Love Nature...PPF

Well today I'm feeling a little spaced out, as I've been prescribed strong antibiotics.

I'm not sure, but I may have made a mistake by reading the extensive list of possible side effects.

I hardly slept at all last night and my stomach is definitely off today! 

Enough of that...but I'll certainly let you know if the hallucinations kick in!

Last week I shared a snippet of my drawing, so I'm happy to say that I actually finished it and have started another. 

I can't decide whether to paint it myself or use it for others to colour and share their interpretations. 

How cool would that be?

What's your view on the colouring craze for adults?

Do you think that the craze has ran it's course?

I'm not sure if people are still interested in this creative stress reliever or not?

(Love Nature A3 Black Micron Ink Pen)

Whilst drawing I plugged myself in to some brilliant music... (basically to drown out the football commentary... with the odd expletive from my hubby) and spent a wonderful evening drawing whilst looking out over the sunset lit fields. 

I'm going to use the English Premiership matches for my creative time, because it certainly made a perfect evening for everyone.

It's a win win situation. 

Everyone is happy!

I haven't shared any watercolour paintings with you lately, so here's a painting that I created as part of Tracey Fletcher King's Delicious Paint online class.

I had such a great time, plus learning brilliant tips along the way, that I've decided I'll revisit the course...it's available for life once you enrol. 

How brilliant is that!

Tracey is an exceptional teacher and so generous with her time and brilliant talent.

If you are interested in joining in too, then here's the details.

Classroom is now open and you can enrol here... Delicious Paint

Just in case you're wondering...I'm not being paid in any way for promoting this course...not even a gold star from the teacher!

But for now I think I'm in need of a long blink...zzZZZzzzZzzz

As usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

I'm always happy to see you and will hopefully pop in to your place soon.

Have a great time this weekend.

Gerbera... PPF

Today has been quite a trying day when I think back. 

It all began at 5.45am when I was woken by a strange noise. 

No, it wasn't my hubby's snoring this time, but an insistent knocking accompanied by birds chattering. Obviously I had to get out of bed to investigate and I received a real surprise. 

The crows were back, tapping at their reflections in the window and chortling away. 

They weren't at the usual window or the mirror that we've placed back in the garden for just such an event. No, the two crows were perched on a small window-ledge of the family room. 

Which just so happens to be right under our bedroom window... which was open. 

This is the first time that they've come on to that particular window sill.

If they keep this up it could be early morning's for me from now on... heaven forbid they come on to our bedroom window!

Maybe I could use the extra time and get up and paint?

Talking of which, I actually got to play with my paints this week.

This is a Gerbera plant that I bought whilst out for Sunday lunch.

It's such a chirpy plant don't you think?

My own little ray of sunshine... which is just as well as the last few days have been really cold. 

The east of the country has been in stark contrast to the west. 

They've had fantastic weather and temperatures whilst we've had Baltic blasts. 

June... ha!!!

I decided when I started to paint this plant, that I'd use the under-painting technique that 

Tracey Fletcher King taught me whilst taking part in her Delicious Paint classes

At this stage severe doubt creeps in that you'll never manage to bring the painting to anything worth looking at... but you have to keep the faith and carry on. 

(Ha... that even sounds convincing to me)

I wasn't sure whether to use the white and black ink pens, but you know me I just couldn't resist. 

I just had to have a dabble.

I'm not sure it worked, but I had fun anyway.

The second trying part to my day, was finding my beautiful Jasmine plant that normally decorates around the front door of the house, lying bedraggled in the middle of the driveway.

Remember my hubby retired just over a week ago... well he decided that the jasmine was compromising the down spout and drain, so in his infinite wisdom decided to dig it out!

HE MURDERED IT!

I'm being very restrained here and not putting in all of the expletives that were used this afternoon. 

I'll just say my hubby isn't a gardener and hadn't thought to consult me before attacking and massacring the poor innocent plant. 

A plant that has lived on this house for far longer than him!

Moving on swiftly...

I've finally decided to call it a day because I've just used the hose to water a few pots and that's the hat-trick for today. The hose leapt out of my hand at full flow and danced around like a possessed snake with the snake charmer playing his favourite tune. 

Thus, I'm drenched through! 

Oh well... here endeth the day I think... I give in.

I hope your day proves to be better than mine.

Have fun and thanks for visiting my place.

I'm linking up with Eva and Kristin as usual over at PPF

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday WOYWW and so much more

I think I need to write a post daily at the moment because so much is happening. 

It's not a question of having to tell you all that's happening in my life, because you'd be shocked (ha) 

I thought I'd throw that one in just to wet your appetite and let your imaginations run wild!

For today, I'll just show you one of the things that's keeping me busy at the moment. 

I'm taking part in Tracey Fletcher King's online art classes where we are painting food! 

I mean what a fabulous way to get your allocated five a day, plus learning new techniques, meeting lots of friendly talented artists... all keen to have fun and as Tracey say's... "just have a go!"

She's a brilliant teacher, giving so much of her time, energy and amazing talent, whilst keeping everything so relaxed. If you read Tracey's blog (click here if you haven't) then you'll know she is quite a character and so funny. 

Totally unique in a very special way. 

So, let me show you what's on my desk this Wednesday. 

Because I'm linking up with Julia over at Stamping Ground and WOYWW  

(which stands for what's on your work desk Wednesday for anyone not familiar with this acronym) I'm going to keep this brief. (or at least I'll try) 

There's lots of see over there and desks to visit from all over the globe, so it's good to keep it brief. Click here if you'd like to be transported into a crafty/arty world.

So here's my desk...

I have Tracey's video's playing as I paint to keep me loose and not get too caught up in the detail, as is my want. I find listening to the video works as a great reminder that this is to be fun. 

All very relaxed!

Most of what I'm showing you is work in progress... there's little tweaks to be added here and there. Shadows and defining lines and hopefully I won't that one step too far. 

I like some of my subject and hate other's. 

I'm not going to go into detail which is which because everyone will see these differently. 

You might like one that I don't... anyway... let's carry on.

If you can imagine that I had all of the fruit and veg sitting on my desk, which was fine to begin with... but I tend to nip into the studio and dabble, then go onto other things leaving the paint to dry or to revisit at another time.

It wasn't until painting this avocado, that I became aware that virtually every time I looked at it the flesh was a different colour. Yuk! 

Everything was going off in the sun coming through the window. 

Note to self and is one of Tracey's tips... paint quickly!!!

I decided to paint the half of a tomato (which was already on it's way to foosty

(a scottish word for slightly off or certainly well on it's way) because it was so interesting but had to quickly abandon it when there was a serious health risk looming.  

 I think I actually ruined the capsicum with going over and taking that step too far that I unfortunately often do. 

Here's the before photo ... I like it at this stage. 

Oops I wasn't going to do that.

 I've got to master shadows next  (ha... I should be so lucky)

This might be another step too far.

 So that'll do for today...

Here's the links to the websites and I hope you'll have fun this Wednesday with whatever you have planned.

Thanks for your visit and hopefully I'm going to try to catch up with all of my comment replies from the last few posts, in the next few days. 

See you soon

Paint Party Friday...Peony and Perfume

I'm feeling quite pleased with myself today because as regular visitors will know, I normally only have unfinished work to bring to Eva and Kristin's PPF 'show and tell' but not so today. 

Oh no my friends, I have finished work... in fact, I have two pieces of art work to show you. 

Yes two!!!

Here's the first which I started at the beginning of the week.
My pink peony.
It shows that I'm now back in my art studio and not working on the kitchen table.

Here's a link that shows the peony painting at it's conception...(click here if you missed it earlier)

I was obviously going through a pink stage, which for anyone who knows me knows that it isn't the norm for me. But I do love my pink peony in my garden but it's been so long since I last saw it...
Thankfully I can happily report that there's signs of life in the garden border at last.
New shoots have appeared... woohoo... spring has sprung.

I may have taken a step too far by adding some glitter to the tips of the petals on the main plant.
Call me reckless but I just couldn't stop myself.

I'm not sure it shows up very well in this photo, but it's there... well in fact it's EVERYWHERE!

And to think I was careful with my application, using it very sparingly.

I'm like a fairy sprinkling fairy dust as I go... it's now scattered throughout the house.

Just how far or easily can glitter travel?

Obviously far and wide! 

(I need to just whisper here that I'm not sure if it's actually finished or not... I know I said it was, but I'm still not sure? What do you think? All comments and advice gratefully accepted)

And so on to my second entry...

Now let me explain before we start... (why is there always an issue with me?)

I wanted to try to paint a perfume bottle like the extremely talented Tracey Fletcher King

Tracey's art and blog posts are legendary and she's going from strenght to strenght. 

No one deserves success more than her, so grab a cuppa (she'll approve trust me) and head over to her place. NO WAIT.... Maybe you should carry on here first and then look at her work. 

A sort of before talent and after! 

The next thing I need to explain is the actual perfume bottle itself.

This bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier's 'Classique' is nothing like what you'd be able to purchase today.

Mine has been fermenting like a great fine wine or a single malt whiskey.

Not intentially, but it has been lost and forgotten over time in the dark depths of an old overnight bag that I found when trying to find a boot to make up a matching pair.
(Another long story which I'll spare you of today)

Anyway... I did find the missing boot plus this bottle of perfume (but not in the same place) but the perfume colour has changed quite considerably
(possibly giving away just how long I've had it to an expert eye)

It actually still smells pretty good and I have to confess that I've been wearing it around the house... I'm not sure that I'm brave enough to wear it outside, although thankfully no-one's commented on a strange pong smell when I'm in their vicinity.

So I'm taking that as a positive.

(but can I just say here and now... I wouldn't say no to some new perfume if a certain someone wants to buy me some... ...if by some miracle he actually reads this blog)  

I was quite pleased at one stage with this, but as usual with me I went on and passed that stage when I should have known better and stopped.
There's so many faults here that I'll not bother explaining them... besides you'll know or see them for yourself.

I remember when my hubby actually bought me this perfume and I also remember being both delighted and quite shocked by the bottle. I'd never seen any other bottle quite like it.

So that should indicate just how many years ago it was when he bought it. 

But I'm sure my hubby was drawn to the perfume and smell and nothing else (hmm...)

I did have fun challenging myself with this one, because I didn't use any pencil lines at all.

Well almost until very near the end, then I used my Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils for the lettering and just a little touch here and there. 

Normally, I use a pencil, ruler and a lot of anxiety when drawing.

I have no idea why I get so hyped up, but I'm trying very hard to just loosen up. 

I think I've been saying that for years now...

Here's a sample of my gin bottle if you missed it from an earlier post which  shows how I would usually draw.

Time's marching on so let the party commence and don't forget to nip over to Tracey Fletcher King and Paint Party Friday for some amazing art work.

I'm also linking up with Sunday Sketches too.
Here's the link...

Sunday Sketches

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you have planned... and until we meet again don't forget to have fun and keep smiling 

Goodies, Geese and Getaways

Today started brilliantly when a parcel arrived at my door... it had traveled all the way from Australia

from my friend Tracey Fletcher King. I hugged it just in case some of the heat was still contained within but alas it didn't... but then it had traveled 12,000 miles!

Tracey has relaunched her fantastic Cuppa With Friends Project so why not pop over to see her amazing artwork. You will not be disappointed. 

Here's some of my goodies from her The Tea Spot giveaway and I have to say I've been grinning from ear to ear ever since I opened it. 

First thing this morning, even before the postie arrived we had another visitor...

it was a lovely way to start the day. 

It's the nearest that she's come to the house but I hope that she keeps coming. 

The photo above reminds me of yet another gift that I've received in the last week... 

I'm such a lucky bunny aren't I? 

 ... and it's not even Christmas yet.

Isn't he cute... and he helps to keep my cosy too. 

It's just the perfect size for cuddling.

I now have two hotties... the other heart one shown below was from my son as part of my mother's day pressie. 

 As you can see it's well loved

Although the weather has been atrocious over the last few days... hardly getting light yesterday at all. 

But last weekend was glorious. 

The type of day that you just need to get out and enjoy.

So we took a drive further north and stopped off at the little town of Ellon.

Here is the bridge crossing the River Ythan.

Of course we had to stop at a little tea shop for a cuppa and cake to keep us energized.

We also stopped at a farm shop in Crimon and met these inquisitive coos.

The countryside around Aberdeenshire is spectacular with huge skies

I wanted to get a little closer to these visiting geese, as they refueled in a nearby field before moving on... but as you can see even though I thought I was stealth-like in my approach they spotted me and scarpered.

It's good to get out and about especially on a day like this. 

I treasure these things and store them away for wet, dark rainy days.

Roll on spring although I wouldn't mind a little snow. 

(Eek....did I really say that?)

Whatever you are doing this weekend... have fun and enjoy

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to natter again soon

 

xoxo

Lucky Me....Paying It Forward for Paint Party Friday (PPF)

I'm so excited and must share my news with you all...

Even though I had a different post ready to publish for today, that'll now have to wait for another day.

As many of you know...my middle name is 'tail-end Charlie' because I always seem to be on the last minute when it comes to posting a blog or entering any artwork etc to all the various linky's. So imagine my sheer surprise and delight when I went visiting Paint Party Friday last week, even though I was disappointed that I hadn't completed any artwork to enter myself, but found an opportunity awaiting me. 

I'm a regular visitor to the amazingly talented Tracey Fletcher King's blog who regularly links to PPF. How anyone can make kitchen utensils look so amazing is beyond me, but she manages to. She's so talented and inspiring but not only that, her sense of humour shines through, even as she faces an incredible personal health battle. She manages to find humour in every situation.

 She's my hero!

Reading Tracey's Friday PPF post she announced that she would create a painting for the first five people to comment on her blog and 'wanted in'...I noted that four people had already put themselves forward, so trying to control my hyperventilating and typing a comment as quickly as I could, that made sense before the fifth person nipped in before me, I pressed publish your comment button and whoosh...off it went...gulp...and shazam (showing my age here)...I was number 5!!!! YAY! 
I'M IN'
So Tracey will pay it forward by giving away 5 pieces of her brilliant artwork away and I'm on the list to receive something...which makes me very excited but as part of the deal, I will now have to pay it forward as well. 
I have to admit I thought it was a brilliant idea because it will give me focus to produce five pieces of work...and I think that's what I need. 
A kick up the bahooky! 

(a drawing of a garlic from last year...or was it the year before now? It is black ink on white paper but I took this photo very early this morning and the light has played tricks on me)
I'm not sure what 5 pieces I'll produce...it may be something similar that I've posted previously, but there again it might be something completely new.
I don't have a clue at this stage which is both terrifying and exciting all at once.

So here are the details that I've cut and paste from Tracey's blog...

* Pay It Forward Art-making Project for 2014 *

I promise to make a small work of art for the first five people who comment on this post and say "YES, I want in". A 'like' alone is not enough of a commitment, nor is a comment about thinking Pay It Forward is a great idea.

You must in turn post this as your status update and make something for the first five who comment on your status.

The rules are simple:

– It has to be your work, made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends.

– It can be anything art-based: a drawing/illustration or a conceptual work of art, a photograph, a knitted item, cross-stitch, paper maché – or anything in between.

I'm paying this forward thanks to Tracey Fletcher King.

Yes, you can be on each other's pay it forward lists.

First five, GO!

PS. It doesn't matter if you aren't an artist, try something out, google/ YouTube how to make stuff, step out of those boundaries. 

If you'd like to see some of my previous artwork then click on the links below...

but it's only a snippet. I'm not sure what I'll create for the giveaway...

...it'll be a surprise for me too 

Zentangle 1

Zentangle 2

Coloured Zentangle

Art 3

Silk Painting

Mandala

Don't worry if you're not wanting to participate...you can still stop to chat. 
I'll only take the first five comments that have the words 'YES....I WANT IN' in their comment to receive a piece of artwork. 
I'll just have a natter with everyone else as usual. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone...I'm off to lie down now...it's all too much for one day!

 

xoxo
I'm linking with Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday and you're invited too...