6 Sep
During the Creative Process
You Say Cortona, Eddie Says Cortuna
It all started with a dark stranger who kept leading me on….
And the next thing I knew, cats were turning up everywhere…
So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I walked into the shop and saw…
Yep.
Just as we had feared.
Eddie has joined us in, as he calls it, Cortuna.
So I will attempt to offset what may become a HUGE problem by focusing on Italy.
Both the big things
(This is the view from Cortona—it sits high on the hill overlooking the Tuscan landscape below 🙂
and the small
(Dinner bell outside a restaurant—signaling the “party ’til the cows come home” mantra I’m thinkin’)
I figure while you survey your options of what you are going to paint today in your journal or postcards that you may as well have a nice place to enjoy your coffee 😛 (There’s no need to hide….no one cares what you look like without make-up…I’ve been out scaring the locals for hours already;)
It’s a flower kind of day —here’s what’s blooming in Cortona!!
(Please note: The photos I share here of our time in Italy are to be used as reference for doing watercolors for personal journals or postcards only. I please ask that they are used soley for that purpose:-)
Enter below to get your name in the hat for a chance to win a beautiful handmade journal that I just found here in Cortona:)
If you have a friend who needs some JOY in their life, share this post and encourage them to have some fun playing in the water (colors) and traveling along to Italy—everybody needs a Roman holiday once in awhile
!
Runaway to Italy continues on the next blog post!!! Ciao Baby!!!
P.S. Make sure you don’t miss a post from Italy–just click here to get your daily dose:)
P.S.S. If you just joined us, you can pick up some watercolor journaling tips–just click here.
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Oh How I want to be there.
Italy agrees with you as much as France – I see your colors – purple, pink, blue, everywhere!
Would love to paint on the pages of this journal.
i love your writings…you’re humor hasn’t changed since 3rd or 4th grade… you know a couple of years ago.. wish we could share this journey…
How do you always manage to find such wonderful colors to photograph everywhere you go?
Love to be so surrounded by cats. Of course I prefer to paint the countryside. But cats are good subjects by way of camera!
in my dreams!
I love living vicariously through you Dreama! Italy is magical!
Love Italy, love painting and love you and Eddie!
I promise to personally return that wonderful watercolor journal to Italy in the near future. 🙂
JT
Thanks so much for your writings each day and photos. I really enjoy seeing them and living Italy through you. Keep them coming.
My dream is to go to Italy to paint with Dreama. Since I can’t go this year maybe I can win the watercolor journal! Love your emails and blogs!
Hmmm- I’m thinking that is Eddie’s Italian cousin, Eduardo! Love the watercolor journaling! Your journaling has inspired me to actually carry and use a sketch book with me. Haven’t gotten to the watercolor stage. Just using pencil but its a start!
Thanks
Such beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing with us.
Dana Burton
The only way this could be anymore delightful and fun is if I was in Italy too, bonjournaling with you! Big hugs.
That is one beautiful journal. Good luck ducking the tuxedoed one…
Beautiful Journal some lucky person will jump for joy when they win that! Love todays inspiration photos.
Great photos. Love the cat on the stairs! I was in Italy in 1999 but never got off the beaten track. I imagine that’s what happens when you go on a structured tour, you don’t get to see those cozy corners.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures to paint. I’m looking forward to my trip to Italy too.
Ahhhhhh, Ha, Ha, Ha……..Eddie really gets around……Ciao Mr. Eddie
So delighted to be back in another of Dreama’s adventures! I look forward to each one. I watch for a new post every day, hoping to find one of those little jewels that day (the videos). I love my pretend-friend, Dreama!
Dreama,
Oh what a beautiful sight over looking the Tuscany landscape in Cortuna. I see you have a black handsome escort in Cortuna. Enjoy all those beautiful sunflowers contrasting against the bright blue Tuscan sky, just like the geramiums contrasts so nicely against that gorgeous blue journal. Enjoy, enjoy yourself in Cortuna, Dreama! 🙂
wonderful Photo’s, I enjoyed Italy in 1999…Umbria, Tuscany, Rome, Florence, You are making me want to get out the photo’s…
You are pure inspiration…thanks for enriching my life every time I visit your pages. Ciao!
Uh-Oh, Eddie in Cortona??? I bet he stowed away in your luggage, and is the reason your luggage was slightly overweight… hmmmm. I wonder what he’s up to? Please keep us posted.
Love these posts, Dreama. Wish I could be there with you all.
Live life colorfully while in Italy.
that gives me a great idea…….I’m going to add embossing to my journal pages……..I get so many inspirations from you Dreama!
You sure make watercolors look easy…love the loose feeling!
How fun! The Felix Shirted person with the black cat looks like my son’s black cat, also named Felix. lol – I had to check and make sure she wasn’t out galavanting while we weren’t looking! lol
Thanks for sharing a a slice of Italy with us! And that sketchbook…oh my…Bellissimo!!
That wine box, upside down…Brunello di Montalcino…you’re freaking me out! Another connector! I have a 2002 bottle in my wine cellar. First the pillows from Lowe’s, now this! So fabulous! Love every connection on this journey. Hope you had some of that wine! What a beautiful region – Cortona- I will remember that. And no makeup?! Count me in! I’m exhausted by all this wedding prep. Want to disappear into the Italian countryside. With wine. And chocolate. And sleep. Look forward to the next post… zzzzz
I wish I was under that periwinkle blue umbrella, surrounded by golden sunflowers…aaaahhh!
So beautiful and special. I have been to Italy but not to paint! That’s on my bucket list
Ooooh Cortona looks fabulous. Thanks for the visual memories,
Suzanne
Thank you for taking us all along with your journey.
You know, if Eddie needs a handler while you are busy there in Italy, I would have been available – with leash! Thank you for the delightful photos.
Karen
Why is everything seem so much prettier in Europe? They really know how to live! Wish I could be there! Love all the kitties!
Love all that you do! Please enter me in the drawing…would love to win the journal!
I can just imagine how beautiful my watercolors will look in this fabulous book!
We get home from trips and we find we have all these cat pictures. Just can’t resist. Lorraine
Hi Dreama: we were in Cortona Thursday! Unfortunately one of my students left his backpack with all his watercolour supplies there, and when we went back to get it, it was gone of course. You didn’t find it did you???
Hot enough here for you?
You”re amazing… your posts are delightful and I know, bring a smile to many faces. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. I love the cats!
LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!! ALL YOUR WORK AND ALL YOUR STORIES KEEP THEM COMING LOOKING FORWARD FOR THEM EVERY DAY THXS BEV
Looks like another beautiful day in Italy! I look forward to the sites and paintings! And I’d love to win that beautiful journal…or a postcard…..or a black cat. Oh, no, scratch that…no cats by mandate of our two dogs.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
J. Perry
Wish I could be there, too! Thanks for sharing! It is fabulous to see.
Love the journal and all the pictures! I’m going to go wake up my watercolors now…. 🙂
I loved cortina when I was in Italy, I have a small wooden carved cat from there as a momento.
That journal is amazing ax are your photos thank you Dreama.
I love that Eddie got to Italy before you did and now probably speaks Italian quite fluently. Love all the inspiration for watercoloring. Thanks for taking us along.
Eddie needs to meet a French poodle! Ciao Baby
Bella and Ron: Hope you are enjoying every Italian minute! Love from Paris……
Hmm. I have heard legends of Cortuna from many a furry friend!
Stunning cover.
I love all the photos but especially the cat at the bottom of the stairway, getting all that to line up doesn’t happen often. You are in such a beautiful place enjoy every min as I know you will. Love getting your daily updates!
Such a beautiful photo of begonias, and that exquisite sketch book. I would love to win it.
Beautiful pictures, love the balcony with the umbrellas and sunflowers and the window with flower pots. Can’t wait to see more!
I enjoy tagging along on your travels! Thank you.
I’m going to give watercolors a try, thanks to you! 🙂
Dreama so Eddy is in Cortona (Cortuna) with you. Well I have a problem then because I thought the cat that showed up at my door the other day was Eddy. He ate all our fish and pate then left saying he would be back soon. Oh Dear me, what shall I do….. What a beautiful journal filled with my favorite paper. I have my fingers crossed as I drive to the market for more fish…just in case!
I love traveling with you, Dreama!
Thank you Dreama for sharing this trip and photo’s with us. I am loving it and have found myself addicted to journaling since your trip to France. Thanks !
Thank you for the lovely photos and inspiration.
Thanks
The journal is beautiful. What a joy it must be to find something so special. gayle
I really enjoy your post on Facebook and your emails. You are in a beautiful place!
Thank you soo much for posting photos of your travels Dreama. I am a 70 yr old stay at home Nanny who wishes she could travel like you…so I paint instead. I so enjoy traveling thru your eyes, you are such a talented woman and your paintings are very inspiring. I’m trying to loosen up and get the feel of how you render the paint. I’m still learning and love every minute of it. I started out as a watercolorist, then tried pastel and am now into oils. Enjoy your trip as I know you are. Sue
Sorry, Eddie assured me you knew he was going to Italy. That’s why I helped him get his passport.. And he has been practicing his Italian meboujouooooooow 🙂
I knew Eddie would show up. That rascal!!!
Your making me dream dreams of Italy. So beautiful. Your a lucky lady. Enjoy.
Oh, how I wish I was there in Cortona again. I loved that hilltown. Beautiful photos. Thank you for letting us ride along. Wish I had seen that beautiful blue w/c journal when I was there a few years ago.
Cats, cats everywhere! What fun!
Thank you for sharing Dreama.
Ever so delightful!!
Isn’t it wonderful that cats are everywhere! This is going to be a remarkable trip. Thanks, Dreama.
Love it all! An inspiration every time. Thank you.
I’m thrilled to be with you in Italy. What gorgeous views. I love the cats!
about to go paint a mural at the dog and kitty rescue barn in town – as it turns up a beautiful day but not as beautiful as yours…enjoy
please throw my name into the catdish for the watercolor journal…………..
What great pictures! We really enjoy them. I am off to a meeting of the Murer House Foundation for our gala Italy on Wheels event next Saturday. Cars motorcycles, bikes, Italian beer, wood fired pizza, gelato! Check out our website Murer House Foundation and click on events. A little of Italy right here in Folsom, California!
I so enjoy reading your posts of your travels, admiring your paintings, and drooling over your photos! Our cat Little Man sends his regards to Eddie! 🙂
Dreama, I look forward to each of your posts. I am seeing Italy through your photos. Thank you!. You make me want to start a journal, and that one you found is one of a kind !
On this rainy day where I live, it’s great to think of Italy and all of its offerings!
Hello Dear Dreamer,
I wish you blessings today! Thank you for taking me on this Beautiful trip with you. Being the daughter of an Irish mother and an Italian father, my heart is Irish but my Soul is Italian, maiden name “Mazzola” so, I feel alive once again!
Grazie mille,
Rosemary
I’ve spoken with Eddie and told him to keep an eye on you! Only 2 gelatos per day. He will be watching!
Fav photo today…the patio w/tables & umbrellas.
Cats, cats everywhere! They recognize a kindred spirit!
So exciting! Thx Dreama!!!
Italy is gorgeous……thanks for sharing!
Eddie sure is a world traveler! Really enjoy all your pictures, thank you for sharing with us back here. 🙂
I have been to Cortona and we loved it.. 5 yrs ago..would love to return..
Where did you find that beautiful watercolor journal in Cortona?
It’s beautiful..
I have been ejoying everything.
Wish I was there.
Your pictures make me want to paint all day!
Dreama, Would love to be with you ! Please send more photos !
Enjoy your time in Italy !
Ciao ciao, Bebe !
My fingers are crossed! (;
Hello Dreama! Everything is in place! Italy, Tuscany,and Eddie!….Thanks for sharing! Andrée
Dreama,
Your posts are a highlight of my day. it is so fun to see where you are and catch your infectious excitement of what you are painting. Have a fun trip! Tell Ron Hi!
Debbie
Dreama,
What a splendid journal! And the photographs are just the way to start one’s day.
The journal, Italy, and Eddie all look AMAZING!!!
Dreama, is that REALLY Eddie?! Not just some Italian impostor?!! So if Eddie is in Italy……where is Eddie Pierre?! Hmmm……
Dreama, you are amazing in so many wonderful ways! Your blogs are so fun and make me smile all the way through! Thanks for sharing the energy!
Enjoy your day!
Oh how I LOVE that handmade journal. All your pics are just beautiful, breathtaking actually. Thanks for sharing!
ciao dreama~so beautiful and inspiring!
thank you for sharing:)
savor each moment in love, grace, and gratitude
Dreama, You really know how to make a day sparkle! Thanks for sharing.
How wonderful of you to let us, who are here at home, travel along with you via your lovely photos. I will be sketching from them in my “Italian” sketch book that I bought in Florence when there. Our guide took me, by car (because I have mobility problems) to see the “Under the Tuscan House” and I loved it. Cortona is one of the delights of Italy for sure. I love the way you render your paintings and the lively colors you use.
Dreama you never fail to inspire and lift my spirits when I read your posts and blogs, have a wonderful time in Tuscano
Ciao Bella
Only to whisk myself away to Italy,
With you in spirit
Bella! Bella! Loving the photos as well as the sketches. And Fabriano! I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it over the past year! Swoon!!!
Its so fun to read your posts and see a little of Italy. I would be honored to be drawn to win the journal.
You have some lovely photographs of your trip.
Thanks for sharing them, and what a lovely journal!
Love your photos of Cortona. We have been there. Once you visit Tuscany, you will always long to go back……especially with your paints and journal. Carolyn
A painting everywhere you look! The inspiration must be overwhelming! Enjoy; we’re all pretty envious here…
Stunning!
I am loving my trip to Italy!
I’m getting back in the groove of anticipation for each new post, or video, or painting! You make it so much fun! And that gorgeous watercolor book is so pretty it looks like it should be framed in a shadowbox!
Oh Dreama, I wish I was there…”one of this day, my dear Dreama, one of this day” lol, arrivederci! 🙂 <3
Tuscany has always grabbed my attention! Everything I have seem in book, photos and movies.
Dreama, Italy looks really nice ! Keep the tour coming you to Eddie ! Keep the photos coming please !!! Stay safe hugs hugs hugs
I love Toscane!!!
Beautiful flowers…and I love that cow bell!
Beautiful photos! Beautiful Watercolors! Beautiful blue journal!
Lovely pictures…. so jealous, lol….
Keep the wonderful photos coming.
Dreama I imagine myself there and in France every day! LOL..Do you sketch in pencil first or just you pen for watercolors? You are Such a great sketch artist.
Joy, beauty, serenity ring the bells of Italia! So much to see through your eyes Dreama. It makes my day so much brighter!
And more from Italy…:)) More pictures and more giveaways!
Dreama, I am so enjoying your photos and our virtual trip. We are painting everyday here in the states and seeing your blog is so inspiring. Thanks so much for adding to the excitement if September.
Hugs and Bon Howdy to Ron.
Ohhhh….to be in Italy right now….I found that very same thing about Italy – Italy loves cats, and cats love Italy. Amazing how Eddie found a way to get there to ‘Cortuna’ (love it!).
What a gorgeous buon journal that is! It’d go quite nicely with the also gorgeous sparkly, shiny, glimmery H20 paint pots…just sayin’ 🙂
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