Chocolate

It doesn't matter what time of year it is. 'Chocolate something' is what is in my cup

By The Sea

It's been such a long time between blogs but I HAVE been busy. This spring at a watermedia class with Carmen Lund I worked out some of the kinks in my technique and actually came up with some work I am proud of. This little guy is enjoying the water as much as I always enjoy being with him. It is watercolor on paper.
I have been re-inspired after spending another day with my sketchy friends for a day at the Central Park Zoo. Sketching animals is not too easy but I did fairly well with the sleeping bear and the preening penguins. Those works will be up on my site soon.

A Hat For Annie

This is the hat I made for Annie
Make a loop. Six single crochet in center loop. Single crochet around increasing by six every row until you have the circumference you need. Then shell stitch your way down as far as you want. Switch back to single crochet for about an inch for the rolled brim. Crochet a flower and attach.
Watch out! You might get addicted!

PLU Pear

I almost ate this one with the sticker still on it!

Bernice's Brownies

Two eggs beaten whole
1 cup sugar
1/2 scant cup flour
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Chopped walnuts (optional)
Melt chocolate and butter together. Let cool. Beat eggs, add sugar, fold in flour, add butter/chocolate mixture, add vanilla and walnuts. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Do NOT eat the whole pan at once. Try to share

Sushi

Too late to post but I have become interested again in these challenge groups. The sushi photo was from Different Stokes From Different Folks. I don't even like sushi but I got out my watercolors for this one. Guess I will have to work on this skill. The Different Strokes web page is a great one to check out and even if you don't enter a piece there is always a lot to enjoy and learn from

Hand made journals

Here are two newly bound journals. The smaller one was put together several years ago prior to a trip to Ireland. So unsure of my drawing skills I never even made one entry. The larger one with 140# watercolor paper is new and has one painting in it so far. The covers are made from an old collage that I had done several years ago. It is painted tissue paper on board. It never quite made it as a piece of art but I love it as my journal covers. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Oh! and the signatures are held together with Kettle stitching. They open flat which I forgot to show.

For the new year I made a watercolor journal as I am not so crazy about the Moleskine ones. Anyway I spent a lot of time at The Center For Book Arts a few years ago and I don't want to waste those skills. Actually at that time I made some lovely journals but never used them as I didn't feel I was worthy to draw in such lovely books. Thanks to encouragement from Danny Gregory I am over that. While still in Stowe I ripped apart an old pad of watercolor paper and folded each sheet. Since it is 140# paper each sheet is it's own signature. Back at home I shall stitch it together and bind it. And USE it with courage. The little angel in the corner is another decoration from the memory box. This one dates way back to the dining room table in Brooklyn (circa 1950) where eight of them circled the centerpiece. Being sentimentally attached to these little cuties I had never really noticed until I started drawing that our little angel actually has a scowl on her face. She just may be upset at the ravages of aging as she has lost her wings. (Maybe I have them:)

The condo is too small to have an indoor tree what with all the people and dogs milling about. I love the outdoor tree (this year thanks to Tese, Andrew and Maddy who had it up and lighted when we got there). Finally after a few days of rain the snow came and it looked absolutely beautiful. It's a good thing I get up early to sketch because even at such an early hour I was soon joined by Declan who enjoyed watching the sunrise and the squirrel with me. Thanks for the company, Dec!