sketch box

Well this is a productive week so far.  I have managed to paint more window frames and clear out our storage area.  Having off site storage is very handy but you keep so much junk!

Anyway tonight I have spent some more time on the box that I started a few weeks ago.

It is done now. 

I think.  

I hope. 
 
This will be great to hold a small sketch book and pencils.

I have another box on its way already so that will be tomorrow night's project.

In the meantime two of my grandkids are blogging.
Matthew here 
and Ally here

it never rains - it pours - or leaks

 Today I had nothing planned: except a few errands to run and the supermarket of course.  


We have had quite a lot of rain overnight which has been lovely for the garden and of course it has cooled the house down a bit too.

 I thought it would be a good idea to pick up some paint so we can continue on the outside of the house.  We have painted the front wall (which is the smallest area) and I am keen to do the rest before winter arrives.

 

 I popped into the shed, which is behind my work room, to check on the type of paint.  The colour is Oyster Linen which I really love but I am always confused by all the options when I arrive in the paint department.

While in the shed I heard a loud dripping sound and as the rain had stopped some hours earlier I thought I should investigate.  I rigged up some lights so I could see under the house and was horrified to see water dripping through the laundry floor.  I rushed up the stairs and turned off the washing machine taps and disconnected the hoses, and then I moved the washing machine.  It has been leaking underneath and the water had seeped under the tiles and through the flooring.  Great.  Fantastic.  So I did have something to do after all.  Hubby was away so I lifted up the tiles, many of which were cracked or broken as it turned out.  The chip board, (MDF) was soaking wet - so now I am waiting for it to dry.  I think it will be ok - it has never been sealed - the tiles were laid directly on the flooring.  I intend to put a drainage grate in the floor and then seal it all before re-tiling the lot.  The walls could do with a lick of paint so it should look lovely and fresh when it is finished.

I did buy the paint too - just in case.

The red and green pics are for inspiration for a colour study I am doing.

click here check out this blog - something a bit different 



and this one  I could waste a lot of time playing with this one.

sketching

I have been really busy doing the Studio Journal course with Sharon B.  Apart from weekly exercises Sharon suggests we add anything that interests us or inspires us.  Photos or fabrics or even sketches for future use.  The journal is for reference not to be a piece of art in itself.

I am really enjoying this class although I am finding it difficult to find time to do the exercises.

The interesting thing is the fact that I am really enjoying sketching.  I am not very accomplished but I do like putting my ideas down on paper.

Art was a subject I failed at school (many years ago) so this is quite a revelation.

Painted leaves

Our weather has been very changeable lately and we have had lots of strong winds which have delivered heaps of gorgeous gum leaves on the lawn. I really am fascinated by the colours of the leaves. Apart from the green ones we have gold and brown and red. They really are amazing.

Speaking of deliveries;   I have joined the product of the month group here so today I received my second monthly parcel, comprised of some very interesting pencils.  Last month's product included the makings and directions for silk paper.  Although I have made silk paper before I will enjoy using the items in the pack.

This is a great idea if you want some inspiration and to try out new (or new to you) products.  The pencils are going to be very handy to use for my journal.