Happiness is like a butterfly, if you try to grab him, he remains always just out of your reach but when you remain quiet, he comes maybe sit on your hand. Nathaniel Hawthorne
The (relatively rare) lesser purple Emperor, whose wings light up in the Sun, unexpectedly came to visit us during a hot summer day.
Happinez does not mean the same for everyone. Some people like to have a lot of friends around them, they love noisy parties, big events and get there energy by … There is nothing wrong with, but others can really enjoy, being on their own on a familiar spot, and that’s pretty okay too. People need the company of other people but some of us need that more than others. It’s nice to know when you like to interact with others and definitely go for it but on the other hand, you must not forcing anything and sometimes you really have to say no. I’m a bit older (and hopefully wiser) and now I know what brings happiness and peace but also what asks a lot of energy. Saying no, is not as easy as it seems but you are never to old to learn…
Being in the forest, especially on spots where I can hear the birds and the sound of the little rivers, gives me energy and inner peace. When I hear the crickets sing, I always get a nice summer feeling. I like to be in nature and love animals, flowers and plants.
The orchid is my favorite flower. The best known cultured species (Phalaenopsis) are very easy to maintain. Just put them on a light, (not to) cool place but avoid the sun and keep humid during the flowering period (with soft water). If the flowers are wilted, move the plant to a cooler place and slow down with the water. After a few months, new shoots with flower buds appear and than I move him back to the familiar place. I give regulary a little fertilizer and then he gets again more water. Every time when I see such a ” promising” twig appearing on an older plant, I find that fantastic. The first thing when I get up, is going to look how many buttons already have emerged …
This beautiful orchid is one of the species you can find in our forests but also in our own (wild) garden, he blooms every year..
This Phalaenopsis was a present from our youngest son Bruno and friend Nathalie. After the blooming time he urgently needs to be repotted. The roots grow all outside and he almost falls down by the weight of the flowers that have arrived this year.
Such a beautiful flower deserves a tile. On this 3Z one you see a stylized Orchid surrounded by the beautiful Feen by Ela Rieger, a pattern that I really like and seems a bit like an orchid. The other pattern is called Beebug, a very recently, funny tangle, and nice to combine with other patterns.
The second tile that I made, during my “break” was Adele’s challenge., number 200. Also her new tangle C-Perfs is very original. Here you can see a variation in combination with C-View and the fragment Y1, drawn on a grey tile. Just like on previous drawing, in addition to the classic black pen, pencils and a white gelpen are used.
Of course it is always nice to see your own patterns, appearing in the work of others. It was a real surprise to discover how Anita Westin combined a wonderful drawn C-View with other tangles on this beautiful Renaissance Zendalatile.
Tack Anita, jag tror att du har gjort det bra!!!
I have glued the two next ones on black cards. They are drawn with a lot of care for the two doctors who have treaten me very well and thanks to them, my complaints have reduced a lot. On their advice, I take 2 organic pills of Flexipur every day included Curcuma and Omega 3 (without any side effects)
On the first card, I have glued a strip of blue watercolor background on which I have drawn the new pattern Agni by Lily Moon. El Prado is drawn with a white and gold gellypen on the black card.
Here I have cut out a circle from a yellow/greenish watercolored paper and you can see next tangles: Field of Flowers, Metro, Molygon and Orb-on-the-move. I have used colourpencils to make the colours a bit stronger and a white gellypen for the highlights.
Under the heading “challenges” on my front page, you’ll discover a few entries that I have made for the guests of Joey. I find this a very sympathetic idea and I like to take time for some contributions.
The next card was for the 35th anniversary of our oldest son Bram. Just before his thirtieth, now about 5 years ago, he had a very serious caraccident that brought him into a deep coma. After several weeks on Intensive care, followed a long difficult rehabilitation but now we are 5 years further and it goes well with him. After his resignation from the rehabilitation clinic he could go back to his flat where he lives fully independent, without assistance. He has found a nice part-time job and enjoys life, even though he now has limitations. His (and our) life changed forever but we have accepted that and feel better and more connected than it used to be.
On Bram’s birthday card I have 5 “rubies” drawn in different sizes. One for every year after its 30th. The smallest is a symbol for the first year and every year the stone has grown a bit because he is still getting better, thanks to his optimistic attitude to life. The pattern on the inside is Apacore and is colored in green, the color of hope. Apart from the “rubies” the Renaissance tile is finished in different shades of green, interspersed with white/grey and black (gelstift and crayons)
Ruby is Bram’s birthstone. Everyone has a birthstone. I din’t know that but I have recently read an article about. A tile with such a birthstone as eye-catcher, is an original idea if you want to create a card for someone’s birthday. Bram collected stones (when he was a child) and he liked the card immediately… and that made me also happy. On the Internet you can find many images and guidelines to draw beautiful gems.
Participate in challenges is instructive and can be quite nice but also, just making a drawing to surprise someone, can be great. You make something very personal for someone you like and that is usually highly appreciated. To get something is nice, but to give something, that is certainly nice too.
The last tiles were made for I.A.S. T. numbers 203 and 204. Very recently, Adele’s daughter was married and the tradition says: for a long and happy marriage it is necessary the bride has to wear something new, something old, something borrowed and something blue.
part one: something old (Sez) and something new (Trilad)
part two: something blue (Bluebonnets) and something borrowed ( variation on Hollibaugh)
All the tangles can be find on Tanglepatterns.com and/or Elatorium.
In the meantime, I’m working on my condition:: doing exercises every day, making many small walks, regularly going to swim and taking adequate rest periods. The time in front of the computer is limited but again, drawing occasionally remains a challenge and gives me pleasure. I have invested in a good ergonomic chair from Spinalis, an ergonomic keyboard, an ergonomic mouse, mouse-tray and regularly I am wearing a small braze on my wrist. This was a substantial amount but this stuff guarantees years of more comfort during computer and drawing activities. On the Spinalis chairs you are sitting on a movable kind of balloon and that is better for your back. Your arms can rest while surfing and there is also a support where you can lean. In the beginning this “active sitting” was not for granted but I just feel that it is better and then maintaining becomes easier. This is a wonderful chair for everyone who needs to sit a lot for hobby/work.
Nice weather today? Don’t wait any longer and enjoy a summer picnic in the sun or under a beach umbrella.
In Belgium, many festivals are organised during the summer. Even almost 80-years-old queen Paola and her daughter Princess Astrid were spotted at a concert of Cold Play and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited our famous Tomorrowland.
In our environment Esperanzah. (4, 5 and 6 August) gives beautiful moments every summer. It is a small, cosy event and takes place at the Abbey of Floreffe. The location is authentic, the atmosphere is welcoming and everyone shows its best side … Great isn’t it?
Esperanzah abough and beneath King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Tomorrowland
Exactly 50 years ago, The summer of love started in San Francisco and that is why I have searched in the “old” box to find an appropriate number to close this summerpost. Enjoy and untill next time:
