Pretty Flower Pot

My subject today is a pot of anthurium my husband gave me.  It sits on the kitchen windowsill and greets me each time I'm at the sink.  

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

~Aristotle

Cuppa Latte?

This week's challenge was to use Kim's "Serendipity" texture on an image of a cup.  I took this shot at a local Javatini's.

Happy Texture Tuesday everyone!

Yellow Bird

It's a beautiful 75 degrees here in Southern Calif.  Yesterday I went to Birds Unlimited to get a bird feeder and left with a lot more than I had anticipated.  That is so typical for me.  When I get on a mission, I don't know when to stop.  I really want to encourage more wildlife in our backyard.  I now have a mealworm feeder, a tube feeder, a house wren birdhouse and "best quality" bird seed.  Oh, and a guide to Southern Calif. birds.  Can't wait to get it all installed.  I think I will get a hummer feeder too.

I'm paying homage to all the beautiful wild birds today with this sketch.

This is a warbler which I don't think we'll see in our backyard.    It will, however, be fun to see what we do attract.

I'm also going to put in some butterfly-friendly plants.  We have lots of butterflies now but we can always use more.

A Little Departure

It's been so long since I sketched.  This blog started because I had read Danny Gregory's book "The Creative License".  I didn't think I could draw but I really wanted to try.  I've gotten away from my everyday practice and I need to get back to it.  It's amazing how rusty I've become with sketching since I've been so involved in digital alterations.

Danny's book is so inspiring and everytime I look at it I get re-inspired.

I've also been inspired by Alisa Burke's blog where she shows her sketchbook.  

I really want to get in the habit again.

Shore Bird

Thanks to Mike Baird of Flickr Commons for the use of his image.  I used two of Kim Klassen's textures -- one called 'Robins Egg' and one from her 'Ben's Collection'.

I like the results.  I really did not have to do that much processing as the textures themselves created the look.

This week's challenge will be to use an image of a coffee or tea cup and Kim's 'Serendipity' texture.  I really enjoy seeing all the entries.  So much talent out there.

Have a great week!

Tuesday Texture - Spring

These photos were taken last week in my friend's garden.  It is very small and just packed with beautiful flowers, vines, and bird houses.  Reminds me of my grandmother's backyard. 

I used Kim Klassen's "Sweetreat" and "Silence" on both of these photos.

And on the birdhouse photo I also used Anna's #86 texture.

I hope you all have an inspiring Tuesday.

Mourning Cloak

When I went out to feed my birds Friday a.m., I discovered that the butterfly had emerged from the chrysalis that had been hanging underneath the eave of our house.  The light was not good and I wanted to wait for better light to take the picture, but decided that it might have flown away by the time I returned from the gym.  Sure enough, it was gone when I returned.  Every day now in the morning and afternoon I see a mourning cloak flying around in the yard.  I'm going to assume it's the same butterfly.  

Birds of Paradise From Another Planet

It's Texture Tuesday again.  I had great fun with this.  I already had the photo which had been digitally altered.  I added Kim Klassen's "robins egg" texture - blend mode "difference" at 88% opacity and used the posterize filter.  I quite like the results.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

     

Cactus Fountain

Yes, this truly is a fountain.  It resides in the yard of a friend in Tucson, AZ.  It is metal, and lethal, if you brush against it.  Lots of pointed stickers on it.  It makes the most peaceful sound.

It's my entry for Texture Tuesdays.  I've used "warm sun" texture by Kim Klassen and a cracked soil texture from somewhere - just can't remember where I got it.

Painted Clutch

I found the directions for this in the Jan/Feb 09 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

I'm just beginning to work with fabric and sewing, and this was a very simple project to do.  

I'm so excited to be attending the Create Mixed Media Retreat sponsored by CPS.  It is right in my "backyard".  Both the classes I've chosen focus on fabric and machine stitching.  The clutch project featured in the above mentioned issue of CPS was submitted by Alisa Burke and one of the classes I'll be taking is taught by her. My end result is not as fancy as hers (I forgot to line with brown paper bag) but I had fun doing this first one.  I used sandwiched plastic bags and ironed/fused them together (you can see the Target logo faintly in this example) and proceeded from there.


If you live in Orange County or a reasonable distance in Southern California, don't miss this Create Mixed Media Retreat in May.