April showers brought May painted flowers

May Day!  May Day! May Day!

I so wanted to post yesterday with that title and missed the opportunity!

Imagine me knocking on wood as I say that so far, everything is working well with new electronics and I've been able to find all the files that I need. When I logged in to online banking I had to answer questions as it didn't recognize the new computer. That boggles my mind as the connection (service provider) hasn't changed. I'm not balking at the security though.

Did you know that an non-gardener (me) can be an honorary member of a garden club? It is true, and not just any member, I am a lifetime member. I would love to say that I like digging in the dirt and have a green thumb, but neither is true. I've done my share of planting in years past to keep up appearances, but now that hubby is retired, my spade has happily changed hands.

My cottage neighbor doesn't understand how anyone can say they don't enjoy gardening. I counter with how can anyone not use their computer daily?  She still looks at me warily but doesn't hesitate to ask an occasional favor. A few years ago she asked me to paint a sign that would be displayed in the area that the garden club tends for the island, almost the first thing you see after getting off the ferry. I wrote about that here where you will see the original rectangular sign.  Deteriorating edges of the wood led to reshaping the sign to what you see below. There wasn't much left that could be done...

...except stop looking at me with that raised eyebrow and ask another favor. Another garden club member provided new wood that has been treated on the back. Don't ask with what, I am clueless.  They wanted the same scene and the word 'Welcome' added as you see here.

I have happily handed it off for another island neighbor who runs a hardware store to seal before the sign is reinstalled. While I didn't sign the back as before due to the mystery finish, the same sentiment holds as when I signed the previous one Ucant Affordme. Don't believe me? Just ask my husband!

I may change my phone number before this sign wears out. If anyone would like a lifetime membership via sign painting, please let me know and I will give your name to the club.

I have a pseudonym

We have a terrific neighbor next door to our cottage who lives there full time and watches out for all the cottages when the owners aren't there. Rita is an avid gardener and a member of the island's garden club. When she asked me to repaint their sign, I couldn't say no. The board was in such sad shape, Bill cut a new one and primed both sides with two coats before handing it off to me. Rita told me to paint anything I wanted on it. Hmmmmmm....

The garden club is responsible for the triangular flower bed near the entrance to the island from the ferry. This is where the sign will be posted. It won't be scrutinized up close and personal as a painting hanging on a wall might, it will be seen by people passing by in their cars. Distance and motion (moving vehicles) forgive much so I eased up on the self criticism and almost enjoyed the process.

Rita wanted me to sign my work, but I think I will decline lest anyone think I am available for their requested favors. I might just date and sign the back of the sign with my pseudonym:

Crocodiles welcome

A very good friend of mine asked me if I would do her a favor. Sure I would.

And then I wondered what I had gotten myself into!

My friend is involved in the preschool Vacation Bible School at her church. Two years ago the theme was the wild west and she asked me if I could paint a horse's head on poster board. The idea was for the horse to appear to be looking over a half door of a stable. The bottom part of the door was a purchased decoration, part of a barnyard package. I did the horse's head with colored markers and it was a big hit.

This year's VBS program is called Crocodile Dock. My mission was to create a swampy looking mural with a fishing shack.

Uh-oh.

And to paint it on two cardboard display boards that were each 36" x 48" (think science fair display boards). The boards will hang in the preschool room so that they are 48" tall and 72" wide.

BIG uh-oh.

I don't work well large. I don't have a place to prop these display boards up to draw and paint on them. I put both leaves in the table, covered it to protect it from paint, and began.

I didn't like how things were going. I agonized over too many things to list here. Finally I had a talk with myself and fortunately, myself listened!

This is for preschoolers.
The fishing shack is supposed to look worn and a little shabby.
My friend will love anything I do (she has terrible taste! )
And if any 4 year old gets critical, they can meet me in the parking lot. I can still take on a 4 year old! I think.

Here are the boards propped on my hutch. I can't wait to get them to my friend's house. For her to store. For me to not have to look at any more.

The silver thing on the deck/dock/porch is a lantern. I used a silver sharpie but had to make the carrying handle black. I had already drawn the wires that form the cage of the lantern and the silver wouldn't cover the black. The ropes aren't silver but they seem to be glowing in the photo. Life's not perfect in the swamp.

And now my friends, it is getting late and I must say bye to all of you. Or maybe with this swamp thing going, I should just say Bayou.