Welcome. I am so happy that you stopped by. If you are like me, you need a little rest and relaxation from all of the hussle and bussle of Holiday preparations. Why don't you join me for a cup of hot chocolate on this cold and cloudy Southern California morning and we will go for a walk around Balboa Island looking for inspiration for a Welcome holiday sign I am going to paint for my niece.
Looks like my studio assistant, Bentley, is all ready to go for a walk.
Balboa Island is on the beautiful Newport Bay - the sidewalk goes around the island and is a beautiful place to walk. The residents go all out for Christmas decorations and lights and decorate their homes and piers.
Oh - my goodness - what a wonderful surprise to find this adorable gingerbread house located on a pier all decorated for Christmas . . . complete with three Gingerbread men.
Finding Inspiration . . . .
Here . . . .
All located in front of this fabulous yellow Victorian home complete with two Gingerbread Men overlooking the Ginger Bread House on the pier.
There . . . .
Even the fence finials are painted yellow - how adorable can you get?
Everywhere . . . .
The tree in the front yard is decorated with lots of hand painted birdhouses.
Now that we found our inspiration for the Welcome sign, let's head back to my garden. I loved the Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Men so much that I decided to decorate a little Rosemary Tree in my garden with my collection of Gingerbread Men ornaments.
Let's take a look at my Gingerbread ornaments and see if Bentley can find just the right ones for the Welcome sign.
Looks like Bentley found the perfect inspiration for our sign.
I sketched out a Christmas stocking and filled it with three Gingerbread Men and a candy cane.
If you would like to paint your own sign, you are welcome to copy my sketch. Instructions for painting the welcome sign are on my previous blog post.
The Welcome signs are so easy to paint and make great little gifts. Since the sign has been coated with matt varnish it can be hung outside.
The Welcome signs are so easy to paint and make great little gifts. Since the sign has been coated with matt varnish it can be hung outside.
They can be hung on a door.
Hung on a garden bicycle planter.
Or hung on a picket fence.
Thank you for stopping by. I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate that you took time to visit me, leave comments and/or follow my blog. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special by leaving me a comment or sending me an e-mail. Have a lovely week. Blessings, Erin
17 comments:
Dear Erin,Your blog is an inspiration island and pleasure.
alive in a gray neighborhood in a building that is not ugly but it is very cold and without personality.
it is here that I rest my mind and dream with a more beautiful and flowery world.. your garden is my paradise to dream.
thank you for to share this beautiful images and to be inspired to create beautiful things.
have one week full of color and light.
Hugs!
Hi Erin...love your Christmas stocking painting...thanks for the walking tour of the decorations.
Ruth
I've been wondering what to make for my kids (all grown up!) for Christmas. Thanks for this wonderful idea! I think I'll paint them each a WELCLOME sign! Thanks for the great idea! :D
Erin,
What a sweet post. Love the idea..I used to paint welcome slates years ago, maybe this is what I need to get me started. It has been so long I may have lost the knack. Thanks for the inspiritation.
Hugs,
Donna
I would love to join you for a cup its freezing cold here! I love all the pictures they always give me such wonderful ideas!
Happy Holidays!
What a lovely stroll,and hot chocolate is just what I was in the mood for. The gingerbread house is cute, cute cute! What wonderful inspiration for your welcome sign. Bentley did a great job picking out just the right little man.
Hugs,
Lallee
Oh my! I made some little gingerbread men (and women) out of felt a few years ago. I love the sign! It's just the cutest! Happy holidays to you, sweet friend!
Hi Erin! Your little paintings are adorable. The gingerbread men are just perfect.
your gingerbread sign is sooo cute. Cheryl
That gingerbread house is awesome
Going out today and find a rosemary tree. I get one every year. Love the smell.
What a great inspiration! Love your sign. Also loved the little walking tour!
I enjoyed your little tour of all the gingerbread men and your dog is so cute.
Joyce
What a beautiful gingerbread house. I always love seeing Bentley.
How fun to see all that gingerbread out on Balboa. That inspiration paid off handsomely in your sign. It's so cute and homey. I miss visiting the area- our son lived in Costa Mesa for a while. He got used to the weather there, so he thinks anything less than 65 degrees is freezing! LOL
That house is a wonderful decorating job - love how you took the gingerbread idea for your welcome sign - it's another beauty Erin!!
Today I'm off to our nearby Anthropologie (it opened recently in a mall in Durham) with my wonderful gift from you! Granddaughter Jasmin will be with me and we'll be oohing and aahing over the beautiful things........and just know we'll find something special! Next week we head to NYC for a few days - now there's the place to feel Christmassy!!
Hope you and Bentley have a wonderful week dear
The darling gingerbread stocking will now be hanging at the entrance of the Child Development Center where my daughter is the Director. Thanks you for you inspiration and the designs that are perfect for adults and children alike and so easy to make. Happy Holidays with love, Leslie
Hi Erin
I am trying to catch up on all the posts I've missed. You live in such agreat area for inspiration. All the cottages are so charming. I Just finished working my way backward from your most recent post to this one. I haven't been to Anthropolgie yet with my gift certificate. I'm saving it for a day when it will be a special treat.
Merry Christmas,
Hugs, Rhondi
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