Saturday, February 26, 2011

Illustration Friday "Swarm"

Nothing ruins Spring planting like a swarm of blackflies buzzing around one's head!

Although at this point, I'll take a few blackflies. We had 7" of heavy, wet snow yesterday, and the weather service is predicting 3-5 more for tonight into tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Tufted Titmouse Print

Just finished a print of a Tufted Titmouse. The size of the image is 4" x 4" and it is a 4-color reduction print (using only one block). I printed with Akua inks on Speedball blockprinting paper.

I haven't seen a titmouse today, but we did have a flock of Common Redpolls in the yard. This is the first time I've seen them this season. Also lots of goldfinches on the feeders, robins in the sumac, and a few Pine Siskens. At the moment, a trio of Mourning Doves are sitting in sun, while several more are actively foraging around them. It's a beautiful clear day, but the temperatures are still in the twenties. Glad to be inside drinking my hot tea, and enjoying the birds outside of my window. A quick walk to the post office earlier convinced me of that.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Illustration Friday "Layer"

On cold winter nights, Mr. Mouse had to put layer upon layer of quilts on his bed.

We had a tiny taste of Spring here on Thursday and Friday--temps in the fifties, and lots of melting snowbanks. Sadly, it didn't last, as we've been back in the twenties all weekend with ferocious winds shaking the house and knocking branches out of the trees. Still there is a sense of hope as the hours of daylight are lengthening, and the month of March is quickly approaching. We'll still probably get some snowstorms, but the tight grip of Winter is loosening.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

New blog header

Another snow day and another day off from school---we're up to four now! Good opportunity to finish my new blog header for February and get it posted. Now to head outside and dig out my car again.