tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39403810896381989592024-03-17T20:03:42.057-07:00UniqartOriginal paintings, hand-made jewellery, knitted stuff and anything else I try to create. Contact: c_bletsis@yahoo.co.uk -
All art works remain the copyright of the artist and cannot be reproduced without permissionCaroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.comBlogger1873125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-1554616361941841822024-03-16T00:50:00.000-07:002024-03-16T00:50:13.164-07:00Moonlight...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml_hq8Hfw8BmhojAjUOOBZ5xGx96ouGCNe7gzSLgMbnd0qliSBBvHejSJ0ZMsY2gjEHsalkgnBfVyQwTORSEjB6BWBS42awYg4P6L1tZPzVrT58srQ0NnZclyfDFRp18fEBxT0bhKzT9JAlw7AuTYVfDIJZ0_TvmqHwsJT1qMP_P5ZTFEoIueoFNb1w8/s2611/Otis%20in%20the%20moonlight%20dark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="1909" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhml_hq8Hfw8BmhojAjUOOBZ5xGx96ouGCNe7gzSLgMbnd0qliSBBvHejSJ0ZMsY2gjEHsalkgnBfVyQwTORSEjB6BWBS42awYg4P6L1tZPzVrT58srQ0NnZclyfDFRp18fEBxT0bhKzT9JAlw7AuTYVfDIJZ0_TvmqHwsJT1qMP_P5ZTFEoIueoFNb1w8/s320/Otis%20in%20the%20moonlight%20dark.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>I painted this last week - I have had it in mind for a long time, but commissions for dog portraits had to take priority. This is Otis swimming in the moonlight, referencing a snap taken last year on the Explore.org bear cams. Unfortunately, I just cannot photograph the painting successfully. The above picture is slightly too dark...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2pTfs-78rqwM1Ue4JLnt4csWKEVfHBU3-T3d8zGTRmSbXsOtAoQsHV3HyR2MRvcwQAGfPji_vjFB4KaihkmOj3Nfg3KIECsE9CI3Lb6bLPHwTOG6Db_nfRK2WnQp1XoNMR7-Ny-pLi4xStKdO04t47ir6X5kpGYPhOAU3V5ZtCX9W54sG3HZztyyxos/s1459/Otis%20inthe%20moonlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2pTfs-78rqwM1Ue4JLnt4csWKEVfHBU3-T3d8zGTRmSbXsOtAoQsHV3HyR2MRvcwQAGfPji_vjFB4KaihkmOj3Nfg3KIECsE9CI3Lb6bLPHwTOG6Db_nfRK2WnQp1XoNMR7-Ny-pLi4xStKdO04t47ir6X5kpGYPhOAU3V5ZtCX9W54sG3HZztyyxos/s320/Otis%20inthe%20moonlight.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>...and this one is way too light. I have tried 3 different cameras and they just do not like this painting! The true colours are somewhere between the two photographs. This was watercolour on paper,and will be in my Etsy shop shortly.<p></p><p>On the easel - another bear...<br /> </p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-51915371416901577742024-02-22T23:33:00.000-08:002024-02-22T23:33:39.080-08:00Sweet...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpris0lTAKwXplTkqDbdQ5pjIM3xDVaekDXoFe6PcW0lIfv6CIjxGp8PvdBBsxm62ASImJKqudBtLWccpkpwZy_2ZGOX3FApNNP3h7T1nU1XwN55xHjlqdvR6SVfs-CqVZhtHfZaq2SLULQjMtNs8Y25GKobPV3_555P7wAoIYm7mbRbHhpmZjfNTv8eQ/s1556/Violet%20watercolour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpris0lTAKwXplTkqDbdQ5pjIM3xDVaekDXoFe6PcW0lIfv6CIjxGp8PvdBBsxm62ASImJKqudBtLWccpkpwZy_2ZGOX3FApNNP3h7T1nU1XwN55xHjlqdvR6SVfs-CqVZhtHfZaq2SLULQjMtNs8Y25GKobPV3_555P7wAoIYm7mbRbHhpmZjfNTv8eQ/s320/Violet%20watercolour.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /> Last week saw my granddaughter's 3rd birthday and she had a little party with all the 'oldies' - grandparents, family friends etc. Mr.B took a sweet photo of her eating a slice of birthday cake and I just had to paint it! I used a new set of watercolours, Rosa, made in Ukraine, that I bought with a gift voucher received on my birthday. They are quite different to the watercolours I usually use (White Knights) but once I'd got the hang of them I really enjoyed using them for this delicate little painting. It was really good to paint something different - I've had a year of painting dogs - and getting my brain working!<p></p><p>No commissions at the moment - please get in touch if you would like me to paint something for you! In the meantime, we're giving thebathroom a little makeover so the next thing I shall be painting is a bath panel and a set of shelves!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-63295276885469295162024-02-13T23:26:00.000-08:002024-02-13T23:26:14.957-08:00More Small Things...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HGfGTgYCyPt5iHYRO51c6MHQHijuXzmCRBLE5IgL5B5PWqCA_9twHD1p0CJD3NYunDmi_WCFmsegOv2nnvS_l_rWa4POqthjuWs5aY6cPrYIjVHH8072GOTQg6oVLN88VZ-xkMcsj7fof914WYjJKhVqL63zUW1HTjnpjtGCPxWjbRrmjeYId_JVYwM/s1254/Charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HGfGTgYCyPt5iHYRO51c6MHQHijuXzmCRBLE5IgL5B5PWqCA_9twHD1p0CJD3NYunDmi_WCFmsegOv2nnvS_l_rWa4POqthjuWs5aY6cPrYIjVHH8072GOTQg6oVLN88VZ-xkMcsj7fof914WYjJKhVqL63zUW1HTjnpjtGCPxWjbRrmjeYId_JVYwM/s320/Charlie.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>I've been working on a dog portrait over the past fortnight - here is Charlie, a little Yorkshire terrier done in Derwent Coloursoft & Drawing pencils on pastel paper. This is for a surprise birthday present, so shhh! I'm now free for commission.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw1lOozqSBwOVK9sfQyFAQ4XknG_uwrZzpCa2G-wyxyUxWptBIGzZBgBShI4LmKDMSYoX6laBUhV3TKJ92z1lgnM8p-c9eBwZs25rKG7djcwgoOdWdYZ-DETqjOu1NaRUhY7yFGDeQ515aDj-K3zDMlVXzlSKUUjMeOl0n2IF3BRob6nVC0M222kS7fo/s1113/Elsa%20dolls%20dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw1lOozqSBwOVK9sfQyFAQ4XknG_uwrZzpCa2G-wyxyUxWptBIGzZBgBShI4LmKDMSYoX6laBUhV3TKJ92z1lgnM8p-c9eBwZs25rKG7djcwgoOdWdYZ-DETqjOu1NaRUhY7yFGDeQ515aDj-K3zDMlVXzlSKUUjMeOl0n2IF3BRob6nVC0M222kS7fo/s320/Elsa%20dolls%20dress.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>My granddaughter turns 3 at the weekend - difficult to think what to get her for her birthday as she was spoilt rotten over Christmas whcih wasn't that long ago. One thing that her mum asked if I could do was to make an Elsa dress to go with a doll she will be getting on her birthday. I had to search the internet for measurements of this particular doll- thankfully I found them hidden away on a blog somewhere. I bought some blue lining satin and some sparkly snowflake organza and went about drawing out a pattern. I think it turned out well - it remains to be seen if it fits the doll! If not, I am sure she will have some teddy or other that we can jam into it!<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-53750443668624203702024-01-30T23:49:00.000-08:002024-01-30T23:49:55.384-08:00Small Things...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h1RgugvvcY0ucOJRQyOhE0SJpwIzX7PMPzIoeoEvAafd4TH63WzieXNUmWLWMnZnS2FYYInS1PnffP4t1Jhq6NLi2zBeFXZSsJMTWUT1LAr3h7XahN0JoZR89po0Xh8g-_MHz1zah0Aqs02AQ4vACwghwiqbKNCfuDZKwyMJ1TfklAceOHeVCoSBGtI/s1080/crochet%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1080" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h1RgugvvcY0ucOJRQyOhE0SJpwIzX7PMPzIoeoEvAafd4TH63WzieXNUmWLWMnZnS2FYYInS1PnffP4t1Jhq6NLi2zBeFXZSsJMTWUT1LAr3h7XahN0JoZR89po0Xh8g-_MHz1zah0Aqs02AQ4vACwghwiqbKNCfuDZKwyMJ1TfklAceOHeVCoSBGtI/s320/crochet%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've been playing around with yarn while I waited for a larger project to be confirmed. I bought a book called Amigurumi Dolls a long time ago but never made anything from it until now. These little babies are about 2 inches tall and cute as a button. I love the teeny-weeny teddy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeBVFfw_Bclniydj1QIhisx9NRULfrQZPWdMDc3WccQNDszPb0mf6unLNX-CL3PqvRo3QuFB0vi4SkRKDtnt-WRfvaAmcDQoYuLRTlmcE395L5Q2bwrgoyaNAVEhoTWMqUJe1mdXdqXoPAcQMTFC7awiXBhWugEcJCDLo5u9GHS-1CRHe3h_OEaleMnU/s1105/crochet%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="930" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeBVFfw_Bclniydj1QIhisx9NRULfrQZPWdMDc3WccQNDszPb0mf6unLNX-CL3PqvRo3QuFB0vi4SkRKDtnt-WRfvaAmcDQoYuLRTlmcE395L5Q2bwrgoyaNAVEhoTWMqUJe1mdXdqXoPAcQMTFC7awiXBhWugEcJCDLo5u9GHS-1CRHe3h_OEaleMnU/s320/crochet%201.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>This one is also the same size. Not sure what I will do with these, it was just fun to crochet them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXDES0x4S-sFUhMZ_-rLg5hJ9cEw7EKSnMqMuqo2lJATpU0gSi4HNgdaKfuj7z48tWwcog-55fuV4mD44R3ttjllQrVHIlp4TyUVlZIk1VZtThzd3NbrvOrDblmz_rIeFPOj4M43WAYNMyoRqVddxqnw8kObTosyhgtCfK_v3031wPXJdhwDiAgnZEY/s1127/Katmai%20hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXDES0x4S-sFUhMZ_-rLg5hJ9cEw7EKSnMqMuqo2lJATpU0gSi4HNgdaKfuj7z48tWwcog-55fuV4mD44R3ttjllQrVHIlp4TyUVlZIk1VZtThzd3NbrvOrDblmz_rIeFPOj4M43WAYNMyoRqVddxqnw8kObTosyhgtCfK_v3031wPXJdhwDiAgnZEY/s320/Katmai%20hat.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>I've also knitted a Katmai hat from the book Knit The National Parks - Ithink this one has a home already.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e9nUUJXglzUn9-EfkVqPAC6HKy3eY2HrN7LBSJ8zR6L0V-pbfi4epwDm-BQPxPARzW8HG9lM2CkMD32dIrU6-WzUrGUG097kmk7IeSbPazB-XeimSl-KQqpdKwtS-hKUycQbac7qWIV0Ucb_6sSiWy2SJzhFgJqqyBxxkgs_cMqotdq9lXpFp54-kmU/s1080/Katmai%20baby%20hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e9nUUJXglzUn9-EfkVqPAC6HKy3eY2HrN7LBSJ8zR6L0V-pbfi4epwDm-BQPxPARzW8HG9lM2CkMD32dIrU6-WzUrGUG097kmk7IeSbPazB-XeimSl-KQqpdKwtS-hKUycQbac7qWIV0Ucb_6sSiWy2SJzhFgJqqyBxxkgs_cMqotdq9lXpFp54-kmU/s320/Katmai%20baby%20hats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These two baby Katmai hats are already on their way to their new home - twins!<p></p><p></p><p>On the easel - a new dog portrait, a Yorkshire terrier this time.<br /> </p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-56599879194144591372024-01-17T00:18:00.000-08:002024-01-17T00:18:01.173-08:00Handsome Fellow...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJO7fjFpcrPS8nyDBT50DeMeWxMqW9qyzFwFj0chM-BFfvPPlIjqWPBB-D0VyLVzUQRBkejcB8JMrwpui-ynRotjgomZkJynOu_Vmo9pFfN_vuzWkv8ZtvQQqEQ-M5O4L6yYXGvLD7l0ewichA5ZP7bn9C_0M6toY_M0mWF1P0zkvDdm76eKZ6l43wlE/s3300/German%20Shepherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJO7fjFpcrPS8nyDBT50DeMeWxMqW9qyzFwFj0chM-BFfvPPlIjqWPBB-D0VyLVzUQRBkejcB8JMrwpui-ynRotjgomZkJynOu_Vmo9pFfN_vuzWkv8ZtvQQqEQ-M5O4L6yYXGvLD7l0ewichA5ZP7bn9C_0M6toY_M0mWF1P0zkvDdm76eKZ6l43wlE/s320/German%20Shepherd.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I completed this yesterday - a very handsome German Shepherd dog that is sadly no longer with us - which is a private commission. I have painted this in acrylics on Dalerboard - I have not painted in acrylics for quite a while and thoroughly enjoyed this one. The subject was great, and the painting seemed to just flow right from the start - I love it when that happens! In fact, I am quite sorry this one is over!<p></p><p>So now I am free to paint anything I want until the next commission rolls along.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jQd1A_ApxMxJ5nV4K3Ks0nMdpU1n9PYP0SFqVJfLf6yE9JVgWaz_PAK4Lzl7heRI4dpbGWdxk7ZZ4po749-EKE2MdhrRMyMpzKvw0Nvjyvaf88kExGpjemGfvt5-GhstNKgOT5_I7J1XlAxS5-tKzoXXKVfUH0f6egMjB7ZA0TFIoyEkuE-BKLC8eRg/s1262/Shawl%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jQd1A_ApxMxJ5nV4K3Ks0nMdpU1n9PYP0SFqVJfLf6yE9JVgWaz_PAK4Lzl7heRI4dpbGWdxk7ZZ4po749-EKE2MdhrRMyMpzKvw0Nvjyvaf88kExGpjemGfvt5-GhstNKgOT5_I7J1XlAxS5-tKzoXXKVfUH0f6egMjB7ZA0TFIoyEkuE-BKLC8eRg/s320/Shawl%201.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><p>I have also been knitting - this is a lace shawl/scarf knitted in a fine kid mohair mix yarn, pale cream coloured with a hint of sparkle. It is light as air and very pretty - it will be in my Etsy shop in the next few days.</p><p>I am just finishing off another couple of baby hats, and after that I have no more work for the time being. Perhaps I could get on with some Spring cleaning?<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-62904473114355903262024-01-12T23:56:00.000-08:002024-01-12T23:56:13.154-08:00Happy New Year!<p> Sorry I've been so quiet over the past weeks - it's been a busy time, organising and celebrating Christmas, which was the best Christmas since Covid struck. I have been working away on various projects, none of which are finished and ready to post pictures of just yet.</p><p>On the easel - a wonderful dog portrait that I am having so much fun with.</p><p>On the needles - a lacy shawl, just needs a few more rows; a baby hat, part of a commission.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hopefully I will have something to show inthe coming few days.<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-69132172175048319762023-12-19T23:33:00.000-08:002023-12-19T23:33:29.484-08:00Charlie...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeyHZ9AoPeDsFZPnhGAg9nHVXsALFuteKI6HcCiycD5DE0XkkqexQlSvFBucEtSKt7DPx9e-DBjt5eovT1C9CfbmareZLkUDvdK1dbIXDoC2TagjlfUfJ0vou6FqeagF3buuly_-3jVn4GJ4wCSUKxsm4GMcooVWqD5ZDN_Y3SyEst1SZtPDPwGkjNao/s1361/Charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeyHZ9AoPeDsFZPnhGAg9nHVXsALFuteKI6HcCiycD5DE0XkkqexQlSvFBucEtSKt7DPx9e-DBjt5eovT1C9CfbmareZLkUDvdK1dbIXDoC2TagjlfUfJ0vou6FqeagF3buuly_-3jVn4GJ4wCSUKxsm4GMcooVWqD5ZDN_Y3SyEst1SZtPDPwGkjNao/s320/Charlie.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>This is what I have been struggling over for the past couple of weeks - it is a private commission but is a surprise for someone so I only had some very basic photos to work from. Also, this little dog has the most unusual eyes - I had to get several extra photos showonig them in order to make sure I got the colouring correct. This was done using Dersent Coloursoft pencils on pastel paper.<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-25268298836195901222023-11-29T00:08:00.000-08:002023-11-29T00:08:15.584-08:00The Birds...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSGkUV3yz7vWPQNMB4axVHs5aKJgphp1ImtOU-Rz7FHz8z2EBvQnOtQSzXwbYYC6fQm9Mm4oh8HWRmVzru0CPavWC7qJyEDD7u1tzasYgZ6W3uRx1C5ETKsH6pFqVJWmV9R5Iy6b0p3jo_l4vRXzHZ5t9swC3w2ht2VlDt687qcZVI1nYG04mbA62EWc/s2530/Bear%20with%20birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2530" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSGkUV3yz7vWPQNMB4axVHs5aKJgphp1ImtOU-Rz7FHz8z2EBvQnOtQSzXwbYYC6fQm9Mm4oh8HWRmVzru0CPavWC7qJyEDD7u1tzasYgZ6W3uRx1C5ETKsH6pFqVJWmV9R5Iy6b0p3jo_l4vRXzHZ5t9swC3w2ht2VlDt687qcZVI1nYG04mbA62EWc/s320/Bear%20with%20birds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I was a bit naughty last week and took a break from commissions to paint this little watercolour. It's a scene I saw on the Explore.org bear cams in the early autumn when a little bear was just standing on the log minding his own business and being pestered by about 10 or 12 ravens. I don't know what they were after, but they gave him a hard time! I didn't add all the ravens, just enough to get the idea across.<p></p><p>This one sold within hours - never even made it to my Etsy shop!</p><p>On the drawing board - I'm behaving myself and working on a commissioned dog portrait!</p><p>I'm also sewing a number of stuffed bears - 2 Otises and 1 Popeye will be available shortly.<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-6231440918785534572023-11-23T23:58:00.000-08:002023-11-23T23:58:56.237-08:00Popeye...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7qQrKVdYMzoyNoBmG9xx9z1CiJL6IgAwXPmFDG0iMedDSQjz7yaay_-Fmo93ywU8p3FLeXYdSBXBE6lswAopbhM-mEO__tdK67ku8Rh8ehubi3EoOJrkP68wPSf0LAgWB_1zMwa7n9Aql_iZmpzaiUU5C4PwSOU-HowBVz7Aaxf15q9ntv-9faRYxn0/s3664/Popeye%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="3664" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7qQrKVdYMzoyNoBmG9xx9z1CiJL6IgAwXPmFDG0iMedDSQjz7yaay_-Fmo93ywU8p3FLeXYdSBXBE6lswAopbhM-mEO__tdK67ku8Rh8ehubi3EoOJrkP68wPSf0LAgWB_1zMwa7n9Aql_iZmpzaiUU5C4PwSOU-HowBVz7Aaxf15q9ntv-9faRYxn0/s320/Popeye%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've made so many Otis bears over the years, as well as other favourites from the Explore.org bear cams, so it was an interesting challenge when I was asked if I could make a different bear. This is bear 634 Popeye, in real life a huge boar with a large shoulder hump and piercing eyes. Not so easy to achieve in fabric and plastic!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt8Cqsq8oo1JGYCTRrEN89wFOgdzSmi4BwGPB5Y5iHDz61i8-fx9L2hE4tcA5JWvOCg78Vmxfl4XnXlYCHXgjPI8P9USi0EXaiLVwhpYMAZHryZRq-8zi6BVFljPcxaepEqSuQOP10E-xOT4pLODKGaQySXaiGN_c7AqnWcRhH8P1AcyoOzCfsLy-BQk/s2146/Popeye%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2146" data-original-width="1853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt8Cqsq8oo1JGYCTRrEN89wFOgdzSmi4BwGPB5Y5iHDz61i8-fx9L2hE4tcA5JWvOCg78Vmxfl4XnXlYCHXgjPI8P9USi0EXaiLVwhpYMAZHryZRq-8zi6BVFljPcxaepEqSuQOP10E-xOT4pLODKGaQySXaiGN_c7AqnWcRhH8P1AcyoOzCfsLy-BQk/s320/Popeye%203.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>However, considering this was an experiment and the first time I have made him, I am very pleased with how he has turned out. Now to find out of the recipient is as happy as I am!<p></p><p></p><p>On the easel - a quick bear watercolour before embarkingon yet more dog portraits.<br /> </p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-54022356750317153442023-11-12T08:58:00.000-08:002023-11-12T08:58:28.893-08:00Sunrise over Brooks Falls...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA6uJppVCZ2OC7MbFo9w_T9NgWubnIjheuNzhQVwINb1VCAvMI5H7MRvoJYEqXUK28LPZc3enEgaaT-oiZNKPThI0uvOCVhEPtTWDn-CsViMOAl00xoCrrq__76e1CxwxZr4iKvw8L-J8q7Dm_7EXWfdgJmnFRS1qXp4u3wTr3-6o95jxum0wOBfwzV4/s3149/sunrise%20at%20Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="3149" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA6uJppVCZ2OC7MbFo9w_T9NgWubnIjheuNzhQVwINb1VCAvMI5H7MRvoJYEqXUK28LPZc3enEgaaT-oiZNKPThI0uvOCVhEPtTWDn-CsViMOAl00xoCrrq__76e1CxwxZr4iKvw8L-J8q7Dm_7EXWfdgJmnFRS1qXp4u3wTr3-6o95jxum0wOBfwzV4/s320/sunrise%20at%20Brooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Here is the piece I have been working on over the past week. I attempted it a few weeks ago using ink and it was a disaster, so I wanted to try again using watercolours. I just cannot photograph it well, whatever camera I use seems to bleach the colours out from the water - perhaps it is due to the poor daylight we have at the moment.<p></p><p>So you will have to imagine that the colours are more intense than what shows here! It is taken from a scene I snapped from the Explore.org bear cams a couple of months ago. The light shines from behind the mountains and far trees leaving a shimmering path up the river with the bear silhouetted against the water as he stands on what is left of the island. I was very happy with how this turned out - the trees have been worked wet in wet and thankfully did exactly what I wanted!</p><p>This one sold within hours of being put on Facebook - you snooze, you lose!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-10285289890663091722023-11-09T00:07:00.002-08:002023-11-09T00:07:09.237-08:00Baby Bear...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRl0_Ta2wuatnq184f5EManLth_z5kpBpkopvq8F5rfnaPIq8WLSPSSs6-i1tP58UI0Y1uAOz3yyztQTopL7sa8k9jSzRc1xNWgk-g9A2iVKSBPm6nL6cPM0oRtbbeiXbl6IzxUde6x2N0YVXdvhgBYSBBv3TACjDTK4VLCB8aTT4tGIwnGDC-NUkLbY/s2866/Baby%20hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="2866" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRl0_Ta2wuatnq184f5EManLth_z5kpBpkopvq8F5rfnaPIq8WLSPSSs6-i1tP58UI0Y1uAOz3yyztQTopL7sa8k9jSzRc1xNWgk-g9A2iVKSBPm6nL6cPM0oRtbbeiXbl6IzxUde6x2N0YVXdvhgBYSBBv3TACjDTK4VLCB8aTT4tGIwnGDC-NUkLbY/s320/Baby%20hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was asked to make a baby version of the Katmai National Park hat - I did this by missing out one of the 3 bears in the pattern completely. I don't think there was another way to do this without wrecking the overall pattern. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZulr0VD7Cb5oKupN-Iv9314WTO_L_WmmTh3RU2tJuwzLVs7R0CMqx7LxB2JC4059xlkv0YNeXjdtuhNxpHE2Zqb2mPZlcYevYQ97Ido5ZLkr-EmpUFVnv3c2r8kHIFAQxdYEQB563Oy3_p3_yQMiLxM6fHXfkbfUqfHVCIzvbEd841Grzr-t4_qpdKsM/s2866/baby%20hat%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="2866" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZulr0VD7Cb5oKupN-Iv9314WTO_L_WmmTh3RU2tJuwzLVs7R0CMqx7LxB2JC4059xlkv0YNeXjdtuhNxpHE2Zqb2mPZlcYevYQ97Ido5ZLkr-EmpUFVnv3c2r8kHIFAQxdYEQB563Oy3_p3_yQMiLxM6fHXfkbfUqfHVCIzvbEd841Grzr-t4_qpdKsM/s320/baby%20hat%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I think it turned out OK - although I feel the baby in question will only be wearing it for one winter!</p><p><br /></p><p>On the easel...something I am very excited about as it is going fantastically well. I've been in a bit of a slump over the past 3 weeks after finishing the last commission - no commissions, no enthusiasm, no time, and the one painting I did attempt went horribly wrong. Hopefully this situation has now rectified itself! The good news is that I have a further 4 commissioned dog portraits coming up very shortly.<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-29181735787952899072023-11-06T00:05:00.003-08:002023-11-06T00:05:43.488-08:00Chunk...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-07HAQ1DJDuuV8Yh21S7rTgB9kbvMD1SZ7wBcfrrcW5nkaIZQ88XRzvXvqXm5Sh9h5KVqoVhVGgv-mjJFTNLYoWHqBa6N76kf6SP_ZhJdBB-FUJIOQqglbpDTt8ZS_DeNgo1w-YKkXsyY-82KkK-Lf_HPZfcuHm2vVgPJNcpmfIIFjdL8qHsJJjnP3g/s2082/Chunk%20d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="1853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-07HAQ1DJDuuV8Yh21S7rTgB9kbvMD1SZ7wBcfrrcW5nkaIZQ88XRzvXvqXm5Sh9h5KVqoVhVGgv-mjJFTNLYoWHqBa6N76kf6SP_ZhJdBB-FUJIOQqglbpDTt8ZS_DeNgo1w-YKkXsyY-82KkK-Lf_HPZfcuHm2vVgPJNcpmfIIFjdL8qHsJJjnP3g/s320/Chunk%20d.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Whilst tidying (and I use the term very loosely) my corner of the sitting room where I keep various craft materials, I found an unfinished bear. I don't remember not finishing him - I must have got sidetracked by something else. So I sewed his feet on, gave him his eyes and nose, stuffed him, and then had to make a slight adjustment. This is bear 32 Chunk from the Explore.org bear cams and two years ago he suffered a horrendous wound to his nose from a fight with another bear, slashing it open almost to the bone. It has healed into an impressive scar, so of course I had to include that in my toy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WjB2_1CnehIhaqGEkh9-B0bvizLPbq1U4QXyjrTwObKom9ENZwETR_kbHiuCK1DN6rIPftb0QmyEzxwHz89SAmeqXfYOa_BhtIN8a45hzgwpixBk2WalLOITOyLS7nbeW7Z152DY3UfPY76dO82C2gRvS_AOrBKrbTVVNaDBcw69GccjwfNSY34UhSk/s3172/Chunk%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="3172" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WjB2_1CnehIhaqGEkh9-B0bvizLPbq1U4QXyjrTwObKom9ENZwETR_kbHiuCK1DN6rIPftb0QmyEzxwHz89SAmeqXfYOa_BhtIN8a45hzgwpixBk2WalLOITOyLS7nbeW7Z152DY3UfPY76dO82C2gRvS_AOrBKrbTVVNaDBcw69GccjwfNSY34UhSk/s320/Chunk%20a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That also shows that the unfinished bear must have sat in that corner for two years or more - sorry Chunk! He will be available in my Etsy shop shortly, unless you'd like to snap him up beforehand and save a bob or two - just get in touch.<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-26925909909171406692023-11-03T00:29:00.001-07:002023-11-03T00:29:06.857-07:00More Sunflowers...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh4sfz6ZK2j0-2DEm9Q_V2pciagFy76D5z5rs64X2Wp4Qypt7ICJXKuQ1smml3f7VWtRtnxnJGFItso0WAn0jTi1ZuoobX2XzElTCj9rmbHkIBR5j5yxXz6r1kJXiU-3AwGJ5S1_IUpytNg0tb4k_qsR0JG5A0vvYUm6Wf86YzNlsN8heRTP6psOgCJ8/s680/Sunflower%20blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="680" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh4sfz6ZK2j0-2DEm9Q_V2pciagFy76D5z5rs64X2Wp4Qypt7ICJXKuQ1smml3f7VWtRtnxnJGFItso0WAn0jTi1ZuoobX2XzElTCj9rmbHkIBR5j5yxXz6r1kJXiU-3AwGJ5S1_IUpytNg0tb4k_qsR0JG5A0vvYUm6Wf86YzNlsN8heRTP6psOgCJ8/s320/Sunflower%20blanket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I had a couple of weeks with no projects and no enthusiasm, so I decided to use up some of the yarn cakes that are languishing in a box in the spare room to make a crochet lap blanket for a friend of mine who has been suffering from long Covid for the past 3 years. I thought the blanket could use a little brightening up, so sewed some crochet sunflowers on the corners. I had initially thought to sew more sunflowers all over it, but when I discovered just how thick they made the blanket, I decided against it! I'm hoping this will keep my friend warm and cozy through the winter.<p></p><p>Nothing on the easel - I'm really struggling with the winter blues brought on by horrendous weather and the clock change last weekend. I find it hard to paint when the light is bad, plus I have no inspiration at the moment. Hopefully that will change soon before I go nuts!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-60877010457914327692023-10-22T00:01:00.004-07:002023-10-22T00:01:43.415-07:00Reedus...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFn_mfocnqu0TU2hslYhqW1Ado9Nn0Pe6sTibBLqlFth2xfQFTjsvLFfnqWpxTD5djSgTHdJ3Anzc6QG-ChZqHIWlhcSNocBmv3e5T1M-1lhhqywr7tmPqSK5ihMVTlT2xdhKxh3OxBmIBa1Yo7I61urf8Ov1ilqopxHisgiBZ9dJDrtdx_64Huqw0dk/s2754/Reedus%20complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="2227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFn_mfocnqu0TU2hslYhqW1Ado9Nn0Pe6sTibBLqlFth2xfQFTjsvLFfnqWpxTD5djSgTHdJ3Anzc6QG-ChZqHIWlhcSNocBmv3e5T1M-1lhhqywr7tmPqSK5ihMVTlT2xdhKxh3OxBmIBa1Yo7I61urf8Ov1ilqopxHisgiBZ9dJDrtdx_64Huqw0dk/s320/Reedus%20complete.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /> This is what I have been working on for the past few weeks. The client wanted the lemon trees from the background of the reference photo added, but they were a bit sparse so I ended up making up the background which possibly took longer than painting the actual dog! The dog was quite a challenge, all that curly fur and only part of one eye visible, but I am very happy with how it turned out. Watercoluor on paper.<p></p><p>I now have no painting commissions at all, which is unusual for this time of year. I do, however, have a few knitting and sewing projects to be getting on with and just hope that no-pne shows up at the end of November wanting a painting done in time for Christmas!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-59133160652227532482023-09-19T23:24:00.004-07:002023-09-19T23:24:46.156-07:00Otis Is Back In The House...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfc1-mWQD_3CO5i-U7tZksEF1mZdOU8H66jDk5w5ss7vRN7EfV6b5moVtUc1v0Tq187Nj-8uCd1u4qAf7jpCN3kDZvXeYceLZs2S9aqZa5OTpglM0CdaCmoUGTwQSsMVoz0gxuU6lN3uiRRLNjPmRQyXgDpY7sXakJ8_TtMTWteSlKJCILRGR9st5O2k/s1433/Otis%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1433" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfc1-mWQD_3CO5i-U7tZksEF1mZdOU8H66jDk5w5ss7vRN7EfV6b5moVtUc1v0Tq187Nj-8uCd1u4qAf7jpCN3kDZvXeYceLZs2S9aqZa5OTpglM0CdaCmoUGTwQSsMVoz0gxuU6lN3uiRRLNjPmRQyXgDpY7sXakJ8_TtMTWteSlKJCILRGR9st5O2k/s320/Otis%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After what must be nearly a year, I'm back to sewing Otis once again. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp1qfarzYxFNnXRF94GWclIQtxPJ9R13eCrphNB434hMARs5kZ5H4q-56mXgjje6mQKxr75OaiR9MfZF05xVuck-DdAZsZLdrldotGXO5pBTdEzXHVOkCMN1xsAbyUqcw5Fkpku9auOrteNjbK7B-H6o2HIxuZH7HaMEgE-TtFXnTVsAleWZCsOs4Z4k/s1104/Otis%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp1qfarzYxFNnXRF94GWclIQtxPJ9R13eCrphNB434hMARs5kZ5H4q-56mXgjje6mQKxr75OaiR9MfZF05xVuck-DdAZsZLdrldotGXO5pBTdEzXHVOkCMN1xsAbyUqcw5Fkpku9auOrteNjbK7B-H6o2HIxuZH7HaMEgE-TtFXnTVsAleWZCsOs4Z4k/s320/Otis%202.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>This one is taken, but there will be plenty more coming soon - if you'd like to pre-order, just get in touch.<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-83013758097558936842023-09-10T23:55:00.000-07:002023-09-10T23:55:02.234-07:00How To Spend A Rainy Day...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmwAXBIKvIELBPbfwXtANnjothAt8p1kvAwPiQpOAKmZOjj49M2yXA4YQCxc9tPaxpzMCkc0LEGa3iHbG43O5xRS7O6jUH33pHJnOee6Hy3UULbAwFbqpuFR1p7veFu2eveNXvV8q6j5gXkIYY0nfU-khB1hrhIJt-55GVO8eA-EtVtu40LtU5_NiBlE/s680/Otis%20in%20office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="680" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmwAXBIKvIELBPbfwXtANnjothAt8p1kvAwPiQpOAKmZOjj49M2yXA4YQCxc9tPaxpzMCkc0LEGa3iHbG43O5xRS7O6jUH33pHJnOee6Hy3UULbAwFbqpuFR1p7veFu2eveNXvV8q6j5gXkIYY0nfU-khB1hrhIJt-55GVO8eA-EtVtu40LtU5_NiBlE/s320/Otis%20in%20office.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> It's been HOT! Last week we had a heatwave in the UK, but thankfully due to a spur of the moment decision 3 weeks ago to book a few days down by the coast, we escaped the worst of it and spent our time pottering on the beach looking for fossils. We found some good ones!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUcrzdZM5GZdhVRU9o1ocT4G5muceCg9VDAr_p9k_3qP7Xofj-s8n8RQfQE77rQVUkFnzz2SUAnSo4gsx3xRR4XcltYBHPKSl17qP10v-uq9sRSyKXsCibYAcTWvuxVORSext-WiSjimVeFKiq4LKMCly_-K8RLf7oEZBmm6T7kL52H-uTh9CIGY0OiE/s600/My%20fossil%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUcrzdZM5GZdhVRU9o1ocT4G5muceCg9VDAr_p9k_3qP7Xofj-s8n8RQfQE77rQVUkFnzz2SUAnSo4gsx3xRR4XcltYBHPKSl17qP10v-uq9sRSyKXsCibYAcTWvuxVORSext-WiSjimVeFKiq4LKMCly_-K8RLf7oEZBmm6T7kL52H-uTh9CIGY0OiE/s320/My%20fossil%201.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxmQuiOyq5OB_JjxBO91_wxPv4SEOrVonpz3r-U4HBNI8TFFQrDCHd9UOOopwYYyMX4oKYprlDrxjmo_Db81irl-sPegQ8MD2OUT0kYtUb81RrFrgwQiw-bVdlJUuljb1-dEW3gHe-g5MBvUrb7eTe_d9DIrGinRcGr-kcI903Yv8ftd5lu6HUsvmq4s/s600/My%20fossil%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxmQuiOyq5OB_JjxBO91_wxPv4SEOrVonpz3r-U4HBNI8TFFQrDCHd9UOOopwYYyMX4oKYprlDrxjmo_Db81irl-sPegQ8MD2OUT0kYtUb81RrFrgwQiw-bVdlJUuljb1-dEW3gHe-g5MBvUrb7eTe_d9DIrGinRcGr-kcI903Yv8ftd5lu6HUsvmq4s/s320/My%20fossil%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On our first day I found this - I spotted it due to the urchin shell markings on the one side of it and was then pleasantly surprised to see that there was a sparkly geode on the other side of it. Mr.B was happy for me but I could see that he was just a little bit envious...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk1lekUJQij6gu0t2fweKbIs6AvMaMuX22THIat_ktD2kD2DVXLCi8jT0o0jzS2Mjf0-mCIfHN-1XDKUsiLIjb1Vnj-zeIMCQ0f08uhMwMbq3KAvmxHjNu78tFrNVhHjW7eMJbkZHbBCGtO1SDL5k-kU1iXusyfqC1s9Ms8uiw4STW_0fnIlxyqGeTTU/s600/Bob's%20fossil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk1lekUJQij6gu0t2fweKbIs6AvMaMuX22THIat_ktD2kD2DVXLCi8jT0o0jzS2Mjf0-mCIfHN-1XDKUsiLIjb1Vnj-zeIMCQ0f08uhMwMbq3KAvmxHjNu78tFrNVhHjW7eMJbkZHbBCGtO1SDL5k-kU1iXusyfqC1s9Ms8uiw4STW_0fnIlxyqGeTTU/s320/Bob's%20fossil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>...then on our last day, he found this! Three sea urchin fossils attached to a rock - each one is only the size of a hazelnut. I think this one has to be the find of the year!</p><p>We returned on Friday to find our house hot and that the garden had survived the extreme temperatures. Saturday was even hotter and we had to drag out the little aircon unit I bought a couple of years ago in order to make the sitting room bearable. Yesterday was still too warm and then at lunchtime we had a few hours of very welcome rain. So I sat and painted the above picture - Otis in his office - and it was fun to be able to complete a painting in one afternoon. He will be available in my Etsy shop soon.</p><p>Next up - another dog commission!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-59143997371666312882023-08-29T23:28:00.004-07:002023-08-29T23:28:47.447-07:00Huffing & Puffing...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF7lnIQGsE8yAdF-Kkqt9Dr97XTFy1yZPe4u15JkZQfUFIULaQmz6NghbagYWuYe_0LAxdJE3C_orrJMpFRoGB6zFI0Nq_2ISu89Kpn-K_yw8EGT4qqwu0ERgEt92bo33wSurjsvPCPBigDJYhuE9GZIPrCXoKSIXfXqVvFsJuonigQV7wEN4M8OwuOo/s680/Puffer%20Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="680" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF7lnIQGsE8yAdF-Kkqt9Dr97XTFy1yZPe4u15JkZQfUFIULaQmz6NghbagYWuYe_0LAxdJE3C_orrJMpFRoGB6zFI0Nq_2ISu89Kpn-K_yw8EGT4qqwu0ERgEt92bo33wSurjsvPCPBigDJYhuE9GZIPrCXoKSIXfXqVvFsJuonigQV7wEN4M8OwuOo/s320/Puffer%20Fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I made a puffer fish! Not my own pattern but from a cute book called Curious Crocheted Creatures. He already has a new home...<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-42976801470553579842023-08-28T23:34:00.002-07:002023-08-28T23:34:05.304-07:00Forty Winks...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo7mIHjhP8ipTGrW161O4NoDEvglI9RJ4vEwqq03xmWmrxF1uti9Dcm-7S-LKjtQTEAajGa4DYapXX5ydg4VuSGJrWGXr-gxCkmcn0mvnMjLaUSX7jvWV4EtGpjUKgDkSGDCE_eMwFXu-sEwkTYMkOGAzcOyjs-s1jb0ZtW36o1ZABr2ZO2oKvSwF9vQ/s679/Pepper%20821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="679" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo7mIHjhP8ipTGrW161O4NoDEvglI9RJ4vEwqq03xmWmrxF1uti9Dcm-7S-LKjtQTEAajGa4DYapXX5ydg4VuSGJrWGXr-gxCkmcn0mvnMjLaUSX7jvWV4EtGpjUKgDkSGDCE_eMwFXu-sEwkTYMkOGAzcOyjs-s1jb0ZtW36o1ZABr2ZO2oKvSwF9vQ/s320/Pepper%20821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the bear known as Pepper 821 who lives in Katmai National Park, Alaska, taking a short nap while resting on a partially submerged rock. This is based on a snap I took recently from the Explore.org web cams. This has been painted in watercolour on paper and will be in my Etsy shop shortly.<p></p><p>Next up...I really don't know!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-46937398037099402892023-08-21T00:05:00.003-07:002023-08-21T00:05:28.387-07:00Crown Jewels...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxMS3389D-C8KvHa8_qQeZii09u_hye7ELQlveWOZSPKtNfUiQjjQCgB-HlaUSp8i7k-yNHdfb67Pe7JWelw6b2SMx2_Yfd7iu2JpXfqfx3-Jr0eWvaf-2pGIH2gyRElmW7SDvBBbY8Y_1LlxwtYo-G_6EQjxJ02s6B_3s4pyEuyEkKJZaveXeIjawu4/s680/Crown%20Jewels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="680" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxMS3389D-C8KvHa8_qQeZii09u_hye7ELQlveWOZSPKtNfUiQjjQCgB-HlaUSp8i7k-yNHdfb67Pe7JWelw6b2SMx2_Yfd7iu2JpXfqfx3-Jr0eWvaf-2pGIH2gyRElmW7SDvBBbY8Y_1LlxwtYo-G_6EQjxJ02s6B_3s4pyEuyEkKJZaveXeIjawu4/s320/Crown%20Jewels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I have knitted the Crown Jewels...you will have to wait and see what they will be used for!<br /><p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-22743318839295870822023-08-14T00:37:00.001-07:002023-08-14T00:37:10.921-07:00James...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloIQTvAnaGJ4bekjZ6_P48YBBptf14YiqtOuURVfR0fO2-65jykI_KaFzsG9sLE9sbFQ5APzslYSLWAAkaAsRBSsm7nLfXXeONpfjCKoWLy7QdTEgbKiMZn9ghBUHQ6X66pqguTfGtCVLxkPhrFJlaavJ-7VIlBfcEqs_8sQ0zUDrUZlBtp9clnDh2Zc/s679/James,%20complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloIQTvAnaGJ4bekjZ6_P48YBBptf14YiqtOuURVfR0fO2-65jykI_KaFzsG9sLE9sbFQ5APzslYSLWAAkaAsRBSsm7nLfXXeONpfjCKoWLy7QdTEgbKiMZn9ghBUHQ6X66pqguTfGtCVLxkPhrFJlaavJ-7VIlBfcEqs_8sQ0zUDrUZlBtp9clnDh2Zc/s320/James,%20complete.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /> I have just finished this watercolour portrait and am so very happy with it! When someone asked if I could paint their late partner, only recently deceased, I felt a huge responsibility and was anxious that I might not be able to achieve a suitable representation. However, the photograph I was given to work with was so good and so joyous, I knew straight away that this was going to be a thoroughly enjoyable task.<p></p><p>This one is big - it's about three times the size I usually work with, and took up my whole drawing board - as I work with my board in my lap, it was a bit of a handful at times! I started with the background and then the scarf and shirt - unusual for me, I usually start a portrait with the eyes, but as the eyes were sunglasses in this case, I thought to begin from the outside in. There was not a single part of this painting that I did not enjoy, and I am particularly proud of how the sunglasses have turned out, especially as once I had completed them and their reflections, I realised you can see the suggestion of the gentleman's eyes behind them.</p><p>Now to await the client's reaction...<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-46382655991943917732023-08-14T00:29:00.003-07:002023-08-14T00:29:58.422-07:00Orb...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZKFQKXiX-tnH8Lz5OHjTVjROTvhbeZLa_VWBWSi3NspcTLNnbRY6AQkYE5P6pWV9DILL7RpfLHjavTzz2MXN7IYbAi3g-VKwnP-yAtokzOwOvsQW5CcnlWiyNHEW2c9umczjgjDHgGDic_1cUh-soe6xJuTrf_swfjVip_SnRr8vJTi33H6ScnhNXrs/s586/Orb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZKFQKXiX-tnH8Lz5OHjTVjROTvhbeZLa_VWBWSi3NspcTLNnbRY6AQkYE5P6pWV9DILL7RpfLHjavTzz2MXN7IYbAi3g-VKwnP-yAtokzOwOvsQW5CcnlWiyNHEW2c9umczjgjDHgGDic_1cUh-soe6xJuTrf_swfjVip_SnRr8vJTi33H6ScnhNXrs/s320/Orb.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>Here is the knitted orb to go with the crown I made previously. Next up, the sceptre...<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-70837365564554662742023-08-02T23:20:00.003-07:002023-08-02T23:20:15.245-07:00Crowning Glory...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzQwDQRJPa8tebYCZPIedrCRPxXGam7bloBxpi_I6PCPO8TtW1dZpaIBTXfFvxr68DK0nkgOo1-t-3S7072ItiiPbKEK3UM-Q_K8ylzeE3AY955DMZrJeOVYmy02rqYJtM40zuQUlalrVvmrump_bgxSKvPDW7G6NgaqzPxkYSd1vP0uRKGHzHh_4QZo/s1080/Crown%20jewels%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzQwDQRJPa8tebYCZPIedrCRPxXGam7bloBxpi_I6PCPO8TtW1dZpaIBTXfFvxr68DK0nkgOo1-t-3S7072ItiiPbKEK3UM-Q_K8ylzeE3AY955DMZrJeOVYmy02rqYJtM40zuQUlalrVvmrump_bgxSKvPDW7G6NgaqzPxkYSd1vP0uRKGHzHh_4QZo/s320/Crown%20jewels%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just a little something I have been working on lately...<br /> <p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-53321045233143446562023-07-26T23:34:00.005-07:002023-07-26T23:34:43.300-07:00Interlude...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMEZfR3KXRs6FQy28Kn48nllH4K95Z2YF2qddd33e9tv2LAecKTd95A3ywa0tXkKlpfwi0VR1-fuMS-sBa1ENQLICki1mVlcRezIrNa6GY69TfZ_WrGaz6gy4Er_sIvh0F5s01DEfWll5bwXr_hwPo-ANtrV-u4BoulHVhZg4YeSpQFkFDTivKFYE8uQ/s1080/Bear%20&%20cub%20in%20water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1080" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMEZfR3KXRs6FQy28Kn48nllH4K95Z2YF2qddd33e9tv2LAecKTd95A3ywa0tXkKlpfwi0VR1-fuMS-sBa1ENQLICki1mVlcRezIrNa6GY69TfZ_WrGaz6gy4Er_sIvh0F5s01DEfWll5bwXr_hwPo-ANtrV-u4BoulHVhZg4YeSpQFkFDTivKFYE8uQ/s320/Bear%20&%20cub%20in%20water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While I was between commissions at the weekend, I wanted to paint a little watercolour just to get back into the swing of using a paintbrush after pencilling for the past few weeks. This painting is based on a scene I saw on the Explore.org bear cams a couple of weeks ago. I haven't quite captured the light I wanted to, but I love the granulation on the bears. It will do!<p></p><p></p><p>The commission I have just begun consists of a very large watercolour portrait - I drew it out yesterday and cannot wait to get started with the paint!<br /> </p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-46772224916712013362023-07-21T00:23:00.005-07:002023-07-21T00:23:57.015-07:00Pugs...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iTutzWbHDnNlXICI_KiUv_kWGCsNcuO8DQSbXtHb5H4qfKLoRBa43kuaZEJ-gtiW9V5WHiuFw8gZixJ28NS0sqg24wwd8CDSrdbJsiqOQoGb18AuCoU2KVSd-a2hirK6zugcWGq3zw5Q6oifbpuTO-HSFnTry0ZUGMcoBFGm_chTDDgEW2j5DCciUV0/s1080/Pugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iTutzWbHDnNlXICI_KiUv_kWGCsNcuO8DQSbXtHb5H4qfKLoRBa43kuaZEJ-gtiW9V5WHiuFw8gZixJ28NS0sqg24wwd8CDSrdbJsiqOQoGb18AuCoU2KVSd-a2hirK6zugcWGq3zw5Q6oifbpuTO-HSFnTry0ZUGMcoBFGm_chTDDgEW2j5DCciUV0/s320/Pugs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I finally completed this one yesterday - thoroughly enjoyed drawing these cute little pugs. Derweent Coloursoft pencils on pastel paper, private comission. That is the end of the dog portraits for now - my next commission is a people portrait and I am very excited about it! <br /><p></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940381089638198959.post-89504078379641752782023-07-10T00:08:00.000-07:002023-07-10T00:08:07.967-07:00I Am Still Here...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGYmoXEgKW3rlplGGv2hR-HxOOb6t4M2cJWDElHcOFRRrEfslKxIARR5o3iED8YVmfMssEcBDZrNU10FRLAwbhWSVttdvUDFwlYHhnwm28WlhMrr37TnuLGeEz5pJoc-pNndJWwLdB18RpkOnrs7fMLpogcrwThWwYL-ZCJvmTkwKNjDf3COVfOcD8_U/s1924/Pug%20wip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGYmoXEgKW3rlplGGv2hR-HxOOb6t4M2cJWDElHcOFRRrEfslKxIARR5o3iED8YVmfMssEcBDZrNU10FRLAwbhWSVttdvUDFwlYHhnwm28WlhMrr37TnuLGeEz5pJoc-pNndJWwLdB18RpkOnrs7fMLpogcrwThWwYL-ZCJvmTkwKNjDf3COVfOcD8_U/s320/Pug%20wip.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /> I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted! I have been doing stuff, but just not had the time to sit down and post it. I have been knitting a few things for Nudinits, crocheted another sunflower shawl, and am currently working on a pencil portrait of a pair of pugs - this is how far I have got.<p></p><p>We have also been on holiday - we needed it after the drama of April! We spent a week by the sea in a quiet village, with the beach two minutes walk away from our holiday let. We just relaxed, collected fossils, pottered by the sea and generally restored our batteries. The weather was great, the beach was deserted most of the time and was also dog friendly.</p><p>Upon our return, the garden had gone berserk and everything had grown about two feet taller, so I had to spend some time sorting that out. Looks like we will have some veg this year after all! And my daughter had her follow up visit to the hospital and we have been told that after a few more days on the reduced dose of 1 steroid tablet per day, she can finally come off the meds and all we have to do is make sure she does not come into close contact with any birds. What a relief - its been a nightmare but it is finally over.</p><p>So hopefully I can get back into the swing of making and painting without any huge (for now) worries hanging over my head. The next portrait commission I have is a very interesting one and Icannot wait to get started!<br /></p>Caroline Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458832101616631036noreply@blogger.com1