Terrarium, glasshouse

Hello! Life has still been super busy, and time has been flying by as usual! But I wanted to finally share these with you. I bought the little glasshouse and tiny fern for my Mum for Mother's Day, and we made these little 'terrariums' together! Hers is on the right, mine on the left.

I bought her some sea urchins to decorate inside, and I foraged some moss-covered rocks for us as well. Mum and I both love moss! 

Mum can't put indoor plants on her desk usually, because our cat Finn loves to play with them and knock them over or pull the plants out of their soil! So I thought the glass house was a cool idea.

My boyfriend brought home some little rocks too which Mum used as a base to set up her tiny cute garden.

I just bought a really cheap small fishbowl style glass bowl for my own. I just want moss in mine, so I've put in some soil and a couple of moss covered rocks. Plus a sea urchin to brighten it up a bit while I grow the moss!

I'm hoping to grow the moss across the top of the soil and have a little moss garden! There must have been some little seeds in the soil I used, and there have been some little green sprout popping up. Can you see them on the right there? I wonder what they are and if they will grow? We'll see!

Well wish me luck on my moss-growing adventure! Until next time...

Nina x

Cats In Ukiyo-e + I Can't Stop Drawing Cats

Hello! Well the weather here has gotten even colder, but today is sunny and cold and beautiful - AND I have the day off! It couldn't be better! Last week and the weekend was really busy with work, so I'm really glad to have a day off to relax (and finally write a blog post!).

Recently I've been enjoying looking at this book called Cats In Ukiyo-e. My Mum bought it for my birthday a couple of years ago, but I recently re-discovered it. Since I've been drawing cats a lot, I've been really enjoying looking through this one again. I adore the way the cats are drawn, the style, and how much character each cat has. Just like a real cat, they're all full of mischief and attitude! :P And the fact they are from the 1800s is even cooler.

The dust cover is cute, but this kraft colour patterned inside cover is really amazing too. So many cats!

The cloth in the background of these photos is actually a scarf which came with the book! It's so lovely. 

As well as the artwork in it, I really love the design, colour and layout of this book. It's really nicely put together. I especially love this little cat bookmark which is attached to the book! Super cute.

Like it says here in my sketchbook, I can't stop drawing cats. :P I'm still playing around with my fountain pen and different drawing styles, trying to capture the attitude and nature of a cat. My two cats, Finn and Stella, are so different not just in looks but their personalities and habits too! It makes me want to draw all different types of cats.

Well, another busy week ahead after my one day off this week, but I'm feeling ready. ;) 

Little Pink Cactus xo

Sketches

Just a quick post to say hello! Here are a couple of sketches from yesterday. Can you see the little trees on top of the snow-capped ice-cream mountain? :P My cat cup with the lid is from Daiso! It's so super cute. I've been drinking a lot of hot tea and coffee since the weather is becoming colder. I've been working a lot recently, but I hope to be able to post more frequently soon. :) I have a couple of fun things coming up to show you guys!

Til next time, Little Pink Cactus xo

Art, Mail, and Staying Positive!

Hello! I'm really trying to boost my positivity at the moment. I've been focusing on eating really healthy, exercising more, working toward my goals, and trying to enjoy the little things along the way. It's been really important lately to remind myself to stay positive and optimistic and remember what I'm working toward when I'm working 6 days a week and don't have much time for fun stuff!

Anyway something I always enjoy is writing letters and putting together mail for my pen pals! I made this little handmade "business card" for my blog to let one of my friends know about it haha.

That's the back of the business card at the front there. And how amazing is the cat memo paper? I got the memo pad in a cat-themed swap quite a long time ago (my first package swap, actually!).

Washi tape, stickers and pink card make a nice address label. ^_^

Putting mail together and drawing and doodling makes me happy. What do you do to unwind when you're busy, or to help you stay positive when things are hectic?

Little Pink Cactus xo