This and That

 

 

 First of all I want to thank you all for the thoughtful and kind comments regarding my last post about a blog and Instagram friend who passed away. You warmed my heart.

 Let's begin now first with the reason for my absence the other week or so:

 After two years we finally were able to gather with our friends (as we have done for many years now) at one of the couple's beach house!! It was a beautiful week weather-wise thankfully due to the ocean breezes and beach umbrellas because there was a heat wave up and down the East coast with 3 digit heat indexes! 

There were beautiful skies over the bay side at sunset each evening:

 

 and it was a special joy for hubby and I to get our doggy fix with another couple's sweet dog Lucy💓. It was to our benefit that they were unable to secure their usual dog sitter and they were invited to bring her along. She was SO good! I'll share more pics from our vacation in the next weeks.

 And for T Stands For Tuesday I will share the main part of our first dinner all together:

 Of course we had to begin our stay with fresh lobsters! We also had corn on the cob, and what else could we drink but champagne😉Cheers! 

And BTW, the lobsters only went up in price by $1.50 per pound after two years 😁

 And now for the art part. First up I will share this journal page with Try It On Tuesday (theme is "use book pages"):

 I applied a thin coat of gesso to the book paper before drawing the botanical using the stem from Night Gloss Spray. Dina Wakley products  used: stencil, Collage Collective papers, Scribble Sticks. Sentiment is a Tim Holtz Clippings Sticker.

 

 I have another page in the kraft journal and this one is meant for Art Journal Journey with the theme of "vintage" with guest host Wendy this month:

  The left page:

 and the journal spread:

 

 

So excited to share this wonderful giveaway offer I recently won from an artist who links up at Paint Party Friday:

 Such a generous giveaway!! I received a handmade watercolour journal (and let me say that I have never seen such a meticulous and perfectly well made journal such as this one that Soma herself makes🌟). I also received a tin with 6 Van Gogh watercolour pans and a water brush perfect for taking anywhere you go! I made a swatch of the colors for the tin and then just played a bit mixing on a scrap watercolour paper. Please do have a look at Soma's Blog where besides sharing her amazing watercolour art, she also shares her gorgeous photography skills, and has links to her other social media sites and shop. Thank you SO much Soma!!! 

 This couldn't have been a more perfect win since I am playing with my watercolours again for an online course I have finally begun called Ocean Alchemy with Alisa Burke. There are 30 lessons with sub lessons as well and all with an ocean theme! How perfect is that for me- and it only cost me $15 on sale!! She uses both watercolours and acrylics but I'm starting with watercolurs. The lesson begins with swatching colors you want to use inspired by ocean themed photos and here is my page:

 I chose paints and mixes from both my Daniel Smith colors and the new Van Gogh ones from Soma. I'm using a spiral bound 5" x 8" Strathmore watercolour journal for my lessons. Can't wait to get more lessons completed; it is such a fun course! 

 Joining Paint Party Friday as well with my post. A great group of artists sharing a vast variety of styles of art! All are welcome!

 Happy September, and happy new week everyone. 🤗

        " Respond to every call that excites your spirit."         Rumi