That’s it, really. The sun is out and the sky is blue. Spring is here and all is lovely.
Tubby Tubchops is out of hibernation and investigating the foliage for slugs and snails in his snuffly hedgehoggy way. Glad he’s still with us.
Seem to be a good few bees around. Hopefully, this will be a good year for them, and all insects, actually. Their decline is worrying.
I’ve started on a monthly phenology wheel. All throughout March, I took photos of leaves, flowers, bees, etc, and intend to ‘document’ their sightings on my wheel. I got the idea from Marion’s World on You Tube. Her artworks are just lovely.
Life is wonderful and Marion’s capture of the seasons in her wheel and shows her mindful appreciation of nature and the whole wonder of nature with its cycles of renewals and rebirths.
From rebirths to rebrands. Couldn’t help but notice the massive reaction to Madame M’s depiction of the Queen (allegedly!) in the form of a green waffle on St Patrick’s Day. I thought it looked more like the face of a blow up sex doll. It’s bizarre how much of a storm gets brewed up over silly trivia!
My life lacks such wild drama. This afternoon will be spent watercolour painting. Just recently got a glorious set of paints from Amazon: Kuretake Zig Gansai Tambi.
Just finished an exercise from Creative Abstract Watercolors (beautiful book by Kate Rebecca Leach):
The media is Cotton Rag Paper made in India.
She is inspired by a postcard I got many years ago. I’ve painted her many times, usually against a dark, atmospheric background but chose a lighter one this time.
Also working in After Effects adding some inertial bounce to a space scene for (hopefully) Earth Day. I get distracted so easily so no guarantees.
So, Easy Osey at the mo.
Life is so good.
Popping off to get some quinoa for a recipe I’m trying out for tea. Sounds delish.
When I was at uni, there was a librarian who had a very sour expression and always looked as though students presenting books for check-in and outs were a tremendous imposition. Her mouth was tight contraction; a moue, like that of a cat’s bum. We called her Ms Lemons.
And so have named my latest doll ‘Ms Lemons’ in her memory. The resting B*tch face says it all. The fact that she has a weaponised pin cushion to give a quick jab, stab or poke just adds to the whole persona.
And here she is in her permanent setting. The sewing room where she will be put to service and justify her … being.
She’s modelled on a Tone Finnanger Tilda angel (her wings are pinned on and a bit askew at this stage and have slipped a bit. Apropos).
A lot of work went into making her clothes, including modesty undergarments (of course) and really like the choice of fabrics. But her face… I may paint it off with acrylics and give her a make over. Another doll is cut out, stitched just waiting to be stuffed. And some clothes ready-made and lovely. Maybe she presents a second-go to create a beautiful version. They could sit like book ends. Like Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid and Mrs Bedonedonebyasyouwould bedoneby (if memory recalls the Water Babies correctly).
Cats are Nobbers
This is Charlie in his usual state of distress. If only he would chill out, ha ha.
Honestly, he has so many comfy places to sleep including proper-nice cat beds but since an Amazon delivery a while back, this is his favourite place to catch forty winks and whiskers. Very inconvenient as it’s on top of a table-cum-chest that is my yarn repository.
Daft
A new box arrived and he considered moving. On this occasion, Daft.ie lived up to its name (in ROI Daft is a property rental/buyer site). The property is definitely subsiding and looking ready to slide off its footings. Charlie gave it a go and decided it’s not the bachelor apartment he thought it might be.
Ignore the mess creative ideas lying around.
Life has generally become much more full-on. I now go to a couple of keep-fit classes and regularly join in with some pole walking (not dancing!) and line dancing at the local Womens’ Shed.
Had a Sound Journey which was a nice experience held in our town hall; a building that used to be a church. We all lay on the floor covered in blankets with our eyes shut. Looking at the photos sent round afterwards it reminded me of a make-shift morgue following some major catastrophe… dark humour there…
Joined a sewing group. Love sewing but never made garments. Apart from an apron. No understanding of darts, interfacing, grown-up terminology like ‘on the grain’ ‘on the bias’, amending patterns to fit, etc. Progress! Have made a blouse – traced and cut out the pattern/fabric, stitched it altogether, inserted sleeves… Amazeballs. Actually believe everything imaginable is possible.
Also joined an art class. Some very artistic members and we’re planning a 2-day exhibition before Christmas! Amazeballs squared!
The Wild and Woolies are going strong and are a lively group. Off to the North for a meet-up with a crochet group there the beginning of April. Again, wonderfully talented and lovely ladies.
With everything going on, finally finished the Elena Essex Christmas Cornucopia Christmas jigsaw:
It is a thousand-piecer and tougher than it looks. Gorgeous! Sadly, lost a piece. It had been under the sofa on a cutting mat and regularly got knocked by the vacuum cleaner so guess it got sucked up.
Am still exasperated with Adobe suite. Illustrator crashed when tasked with a simple operation. Not Bézier curve adjustments. Nothing THAT complex (sardonic laugh). Holy shit balls… but it’s still the best of the bunch.
So, like a vacuum cleaner with a sour face I have to suck it up.
No More Mondays 