Painted ornaments

Hi everyone!

It's been such a busy week leading up to Christmas 

and I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.

I have been a little lax with my daily sketching too 

but only because I have been busy painting instead. 

As is my tradition each year,

I painted Christmas tree ornaments for my granddaughters,

Mikayla and Madelyn.

This will be Maddy's first Christmas and Mikayla's 3rd.

Inspired by this post,

I painted some paper-mache gift boxes and used white 3D paint to decorate them. 

I deliberately kept mine more simple and child-like.

It was the first time I'd used 3D paint and I found it impossible to control the flow 

of the paint but I kinda like how it turned out. 

They make me think of cakes decorated with white icing.

A close up view of each

  

To finish the ornaments, 

I applied a gloss water-based varnish 

and white ribbon.

It was Aaron's birthday yesterday....

my baby is now 14!!!

I found this (below) on this page on Facebook

and thought it might be a nice idea for 2013.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and 

a Happy New Year!
If you don't celebrate Christmas,
may you enjoy a Happy Holidays.
Love to all! xx

~ Love, light and peace ~

Challenge completed....I DID IT!!!

YES!!

I completed the 75 day pen/ink daily sketch challenge! 

I can hardly believe that I sketched each and every day 

for 75 days.  I must admit that the time seemed 

to fly by.

There were days when I very nearly gave up but 

I'm glad I didn't. 

I'm feeling quite proud of myself.

So, here are the final FIVE!

Note that all sketches are pencil-free using any or all of the following -

 BIC Pro ballpoint pen

ZIG Millennium 005 pen

Micron 03 pen

Micron 05 pen

Faber-castell Artists PITT pens in F, B or SC sizes

 Photo reference credit goes to MonicaB at WetCanvas.

 Credit for photo reference goes to marcusjroberts at Flickr. 

Credit for Photo Reference goes to rubyblossom at Flickr.

Before I started the challenge, I was lucky to fit in a sketch once a week 

because I never seemed to find the time with so many distractions of daily life. 

This challenge has shown me that I CAN make time to sketch daily 

and I'm loving it!

I feel too that the challenge has helped to hone my skills in observation and 

also in achieving values and tones with only pen.

It may be too soon to say but I think I've now developed a daily habit 

as I haven't stopped yet. 

When I heard the tragic news of the shooting in Connecticut 

yesterday, I reached for my sketchbook to help deal with and express 

my emotions.

And today's sketch below
which I'm also linking up with Sunday Sketches.

I'm now off to watch a movie with Bradley and Aaron.

I hope you're all having a nice and relaxing weekend.

~ Love, light and peace ~

My heart is crying....

My heart is crying for the victims of Newtown, Connecticut. 

Such a devastating and senseless tragedy.

~ Love, light and peace ~