Hi everyone. Happy Sunday to you. I hope the new month is going well for you.
Today I am joining Nicole for her Sunday in the Art Room and I'm also joining Gillena for her Sunday Smiles. I'll also be linking up my art piece to Mia's Birds challenge at Art Journal Journey.
On this page I used various colored paints in the background. I also stenciled some leaves and added some black dots with a Sharpie. There's also some white paint pen and Sharpie dots too. Then I added a tissue paper image, which I did not like. But that was an easy fix. I have my very old bird book from a college Vertebrate Zoology lab where one of the things we had to do was identify some birds. It's quite outdated in some ways (since I graduated from college in the early 1980's), so I am chopping it up for art when I need bird pictures. It seems a shame to chop up a good book, but it is now getting some use at least. 👍
I cut out the crow and covered up the misfortune with the tissue paper. I added a piece of painted lace to give him a place to stand. And then I cut apart a paper frame and used 2 corners of it to finish off my page. I'm quite happy with the results now. 😏
Last week one day I set up a second beehive since later this week I have another box of bees being shipped. I wanted to air out the unused hive. I've tried for 4 years to get a second box going, and for several various reasons, I have never had any luck or success. One year those bees in the second hive even combined with the bees I already had.
This year I'm hoping things will work out. 👍🤞🤞🤞
When I set up the new hive box the other day, I went into my old hive to give it a good go through. I was surprised to find the top box was really loaded with honey.
Look at the capped (the white) honey on this frame. The other side was just as full. All 10 frames in this box were like this. Either the bees ignore this honey all winter (which I doubt) or they have been very very busy lately.
You can also see below that the bees were expanding their combs upward. It was time for another box.
I added another smaller honey super on top. I hope it fills up with honey so I can remove it and take the honey, and then, since it is still very early in the season, I can put another box on top for the bees. I haven't had this situation before because usually at this time of year the hive is pretty depleted. That's one thing I love about beekeeping, the bees keep throwing new situations at me, and I am always learning new things.
Plus you might think I'm weird, but I find watching the bees very interesting and very relaxing. I don't usually even suit up anymore, but I do have to really relax completely. If I'm relaxed, the bees basically ignore me, and I can stand there and watch them for a while too.
I'll let you know how the second box goes. Until then, I hope you have a honey of a day- grin.
24 comments:
I love crows, posts to come and yippeee - I saw two bees already! Have a great Sunday, hugs
Crows are smart and great! Your bees are doing really well this year. How much honey can you usually collect?
Good luck with your second box this year!
Lovely page and the bees are doing well-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
I find beekeeping fascinating. I would not be able to do it because I would never be relaxed. I am terrified of being stung. (no no allergies, just a fear.)
This is so fascinating. I LOVE the bees. I'm curious -- have you ever harvested any honey yet or kept it for the bees? I hope you get some this season! Good luck with the new bees and second hive!
Your art is so beautiful. I love all of the colors, texture and of course the crow. However, I'm always thrilled when you show what's happening with the bees. Can't wait to see the new bees. Thank you for sharing with SITAR have a nice day.
I love the color of the crow's page. I would love to keep bees, but having an allergy to stings probably isn't a good idea. Suit or no suit. So, I enjoy beekeeping vicariously through you. Cold, raw, and windy today. Hope you're weather is better.
I love that you do bees. Our Bee population is struggling because of the use of pesticides on our farms and even our local gardens. And, as I am sure you know, we will be in real trouble if we lose our bee population.
As for your collage ... I love birds and crows are among my favorites. You do them justice with your art. Happy Spring, Erika ...
Andrea @ From the Sol
...I'll stay clear of the bees, thank you!
Your crow is fantastic. What a great idea to use half a frame. That way you have the other half for later. I really love this page. It is amazing. It's also perfect for Mia's theme at AJJ.
W9hat great news about the bees. I hope this is the year you finally have success with them. I've read that bees can feel your emotions, so if you are calm, they will also be calm.
The page is beautiful, Erika - I love crows, they are such smart birds, and funny, too. It's always interesting to read about your bees and the beekeeping. I love to watch bees as well - there is enough opportunity for this in my garden, but of course not on a scale like yours. I hope that the second box works out this year. Hugs - Carola
Dear Erika, I love crows! They are pretty and very intelligent! And I love bees!
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely photos. I hope you have a great week ahead!
Thanks for linking your 'birds and bees' to SundaySmiles
Much love
Your card is delightful Erika and I thoroughly enjoyed your photos at the bee hive 🐝 Have a great week!
I love all the textures and interesting details in your AJJ page. I just finished my bird page too. Blessings!
Awesome page with the Crow, a colour palette that I always love. You were right, yes the Ceanothus is growing/overtaking the Choisya.
B x
“Plus you might think I'm weird, but I find watching the bees very interesting and very relaxing.” Not at all, Erika. In my world such activity approaches perfection. Looks like you are going to be rewarded with copious honey this year. I’d better not tell my honey she is copious or she will slap me! All the best - David
I love the bees. Happy Monday.
A fabulous background for your crow, love the colour and gorgeous textures.
Great pictures of the bees and the honey, I hope you have success this year with the second hive. Avril xx
This is a gorgeous page with the crow, Erika. The corners and the lace are adorable. Thank you for another entry in my challenge at AJJ. Hugs, my friend.
I do like your page, great colour and texture.
Keeping my fingers crossed for your second beehive.
All the best Jan
I've never known anyone who had bees. Interesting.
Lovely artwork and photos. I hope the second beehive works this time. (Maybe all of the bees want to be together in one hive, so they ignore the second one?)
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