Essence Of Autumn

Stormy Pastel Autumn Sky | Whims And Fancies

  

We have been having such a wonderful October here that I have been having the time of my life with my camera.  Weekend before last, we had a fantastic storm with heavy gusts of wind.  I was painting in my room at the time, but finally I just had to bundle up in warm clothing, put my Wellies on and head out with an umbrella.

 

Stormy Autumn Leaves | Whims And Fancies

Leaves swaying heavily in gusts of wind

 

I walked quite a few miles all on my own before heading back home.  The gusts were so strong that my poor umbrella was hardly able to keep up.  I was so mesmerized by the sound of rain pattering on my umbrella, the singing of the rain under the grove of oak trees, the swishing of the wind and the vibrant colours of the sky that I never realised how wet I got.

 

Stormy Autumn Rain | Whims And Fancies

Fallen leaves all over the path

 

Stormy Autumn Sky | Whims And Fancies

Pastel Sky

 

Stormy Pastel Autumn Photo | Whims And Fancies

Even the dark asphalt took on the vibrant colour of the sky

 

After Storm Autumn Rainbow | Whims And Fancies

Rainbow from the setting sun

 

After that brilliant storm over the weekend, we had a dry and hot Santa Ana.  This weekend weather has cooled off again, and clouds are gathering in the sky.  Eager to be outdoors, we decided to visit the local pumpkin patch this Sunday afternoon.

 

Autumn Pumpkins | Whims And Fancies

Orange is not the only colour

 

Autumn Flowers | Whims And Fancies

Flowers are not for Spring alone

 

Autumn Sunflower | Whims And Fancies

Pumpkin-hued sunflower

 

Autumn Weird Pumpkins | Whims And Fancies

The strange ones

 

Autumn Pumpkin | Whims And Fancies

The flamboyant ones

 

Happy Autumn Everyone!
-Soma

 

I am also linking up on Photo Friday, Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Seasons, Our World Tuesday and Friday Photo Journal along with with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

 

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Unseasonal Finishes And Paintbrushes

Leaf On Asphalt With Neocolour II | Whims And Fancies

 

One day, earlier this month, we decided to walk along a route that we haven’t been on since the beginning of spring.  I found a few leaves on the asphalt that were already taking on fall colours.  Of course I had to put a few in my pocket and bring them home.  I painted one of them using Caran D’Ache Neocolor II pastels.  The pastels are from a special edition Fall Colour set, which could not have been more perfect for this leaf.  Afterwards, using watercolour, I painted cracked asphalt around it as the background.

 

Neocolour II and Escoda Versatil Watercolour Brushes | Whims And Fancies

 

I have been slowly buying a few good paintbrushes.  I had always wanted to buy kolinsky.  However, when it came to actually purchasing one, I could not make myself buy brushes made of “fur”.  I felt that my paintings would be tainted forever.  So I looked at different synthetic options and came across these Escoda Versatil brushes which are synthetic kolinsky.  I can’t tell you how they compare with real kolinsky brushes, but I like these brushes very much.

Mine are round, short-handle brushes.  They are well-balanced and feel very smooth on paper.  I have successfully used them on hot- and cold-press watercolour paper, as well as mix-media paper.  They retain their shapes very well and certainly hold enough paint for me to do long lines with ease.  These brushes are also beautifully made.  If you are looking into buying good watercolour brushes, I highly recommend them.  Buy them from a proper source though, so you know you are getting the genuine article.

 

Thank You Hat With Purl Soho Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Since we vacation a lot in colder places, my husband recently requested a knitted hat.  I opted for this easy Thank You hat pattern from Purl Bee.  The pattern makes for a pretty long hat.  However, since he wanted a shorter one, I reduced the length by about 2.5 inches.  The pattern was extremely easy to follow.  I was able to finish making the hat within just a couple of days despite intermittent knitting.  It fitted him so well that I didn’t bother blocking the hat any more. 

 

Lego Harry Potter Quilt Along | Whims And Fancies

 

I also wrote the next two Lego Harry Potter quilt patterns, and will be sewing them this week.  Make sure to come by next week to get the patterns.

Happy Crafting,
-Soma

 

 

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