We had more snow yesterday and that means more shoveling.  I had to clear off the deck and the path that leads out to the bird feeder.  I should actually should belong to the nearest "procrastinators R-Us" chapter, I took some time out to build a snowman.  The snow was the perfect consistency even if my results are less than stellar, I didn't bother to round him out.  Poor snowman; little did he know that his lifespan would be so short and that in minutes, he would be falling down the steps behind him. Yup, you guessed it....I had fun!! 

Off prompt- Snow globe- I've always loved a snow globe myself! "Santa" brought our granddaughter one for Christmas as it was on the list that she sent him earlier this month! 

Snow globe- I've always loved a snow globe myself! "Santa" brought our granddaughter one for Christmas as it was on the list that she sent him earlier this month! 

It wasn't the night before Christmas however.......

We live in an old house with old house problems and use an old time solution (my hubby says it is the best).  The Victor Mouse Trap Company was established in 1898, six years after our house was built! 

My hubby is a lovely man, he didn't bat an eyebrow when I said I wanted to draw his "catch" before he disposed of them.  He doesn't usually get two at one go. We have called his plank method "The Last Supper" for eons! 

.......In the end....not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! 

Merry Christmas wishes to all! 

I'm filling up the Christmas stockings and just had to give this one a go.  Lots of mistakes and I lost my way but for this time around, I'm happy with the results.  However I will have to give it another go....later! 

Pen and a Paynes Grey watercolour in my Moleskine sketchbook. 

It has been a very busy day: digging out from the snow that was dumped on us yesterday and trying to get my Christmas shopping done. Now we are waiting for the next deluge that is expected over night. 

This is our mailbox and the variable cloudy skies of the last few days!  What a bummer, the flag wasn't up!!  I love snail mail! 

Thanks to Sue  from Sktchy for posting this photo! She has so many wonderful choices but I knew that this one would be a challenge and it was indeed.  I was fearful of the folds in the fabric of her hat and of course her lovely jewelry. I overworked her face a bit but still happy enough to post it regardless.  Tombow markers, watercolour and coloured pencils in my Moleskine. 

Christmas sweets- these aren't actually only for Christmas but this is the only time I buy them! They are chocolates from Italy. Yum!! 

What I really love about them is that these are NO CALORIE, NO FAT and NO SUGAR! That means these are good for me! Regrettably, my palette wants the real thing!!! I have to be s good girl and edit until Christmas morning!! 

Didn't have a plan except to use the vintage dictionary page.  Uniball, watercolour, acrylic paint and pan pastels in my Moleskine sketchbook. 

The ornament I received at the party Sunday night 

IPart1/2 Experimental background. I have seen this many times and finally made a point to buckle down and try it for myself.  

1. Slap Gesso on your page - let dry

2. I used permanent green deep acrylic paint.  Well watered down. I only applied on a quarter of the page at a time. I need to learn how to add more paint with out showing the line between the different quarters. 

3. Sprinkle 99% rubbing alcohol with a brush to create the organic shapes

4. LET DRY patiently or use your gizmos

5. Then I applied a greenish blue and did the steps above.

5 then I applied watered down white paint and sprinkled the alcohol on the paint. 

On the right page there are 6 layers. I didn't apply enough water to my paint so I added some organic shapes with Neocolor II crayon. 

I didn't add the last white layer on the left page and I actually like it better. Remember to WATER DOWN your paint enough or the alcohol won't be able to move the paint. 

I have to say that this was lots of fun! 

Part 2/2 Experimental background.  While I played in my. Sketchbook creating the background. I also had a watercolour page going. Then I thought- what do I do with this???!!! 

Then it occurred to me, to use the little food tray stamp fishes I made during ICAD 2016.  

Here is my end result. I'm happy. 

Sooooo excited!!! I finished my drawing this morning for my granddaughters Christmas prezzie!  I hope I can get it framed in time! Going to get some prints before I do that! 

I stalled big time on the grass! I don't know what it is about it but just ploughed through the mire this morning!!

I use to watch his little brown bunny eat clover on the front lawn.  I was able to grab a snap as a reference photo.  Glad I did as it got squished by a truck on the concession road out front.

Graphite only - Staedtler Mars Lumograph and paper stomp on Robert Bateman 110 lb sketchbook paper.

Off prompt- I was st a bookstore yesterday so I bought this book for my granddaughter.  Well, okay do it really is for me! I like to read different and interesting books!to her and not the usual drivel for kids. I have been reading this one so this will won't be wrapped until I'm done! 

Ballpoint and brush pens in my Moleskine. 

Documenting my wardrobe to relieve stress

The last week and a half have been busy on the family and difficult. We said a farewell to my brother-in-law today. This morning I drew what I wore yesterday and today before we went into town. 

The other day I purchased two new tops at the mall. So glad I hadn't thrown/given away my jackets and pants that I use to wear to meetings when I still worked. 

I will journal tomorrow about how I had to "staple" the hem on the pants for the flat heeled boots I was wearing.  Now to let the staples out so I can wear different shoes the next time.  Always need a bit of humour during these dreadful times. 

I'm sure my granddaughter will like this page; she is such a little fashionista! 

I used make-up, crayons, watercolours and pen in my Moleskine. 

Drawing while at the Art Gallery

No prompt- we went to the Art Gallery of Ontario today with our granddaughter.  They had an art station just outside of the Mystical Landscapes exhibit. We stopped and I sketched while she created a drawing. 

No cameras or SKETCHING allowed!  I never saw that sign the last time we were there and I did.  I think they don't want people to hog the best views of some paintings - like Starry Night and the Olive Trees.

Christmas stockings over the fireplace

My husband, brother in law and I stopped in to this restaurant after visiting their oldest brother in the hospital.  He is not well but rallied enough that he knew that we were there.  I drew this while we waited for our salad and sipped on our beverages.  I've decided to leave it black and white.  

Very happy that the server put us in front of the gas fireplace.  I enjoyed the heat.