Looking through the public domain for old images and script for backgrounds is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy restoring old pieces that are torn, aged and need recolor, and have water damage.
Even though I love lemons, this morning it seemed as if life had dealt me lemons. This is the coldest day of the year where I live and my furnace decided it wanted to take a break. My hubby and I scrambled at 4 a.m. to warm up the house with electric heaters until daylight, in hopes he could repair it. So to take my mind from the current chill setting in, I began searching for something new to work on. In my current state, I chose this.

The most wonderful thing about this lemon is I stubbled upon this by accident. This is one of my favorite botanical artist Elizabeth Blackwell. This work is from 1739 and needed the background fully removed, slight repairs, and a color enhancement. I will have this printed on antique linen paper to place in my home. Below is a pdf link for you to print if you would like.
Thankfully, by 11 a.m. my furnace is working again. Now, I am hoping it keeps working until the repair person can get here sometime Monday.
For me, this print is a good reminder to be thankful for the things I have because it can be a whole lot worse. A small and impactful life lesson.
For those of you braving the winter cold, keep warm and be safe. For those in a warm climate, can you share some sunshine π
Much love,
Lisa
Just lovely. I love the old botanical prints. I am sorry to hear about your furnace…that really stinks. I’m hoping we don’t lose power here and lose our heat, too. Ah well, it’s still snowing and sleeting, but we don’t have to go out in it so we’re feeling rather grateful for that.
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Thank you, Linda! These old prints warm my heart. That darn furnace, thankfully it is still working. Way too cold to be without it. I was watching your area on the news. Stay warm and safe my friend. I hope your power stays on.
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So far, so good! π
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Thinking about you all. I hope this storm and cold get on its way. Hugs!
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I identify totally. It seems the furnace, or the AC, breaks down at the most vulnerable times. Murphy’s Law maybe?
The fine work you do, as you describe the process, is outstanding to me. It takes great care, eyes of possibly, and patience. Such talent.
Stay warm. Hugs from here. Alan
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I believe your right. It’s like the AC or the furnace seems to have enough and refuses to budge. I kind of get it π Thank you, Alan! It does take patience for sure. So many fantastic pieces from the past centuries that can live on a little longer. Hugs to you my friend!
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Beautiful print. Thank you Lisaβ¨
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Thank you!! I hope you have a beautiful day π
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Packing up some sunshine to send your way! Ugh, what a horrible thing to be trying to solve at 4am. Really like how you turned to your art to soldier through! Fingers crossed all will stay well (and warm!) until Monday! Hot chocolate and fleeces for you!
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Thank you for the sunshine, Arbie! Finding comfort in art is happiness π Fingers crossed and thank you for the warmth! Hugs to you π
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Ah! The lemon seems to be beaming sunshine your way.
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I couldn’t agree more ππ
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You certainly made beautiful lemonade π. Sending βοΈ your way!
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Thank you, Leslie! π It all turned out quite well. Thank you for the sunshine!!
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Thanks for the pretty image, and I wish you lots of good luck with your furnace!
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Thank you, Becky! It all has turned out well. The hubby fixed it and we are cozy and warm. ππ
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That’s great to hear!
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Engravers back then were just brilliant. My boss was a lover of antiquities and found a stack of very old newspapers for sale somewhere. He bought them knowing that Winslow Homer had created the woodcuts as illustrations in them…
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They were brilliant, its amazing really. What a wonderful find! ππ
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Thank you so much Lisa. May you remain warm and cosy.
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Thank you! I hope you do, too ππ
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A beautiful print and a beautiful message. I hope you are snuggling down and keeping warm.
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Thank you, Ali! All snuggled in now. Hope it stays warm your way. ππ
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This is beautiful. But then you already know my tastes very well Lisa.
Stay warm lovely friend π
x
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Thank you, Darren! Yes, we share the same taste. Warm hugs and love my friend ππ
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Thank goodness your husband was able to get the heat back on. It seems if there are problems, they always happen at the worst possible time. Love the restored lemon print, it will be beautiful on antique linen paper.
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Thank you, Karen! Yes, it is always the worst possible time. I was so thankful he figured it out. I was ready to seek warmer weather. ππ
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Beautiful print. Thank you Lisa!β€
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Thank you! π
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Love this print LIsa. I may have to print it up to send to my niece in California. She actually has two lemon trees in her backyard!
So glad to hear your furnace is up and running again.
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Thank you! Im so happy you like it π It would be so wonderful to have lemon trees! Its so good to hear the furnace click on as it should. Hugs! ππ
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Ooh I felt so sorry for you and your hubby when you told Darren and I what had happened with your furnace. So glad that it is fix now. Love the way you managed to turn the situation in your favor. This lemon artwork restoration is beautifully done, Lisa. Thank you. I’m very tempted to have it print on antique paper, too. I need more walls. xoxo
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Thank you, Do! I’m thankful it was fixed. It was a truly wonderful discovery and so fun to restore. I need more walls, too! I have already decorated my half of the barn lol. Xoxo sis!
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Lol! Have a lovely and creative weekend sis. π
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Thank you! You, too! π
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So glad you have a handy husband and you got your heat back on!! We had that cold weather too, but thank goodness today almost feels like spring and all that ice melted!! What a beautiful print, it’s inspiring me to get out my pencils and paints, thank youπ
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Yes, thank goodness! This weather has been a handful. Im so happy it inspired you. I really love these type of prints. π
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I have to say you are an example to all of us -had to make the best of the bad situation. mustβve been very uncomfortable being cold. We had to three days power outages in a blizzard before and the saddest thing was to see the dog shiver… Iβm glad that your husband fixed the furnace -hopefully it will be all over soon. Itβs cold here too !!! Two down blankets on top of me with wool pajamas – how about that ?! βοΈβ¨πβ¨βοΈ
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Oh my! That type of weather is never good especially without power. Stay warm! Its been quite crazy winter weather π
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Hope your heater is fixed. A beautiful drawing indeed. Do you use photoshop
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Yes, we are nice and warm now. I do use photoshop for all of my restoration and mixed media projects. Thank you!
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Great. I wish I knew how to draw. πΈπ
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What a beautiful choice given your predicament. So glad all worked out. Nothing worse then freezing.
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Thank you! I am happy everything turned out fine ππ
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You are very welcome Lisa. ππ
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Another beauty! ππ Hoping your furnace is now ship-shape!
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Thank you! I am happy that is was fixed rather quickly. π
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Hope your furnace is back in working mode, Lisa! Quite a bitter lemon in this time of year to swallow… But you did a great job with this beautiful painting! ππ
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Yes, its keeping us nice and warm π Thank you π it was a bitter lemon for sure.
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