This weeks drawing....A Little House

Hello Lovelies,

 Last year we visited a local scarecrow weekend. I think these are quite common nowadays so hopefully you know what I'm talking about . You buy a form and wander around guessing who the scarecrows are meant to look like, and it all raises money for a good cause.

I do like have a bit of fun guessing the scarecrows but the fact that they are situated in a wonderfully pretty village is the main attraction for me. 

Just look at this cottage with it's pretty windows, cute little door and beautiful garden....for me it's just about perfect..........

So I thought I would have a go at drawing it, taking the mugs I shared in THIS post as my main inspiration.

And this is how it turned out......

Eeek, I LOVE it ♥ You can click on the picture to make it bigger

 I think the reason I'm so pleased with this picture is that I took the plunge and used a pen to draw over the pencil sketch before adding the colour. It was a bit scary to begin with ( I like to be able to rub out mistakes)   and it meant it took much longer before I could get out the colours ( My favourite bit ). In fact this is an erasable pen so I was still playing safe .........

 But I really love the result. It's much easier  to add lots of little details , and I'm thinking little details are my thing .......

There's  tiny Tom Tit on the chimney pot .........




And the wisteria is in flower.....

Once again I've changed things a bit to ( hopefully ) make it especially attractive, and add interest. Like the curtains...loved doing those .....and all the different flowers..........

Mum's tips I employed in this picture were to add a bit more colour to the top of the sky and to have the garden gate open , to make it look more welcoming and not create a barrier in the picture.
I am ridiculously pleased with this drawing....It's my favourite so far and I will be using the combination of pen and pencil again.
When I had finished this drawing I looked at it and thought....did I do that ?

I'm so glad I bought those thrifted mugs, the artist who designed them was Sue Scullard....sorry should have included that fact in my original post.
Hope your week is a pleasant one and thank you again  for all your wonderful comments.
Jacquie x

♥ 52 Weeks of Happy ♥ 10/52

Hello Lovelies,

I'm a bit late with this post .To be honest I've found it hard to take any decent pictures due to the grey weather, but there are MANY simple joys , despite the weather so here are my happy things for the last 7 days. 

1. Sitting by the fire looking a pictures of spring....the weather is freezing here at the moment.

2. Enjoying cauliflower cheese with Sunday lunch....seasonal , local and very yummy :0).......

 3.Spring bulbs battling on despite the horrid weather....just looked outside and it's snowing again...sigh.



4. Very simple comfort food is sometimes the best when temperatures plummet. Jam on toast....no skill required , it's not even homemade jam, but it tasted yummy and cheered me up after that icy dash outdoors.....

Here's hoping there will be warmer weather very soon.

Jacquie x

Little Houses

Hello , how are you ?

the weather is foggy and cold here at the moment, perfect to pop on your apron and spend some time in the kitchen , then treat yourself to a nice hot cup of tea.

I picked up this mug, well two similar mugs , in the charity shop a few months ago.........

I couldn't resist the wonderfully detailed houses on them, here's a close up of the one I'm holding in the first picture........

I simply love all the detail , like all the gorgeous flowers and look at that roof......perfect.
Here is the other side.......can you see the cat and the milk bottles on the doorstep........

 Aren't they lovely.
 The other one is just as gorgeous, but with a seaside setting, love this harbour scene.....

I've always has a bit of a passion for old  houses and my computer holds many images of them that I've snapped over the years , so today I've been enjoying searching out a few to share here. Most of them will have featured in previous posts, but I hope you lovelies  don't mind indulging me in a little house love.

Around here the main building material is red brick, I think old brick buildings are so lovely........

Especially on  a sunny autumn day, when the blue sky contrasts with the warm earthy tones........

Or in the winter snow..........

I love the slightly shabby , patched up look of really old cottages........

And of course I have a soft spot for the stone houses of my native Yorkshire......

Painted houses are another favourite, especially in summer, with roses around the door..........

I like places where all the houses are different and I love rooftops and chimney pots.........

What a bonus when they face onto cobbled streets......

and amazing gardens.........

Their  cute outbuildings are gorgeous too........

When I was a child my favourite thing to draw were houses, I guess because they are quite simple shapes.

They would look a bit like this felt picture I made a couple of years ago ( inspired by the super talented Melissa Crowe )

My own Mum has painted some gorgeous houses in her time, like this one recent one in acrylics.......

And I have already had a go at drawing buildings.

 This week I'm enjoying working on a  another house drawing , inspired by all of the above images, oh and also THESE wonderful Collages by Amanda White, she also has a blog HERE
Hope you are feeling inspired in which ever creative activity you are enjoying at the moment.
Jacquie x

This weeks Drawing....My Kitchen Windowsill

Hello lovelies,

I hope you are not fed up with this little change from my usual yarny creativity. I'm sure I'll be hooking again soon , but right now I'm still rather enjoying myself with paper and pencils.

I'm so used to being able to share the creative side of my life here that it would now seem strange not to, and your encouragement means a lot.

Anyway , what have I been doodling this week ? 

A part of my home regular readers will be familiar with.........my kitchen windowsill.

I love to display pretty flowers and things here, to look at while I'm cooking and washing up. It's also home to some bunting I made a couple of years ago and my Attic 24 birdie............ 

This picture sort of evolved from a desire to draw my favourite jug..........

It was an opportunity to sit down and try to draw accurately , noticing the light reflections and shadows. I was pleased and surprised with how it turned out.

I also popped this colourful utensil jar in the picture as it's also a favourite thing of mine, it was a wedding present, so that will be sixteen years that it's been pretty and useful in my kitchen........

It was more fun than I thought copying such a detailed pattern , but I did edit the utensils somewhat :0).....

And here is the finished picture.........

I really love all the colour in this one. It makes me happy when I look at it and I enjoyed drawing this subject immensely.I just wish the photo was better.

The windowsill may have been a bit of a still life exercise but the garden was pure imagination . My window looks out over our bins and the house next door , but in my drawing I added a pretty spring garden , with a shed , a vegetable bed ( hope mine will look like that soon ) and spring flowers ....the one in the pot is supposed to be bleeding heart....not sure I quite captured it :0)

I've included tom tit , you can just see him far left, and a blackbird........ as whenever I look out at my own garden there is always a blackbird looking for worms.

Hope you lovelies are finding chance to notice the changing seasons....whether it's Spring or Autumn....both so beautiful.
 Thank you for coming with me on this drawing adventure :0)
Jacquie x

♥ 52 Weeks of Happy ♥ 9/52

Hello Lovelies , 

The top happy thing for me this week has been saying good bye to February and welcoming March with open arms. 

March means SPRING and that is certainly something to smile about.

So here are this weeks little joys.

1.Catkins......such a welcome sight each year ..........

 2. Turning over my three calenders at the start of the month. I try not to look what the next picture is as I like a surprise. Sometimes it's a bit of a disappointment but having three means there is usually at least one gem.........this is my favourite this month. A lovely picture of the canal at Huddersfield.........

3. Sunshine and still weather at the weekend.......love the reflections in the lake..........

4. My latest bunch of Daffodils .....can't get enough of these simple beauties who mean spring is in the air.....

In fact I'm feeling a bit poetic today so I'll leave you with a little bit of Wordsworth, found in one of my childhood poetry books........

A CHANGE IN THE YEAR

It is the first mild day of March:

Each minute sweeter than before,

The redbreast sings from the tall larch

That stands beside our door.

There is a blessing in the air,

Which seems a sense of joy to yeild

To the bare trees, and mountains bare,

And grass in the green field.

                                       William Wordsworth

Hope you have many  happy moments this week.
Jacquie x

Bright Days....... and a little PIF

Hello Lovelies,

The last couple of days have been bright and sunny.....what a treat after a week of cold, dark days.
Walking about the town yesterday was such  a pleasure...........

 the blue skys are just wonderful.........

And the fountain looked amazing , creating bright sparkly reflected sunlight which danced on the surface of the water.........

Back home the sunlight filled south facing rooms with warmth and cheer. Waiting for my latest bunch of Daffs to open......

And enjoying a pretty Primula bought from the little  florists shop..........

I also photographed  the latest Yorkshire tea packaging to share here. Love the detailed pictures of the Dales landscape.........

There's a short video about the Artist and the project HERE.

This morning was cold and overnight there had been a frost.........

But I couldn't resist a short walk after the school run ..........

I'm waiting for outdoor Daffodils too ( getting closer now :0...........

Back home I did a couple of hours of house work then FINALLY got round to taking photos for my ( very belated ) Pay it forward  ( PIF ).
At the end of 2011 I received a delightful package from Anne , she of the wonderful blog ANDAMENTO. You can see what she sent me HERE.

When you take part in a PIF you agree to then send three packages of your own(it's supposed to be within 12 months ...ooops )

Anyway, here is what I have gathered together to offer you lovelies.
Each winner will receive one of these cute wildlife pin badges I bought to support the RSPB.......

One of these Yankee Candle melts........

One of these pretty tins..........

A ball of Luxury yarn from my stash.........

Some pretty paper cup cake cases.........

And  last, but not least, a cute Sunburst Owl :0)..........

I've deliberately kept the items as light as possible, so I'm happy to post these anywhere in the world.

This is an example of what one parcel will contain..........

Only enter this PIF if you are happy to make up three packages of your own should you win. I think it's a great way to spread a bit of bloggy love and cheer someones day.

To be included just leave me a message in the comments  and I'll pop your name in the draw, to take place in two weeks time (Thursday 14th of March ).  Good Luck .
 Oh and don't worry if you want to comment but not enter.....I'll only include those who ask to be entered.
Jacquie x

P.S. thank you so much for all your wonderful encouragement on my drawing. I realise it has got a long way to go , but having you lovelies to share it with is wonderful.