Beautiful Hues of Fall

                                                      Many trees are still hanging onto their leaves.

November so soon. Thinking about and looking forward to Christmas, and the quieter season filled with good books, drawing, painting, warm cups or soup, tea, and cocoa. There will be time to snuggle up on the coach wrapped in a warm wrap too.

Speaking of Christmas, I recently bought some Christmas bobbles, napkins and Christmas cards from Home Sense. Last year there was a postal strike so sending and receiving cards was sorely missed.

Many stores are already decked out for the season. In fact, this is the first year that that has happened here, except, of course, for the dollar store; they are always ahead of the game. Usually the larger stores do not decorate for Christmas until after Remembrance Day.

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Package from a friend.

                                                                      

Earlier this year, I received a wonderful package from the multi-talented and lovely artist, Soma. You can visit Soma at Ink Torrents Graphics   We do an exchange now and then.

Inside, a lino print of her sweet kitty, Charlie; the beautiful handmade book was in the tin, and the wonderful watercolour painting, was painted using paint that Soma made from Coreopsis flowers no less.

She’s a wonder!

                               The colour of the paint looks exactly like Quin gold. It is amazing. 

             Soma said, her painting was inspired by her hikes in the Sierras. 

                                         The painting arrived in its own little envelope too. 

                                                           

                                

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Ordered a few pastels, and a few arrived a little worse for the trip. One was pulverized. The company kindly gave me a discount for the damage. 

These are Diane Townsend pastels. Terrages to be exact. I can't believe how similar they are. I must have been day dreaming that day.

From L’Artisan Pastellier 

Blue to compliment the orange.  A girl can always do with a few more blue pastels, or blue clothing, ornaments, ribbons or anything that is blue. (Shown before—can’t stop admiring these colours.)

These divine blues come from the Woad plant.

There are thirteen blue pastels that the company makes from the Woad plant; I have ten gorgeous colours. 

Most people are familiar with the indigo plant, but I, for one, didn't know about Woad. Both plants create beautiful dyes; however, extracting the dye makes for labour-intensive work.

Here is an interesting article about Woad. It's a wonderful that they have revived both plants for dyeing, paint making etc.

Speaking of blue, I went to a pottery show recently.  Came away with a wonderful handmade mug. So many talented potters there. It was a real feast for the eyes.

The potter mentioned that the bottom area represents pebbles. Looks like water flowing over pebbles to me. (What's life without a little drama?)
 

                                                              

Sketchy 

Until Next Time...

                                    Linking to Link Parties via my link party page.

                                                      Thanks to all for hosting!