Fantastic Friday... PPF Twinings

 To say I'm thrilled this morning is an understatement for a number of reasons. 

Yes, the sun is shining, it's Friday and I've started a sketch, but that's not why I'm ecstatic.

Firstly, a trivial thing but that depends on what your priorities are. 

What woman carrys a bag just for her hubby keys, wallet, phone etc?

Yes, I thought it wasn't just me.

There have been times when I haven't even needed a bag, but had to take one in order to carry hubby's stuff. 

But now here's the revelation... my son has just left the house using his own bag.

After numerous sniggering remarks from Dad (as they do) my son announced it's actually called a flight bag. 

It's just big enough for a guys essentials. 

(by the way my son is a butch, a man's man so don't get any different ideas here... young cool dudes are using these... really)

It's not feminine in any way... in fact it looks really cool, but maybe that's because my son's wearing it and not my hubby. It's okay hubby doesn't read my blog... or so he says.

Heaven help me if my hubby actually decides to use one.  

I'll probably die laughing or from embarrassment!

I'm willing to carry on taking a bag just to carry for him if that was to save the embarrassment!

(I haven't taken a photo because I know my son would object profusely)

Anyway, on to the real exciting bit...

I'm joining another art class but this one I can do in my Pj's!!!

How cool is that?

I'm joining Tracey Fletcher King's class which is starting in June.

WOOHOO!

I've been a fan of Tracey and her art since I first met her a few years ago. 

I think the best thing for you to do if you'd like to know more and have a giggle (she writes hilarious blog post by the way) is to visit her blog yourself... click here

There's even a chance to see Tracey in a video clip plus watching her work.

I've never seen carrots looking so brilliant (hehe)

So, in honour of Tracey and her forthcoming class... 

I decided to join in today with a sketch at the Paint Party Friday. 

Like me Tracey is a teapot, so I thought it quite appropriate to draw a box of teabags! 

As you can see from my desk below I'm even having a tasting session as I draw. 

The boss (Muffy) is watching over me just to keep me right until I have Tracey at my side.

(I don't want anyone reporting me to RSPP (for plants) for the terrible state of my orchid. I have three but this one is struggling...well okay it's dead... but I never give in. I still have hopes that I can bring it back to life)

Here's a photo below from a slightly different angle. 

If you look through the window you might be able to see the seven (yes seven) doves that visit me every day. I used to have three and then they increased to five, but seven is getting a little much with the amount of bird seed that I go through. 

(Oh yes and Muffy does need a trip to the groomers... but it's been really chilly here. 

There's been a really cold wind passing through for the last three weeks. 

Hopefully it'll move on soon and we can get our temperatures up in the 20's (Celsius)

Here's my WIP but I hope to splash some paint around this afternoon if all goes to plan and I'm left alone.

It would be great if you could join me in class... I'm so excited.

I may even buy new Pj's!

Here's the link to go Tracey's Delicious Paint

 I've promised Tracey that I'll be on my best behaviour and not be on detention in the first lesson... but who knows? We shall have to see.

There are other classes being taken by talented artists in Community Thrive.

Anyway, I'll never get to that painting session if I don't hurry up and link into 

Kristin and Eva's Paint Party.

Have fun everyone... enjoy your weekend and I hope to see you soon.

.................................................................................................................................................
Hot off the press... after this afternoon's painting session

I can't quite understand how the box shape can look like this as the real painting doesn't have those angles. It must be the angle that I've taken of the piece.
I'll be sure to post the final painting when it's completed.

Paint Party Friday... Mufftypups portrait

Morning everyone... isn't it a fantastic day, plus it's nearly the weekend (again) Woohoo...

I thought you might like a peep into my studio once again, which is still in a transition phase. 

Not sure how long it will take me to get it as I would like... let's say it's yet another work in progress. Story of my life! 

Anyway here it is...  

Getting messy isn't it? I think that's a good sign.

So as well as having visitors staying over the Easter holiday, I've been spending some time in the garden due to it's awakening, but I've also started a painting that I've wanted to do for quite some time.

It's a portrait of my McMufftypup (my dog for any new comes to this blog) 

Let me just say at this stage she's not the easiest of pooches to paint nor the best of models.

As her groomer keeps telling me, Muffy doesn't like to stand when she can sit, 

and sit when she can lie.

That's my girl... sigh

I lost count of how many times she would curl up for a little snoozelet and refuse to play.

Thankfully, I had a photo printed to help me in times of need.

It's not the best because the colours aren't true but it helped... I think!

I've spent a few sessions over the last few days to try to complete it before Friday's Paint Party but once again I think it needs more time for tweeking. 

I think I could just keep adding to her fur for years.

Let me tell you that a mini shih tzu has a LOT of hair! 

(Just in case you don't know a shih tzu does actually have hair and not fur, hence why we chose to have a dog of that breed. My son and hubby have allegies so she's perfect in that respect. The downfall is she takes forever to dry... but thankfully she loves the hairdryer ^..^ )

Here's the pet portrait so far...

Okay it still doesn't look anything like her and the photo really is bad (no excuses honest it doesn't look like this on my desk) but I'm beginning to like it,

I'll keep going but at the moment the great outdoors is calling.

If you'd like to see more art work then click here to join Eva and Kristin who host this great link every week. 

Or if you'd like a little trip to Balmoral Castle and missed my post yesterday then click here

Have a fabulous Friday and thanks for popping into my place.

Enjoy your weekend everyone

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW #270

It's a showery day here today so what's the best thing to do? 

Head into the studio of course. 

Well that's what I thought but it appears that it's already a hive of activity.  

Exciting parcels have arrived for my daughter from the printers and when a new A3 scanner arrived... well that just tipped Muffy over the edge...it's all just too exciting! 

I have something in mind that I'd like to paint today and can't wait to play with the acrylic inks once more. But I'm going to migrate to the kitchen table in order to keep the creative flows from clashing. 

Here's the painting from last week of the feathers that I promised to come back and show you. If you'd like to see more of the WOYWW gang's desks then click here to visit Julia over at Stamping Ground. I know I haven't visited everyone from last week but I hope to do that later today...so if you've visited me then stick the kettle on...I'm on my way. 

Unfortunately before I draw I need to iron first. 

I know that in the dictionary crafting comes before housework, but if I don't iron a shirt there's a serious risk my hubby will be going into his office in a vest! 

I've been putting off ironing for quite some time whilst the sun has been shining, but the 53 shirts are all stacked up in the laundry like Mount Etna and seriously looking like an accident waiting to happen. 

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone

Happy WOYWW to all the gang 

See you again soon

xoxo

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW #265...

Well hello there... 

It's been simple ages since I joined in with the WOYWW gang but I'm pleased to be able to show you my desk today. 

(If you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about...it's all due to Julia over at Stamping Ground so pop over there to check it out if you can). 

So without further ado...here's the desk.

I decided to draw my sisters garden as a line drawing (it's safer than painting for me...but hopefully I'll develop my painting skills when I join the art group in September). 

It's all from memory but I've tried to include some of the major features.

There's so much in her garden, so I had to edit. The pond isn't featured which is a shame nor the fox, but there's the vine and apple tree, plus some of the visitors that pop in regularly...cats, squirrel and masses of birds.

I love to draw using a black ink pen. I find it incredibly relaxing once I know the design I'm aiming for....before that it can be a little stressful. This is something else I've got to work on. 

The photos above show the progress of the drawing. 

And here's the finished piece.
I've just come off the phone from nattering with her and yes she's pleased (phew)

We're both big gardening fans (if you remember we visited Chelsea Flower Show last month together with my daughter and had a great trip) 

In keeping with the garden theme today...here's a photo of a little peony and sweet pea posy that I picked from the garden. The perfume is enough to knock your socks off! 

So I'll let you get on with desk hopping and having fun with the WOYWW gang. 

Thanks for stopping by 

Hopefully I'll see you again soon 

Paint Party Friday...Summers here

Well hello there....I'm back.

Would you believe that I've been tootling around yet again. 

In fact, I've just realised that I've been to three major city's in three weeks!

I really do need my wings clipping. 

I just can't get used to the light nights that come with the summer months here in the UK. 
I must confess that I seem to cram even more into each day....even more than usual if that's possible. For example, I actually heard the dawn chorus at 3.15 am yesterday and when you think it doesn't get dark until around 11.00 pm at the moment, then it's not so surprising that you can get so much done in a day...if only my energy would last that long. Alas my battery runs out about 8.30/9.00 pm. 

As a reward for getting lots done this week, I decided that this morning from first light I'd nip into the studio to create something before I got distracted and involved with various tasks and chores of the day. 
The artwork was to come first today and take priority which rarely happens. 

I've not exactly settled into this new room yet, so I was quite pleased that I actually managed to produce anything. 

I wanted to do draw/paint something summery, but unfortunately it's not bright here today...it's what some call 'Muggy'. That's warm but not in a good way...a little dull and sticky. 

The sun's disappeared behind a complete blanket of grey cloud and there's even a smidgen of rain now.  
So unfortunately there wasn't good light for taking this photograph.
The yellow on the original painting is very vibrant and the blue's bright...but you'll just have to believe me.  I used Derwent's Intense watercolour pencils.
I couldn't resist adding just a little zentangle. 

I'm going to link to Paint Party Friday, so if you'd like to see other artists work...
... just click on this link PPF
and also Jenn's Artist Play Room

Oh and I nearly forgot to tell you my latest news.
I'm joining an art group. 
I'm quite excited about it because it will mean that for three whole hours every week, I'll be able to take myself off to do what makes my heart sing! 
Tra...laaaa..!
I'll be sure to let you see what I get up to and there's talk that after about 14 weeks they'll be an exhibition to show our work. It's been many years since my last exhibition, so it will be both exciting and nerve-wrecking all at the same time! 

Well it's Friday night and there's a chilled glass of vino waiting for me...it's amazing how spoilt I can be whilst there's World Cup footy to be watched on the TV. 
Anything to keep me quiet eh? They must think I was born yesterday.
 Thanks for popping in to my place 
Whatever you get up to this weekend...have fun. 
 

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday...#252

 I'm not sure how this happened...well actually I am, but there's no way I'm owning up to it! But it appears that there's been an over spill of belongings yet again. Mysteriously they have turned up in every room. Nothing is where it should be...there's no logic to it. Although the windows have been finished (there's only the front door issue to be resolved now) we're still having to move things out of rooms for the painter to have full access. We're still on holiday sleeping in our guest bedroom too. 

As it's Wednesday once again it's time to share our desk space. 

I'm not sure you'll want to see mine though? So if you'd like to see more productive, creative spaces than just click on Julia over at Stamping Ground to be transported. 

I wish my desk had lots of productivity happening but yeah you guessed it...nada! 

But here's the desk...for what it's worth. I'm hoping one day very soon it will all be sorted and in full creative swing! 

The cases don't mean that I've had enough and am about to do a runner...(although that thought had crossed my mind)...its full of handbags, shoes and anything else that would fit. It's such a shame because my daughter had moved some of her belongings into the room last weekend, but as soon as she went off for a week to London, things crept back into the space...but I'll have it all sorted by the time she returns...(gulp)...promise 

(that's just in case she see's this mess)

But there's something I really am thrilled to share with you today and that's Andrew Marr's book about Drawing. 
Have you seen it?

My daughter bought me a copy as part of my Christmas present and it's perfect because he considers all aspects of drawing from the mechanical process to fine art and everything in between. How the act of drawing is as important as what is created at the end. 

For those people who don't know Andrew Marr, he is a journalist and TV presenter who loves to draw and has done since his childhood.  

(Andrew Marr...self portrait)

The book is brilliantly written with fantastic examples of his work. 

It talks about the importance of doing and making, for a happy life.

Andrew suffered a near fatal stroke and art helped in his recovery. 

It's quite a remarkable story and definitely food for thought. 

I hope you'll take a look at it if you get a chance. 

Anyway...I'm off now to try to move more stuff about, but in-between I'll try to visit everyone that visits me at least...it's no good saying that I'll get to the whole WOYWW gang because I know I never could...but I'll try my best.  

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone...enjoy and thanks for stopping by...it's always great to see you! 

 

xoxo