Thursday 19 February 2015

Journal 52 Catch ups Week 2 & 3

My final two pages for my Journal 52 Catch Up.


Week 2:  Just Be

Prompt here...


Week 3:  Conversation Starters..


Taking a doll out and about with you and photographing it is always bound to start conversations...

Most of them interesting and stimulating...only the one comment that could be construed as negative, but one that I took in good jest and answered with the age of 8.



The prompt can be found here.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Journal 52 Catch ups Week 1, 4 & 5

As I didn't discover the Journal 52 Challenge until Week Six, I wanted to catch up with the previous five challenges.  So far I have done three.


Week 1: Pathways

You can read about the prompt here.


Week 4: Silhouettes

Prompt found here.


Week 5: Television

We don't have one, so I did my interpretation of things that I find inspiring.

Prompt found here.

So I have two prompts left to do.

Saturday 14 February 2015

Journal52 - Week 7: Valentines

" For this week’s prompt think of love being in the air: Valentines, Love Stories, Romance, Flowers, Chocolate, Hearts – whatever comes to mind!"

My husband knows how much I love yellow roses and so surprised me with a dozen yellow roses for Valentines Day.



For more interpretations of this prompt you can find them here.

Thursday 12 February 2015

Cleaning, Clearing, Shredding and a Wool Winder!

This last week I have busy tidying and clearing and shredding!  Inspired by the following book that seems to be the rage at the moment and that everyone is talking about and perhaps with good reason! At least for me it is the only book out of the many on similar topics I have bought that I have sat down and read from cover to cover.  Some of it is a bit 'raise your eyebrows' at, but on a whole it makes perfect sense and although I can't start in earnest until I get back from New Zealand, I am applying her techniques to my 'getting the house ready before I go'.  It is quite simple really.  When looking at each item you have, you just need to ask yourself  'Does this bring me joy?'  Most of my stuff has just bringing me stress as I try and work out where to store it!  So this is somewhat of a simple but effective process.



In the last week I have filled the paper bin and have four extra bags full of papers for the paper recycling bin.  I have four black bin bags full of shredded paper - was it working in the bank and insurance industry all those years ago that has made me feel the need to hang on to papers that really are not needed and just taking up unnecessary space?  I mean why hang on to insurance and registration papers for a car that was scrapped several years ago??

The kerbside charity bag collection collected five bags of clothes and linens the other day - and popped a thank you note through the door. That was a first and a very nice token, makes you more inclined to do so again.

A boot load of books, bags,  toys and some soft toys and dolls went to the charity shop this afternoon.  


It feels good!  I estimate though that when I get back and start this in earnest it is going to take a couple of months at least as I also want to go through the loft and do the same.  




I have been refolding clothes in the drawers and the result is - the fit in better, you can see at a glance exactly what you have and what colours are there - for example my scarf drawer.  My husband has never seen his clothes in his drawers so neat and tidy...I wonder if he will be able to keep them that way.  I did discover though that he has over 40 pairs of socks!  I mean is that REALLY necessary?! Of course it is not up to me to throw any out, but I pointed out that it really is rather OTT.

By doing this clearing, already the load feels lighter, even though I know I have a long way to go...after all, there is about six years of me not really getting anything done - sure there have been attempts but I have always ended up failing!  This time I don't think I will.

I did bring something into the house today - but at £1.99 I was not going to walk away from a wool winder and some gorgeous soft alpaca wool.  I knit a lot, so this will be really useful.



I had a wool winder in NZ but it was sold along with my knitting machine and I have always wished I had kept it, so was very pleased to see this today.  It will certainly be put to use as I have a couple of balls of yarn that are no longer balls, due to Percy having a bit of fun with them!


A lovely rich colour, I already have plans for this.



Journal52 - Week 6: Windows

I have decided to join in with the Journal 52 Challenge.  I only discovered it the other day so I'm starting at Week 6: Windows, but hoping to catch up with the weeks I have missed as and when I can.

Most of my journal will be painting and drawing, but I might try other techniques as well, but mostly I want to further and broaden my art endeavours.  

You can read about the Journal 52 Challenge here. 


"For this week’s prompt, think windows of opportunity, the view from your window, beautiful stained glass windows, quotes about windows – whatever resonates the most with you. You can paint, doodle, draw, collage – or a combination of all of the above – whatever you are most comfortable with!"

I thought I would try something different today from my usual style and this is what I came up with.



I am looking forward to more of these challenges.



Thursday 5 February 2015

Spirit of New Zealand


Inspired by a wonderful photo my son took of The Spirit of New Zealand while out sailing off Algies Bay I painted the following painting today at my Art Class.


Spirit of New Zealand

I painted this on an A4 size paper...I can see that I could perhaps have put more cloud cover over the sun setting....but I was worried about 'over doing' it....sometimes you need to know when to stop so you don't ruin it!


With a 'mock' frame.