Sunday 24 February 2013

Sunday sketches

My eyes are much the same which is why I haven't been online a lot. I can only spend short stints at the computer due to the glare on the screen. I see the Optometrist on Friday which can't come soon enough for me.  Amazingly, I only ended up with one bad migraine....I expected more with this amount of eye strain.

I did manage a couple of sketches this weekend.

Yesterday, Aaron had a doctor's appointment and we had to wait an hour past our appointment time because the doctor was running behind schedule. Unfortunately, our doctor's clinic is rather dull and boring so not a lot of interesting things to sketch. I ended up drawing one of the chairs.  The cow was drawn later at home. It's the head of Cody's soft, squeaker toy and it was within easy reach when I was pondering what to add to the page.

Pencil-free sketch in A6 Moleskine pocket sketchbook using 
ZIG Millennium pen, PITT pens, watercolours and watercolour pencils.

It rained on and off today
with heavier downpours expected tomorrow and Tuesday.
It ended up being an odds and ends kinda day. 
I cleaned bathrooms,
dyed my hair and pottered around mostly.
I clipped Jack's nails too which were long overdue. 
LOVE these doggy nail clippers!
They're so easy to use.

Pencil-free sketch in A6 Moleskine pocket sketchbook using 
ZIG Millennium pen, PITT pens, watercolours and watercolour pencils. 

I'm linking up this week with Sunday Sketches.
To join us each week on Sunday Sketches
Click the graphic below -


Last month, I treated myself to some art goodies and I'm very much enjoying the watercolour pencils so far.  I plan to make up some colour swatches soon.

I hope you're having a great weekend! xx

Wednesday 13 February 2013

A bit of this and a bit of that...

I was treated to a beautiful rainbow early Friday morning 
when I took the wheelie bin out for pick-up.


Another stretch of sky was clear 
and full of fluffy white clouds. 
Hard to believe they were taken at the same time.



I've started yet another ripple blanket. 
This one will be for me. 


I love to snuggle up under these blankets in winter.
All cosy and warm while watching TV or a movie.

And so does Cody. 
My ever faithful companion.



When I work at the computer, Cody snuggles up in his basket while, 
Jack snuggles up in his.


SO cute!!!

Back in 2001, my eyes seized up on me after spending a lot of time at the computer. They froze at a set distance and my brain just couldn't refocus for any other distance whether it was closer or further away. My eyes were under a lot of strain and pressure. After seeing a Behavioural Optometrist for the first time, I had to do regular eye exercises until my vision returned to normal. I was also given my first prescription for reading glasses.

Well, I think my eyes have seized up again because I'm experiencing all the same symptoms as last time.  The change happened over the course of 1 - 2 weeks. I get no relief at all unless I'm sleeping.  The strain is constantly there even when I'm wearing my reading glasses which I pretty much have to wear all the time now, even for distance.  They also help a little when watching TV which is all pretty weird considering they are supposed to be for close distances. I am booked in for March 1st to see my Behavioural Optometrist. I can't get in before then because she is only working Fridays due to caring for her ailing grandfather at the moment. Wish me luck.

I did manage a sketch of the new water filter I bought yesterday. Michelle has had one for ages and swears by it. I like the fact that, when you use the filtered water in electric jugs/kettles, they stay clean and don't build up any sediment. 


 NOTE - You may notice the font and font colour change on my blog, on and off, as I try to find one that isn't so hard on my eyes. Please bear with me.

To end this post, 
I just had to share this funny animal video with human voice-over. 


 ~ Love, light and peace ~

Saturday 9 February 2013

My favourite cereals and cupcake heaven.

I'm finally finding time for some sketching
albeit a very quick sketch.

"What's in the pantry?"

Pencil-free sketch in A5 Holcroft sketch diary using
BIC biros, PITT pens and Derwent watercolour pencils.

To join us each week 
click on the graphic below.

Just Add Water Silly's blog hop link

Now I am off to bake some delicious vegan Coconut Heaven cupcakes.
I made a double batch a couple of weeks ago
'cos they are THAT good!
Needless to say, they didn't last long at all.

I used the recipe from this book

Wednesday 6 February 2013

I love my Owlly!

I like to carry some minimal sketch supplies with me at all times and,
recently, I found the perfect little case to hold my sketch kit.

Meet Owlly!
No, I didn't sketch this cute owl or name it for that matter. 
The cases already come in various colours and designs.


There is a flap inside to hold my art pens plus two compartments for
my pocket A6 Moleskine sketchbooks and more pens.


How cool is that?!!


AND...it fits perfectly inside the middle compartment of my handbag.


I'm a happy girl!

Now, IF ONLY I can get over my fear of sketching in public.

Monday 4 February 2013

A morning at a koala park

A week before Aaron went back to school 
we visited the Daisy Hill Koala Park 
with Michelle and the girls.

The weather looked like it could rain but 
we took the risk and it paid off.
It only started spitting with rain as 
we were leaving.

Below are some assorted pics from our 
lovely day out.



We parked the cars in the car park just above our picnic spot. 

This wallaby and it's baby were only a couple of metres away from us.  
 Wallabies are marsupials and belong to the Macropodidiae family,
just like their close relative, the kangaroo. 

Aren't koalas adorable?!

Our little spot in the forest

Great opportunity for some family photos too.

Aaron and Mikayla

Michelle and baby Madelyn

Mikayla, Aaron, Michelle, Madelyn and Bradley

A kiss for Maddy from Grandma

Aaron, Mikayla, Madelyn and yours truly