtful with your hopes and dreams; it's a beautiful place to spend time with your special siblings-- daughters and sons of Mother Earth, just like you and me and Sunny Sam...

...just like Annika, my girl, and the Gardenkeeper of the secret garden. With food and water and a sprinkling of love, she encourages all of us to grow and thrive...


...like Horace the Owl. He likes to sleep during the day but will always wake up long enough to greet visitors whenever they stop by.





"Whoowelcome friends," he croons before his sleepy eyelids flutter back into place.





...like the fragrant flower blossoms that sway to the music of the breeze. Listen...can you hear the wind song too? Annika loves how the tulips tickle her nose with their delicate perfume and make her eyes dance with their sweet candy colors.




...and like the little green beetle that lives in the perfectly peachy tulip, three pink blossoms to the right of the shade tree.


Hope you have enjoyed your stay in the secret garden; you are welcome back any time. Your sisters and brothers will be waiting for you.



All under the watchful eye of Mother Earth,

And her mom, Grandmother Sun.

It's one big happy family. Aren't you happy to be a part of it?


Thanks for visiting! Come back soon!





Prints of The Secret Garden are now available in my Etsy Shop.
Click here to see several versions... Secret Garden Prints

Something New From World Headquarters

We're just busy as bees here at World Headquarters now that Spring has sprung! I'm in the process of introducing a new style of pendant into my Etsy shop with the help of my studio assistant Buttonwillow (seen at right, saying goodbye to the old style pendants).

It seems my supplier discontinued the old rectangular shape of glass that I have been using and try as I might, I could not find any other suppliers that carried the same size, in spite of some serious teeth-gnashing.

So I gave a new glass tile a try and I love it! What do you think? It is still 1.25" wide, but a bit narrower at 3/4" and is more rounded, with more of a magnifying effect--not to mention a bit more elegant, I think.

I will be slowly re-formatting my art to fit the new size and will add the new pieces as I finish them. The first batch includes the calico kitty above, plus 10 floral pendants fresh from the posy patch, made with Spring and Mothers Day in mind:

The floral artwork is taken from my original watercolor paintings of tulips, narcissus, and cactus blossoms. Each is signed on the back. Most of these have matching earrings and can be found in my Etsy shop. You can also purchase them by the dozen at a discounted price here--great for fundraising projects, or to give as bridesmaid gifts or as gifts at the office or garden club.

Thanks for visiting, and hope your weekend is abloom with lots of new and fun adventures!

Cat Lady No. 281...Flying Low

Illustration Friday
(theme:"flying")

Flying high has its rewards, but Cat Lady Breena and her winged cat Maurelle know that flying low is even better. That way, in the wee hours of the lavender dawn, the scent of unfolding blossoms is that much sweeter...

Thanks for visiting!


This brand new illustration is now available as a matted print in my Etsy Shop: Garden Fairy No. 5

I'm honored and delighted that Etsy.com has featured my tutorial "How To Paint A Cat Lady (and Lad)" in their daily blog The Storque! Check it out in their "How-Tuesday" feature of the week where you will find great arts and crafts how-tos every--you guessed it--Tuesday!

Cat Lady No. 48...Garden Goddess

Cat Lady and Garden Goddess Sumi never gardens without her favorite pink hat and her faithful feline friend Suguru, who simply adores tulips.

Here are some tips for growing tulips from Gardener's Paradise:

If you are planting other bedding plants amongst tulips; it is a good idea to plant them before the bulbs, so as not to damage the bulbs with the trowel later.

Over crowded bulbs can also cause problems in your garden. If this occurs, dig up your tulips just before all the foliage has completely died down and divide by pulling smaller new bulbs from the base of the old bulb and replant them.

After flowering, it is ok to deadhead your tulips but always allow the leaves to die off naturally. If you are concerned about the appearance of the fading greens, try braiding the leaves.

Tulips make excellent cut flowers and usually last about a week in a vase. Don't forget to add a little sugar to your water to prolong the life of your bouquet.

Visit their website for more tips: www.gardeningtips.org/Tulip.shtml

Thanks for visiting!

Another gardening essential for Sumi: a Cat Lady Apron from my CafePress Shop! Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. There are over 100 designs to choose from... click here:
Cat Lady Aprons