Thursday, December 16, 2010

Drawing the line

My trip to the city was partly to get a sketch book for the Sketchbook Project. I had read about the Strathmore books on another blog and recognized them at the Artist's Emporium store. I'm not sure what size I'll like so I got two sizes. They had also gotten in the Moleskine line and in my haste to get a Moleskine I got lined ones. arghhh But I'm good to go. I understand the value of Gesso now!

There is a card in the Moleskin detailing their history. Gee, I'm in good company! Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, and Ernest Hemmingway! They were originally handmade by a French bookbinder in Paris. The small family owned business that made the 'little black book' eventually closed its doors. In 1997 a small Milanese publisher brought the legendary notebook back to life and it continues to be a travel companion of many.
But the 'going' has hit a major stall. While thinking about line drawings for the journal/sketchbook projects I was reminded that I haven't had a reading binge in a while. I absolutely LUV reading and allegories/fantasies are high on my list of favorite ways to spend my time. We don't have a TV and movies are only watched occasionally as I do prefer to read the book than watch the movie. But now I've gotten all involved in Tolkien's story and though I've read them a number of times I get all caught up and can't wait to read about what happens next. After every chapter I try to whip myself up to the sewing station.

The last baby quilt has the squares laid out and the lines of sashing are ready to be laid. I need to study the layout to see if there will be anymore changes to the position of the squares.
While I'm thinking I'll be studying the various line drawings at the chapter headings! Very inspiring actually. ;~)

5 comments:

Lyric said...

can't wait to see what happens in those sketchbooks!

Jane Davies said...

Hi Ellen! Welcome to the Sketchbook Challenge. We are all so excited to see how many people are joining in. I am rural too, Vermont, and planning my first batch of laying hens this spring. Is "the city" Winnipeg? Or are you closer to another city? I've never been to Manitoba. I hope your sketchbook will tell us something about it.

Createology said...

Bring on the sketchbook challenge for it looks like you are completely ready to tackle anything. Good going!! Reading and quilting and sketching and and and...Whew!
Happy Holly Jolly Joy to you...

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Is there any project you aren't tackling? For some reason, I thought they sent YOU a book. I must have read it wrong, because I don't sketch or draw, so didn't pay too much attention. But, gesso is the cure for many ails. And those quilts in your previous post will surely brighten the grand kids' days. And the one for a baby looks inspiring. Wish I had a bit of your fabric stash (grin).

Leslie Tucker Jenison said...

Looking forward to having you follow along on the Sketchbook Challenge project! I've been to Manitoba to visit friends in Winnipeg. What a lovely city.