Written by What I really love most about this season is that it’s filled with shiny ribbons and bows that sparkle under the lights of the tree. For today’s prompt, I opted for this 2-color doodlewash of a gold ribbon bow, using just Quinacridone Gold and Payne’s Gray. This is one of those cheap and beautiful bows that comes in a bag filled with several others in various sizes and colors. For some reason, I’ve always like the gold one best and tend to use it for that special gift that I wrap for Philippe. It’s also a way to remember which one that is, as I often forget and always want that gift to come last. We open our gifts on Christmas Eve throughout the evening which is one of my favorite times of the year. There are lots of little surprises and that makes it such a fun night. I’ve done a bit of shopping online today as I typically wait until the last possible moment and that can get a bit stressful hoping the gifts actually arrive in time.
This year, neither of us have anything of note on our lists. We’ve both struggled to come up with anything we might truly want or need. Of course, there will be books and toys in the mix, but any will actually do. The fun part about gifts is just being surprised by what’s inside and getting the thrilling of unwrapping them. Philippe doesn’t like when the presents go under the tree too early, which makes hiding them around the house a bit of a pain. I personally like seeing gifts under the tree the moment they’re available, but he prefers even the surprise of seeing the gifts themselves closer to the big day. We have so much in common that the biggest worry is that we’d actually chose the same gift for one another. This hasn’t happened yet, but one year, two Lego sets were in the same size box and, for a brief moment, we thought we might have a different sort of surprise. Thankfully, they were each unique!
But we do try to get things we think the other will love. It’s really as much if not more fun to give gifts than it is to actually get them. Just two weeks from today, we’ll be enjoying wine and lovely once-a-year treats, pausing every now and then to open a new little gift. It’s a simple evening, really, just us and the dog, but it’s one of the most memorable ones of the year. Each little gift is a treasure, even if it’s something perfectly small and silly that’s just meant to make us smile. One by one, the gifts will disappear under the tree and the bag of wrapping paper will start to fill. We’ll do everything we can to prolong the evening and take things slowly. Cherishing the moment, with candles, music and the twinkle of lights all around. And just before we head off to bed, warm with happiness, we’ll exchange that final lovely gift, the one with a single gold bow.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Gold and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Nicely done.
Thanks so much, Jan! 😃💕
Your bow – created with only those two colors is amazing – and your Christmas celebration sounds perfectly cozy and charming and wonderful. Can’t wait to hear about what you get each other 🙂
Thanks so much, Jodi!! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, this season is my jam!! LOL I’m sooooo excited!! I can’t wait for the big night!!
Amazingly wonderful bow and special Christmas traditions. Sounds like the perfect Christmas Eve to me.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s truly my favorite time of year!! hehe
Those little routines are what make things special. Definitely the most fun to give! (K)
Yes to that! 😃💕 hehe… I had so much fun shopping online today!! Thanks, Kerfe!
I do love the way you paint metallic objects! It sounds like the two of you have a wonderful Christmas routine. No wonder you look forward to it so much!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 I adore painting metal and glass… hehe… it’s probably my favorite!
Your painting of the bow is excellent – you’ve really captured the form and the shine. Your Christmas Eve tradition sounds great. Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Sharon!! 😃💕 Yeah, I can’t wait until Christmas Eve!!
Your bow is perfect, Charlie!! 🎁 And I agree, it is much more fun to give! 💕😍 Cheers Friend! 🎄
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 hehe… yeah… giving is a blast! I adore it! I do love getting gifts, but the chance to give is so much more fun!
Very nice!
So curious to see the final presents, under the gold bows 🙂 Are you two going to paint them?
Thanks, Violeta! 😃💕 I’m not sure yet… hehe… I purposely put the prompt of “gifts” just before the day as I think Philippe will let me put them out them! lol
Your Christmas Eve plans sound lovely! Your bow is beautiful, it’s amazing how you’ve made it look so gold and shiny!
Thanks so much, Clare! 😃💕 I love all things shiny! hehe… especially to paint!
Your shining gold bow is prettier in the painting than the real ones I have in my house! How do you do that, Charlie?
Aww, you’re too sweet! Thanks! 😃💕 That’s how they look in my head at least! hehe
I love your traditions and thank you for sharing them with us and I second what everyone before me has to say about that beautiful golden bow! I am amazed at how you make things shine. We also have some traditions that we’ve established over the years that are the best part of Christmas. Shine On!!
Thanks so much, Kaye! 😃💕 You as well! Yeah, I think I love this season for painting as well… everything is so shiny! My favorite thing to paint! hehe
Can’t wait to hear what the present with the PERFECT GOLD BOW is..Your artwork continues to inspire ad your stories are full of life,thank you as always for sharing..
Aww thanks, Pamela!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you’re enjoying them!!
I love how you savor life. Slow things down and enjoy the gift of the present.
Oh my gosh. This bow looks so very real. Beautiful.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕
A-MAZ-ING ! You really have a talent that grows daily with each and every doodlewash.
That’s such a wonderful compliment! Thanks, Tom! 😃💕 I’m so busy scurrying to make a doodlewash happen I’m never sure if things are improving. Appreciate it!
I love the idea of the gold bow signifying the gift to open last.
Thanks so much, Delores! 😃💕 I can’t wait for the big night! hehe
Since Phineas is always hoping he has something, will he have a package with a gold bow? (LOL! Phineas told me to ask you that question.)
That sounds like Phineas!!! LOL We’re deciding what that will be right now actually. 😉
I should have known really, given it’s a shiny thing, but OMG! It looks sooo real!!
hehe!! Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 Yes.. any chance to paint shiny things, and I’m IN! lol
Wow, that bow looks so real! I can’t believe it’s only two colours! Awesome.
Thanks, Susan! 😃💕 A lot of the credit goes to Quin Gold… it’s like 5 colors in one! 😉
You’re such a romantic. I’m guessing you’re easy to love. Merry Christmas my friend.
Aww… that’s such a sweet thing to say. 😊 Thanks, Jennifer! 😃💕 You’ll, of course, have to ask Philippe and Phineas for the final verdict. hehe
I’m thinking if I asked you’d get a kiss from Philippe and a lick from Phineas!
Yes, let’s hope it’s in that order! LOL
Oh and HOLY COW, that bow looks awesome. I immediately went looking for one I could paint! I’m thinking either iridescent white or silver.
Thanks, Jennifer!! 😃💕 I thought about trying on toned paper…. that would be really cool!!
What a lovely tradition. We wait til Christmas morning to be woke up at a ridiculously early hour by my husband who just can’t wait any longer.
haha! I would be him if we didn’t open all gifts on Christmas Eve… 😉 However, we do have stockings on Christmas morning… lol
Lovely and shiny. I wish you a lovely Christmas, darling Charlie, your plans sound perfect:simple and cozy 🎄🍾🎉🎁
Thanks so much, Marina! Hope you have a wonderful time this month!! 😃💕