June Update From My Art Studio

 

Hello, My Lovelies!  I hope you are well and having a lovely summer.  I'm beginning to see the first of the back-to-school ads, and it isn't even Independence Day yet!  In other news, we had our first day of sunshine after weeks of rainy and stormy days.  And with the sunny skies, the heat has returned.  But that's okay!

Today I wanted to share with you a few projects I've been working on in my art studio.  I've accomplished much because of the rain keeping me inside.  The first thing I want to share is a finished oil painting from a photo I took on our trip last year.  It's a cartouche from the Imperial Apartments at Göttwieg Abbey in Krems, Austria.  

Imperial Apartment Cartouche

16" X 12" 

oil on linen panel

I've also been doing a lot of crafting.  This year I've been keeping up with my reading with monthly reading tag journals.  I hang them with "S" hooks on an over-the-table rod in my studio.  I will share more about it in a week or so.  I've also been making hand-painted and drawn bookmarks of my favorite books that I place in the tag journals.

This is the finished reading tag journal for May.

This is an example of a handmade bookmark I made for Jenny Hickman's For Ever.

This is a special edition book.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was fighting a cold at the beginning of June, and that I had been drinking copious amounts of hot tea.  Below is my new favorite recipe for tea, and it is made from a Chocolate Earl Grey Tea, the "Cozy" blend based on Meg's Tea Room (an Instagram influencer) by Cliché Teas.

We were about three weeks late signing-up for our summer community supported agriculture box.  We received our first box on Thursday, and we are very happy with it. 

Here are a few links to our favorite recipes from this week's box.

Stir-Fry Napa Cabbage with Spicy Garlic Dressing

Authentic Gazpacho

Cherry Plum Muffins

Cue Ball Squash Stuffed with Rice

Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese

We were pleasantly surprised with these muffins.

I will share more CSA recipes this summer.  Stay tuned!

Last minute Independence Day decor

Favorite Books of 2025 (so far)

Home decor

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill