handicraft and sketches

Thank you all so much for the caring comments you left on my last post. I am so grateful to you all. Thanks for bearing with me. 

During my blogging break, I did manage to do some sketching and even some crochet. With the colder weather approaching, my son wanted me to crochet some doggy coats for Scarlett and Violet. We officially started our Winter on June 1st. 

Not an easy feat considering I have advanced Osteoarthritis in my hands causing chronic hand pain. I was just getting over a nasty arthritic flare but I do think working my hands helped a little.

Anyway, Violet is a tiny Chihuahua size and even the Extra Small winter coats in the shops were way too big for her.  So I made the girls 2 coats each, Scarlett has 2 different shades of pink coats, while Violet has 2 different shades of purple coats. I looked for a pattern online and had to make my own adjustments but you can check out the original pattern I used HERE. I mostly used the pattern for the neck, the rest I just winged it as I went, fitting them against the girls at different stages.

 Violet below

Scarlett below

Out for a morning walk. I even made hole area for the harness to fit through, something the shop-bought coats don't allow for. 

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't include a pic of precious Miss Kya doing what she does best...sleeping.

As for sketching —

I've had a pocket (14.5cm x10.5cm) sketchbook waiting to be finished so I did some daily Sketchnote-style entries of daily happenings. Just a few more pages left to finish it. I started this sketchbook in 2017. That's my problem — I always have more than one sketchbook on the go and, sometimes, one may be put on the back burner for longer than I'd like. Different sizes and paper. Some of the most recent pages, shown below..sorry if they're a bit blurry, must have moved when I snapped the pic. They may be rough, free-hand ink sketches but they capture the memories for me. I love looking back over my sketchbooks at a later date.

I've not long got over a pretty bad bout of Asthmatic Bronchitis. Cold, wintry air is one of my main triggers. Sometimes, a severe bout of asthma can turn into bronchitis....not fun at all....but I did get to rest and watch some series and movies on Prime/Netflix.

On that note, I will finish this post here. 

Wishing you all a beautiful, happy week! 

Serena x

Hooking again

I have been busy hooking again....

I crocheted a little white baby jacket for my soon-to-be Granddaughter! 

I made one for Mikayla (now 4) using the same pattern

and Maddy (now 2) also had her time of wearing it.

Michelle asked if I could make a new one 

for baby number three being that the other one 

was so well worn. 

I'm pleased with how it turned out....

This one was bittersweet for me to make.

There was definitely a lot of love crocheted into it 

but I sadly realised it was the last time 

I would be able to crochet with fine 3ply baby wool. 

My arthritic hands and carpal tunnel syndrome
 made it an extremely difficult and painful task 

to the point of tears at times. 

At first I was unsure if I'd be able to do it at all.

I attempted to use telekinesis numerous times 

on my uncooperative fingers...
willing them to move and hold the wool.

It didn't work so I poo-pooed that idea.

I just persevered as best I could 

but it was a very frustrating, slow, and painful process.

I can't tell you enough how relieved I was to finally finish it!

I was feeling quite depressed by my limitations due to arthritis
but I guess I can still knit with the 3 ply baby wool
because the knitting needles hold the work in place,
unlike with crochet.

Sorry, dear readers, for not posting more frequently.

I want to get there!

I WILL get there!

I did manage to finish the painting for Aaron's room this past week.

Stay tuned for a post on that very soon.

I'm back with some exciting news!

It's been a while 

but I'm hoping to be back on a more regular basis. 

I do miss my blog.

Firstly, I want to say THANKS
 for all the beautiful and supportive comments
on my previous post about my Dad's passing in April.
Your caring words have been a real comfort to me
at a very sad and emotional time.

I miss Dad like crazy but
the reality is that life goes on,
albeit with that missing piece.  
I like to think that I now have a special Angel
watching over me and my family.

*************************

I do have some exciting news!

Granddaughter No.3 is on the way!

She due at the end of September 

and I can hardly wait!!

I have started to crochet a blanket throw 

as I did for Mikayla and Madelyn.
These blankets fit a single bed
so time is of the essence with lots to do.

Michelle also wants me to crochet another white jacket for baby

so I'll be a VERY busy bee for the next few months.
 I'll be sure to show some progress pics here.


 *************************


And even more news....

The Mater 'Sing for Health' Choir 
which Bradley and I belong to
are practising each week for
an upcoming performance in June.

Who knew I would love choir so much?!
It is so much fun
and there is a wonderful sense
of belonging.
LOVE IT!


*************************

I will leave you with a pic
of the adorable Cody
who I swear would be able to sleep
in any position at all.
I love this little guy SO much!

Stay tuned for some sketch posts soon....

Day 4 of AEDM - Hooking again

No painting today.

No sketching today. 

I did some hooking instead....

Yes, crochet does fit into the creativity guidelines for AEDM. YAY!

I have made four of these gorgeous ripple blankets over the past three years. 

One for each of my two granddaughters

one for Aaron (#4 son) 

and one for my lounge room.

This lovely will probably end up in my lounge room too 

as you can never have too many blankets to snuggle under 

while watching TV or movies in winter. 

I started this blanket earlier this year

and there's still quite a bit to go. 

I like to make them big! 

I'm not even at the halfway mark yet 

but there's no rush with winter 

being another eight months away.

To check out posts by other AEDM members for Day 4, click HERE.

I'm a lucky girl!

This is the beach bag that Michelle and Alex bought for me 

a few years ago but, being that I rarely get to the beach, 

I find it perfect for holding my crochet projects. 

I love it because it's nice and spacious!

Well, a few weeks ago, I received a lovely gift by mail

from Tracy at Pranalight. 

The colours are so ME!!

 Here it is rolled out. 

Isn't it lovely?!!

It's a crochet hook holder/roll 

and I LOVE IT! 

It's beautifully sewn and just perfect!!

It could be used for pens or brushes too I guess but 

I was in dire need of a crochet hook holder because, up until now, 

I'd been using a small plastic bag to hold my crochet hooks.

How on Earth did Tracy know this was just what I needed?

My crochet hooks are now dressed in style and LOVIN' it! 

Thanks so much for such a lovely and thoughtful gift, Tracy.
It made my day!

By the way, Tracy creates such beautiful things, and
you can check out her online store HERE.

I am also the proud owner of one of her necklaces too which
I bought a couple of years back.

I've been quite busy this past week but will fill you in more in the next post.

~ Love, light and peace ~

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 ~

Day 15 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Shoes

Thanks for all the well wishes yesterday. 

I was feeling much better today and 

I even had the pleasure of baby-sitting Mikayla. 

Still no sign of baby's arrival, 

so Michelle and Alex went to see 

the final Twilight movie.

This baby is sure teaching us 

to be more patient.

One thing is for sure..

My new granddaughter won't have any 

problems staying warm when winter comes 

next year. 

I finished her blanket this week!!

Here it is laid out on my Queen-size bed to 

give you an idea of size. 

Michelle loves it and it will be the perfect size for her 

to snuggle up with baby on those cold, winter nights 

while she's feeding her.

I had lots of fun with Mikayla today and, 

as she loves to paint, 

I brought out one of my watercolour sets. 

Here she is creating one of her masterpieces 

under the watchful eye of her koala. 

I love this little girl SO much!!

Mikayla was wearing pretty pink lace-up shoes today

and they made it into my sketchbook.

#46 of 75 pen/ink sketches

Pencil-free sketch in A6 Moleskine pocket sketchbook 

using ZIG Millennium and Micron pens.

To check out posts by other Art Every Day Month members for today,

click HERE.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Sunday Snippets and sketches

I'm puppy-sitting for Michelle and Alex this long weekend.

Abbey is SO cute, don't you think?!

And here is my sweet Cody astride the couch arm
peering out the window.

I'm making progress on the blanket.

I LOVE toast with marmalade for brekkie.
I don't have it regularly but I spoiled myself a couple of mornings this week.

Delicious bananas and pears!

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I haven't had a lot of time to sketch lately as I'm putting most of my spare time into finishing the blanket for my granddaughter.  I also have oodles of baby bootees to do too.  Michelle came two weeks early with Mikayla so I'm panicking as Grandbaby No. 2 is due early November. 

So much still to do and time is fast running out!  

Anywhoo, these are a couple of sketches I did earlier in the month.

Pencil-free, on location, using either ballpoint pen or Faber-Castell Artists PITT pens

and a little watercolour in my pocket Moleskine sketch journal.

I added the watercolour later at home.

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Okay, I'm considering whether or not to sign up for BlogtoberFest.
It would mean blogging every day starting from tomorrow
for the month of October.
Am I crazy for considering this challenge?
Most likely!!

However, my line of thinking is this -

I usually participate in the November
Creative Every Day Month challenge each year and
I do have a personal sketch challenge on the horizon that both
these challenges could well serve.

Hmmmmmm.....
I'll sign up and see how I go....
No harm in trying, right?

Anyone care to join me??

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I hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend.

We've had a bit of rain here with more expected.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Sunday Snippets - photos from my week

My first time playing Sunday Snippets!

Michelle made some delicious English-style scones and brought them over for afternoon tea.

Mikayla (my granddaughter) loved licking off the cream and jam.

The tangled heart which was in the flower arrangement
that my kids gifted me when I came home from hospital.

I was upset that I didn't get photos while the arrangement was fresh.
Sadly, a wilted flower will have to do.

Cody asleep on my bed.

Jack in my bed.

A new house under construction right behind our back fence.
Cody is not amused!!

A weird sky earlier in the week.
It was like the sky was covered with a thick blanket of cloud on one side,
while the other side was clear, blue sky.

Further progress on the blanket for Granddaughter number two.
This will be the same size as the blanket I made for Aaron
so will fit a single bed when finished.

I hope you've all been enjoying a beautiful weekend!

~ Love, light and peace ~