Bubbles and Blue Hats

Hi, I'm Mel. ^_^ Sometimes I remember to post things.

[bubblesandbluehats]

This is an empty notebook. I have been carrying this around for the better part of a month, hoping to make the time to document my life in a more visual manner...but to this day the pages remain blank. I keep thinking I should start to fill the pages, but I am somewhat paralysed by my own mind. I am no doubt overthinking things, and I know a sound piece of advice would be to 'just start'...but right now it's just not happening. It's like I'm too scared to draw, even though I know it's a silly prospect when you think about it. Life is insane right now; I just want to draw without inhibition, that's all. #notebook #sketchbook #blankpage #juststart #traditionalart #mentalblock https://www.instagram.com/p/CARm-nwjnhI/?igshid=orcr59g0677x

[bubblesandbluehats]

Today is Mothers Day. Today can be a time for celebration, for commemoration, for reflection...ultimately, a time to appreciate the female maternal figures in our lives. However you may feel about this day (and hey, it is just as much a hallmark holiday, and therefore may mean nothing at all), I hope it treats you well. 😊 These are chrysanthemums I bought yesterday, which are currently sitting away from me due to their ability to trigger my allergies at close range, which I did not realise they could do. Whoops... 😑 (they are pretty though...) #mothersday #flowers #chrysanthemum https://www.instagram.com/p/B__jh9jDn1V/?igshid=1pi9ixefusn14

[bubblesandbluehats]

The tiniest of pencils. #pencil #pencilstub #small #smallthings https://www.instagram.com/p/B-50nWED6Cq/?igshid=1jhw5plmo1re7

[bubblesandbluehats]

Currently chipping away at this very good book. I'm enjoying it so far; it's an honest and spirited read about Palmer's life and career and the importance of connection throughout, no matter how fleeting. While I'm very slow at reading these days, I am enjoying putting aside my tech in the mornings in favour of reading about human vulnerability and forging your own path through gratitude rather than greed. I hope you're all doing okay in these crazy times.... #amandapalmer #theartofasking #reading #nonfiction https://www.instagram.com/p/B-yw_8Wj-TY/?igshid=11g5ejexqo1gv

[bubblesandbluehats]

There continues to be a lot on my plate at the moment, just like everybody else - and the current state of the world does not help matters much. I seem to be unable to draw 'properly' at the moment, but I do try to keep up with my everyday sketchbook, and many a time I make these little doodles expressing how I feel at that moment. This was Sunday's entry, but I feel like this pretty much every day. Please stay safe and take care yourselves and those around you. I don't know when it'll happen exactly but we'll get through this. #traditionalart #everydaysketchbook #everydaylife #doodling #autobio #wereallinthistogether https://www.instagram.com/p/B-J8z_uD1yE/?igshid=ueixouqgwrb9

[bubblesandbluehats]

Am in the process of putting a lot of my art supplies into storage 😢 and came across these...they were part of a paint set gifted to me over a decade ago now, when I stumbled upon the medium. I am grateful for how much use they gave me, helping me to explore this medium I really do love...but now I think it's time to let them go. Busy times, busy times. I look forward to when all the things that need sorting are sorted...but that's not for a long while yet. 😥 How are you all? #traditionalart #paintingmedium #acrylicpaint #nostalgia #cleaning #gratitude https://www.instagram.com/p/B9gQkx4DomA/?igshid=1j398agilib0p

[bubblesandbluehats]

Finally finished the square braid! I was determined to get it done today, and so I did. Was pretty happy with how it turned out - despite how much longer it took than I expected, I think persistence definitely paid off. The rainbow colours in particular looks really cool! The final photo shows my weaving disc - it's definitely seen better days. #weaving #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #rainbowcolours #rainbowcolors #squarebraid #slowandsteady #persistencepaysoff https://www.instagram.com/p/B8oDAlxjLYb/?igshid=fvk18jj24crl

[bubblesandbluehats]

Progress report: still working on the square braid, bit by bit. Working on it is rapidly becoming more of a meditative exercise, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you don't have patience and persistence, you're not going to get things done, not in the long run. #wip #weaving #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #rainbowcolors #rainbowcolours #mindfulness #slowandsteady #keepgoing https://www.instagram.com/p/B70RpCYDFrW/?igshid=1kae2cp8z8mu1

[bubblesandbluehats]

I haven't had too much spare time the last couple of days, so I've been grasping small bites of it to start the braid. It's slow progress, but it's progress all the same. #weaving #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #rainbowcolours #rainbowcolors #wip #slowandsteady https://www.instagram.com/p/B7qPAgJDS5t/?igshid=14ncx7320mqlj

[bubblesandbluehats]

Getting ready for the next weave. Don't think I'll be able to start it tonight but I can at least prepare. #threads #craft #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #weaving #keeptrying https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lQAJ3jq65/?igshid=1crdr9d6pm8j8

[bubblesandbluehats]

The final result of last night's weaving. This turned out far better than I expected - much more even. I may've cast off a bit too early though...still, it gives me hope. #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #craft #keeptrying #weaving https://www.instagram.com/p/B7aNEdqjcnY/?igshid=11sks4pz025z4

[bubblesandbluehats]

More weaving. I'm trying a round braid tonight and it's working much better. Enjoying it a little more too... #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #craft #wip #weaving #keeptrying https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YtS9XjQ3A/?igshid=1h5ok0nepyfwg

[bubblesandbluehats]

The end result of last night's weaving attempt. A bit uneven in parts but I got there! Jury's still out as to whether I like it or not (both the end product and the act of weaving itself) - might try another tech ique soon, see how I go. 🤔 #weaving #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #tryingsomethingnew #craft https://www.instagram.com/p/B7UoP4vjQYp/?igshid=1wu8uxcbgs1ml

[bubblesandbluehats]

Giving something different a go...slowly getting the hang of it. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but I'll at least finish this little strand and work out what to do with it. #weaving #kumihimo #kumihimodisk #braid #tryingsomethingnew #craft https://www.instagram.com/p/B7TPotoD7H2/?igshid=1qclop8rfsqqo

[bubblesandbluehats]

Made cranes last night. A bit wonky but they're getting there. #origami #origamicranes #papercranes #practicepracticepractice https://www.instagram.com/p/B7KdoYpDROp/?igshid=1586yagtw0sd0

[bubblesandbluehats]

The photo's a bit blurry, but this is one of the results of the Cut and Colour event held to raise money for @curebraincancer - I maaaaay have had a hand at the colouring part 😆 $400 was raised, which is awesome! I will leave the campaign link up in my bio if you want to check out their campaign. Congrats guys! #curebraincancerfoundation #braincancerresearch #curebraincancer #cutandcolour https://www.instagram.com/p/B64k6Lsj0Yo/?igshid=13kuhy1bo7lgt

[bubblesandbluehats]

Learning how to make paper cranes. Slow and steady... #origami #origamicranes #papercranes #papercraft https://www.instagram.com/p/B6p__NBDoNo/?igshid=ndn6sxdji9kf