Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

Little Stories – Little Dabbles Part II

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

Hello!  Until I started writing, I didn’t realize how much I got done in these past few weeks.  We were out and about, from the Columbia River Gorge  to the coasts of Northern California.  Walks around the neighborhood prompted some impromptu paintings.  I finished making a few toys and blankets for the kitties, and also knitted up a couple of things for myself.  Working toward another flower block for my wildflower block printing series and another watercolor book cover joined the list too.  Last but not least, I painted this Girl and Her Cat book cover last Monday.  It is going to be quite the show and tell today!

 

 

Fiber Works


 

 

Home made cat toys @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

My kitties  love to play with these toys.  They tend to see red and yellow very well on our light-colored carpet, which is why I picked those colors.  I made these with fleece and filled them with catnip.   They are also flat, so the kitties can easily carry them around in their mouths.

 

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

I got a new sewing machine early this year.  That was the perfect excuse to make more blankets for them.  They love to sleep on them and it keeps the house tidy.   I stitched two layers of fleece together with wavy lines as if I was quilting them.

 

 

 

Home made cat blankets @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I always hand stitch my bindings.  So relaxing!  With these new additions, along with the previous set of blankets, they are all set for now.

 

 

 

Knitted Skyrim Hat @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Knitting is another very calming activity for me.   I particularly chose this pattern because it made me think of both architectural details as well as trees.

 

 

 

Knitted Blue River Mitts @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

This one is my favourite set of mitts.  The color of the yarn matches my kitty’s blue eyes.  I am glad I got these done just in time for our travels. 

 

 

 

Out And About


 

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

We traveled to the Columbia River Gorge for a few days.  If there was ever a Rivendell (from Tolkien’s stories), this has to be the place.   Despite the heavy rain, we walked around on the trails a lot.  I also got to have my first snow of the season there and walked on it.  These are just a few photos taken from my phone.  I will write a proper, separate post on our visit there sometime.

 

 

 

Northern California Coast @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Last Sunday we drove out to the coast of Northern California.  We had a picnic lunch there and stopped at several places. 

 

 

 

Northern California Coast @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Our last stop was at this place where Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.   We stayed there until it got dark.  It was a really lovely day.

 

 

 

 

 

We went for a walk around our neighborhood and found these Ginkgo trees.  I wanted to get a few leaves, but it got dark and we were both still recovering from being sick, so we decided to come home.  

 

 

 

Ginkgo Leave Watercolor painting @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

The next day we walked back over and I got my leaves.  That afternoon I painted them in my nature journal.   I only used a couple of colors and a small brush to paint on the details.

 

 

 

Little Stories – Little Dabbles

 

In this post I talked about being inspired by brush strokes in the Chinese and Japanese paintings, and about using that technique for painting the water around these leaves.  I used a very similar technique to paint the details on the Ginkgo leaves too.  I’m getting more familiar with the technique now.  Practice makes perfect.

 

 

Upcoming Work


 

 

Snowdrops print @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I finished drawing the flowers for my next block print in the wildflower series.  I always practice a little on a small sample piece before diving into the large carving.  Specially useful for all the curves I tend to have in my designs.  With newly sharpened tools, I am all set for working on the large piece.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Once I finish, that print will join these – Fairy Lantern and Enduring Thistle.  The journals are available in my shop.

 

 

Burrow Owl book cover for handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I have been working on a book cover with this little owl.  I was only going to test the colors on a test piece.  Before I knew it, I ended up with this little one.

 

 

 

Burrow Owl book cover for handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I need to make a watercolor book anyway, so I will incorporate him on the cover.   The book signatures are all done and ready to be stitched.  I will start working on them tomorrow.

 

 

 

Book Cover Art


 

 

Persona 5 Sketchbook by @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Ever since I painted this picture on the cover of one of my hand bound books,  I have been wanting to paint another one like this.  It is a little daunting.  If I make a mistake, I will have to bind the book again, as I had to do with this book because of a washi tape mishap.

 

 

 

Handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

I made this book a couple of years ago, I think.  Since then, I have been wondering about what to draw on the cover.    I wanted to incorporate the binding ribbons as a part of the cover art.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Then, last week, the idea literally popped into my head.  In my sketchbook, I drew the Girl and Her Cat in an old library, leaning against a stone wall, reading.  The ribbons became part of the stone wall.  I copied the finished drawing on to the book cover and painted it with markers.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

 

Once I finished the front side, the back looked so bland.  My husband suggested continuing the stone wall on the back.  That was a brilliant idea.

 

 

 

Girl And Her Cat in the library handmade book @ InkTorrents by Soma Acharya, Ink Torrents Graphics, inktorrents.com

 

My finished book.  I could not be happier with it.

 

That wraps up everything I have been doing outside and inside and paints a good picture of my winter break. Kitty cuddles, weekend drives, reading by the fireplace and playing in my little atelier.  I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Until next time,
-Soma

 

The Ink Torrents Graphics shop remains open.  I will continue to mail orders, as always.  You can also purchase  quilting patterns, which you can access immediately via Instant Download. I will also be available via email.  Thank you for continuing to shop from my store, so I can support my favorite rescue organizations.

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

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Little Stories – Little Dabbles

 

Hi Everyone!  Even though the weather is calling my name to come play outside, a bad cold got hold of me and took me down for days.  Feeling better now to share a few napkins that I made, along with a few leaves that I painted.  Hopefully you will be able to use this info to explore your own ideas.

 

 

Easy Napkins to make by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ inktorrents.com

 

When I visit Joann, I always take a quick look at their small remnant bin for fleece so I can make blankets for my kitties (more on that in the next post).  I found a piece of 100% cotton fabric one time and picked it up for a new set of napkins.  

I cut 12″ square pieces, then machine stitched all around, 0.5″ from the edges, with matching thread.  After that, I stitched the two lines you can see in the picture with a contrasting thread.   The first line is 2.5″ and the second one is 3.5″ from the edge.  I stitched over each line one more time to make them darker, but not fastidiously.  I think the offset stitching gives them a lovely vintage feel.

Then I had a little too much fun pulling threads on each side until I reached the stitched lines around the border. 

 

 

Easy Napkins to make by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ inktorrents.com

 

That’s it!  Super easy!  I very much like the red and blue threads I used against the cream background.   The colors of this set make me think of cozy autumn days.

 

 

Autumn Leaves

 

Autumn Leaves Line art download by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ inktorrents.com

Download Autumn Leaves Lineart

 

If you are looking for a quick project, you can download this set of leaves line art for free from my shop.

I had originally made them for an embroidery project.   This is my painted version in my handmade forest green nature journal.

 

 

 

Playing With Paint


 

 

The Dragon And The Tree

 

As you know from the last post, I like to do a little bit prep work before working on the final painting.  

 

 

Autumn Leaves easy monochromatic painting for journals by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ inktorrents.com

 

I am working on a new painting for a book cover, so I started trying out different paper and paint for the right look and effect.  In other words, playing with paint and paper.

Marker, watercolor, acrylic ink, watercolor ink, I used them all for these leaves to see which I liked best.   My only objective was to see the effect of each kind of paint on that paper.

I was going to throw out this first set, but then I thought that if I cut them out, I can use them in my journal.  My husband loves these bits and pieces for his journal too. I cut around the shape with a pair of scissors, used a micron pen to add an outline and veins, and they were ready.

 

 

Floating Leaves


 

Autumn Leaves easy monochromatic painting for journal by Soma Acharya Ink Torrents Graphics @ inktorrents.com

 

After that I tested the aforementioned paints on a set of larger leaves.  I didn’t worry too much about painting within the lines on this one either. Then before tossing it out, inspired by Japanese and Chinese brush paintings,  I started painting brush strokes with no purpose in mind. I used blue mostly because it provided a good contrast against the orange.  I got carried away, and the strokes started to resemble water.  I ended up keeping it.

My husband got me the two pumpkins when I was sick.  Two, because one needs a friend.

 

All of these finishes started as an attempt to learn or experiment with new ideas.  I specially love this time of year because even though the colors are limited, they call me out to explore both indoors and outdoors.  I am feeling a lot better now and I can’t wait to be outside a lot more, collecting ideas.

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please consider paying a visit to some of them.

 

 

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