Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

Time once again to share some of the things I have been doing the past week. As we have started a new month, I created a new calendar for April.

April showers bring May flowers - hopefully!

Collages

I created several collages this week, a couple for challenges, and one just for fun using scrap gelli papers.

Inspiration Avenue - the theme this past week was marigolds. I used a gelli paper background and marigolds from some wrapping paper. The quote seemed appropriate:

For the Craft Barn, the theme of travel :

Journal 52

I completed a page for this challenge:

A Day in the Life of ...  I chose instead to show a perfect day., one that includes art and writing and time with loved ones.

I am starting a new challenge with ROW80  and thought this page would fit in well with the writing goals I am setting for this challenge. It starts tomorrow for 80 days and also counts for my first for this week - first time I have ever done this kind of challenge.I have set my goals on my writing blog here. (If you are looking for more info about ROW80, there is more info on my blog)

ATCs

I created one set of APCs for a swap - butterflies on 7s. By the time I am finished I will have created and received a complete set of butterfly cards.

Photography

We once again have doves nesting on the ladder on our back porch. They always seem to make such funny looking nests. I will share their journey here each week.

Also Linking With:

Creative Every day

Inspire Me Monday

Made it Monday (Jamie Ridler Studies)

Art Journal Every Day

Shadow Shot Sunday

After several years of observing first robins and then a dove family nest on our porch on our ladder, last year we had no bird visitors.
 This week, we were surprised then to see doves move in and start building a nest. This time though, they chose the bottom floor  - the lower level of the ladder. It is more exposed than the upper level, but the doves seem less worried about that.

I took some photos of the pair and their nest and was pleased/surprised to see some faint shadows.

After the first day:

Yesterday:

Be sure to visit here to see shadows from around the world. Once you've started shooting shadows, you're hooked!

Shadow Shot Sunday

Back again after almost 2 weeks away. We had a lovely reunion with my husband's family in Lake George last weekend. This annual trip is a chance to bring my father-in-law to Saratoga Springs for horse racing - a trip he has made for over 40 years every August weekend. Now he needs support to do that and this year we all went down. We've decided that this needs to be our yearly reunion time, even if Dad can't be there.

It is time for shadow sharing. Another week of gorgeous weather, although this weekend we are returning to high heat and humidity.

 This big creature was at the Art Fair we went to in Lake George,


I finally got to see the new baby doves when we got home last week. It won't be long before they will fly  away as well. This was the first summer we had repeated nestings - 3 sets of dove families this year!

Be sure to check out the wonderful shadows from around the world here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadows are either sought after or despaired, depending on what you are seeking. For the legion of SSS seekers, shadows are an obsession. I know I am obsessed - many times it is the shadows I notice before the place or the people!
Here are a few shadows from the this week, a week of mostly, sun and heat.

Our last baby dove was flexing his wings yesterday. His sibling had left 2 days before but he was not so sure. Both parents came back to encourage him. This morning the nest was empty - our boarders were all gone.

Be sure to check out the shadow chasers from around the world here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

What a glorious morning! The heat and humidity have finally departed (at least for  awhile)
I got up at 6:30 this morning and watched and waited for  the sun  to wash over  the back of our yard. About 9 am, after reading 2 newspapers and checking the blogworld, I was finally able to get outside for shadow hunting.

First shot was of our new baby dove - finally got to see it this morning, just peeping out from under its mom.

Then off to the back yard, for some shots of chairs and things.

Of course I had to get a couple of shots of our newest flowers:

Now this little bronze critter my hubby captured a couple of days ago and we have no idea what kind of bug (probably a beetle) it is. Any ideas?

Be sure to check out the great shadows from around the world here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

First day of summer holiday! Yeah! So looking forward to having large blocks of time for art and proijects.
It has been extremely hot, humid and bight the past few days. This morning when I went out to check for shadows, I couldn't believe that bright sunshne was missing. Overcast and cool. A bit of a welcome relief but not great for a shadow chaser.

We also have a new resident on our porch - another dove just built a nest inches from the last nest that was there. We wo't be able to use the ladder again for several weeks.

Our lettuce has just gone wild with all the heat. Caught a bit of shadow this morning.

Our roses have been doing well also.

Be sure to check out all the shadows from around the world here.

Sunday Weekly Wrap Up

Creative time this week was mostly taking photos. I have been enthralled with our doves.  One flew away today, leaving the other to gather up his courage so that he can leave the nest. (The last picture together)

I did not work in my "Mess" book - hopefully I will get back on track this week.

ATCs

I was able to finish a couple of swaps this weekend.

Mystery Abstracts:

 

Drawings for May

I have seen a number of bloggers who are taking part in the 29 portraits and I thought I'd try my hand at a few. Here are some of my portraits.

 (Sorry for the quality - tried to delete the 3rd and couldn't))

Cowardly lion

More Photography

Flowers and skies are my usual subjects, although birds have captures me lately.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

It's a Mess, sort-of!
Lisa Wright's book group on "Mess" has been a fun exploration.
This weeks mess has been focused on cut and paste for the most part. I steered away from wet messes - just wasn't up to that this week!
Collage has always been my favourite and I enjoyed the few I did in the book.

Blue collage:

 Fold the page and make random cuts

 Decorate the tree - I made a jewellery tree

 Cut apart the photo and create a new look

Daily Collages
I am almost finished the month of daily collages. I have sometimes had to create 2 in a day to catch up, but I have enjoyed the process. I have used different materials and focused on composition.
In May I want to try a sketch a day, using a picture or photo as my model.
Here are a couple of collages:

From scraps pf painted papers:

 From scraps of photos|:

Photography:
We now have a morning dove nesting on our ladder on the porch. The past few years a robin has made a nest there. The doves make a very minimalist nest but they sure do make a mess on the ground! It will be interesting to see the eggs and babies develop.