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

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. 

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. 

Streetcar fix it shop

$60 - 6x12" original pen and watercolour painting

The streetcars were just coming and going Sunday morning at the Russel Car House fix it shop. It made for quite a challenge while painting with the Urban Sketchers Toronto group. I realized I probably wouldn't have tired this subject on my own but when someone else picks the painting spots, you never know what might happen! 

 My set up which sits on my lap.

Fortunately I was under a big shady tree on such a hot day, hence the blue tinge on my photos. Probably the most challenging outdoor subject I've ever painted from life. #phew 

living amongst the trees

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour with 8x10"painting

I spent the day at the wonderful High Park here in Toronto, plein-air painting with a friend. We had a great day amongst all the green (!). Can you spot the little duck swimming by. There were lots of them keeping up company. : )

Making progress and trying to keep the greens interesting and true. The house is there... it's just 'amongst the trees', hence my title. : ) 

My little paintbox has served me well over the years. Placed on my lap as I work, it includes my palette, brushes, pencils, water container, a compact mirror (to look at the painting in reverse) and a rag clipped to the right side. It's just great!

to make a short story longer

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour with 8x10"mat

About 20 fellow Urban Sketchers and I went to a downtown park, with an outdoor cafe, for our last sketch outing. There are many urban sketchers groups and ours, called TOUSK (Toronto Urban Sketchers) is fantastic. Very friendly, very supportive and run by a wonderful ambitious woman named Marie-Judith. We meet up about twice a month. 

Here are a few photos of my painting kit.

The people in my cafe scenes don't look too much like real life, because of my style, and just in case it offends them. I save trying to get a likeness for my portraits. Also, I changed the colour of their clothes... to brighten things up. : )

I added a couple in the background, with soft cool colours.

That's me. Duh.

the brook

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

It turns out that the James Gardens in Toronto is quite the hidden gem! A bunch of us from the Don Valley Art Club went painting there on Saturday only to discover hidden brooks, a beautiful duck pond, and lots of frogs and turtles. The place is a painters dream.

Here's a pic of my paintbox with my watercolour palette in it and a 6x8" watercolour pad bulldog clipped to it. I've done a lot of plein-air painting and urban sketching in this trusty little box. 

; )

paint box

I've been doing a lot of urban sketching/plein-air painting with my trusty little paintbox. : ) It fits my Winsor & Newton travel watercolour palette perfectly and I can clip watercolour paper, up to 9x12", onto it. : ) It sits on my lap while I sit on a cheap aluminum camping stool. A lot more discreet and lightweight than a big easel. 

between

SOLD

My new favourite place in the world to plein-air paint! Spadina Museum and it's lovely garden.

$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.

PayPal or email me for check.

This little painting kit is just a strong cardboard box with my Winsor Newton palette in it, along with water cup, water spritzer, and a bull dog clip holding a rag. The watercolour block fits inside the lid nicely.

statuesque

I painted this on location with my newly devised, work in progress, painting kit.

Foam core board, Winsor Newton palette, brush, 6B pencil (hiding behind the brush), a 8x10"mat with 5x7"opening, watercolour paper, rag and 3 bull dog clips!

I saw a fellow urban sketcher use a bulldog clip to keep their palette on their board. Genius!

This collapsable water holder has a handle which I clipped onto my foam core board. It gets heavy if I'm standing so...

there is this much lighter option, which means changing the water more often. I think I'll stick with this next time.

Also, a rag clipped onto my board. However, it just means holding a longer and heavier board. Great if I'm sitting but I think I'm going to cut a shorter board and keep the rag and paper towels on hand. Like I said, it's a kit in progress.

Hope this inspires some to paint outdoors!

And now, I'm off to my group art show!!