Friday 4 May 2012

Flowers, dogs and a sketch!

Yes, I changed back to my previous template.
I am missing the Dynamic Views template terribly but, unfortunately, it is too limiting at this point in time for what I want to achieve with my blog.  Hopefully, Blogger will offer more options sooner than later.

My Bird of Paradise is in bloom!


I spotted another bee so moved in for a macro shot.
I was very close but I wasn't afraid and managed to snap away without being stung.


My Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum) is also flowering. YAY!
I LOVE this potted succulent!!
To think that I nearly gave up on it because, for quite a few years, it didn't seem to grow or bloom at all.  Then, a couple of years ago, I re-potted it and, from that point on, it took on a new lease of life.  It thrived AND started flowering!!  It's been growing well ever since.


Here was Cody and Jack catching a spot of sunshine the other morning. 
It's like they know Vitamin D is good for us.
Clever doggies!


I have indeed been sketching a little.

First a rough graphite outline in my large Moleskine sketchbook -

Followed by more detail using Pigma Micron pens and it's all finished -
Reference Image is credited to Gwen Card at PaintMyPhoto

That about wraps up another post from little, old me.

I've had a few rough days health-wise...I'm not sure that the antibiotics are agreeing with me. :(


Anywhoo, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

~ Love, light and peace ~

36 comments:

  1. after seeing your dynamic views on your blog I changed mine over as I liked it so much, but like you it was limiting... some things on the blog disappeared and some didnt work, so I changed back to the normal templates! have a great weekend!

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  2. Good morning Serena!

    If it makes you feel better, I like this template the best. I have always loved the gorgeous bright blue of your header...it feels more "personal" than the dynamic view. It's not that I dislike dynamic view, I just find it hard to navigate around.

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  3. Your photographs of the flowers are so beautiful Serena...just stunning. Also wondering if you've ever taken probiotics with your antibiotics? They replace the beneficial bacteria of the digestive system that the antibiotics kill. So sorry to hear that you're having these problems with the healing.

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  4. To be able to have a Bird of Paradise growing in your own yard- WOW! What stunning flowers you have! Such beautiful strokes and details on your pup's sketch!

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  5. Hi Serena - wonderful post. I love your exotic flowers - what a treat. Here I only have cornfields and wheatfields and weeds, it seems nothing else will grow. I take that back, I do have a garden spot or two, but nothing like what you are able to grow! I thought about Dynamic Views also, but it left out some things that I normally update and rely on for traffic increases and interest in my art, so I stuck with the old style for now. Also, thanks for the heads-up on the Paint from my Photo. What a cool place..I have signed up and am looking forward to browsing from time to time. I think it's so great when other's share for the good of practice!

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  6. I think the dynamic view is interesting but not sure it works so good for everyone.

    Your flower pictures are so beautiful. The Bird of Paradise is such an exotic flower and the close-up with the bee is great.

    Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  7. Aren't these flowers gorgeous!! When I go to India I always want to paint them but I know with my limited skills I would probably not do a great sketch.
    Love Cody's sketch too. You caught the expression beautifully. Yes live yogurt or probiotics do help when you are taking antibiotics and plenty of water too.

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  8. Love your sketches, outstanding. Bird of Paradise is so hard to grow. We have tried it and failed but will more than likely try again. It is just beautiful. Hope all is okay and you are feeling well. Enjoy the weekend. I like that you are a family pet member lover. They are so good to us and love us with all of their being and they take care of us too.

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  9. Love your sketches, outstanding. Bird of Paradise is so hard to grow. We have tried it and failed but will more than likely try again. It is just beautiful. Hope all is okay and you are feeling well. Enjoy the weekend. I like that you are a family pet member lover. They are so good to us and love us with all of their being and they take care of us too.

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  10. Krissie - Yes, I loved the Dynamic Views. SO easy to use and navigate. However, they are limited on gadgets and I NEED my gadgets! lol

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  11. Thanks, Jane. I actually found Dynamic Views easier to navigate. It was basically a continual scroll of post previews. A simple click and the whole post is revealed. The only hiccup for me was the lack of gadgets.

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  12. Thanks, Kate. I'm actually popping out this morning to get me some probiotics. Your the second person who has mentioned them to me so there has to be a message in there for me. :)

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  13. Thanks, Pattie, and yes, the lack of gadgets in Dynamic Views was a bit of a downfall for me too. I hope they add more as I did love my Dynamic Views template.

    Yes, PaintMyPhoto is a wonderful resource for artists and it's a great community too. Glad I was able to point you their way. :)

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  14. Thanks, Janet....I sure hope to better soon too. I do think my cough is improving so that's a positive at least.

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  15. Thanks, Shashi! I've just arrived back from shopping with my probiotics in hand. :)

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  16. Thanks, Gloria! Yes, my fur-kids are definitely a huge part of our family. Our best friends for sure. :)

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  17. Dear Serena..love your sketch of the doggie..beautiful pic of the flower and bee...take care antibotics seem to drain the life out of me also...have a great weekend

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  18. Thanks, Bettyann! Yes, antibiotics can certainly drain me too. xo

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  19. Hi Serena,
    How are you feeling my friend?
    Wow lovely photos of your flowers, the little fur babies and the sketch!
    Hugs

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  20. love the colours of the bird of paradise, hate that it is too cold to grow them here without a greenhouse

    i am thinking about changing the blog layout back as well, think its a little too plain at the moment

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  21. Thanks, Norma. I am noticing that I'm not coughing as much which is wonderful. The antibiotics are messing me around a bit but I have the probiotics to help combat that. I see my doctor again on Tuesday.

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  22. Jennifer - I loved the simple look of the Dynamic Views template. So easy to just scroll through post previews continuously. If they made more gadget options, I'd have kept mine for sure. I still miss it.

    Yes, the Bird of Paradise is quite a spectacular flower. Definitely more suited for tropical and sub-tropical climates.

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  23. love your Doggie sketch. I hope you're feeling better very soon!

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  24. Sure hope you're feeling better by now! Love the sketches, and the flower (and doggie) shots are great-- the colors on the bird of paradise are amazing!

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  25. Thanks, Cat! Yes, the Bird of Paradise flowers certainly command attention with their rich colours and unique appearance.

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  26. good evening, serena... i love your photos, flowers, pooches and that fab drawing...you are such a good artist! those birds of paradise are stupendous and wish i could grow them here but.... think it's a tad too cold. take care of yourself... xxxx linda♥

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    1. Thanks, Linda. So nice to see you! Yes, the Bird Of Paradise certainly is quite spectacular!

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  27. GORGEOUS photos, Serena! I've only ever seen this flower as a cut flower, so it was wonderful to see it plant, foliage, in bloom and all! And your sketch is fantastic. You've captured great personality there. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

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  28. All so gorgeous! Poochies and plants just lovely.

    We have a Bird of Paradise tree with MAMMOTH flowers bigger than my head - drips nectar all over the paving but the birds adore it.

    Glad you're feeling better!

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! WOW....your BOP tree must be magnificent!!! What a treat for the birds too!

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  29. oh Serena, your sketches are wonderful! And those photos... i can't believe the beautiful mixture of colors in that photo with the bee in it. (And for the record, you are one brave woman!).
    btw, your comment on my blog about hiding your eyes whenever you watch animal planet (or one animal being attacked by another) made me smile. I do the exact same thing. Can't stand seeing anyone (animal or human) suffer.
    Hope you feel better soon... sending you a warm Canadian hug. xoxo

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  30. Beautiful photos Serena!

    How are you?

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  31. Hey Serena, I am so glad you switched back to this template. The other one seems too business-like and impersonal. Hope you are feeling better by now. I'm so glad it's the weekend around here. Days are just so busy at school. Best wishes, Tammy

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  32. Love your doggy sketch! It's beautiful.

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