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 - 

SASSY BUNCH

 

OIL - $100 

8x8" original oil painting on 3/4" cradled panel with sides painted.

Happy New Year! This lovely "sassy bunch" are ready to charge into 2023. I painted along with the very talented Amy Brgner for this one. Then, I added a window so they could have a view of the sky. ; )

Watercolour Class - Raccoon Painting SATURDAY JAN. 14, '23 10-12pmET

Welcome! Below is all of the info you'll need about the Zoom Class on Saturday Jan. 14, '23 from 10-12pmET. When you're ready, just click the PayPal link. Or, email me for e-transfers, personal cheques or questions.  nora904@yahoo.com 

CLASS IS FULL. SEE YOU NEXT TIME. : )

The cost is $40 Canadian

(PayPal converts currency for you, if necessary. 

It will be less is US dollars!).

 The PayPal account is WatercoloursbyNoraMacPhail 

I will contact you through your PayPal email account (unless you tell me otherwise). My emails will be from nora904@yahoo.com

This class is NOT recorded (just like real life). 

Full reimbursement with 24hours notice.

Please be familiar with Zoom before attending.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

A Sketchbook and Pencil.

Bring the Watercolour supplies and paper that you are familiar with. Scroll down to see the supply list that I'll be using. 

We will PAINT TOGETHER from the raccoon photo below. If you have your heart set on a different raccoon photo, feel free to use it.

I'll email you a copy of this photo, and more helpful raccoon reference pics, when you register.

 SUPPLIES

PAPER

I'll be using - 8x10" Fluid Hot-Pressed Paper. The paint sits a bit differently on hot-pressed paper. If you think now is the time to try hot-pressed paper, great! However, feel free to use the paper you like.

PAINT

I use Winsor & Newton Paint Tubes that are squeezed out and ‘dry’.

Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Violet and Burnt Sienna.

BRUSHES

Use the brushes you like and are familiar with. I use synthetic point brushes size 6 and 8. Lowe-Cornell 720 Ultra Round and/or King Art Original Gold 9020 Max Round.

OTHER

sketchbook and pencil

paper towels and spray bottle.

Please be familiar with Zoom before attending. The Zoom link will be emailed to you on the Thursday Evening before the class. 

Questions? Just ask - nora904@yahoo.com

Thank you and see you on Zoom!

Lots of Xmas Shows are back on!! THREE COMING UP!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH - 10-4pm - 56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH 10-4pm - 1300 Gerrard St. E (at Greenwood)

SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, '22 10-4pm Come by my Table and say Hi!!

ALL THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE BACK ON! TWO IN NOVEMBER AND ONE IN DECEMBER. #woohoo I'll have small paintings, cards and crochet cuties for your Xmas tree.