It has been challenging using this toned tan paper to draw the eye. At first I thought maybe using a more waxy coloured pencil would help so I tried using Prismacolor pencils for this eye. But I would quite get the details in (which was why I stopped using them in the first place).
So I went back to my trusty Holbeins. And this looks so much better right?
Just need to work on some blending around the eye socket I think. Always a learning process. :)
Enjoy your weekend friends!
As usual, my sister got me kitchen supplies for my birthday. *LOL*
I've used them all, multiple times (yay, go me!) actually. But the game changer is the pressure cooker. I've made braised pork belly twice, beef stew twice and pork bone soup once. All using just a fraction of the time I would spend using conventional cooking pots. The girl might actually make time for art! *winks*
Do you have a pressure cooker?
Can you tell that I'm having so much fun with my printed photos?
This page is about my cherry blossom nails for CNY. Really love how they turned out.
This one is just me enjoying a meal at one of my fave restaurants in Hanoi.
Decided to play with lots of colours on the decorated box...
Started with this sturdy black box.
Really just a mish mash mix of really old stuff which I really really want to use up. Some of the pieces didn't quite "match" so I used a black pen to add some line work.
Happy Monday friends!
This time the receipt came in this envelope..which had to be up cycled immediately of course. *winks*
Just another mish mash piece...with scrap bits and stickers...and finished with pearl mist.::)
It's been a while but guess who is back to eye drawing? *winks*
Just a few pages left in this old tan sketchbook so I thought I should quickly finish her up with some eye drawings. The paper isn't that great for layering colours so the line marks are obvious and not blended. Guess I need more practice. :)
This page is all about this new gratitude journal and cover. Added the floral "frame" and got it printed on the photo. Added a washi tape strip, a leaf and typewriter with florals to complete this super fast page.
This page is all about my cute little teapot strainer...which I was excited about but actually forgot to use it. *off to make a cup of tea* Don't you just love the cool effects on the printed photo?
Few people offer to make me a home-cooked meal...usually I'm the one doing the cooking. But my Penang bestie invited me over for a homemade spread two weeks ago. :)
So grateful to have a soul sister in a neighbouring country who put in thought, effort and love in making me feel like I deserve to be spoiled a little. :)
So I've been really having fun with the new "frames" and "overcoats" features when printing my photos with my Selphy QX10 printer for my gratitude journal. It's in its 6th year and still working well. I am tempted to get the new Selphy QX20 printer which can print both square and card size photos...but I shall be good for now. *winks*
Anyway, one of the best things about doing your gratitude journal the year after is that you can really look back on what worked in the previous year that you could possibly try again this year...like this seafood curry dish...which everyone loved and it was relatively easy to make.
Anything to save a little time and my sanity really helps. As you know, I'm the primary caregiver for my folks who both have dementia (and other ailments). There are good days and bad days and it's been really really tough for the last 2 years. And I know it might get worse and I would need help. Until then. For now, I'm doing my best to keep them as independent as they can be while making sure I stay mentally and physically strong for the road ahead.
The Yams recently went to Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome to check out the cherry blossoms.:)
My sister E fractured her wrist last month snowboarding in Japan hence the arm sling.
Just little bits and bobs to "frame" the photos.
Let's break into the 2024 gratitude journal. :)
First up - the loaded porridge. *winks*. Dad doesn't like to drink water...so I have to think of ways to incorporate more "soupy" stuff in his meals. These days a "loaded porridge" is on weekly rotation. It is cooked with homemade bone broth and filled with a mix of both animal and plant protein, carrots, mushrooms and served with lots of condiments.
There are many waterfalls in Bali and since we booked a driver for the day, we stopped by at one.
Even though we chose a waterfall that needed the least amount of climbing, it was still challenging for the folks because it was rainy season and the ground was really wet and slippery.
