testing a skinny nib

It is extremely hard to sketch family members! This is supposed to be Michael, our son-in-law, as we went to look at a used RV in Katy. We are considering an upgrade from small camper to small motor home.

I was testing a fountain pen with a very skinny nib, the Meister by Point slim liner from Jet Pens, in my tiny sketchbook. I’m also testing a new-to-me brown ink: “Jule” from Rohrer & Klingher. Even though the nib is a medium, its lines seem fine enough for tiny sketches. The only down side I can see with this pen is that the cap will not post when using it.

Kayak for Michael

For Father's Day, our son-in-law Michael received an inflatable kayak. He and Mikala tested it out on Lake Somerville on Saturday.

weekend with Mikala

Our son-in-law and eldest granddaughter are visiting from Texas -- Michael plays in the golf tournament held over Father's day every year. Mikala spends part of the time with her other grandparents and part of the time with us. This weekend she was with us --- we made paper bracelets and origami, and played LOTS of games. Now she is with Michael's parents, attending Junior Golf camp with her cousin. She is an amazing player for only 9 years old -- so competitive! Then she will be with us again next weekend.

Just before coming here, Michael, Kristen, and Mikala spent a week at Disneyworld, where the Cheshire cat and Perry the platypus joined Mikala's collection of friends.

"Trunk or Treat" in Texas

I forgot to post the last sketches from our trip to Texas the end of October. Our daughter's church holds a "Trunk or Treat" neighborhood outreach every year as a safe mode for trick-or-treating. Everyone lines up their car trunks, filled with goodies, in the parking lot. Son-in-law Michael held a putting green; hit a hole in one and win an extra piece of candy.

Mikala made her own costume this year: "It's Raining Cats and Dogs". Her umbrella had black felt dogs and cats "dripping" off, each glistening with sparkly "raindrops".

These are a few of the neighborhood kids who passed by.

more Texas sketches

At Bill's birthday party in Houston, Josiah happily carried any number of balls around with him. Meanwhile, we watched the K-State game . . . . but they lost to Oklahoma.

 

(click on pictures to see larger)

Later at Kristen's home, the girls asked me to paint this stuffed kitty while they painted postcards. At first Mikala said the cat had no name . . . . but after I wrote the heading, she quickly gave it one, giggling the whole time. I had made up this travel watercolor set for grandkids from a Sucrets box and some Cotman half-pans. Two come-apart Koi waterbrushes fit inside also. Add some watercolor postcards and they are ready to make art.

Sunday's journal page

Mikala and son-in-law Michael are visiting KS during spring break; we had a delightful time with Mikala on Sunday. (Our daughter, Kristen, is on a church mission trip in Romania).

I recently found some candy Lego blocks -- they made a BIG hit with Mikala. We still don't know what they taste like though; she wasn't sharing! Had to build first. I wish I had sketched some of them.

After taking her back to her other grandparents, I finished knitting a beret and sweater for her birthday bear. Not wanting to take the pattern book with me to TX, I went ahead and knit them, then will sew up seams later.