…thanks to Ritva for hosting this week’s Lens Artists Challenge https://sillarit.com/2026/02/14/lens-artists-challenge385-unusual-crop/
When I say ‘unusual crops’ I’m not referring to food but to a photography term where you ‘cut away’ parts of the photo to make it more interesting. Here are my submissions.
…and no missing pieces
I started this puzzle over a year ago. I put it aside rolled in a piece of black felt but it was always in sight. Back in January I unrolled it and put it at the far end of the kitchen table.
Darlene Kulig is one of my favourite local artists and she is the mother of two former students. She has had some of her paintings made into jigsaw puzzles and this is one of them.
When I started to continue with this puzzle I had barely finished the perimeter.
Two nights ago I finally finished this 1000 piece puzzle. It took me a month to finish it but I persevered and the best part was that all the pieces were there.
…one of Kevin’s Creations
…looking back
Thanks to Terri for hosting the Flower Hour https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/01/27/the-flower-hour-15-desert-daisy/
Some of my floral art from five years ago.
…today’s number is 230
Thanks to Judy Dykstra-Brown for hosting The Numbers Game https://judydykstrabrown.com/2026/01/19/the-numbers-game-108-please-play-along/
Today’s number pulled up photos from my past as a little girl, my granddaughters, flowers, views from High Park, art, my husband after a bike mishap and my son’s balcony garden in London.
…thanks to Sue W and Gerry C for hostting Weekly Prompts https://weeklyprompts.com/2026/01/17/weekly-prompts-weekend-challenge-journal/
Before Christmas I treated myself to a brand new journal. I purchased it at the Holiday Market from a lovely woman who makes these journals by hand. Each one was different, using a variety of papers and fabric. My husband gifted me a beautiful Lamy fountain pen so I’ve been experimenting with it in this book. To be honest with you I’m very bad at keeping journals going for more than a month but because of its small size I can see carrying it around with me and taking it with me when I travel. My goal is not to tackle it every day but to at least open it once a week or when I’m inspired to add something to it.
…thanks to Judy Dykstra-Brown for hosting the Numbers Game https://judydykstrabrown.com/2026/01/12/https-judydykstrabrown-com-2026-01-05-the-numbers-game-107-please-play-along-jan-12-2026/
Today’s number is 229. Just type it into your photo search box and see what comes up. Here is what I found.
…thanks to Sue W and Gerry C for hosting Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge https://weeklyprompts.com/2026/01/03/weekly-prompts-colour-challenge-white-2/
…no New Year’s resolutions
Just making the best of every day. In the past I’ve tried making resolutions that were too ambitious. For example, I used to set a goal of making art every day. As soon as I missed two or three days in a row I felt like I had failed and instead of getting joy out of making art it became a chore. So this year I’m hoping to do one thing a day that brings me joy.
Yesterday I read my first book of the year. It’s a children’s book but I highly recommend it to anyone from 8 to 88.
Charlie Mackesy is both author and illustrator. The book is full of inspirational quotes and I know that I will be going back throughout the year to lift up my mood and stir my creative juices. I like Mackesy’s loose style of drawing so I picked up my fountain pen and opened my new journal. I wrote down my first quote and copied one of the illustrations.
Other things that bring me joy are walking, taking photos, baking, crafting, spending time with friends and family, travelling, going to the cottage and making art.
My one goal this year is to share my joy with you!
…this week’s number is 227
This week’s number brings back memories of a visit to the High Park Zoo, an art exhibit at the ROM, a day at the opera with my good friend, LInda, several of my art projects from years ago, friends and family, photos from my retirement party and pictures from the cottage.
Mama Cormier 