Happy New Year

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!

Judy’s Numbers Game Photo Challenge

thanks to Judy Dykstra-Brown for hosting the Numbers Game https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/04/27/the-numbers-game-70-apr-28-2025-come-play-along/

This weeks number is 191.

Daily Art Challenge – Collage and Sketching

…days 51 to 53

Drawing figures from pieces of collage randomly glued onto the page

After reading the book The Dictionary of Lost Words I was inspired to create a double spread of collage and sketches that highlight some of the themes from Pip Williams’ book. The novel covers the making of the Oxford dictionary, protests by the suffragettes, World War 1, women as second class citizens, birth, death and romance.

Day 47 – The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

this little book inspired today’s sketch

Elisabeth Bailey’s outlook on life changed when a friend gifted her a pot of violets into which she placed a wild snail. She was suffering from a mysterious disease which left her bedridden and separated from her from the natural world. This tiny creature helped her reconnect with life and she slowly started to heal.

Number 180 – Photo Challenge

thanks to Judy Dykstra-Brown for hosting this challenge https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/02/03/the-numbers-game-59-feb-3-2025-come-play-along/

Here are the photos that popped up when I typed 180 into the search box.

Thursday Trios – Some of my Favourite Things

from around the house

My next three reads

If you have any trios you’d like to share please copy my link and paste it into your post. I’ll be sure to check it out. Have fun!

Last Day at the Cottage

after 6 wonderful days with Andrea and Olive

This is the first time in many years that I’ve experienced this much snow. Our cottage on Christian Island ( a mere 10 minutes from here to the ferry dock) is not winterized and the road up the north shore is not ploughed regularly, if at all.

While Andrea logs onto work today, I’ll be doing laundry and packing to go home. Once that is done I may do some more art or continue reading my book, Doppelgänger. Yesterday I prepped a couple of pages in my art journal and I might continue with one or both pages if I’m inspired.

Hopefully we’ll find some time after lunch to go for another walk. It’s considerably warmer today and it has finally stopped snowing.

Last Day at the Cottage

after 6 wonderful days with Andrea and Olive

This is the first time in many years that I’ve experienced this much snow. Our cottage on Christian Island ( a mere 10 minutes from here to the ferry dock) is not winterized and the road up the north shore is not ploughed regularly, if at all.

While Andrea logs onto work today, I’ll be doing laundry and packing to go home. Once that is done I may do some more art or continue reading my book, Doppelgänger. Yesterday I prepped a couple of pages in my art journal and I might continue with one or both pages if I’m inspired.

Hopefully we’ll find some time after lunch to go for another walk. It’s considerably warmer today and it has finally stopped snowing.

Seven Crime Novels

thanks to Becky B for hosting Seven for September Squares Challenge https://thesquaresofb.com/2024/09/22/seven-squares-22/

Visiting our local library this past week I noticed a table set up with a selection of crime novels. Did I choose one? No, even though I like reading this genre of book, I passed this time. I have two books on the go and I have six books on hold.

RDP Thursday – Picture Book

thanks to the Ragtag community for hosting the Ragtag Daily Prompts https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/ragtag-daily-prompt-thursday-picture-book/

Today’s daily prompt is picture books. I loved Mies van Hout’s books about friendship and feelings. They made for great discussion starters in my classes and the drawings inspired many art lessons as well.

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