Inktober 2026
Day 14
Candle stick
I chose to draw a ceramic candle stick holder.
Based on the background I chose a medium brown color.
With the bit of pink in the background I made the candle a deep rosy color with drips on the side.
A glow around the flame.
A bit of a surface for the vessel to sit on.
Another flower in an individual vase headed to the gallery.
This flower was made with a bit of thin scarf fabric I picked up at the Re Use center a couple weeks ago.
The five petal design made with squares of polyester fabric in grey, teal and black. I used a teal button on the front.
I created a 6 strand silver stem which is held in place with a couple of plastic discs and a build me up.
A black backer circle was stitched on.
As it happened I picked up a black glass vase last week which worked really well with the flower.
To keep the stem in the center of the vase I put the stem through a plastic bottle cap which fit nicely in the vase about 1.5 down.
It is off the the gallery.
I for this flower I hand cut 2 burlap shapes. I cut 3 yellow felt circles and found a brown button for the center.
I chose a bamboo skewer stem this time which was stained green.
The burlap flowers were dyed with yellow tie dye spray and left to dry.
Once dry, I stitched the stem to the back flower and one of the yellow felt circles. Then I stitched the front flower and felt circle offset from the first to the back one. Now the stem is in between.
I stitched the brown button in the middle over the center of the yellow felt circle.
I chose this ceramic vase which has a rustic vibe to match the flower. I trimmed the bottom end of the stem for the right height for the vase.
I added a red bottle cap on the bottom of the stem to stabilize it a bit. Then I added lentils for weight in the vase.
I think I will be designing flower based on the vases I have on hand. These worked out well.
When I made my flower bouquets I thought I was selling reusable vase covers which were machine sewn then enhanced with slow stitching. Turns out that was not a seller as they have been in the gift shop since March 2026. I brought those back a couple of weeks ago and decided to redesign the packaging to sell the flower.
I organized an activity for our family event this weekend. These were the prizes won. I did some shopping at the thrift store and made a few as well.
I am always on the look out for small nativity sets that I can photograph for Christmas cards.
I found this one at a thrift store a few weeks back. They are snow people.
My new ceramic tree has come in handy again. That was a good purchase.
The NOEL came from the ReUse Center. The tiny lights also came from the thrift store. They use AA batteries which I always have on hand.
I plan on applying a wash to these ceramic figures to give them more definition. This was a very quick set up. I will have to take a few shots on the nativity while it is white because I will not be able to reverse the process.
This diffuser features a yellow felt daisy flower set into a cobalt blue glass holder.
The yellow felt and the royal blue pompoms in the center are the diffuser. Place 1-2 drops of pure essential oil in the center of the flower and sit back and enjoy some relaxing time.
This diffuser would fit into a sun room, next to a favorite chair, or a bedside table.
Wings at Rest
An elegant butterfly gently resting on a circle of leaves. It is ceramic with a satin finish and features beautiful colors on the butterfly. A reminder to breathe deep and rest for a bit. The circle rests on a crystal glass base with ivory felt in between to catch the drops which may escape from the butterfly.
Place 1-2 drops of pure essential oil on the butterfly to enjoy the scent in your personal space.
I have started my creation of One of a Kind essential oil passive diffusers for this years market. I have been on the hunt for unique vessels that I turned into special gifts for others or yourself. These will fit nicely into a personal space such as an office, a sun room, a bedroom or bathroom. Any place you want to chill out, breathe deep and relax.
I have started another set of bespoke oil diffusers.
Ice Cream Cone - This is a ceramic Easy Tiger Matte Ceramic Ice Cream Cone mini planter.
I paired it with a warm and fuzzy yarn in peaches, creams and aqua color. I created one ball for the ice cream you can see then a small one to anchor this one in the cone. I stitched them together.
I used a silicone bead with a piece of yarn which I wired to keep it up in position as an accent on top of the cone. The tones all work together in this piece of art.
The oil can be dropped on the cherry on top or the ice cream.
The ceramic cone will contain the oil.
Red & White Bouquet - A clear glass bud vase holds a red and white bouquet of pom pom flowers.
I have used another wooden spiral to hide the wire armature of the bouquet.
The bouquet is weighed with a wood bead on the inside of the spiral.
The red pom pom flowers can be used to hold the essential oil with little concern of discoloration.
Again, the glass vase will protect your surface from any drops of oil.
Just 2-5 drops of oil will be enough to give you scent for 20 minutes to 40 minutes.
Day lilies are amazing plants. The grow on boulevards, gardens, or any place with light. They are hardy, frost resistance and bloom for months! Just doing what God made them to do.
This flower is named Persimmon which I think is very fitting for this rich orange yellow flower.
This one I found at on city property when I attended an Art Walk recently.
It brightened my day!
I've moved my sofa for now so that I am less likely to lay down on it to watch TV. That habit is not good for my back and I have been suffering the last couple of weeks because of it.
It is not the best placement of the furniture in the living room but it is temporary because the sofa will be going and the room will be emptied to install flooring later this fall.
Just trying to take care of myself for the long run.
I have several books by this author on my shelf but had not read one of them.
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny. She is a Canadian author so always good to support local.
This is book is in her Chief Inspector Gamache series. It is book 14 and was written after her husband passed away. Her husband was an inspiration for this character and she was not sure she could continue to write in this series once he passed but she produce 3 more books in the series.
The setting the province of Quebec in Canada. It is winter which features prominently in the story. Inspector Armand Gamache is under suspension when he receives a letter which leads him to learn he has been assigned as executor in an estate. The catch is he does not know her. The mystery is to determine who she is, why has she chosen these 3 people as executors and how money is there to be distributed. I read this book in 2 days so it was very engaging and I enjoyed the book very much. I am looking forward to read the other books she has written.
I bought this book mark at an art walk earlier this summer but forgot to blog it till now.
I can always use an extra book mark and this one was done in watercolor.
I love the stack of books which is the main element.
It has been laminated so it will stay clean and last a long time.
I purchased some ceramic pieces recently. The white dish on the left will be used for Macro Mondays. The star may but used in Christmas decorations and the blue dish was just really nice and is a good size for macro photography as well.
I spent the morning on Saturday with my aunt. We met at the art gallery as we were dropping off our pieces for the Open Art Show.
We took in the farmer's market, the pottery guild shop, had lunch, discussed art and classes, then headed back to Michaels to investigate supplies which came up during lunch.
Lunch was at the Stony Plain and Parkland Pioneer Museum Tea House.
I had the hamburger soup, we shared an egg salad sandwich and I had lemon meringue pie for dessert. I chose the blue and yellow teapot and the beautiful yellow tea cup.
I had several cups of Earl Grey tea.
We like to do this at least once a year and we had a wonderful morning.
The challenge at Flickr Macro Mondays was school supplies which I thought was a great idea.
The variety of options is great. Not too many of the photo represented what kids may take to school these days with all the technology.
On the right are pens and pencils where I focused on the ball point and lead. Have keyboards replaced these in modern schools?
The limit in size is 3 inches but these objects did not present a challenge there. Some included the clip of a back pack which was a good idea.
You can check out my Flickr Photostream (SMDPics100) to see my submission to the challenge.
I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #189 and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #353.
I saw Crocuses on my walk this morning. Nature is saying it is spring time. I am so glad we did not get the snow that some of the province got yesterday.
I finished this book on Sunday.
A book filled with mysteries years old.
Based in London in 1970's it features a new crime solving unit (Peculiar Crimes Unit) who use non traditional methods to solve crimes. Detectives John May and Arthur Bryant in third book pursue a murderer with no very little hard evidence to go by. People are dying every day, its Christmas time and the clues seem to lead in a very unusual conclusion.
Eventually the method in the madness is revealed and the murders are solved but a family has lost quite a few members. I enjoyed the book!
Since the renovations in 2019 I have been on the search for new shades for the lights in the front hall. Of course, the pandemic has curtailed to a large degree my discretionary shopping. When my sister called to say could we have a visit outside and they were headed to ReStore I said sure!
I found shades for the front hall for a very small sum! The store was not busy and social distancing was maintained.
I found ceramic tiles for the base of my photo studio as well. I bought two 12x24 tiles with some texture and a matte finish. Because of the pattern and the square edges when put together you cannot see the join of the tiles!
The color is neutral and the pattern subtle enough to provide a seamless surface for my photography. The size is manageable weight wise. I had looked at 24x24 tiles earlier this year but moving one very large tile was not a good idea.
Again, the price was very good!
This my second go round trying to get a basil plant growing. The other just died.
I see that I have second leaves on this one despite the fact that it has a very short stock.
I am paying attention to water more this time. The grow bulb is on very day for 8 hours.
I am hopeful that there may be basil in my cooking this summer.
A spring mosaic featuring icy puddles in the morning, my first American Robin of the year and some crocus blooms.
The Flickr Macro Monday challenge this week was Circles. This shot on the right is a few small clear plastic containers backlit with purple and pink gels on my lights. You can check my photo stream (SMDPics) to see the shot I submitted.
I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #127 and
Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #285
Have a great week!
I read this book recently about a woman who connects with an Amish woman. A storm keeps them together and an emergency forces them to see what is important at Christmas time.
