CanvasTrouble

So I have been working on a canvas since July and seem to be stuck on how to finish:-

I painted a 11 x14 inch canvas using Liquitex Basic Acrylic Paint 

I needed to add more dimension so I did the following :-

I added a Crafters Workshop Stencil using Golden Heavy Body Acrylics

I still needed to add something more so I added 2 more Crafters Workshop Stencils and some Gel Medium:- 

The blue clouds were added first, then I covered the cloud shapes with Golden Glass Bead Gel Medium. I still didn't like it so I  then stenciled the green butterflies.

Still not liking the canvas so I added:-

A painted brown canvas tree which I had cut out a few years ago. I put the tree on the canvas using Golden Molding Paste tinted with green Golden heavy Body Acrylic Paint and Best Glue Ever. I do like the tree but still needs something more

So my dilemma is I want to do something with the branches. I was trying flowers but not sure of the colours and shape. This is frustrating for me because I usually do not have any trouble.

Does anybody have any suggestions. I really want to get this finished.

Take Care

Marg

I am Back

I have been home a week and have been soooo busy catching up and recovering from a tense trip home.  Nearly got stuck in Washington.  I recommend never flying through Washington DC there were so many delays from bad weather (which if  in NL would have been just another day) to VIP priority and we nearly missed our connection.

The last days in Virginia Beach were not that exciting. On Wednesday night, Oct 17, we went to a Gala at  The Nauticus which is a naval museum in Norfolk. I like history but when I am hungry I find it hard to focus.

This is a food station 

As you walked around the museum you came upon different food and drink stations. Food was good and all drinks were free.

Gary posing by a interactive boat

Shark tank

a suspended old Volkswagen Beetle

Thursday was just walking the beach  

The Boardwalk

Surfer Dudes

 And being deafen by these Air force Planes. They were constantly flying over head and very loud!!!!

We left on Friday, Oct 19 at 5:30am. I don't think I will come back I like the warm weather but I am more of a city person and not really fond of sand. It is good place to relax but after 2 days I started to itch to do something more than shop or relax.

While I was away I got an order for 10 more Faux Leather  Journals for the Hunky Dory Folkart and Things and a friend has ordered 2.

Ready to get these faux leather journals done.

 I have also have a request to do a canvas of a cat from another friend. This is exciting for me and I am loving  this.

Hope you are all busy enjoying your journey in life.

Take Care
Marg

Virginia Beach Day3

So I have caught up. Yeah!!!!!

Oct 16

Today was not very exciting day just went shopping at a strip mall called Hilltop Mall. They had a Michaels and I wanted to get  a few things so I could have some fun.

Outside looks similar but it is larger. I bought Stamps and a white pen.

I walked and walked and walked and on the way went to visit Target and Kmart but bought nothing at these stores.

Bought Gold Pen, USB and Duck Tape Sheets at a business supply store

 Early afternoon while our room was getting clean I went down to the bar and found a nice place to work 

A beautiful view out the window

 I took my new Koi Watercolour Paints and a gold Sharpie and made a picture.

Koi Watercolour Paints and Gold oil base Sharpie

I started with the thought of the aquarium I saw the day before

First I coloured page blue and let it completely dry

I then made a design using the yellow

I let the colours  dry after each new addition of paint.

Added pinks and purples.

continued to add more colour

Then finally added a title and some gold to which added a bit of umph!!  I also journaled in gold. 

I had a real fun day and it was a challenge trying to make a picture with only limited supplies considering i usually have so much on hand at home

Why not try and make something with just a few supplies ......................... anything.

Take Care

Marg

Virginia Beach Day 2

I am getting there almost caught up.

Oct15

Gary and myself registered for the show, I get the benefits but do not attend. We then had to set up the booth and when we went to get the packages only one had arrived and that one had belonged to the Newfoundland Government and not PanGeo so rather than waiting around I went back to the hotel and went shopping.

Went to Lynnhaven Mall

As I walked through the door I saw this Carousel. 

After Shopping I stopped for some lunch at Johnny Rockets. It is design like a 50's soda shoppe and it plays music from the 50's.  Serves lots of burgers and shakes. 

this is the dining area

I was showed a booth...........menus and small jukebox 

Food was really good.

When I got back from shopping Gary was also back so we decided to go for a bike ride along the beach front

Bike for Two

Thank goodness Gary was there because this machine was hard to pedal and Gary steered which was also hard to do. We went from one end of the boardwalk to other. Paid for and hour lasted 45minutes. 

That evening we went to The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center for an Icebreaker. It is very beautiful  place 

So the first animal was a Komodo Dragon

We continued on and came to a tunnel aquarium

Some of this coral was manmade bur not all I love the colours

The stingray were beautiful and graceful

Beautiful fish

I really enjoyed going to the Aquarium but cannot figure out why there was a Komodo Dragon there.

Take Care

Marg

On Our Way to Virginia Beach

I know I am still a few days behind so here is:

Oct 14

We left the  hotel at 5:30am and had a 7:55 flight to Chicago which was about 1 hour .........................................

Departure lounge at Pearson Airport for US flights

 Then we had an hour wait in Chicago ............ a 2 hour flight to Norfolk Virginia ................Then a taxi  drive and 30 minutes later we were in Virginia Beach at 1:00pm.

Our hotel is on the beachfront and we got a real nice room..........................................

As you enter

Do you think we need an extra pillow?

Tis is the view from our Juliet balcony. Notice the boardwalk.

The temperature was 27 degrees so we had lunch outside...........................  

This was our view as we ate.

Gary had a meeting so I went for a walk and as I step outside the hotel  and onto the boardwalk I met this guy.....................

Neptune

I stood on the boardwalk and looked left.................................................

This is what I saw

Then I looked right...........................................

All hotels as far as the eye could see

 I decided to go for a walk and I saw .......................................

A place where you can go horseback riding..........I don't think so

And people just enjoying the beach

Later that evening after we had a light supper Gary and I investigated the hotel and we went to the rooftop and found this gem..........................................................

A pool, a jacuzzi, lots of places to sit and a bar.

So Gary an I sat on the rooftop and drank Mojitos and relaxed. It was a wonderful end to a long day of flying and moving into the hotel.

I am enjoying the slower pace. With the warm weather I fine it tends to make you slow down.

Take Care

Marg

Niagara-on-the-Lake "Wine Tasting"

I am a little behind.

On Oct 13 while still in Toronto we went for a wine tasting with Chris to Niagara-on-the-Lake and had a great time. Spent the whole day tasting all kinds of wine before lunch and after. By the time we had lunch I could feel the wine (a cheap drunk). Gary and I could not buy any .............no place to put to bring home.

Chris rented a car from ZipCar ................................................

It is a BMW!!!!!

The first winery we went to was  small winery called.....................................................

Five Rows Winery

This winey is family owned and very small. The people who run the winery consist of a Husband, Wife and a Son 

This is the building

Just inside you are met with these barrels 

Their  Vineyard

When we went inside we were met by the wife she doe all the PR and wine tasting. A very nice lady and Gary and I bought a Ice Wine (it was not too sweet but very pleasant) and Chris bought a case of red. I am not a red wine lover but the Pinot Noir was really nice and not too dry, They were all out of white wine so never got a chance to taste them at the winery hope next year we will. Just found out from Chris  we did get to taste the Pinot Gris the night before,  he had bought a bottle  early in the spring. It was really good.

Some of the other wineries we went were much larger and had many people pouring the wine tasters: ........ Jackson Triggs  and Pillitteri Estates  are 2 of the larger wineries and we didn't do any tasting ....,,,,,too many people and just too large. Lailey Vineyard which was quite a bit smaller than the other 2 and the people were great. I like there white wines cannot remember there names but they were good. Chris purchased a few bottles here.

Had a break for lunch and boy I needed food............................................Could feel the effects of the wines.

Shaw Restaurant .........................................................

Chris and Gary

Inside the restaurant

Apparently the restaurant was named for Bernard Shaw and we have no idea why. His statue is outside but no explanation.

After lunch did get to see the Lake ............................ So apparently this lake divides Canada and the USA and it where the war of 1812 was fought.

This is a Fort on the American side 

This is an american town

This is Toronto looking up the lake just can make out CN Tower.

I thought this was very interesting. I really know very little about this part of Canada. I think I will learn more..................... when I get time.

We went to just one more winery and we shared tasters. Went to Stratus Vineyard

Stratus Winery

 Tasted white wines here and I like there Meritage. Chris bought a few bottles

Gary then got in the driver seat and we went back to Toronto..................I had a nap.

Hoping to go again but this time bring home some wine. Maybe go earlier, like  the spring. It is great Canada has so many great wines. What are your favourite wines?

Take Care

Marg