Practice Does My Heart Good: Watercolor Painting
Couch Talk
This week has been rough. It was a difficult week with schooling as I have taken on the role of teacher with my 5th grader. For those of you who know me, you know I am not a teacher. Have you ever seen the TV game show, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? After spending the last week on decimals, I know with out a doubt that I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader! I am not enjoying my time back in grade school.
The long days of school have a way of draining one mentally so I am sticking to doing laundry, cooking and mindless chores in my down time.
Craftsy Classes
Last week, I saw an ad on Facebook for Craftsy offering their premium subscription ($79.99) for $2.46. I have been wanting to take classes for a while to work on my drawing and painting skills but I never want to spend the money. Online classes are SO expensive for those of us that doesn’t have a crafting budget. But at that price I decided I would get my money’s worth out of just half a class. I spent two evenings searching through all the classes and I have a two page list of classes that interest me including baking, cooking and various art classes. I started a class Saturday evening called Drawing facial features. I am splitting up the sessions as I don’t normally have a 3.5 hour slot to just sit. I completed 3 sessions so far and have enjoyed them thus far.
I am really enjoying the instruction as the teacher uses facial anatomy to help with feature placement. And here is a random sketch I made last evening while watching TV. Eyes are my nemesis. I make everyone cross-eyed, something which I am hoping to remedy with practice and these classes.
If you have a chance, you should check out Craftsy. I think the sale price is still on. You can’t beat a 1 year subscription to every single class for less than $3.
Renovation Update
We have had a bit of a lull in progress this week as the tile guys couldn’t start yet. Hopefully, we will see some tile set in the shower before the weekend.
But look at that arch! Isn’t is gorgeous? Our construction guy is amazing. I sent him our inspiration picture and he cut a mock up in under an hour and this is what he showed me. I couldn’t believe that he nailed it the first time and it was even better than the inspiration picture.
Watercolor Practice
Here is another page in my Watercolor With Me in the Forest
And here is the first page in the book that I neglected to share earlier.
Lastly, I am sharing my updated StencilGirl anatomical heart stencil. Just a little more progress this week. If you have any constructive criticism, I would love to hear it.
Tea Day
I am joining the T ladies hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. I finally got around to trying my Yunnan Longrun Pu-erh Tea Cake-Caiwei (Year 2012,Fermented, 200g)
If you know anything about traditional Chinese and Japanese Tea Ceremonies, you know that the leaves are rinsed and the liquid discarded. This removes dust and anything else clinging to the leaves and allows the leaves to awaken so the best flavor can be experienced.
This Pu-erh cake has been fermenting since 2012. Fermented tea cakes are quite costly in Asia depending upon the region the tea was produced and the length of the ferment. The longer the ferment, the greater it’s worth. Have you ever read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane: A Novel by Lisa See? I learned a lot about tea and its place in Chinese culture from this book.
Here is my tea in the rinse phase. We drank this at dinner to accompany our chicken stirfry.My children loved it and asked for more.
I would love to hear about your favorite platform online for taking classes or the best class you have ever attended (online or in-person).
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Boy you got a great deal for Craftsy classes. And sorry to hear about the school situation.. That’s a full time job. in itself. And nice doorway with your renovation. The book sounds fascinating. I put it on my wish list. And it sounds like the perfect T day connection. I have not heard of fermented teas -nice to learn something new. Have a great T day. Hugs-Erika
I am glad you found the craftsy classes. I have been following them for awhile and then when bluprint bought them out I bought couple spinning classes-expensive and then someone bought them out and took back the craftsy name. I am still waiting for my old classes to appear in my account. I should look into that discounted membership-I have enjoyed their painting and quilting classes.
that must be rough to be teaching. but you have some art time–Happy T and rest of your week Kathy
Hi Kate, glad you are enjoying an art course and still finding time to teach, keep going! Love the arch in your bathroom. Enjoy your tea, have a happy week, hugs, Valerie
LOL. My Niece – 4th grade – did math-homework when I visited and I had no idea of what she was doing.
I suggested an easier way but she has to go the complicated one, how dumb! Never heard of that “technique”.
I´m not smarter than a 4th-grader, or… am I?
Sketching, yes, hmmm.
Oh! That wasn´t a mirror! Great arch indeed! And the heart.. I “love” it.
I admit. I´d be too lazy for such a tea but I wish you a very happy T-day!
Your contractor really must be a genius! I bet he’s great at fractions — they really are useful sometimes. So I hope your 5th grader is a big success.
be well… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
What a bargain. I wish I was on Facebook just so I could get those classes. I’ve never been able to afford ANY classes., although I seem to find just about anything I need on the internet.
I actually laughed at your take on fractions. Wait till your son gets into calculus. Then call me (grin). Understanding what goes on the top line and what goes on the bottom line can sometimes be daunting, especially if you are confronted with a word problem. I wish you luck with that.
I’ve only had Pu-erh tea once. I got it at my local tea shop. I’m glad you like it, because it is very expensive where I live. Thanks for sharing your lovely watercolors, the drawings, your new bath, and your Pu-erh tea with us for T this Tuesday. Hope you survive fractions, dear.
Sorry to hear about your having to become a teacher-math wasn’t my thing so I feel for you.
On a good note- how wonderful you got such a discount for classes-you are going to have fun with that for sure! great looking drawings, but i really love tyour watercolors- especially the foliage- so pretty.
And that arch is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing about the tea too. Happy T day!
What a deal for the Craftsy subscription! I never see ads like that on FB lol Your watercolor skills make me think you’re the one who should be teaching a class 🙂 That doorway arch is magnificent! Happy T Tuesday
I’m grateful that my girlies are grown and I don’t have to home school. Math would be my downfall.. you got a great deal on Craftsy and your watercolor leaves and heart are spectacular. Your renovation is going to be a real show stopper. That arch is just wow. I can’t wait to see it finished. Happy T Day
You get a gold star for home schooling, I’m sure it’ll get easier too! Loving your bathroom, that arch looks so amazing and I bet the whole design will be spectacular when it’s finished 😁. Enjoy your drawing classes and wow, that tea looks good too. Your glass teapot is beautiful too! Take care and wishing you very Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
A friend sent me a photo today with a hanging sign in a store that said, “Get your home schooling supplies here.” It was hanging over bins of wine bottles!
I had a fun home schooling experience with my nephew last week, but he’s only five. It’s in my t-party post.
The Moroccan door is stunning!
Thank you for the Craftsy tip. Your watercolor practice pages are very good.
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
What a lovely post. First I do know a bit about Japanese tea ceremony. I mentioned on another site that I was honored to be part of one when I was in Japan. If I was not married I would have come home packed my bags and moved to Japan. I love it there. As for your watercolor. FANTASTIC. I saw that add for craftys and just scrolled right on by. I better take another look for that price. Your facial classes look very good. Ohhh I don’t know how people are doing it with teaching their kids at home. Good luck and take it on subject at a time. LOL