Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Rainy Days, Blue Skies


It has rained ALOT this summer holiday which has restricted the activities with the children considerably. Trying to find fun things for my youngest to fill the cloudy days has been a mission I have tackled whole heartedly this year, determined not to spend hour after hour in front of a television watching numerous DVD's. One of these activities was to make a paper mache mask using a balloon and a homemade mixture for the glue, which proved fun in itself.
The mask has been drying for a couple of days now and Harry and I intend to spend an afternoon painting it in the studio shortly.
I will, of course, let you know how it turns out!


We managed to steal a half hour one morning last week before the rain set in for the day and we spent it roaming around our local graveyard, something Harry and I enjoy doing often after school during the warmer months. There is an abundance of nature in the graveyard but the squirrels have to be our favourites and we are usually lucky enough to catch sight of at least one on our strolls. The horse chestnut tree had shed a few conkers, scattered on the ground below and not quite ripe enough to tie to string and commence battle, we made sketches of them instead.


The lilies Diane bought me last week began to open and I managed to catch the very first bloom burst to life in my journal while Harry played with Lego and Jake watched cricket. They are a delicious, deep pink and look stunning stood on the hearth of my black iron fireplace in the lounge.




A recent shopping trip at the Grafton centre, Cambridge to purchase some clothes for my eldest gave me the perfect excuse to visit my favourite bath time pamper shop 'Lush' where I purchased my very own 'Blue Skies' in the form of a bubble bar. It may well be grey and gloomy outside but in my bathroom it's aromatic blue skies guaranteed!

All sketches are from my Summer 2007 Journal

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

My, you have been busy while I've been away! So many wonderful sketches. I think the hand studies are my favourites; they are extremely impressive...hands are so difficult to do well. That sunflower is excellent too. But they're all good.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Great post and delightful recount of your leisure! I love the lily, the color is so delicate and beautiful..
You won't believe it, but I miss my home back in France...weather and all!!
Ronell

MD said...

What gorgeous art work. I do enjoy visiting your blog and seeing what you've been up to.
Take care
MD
x

Lynn said...

Oh, that lily is absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful, Anita! You are such a good mom, doing stuff with your kids instead of leaving them to watch tv. :-) You guys are getting rain throughout your holiday and we are in the middle of a drought. It can't last forever, though!