When my daughter saw that I was watercolor painting, she asked me to paint something for my youngest grandson, her son Silas, whose name means “man of the forest,” bringing to mind all my favorite woodland critters. Before he was born in December 2024, I made him a quilt featuring forest animals (as I have for all of the other grandchildren for their nurseries); it was his baby shower theme, his nursery theme, and will hopefully stay with him in a love of nature and animals throughout his life.
When I saw the book of woodland critters to paint, I snapped it up and started working through the pages. There were several similarly-themed books to consider, but the fox had to be cute. Every other critter can be ho-hum, but if you’ve got a cute fox, you’ve got the right watercolor book. And I think I found it. I love this little fox, looking like he is sitting in the breeze just chilling and enjoying life. This is what I wish for all of my grandchildren ~ that they will know how to appreciate each moment, love the outdoors, and be respectful of the environment for all creatures great and small.
For My Grandson
a fox for Silas
little man of the forest
clever and charming
(…..and sometime this weekend, I’ll be shopping for a new quilt theme for the newest grandson, our eighth grandchild, who is due July 4).
Common Threads 
Ok…I LOVE the quilt and to find a watercolor book to match your grandson’s fox passion is a gem! Your fox is beautiful and reveals your watercolor talent.
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Thanks so much, Debbie Lynn! You and I both seem to find joy in art and nature – -and I like that about us.
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WOW! So much to love in this slice. Thanks for sharing the photo of Silas’ quilt. Looks so comfy. ANd I agree – the fox is the perfect woodland animal to paint. But then you added the perfect poem and the best wish for your grandkids and then #8 is coming in July!! SUch blessings. So glad you wrote all about it today! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Sally! We are excited and looking forward to the summer months to greet him. Blessings, indeed!
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Congratulations on grandbaby #8-July will be here in a blink! I love your quilt and watercolor fox and haiku. Silas has a wonderful name and is so fortunate to have a creative, artistic, poetic grandmother to surround him with warmth and words.
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I’m pulling for July 8 – – (my birthday) – – but I’ve chosen Stars and Stripes on the quilt, with narwhals, for a hidden birthday month symbol. 🙂
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Kim, there is so much to love in your post today. I too have made quilts for all of my grands (6), nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews (about 30) and numerous friends and neighbors children over many years. I have done fishing, camping, garden and farm themes, but never a woodlands! Your new love, painting, your quilting and your writing are certainly was your creativity comes through loud and clear! Congratulations on your upcoming grand as well as your well earned retirement.
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Thank you, Anita. I think we might be kindred spirits in many ways. I picked narwhals, a wave, and Stars and Stripes in navy for the July theme……I can’t wait to have a day to cut squares and sew the quilt. It brings such happiness to make quilts for warmth. Thanks for reading.
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That sure is a cute fox! Another grandchild! Wow! How exciting!
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Thank you, Margaret! We are so excited.
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A watercolor and a haiku! Lucky Silas. And lucky you, another grandson soon!
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Thank you, Diane! We can’t wait to meet the new little one.
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Kim,
That fox is cute. Your painting skills are really getting good. I recently wrote that I’m in the preschool stage of watercolor painting. The quilt is also gorgeous. I love what you want for your grandchildren. It’s what we all should want. I’m excited to see the next quilt.
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Thank you, Glenda! I got narwhals, stars, stripes, and a blue wave in navy, white, and light blue. I can’t wait to cut the squares! Thanks for encouraging me in watercolor. I love the time just turning on music and painting without all the noise of busy-ness. I know you do, too, and I can’t wait to paint together!
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I went for a massage today and told my therapist about my new hobby. I enjoy it most in complete silence. I’ve moved my production upstairs to my home office so I can have more solitude.
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Kim, that quilt is such a wonderful gift, and I love the fox watercolor and accompanying haiku. Silas (what a great name!) is fortunate to have such a creative grandmother who can surround him with art, poetry, and warmth. Also, congratulations on the upcoming grandbaby! July 4th will be here in a blink.
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Thank you, Lori! We can’t wait to meet our new little one.
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Kim, I just realized both my comments came through! Sorry about that. I read your slice earlier and attempted to comment, but I kept having to type in my WordPress password and thought the comment didn’t post. Anyway-double the love to your slice!
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Kim, I just realized both my comments came through! Sorry about that. I read your slice earlier and attempted to comment, but I kept having to type in my WordPress password and thought the comment didn’t post. Anyway-double the love to your slice!
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Kim,
Fantastic quilt. Fantastic Fox.
Congratulations on your new grandchild!
Foxes are magical, aren’t they? I sometimes rode on a street next to a large cemetery on my way to my first school. A fox lived in the cemetery and whenever I saw him, I knew it was going to be a good day. Always made me so happy.
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Such a cute fox for your little man of the forest. And that quilt is amazing! Congrats on all the grands…eight sounds like a fun bonanza. (I have 3, and they’re all the same age!)
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Both the fox and the poem are really sweet.
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Thank you so much!
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