Heart the arts prompt week 44

The end of October can you believe it? I almost didn't get this week done. I was so close to just saying screw it and letting this week be a blank week and then I talked myself out of it. I said... What the heck! That is no fun at all and I'd be letting myself down. I told myself, I'd do the whole year rain or shine and thats what I'm doing.

This week I wanted to work on combining mediums. I wanted to combine watercolor and oil paints. My last painting in my painting class I was thinking of doing this, but not sure how it would turn out. Now I know its not really a good mesh for the long run, but it was fun to play with on the small scale.

I came up with the theme.... Small things..


















Lately I've been focusing on all the small details in things. How to spell things for midterms, how those rocks look in my paintings, did I make sure to bring enough pull ups to daycare for Leo. I need these little things to keep life moving, but these little things are piling up and overwhelming the big things that I want to accomplish at times. Like I want to make sure I eat right, take care of myself, have fun, be happy, etc..

I guess this page it just my weird little reminder of that. I had to take a crappy picture because the oil paints were still wet and I couldn't scan it. Hope you can still enjoy it.

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I also wanted to share that today was my race day for my 5k. I did it! It was fun.


















































It was great. I got a pretty good time of 35:11 for the 3.1 miles. I was happy with that. I'm not the fastest girl ever, so I was pleased. I also was kinda amused to get the number 14. My old high school number for volleyball and cross country was 14. It was like kismet! I wanted to personally thank Julie for buying a ton of stamps and things from my store that was a direct donation to the race for kids with cancer here in Tampa Bay. I only raised 80 bucks because of how busy I was this month. That was a bummer. I hoped to do more. Next year!!

Leo said he's going to run with me next year. lol Logan said he'll pass. He was cold. Thats why he's hiding in my jacket like that. It was a brisk 69 degrees or so this morning. hehe. My Florida boy. Gotta love em.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pink thing majaoobs and doodads

OH MY GOSH!! I was so happy today. I got the bestest surprise from Lauren in the mail. It was totally unexpected. I got some birthday presents from her!




















The wrappings were beyond gorgeous. If I had one ounce of Lauren's presentations skills I that would be the best present ever. She is a master. Seriously. I didn't want to unwrap the presents they were all so pretty.

First I opened the three art o' mat pieces she sent. They were awesome. This wood painted ghoul guy was my fav. HE IS AWESOME. He was painted by Bob Cook. I have no idea where he is going in my house, but I love him to bits. The creative gum cracks me up.





















This is also one of the art o' mat pieces that when you open up is the mermaid art colored pencil art piece. Its so pretty!! I love it too. I need more room!

















































As if that wasn't enough, she also added these awesome books to use for images for crafts and the coolest card!!



































Thank you so much Lauren. I also wanted to say thank you to Amy for her lovely card she sent me. I'm a total butt who misplaced it because I got it right in the middle of midterm madness time. It was lovely. I'm sure there is a picture of it on her blog. I should go look.

I couldn't ask for better blog buddies than I have found on here. You all are the best.

Can you spell Polykleitos?

Okay I'm alive. I've been so busy with school its unreal. I am right in the middle of midterm week. I have a painting due on Monday. This is what it looked like a few days ago. This is not what it looks like now. I don't have a current picture. I'm not liking where it is at the moment. It had a totally different color theme at first and now its going a totally different way and it bums me out. I'm hoping to do something with it.





















Today I'm gesso'ing a 24x 36 canvas 3 times and learning to spell things like Khafre and Hatshepsut. Yes those are real names. Egyptian names. I have to know how to spell them. I need to know the dates of when 45 pieces of art were made and how to spell them and be able to write a paragraph about them. haha I'm screwed!

This is Khafre on the left sitting. The one on the right is Menkaure and his wife another fun one to spell.

















Wish me luck tomorrow please! I really want to ace the test. I'm a stickler for wanting A's in classes. I can't help it. I'm also in in a 5k this weekend. eep! Be back when I can!

Heart the arts prompt week 43

Better late than never right? I think this is the latest on a Saturday I've waited to post a HOA ever.

This week was pretty easy. I was very inspired by Halloween coming up.

So this week's prompt is Spooky!

Here's my page. I drew the hand and cupcake. lol I love how it turned out.




















I found the skelly ribbon at Michaels. I love it! Thanks for stopping by!

Twinkies can work for a birthday cake in times of need

This week I finished a card for Caardvarks current challenge. I still need to do the last challenge I never got to. The current challenge is to do a card and pick one of the DT's cards to use as inspiration. I choose Peets card to do mine after. Here is Peet's card...


















Here is my card for the current Caardvark's challenge.


















I ate a bit too much for my birthday yesterday. I worked a bit harder in the gym today to make up for it. I might even go running tonight to add a little oomph to it too. Tomorrow is more school. Gotta try to get alot done with my new painting. I'll be taking a picture of it tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bright fabrics

I did it! I took two dresses and made another cute apron. I went to the thrift store and picked out two dresses from shape and fabric how I wanted for my apron. I like dresses that either tie behind the neck or have some sort of already shaped halter type dress. I go for that first, then look for fabric on dresses I like second. I got these two dresses for $3.50 each.


























































The first dress I liked the shape and the black and white pattern. The fabric was very thin. VERY thin so this couldn't be a base, but could be cut up to do other things with. It also had a smoking burned hole on this smock/dress. No one would have bought it but me. haha.

The second dress was very flowery and bright with the halter type neck I like for aprons. I didn't really care for the flaps, but I knew I could fix that. Also this is only a size 5 dress. I'm a few sizes above that, but thats okay. You cut the back slit up the back for the back to be open on an apron. It doesn't have to wrap all the way around your body, just close. 3 to 5 sizes smaller than your body works fine with that. I just cut a line straight up the back and hemmed the sides so they wouldn't frey.


























































I made straps to tie in the back of the dress out of dress number one. I attached those to the sides of the dress around the waist.

Here's what it came out to look like. I added a little more fabric for the green ruffle at the bottom from my fabric stash and the pocket square is from my fabric stash. Otherwise it is all from the two original dresses.

It turned out pretty cute. I have another apron I made that I never took pictures of. Its the one I use at school for painting. This is my at home for cooking apron. I'm kinda liking making them. Its fun taking two just random things and making one cool useful thing. Thanks for stopping by!

Heart the arts prompt week 42

This week was a fun week. First my anniversary and then on Monday is my birthday. I will be 33 years old. What? I know. I'm kinda in shock that it goes by so fast. I do love birthdays. I doubt we'll be doing anything. I did make a list for my art journal page this week.

I figured it be fun to have this week's prompt be... Birthday

What do you do on your birthday? Whose birthday's do you love to celebrate. What do you want for your upcoming birthday? What do you want to do before your next birthday? What was your favorite present you ever got? You can go anywhere with it.

Here's what I did.




















For my birthday/anniversary, my hubby got me a new itouch. I love it!! Its so fun. Logan loves it too. I got the plants vs. zombie app for it and he loves playing it on there.






















I got the hipstastic app on my itouch and it takes cool pictures! I love it. I worked on my 3rd painting up at school today and cleaned the house up and down. Tomorrow hopefully rollerskating and running with the huskies!



























































Thanks for stopping by!

Ten

Today is our 10 year anniversary! I can't believe it. 10 years wow. We've had our ups and downs, but we are very happy and committed together. Marriage is hard. Its great to find someone who is willing to work with you through it all.

I started working on a card two days ago. I know total last minute. I've been a bit bogged down with school again. (lets not even talk about my huge midterm looming over me thats on the 27th)

The card is based on the sketch from 2s4y this week. Here's the sketch.



















Here is the card I made. Its hand drawn by me, and painted in watercolor paints. The back stripes are red velvet ribbon and orange ribbon. The pp is BG. The celebrate is stamped on from a dollar stamp set from J's. Letter stickers are BG, and Love sticker is SRM.

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If you've been wondering what I've been working on in painting class here it is. This is the finished painting number 2. Not the best picture in the world, but you can get the gist.





























Now we're working on a masonite panel and painting from a photograph we took. I choose this photo to work with on my new painting.




















Next project is a handmade apron I'm making. I made one already and never posted pics. Its the one I use at school. I'll be posting how to's and picks of this second one! Also HTA is on Saturday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Heart the arts prompt week 41

I am so ready for this semester of school to be over. I'm having a hard time keeping up with everything. Tonight I will be working on my painting 2 for my painting class. Its due on Monday. I really don't want to mess with it.

I think I've decided for this coming up spring semester that I'm going to go a little easier on things. I'm going to only take one night class (ceramics) and take Leo out of daycare 2 days a week. Its just expensive and there's no real classes I can take next semester that work out as well as things did this semester.

This is good for a few reasons.. Save money, have more time, spend less money on classes by only taking one next semester, and get Leo ready for 3k next fall.. I'll probably get him in some sort of playgroup or mothers day out if I can.

Finally I need to still work on my health and fitness level. I'm okay on working out and gym time, but my eating has become atrocious. I feel like I've hit a major bump in the road on my wellness/weight loss journey. I need to continue on.

Thats what this week's prompt is... Continue on.

Here's my page.



















I wanted to do a stamped/painted backgroud with lots of primary colors. It turned out pretty.

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

Crawfish Ettoufee recipe

This weekend Lewis made me crawfish ettoufee. It was delicious. It always is. Its one of my favorite things he makes. He is from New Orleans and knows how to make the stuff. Let me just tell ya, Emeril has nothing on him in my book.

I figured I'd document his recipe and do a digital page with it so I could make the ettoufee in the future and to share it with all of you!

Hope you all enjoy!

RIP Sheldon

Poor Sheldon passed away today. I'm very sad. I knew he was older when I rescued him from that little icky petstore. He had issues with tumors. I figured he wouldn't last more than a year, but I was hoping for a bit longer with him. I'm glad I had him for his last 5 months of life instead of being rat food or dying in a 10 gallon pet store cage alone. :(

The boys are okay with it. I told Logan when we bought him that he was older and rats don't live forever. If they live 3 years thats pretty good. He seems to understand and be okay. Sheldon was more my rat than anyone else's. I can't believe he's gone.


Love you Sheldon, you were a great little bald rat.

Bags: whats in yours?

I mentioned purses yesterday. What girl doesn't love purses? I mean we all NEED them. Might as well be fashionable while carrying them. Okay here is my check list for purses.

1. shoulder bag with strap not too long. I don't like my bag to hit much lower than my ribcage.
2. Cool accent or pattern or embroidery. Something to make it cute.
3. Not too big of a bag. I don't like feeling like I'm dragging too much around. I stopped carrying diaper bags around for a reason.
4. Structure to the bag. I don't like bags that are way floppy and have no real design to them.
5. Inside pocket for cellphone a must! or at least one open pocket inside the side of the bag.
6. Some kind of closure for the bag either zipper or snap. Completely open not cool..

Okay... Here is the bag I currently drag around with me. I found it at Bells. Its not a "name" brand. I honestly could care less about that. I'm more about the purse itself. This one is a Rosetti bag. Its a satiny finish fabric on the outside. I LOVE the pattern of the fabric. Not usually crazy about 2 straps, but this one works.

















Now you ask what do you have in there? Well... this is what's inside my purse.




















My wallet is my fav. I found it at Stein Mart and EVERYONE I mean, everyone comments on it when I pull it out. Its awesome. The little fabric bird is my change purse. I keep all my loose change in it. I found it at the airport store in Washington DC airport. The big blue thing is Logan's Nitendo DSi. Visine is a must for me, just cause I am a big sissy when my eyes feel allergish and red.

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My other purses are pictured here. Two are kinda standard/boring. The beige and black are for places I feel need something more "conservative. They barely make it out of my closet.





















This brown leather one with the embroidery on the side is my fav. I found it at a thrift store 5 years ago. I love it so.. 4 bucks. How can you beat that kind of embroidery for 4 bucks??? Who gave this up? Were they insane?
















































The last purse in the picture of all of them is my Tommy H. purse. I fell in love with the pattern on the purse. Its got cream and a really pretty teal/gold/brown pattern. So pretty. I got it from Ross or somewhere. I think it was only 2o bucks. As you can see I am not a big spender when it comes to purses, though if I did find one that I loved I would spend more. Again, its all about the purse/wallet/item.

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Now onto the treasury of purses I made from purses and accessories on Etsy. I'm in love with all of these for a few different reasons. You can find them all in the treasury I made here.






























First one with the white flowers, LOVE the flowers like that on purses. So pretty. Its big on shirts right now, need more on purses!

Next one the green koi is a wallet. I'm in LOVE. I would be buying it right this millisecond if I could afford to drop that kind of money on a wallet right now.

Third with orange flowers is such a pretty fabric pattern. I don't care for wristlets or clutches that much though.

Fifth with the mermaid and fabric blocking. This one is too cool. Again a clutch. If it was a purse with say a brown strap it would be awesome!

Mushroom wallet=cute

Grey and white purses are terrific shaped purses. Love the fabric choices too. The one has a bit long of a strap though.

Poppy purse= perfect!! Love it completely.

Light blue flower purse. Cute jewel on the outside and like how they have it not just patterned fabric. Good size and shape.

Peacock fabric= GORGEOUS!

Mermaid leather wallet. Okay this is the coolest thing ever. Again, too pricey for me even though it is AMAZING.

yellow finch clutch- this is the first clutch I am seriously having to drag myself away from the computer to not buy. I LOVE it. Its so striking and pretty.

rabbit reaper clutch/zipper pouch.- Okay totally made me laugh and would amuse the heck out of me to own.

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Hope you enjoyed looking at the purses I like! Thanks for stopping by!

Fantasy football did not bode well for me this week

Another school week starts. I'm a bit behind today. I try really hard to have everything ready by Monday morning. I try to do lunches the night before for me and Logan. I try to have all my reading done for class. I try to clean the house from top to bottom for the week on Sunday.

Well yeah... That didn't happen this weekend. I did a little. Didn't do it all. Need to pack lunches this morning. lol

I did make a new digital layout for the current ST sketch. Here is the sketch.




















Here's my digital layout.





























I realized I hadn't really done a layout for Logan's 7th birthday.

Now you might ask what have I been wasting time doing? Mostly watching dumb sitcoms/shows on my computer. Yep. Its a slippery horrible slope. I do love the new Hawaii 5.0 remake. I actually like it. Well of course I do! It has Alex O' Loughlin in it. Yum..

I've also been scoping Bluefly.com and Ebay for a new "fall" looking purse. Do I need a new purse? Not really. But I'm really feeling like I'd like an orange colored purse. I have yet to find one I like. I'm very particular about purses. I only like shoulder bags. I like patterns or embroidery, but not like Vera Bradley bags. I like nice fabric on the purses. Not cotton feeling bags. I should take pictures of my 5 purses that I love and post them. They aren't the norm.

Off to make some lunches!

Thanks for stopping by.

I have way too much laundry to fold

I wanted to start by saying I'm going to be participating in a race on October 30th. Its a 5k. Its a charity event to raise money for kids with cancer in the Tampa Bay area. I've decided to take all sale money from my stamps for the month of October and donate it to the Zack Tucker memorial fund for the race. If you've been thinking about buying any of my stamps this is the month to do it for a good cause. I've got 40 bucks going to the charity so far. I'm hoping to get to at least a 100 by the end of the month. Here is my Etsy.


I combined two challenges with this card. I wanted to do the Cardabilities challenge with this sketch.



















Over on SCD they had a current challenge of making whatever you want with the colors orange, brown and gold mainly. So here is what I came up with!






























Today I think we have a grocery store run in the cards. We need items so Lewis can make crawfish ettoufee for dinner tonight. I'm thinking I'm going to write down what he does and take pictures. This is good real ettoufee from a New Orleans native. The good stuff. He's the best southern cook there is. Scratch that. He's the best cook I know period.

We also are going to go pick up some Halloween decorations. Logan wants to decorate our house. He wants it to look "haunted" from the outside he says. lol. So we'll work on that a bit today. Typically I'm a bit of a downer when it comes to decorating seasonally because of storage issues, but I'm just going to go with it and make room. Logan loves it. I think Leo will like it too. He likes to fake scream at scary things. Its cute.

Hope everyone's weekend is going great.

Oh! Yeah here's an updated picture of my painting from my painting class. Here's where it is right now.
It still needs more work to make the moon on the orange disk have more contrast and the fish still needs more contrast and work. Otherwise I'm almost done. I'm so over it. lol.

Thanks for stopping by!

Heart the arts prompt week 40

Lately I've had trouble juggling obligations in my life. Julie Balzer wrote in this blog post about how everyone can do 5 things really well, but if its more than 5 then they start getting less attention. You can't do it all, at one time.

That's what I started thinking about doing this art journal page. What my priorities are.

This week's theme prompt is... priorities.

My page came out like this. Its a morph of what I'm working on currently in my painting class too.





















Hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Aegean art is the next chapter in my Art History class

End of September already. I have been keeping up with my digital calendars. I'm so excited for the end of the year to come and have all these done. It's going to make such a neat book. Here is this month's. I use a digital template I made for each month.






























I had two people recently email me with Etsy treasury's they made with my stamps featured. Very cool.

Here they both are.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca21aa90d0c6d912f6cf09a/flight-of-fancy

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca09dc7f0056d91efab684e/autumn-ocean

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Plan for today... Do a card either for Cardabilities, Caardvarks, or 2s4Y. Gotta do a card! Tonight work on my school painting that is due next. I need to at least get the first layer down. Put laundry away. Go to gym and work on my fitness. Scan in page for tomorrow's Heart the arts.

Thanks for stopping by!