Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Succulent Bells

Succulents are the most giving plants aren't they.
They give us such beauty and don't mind too much if conditions get harsh.
This particular variety produces the prettiest bells - here are some snaps from our garden:




Even before the bells develop, I love to see these delightful little buds:




... and so those bells called and were an inspiration when I painted this card:

⚘ Thank you for dropping by ⚘


Linking up today with Riitta's Floral Bliss
Click on the image below to see gorgeous florals the world over:


32 comments:

  1. gorgeous painting inspired by those beautiful succulents!

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  2. Those bells are beautiful and that is one healthy looking succulent. I love succulents and have lots.

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    1. Hello Annie, lovely to have you visit... thank you - goodness knows how they remain healthy but they do! :D)

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  3. Lovely photo's and lovely painting.
    The bells have a gorgeous colour and the leaves so green.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Always beaut to read your comments, thanks Jan :D)

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  4. What a wonderful flower! And your painting is lovely, Sue. It's orange/red colour is marvelous.
    Have a great time ❤

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    1. Hello Sirkkis, thank you very much - happy days :D)

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  5. Hello Sue, your painting is beautiful as are the little ‘bell flowers'. There are some amazing plants, trees and flowers in Australia, and I can’t wait to visit again next year. (Our son moved over from the UK nine years ago, married a lovely Australian girl and now has two little daughters.) I’m sad they are so far away, but it has given us a reason to visit and get to know your wonderful country.

    They live in Adelaide but we’ve visited a few other places, and I was astounded to see so many Roses growing in front gardens. I’ve always thought of Roses as only growing in the UK, it just shows how wrong you can be. :)

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    1. Hello Barbara and thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed them.
      I can understand how you'd feel the distance. You must be so grateful for today's technology which enables really good communication! You would've followed the advances in that over the last nine years as your saw your son's family grow.

      As you say though, you've a reason to visit Australia.
      Oh yes, roses are very popular over here... in fact the house across the road from us has the most delightful display of many varieties across their front. They seem to flower for so long too!
      Cheers and hope you get to Australia again before too long :D)

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    2. Hi Sue, we are saving hard and hoping to come over in 2018. We visited when Zoe was born (missed her actual birth by a few hours) and again when Lilly was born. Prior to that was our son and daughter-in-law's wedding in Fiji, we’ve been quite the jet setters since Steve moved to Adelaide! It’s sad they are so far away but how lucky we are compared to how it was a few years ago. It must have been heartbreaking to say good-bye to a beloved child or other family member and never see them again. Plus we get to have some wonderful holidays in your lovely country, so we are truly blessed.

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    3. When you've a target such as seeing your sweet family again, you'll have a pile of money saved up in no time won't you Barbara! The way time goes, heh heh, it'll be 2018 before you know it ;D) It's that physical act of wrapping your arms around your darlings isn't it. I do empathise. Yes, thank goodness it isn't "the old days".
      Sending lots of good cheer to you Barbara and lovely having this chat :D)💐 💖

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  6. succulants and cacti are my favorite plants of all. I would have a whole garden of them if I could but being a renter I confine my plants to pots so I can move them with me. Love your darling sketch and that top photo is gorgeous!

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    1. They're so versatile they don't mind if they've only a couple inches of dirt, big pots, little pots they just get on with it.
      Appreciate your comments very much Sandy :D)

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  7. i went to your art page - how wonderfully colorful your art is - and I especially liked the magpies in the trees and the eastern spinebill... but all of your art is so nice!

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    1. That's so nice, thanks for telling me - I'm thrilled actually :D)

      The page is a good way to keep track of what paintings I've posted in the blog. A good memory prompt.

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  8. You have made my day, Sue! Your painting is gorgeous and the photos are lovely! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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    1. I'm really happy about that Linda!
      Thank you very much for leaving your comments :D)

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  9. That is a lovely plant - with so many bell shaped flowers. They seem like a bunch of lady friends gathered together to gossip :)

    Your card is lovely! Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you very much Riitta - I like your thoughts... yes, they are :D)
      Have a really happy rest of the week!

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  10. That is the most beautiful painting of a lone bell plant in its pot! The colors are so rich and magnificent! And, your bells are so lovely, the leaves are somewhat like begonia leaves-strong, with red edging. You have wonderful talent, Sue! Have a great day! ♥

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    1. Aw now thank you Suzanne - that's lovely... I do mix and play around with how my leaves come out - ha ha, that's part of the fun of painting. Beaut to have you drop in, bye now xx 💐

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  11. Wonderful card, Sue! I love succulents because they are so hardy and have some stunning varieties. They can look quite architectural and elegant. :)

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    1. Thanks Serena :D) Yes, those lovely thick sturdy stems on some of them hold up so well against the wind... especially the hot winds (of which there are many this Summer aren't there - arrrgh). Bye for now 🏡

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  12. they are beautiful at each stage but most lovely when at the end of your paintbrush!!!!

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    1. aw Debbie, that's so sweet thank you... I made that card for our Dear Son - and he loved it :D)xx

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  13. Is that plant called "mother of millions". A bit like the agapanthus in my garden, lovely to behold but can get a bit out of control ... hence me chopping off all of the seed heads on ann the aggies this morning.

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    1. No, Joan, the bell flowers are similar though (as they are to a few other succulent varieties). I checked with Mr Google and the leaves are very different to your mother of millions.
      These don't re-seed at all, but of course will strike readily if asked to ;D)

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  14. I'm a real succulent junkie, so this is right up my alley. :)

    Love your card -- I think you've captured the real essence of the succulent bell. And it feels so warm and sunny. Beautiful.

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    1. Yes, nothing like the succulents to come to our rescue when we want plants to look lovely but to "please-take-care-of-yourself-when-I-can't-be-there!

      Glad you enjoyed seeing it, thanks again for all your lovely comments :D)xx

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