Netflix Stars - Admission

3.50 stars - We thought this was a cute and quirky movie.  Is it a true rom-com?  Not really.  But it has its moments.  A bit choppy in places, but we liked the fact the ending is unexpected.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Stock Your Sleigh Days - November 23-25

Sunday only, November 23
Butterick 3/$5
Vogue $4.99

Thursday Tea Time - Tastes like flowery chicken

This week - Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile with Lavender

Cost:   $3.99 on sale at Super Target, regular price $4.89
Number of teabags:  16, individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Ingredients:   All Organic chamomile flower, English lavender flower, lemon balm leaf
Steeping time:   10 minutes
Add ins:  Plain or with a splash of milk and honey.
Fragrance:   Lavender/floral
Opinion:   It has a savory, umami flavor with a pleasant lavender taste.  It actually seems even better cooled.  Very calming and nice to drink in the evening.  "Like aromatherapy for your digestive and nervous systems…"
Rating:  2.5 - especially for the health and immunity boosting benefits.

Peace inside and outside

In yoga today, we talked about ahimsa.  Ahimsa—the principles of kindness and compassion, toward yourself and others, in words, thoughts and actions. It respects living beings as a unity, the belief that all living things are connected.  

Sketchy

Scored at Texas Art Supply today - a Stillman & Birn Zeta Smooth 180 pound 7" x 10" sketchbook.  Regular price $22.99, I paid $8.00!  My favorite clerk was singing the praises of the Zeta series for my watercoloring.  "You will love it," he said, "...and you can't beat the price!"

(Note to my Houston area watercolor peeps, I grabbed the last wire-bound one in this size.  However, you may want to check the Voss and Montrose locations this weekend so you can take advantage of the half-off red tag price deal items, too.  I think they are clearing out their stock, as the promotion is "while supplies last."  So if you are a Stillman & Birn fan, run over there.  They had their line from Beta to Zeta)

F These

My favorite sketching pencil for watercolor is the Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencil in "F" 

(Top one in the photo)  

It has a nice, light touch, easily erasable -- important for me!  But as I keep using and sharpening it, I wanted to stock in a supply.  Unfortunately, this is not a common degree and rather hard to find selling separately outside of the sets locally.  (I did find an online source at Dick Blick, surprisingly it was not available individually at the Staedtler website)

I thought I would try two other brands of F pencils.  I try to buy locally and support independent stores, and I found these two at Texas Art Supply.

The Prismacolor Turquoise 2260 (bottom) was very easy to sharpen, but the lead seemed harder and draggy.  This will probably live out its life as all-purpose desk pencil in the pen/pencil jar.  Bonus it is a pretty color.

The Tombow Chromo-Graph Mono (middle) took a bit longer to sharpen, but I thought it had a smoother and softer feel.

While the Mars still remains my favorite, the easier to find Tombow is a close runner-up.  

Always have a back-up plan...and a back-up pencil!

Triple Threat

Triple Chocolate M&M Cookies

Here is another version -Fall Harvest Halloween Thanksgiving- of the Cocoa M&M Cookies from the March 1995 issue of McCall's magazine. I grabbed a bag of M&M's at Target's After Halloween Sale.  I was planning to make a double batch for a Chili Cook-Off fundraiser.  Alas, the bags are no longer two cups -- but 12.6 ounces now.  However, I made up the difference with dark chocolate chips.  I think they even turned out better and more chocolate-y!

COCOA M&M COOKIES

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (you can easily lop off 1 1/2 tablespoons without being missed)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup M&Ms plain chocolate candy

confectioner's sugar

Grease 3 large baking sheets. Preheat oven to 350. In medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In large (coverable if you do this *) bowl, combine sugar and butter. At high speed beat 2 minutes or until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla; beat 2 minutes. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in candies. (*chill 10 minutes or until dough is firm. Roll dough into 1" balls then roll in confectioner's sugar). Place 2" apart on prepared sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool.

Watercolor Wednesday Work in Progress - Pomegranates

Pair of Pomegranates watercolor
10" x 13 1/4"

Watercolor pomegranates - work in progress.  

I still need to add the seeds at the bottom and work on the background and cans a bit more.  Trying to see the colors and paint in reflections is fun - that moment when you step away and look. . .

I just think, "Wow!"  I definitely learn something each time I begin a new painting.   

Yarrow, Part 2

Yarrow watercolor
9" x 8 1/4"

Learning to and reminding myself "Ooomp it up" and layer, layer, layer.
I went darker and rougher around and into the flowers.  Wetted the stems/leaves and then used a blend of opaque greens and let them have fun.  The opaque helped it stay pretty well on top yet it was able to move around a little.   These "nothing to lose but opportunities to have fun and learn at the same time"
It's not quite as dark black in real life as photographed, I'm actually liking it more the more I look at it.

Before:

To be honest, the only part I liked in the "before" was the upper left corner and sides where salt spilled when I tried to brush it from the flowers.

A to Z Challenge - Y is for Yarrow

Y is for Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Historically the Yarrow herb has been used externally for treating wounds and stopping the flow of blood. Yarrow oil is also used in hair shampoos.   If you have allergies to ragweed, it may be best to avoid contact with yarrow, you may be more susceptible to a reaction.

And with this post, I am finished with the 2014 Challenge!   There were over 2,000 bloggers participating.  Click here for the link to all my posts for this Challenge.  I really learned a lot, not only about the herbs and flowers, but practicing watercolor.

Better late than never!

Thank you

"I thank you God for most this amazing day:  for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes"
~ e.e. cummings

Love is all around us

October 30, 2014
6:33 PM

Even in Oyster Creek

Hello Happy Halloween

Halloween Pumpkin 2014 - Candy Corn Gumball!

Love, love, LOVE the Martha Stewart Mother of Pearl paint!  The orange is just the glitter paint over the pumpkin and the yellow is a combo of yellow with a layer of the yellow glitter paint.  The Martha Stewart paints were 30% off at Michael's this week.

Thursday Tea Time - Indulgent Tea

This week - Numi Indulgent Tea Chocolate Spice

Cost:   $7.99 at Whole Foods/Sugar Land
Number of teabags:  12,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  All organic cacao powder, black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, star anise.
Steeping time:  8 minutes
Add ins:  A splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss.
Fragrance:  Spicy chocolate, like Mexican hot chocolate!
Opinion:   You know this is going to be a good tea when chocolate is listed first!  And unlike last week's Tazo pepper'd chai, this has a wonderful flavor.  And no black pepper in the ingredients.  This makes for a sweet treat and kept me out of the Halloween candy.  However, it is a bit on the pricey side.  Whole Foods eventually will put this on sale and I will stock up then.  You can also save by buying larger quantities online -- I know I will blow through this box ricky-tick.  There are also three other flavors in their Indulgent Tea line - Chocolate Earl Grey, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Rooibos.  Whole Foods had them all.
Rating:  4.5 dinged only by the high price.

Work in Progress Watercolor Wednesday

Grasshopper
8 1/2" x 7"

Now he's done!  Patience, indeed!

At the stroke of Midnight. . .

Midnight Pumpkin Patch
9 1/2" x 8 1/2"

BOO!  I'm getting braver using more and bolder layers of color.  Yesterday's class had a Halloween theme and we were working with using light.  In my case, moonlight!

A to Z Challenge - W is for Wintergreen

Wintergreen berries

W is for wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Wintergreen is often used used in topical/external analgesic for the treatment of muscular and rheumatic pain.  You can even use wintergreen oil for transferring images, as I did here.

A to Z Challenge - T is for Tarragon

T is for Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

This perennial herb is used to flavor Mediterranean cooking.  Tarragon is a prime ingredient in Bérnaise Sauce and a favorite French herb mixture, fines herbes.  The fresh leaves are more potent than dried.

Tarragon has been used in various traditional medicines for stimulating the appetite and as a remedy for indigestion and hiccups.  It is a very rich source of C, A and the B-complex vitamins, and is an excellent source of calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, and zinc.

Be extraordinary

Magical Dream Sticks

Dreams contained herein!

A nice way to reference crayons.  Crayolas.   I've never called them "colors"... just as I never have called a Kleenex a "facial tissue."    Though I may just start calling them "Magical Dream Sticks"*

Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Water Soluble Wax Pastels --
Left to Right:  Moss Green, Empire Green, Prussian Blue, Yellow and Ruby Red

*(thank you, Professor SunWolf)

Vera Bradley - Winter 2014 Colors - Tech Devices Wallpaper Downloads

Cheery Blossoms Wallpaper

Click to download --
Desktop
Tablet
Mobile

Emerald Paisley Wallpaper

Click to download --
Desktop
Tablet
Mobile

Thursday Tea Time - Tazo Vanilla Caramel Chai

This week - Tazo Chai Vanilla Caramel  

Cost:   $3.00 on sale at Target
Number of teabags:  20  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  Black tea, cinnamon, natural flavors, licorice root, ginger, black pepper, cloves
Steeping time:  5 minutes
Add ins:  A splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss.
Fragrance:  strongly cinnamon
Opinion:   Disappointed.  I had high hopes for this, but the faint vanilla and caramel scent and flavor was overpowered.  This tea has a very strong peppery aftertaste.  I couldn't even finish it.   : P
Rating:  1, only because of its tongue-numbing properties

Snail's pace

"Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more" - Vincent Van Gogh.

Patiently painting layer upon layer of color trying to grab the iridescence for what abalone is known, without using white.  But at the end of class, I was finished and pretty darn happy with the effect!

Our watercolor class on Monday focused on objects of nature.  I was totally amazed by nature's details, often overlooked, by really seeing and studying and painting.  The edges of a butterfly's wing, the colors of white, the shadows of feathers…  My eyes were opened with appreciation and awe.

Oscar-Worthy Sewing

"It is not about what you wear, but how you live your life" - Oscar de la Renta

Ah, but thanks to you, Oscar de la Renta - Vogue American Designer for Vogue Patterns, we could do so looking beautiful and well-dressed.

On behalf of sewists around the world, thank you for sharing your talents and designs for the sewing community. 

Vogue 2541 Oscar de la Renta

Vogue 1043 Oscar de la Renta

Vogue 2425 Oscar de la Renta

Vogue 2889 Oscar de la Renta

Vogue 1667 Oscar de la Renta

Making your own carbon transfer paper

As a quick project, we made our own carbon transfer paper in watercoloring class!

DIY carbon graphite transfer paper

This is a great way to transfer your drawings in your sketchbook to watercolor paper.  Just photocopy the sketch, even enlarge it, put it on top of the transfer paper graphite side down on top the watercolor paper, outlining your design.   

I also plan to use it to make additional variations of a watercolor I painted.   I really loved the sketch I did -- and rather than try to redraw it again,  I will use a photocopy I made.  Time and sanity-saving!  

One of the advantages to making your own is it is much easier to erase the tracings on your paper, as there isn't a waxy finish you may find on commercial transfer paper.  It is also reusable, foldable and transportable to stick in your supply bag.

All you need is a sheet of vellum (or tracing paper, the vellum seems a bit sturdier), lighter fluid, a cotton ball and a graphite stick.

Using the side of the graphite stick, cover one side of the vellum.  Wet the cotton ball (not dripping) with lighter fluid and rub the paper, which will dissolve the graphite.

Isaiah 42:16

Netflix Stars - Nebraska

3.5 stars - A little slow in places but worth sticking with all the way to the end.  It reminded me of "Little Miss Sunshine" as far as a trip with mission and family drama.  I like that it was filmed in black and white - perfect.  Will Forte is adorable and proves he can do drama along with comedy -- though there is one scene with the compressor that had hubby and I both cracking up.  (I'm even  laughing as I'm typing this.)

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Moonlight Madness - October 19/25

McCall's - 3 for $5
Vogue - $4.99

Thursday Tea Time - Mate Chocolatte'

This week - Guayaki Yerba Mate Chocolatte' 

Cost:   $7.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:  16,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Herbal
Ingredients:  Organic:  Yerba mate leaf, cocoa, nutmeg, cinnamon, stevia leaf, clove
Steeping time:  5-10 minutes
Add ins:  A splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss.  Going to try with almond milk next time I go to the store and buy some.
Fragrance:  Cacao and clove.
Opinion:   Another I find I like this more after each mug I drink. Especially when you make it a Mate Chocolatte latte.  Hahaha, so punny me.  Trying to stay healthy and keep my energy immune system up and running at high speed, with 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and abundant antioxidants, and Yerba's adaptogen-like qualities, which include reducing the effects of occasional stress, this should do the trick in a tasty way.
Rating:  5

Blue Shadow Wire Dog Watercolor

Blue Shadow Wire Dog watercolor
12" x 10"

One of the inspiration photos

44th Wire Piece, 1972
Wire and template for pencil line
47 x 22 x 11 1/4 in.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los AngelesGift of Lannan Foundation

Inspired by the work of artist Richard Tuttle, we were working on line drawings/paintings in watercolor class.  Our instructor brought in several items with great lines -- a birdcage still-life (which I took photos to try at home) and this free-form metal wire dog.  Two of us were fascinated by this wire sculpture and we had fun posing him/her in the lobby of the Art League.   It looked different from every angle.  And I liked how it cast a blue shadow.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Columbus Day Simplicity Pattern Sale

Columbus Day Simplicity Pattern Sale - 99 cents

Sun-Day Reflections

"The sun shines down, and its image reflects in a thousand different pots filled with water.  The reflections are many, but they are each reflecting the same sun.  Similarly, when we come to know who we truly are, we will see ourselves in all people."

~Ammachi

Thursday Tea Time - Pumpkin Spice Chai

This week - Tazo Chai Pumpkin Spice
Cost:   $3.49 at Target
Number of teabags:  20,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Ingredients:  Black tea, cinnamon, natural flavors, licorice root, ginger, cloves, black pepper, cardamom.
Steeping time:  5 minutes
Add ins:  A splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss
Fragrance:  Cardamom/pumpkin pie spice
Opinion:   I find I like this more after each mug I drink. Or maybe it's because we are getting deeper into the PSL/Pumpkin Spice Latte season.   I drink it in the afternoon when my sweet tooth tries to make its presence known or if I need a boost of caffeine (31-45 mg).  The licorice and black pepper keep it from becoming too much like liquid pumpkin pie.  This will be nice to drink through Thanksgiving.  I will be going back for another box at the rate I'm going!
Rating:  4

Watercolor Wednesday - Bird of Paradise

"Bird of Paradise"
watercolor
6 5/8" x 6 5/8"

For an upcoming birthday card/present, I asked a friend what her favorite flower was.  

(Hoping for something easy, but when have I ever taken the easy way out?)  

"Bird of Paradise!"  

"Really?!"….I replied, trailing off.  

But I thought to myself, I'm up for this, why not!  And how lucky for me we were learning different wash techniques with different brushes in class on Monday.  

I could avoid leaves and just focus on the flower itself by washing shades of green!  Win-win here!  

I really like how it turned out, I hope she does, too!

Blood Moon Eclipse

Blood Moon Eclipse - Houston, Texas - 5:35 AM

Go!

Yogi Cinnamon Vanilla Healthy Skin

This week - Yogi Cinnamon Vanilla Healthy Skin

(Not to be confused with similar sounding Yogi Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy, which I reviewed July 19, 2012)

Cost:   $4.84 at Target, on sale at Kroger for $2.99
Number of teabags:  16,  individually-wrapped
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Ingredients:   All organic Nettle Leaf, Mullein Leaf and Schisandra Berry – Ayurvedic herbs traditionally used to hydrate and retain moisture in the skin’s tissues, Cinnamon Bark and Cardamom Seed to support circulation, Cocoa Shells and Vanilla Bean add flavorful intrigue.
Steeping time:  5 minutes (suggested 4-6 minutes)
Add ins:  Perfect as is, but even better with a splash of Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss
Fragrance:  Cinnamon-y
Opinion: Tastes great plain and even better with Natural Bliss - almost like apple pie a la mode.  This could be a very nice afternoon or evening go-to tea this fall.  My daughter thought that the cinnamon made it taste similar to chai.    I did notice their slight price creep, however.  And hey, Yogi Tea - only a $1 coupon?  You used to have $2 coupons!
Rating:  4 (dinging really only about the pricing - I would definitely stock up when it goes on sale, with the previous box's coupon)

Watercolor Wednesday - Frog Dreaming Update

I thought my watercolor frog needed more oomph - more green, more definition - and here he is.  I'm really happy how he turned out!

AFTER:

BEFORE: