Is That Sun?

It just may be the sun. I haven't seen it in quite some time.
I feel lucky I do not live in the zones with the evacuations.
We have had some rain, but nothing like what is happening to the north of us.
The rain does seem to have improved the garden somewhat.
There are some green sprouts to be seen. I just can't seem to recall exactly what I planted in those locations.
I can identify tulips, daffodils and irises. The rest will just be a pleasant surprise!
On warmer days, Jackie and I enjoy sitting outside and waiting for Daddy to arrive home for lunch.
Lately we have been confined indoors.

Rorschach and Napoleon get tuckered out quite easily watching all the rain.

That is when Rorschach is not planning mass destruction from his box of solitude.

I completed my Twirla Socks:

They fit amazingly comfortable!

A few drawings and painting have been completed!


I am going to tweak the lady with the fiddle and the snail. I am still very unsure about those two.

I also added another painting to my Etsy shop, Simple Art
I call it Wind Turbines.


I should probably head outside for a little bit now that we seem to be between rains.
I hope you are all well

Simple Art

Happy Monday morning!
After a long thought process, I have taken someone's advice and decided to sell prints of my artworks!
I opened and Etsy shop and created a facebook page.
The name is Simple Art.
I hope you will stop by and let me know what you think.
Jocelynn :)

Slowly Peaks Outside...

We have been assured by the weather channel that cold, bitter months of winter are behind us.
I have my doubts.
I just glanced at my posting history and realized that I have totally missed the month of March.
I was hibernating.
At least when I am hunkering down, trying to avoid the cold, I have many hobbies to occupy my mind.
I have been knitting.
I am making great progress on my Twirla Socks. Pattern by Amanda Schwaba.

I have been making steady progress on my 10 stitch blanket.
I had no idea I had knit that many socks!
Napoleon was kind enough to model for me.


Napoleon gave us a little scare the other week.
I know he is no longer the young kitten , hell-bent on destroying and taking over universes, though he is still my kitten at heart.
To be honest, I have no idea how old he might be.
We noticed he was rapidly losing weight and more grumpy than usual.
We decided to switch up his food a little and add some wet into his dry.
At first he looked at this mixture with utter confusion and a dash of WTF.
We have noticed that he is eating more slowly and all of his portion.
His fur is getting a little thicker.
He also seems to be taking an interest in things going on outside the patio doors.
So far so good.
I also notice that as he gets older, he enjoys cuddling more.
I think it brings us both comfort.
I am one very relieved mother of fuzzy children.

Jackie and I are still venturing outside for our walks.
I made a painting based on a photo I captured along the scenic trail close to our home.

I am quite proud of this watercolour.

I also completed another rabbit painting.


Lastly, a little card I just finished for a friend's birthday.


I have been feeling a little under the weather. I did something odd to my back last month and I am just now able to put on my socks with crying. Standing is no problem. It is the bending that gets me. If I ever learn what it was I did to create this much pain, I promise to never, ever, EVER, do it again.

I hope you are well.
Jackie and I going to visit our backyard and see if any of out flora friends have decided to make an appearance.

Oooh! It's Getting Warmer! Nevermind :(

February has been a real mish-mash of weather and emotions.
We experienced temperatures at -20 C and +10, all in the same week!
The sidewalks were not at all walkable for Jackie and I so, we did a few truck outings and stayed close to our backyard.
That in itself is quite the adventure.
We have a huge pile of snow on our front lawn that is taller than I am. For reference, I am 5'6 and 3/4 of an inch!
When you live with people that over six feet, that 3/4's of an inch is quite important!

I have been trying to draw and paint.
A few of my projects are complete. A few are still in the progress stage. At least they are progressing!

One of the prompts for Doodlewash's February challenge was Palm Tree:


This is a work still sitting on my desk,

I like the direction it is heading. I will probably do a bit more on this later in the week.

I have also found my pencils again and started to sketch Jackie! I cannot believe it took me this long to attempt a portrait of her.


When I draw animals and birds, I always work off a photograph. I do not sketch quickly enough to work on life action models. I am too obsessive about details to let go in order to work quickly. I might work on this, but not likely.

I have also dusted off my cross-stitch!
It is really starting to take shape.

I love how this looks!

It is currently -9. I might actually make it outside today!
I hope you are all doing well! Until next time.

Thank You 2018

I just glanced at my calendar at work and realized we are almost through the year!
As I am sure with you, there were lots of ups and downs.
I am content with my learning process of watercolour painting.
When I had first started ages ago, I would have never thought I would pick up those paints again.
It just did not go well.
After the long break, I thought, why not?
I am glad I did!
Here is another I have just completed titled, Lighthouse.

It is based on a photo I found on Unsplash.

Of course I have been knitting up a storm.
I completed a pair of socks from Knit Picks' Artful Arches

The pattern is, Westney Socks, by Dana Gervais. Yarn is Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering Multi Rose City. They took me a bit of time as I had to fiddle with a way that allowed me to wrap multiple stitches as cleanly as possible. I'm sure there are more effective, easier ways than I engineered but, I managed and I am happy with the result.

I am steadily progressing on my Ten Stitch Blanket.

I just randomly pull out a scrap ball and tie it into my blanket. There is really no rhyme or reason. I have a feeling it will be quite the kaleidoscope of colour.

Also, I made this wonderful mittens for a friend!
How Cold is It?


If you are a bit sensitive to cursing, you might want to scroll quickly down past the next photograph.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The recipient was pleased with her new mitts.

For the most part, Jackie and I have just been enjoying the rapidly changing weather.
One day there is two feet of the snow on the ground. The next it is +10. Today it is currently +2 and sleet.


Someone also turned 16! Where on Earth did those last few years even go?
The boy is now way taller than I am. I never really thought I was short until I was struggling to reach something on the top shelf.
He strolls over and plucks it down like no one's business.

I am super happy with how this cake turned out!

We have had some interesting times this boy and I.
We have disagreements.
I nag him.
He calls me mom.
I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Speaking of family,
Nice segue eh?
We put up our Christmas tree.

Shortly after, all my Christmas decorations began migrating to the top of the tree because of this little guy!

Rorschach was on hand to remind us he is the gift.
It was many days of me playing hide and seek with my ornaments.
This particular one,
I have had since I was quite little. My mom gifted it to me last year.
Poor Mr. Snowman was swimming in someone's water dish.
I dried him off and re-located him into the ornament protection plan.

Lastly, I want to show you my Christmas Cactus!!
I never thought it would ever bloom!
It was so sad looking for most of the year,
Then,
BAM!

I am so proud of this little guy.
He is hiding in the bathroom to avoid the mayhem that comes from my gardening cats.

I think that sums it up.
I hope you are all well and enjoyed a lovely holiday so far.
I wish you all the best for 2019!
(it feels really weird to write that)

Some More of This with a Side of That

I hope wherever you may be that you are all happy and healthy. I have been enjoying the change of the seasons and a little hiatus.
There are quite a few projects on the go. With the start of all these new television shows and to the addition of Netflix! my knitting is taking center stage once again. I have been so wrapped up and just enjoying the process, I forget to take photos of my work.
These are some that I did remember to photograph:
These are sock from Knit Picks, Artful Arches

I worked on them during the hockey games on Saturday nights. I must remember to to show you the completed pairs.

With all of the socks I have knit, I have quite the collection of scraps left over. I found this pattern called, Ten Stitch Blanket.

It is perfect for watch shows with heavy plot lines!

I ventured into Michael's looking for a few art supplies and could not resist this cute little bundle.

The pom pom did me in. I do not usually knit toques with pom pom's. I decided to make an exception for this one.

I have also been busy painting.
These are a few that I am working on:

They are both oil on canvas. I might go a little abstract with these.

I have completed a few watercolours as well:
This was a feather I discovered in my travels with Jackie,

The Forest is based on an image I saw on Unsplash

This is from a tutorial Pinterest suggested,


My favourite holiday was a pleasant surprise.
I honestly thought that Hallowe'en this year would be low key this year due to all the rain that was to be foretasted.
I am pleased to say I was wrong.
We carved our Jack-O-Laterns the night before.

Rorschach was quite confused.

I had brought the pumpkins inside so that when we carved them, they would not be so cold to the touch. He sat next them most of the day. When we started to hack away, he looked at us like we were complete monsters. All was forgiven when he made off with a piece of pumpkin that had fallen onto the floor.
I dressed in my go-to outfit and did my very best at make-up with the thought that there would not be that many trick or treators:

Surprisingly, we had a lot of Trick or Treators!
They began arriving just after 16h00. The little monsters, princesses and super heroes were all so delighted to see me and I of course them! We complemented each other on our outfits and had a wonderful night!
Jo helped to shell out and keep Jackie occupied. Rorschach remained well hidden upstairs and did not emerge until well after 22h00. Napoleon and Tom sat in the window and watched the parade of visitors from a safe vantage point.
Now everything is packed away and ready for next year.

Last but not least, Jackie is starting to enjoy her mani-pedi.
We were having such a difficult time trimming her nails. She was never hurt and we are always so careful but, Jackie just not like her nails trimmed!
Jo found a solution that makes it easier for both.
He sewed a harness that is suspended from the ceiling on a series of pulleys. It is made from an old soft blanket and some broom handles.
Leg holes were cut out and reinforced with zig zag stitching.
Jackie is suspended high enough that Jo no longer experiences back pain. Her line of sight is obstructed so she cannot really see what is happening thus lessening the anxiety.
Photos would be better to explain:

After everything is trimmed and filed, Jackie receives her treat. She has started to anticipate the steps and actually walks into the harness without barely any coaxing from Jo.

I think that about sums up my little adventures. Until next time!