Comfort Cottage

A Carnival Of Color

Do any of you remember candy sticks?  They were about eight inches long and about as thick as a pencil.  They came in every flavor and color of the rainbow.   Well, I no longer eat candy sticks, but I have found something that reminds me of them, and I like them a whole lot more.

 

 

I adore Prismacolor pencils!  I started using them years ago.  My collection was getting rather sparse, so I ordered some to fill out the set last weekend.  I felt like a kid again, picking out my favorite flavors and anticipating all of that colorful deliciousness.  That delightful box of joy arrived on my doorstep this morning.  They have such wonderfully rich pigments, and they lay down like a dream.   They are about as close to that sugary confection I remember that I can find, but they won't make me gain an ounce!

 

 

I started this drawing on Monday.  Doesn't it look lonely without color?

 

 

It took a few days to finish it.   The pencil lines don't show up in the photo, but I actually begin with a bare bones outline.  This one is a very stylised tulip.  Can you find it amongst the patterns?

 

I finally completed the drawing Tuesday night.

 

 

Yippee!  Now I can finally get my hands on those colored pencils!  It's time for the dance of joy (Trust me, you don't want to see it!)

 

 It's Thursday afternoon, and I finally have a finished piece.

 

 

Heart Song

6" x 9"

Colored Pencil and Pen and Ink on Bristol Vellum 

 

Oh joy, now I can draw something else and use all of those new colors!  

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

Color Doodles

Last week, while waiting for my sister to finish making soup, I sat at the kitchen table and started to doodle.  I finished my drawing later and I took out my colored pencils over the weekend to add some pizazz.  I had forgotten how much fun colored pencils can be.

 

Flower Doodle

6" x 8"

Colored pencil and pen and ink

 

I don't think I could ever stick to just one medium.  So much of what makes making art fun is experimenting with all different things.    So, how was your weekend?  It was better here than expected.  It actually cleared up Sunday and got warm again.  I'm loving the open windows and the fresh air!

 

Until next time,

 

A New Drawing and Lots of Quilting Inspiration

Hello my friends!  I hope all of you are having a good weekend so far.  It's pretty dreary here in the Northeast.  It's been snowing all day, but so far, it's not accumulating.  I have a few things to share with you today.  The first is my new drawing - a bright yellow finch.

 

 

Instead of watercolor, I used Caran D'Ache Neocolor II water-soluble crayons for the finch.  The rest is the usual pen and ink and graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum.  It was nice working without the distractions of the last week.  I was able to finish him much more quickly than the last drawing.

I also wanted to share some fabric and quilting inspiration.  Last month I had purchased the new editions of Sew Somerset and Art Quilting Studio.  They always get me to thinking about ways to use my fabric stash and my sewing machine.

 

 

There were several beautiful examples of fiber art that really caught my eye.

 

 

I love the way the artist combined embroidery and vintage bird graphics into this fabric book.

 

 

The combination of lace, sumptuous red fabrics and tassel fringe paired with the vintage photo is so lovely.

I'm sure you know that I'm a pushover for bright colors and bold patterns by now.

 

 

In the latest issue of Art Quilting Studio, I found an art quilt that really excites me.

 

 

I recently found some fat quarters that I've been wanting to use for art quilts.

 

 

The colors and patterns are so bright and energetic.

 

 

I found some ideas in the previous issue of Art Quilting Studio that I think these fabrics would be perfect for.

 

 

This conversation quilt can be based on any theme.

 

 

The colors used together in these quilts are so striking together.

 

 

Finally, I loved the way the artist used variegated embroidery thread in her work.

 

 

I think I'll take a break from drawing tomorrow and put my studio back in order.  It shouldn't take too long this time because I just worked on it two weeks ago.  I'm trying to keep up on it because I've found that the more cluttered it is, the less creative I am.  I think it just becomes too much of an effort to work in a disorganized environment.  After I tidy up, I want to try the darning foot I bought for my machine.  It will allow me to do free-motion sewing, which will give me more options for art quilting.

On the horizon, there's a fabric shopping trip to the Old Country Store in Intercourse in the works for Monday.  My sister and quilting buddy, Lorrie and I will be having a day of bliss at the fabric sale.

I hope you have a happy and restful Sunday.

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

 

A Peaceful Day...Finally

Today is the first day I've been able to get to my computer and my studio since my son's surgery.  I want to thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes.  The surgery went very well.  He spent one night in the hospital and we brought him home yesterday.  He needs lots of help as he can't see very well.  He's not allowed to wear his glasses or bend over, or even lift a carton of milk.  The surgeon doesn't want him to put any strain on all of that delicate work.  As it happens, he's mostly sleeping due to the pain meds.  He'll have the stitches under the eye removed next week, and the ones in his mouth will dissolve on their own.  Apparently there were also fragments of his jaw bone floating around in there.  I think I'll spare you the rest of the gory details!

Of course, we spent a lot of time waiting on Tuesday, so I occupied myself with a new drawing.  It was definitely better than obsessing about what was going on in the OR.  Today, I was able to get back to my studio to finish the piece.

 

 

I used colored pencils but I also added some watercolor to intensify the red.  It made the butterfly really pop!

That's all for now.  My sweet golden retriever, Molly is expecting her dinner, and we all know who's in charge here :)  I'll see you again soon.  Hugs and blessings to you.

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

 

Morton

I had to give him a name, and Morton just seemed to suit him.  It's just like a cat to get into things.  Wouldn't you love to give him a hug?  See if you can find the little fishies in the tangles.

 

 

I used the usual materials:  Sakura Pigma Micron pens; Prismacolor colored pencils and graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum.

Tomorrow is the big day.  My son will be having his surgery.  Needless to say, he's not in the best frame of mind right now.   I am truly thankful for your prayers and good wishes.  I'll try to let you know how it went as soon as I am able.  Hugs and blessings to you.

 

Until next time,

 

 

Pink Saturday Dancer

Hello, my friends.  Happy Pink Saturday!  When I was working on this drawing, I realized I hadn't participated in a while.  That's how our dancer's dress came  to be pink.  I don't usually tackle the human figure, but I've always loved ballet, so I decided it was time.

 

 

Thank you to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday for us.  If you click on the Pink Saturday icon in my right sidebar, you'll be taken to links to all of today's participants.  Have a deliciously pink weekend!

 

Until next time,

 

Blue Butterfly

In coping with my son's recent trauma, I'm finding that I'm even more compelled to create.  I finished a new drawing.  I decided to add some color to this one.  I used Prismacolor colored pencils to enhance the butterfly. 

 

 

We met the surgeon who will be performing my son's reconstructive surgery yesterday.  He described in perhaps more detail than my son wanted what he will be doing to piece his facial bones back together.  The scene was like something out of House, complete with the six residents who filed into the room behind him.  Fortunately, none of them were as obnoxious as House!  My son is understandably nervous, but even he sensed the surgeon's confidence in his ability.  He scheduled the operation for Tuesday, as he wanted to approach the procedure when well-rested.  His schedule was entirely too crowded for Thursday.  I appreciated that - I wouldn't want a tired surgeon reconstructing my son's face!

I hope all you are well.  Please keep my son and his surgeon in your prayers, and thank you for being there to listen.

 

Until next time,

 

Tangled Tabby

Hello, my friends!  In between doctor's appointments for my son, I managed to complete another drawing.  Cats are one of my favorite subjects, so today, I present to you the Tangled Tabby.  I am just loving combining representational drawings with Zentangle.  Let me know what you think!

 

 

These little 3.5 x 3.5 tiles are like m&m's.  I can't just stop at one!  Well, I really did stop the m&m's.  So far, on my fitness program, I've lost 15 pounds.  Yay for me!!  I think I've replaced m&m's with Zentangles :)  They're non-fat and guaranteed not to raise your blood pressure. 

Tomorrow, we're off to Univ. of Pa. to see the surgeon.  Please keep my son in your prayers.  Hugs and blessings to you!

Until next time,