Swoon Sunday

I missed last week's Swoon Sunday too busy, today isnt much better but I am determined not to waste my photographic efforts this time. Above is my Meerkat painting I did last week, after the photo I did thin his whiskers a bit, but forgot to photograph him. Then yesterday after watching some youtube videos I thought I would try a new style of painting which I really loved, so much so I wish I was doing it now, instead of in the middle of sorting out a LARGE list of things to sell on Ebay (tedious job). I must credit Shilpa at Artyhils for this painting style, of course I am not quite in her fabulous league but these are the steps she takes to her wonderful art works, I'm just having fun with it. For step one its a quick sketch, mine was then done in marker pen. Dropped on some of my chosen colours of paint...

Spread the paint around with a keycard or old credit card..

Repaint some of the outline so you can see were you are again...

..and mix, colour and have fun. They look a bit like startrek characters dont they? and of course I have a very long way to go yet as this was my first attempt. I sketched out some fun flowers to do next, hopefully I will get to them tomorrow.. I would far rather be painting than having the day I am today thats for sure.

This post has joined the others on Effy Wild's Swoon Sunday this week, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EFFY for today xx

Animal Magic Day Out

My goodness, seems its almost a whole month since my last witterings. I'm not really doing so much that can be chatted and photographed of late, I am learning to cook 'real' food, which at the moment is Indian food, learning all about the herbs and spices, and eleminating all processed food from my diet. Anyway, thats the boring bit. Today we had a break from everything and visited our local wetlands, 'Martin Mere' for their 'Animal Magic' weekend. Believe it or not at my age I had never seen real OTTERS, so what a treat this was.. and just how cute are they? there are actually about another 80 pictures but I just shared these two.

Our next favourite was the MEERKAT enclosure, I didnt say it - honest, though it was really tempting.

There was a number of owls on show for us from the nearby sanctuary, here are just a few I managed to capture.

Lastly this ugly duckling, who's Mum is the Black Swan, another very cute moment.

One of the most important things we did whilst there, was chatting to the local Badger Protection Group was to sign the culling petition. They had a young Badger with them, these animals are adorable.. I will never understand man's intent on murdering the defenceless. We really should go here more often, not been for two years and its only 20 mins away, we are even members and supporters so it doesnt even cost us to go. Hope you had a great weekend, I'm off to cook tea now.. tonight its something simple, just spicy scrambled eggs with rice.