the ekphrastic challenge: { part 8 } bloemers

Lilacs, Peonies, Tulips, Roses, Irises and other Flowers with Fruit and a Bird's Nest on a Marble Ledge by Arnoldus Bloemers (1786-1844)

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bravo, superstars!
the 7th round of the ekphrastic challenge was met with fabulous nominations and suggestions! i just loved seeing your artistic interpretations of the art & the tones that create it!

so as requested: round #8!

today we're adoring a landmark work by the brilliant Arnoldus Bloemers (Dutch, 1786-1844) the still life painting: Lilacs, Peonies, Tulips, Roses, Irises and other Flowers with Fruit and a Bird's Nest on a Marble Ledge inspires with it's springtime floral palette of pretty pastels. 

so delightfully pretty, don't you think?

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so, here's the challenge for you:

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1. using the idea of ekphrasis , a "graphic or artistic description/representation of a visual work of art" ,  study the colours of the painting above, and/or the colour palette generated to match it (see above) . 


2. leave a link here to a handmade item of yours, (or another's) that is inspired by these colours + tones + shapes!


3. in about a week, i'll compile the suggestions and post them as our 8th collective response. 

---> just keep in mind, i'm looking for handmade works that fit the colour-palette AND artistic of this piece! thanks.

so show me your springtime colours inspirations, nicies!

can't wait to see what you come up with!

and may your day be filled with gorgeous tones!

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patterns and shapes: the DIY nest project

 

:: lovely handmade nests ::  

DIY pasta & tissue paper nest by little rikrak (how-to below!) 

PulpArt

fairyfolkweddings

MaiAutumn

there's such magic in the natural architecture of a springtime nest.

it's pefectly imperfect construction of found materials to make a wee little home.

love it.

this week on pinterest & instagram i shared one of my fave recent *little rikrak* DIY projects: an adorable nest keepsake he made at school. so sweet!

here's how to make one at YOUR home!

(seen any new nests around your neck-o-the-woods, nicies?) 

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PASTA & TISSUE PAPER NEST DIY for kiddies!

1. break whole wheat uncooked spaghetti pasta into smaller lengths.

2. line a medium sized bowl with plastic wrap or foil.

3. add spaghetti with a bit of white glue. mix.

4. gently make into nest shape with hole/pocket in centre.

5. let dry overnight. remove from bowl.

6. add cute tissue paper scrunched eggs.

(*how to* as described by cute little rikrak! some details guessed by me!)


 

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morning branches

morning branches thru our wet window by me / rikrak / kristal davis

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morning, lovelies.

hope you're enjoying a wonderful monday.

it's a lovely long weekend here & we're just home from a beautiful roadtrip to see family.

so good: yummy foods, fun outdoor egg hunts, visiting dear loved ones, gardens filled with new buds, roadside spring beauty all around. so good!

what have you been up to, nicies?

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the signs of spring!

robin's eggs nest print by christine lindstrom

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oh wonderful spring!  
delightfully, it's sprung here in lovely southern ontario.

tiny buds.
gentle greens.
soft & blue skies.
sweet little birdie sounds.
especially love seeing it all unfold through little rikrak's eyes.  welcome welcome!

   what's your favourite sign of spring?
                       i'd love to hear.

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come advertise with the rikrak studio blog in march!

i just love my sponsors! i'm so thankful for their kind and artistic support each month! and i'm just delighted with how things are going, growing here on the blog with you lovelies. thank you!

so i'm very happy to be offering a few new ad spots as of today for MARCH.

with march comes  a great time to continue building your wonderful indie business! AND... the 3rd annual Handmade Olympics will be starting in march! (i.e. lotsa great traffic to the blog!) woohoo!  i hope it might be the perfect opportunity to showcase your beautiful shops & blogs for all of those handmade-loving shoppers & bloggers & media out there! it's  such a great time for fresh starts, and i'm offering a few new ad spots, all at GREAT prices!

if you feel that your shop, group, Etsy Team,  or blog would be a good fit with the rikrak studio blog feel & focus, and are interested in rates, please email me at 
---> rikrakmail @ yahoo.com <---

there's lots of continued fun coming up on the blog: funfun guests, little inspirations, more fabulous giveaways you're not going to want to miss, great games, fantastic features,  and, as always, a few extra fun surprises, too. being part of the fun is a great way to boost sales, increase exposure and build your little business in the handmade community, too!

i'm a handmaker & mommy and know it's a challenging economic time out there... so i try to keep the rates nice & reasonable and promote your wonderful businesses as best i can all month!

i also love designing ads for folks that need them, too.
so just let me know if i can help!

so come & be part of the fun!
thanks so much, lovelies!
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the art of the flower

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clockwise from top left: 

honneur +  polkastreetstudio + printmakerjean

jeannewinters + fizzbrushhetty + cloudery + modernbotanical

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wowsers. 

do i ever love the POP of flowers around here this week. 

rich gorgeous blooms artfully zooming up here there and everywhere.

i think my all-time fave would be the gorgeous delicate peony!

last month, during the *i love my sponsors* giveaway i asked:   what's YOUR favourite springtime / early summer flower?

i include a sampling of your lovely choices here today.

what's your favourite early summer flower? 

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 the bargain babe , stockannette , 

christy, nicole

pam , huguette, 

and abby love the tulip.

the lilac makes

trois pommes vertes  and  shenny swoon!

marta 

& 

amber 

adore the daffodil.

leslie (& i!) love the hydrangea

forget-me-nots have bethany swooning.

masha loves the poppy.

daisies inspire moira.

and eden 

swoons for the calla lily. 

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patterns + shapes :: the raindrop

 

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take shelter print :: ashleyg

rain + cloud pin back buttons :: smallappletree

raindrop house gocco print ::  mateoandisabel

raindrop earrings :: epheriell

raindrops of poetry :: this tinder

raindrop ring :: luttrell studio

raindrops stamps ::  mywalkingdesaster

cloud mobile :: leptitpapillon

raindrop podette ::  bewilderedandpine

springtime print :: jaimers

hill of tears :: vantiani

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it rains + it rains here.

and i love it.

welcome welcome gentle drops.

rain in moderation - yay or nay? 

happy splashing, lovelies.

have a gorgeous weekend.

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my favourite things: chartreuse

 

 :: handmade chartreuse ::

top collage

hope johnson

lemonring 

tohold 

therunnybunny

happy deliveries

GrainnePhotography

second collage

paperdragonfly

Little Bears Mom

Lucy and Tor

naomilynn

classic by nature

SuiteOneStudio

third collage

whimsy and dink

AtomicLodge

buffalogirls 

sandmaiden 

cottonpurr  

mengsel design 

fourth collage

neawear 

utilemud 
dark cycle clothing

paper lovely press

PomLove 

WildWomanJewelry

last collage

sunshineartdesign

uncommon 

ShibaNgDesigns

ottoman

kolonclothes 

the gilded bee

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chartreuse.

you're the best.

spring, with it's yellowy-green awakenings is everywhere here.

the silent star of the show amid a week of gorgeous gorgeous grey rain has got to be that formidable, quiet, enchanting, delicate spectrum of chartreuse.

good GOLLY i love spring. 

what your fave colour this season, nicies? 

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my favourite things: smocking

:: top mosaic ::

clockwise from top left

my friend emily

simonamm 

sewlola

annafabo 

MQuin   

NatalieAsIs 

AtomicBlythe   

rmgg7c

:: 2nd mosaic::

clockwise from top left

river of romansk

OlenaW   

InletKids 

StarBags  

machemisedhomme

gumdropgrove 

DresseshandMade

little rose collection

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oh smocking!

you're right up there in my nostalgic favourite signs-o-springtime with crocuses popping up, pastel coloured painted eggs & Eastery bonnets!

it's an art i'd love to learn one day, but i don't think i have the patience quite yet.

so happy to see the revival of this fabulous art form in the past few years around here.

gorgeous!

just gorgeous!

what's your favourite Easter time artform?

ever smocked?

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collections: egg cups with Storeyshop

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i just love seeing what folks are collecting. i guess i kind of feel it tells us just a little bit about what inspires them, what they love, and what they choose to surround themselves with in their home. today, i'm delighted to present the next in the rikrak studio's collections series:  quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they're collecting, (apart from their art supplies! ) you can also check out my  *the collectors* series on Etsy, based on these posts! hope you'll just love egg cup collecting with Helen Foers of Storeyshop.

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Oh glorious spring!

How fabulous you are with your chirpy birds, babbling brooks and the promise of great newness and change to come!

For just such a festive occasion,  this collection celebrates that iconic springtime symbol: the egg, and the beauty of turning our daily lives (and things like eating breakfast!)  into an artful occasion!

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who (are you) : Helen Foers of Storeyshop

what (are you collecting) : Egg cups

when (did you start) : A few years ago

how (many do you have?) 30 (so far)

where (do you find them) : Vintage and junks shops, charity shops, car boot sales and in wrapping paper as my friends and family have started buying them for me for birthdays and bringing them back from holidays for me!

where (do you keep them) : In the kitchen cupboards (much to my husband's annoyance). I have two decks of them stacked on and under vintage cakestands.

what (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : Only one egg cup in my collection is my husband's. He had it when he was little. It's one of the one with legs. I had one with legs when I was young too so we got them together and they're now a couple.

what (piece would you like to add): Next on my list is one of Heidi Burton's illustrated egg cups. I'd also like to find more with names and other typography on.

why (do you love them) : I love boiled eggs and I love collecting. Perfect!

which (one is your favourite) & why : My pink plastic one with my name on. I have had it as long as I can remember. My little brother had a blue one with his name on, too. Maybe it's where my love of personalised products all stems from!

what (else do you collect) : Other ceramics and chinaware. I have rather a lot of plates and saucers. Choosing which plate and egg cup combo to go for, when having a boiled egg, is always a tough one!

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Marvellous! Thanks so much, lovely!

Helen’s incredible personalised hand cut paper works will add an artistic touch to all of your daily celebrations, too! Her custom made cards are brilliant and beautiful (I’ve given many away to loved ones as cherished gifts!) So hop on over and visit her beautiful shop & blog! 

Happy spring, lovelies!

What do you collect?

Please tell us in the notes below. 

We’d love to hear!

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