Time for the Corners!

 

My Mandala has grown and it's been an absolute blast. I do love this pattern!

For a while I was attempting to 'crochet in my ends' as I started a new row. However, with this pattern, a lot of the stitches are crocheted into the back bars of the previous row. So, when you come across the ends that have already been woven in... it gets a bit tricky. Well, it gets crowded.

So, I recommend waiting until you've done a few rows before weaving in those ends. Basically, don't crochet in your ends as you go, tempting and time-saving as it is. The Floral Paradise Mandala Afghan is a lot of work so, better to make it look nice and take your time.

Having said that... my stitches are a bit tight in places. But, importantly, I love watching it grow! Above is a closer look at all the cool stitches. (I had only finished the flower chain and a few zigzag rows at this point).

Thanks Annie's Kit Clubs for the great design. I'm finished the 5th kit and I'm starting the 6th. Corners! #phew

ARTBARN! - WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

SOLD OUT

I am soooo happy to announce that I am now teaching at the Artbarn here in Toronto. The lovely well-lit school is at 250 Eglinton Ave.West (near Yonge). I'll be there on Sunday April 30 from 1-3:30 for a WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT WORKSHOP. There's lots of parking in the area. Beginners Welcome and Materials supplied! Hope to see you there. 

p.s. Click on Artshow and Workshops above this post to see what's happening next!

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - FLORAL MANDALA AFGHAN Step by Step

 

Soooo, after making a 36 flower chain in kit 2, I had to make sure that it attaches to the mandala circle perfectly, for kit 3. Each flower takes up 6 stitches, for a total of 216 stitches. (Flower 6 stitches, times 36 flowers = 216 stitches). I put markers and strands of thread every 6 stitches on my colourful mandala circle just to be sure! I'm so glad I took the time to do this. #highlyrecommend Here's a pic from their website. This is where I'm heading. More to come!

PINK ARRAY

 

SOLD

I've been painting with watercolour a lot lately however, this morning, it was time to get back to oil. I love painting two vases of flowers side by side, since they 'play' off each other. And, I added a nice strong side light. Super fun.

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA AFGHAN "FLORAL PARADISE"

 

I'm just loving this crochet kit from Annie's Kit Clubs. I'm motoring along. Here's my little review so far. Above is kit 1 and most of kit 2 finished! Loooove the colours. The pattern has many new cute stitches like the shell stitch, the bean stitch and the star stitch. It's just so fun. And the 100% acrylic yarn, which is anti-pilling, is great to crochet with. Smooth but not slippery. So great. The pattern goes from using a 5mm hook to a 5.5mm hook. 

The start of kit 3 is flowers! As the pattern says, I've attach them to each other as I go. The pattern and video instructions do a 4 chain to start, but I'm just using a magic ring. Also, I am absolutely stitching in the ends as I go, not weaving them in after each flower, as they suggest. I'd say the pattern is intermediate.

The flower chain is separate until I'm finished all 36 of them. Then, with the white (linen colour) you attach the chain to your mandala. Even then, I'm only 1/3 of the way! It was an X-mas gift to myself so, I'm actually happy with how fast it's going. 

p.s.

The pattern calls for me to crochet into the BACK BARS a lot, so I'm not weaving in my row ends right away. That way, the back bars are easier to find. 

Scrappy Fellas

 

$120

Original Watercolour Painting on 3/4"deep panel

Troublemakers, but cute!

Holiday Monday

 

$140

6x8" original watercolour on 3/4" panel with sides painted to match.

This determined racehorse is charging into the week after a relaxing Holiday Monday. : )

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA "Floral Paradise" AFGHAN

 

Crocheting in the round and loving it! I love learning all of these new stitches. Look at the cool turquoise star stitches. #cuuuuuute 

Finished rows 1-18! Love the shell stitches. And the little cream coloured beans. I'm sewing the ends in every second row since the pattern calls for you to crochet into back bars often. Those ends can get in the way.

And look what's just arrived. Kit 2! With two new colours. #woohoo  I'll keep you updated on my review of the kit.

#yummy

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA AFGHAN

I treated myself to the awesome crochet kit from Annie's Kit Club. I chose the Floral Paradise Mandala Afghan. It's so colourful and beautiful.

It arrived in a distinctive padded envelope, so I'll know to look out for a patterned package. It arrives every few weeks, which is great because then I don't have a whole load of yarn kicking around. It included instructions and the Annie's Kit Clubs site has awesome step by step videos.

My biggest concern was the yarn. But it's great! It's 100%Acrylic but it's smooth, without being slippery. It's Anit-Pilling. I find it very easy to crochet with. The pattern calls for both 5mm and 5.5mm crochet hooks (not included).

Here's a closeup. Soooo fun!

I've finished about 8 rows. Kit 1 is 18 rows. There are so many different and fun stitches. Better get at it so that I'm done by the time the next shipment arrives. That's the other good thing... it keeps me working at a good pace.

Thanks for looking. I'll keep you posted on how I do! Hope you enjoyed the review. 

BREWED ICED TEA

 

$100 - 6x6" original oil painting on 1/4" cradled panel.

The first thing I did, before painting this, was brew some hot tea. And, due to the steamy looking night in this piece, I decided that was a good title. #heehee

OIL - original 6x6" oil painting on 1/4" cradled panel. Sides painted. 

Toronto - curbside pickup - Canadian $ - Bloor/Spadina area

STEADY

 

SOLD

5x7" original watercolour painting on paper in an acid-free 8x10"mat.

One-of-a-kind and hand-painted.

 

I've been painting, and teaching, animals in watercolour lately. It's easy to shy away from horses because they're so challenging. But, I'm trying to step up to the plate and capture thier beautiful eyes and distictive shape. Enjoyed painting this immensely! I hope you enjoy it too.

OCEAN SKY

 

$100 

6x6" original oil painting on 1/4"cradled panel. Artist quality supplies. Lightly varnished.

Ahhh, the sky! I saw green in those clouds... so I went with it. ; )

Toronto - curbside pickup/Canadian $/ BloorSpadina area

SWEET TREATS

 

$100

6x6" original oil painting on 1/4"deep panel. Artist quality supplies. Sides painted to match. Lightly varnished.

I loooove pink and red together. I also love these new 6x6" panels that I purchased. They are 1/4" thick, so they are nice and light. Also, the grain is very smooth and lovely to paint on. Thanks to Sarah Sedwick for an awesome still life set up.

GRANNY SERRANO

 

$140

8x10" original oil painting on 3/4" deep panel. Sides painted. Lightly Varnished. Wire backing so, it's ready to hang!

I named this Granny for the granny smith apples and Serrano for the serrano peppers. ; )

CRISPY CRUNCH

 

SOLD

OIL - 8x8" original oil painting on 3/4"deep panel, with sides painted. There is already a wire for hanging on the back of this piece. It's ready to hang!

Ya' gotta' love a crisp apple! Or two... or seven. Painting a high angle viewpoint is always cool. Thanks to Sarah Sedwick for the awesome photo reference. They're great to have when I'm painting early in the morning and I don't have any fruit in the house. ; )

SPRINGTIME CONFETTI

 

$140 

8x8" original oil painting on 1"deep gallery size canvas. 

Ya' can't go wrong with flowers. They are always a colourful joy. And they suit every room of the house! 

Painting has a wire backing on it and is ready to hang.

Here's how it looks on the wall... and a close up. Thanks for looking. : )

a sweet melody

 

$80

5x7"original watercolour painting in 8x10"mat.

a sweet melody : )

HUNGRY CRITTERS

 

$80

5x7"original watercolour painting in 8x10"mat. 8x10"frames are easy to find. You may have one already!

I used one of my favourite colours, called Opera Pink, in the watermelon. It's a hot pink. Then I added dabs of warm cadmium red for contrast. Hmm... the hot pink should be called cold pink, since it's a cool colour. #heehee Anywho... I went for lots of contrasts in this piece. The cool and warm as well as dark and light. Raccoons are a blast to paint!

CUTIE-PATOOTIE... YEP!

 

$80

5x7" Original Watercolour Painting in 8x10"mat. 8x10"frames are easy to find. You may have one already! ; )

I saw lots of gators over the holidays. So cute. They usually just bask in the sun or float along (looking exactly like a log!) in a shallow swamp. Again, so cute. Seriously!

FAVOURITE COATS

 

SOLD

Original 5x7" Watercolour Painting in an 8x10"mat. 8x10"frames are easily found, you might have one already!

This couple is heading home, (in their favourite coats) after grabbing some morning groceries.

EVERYONE GATHER AROUND

 

SOLD

8x8" - original oil painting on 3/4"deep panel

I'm sooo inspired by oil painting lately! I work in watercolour a lot (because I teach beginners watercolour) and I love it however, the thick gooeyness of oil is super fun to work with.

A FRESH START

 

$80

Original Watercolour Painting - 5x7" includes an 8x10"mat.

8x10" is a standard frame size that is easy to find. You may have one already!

Today felt like a watercolour day. I work with both oil and watercolour and this morning, this sweet subject said 'watercolour' to me. Actually, working in one medium can teach me a lot about the other! ; )

You will receive the original painting (not a print).

GOOD MORNING

 

OIL - $100

6x6" original oil painting on 3/4" deep cradled panel.

This morning bunch got the window seat!

After being so inspired by my last flower painting, I decided to get into the daily painting process again. So, off to the flower shop for this pretty bunch, all of whom say "good morning" to you. ; )

Detail -