Once upon a Time, there was a Princess Fairy who lived in a tall tower in Fairy Land. From the window she would wave her magic wand over all the people of the Land which would sprinkle them with magical wishes.
Aaaand … back here in the real world….
Maaaaany years ago – at least 10 but probably around 15 to be honest, Daughter No.2 bought me a Birthday card which was just a total delight to me. It was like all of a sudden my daughter ‘got’ me. She saw a card so perfect for my birthday that going against everything that I’ve always taught my girls (buying cards is just such an expense – yes you have to purchase one, but don’t spend half a weeks wages on one!), she spent a little fortune on.
Now, I keep greetings cards. All types. For Birthdays or just for ‘Hello I thought of you and am sending you this‘ types of card. I’m very much into the whole physical memories of something, and will keep cards and little mementoes for ever! I have a drawer in my craft room where I’ve kept cards from years gone by and every now and then I get them out just to make me feel wonderful. Each one holds a special memory, and a ‘trick’ to get that memory from the back of my mind so that I can enjoy the moment all over again. And there, in that drawer is a humongous card – very very tall but not very wide, – which I have cherished from the moment Daughter No.2 gave it to me. Here it is . . .
It’s about (guessing here) 18″ – 22″ tall. (I should have measured it and I didn’t think. I’m not tip toeing over to the craft room now because it’s belting down with rain outside!). You can now see why I’m showing you this card. It has a picture of Fairy Land on the front and I just loved it from the moment I opened the envelope. When I saw it in the drawer I instantly thought I’d have a go at turning it into a tiny ATC of 2.5inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.
(yes, that photo was taken in my craft room)
Some of you might remember me telling you that I taught my little girls, when they were knee-high to an ant, that if anyone should ask them how old their mommy was, they were to say …. “My Mommy is ONLY 27″ … and I have remained 27 since I was 27. Each year Daughter No.2 remembers this and sends me a birthday celebrating my 27th Birthday. Have a look inside this card .. . . .
… ah… you’ll need that blown up a little to read it …..
Her name has been removed (to protect the innocent) …. she writes: “To Mom, have a great (27th) Birthday! Have fun, love and snuggles ______ x“. I thought that since I was using the picture on the card as my inspiration for a little watercolour for World Watercolour Month, I might as well share the inside of the card so that you can see that I trained my girls sooooooo well! LOL
Anyhoo … back to this little watercolour. This one was a real struggle. It’s difficult to go into detail when you’re reducing something to a ridiculous size like this, so I had a real problem with the Princess Fairy. I perhaps, in hindsight, should have left her out – as I did the shutters on the windows (not enough room to keep them in).
I couldn’t make my mind up on the mount … green or blue? You choose and tell me what you think …
… Green? … OR ….
… Blue? Each one brings out something different. The Blue one brings out the shooting star and seems to make the colours just a little more vivid. Where-as the Green mount makes it look more subtle and … ‘fairyfied’. OOoo… choices, choices!
And that’s all there was to it!
We have an almighty storm going on here as I type. The thunder is so loud that it’s making the dog bark and me jump. It’s pelting down with rain and I’m thinking that all my flowers are going to get a right old bashing!
I’m not entirely surprised that the weather has changed like this. It’s been far too hot for it to continue without some sort of storm cooling things down. (although I don’t feel any cooling down happening at the moment. I’m still boiling hot!) I feel dreadfully sorry for the county next but one to where I live … Cornwall. They’ve had some awful flash floods there today (Tuesday) and they’ve had to go out in helicopters and rescue folks who have been trapped in their houses by rising waters. I watched it on the TV news at 6pm and it looked awful!
Well… that’s me done and dusted. I’m now going to schedule this post to happen in the early hours of (UK time) the morning, and I’m then taking myself to bed and taking the wee little chubby doggy with me.
Whatever you’re doing today do it with a smile on your face and hope in your heart. To prove to yourself exactly how blessed you are, imagine that you woke up this morning only with the things that you gave thanks for yesterday. Puts things into order does that little thought.
Sending you love, and a bucket of squidges which should last you all day long … 
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The Art of Cobwebs 
It is always so much fun when a child “gets” us as parents! I would have a tough time choosing which mount to choose….I like them both! And I love the little fairy you put in there!
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Aw bless you Chicken. I’m not really sure I like this one too much. I couldn’t seem to capture the magic.
I 100% agree about the fun when a child ‘gets’ us as parents. That card was so perfect for me that it sang GOT YOU from the top of the fairy rooftops. lol. I loved it … and still do!
Thank you for coming Chicken. I so love to see you.
Squidges ~ Cobs. x
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This is so you. Just about the cutest thing going on in watercolor land. You did a grant job training your daughter. How fun that must have been.
Years ago…a long time ago…my aunt who is only six or seven years older than myself sent me a wonderful pop-up card with a garden inside. I no longer have it sorry to say but I’m thinking that seeded something in my simple brain and that is why I today love pop-up cards and special folded cards. Could it be? Probably. Tomorrow is another day…til later…xoxo
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Hello fabulous friend, Beverly.
I’m not entirely certain that I trained No.2 or if she just did it by herself. She’s a gem and didn’t cause me too many extra grey hairs, bless her heart.
Y’know, I think you could be right about the card sent to you by your aunt, seeding something within you which encourages you to make pop-ups and special fold cards today. I know the card you sent to me is so precious to me, and SO well made that it’s an incredible work of heart!!!
Tomorrow is another day indeedly doodly. Lets be thankful it’s given to us, eh?
(p.s. still waiting for the post man – but I’ll let you know when it comes! BIG time Excited!!!
Squidges and love ~ Cobs. x
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Wonder why it takes so long.?
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I think that it takes longer now because customs are waaaay more diligent about parcels and packages. I have total faith that it will get here within the next day or two.
I guessed it would arrive Wednesday – and that’s today…. so I’ve told myself that I’m out by a day. My money is now on tomorrow – Thursday.
You see … it will come tomorrow.
There can be miracles when you ~ BELIEVE! 🙂
Sending oodles of squidges and buckets of love – so much that you’ll be loved up to September. lol. ~ C. xxx ❤
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Love that little painting and your daughter’s card.
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Hello sweet Anne.
Aww thank you, fabulous blogging friend.
love ~ Cobs. x
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Green or Blue. It is so hard to decide. Both are pretty! its amazing how a matting can make a painting look so different in coloring. I think I will pick the blue =) It makes the watercolor seem brighter. Either way its lovely!!!! and What a sweet way to keep a memory! =)
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Like you … I can’t decide. I think it might be the blue. Then I see the green and I think it might be the green. lol.
I love the memory of that card so very much that I just had to have a try at condensing it down into an ATC. I’m not certain that it worked, but it was a fun thing to have a try at.
Thanks for coming Tam. Great to see you!
love ~ Cobs. x
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I think it turned out lovely. As for the matting either choice would be great. Its such a pretty piece and both colors go with it. Its a WIN no matter what =)
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Awwww thank you Tam. You are just one of the nicest people.
Sending love ~ Cobs. x
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Cobs that is the cutest little painting ever. I do love fairies! The colours, the towers, the wee fairie, way too cute.
That is the scary thing with all this dry weather, is the probability of floods when it rains hard. It scares me, the thought of one minute you are okay, safe and dry and then next you are being swept down city streets or trails. Flash floods are truly a force of nature and deserve respect. Some people grab their cameras!! Really?
I enjoy a good storm as long as everyone is safe. My little Chihuahua, Peeky, shakes terribly and hides if she can. I feel so bad for her, but her brother Rocky, and the old Boston, Stan, don’t seem to care whatsoever.
Well, it’s bed time here and nearly time to rise and sparkle over there. Sprinkle some fairie dust around and wave that magic wand and wish all well. Hugs from here to there.
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Hello lovely Soozy.
Yes, the thunder storms upset all of my animals, and me, so I know how little Peeky feels about them.
The thunder here eventually died away, but I was stood with the front door open at gone 2am this morning, watching the lightning in the sky.
It was the weirdest thing to watch for it was totally silent. No noise, no cracking, nothing.
It actually scared me. It was like a huge war going on in the Heavens. As if God had sent the word to open the gates and send forth His Angels to fight a huge battle.
I stood there in my jammies and after watching for a few minutes the fear in me grew so great that I actually said a prayer out loud asking for The Lord and His Angels to win whatever battle was being fought, for I feared the outcome had my chosen ‘side’ lost.
I shall sprinkle Fairy Dust everywhere I go today, just for you Soozy. I hope you feel the magic when you wake.
Sweet dreams.
Squidges from me here to you there. ~ Cobs. x
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I love it cobs! I want to go live there!! Xxxx
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Awww, thank you Anna!
I shall look for a vacant accomodation. There might be a waiting list. lol
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Love ~ Cobs. x
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Love this. What wonderful memories you have, and lovely children.
This ATC is gorgeous, such an ethereal feel. Personally I prefer the blue mount
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Hello Isn’t She C….
What a truly lovely comment. Thank you so much.
Thrilled to bits that you like the ATC watercolour, and I think I agree that the Blue Mount is the one. The more I look at it in the Blue mount, the more I like it.
Thank you so much for coming, and for your beautiful comment.
Have a blessed rest of your day. ~ Cobs. x ❤
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the card is perfect! I always suspected you were a fairy! xx Michele
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LOLOLOL well that gave my chuckle muscle a work out! 🙂
aww, love you Michelle.
~ Cobs. xxx
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Oh what a great little painting! I like the blue mat. It does seem to make the colors “richer”. What a great birthday card from your daughter! I would have kept it too! I do have some cards that I have kept, not all, but quite a few. I have boxes of them. LOL! I just hate to part with them! I have some that I am so glad that I saved from my Grandmothers. They are both gone, but I love reading what they wrote to me. I miss them, but at least I feel like I still have a little part of them with me. Oh it has been hot here this week! The temperatures are in the upper 90’s with heat indexes (feels like temperatures) around 106. Storms pop up with the heat and cool things down a little, but then right back to the same heat. I really don’t mind the heat, to me it is much better than the cold. Well, I must get back to my card making! Have a good Thursday (I’m reading this on Wednesday eve). 🙂
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Hello Nancee.
Yes … I’m in agreement .. I think the blue mat is the right one.
The Birthday card was just amazing. I can remember the feeling when I opened it and saw it for the first time. It was like a magic spell had been cast over me. I actually had a few tears over it. It was just SO amazingly perfect.
I can understand your need to save some cards – especially so the ones you received from your Grandmothers. I bet they’re a beautiful memory aid when going through them. Even the writing will be like a special gift,
If the dreadful heat comes back, I shall inform it that it’s got the wrong place and it needs to change direction and visit you intead. I really don’t like the heat at all. Summer and Winter aren’t my favourite times of year. But Spring and Autumn … ahh, now those are the seasons I’m made for. 🙂
Thank you so much for coming Nancee.
Have a blessed day my friend. ~ Cobs. x
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Thanks Cobs!
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Oh what a wonderful story! I love the artwork too 💕lol…my son knows that any card with a cat on is a safe bet for me! 😺 Love this – a truly magical little picture! 😺💕xxx
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Hello 🙂
Awww, see… your son ‘gets you’!
Thrilled you like this post Samantha.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Bless your beautiful heart.
Sending love and squidges ~ Cobs. x ❤
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I’m late to the party here but I think blue and I adore this. It’s beautiful, a fairy, a castle, girly stuff galore! x
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lol… I never thought about it like that, but yes… girly stuff galore indeedly doodle!
❤ ~ Cobs. x
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Totally magical painting. I want to go and live in your fairyland watercolour. I think that you should but a purple mount and put it up in your craft room. All your painting are lovely but this one seems to hold more sentiment because of the card your daughter bought for your ’27th’ birthday. Maybe paint a larger version with lots and lots of detail!!! (I’m getting carried away now but it really is lovely)
Sorry for all the comments – kids are giving me a little break this morning 🙂 Hxx
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Firstly … never apologise for any amount of comments Hannah. After being missing in action for so long I’m absolutely LOVING having you back and ‘hearing’ your voice again.
When I painted this little scene … I wasn’t in love with the finished art piece. And I’m not sure I’m in love with it still. But I kind of like it. There just seems to be a lack of enough ‘magic’.
Have to admit though that it does look different in real life, rather than in the photos. The colours have a glow about them in real life, and I do like it more when I look at it.
The real love was and still is that card for my ’27th’ (again) birthday. Daughter No.2 couldn’t have designed a better card for me. It was perfect. Bless her little heart.
Sending heaps of love – and peaceful wishes for a Saturday which gives you some ‘you’ time.
~ Cobs. xxx
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It looks lovely and magical to me but it is always hard to look at our own work and not find something to be unsure about.
I feel as if I have missed so much during my absence and missed chatting to people. Our conversations always cheer me up 🙂 Hxx
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Even the great painters struggle(d) with their art, Hannah.
We are our own worst critics. We can see the ‘faults’ in every single brush stroke. Or every single thing we make.
Others just see the beauty.
(and we think they must be blind! lol)
I’ve missed our chats too Hannah. You’re right. They are cheera uppers. 😀
C. xxx
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To me, Cobs, the green mount brings out the colours more in your magical painting. Isn’t it strange how we see things so differently? I love the buildings and the shooting star.
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Aw Tom, bless your beautiful heart.
Yes, we all see something differently. I think artwork – from pottery to metal art to paintings … all have something about them which speaks to us.
For instance – Tracey Emin and her unmade bed. All that said to me was ‘dirty moo’, but apparently other people thought it was grand, and went on to love her tent with all the names of the 102 lovers she’d slept with up to that time. Yes, 102 … I didn’t type it Again, that particular piece of ‘art’ just spoke to me and the message I got was an even stronger ‘dirty moo’.
Thanks for coming Tom. I’ve missed you being around. You’re one of my fun blogging friends and I was kind of worried about you. I picked up some ‘not quite happy and at one with the world’ vibes and hoped that at some point something would happen which would make you smile and light that spark within you again.
Sending happy vibes and squidges ~ Cobs. xx
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Thanks, Cobs. Just a blip on the energy scale… it’s climbing back up now.
I’m not sure about Tracey Emin… it’s a creation, so it’s art, but is it arty?
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Is it art? Or is it just c.r.a._.? Anyone can be an untidy moo, not make their bed, and sleep in mucky looking sheets surrounded mess, but we don’t call art and feel proud of it. Crumbs if my bed looked like that I wouldn’t want anyone to see it!
(But then… I have this little thing inside my head which whispers: what if you’re taken ill and the doctor comes out to see you …. would you want him to see you in a lovely, clean room? … or a Tracey Emin room?
The clean room wins every time! LOL.
C. xxx
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