Lazy Week

I'm having a really lazy time this week! The children are on holiday from school, so no need to get up early - which means I can work through the night without having to worry about getting up in the morning - my kind of life!

Since the wonderful sunshine last week we have had a full range of weather including snow! Thankfully it seems to be getting warmer again now, and the sun has been shining again.

I have been working on a new series of zentangles this week. The original zentangles are drawn by hand in pen and ink, then scanned into the computer and digitally altered. First I have cut the zentangle from it's background which then allows me to add a drop shadow to make it look 3D.

Then I have used the image to generate a pattern for the background to which I have added colour. The first zentangle has had it's colour inverted.

I have finally managed to finish my largest zentangle to date. I started it ages ago but was daunted by the sheer size of white space to cover and left it while I waited for inspiration. The original size is 5" x 6".

Yesterday was an even more amazing day - more like summer than spring! My good friend from uni, Aaron, came over for lunch after which we went out with our cameras to take photos. (He just likes to make me jealous with his new SLR!)

The hedgerows were alive with all kinds of insects: these are a few that I managed to capture!

These ladybirds definitely think it is spring

I wish I knew the names of some of these insects, but it is not something I know a lot about!

But they are definitely enjoying the sunshine!


I just managed to get a picture of this bee feasting on the pollen on the blossom, but unlike the bee of the other day, this one was definitely in a hurry and didn't want to stay in one place for too long!

I must get back to updating my art journal soon! I got as far as planning all the entries the other night, and sketching out rough plans for them, then I fell asleep! There has just been so much going on this week.

One last photo before I go - one of the beautiful flowers in my garden.

Where did March go?

Where on earth did March dissappear to? April already and now the clocks have gone forward the evenings are getting lighter - it really is beginning to feel like spring is here!

It was certainly a lovely day today. The sun was shining, so I took my camera and went out to see what I could find.

This bee definitely thought it was spring as he buzzed about getting his fill of the pollen! There were plenty of flowers for him to choose from.

Walking along the sea front just above the promenade, the paths weave over and across each other, making interesting patterns and in many places the cuttings are held back by stone walls. I really liked the textures and patterns that these two walls made.

I walked down to the promenade and discovered this dried seaweed hanging on the railings

- obviously left over from the last time we had stormy weather!