Trials and Tribulations

Small hiccup in the plans - the travel approval did not arrive over the weekend as anticipated. Odds are really good that it comes today. So I am flying out tomorrow instead (hopefully!), but Chris went ahead today. There was no way for him to get to Chongqing on a OneWorld carrier on Tuesday (no flights), so we took a chance and sent him along as planned.

To pass the time while I wait and fret, here is some crafting news.


This past Saturday, I took a two hour watercolor class at a little studio by my house. I really do not know how to paint with watercolors. I really, really love oils, but you cannot travel with oil paint. So if I ever want to paint something on vacation, I really can't. Unless I learn how to use watercolors.

As you can see from my oranges above, I am not very good. Turns out watercolors are pretty tricky. Unlike oil, which is really forgiving, you have to get the paint on the paper in a very deliberate way, with pretty calculated timing. Blending is hard. Really hard.

I must admit, my teacher was pretty flustered with me. He would look at my work and then say, "OK, let me show you again." Are a reference, you can see his apples below.


And now my apples, which honestly look more like tomatoes. The teacher goes: "Apple? That is an apple!?" All love, let me tell you.


Try, try again is my motto. I will be back!