Unusual Clouds

 

Hi everyone,

I saw this beautiful and unusual cloud formation and had to take a picture. If anyone knows what these clouds are called, please let me know in the comments.

                                                                                                                            

Goldenrod and wild grape vines as a backdrop.

                                           

         Still blooming outside: Mum, Shamrock, and Hibiscus.

Since it seems to be a popular medium these days, I thought I'd try out Jelly gouache. I do have a few tubes of other brands but I haven't really tried them yet.

To me, gouache seems rather thick and, of course, unlike watercolours it's an opaque medium. I love these colours. 

The brown gouache covered well on black paper. As you can see, the orange gouache didn't cover well on black paper.

A package arrived in the mail for me not long ago.  Among other delightful beautifully wrapped items, I received this wonderful little sketchbook made by my lovely friend, Soma. 

. 

Soma is a multi-talented artist. Besides painting, Soma makes beautiful quilts and tote bags. She designs quilt blocks, carves, and makes these wonderful perfect, professional (and I mean professional) sketchbooks, complete with her own logo design on the back page.

 And, to top it off, she is also an accomplished photographer! 

Check out her beautiful blog and lovely artwork @  Ink Torrents .

I have named it My Little Flower Sketchbook; the first and last page I will book end with a sketch of  old houses from the town that I am from in Nova Scotia. I've been posting a few of the flower sketches over on Instagram and I will post some here at another time.

 In the Wilds ~ Pastel on Uart paper.

'Til Next Time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop by for a visit; there’s much to see.

  Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

Keeping Tabs

Hi everyone,

 One of my favourite things to do: keep tabs on the sky.

There always seems to be something engaging, streaming across the sky. 

Streaming? Maybe, technological jargon has gotten the better of me. 

Other than sky watching, I've been planning a little Christmas cheer. 

I enjoy slowly decking the halls, especially with the smell of cookies baking. 

So many homes here are already beautifully decorated. Baubles and lights of every colour peeking out from everywhere do gladden the heart when the sun sets early. Last night the lights looked especially beautiful because fluffy flakes of snow continued to drift down throughout the evening.

* * *

 

My four year old orchid showing off. I leave it outside until it turns quite cold. Apparently it likes that. It produces even though it has never been repotted; I keep forgetting to order the proper potting mix.  

* * * 

From the drawing board...      

                                                                      Garden Doodles

                                      Copic multiliner in cool grey. Various pencils on watercolour paper.

Since I don't have a particularly steady hand, I noticed the  grey marker tricks my mind into thinking I am using a pencil and that helps steady my hand. Give me a black pen and I am all over the place. 

 I do have several full sketchbooks, but a lot of my drawings are on tracing paper. By-passing a sketch book saves a lot of time when transferring to watercolour paper, but the sketches are fading. So I've decided, over time, to transfer the sketches to watercolour paper. I may use a large sketchbook that I have on hand. I might section it off, but I am not sure yet. 

I've also been printing stickers for my Christmas card envelopes, using

 a birdie from one of my early watercolour paintings. 

Printed on Avery Stickers #22807.

And, up next,  Holly and Ivy Stickers.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends.

Wishing you well.

'Til Next Time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Thank you, lovely ladies, for hosting!

Outwitted

 

November 8, 2016
 
We had a heavy, feathery snow fall last week, but as you can see it disappeared and I am still kicking through the leaves on the trails. On this trail, there are bird feeders every so many feet. I was dropping seeds into one when when I heard the tiniest of peeps. After scanning the trees, I spied a wee chickadee. Clearly excited she swooped down several times to investigate, but wouldn't stay long enough to grab a seed. She did, however, check the ground just in case I may have dropped one. Nope not one! Then she flew up to branch at eye level and looked me in the eye. After that she flew across the path to a tree where she teetered on the limb and continued to crisscross the path from tree to tree, making, as she flew, a great flourish of it. When she reached the bottom of the hill, she chirped loudly and watched me ascend. Once I was safely at the bottom, a black and white blur whirled by overhead. I turned and looked up the hill;  I could faintly see her feasting at the feeder. Well done birdie!

Sunlit 

I'm drawn to moss. It's always looks so fresh and green.

Sketching...

 I'm gathering the sketchbooks.  I think there must be one or two somewhere with bits and bobs inside. I like smooth paper, so if it isn't smooth enough I turn it into a journal. I do draw in the margins though.

As you can see, my sketchbooks are not watercolour friendly.

Calendar dreaming...maybe next year.

I find it difficult to use black ink. I prefer blue.

On the needles..

The Violet Cap: a lacy hat from the 1st issue of Making Magazine.

For those who asked, unfortunately The Maestro will not be made into a print at this time because it's too large for my scanner. It needs to be scanned in parts and photo shopped...above my capabilities just now. I could have the printer scan it but it costs a lot. So very sorry.

Thank you for reading along.

 Enjoy the week...