Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • The Beacon Hill Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

Current Painting Project & Easel

June 20, 2021 at 9:52 am by Claudia

This is the tabletop easel I purchased. In my research, most of the tabletop easels looked a tad flimsy. I wanted something solid that would not move (as did my previous easel) when I painted. It’s made of oak and it’s made in America (so rare nowadays) and it will grow with me when I graduate to larger canvases.  As you know, right now I’m staying with smaller sized paintings as I explore this new passion. Eventually, fingers crossed, I’ll be brave enough to tackle something larger. By the way, the easel had nothing but great reviews.

Kitchen photo is as is: real life, with coffee cups and a bag of popcorn on the counter. If memory serves, I think Don had just returned from the store.

It’s a hot one this weekend and we’re limiting our outdoor time. Plus, I had an allergy attack last night. with watery, itchy eyes, along with a sneezing fit. This has been one of the worst years for my allergies. I’m so, so over it.

Don is currently mowing the paths up in the woods. Truth be told, he’s been neglecting them a bit because he’s so into his music right now. But he’ll catch up. We also cleaned up the growth in front of the trailer bird house in case our friends want to rent it out again.

I’m working on this right now:

I need to fix one or both of the handles. I know they’re off, but I have to look at the vase to see which one is more accurate. That’s on the docket for today. The blue will eventually be darker to match the color on the vase. I have a lot more detail to add, as well. This pattern is Snowberry.

Don wants to frame each of the paintings in the Roseville series. He has some ideas as to where we should hang them. I have to say that it’s wonderful to have his support and enthusiasm.

Father’s Day. As with Mother’s Day, it can be both positive and negative. For those who have lost their fathers or had complex issues with a father or didn’t have a father growing up, I wish you peace. We honor our fathers on this day but allow for complex emotions as well.

I miss you Dad.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Dad, life, oil painting 26 Comments

Discoveries in the Garden

June 19, 2021 at 9:21 am by Claudia

My favorite discovery yesterday: this odd little plant. It’s here and there throughout the property, but this group is right at the top of the big garden bed. I suppose it’s been here in the past – just never noticed it before.

I looked at a site that listed New York state wildflowers and couldn’t find it. So I put the photo on IG stories and asked if anyone knew what it was. Yep. Someone knew. She said it was wild garlic. When I googled it, I found out it’s also called hairy allium, which makes sense given the green tendrils that most intrigued me. Garden suppliers sell the bulbs.

I don’t know how they sprung up here, but I really am fond of them, so I’m glad they’re here.

I love discovering new-to-me plants on the property.

It’s going to be a very hot few days – today through Monday. Don and I had coffee in the Secret Garden this morning and I could already feel the humidity in the air at 8 am.

I started a new painting yesterday and boy, was it frustrating! It was one of those days when nothing goes quite right and I had to paint over the whole thing because I made it too wide. I made myself stick with it and I eventually got the shape nearly right. I need to tweak it a bit today and then I can add all of the details.

I’m going on too little sleep, so I’m going to keep this short. I have to grab some time at the easel before it gets too hot!

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden, oil painting 13 Comments

Lavender

June 18, 2021 at 9:00 am by Claudia

Yesterday was rather a lazy day. I’m not sure exactly why, but several of the items I had on my ‘to do’ list for the day have yet to be done. I felt relaxed and did some reading, listened to music, watched an artist working via YouTube, found a piece of MDF that will support smaller pieces of art to set on the easel. You never known what you’ll find up in the studio – that MDF came from the miniature studio I built for Don. It was meant to be the roof, but I decided not to include it in the project. Happily, it’s the perfect size for the easel!

I’ll take a picture of the easel today. It’s still pristine and untouched, but I do plan on painting today so the breaking in process will begin.

Another gorgeous day out there! Despite my lazy day yesterday, I did prune some bushes and wild roses. They grow so quickly. As you can see, the lavender is starting to bloom. So is the milkweed and the scent is heavenly! Oh my goodness.

I’m making Don get on the ladder to remove some greenery that is currently blocking the entrance to the birdhouse/trailer. I noticed it yesterday. Just in case my pals decide to come back for another round of babies, I don’t want them put off by the changes to the exterior of the residence.

Can you tell I miss them? I really do. The robins not so much…

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, garden, life 18 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 435
  • 436
  • 437
  • 438
  • 439
  • …
  • 1845
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2026 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in