Quick Cup of Tea - Crystal - Mermaids Elephants and Spring

One of the kids at work drew this in sidewalk chalk and I thought it was just great! Big fan of mermaids, and possibly planning a mermaid project for the summer. More on that later! However, I remember spending a lot of time with chalk out in the driveway. Sometimes I would cover the entire driveway with a chalk mural. Unfortunately the chalk colors were never that saturated, and it was hard to tell them apart, which meant that it was hard to tell what I was drawing. Probably better options out there these days.

Spring bouquet! It's that time of year when all the shops and people are celebrating the wide variety of flowers now available!! These are part of a bouquet my sis and I brought over to our parents for Easter Dinner. You will for sure see more floral in the future here.

What I've been working on this week (and last week). Part of the elephant series I'm doing, this one is charcoal and cold wax on vellum. Basically the cold wax turns the charcoal into a painting medium, and the smooth surface of the vellum helps it slide. You can get fantastic brush strokes. As well, the wax can be scratched away from the surface, resulting in super sharp lines. I'm going to do a Steller piece on it soon.

Quick cup of tea - Holly

This week. Man, it was a good one. Four days since Monday was a stat and we had our Easter dinner with our folks and brother. That's always a good time. A loud time too, but good. This week I went with some of the children at work to the local petting zoo and it was hilarious that one of my little three year olds was terrified of peacocks. True-they were bigger than her, but I've never seen a fear of birds like that before. 

My cat continues to do cute things (and non cute things like when she wakes me up at four o'clock to go out). The flowers here are blooming and I know we're so lucky because so e of the country is under snow but we have lilacs. I liberated these from a fence as I was walking back from my sisters and they're living in my bathroom, giving me a delightful smell every time I walk in. 

Did a bit of thinning of my radish plants and discovered my garden clogs are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own right now. It's not really socially acceptable for me to wear them everywhere is it? Darn! Even tho it's been blue skies and gorgeous all week today is dawning with a bit of rain. At least this means I don't have to water my garden 

Today my plan is to finish my book, catch up on some tv and maybe craft a little. What are your plans for the day?

A Quick Cup of Tea - Elephants, planting a garden and pirates

Morning! This week I planted my (patio) garden! Or at least part of it. Because all I have is a patio I have to be careful about space and do some planning. Some ideas I had for making the most of my limited patio garden include hanging planters on the railing, hanging planters from the roof (patio above..), growing plants that are space conscious and using rolling trays underneath so I can move the big pots around and create different layouts. Below you can see my lettuce in long pots, using up the space beside the balcony-

Holly and I are almost ready to do our next photoshoot! You can see our past shoots here:

This weekend we will be shooting Pan, a slightly Peter Pan-ish shoot with the pirates vs the lost boys on the beach. Although we've evolved a long way from our original very Peter Pan ideas, we LOVE what we've done and are VERY excited to shoot! Look for updates! Preview pic below of part of a pirate costume! -

Lastly, just finished this last night and thought I'd share. It's a Sri Lankan elephant in mixed media (pencil, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic) on 18x24" paper. These are endangered animals, but the government protects them by having the punishment for killing one being the death penalty.

Quick Cup of Tea by Holly

What a week! Anyone else so great for the weekend to finally be here? 

My seeds are sprouting! I didn't even notice at first and then when I did notice, well I may have squealed a bit. These sweet peas are going to be gorgeous!

The clouds have been lovely around here. I snapped this one on my break Wednesday. 

I am in love with my house plants. Seriously. And this watering can I got for Christmas. 

Spring and summer always makes me want to paint my nails and who am I to deny that? This pink went well with this fun tutu style skirt I wore. 

No post would be complete without a photo of my adorable cat Amy. Here sad is 'helping' Crystal and I make costumes for our next photo shoot. 

Here's to a relaxing and slow weekend

Cup of tea - Holly's Roundup

Here's a weekly round up thru photos!

This morning is for my favorite mug, star scarves and early morning touch ups.

Glaring at me because I told her that her breath smells. I'm all heart. 

Looked outside and saw this gorgeous sunset and while I was exclaiming over it, my neighbour came out to see what was happening. "The sunset is really beautiful tonight," I said but he didn't seem too impressed. His loss. 

Starting some seeds. Sunflowers and sweet peas. Possible making me crazy crazy happy. 

It's been a quiet week and I've kind of forgotten to take photos. Have a great Sunday! 

Cup of Tea - Crystal & the Museum - Sketches of totem poles and other things

Last weekend I went to the museum to sketch with an artsy friend, and we had a great time with the totem poles, the skeletons and all the stuffed animals. Here's some quick snapshots of some of the sketches I did.

It's always interesting sketching in public because people are curious about what you're drawing. They make the funniest excuses to get behind you and see what you're drawing. ("Honey, come take a look at this....fire extinguisher...") And then they just stand there....watching.....creepily......

A Quick Cup of Tea - Stones & The Old West!

After a few beach days this week, I'm thinking about the sea and shore. I love these pics, especially how many different colors and patterns these rocks have, all from the same beach. (There's a metaphor for life in there somewhere)

Quick preview from my new hallway - set up the cowboys and indians so I'm at home! The unpacking is almost done, so look for pics soon.

Quick Cup of Tea - Holly Edition

I planted a bunch of bulbs last December I think and then really forgot about them. Mid February I got a bit excited to see greenery coming up but then nothing else happened. The other day I was coming home and looked down and there was color! So excited to see the bulbs finally blooming!

Crystal and I had tea last time we were together and it was just too beautiful not to record. There was steam too but it didn't translate into the photo. 

Painted my nails for the first time in forever and loving this turquoise. (Also realized how bad I am at painting nails!) also bought these cute shoes! 

While I haven't been exactly loving that the time change made it dark when I wake up, I do love that we get so much extra light in the evenings. The evening light is truly spectacular. Here's my reflection in my porch door into my house. Lovely. 

A Quick Cup of Tea - Wolves, Dessert on Fire, and other oddities

light it up.....

...hunger games with icecream....

...eat it all!

Found some sparklers and had to improvise a quick photoshoot of their fantastic sparks! Somehow it makes the ice cream taste better.

Looked down...saw the gorgeous turquoise tiles, snapped a shot. I love mosaics but can't always find the patience to build them myself. However, I will photograph them in a heartbeat.

This beautiful wolf was a coloring sheet for the kids at work! So I snapped together some turquoise and text for a more graphic image. Now I need to break out the felts and color it! 

Quick Cup of Tea - Holly

While I love my job, I'm so ready for this weekend! This weekend is going to be about crafting projects and babysitting. Or something. Very excited about a new art project I've got on the go!

This is one of my favourite things in my house - a monthly perpetual planting calendar. Finally remembered to change it from February to March only yesterday!

I love making up hashtags on Instagram so I can easily group together pictures. For my exciting trip to Portland I've coined #hollygoespdx. This photo was taken on the day I bought airfare at five in the morning and decided it was going to be a lovely day.

I love granny squares. Even though it's not perfect, this quilt I made a couple of years ago is still one of my favourites because of the colours and pattern.

Crystal and I each bought a pack of six giant plastic Easter eggs and are going to fill them with yummy treats and homemade gifts for each other for Easter. Two of mine are filled already for her, what could they be?

Saw this awesome/scary stone rabbit on my lunch time walk. He's missing an ear but can still hop. You know, if he wasn't stone.

Enjoy your weekend!

Quick Cup of Tea - Holly

  

Making -  more granny squares for my newest blanket

Listening - latest Joy the Baker podcast, newest John Mayer album (love!), country radio station on my old kitchen radio 

Watching - season seven of Supernatural

Thinking About - my trip to Portland in a couple months