APR ~ Favourite Mug #60

How could I resist when I heard that Jenn's Artist Play Room challenge this week was to draw/paint something that is very dear to my heart! 

...My Mug!...

Not my face ~ not that kind of mug ~ the drinking kind.

So even though I have limited art supplies (well that's a gross understatement...I've a few pens, a pencil, eraser and a small travelling water colour kit) I've actually managed to complete a painting for this week. Although Jenn asked for our favourite mug or cup I've decided to show you one, but I painted the other. 

Yes...call me fickle I have two favourites!  

I love the look and feel of the Whittard of Chelsea china mug below. 

My daughter bought two as a present, but unfortunately one had an unfortunate accident during one of our many moves! It lost its handle.  

(Whittard of Chelsea (Anita Jeram) 2006)

The china mug is perfect for a cuppa but the practicality is that I need something more robust! 

A Denby pottery mug fits the bill...it keeps my tea hotter for longer. I'm one of those people that have to drink my tea at the molten lava like temperature. Even with this mug I can become distracted and it can 'go off the boil' as it were (now don't think I don't know that for a proper cuppa you're not supposed to use boiling water ~ I do know all about that ~ BUT I LIKE MY TEA HOT!!!

The only time that I can forget my cuppa is when I'm busy or engrossed creating art! 

At any other time it's my top priority :D

From my first cup in the morning to my last cup at night...it has my full attention.

Going back to the 'meecie mug' 

(HA! Neesies meecie mug...I like that...yeah I know...small things and all that) 

Here's the designs that sits around the cup. 

Aren't they cute? 

And here's my painting....there's lots of tweaks needed but time is of the essence as they say and I wanted to meet the time scale for APR...so perhaps I'll tweak later. 

Whilst I'm here I might as well show you some other things that have mysteriously arrived in my journal. 

I've no idea where I got the time, but I do know that they've helped to keep me in a sane state of mind in what has been a really terrible week.  

I've wanted to draw a Mandala. for quite some time. 

For those who may not know...a Mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe.  

But I wanted to do my own version...showing my universe or at least some of it. 

It's my story so far...or at least some of it! 

There are lots of details contained within the mandala if you look closely....

I really enjoyed drawing and creating this pattern and thought it would be a great idea to do a Mandala for others...just pick 15/20 key things that are relevant to you and have them enclosed within your own personal pattern. Just drop me a line is you're interested.... ;D
I've also published the design onto cards. 

I've counted approximately 45 specific personal icons enclosed within my Mandala that are special in some way to me...can you spot any?

Well that's me done for this week...but why not head over to Jenn's Artist Playroom and see if you can see your favourite mug or why not pick a new one!
They'll be lots of different designs to choose from...

Tat tar for now...have a wonderful weekend everyone...see you again soon I hope

Artist Playroom ~ Pears

Yesterday on my morning walk with Mufftypup, we met a bouncing black lab who was so full of life and very excitable to say the least...but it wasn't until he'd ran full circle around us three times and then bounded off that I noticed he only had three legs! His back hind leg was missing.

You would never know by his actions, mobility and full of life antics.

He was incredibly agile and it just made me think he obviously felt good to be alive and mobile! 

Very mobile considering...but what a challenge he must have been through to reach that point. He was inspirational and he stayed in my thoughts for most of the day.

So why am I telling you this little tale...well I too have faced a challenge this week, but no way near what that black lab had to deal with but a challenge all the same. 

There were times during the week I thought nah...'I'll just not bother'...'I'm too busy'....or 'well its Wednesday' or 'I haven't finished that job yet'....in fact any masses of excuses came to mind, but then I thought I never like to give in so why start now? 

So onwards and upwards....and my challenge was....pears!!! Yep...I said pears!

Jenn from the Artist Playroom set this week's topic for the Artist Play Room to be pears....just because she liked them! How inconsiderate is that....I mean pears! 

Phewph...so I hummed and ahhhed for a few days and decided that I'd just post a photo...easy peasy lemon squeezey. When I got the shot I wanted and please note I haven't got one of those fandabbydozzey white light boxes and we are in winter here (okay enough excuses) I was quite pleased, but then realised I hadn't really stretched myself to a challenge and this is what it's all about. Taking me out of my comfort zone and helping me improve my work.

 Jenn very kindly encouraged me (when I winged to her) that maybe I could do zentangle pears.
She's such a sweetie and so encouraging ;D 

But then I thought I don't want to always do 'tangles....plus I'm still getting to know the Derwent pencils....so I bit the bullet and painted the pears this morning.  

I could pull it to pieces as I usually do...I'm my own worst critic but I do feel I've made some progress with the pencils today, so I'll hold onto that positive thought!

And so Jenn thank you yet again for pushing me...not only with timescales but with techniques and subject matter. I don't think I've ever painted a pear before! 

As a thank you treat and sort of in keeping with last week's challenge of the illustrated recipe, I thought I'd let you have a look at my Pear and Almond Cake

I'm heading over to Jenn's place now to check out all the other fantastic talented artists...so why don't you join me....I'm sure you'll be in for a treat! ;D

Sausage Stew ~ Illustrated Recipe for the Artist Playroom

Imagine combining two of my interests....cooking and art...well that's what the creative genious Jenn decided for this weeks Artist Playroom. 

Not only would we see some amazing art from the talented artists but also get some fantastic recipes to boot!

The trouble being what on earth to pick out of the gazillion recipes I'd like...so when Thursday afternoon came and I still hadn't decided, I thought enough is enough girl...get on with it!  

Just call me 'Tail-End Charlie'.

I'm hoping the time difference between here and Jenn's place might work in my favour and the Playroom may still be open. : -$

So what did I decide upon in the end....one of my oldest recipes and a favourite....'Sausage Stew'.

Now when I say an old favourite, I'm talking way back...so far back that the recipe came from my first ever cookery book which I bought when I got engaged. 

I thought it was time and I'd better start to learn how to cook!

If you could see the page in the book that this recipe came from, you would probably be put off eating...to say the amount of food on the page could feed a village is probably an understatement!

This recipe lends itself to so many occasions...it's all cooked in the one pan and is soooooooo easy. 

It would be perfect for students, first time cooks or cheflets, breakfast, supper, a good hangover brekkie, lunch or weekday evening meal. It also freezes perfectly so basically it's a winner anytime. Oh yes, and over the years I've adapted it (but this is the original version) and it just works everytime. 

It's a real friend ready whenever you need it! Perfect. ;D 

Whoops times marching on...so I'd better link up with the Artist Playroom.

I've decided to write out the recipe below just in case it proves too difficult for anyone to read.

Make sure that you pop over to  Jenn's place to check out all the other fantastic talented artists and their favourite recipes...I'm sure you'll be in for a treat...in more ways than one!

Sausage Stew

Ingredients ~ serves 4

Metric / Imperial / American

0.5kg / 1 lb / 1 lb sausages (any kind of sausages will work) 

1 large onion ~ sliced

50g / 2oz / ¼ cup streaky bacon ~ chopped

25g / 1oz / ¼ cup plain flour

300mls / ½ pint / 1¼ cups of beef stock

100g / 4oz / 1 cup button mushrooms ~ sliced

1 tablespoon tomato purée 

salt and pepper

1 (220g / 7¾ oz / 8oz) can of baked beans 

Chopped parsley to garnish

Method 

Place the sausages in the oven or cook in a pan slowly until browned, turning frequently for about 10 minutes.

Remove and keep warm. (If using large sausages cut into chunks) 

In the same pan add the onions and sauté gently until lightly browned.

Add the streaky bacon and cook for 2~3 minutes.

Stir in the flour and cook for a minute or so then slowly add the stock,

Next add the mushrooms, tomato purée and seasoning.

Blend thoroughly.

Return the sausages to the pan, stir in the baked beans, cover and cook slowly for 10 ~15 minutes.

Remove to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.

Serve with mashed potato and carrots. 

(At various times I have added tinned tomatoes too which works well plus sometimes because I want a large amount I add two tins of baked beans) 
This recipe can be tweaked numerous ways, but always delivers a good enjoyable meal that as yet I've to find anyone who didn't like it! 

'bon appétit'!  

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone ~ have fun and keep smiling!

Artist Play Room...Canada

Phewph....Can you believe it? I've actually managed to paint for this week's Artist's Playroom challenge.

I KNOW! I can't believe it either...

The theme was anything Canadian due to our lovely host Jenn being extremely patriotic and the fact that it was Canada's birthday on 1st July.  

I really wanted to pay my own little tribute to Canada ~ it's a special place for me personally, so had to knuckle down and come up with something appropriate. 

Jenn mentioned the theme could be red and white (the Canadian flag colours) but when I think of red and white, I immediately think of my boys football team (soccer) I won't mention who they are as it might alienate some of my readers...but here's a clue...we do originate from the North-West of the UK! ;D

 So after spending numerous days coming up with all sorts of ideas for my entry...

I finally decided on our favourite...Maple Syrup!

   

 We use quite a lot of maple syrup and honey in our house especially when there's crêpes on the go.

But please keep in mind the term 'artistic licence' when viewing my entry, plus it's the first time I've used the Derwent Intense Pencils....whooooo....and let me tell you, it was scary!

I've got such a lot to learn but at least I've started. I think I'll be looking for online tutorials to help

....something I've never done before (not for any particular reason.....it's just this old bird didn't even know such things existed until a few weeks ago!)

Not only does Jenn host the brilliantly inspiring Artist Playroom where people/artist come together to have fun, challenge themselves, aspire or be inspired weekly, she is also an Angel....yep...not everyone knows that, but she is...and a clever one at that!

I had mentioned that I'd been working through one of her previous posts on cool tools for your blog (which as the title states is cool, really cool, especially a real eye opener for this techy challenged numpty) but I had difficulty. I wanted to try and have a signature at the end of my blogs. Simple I can hear some of you say...but hey...techy t'internetty thingymebobs sometimes take me to the brink!

I've seen other blogs with their signature and I can't help myself...I wanted one too, but then couldn't get it to display properly! 

Then just a day ago Jenn sent me an email, out of the blue with all the links and lingo for my signature. She'd even been into my blog to get an idea for the design and which colours would best compliment my posts. 

Also written explict detailed instruction for a dozy dollie like me to be able to follow and finally get a brilliant result ;D

Now I have to say quickly here that it's no good you all swamping Jenn with requests for her talents....she is a very busy lady and I'm special (some say 'very special' meaning I'm not all there with my cough-drops)

But take a look at her blog and check out the tools link and maybe you'll be able to be a clever bunny too!

So there's my entry for this week APR...but please don't just look at mine because you really should see the other entrants work...you'll see some amazing talent....

Only one more thing to say before I go...

I hope everyone had a Happy Canada Day 

(and also Happy Independence Day to our American friends!)

Check out that snazzy signature....not bad en?

Monochromatic Art entry for the Artist's Playroom

In keeping with the water theme that's been happening here over the last few days...namely downpours of torrential rain, I've decided that I'll post a beach photo that I took whilst on a girlie getaway to enter into the the Artist's Playroom hosted by the brilliantly talented Jenn on her blog Just add Water Silly,
The theme this week for the APR challenge is Monochromatic and I'm hoping that a photograph will be okay. I'd love to have drawn or painted something to enter, but it's the same old story...the week just ran away with me trying to hang on!

Just have a peek at some very gifted talented real artists!

Well it's almost the weekend...so make the most of it...have fun and keep smiling everyone ;D

Artist's Playroom Challenge....Bookmarks

Now can you believe it?...I didn't think I'd quite managed to fit something into every single second of this past week, so I've decided to enter into a challenge to top it all off...no not the kind consisting of running shoes and puffing for 10k, or getting my tongue around incredible alien sounds learning a new language, or taking to the skies to pilot a plane...but never the less a challenge all the same. Firstly just to complete an entry by the closing time....it's a close call I think, so this will be very brief....

Let me explain....

Because I'm enjoying my new found arty mojo I thought (possibly stupidly) that I'd push myself further and enter into the Artist's Playroom hosted by the brilliantly talented Jenn on her blog Just add Water Silly, Just have a peek at how clever everyone is and then you'll realise what am I thinking because they are all very gifted talented real artists! 

I commented on Jenn's page and she sent a lovely email back to me saying it wasn't too late and that I should enter. How kind and yes I was so taken in....I thought I'd give it a whirl...

 The theme to this week's challenge is bookmarks (there's a different theme each week) but how could a book worm resist that temptation and I have to admit I think the theme possibly swayed me to enter. 

I didn't have time to find open my paints so with my pens handy from my zentangle designs I came up with this....

 I made the bookmark like a book cover so that it would be possible to list inside all the books that you've read with him...by the way he's loving 'The Owl and the Pussycat' for obvious reasons (just a softy) ;D

I even found a tassel and if I tell you how and where it came from I'd have to kill you....its called poetic license and the need to know basis!

Anyway, sorry to rush this post but I must send him quickly on his way, otherwise I'll have missed the entry time...wish me luck! 

Have a great weekend everyone ~ have fun whatever the weather :D