Purchase Old York Pub
Lately, my head has been full of plans for the future and a growing list of things to accomplish, matched only by my lackluster state of mind. A few months ago, I took a photo of a street light while exploring the old city of York, and have wanted to paint this ever since.
On Tuesday, as I finally made myself put the paint-loaded brush to paper, the ease came back. Painting the weathered stones and the walls was quite cathartic, and the warm light became the proverbial beacon.
Thank You for keeping me going with your lovely supportive words and personal emails sharing memories evoked by my work.
More photos from Pt. Reyes on A Day At The Sea Post
A few weeks ago we went back to Point Reyes National Seashore. On our way back, we came across these Tule elks grazing right by the roadside. They were introduced back after their extirpation from this region in the 1850s. Warms my heart to see them back in their natural habitat.
Last rays of the setting sun
I made a pair of mitts for my friend Kris before. It was about time I made this matching hat for her. This hat, along with a few other things made it out there on Monday. She loves it and said the hat snuggles her ears too. Perfect!
Yosemite And I – A post about why I love it there so much
We haven’t had much rain or snow here this year. Instead, our beautiful California has been burning from north to south. Snow-covered landscape has been scarce this year, as has the winter rain.
Post about a holiday in Kings Canyon inspired wall hanging
Purchase Colonial House Pattern
That photo I took of Yosemite reminded me of sitting by a large stone fireplace, sipping on a warm drink after a wonderful day out in the snow. The parks here have common rooms with warm fires in large stone fireplaces. We will not be going to the Sierra mountains this year, but that won’t stop me dreaming of my favourite place.
At home, looking out of the window at the bare trees and at the bookshelves beside the window gave me an idea for a small sewing project.
The time has come for my holiday hibernation away from the computer. This year with everything that has been going on, I will need this time to gather myself more than ever. Time to bask in the warmth that old man winter brings to me. This comes in the guise of admiring my favourite star clusters during the long winter nights, and walks wearing my favourite woolens during the days.
Inside the home, long hours of video game playing with my husband has become a tradition. I love to paint in the soft winter sunlight. Ink and paper adventures await me, along with the prospect of a warm beverage, fireside and kitty cuddles.
Happy Holidays, everyone! I wish you a warm and safe holiday season full of wonder and magic!
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. They are great for inspiration, please pay a visit to some of them.
32 thoughts on “Winter Warmth”
bettyl - NZ January 8, 2018 at 23:03
Your photos are just fabulous and that quilt is simply gorgeous!
Connie K Campbell January 8, 2018 at 11:04
Beautiful artwork and photos! I visited Yosemite once years ago and loved it. Enjoy your winter break with your husband.
Sally January 2, 2018 at 09:55
All your photos are terrific. I really like your watercolor. Very nice.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare December 24, 2017 at 16:10
Everything looks beautiful, Soma. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year :) xxx
A ShutterBug Explores December 23, 2017 at 06:58
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Angie December 22, 2017 at 21:44
Painting, quilting, photography – is there anything you can’t do? Enjoy your break – and I look forward to seeing more of your creations in the New Year.
jesh stg December 22, 2017 at 15:26
Here I am again with a question, you probably would know the answer to. Purl Soho has a kit to sew and embroider Christmas (balls) ornaments from felt with beads on them. There is no way I can afford their price ($100) and won’t buy, since I have half of the items.
One of the details I don’t have is “milk glass.” What exactly milk glass?
Is it the material with the little holes one embroiders on? Or is it a backing material? No hurry! I can’t work on anything till after the new year – thanking you much in advance!
bettyl - NZ December 20, 2017 at 19:56
You are so talented! I love all the photos! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Molly December 20, 2017 at 02:04
Fantastic photography of the Elks
Mollyx
audrey December 19, 2017 at 22:53
Lovely work! The stitching on your wall hanging is the perfect touch.:)
Lady Fi December 19, 2017 at 12:01
Wow – great artwork and stunning shots!
Photo Cache December 19, 2017 at 07:46
You are so talented. Love the shot of the tule elk from Point Reyes.
Worth a Thousand Words
A ShutterBug Explores December 19, 2017 at 07:14
Such a beautiful post and so many lovely creations, a painting, needlework ~ you are so creative!
Merry Christmas to you ^_^
Happy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Ness December 18, 2017 at 05:26
You’ve captured the street lamp in York so well and I can see the streets where it would be.
Jocelyn December 18, 2017 at 05:23
It was a treat for me to find your blog post this morning. Lovely photos, work and words to enjoy. Happy Hibernating!
Kelleyn Rothaermel December 17, 2017 at 23:34
Never been to Yosemite in the winter! I bet it is lovely! The hot is gorgeous! Great job on the water color. It appears you have many talents beyond just quilts. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
jesh stg December 17, 2017 at 19:44
As always I love your quilt pattern of the lighted house, and your choice of colors and prints – you have a great eye for balance!
This time of year it would be easy to be lackluster art wise – most of us have a stimulus overload, which makes it hard to concentrate!
Your watercolor/acrylic has a great winter and evening mood!
I’ve only have been twice to Yosemite in winter (not much art I can do – too cold to sit in the snow – I admire the ones who can do it!) – for about 18 years it was always in the summer..
A merry and special Christmas to you and yours, Soma, and”see” you back on New Year’s eve for All Seasons!
Anne December 17, 2017 at 06:30
Your painting is truly beautiful and I love your photos of the Elks, fantastic. Merry Christmas x
#mysundaysnap
Jackie December 17, 2017 at 06:21
Your work is gorgeous!
Carol December 17, 2017 at 05:04
Your captures of the elk are quite beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Dixie December 16, 2017 at 06:25
Streetlamps have a mystical quality about them which you have captured so well.
You have a marvellous eye for capturing great pictures. The deer look so serene against that remarkable light.
My your holidays be merry!
xo to kitties.
Cheryl Brickey December 15, 2017 at 19:52
You painting is wonderful, I can feel the warm of the light in it. Happy Holidays!!
Mary December 14, 2017 at 21:49
The new painting is absolutely wonderful. I love the depth you have managed to capture with your paints.
The elk look stunning there. The colors in that photo are incredible too. Your photography is so wonderful. Yosemite in blues!! Beautiful.
Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the quiet away from the computer. BTW….Love Kris’ cap too.
Kathleen December 14, 2017 at 20:18
Merry Christmas Soma, and a happy and healthy New Year to you.
Kim Sharman December 14, 2017 at 17:54
You have had a beautifully creative year, Soma. Gorgeous photos, sketches, paintings, dreaming up patterns, quilting……..the list goes on and on. Thank you for bringing me many smiles throughout this year. May your Christmas and holiday season be filled with wonder and magic too.
Robyn December 14, 2017 at 17:23
Another lovely painting! Hoping the fires are controlled soon :(. We’ve been lucky here, even though it’s been hot (35/36 deg C), as we’ve had unusual intermittent rain for this time of year so the normal dry, fire prone grass has not eventuated yet. Wishing you and yours (animals included) a wonderful holiday season.
Su-sieee! Mac December 14, 2017 at 16:47
With the warm temps in our next of California, I haven’t felt holiday-ish yet. Maybe by February. :-) I love everything you’ve shared today. I forgot about the tule elk being up there. Great cheer to you!
Susan December 14, 2017 at 14:29
Have a wonderful holiday sabbatical. I look forward to more lovely photos, artwork, and quilts in the new year.
krislovesfabric December 14, 2017 at 11:11
Happy Holidays to you, your husband and your sweet kitty cats!! I hope that you are feeling better and that this restorative time brings you much peace and joy :) We had a bit of snow this morning on our drive that I had the pleasure of shoveling in a certain warm hat and mitts, thank you again. I am very thankful to have such a sweet friend to share so generously, you are truly a gift to my soul. BTW…I thought your painting was wonderful when I first saw it, but now I can see it is truly amazing as I happened to get up from my screen to see what my pups were barking about outside and as I approached the screen again I saw what a master you have become at the 3d effect, wow, just wow!!
Margaret Andrews December 14, 2017 at 11:02
What talent you have and nice that you share it with others. Your photographs are beautiful, especially those sunset ones of the elk. The painting of the lamp makes me warm inside as I sit here in damp pants having just come in from a wet, windy walk. I love your patterns and am happy that one of yours will make a special gift for someone I love. Thank you so much and have a wonderful holiday season.
BillieBee December 14, 2017 at 10:26
Your streetlight just stopped me in my tracks …..stUnning. Then all the fantasy photos, etc. Thank you!!
Patty December 14, 2017 at 06:14
Merry Christmas, happy holidays to you. Love your artwork