So long 2010- I will not miss you!

This year was kind of rough, it started with being in the hospital recovering from 2 surgeries. My first craft show (which was really exciting) was a blast in the spring; I had to cancel 2 other craft shows I was supposed to go to- one because of weather and the other because of a funeral; the 4th craft show was fun, and the 5th show that I was supposed to do turned into a debacle and a refund and me not showing- which was all very stressful and expensive to get ready for only to end up not doing it. The 4th show produced a lot of custom orders which I was very thankful for- but I had grown tired and stressed and cranky. I decided to not do custom orders anymore in 2010, which makes me kind of sad, but relieved to have a break. In August I moved and in doing so I messed up my back. After an MRI, and a neuro-surgeon visit and being referred to the rudest pain management doctor and his staff of morons I learned my *only* option was a steroid shot- which got cancelled at the last minute because I had to have a tooth pulled and heaven forbid they give me a shot the day after that for fear of infection (hello, I had 2 emergency surgeries within 20 hours at the beginning of the year and no infection- pretty sure I could have handled it). Really glad I didn't get the shot- instead I turned to Eastern Medicine- Ayurveda. While it didn't cure me on the first visit to Pranaa, it helped my back feel better for a few weeks. I followed it up with a back massage that helped for a few hours and then I took up Yoga- which I honestly hate- but it does make my back feel better. This week has been the first full week since July that my back has not hurt.
What does this all mean? you ask?
Well, I was stressed out this year, and cranky. In April I also started orthodontics, which just adds to the crankiness every 6 weeks when they have to tighten something. My commute to my 8-5 job has increased and it leaves me a complete wreck by the time I get home at night. I'm not complaining- I want to offer an apology. I took out my frustrations and stress on several people this year, including people who ordered custom drawings- I am so very sorry. I was a cranky mess and difficult to work with- which should have never happened. I should have taken a leave at the beginning of 2010 to recover from the surgeries and find my happy place before diving in and getting overwhelmed. So I am truly sorry for my behavior and attitude this past year.
What can you expect from me in 2011? A few more posts than the end of 2010- I will still be on hiatus from taking custom orders until further notice, but I'm hoping to post some doodles and completed work in the coming year. I did actually draw between the last post and now, but didn't really want to post the outcome. Hopefully in 2011 I will also be happier and less grumpy to people- seriously, 2010 year of Amber being a grump is done!
Oh and for the few of you who are curious- I will NOT be doing any craft shows this year. While I thoroughly enjoyed the Funky Finds Spring Fling last spring and had fun at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar in the fall- I just don't have the energy or the drive to do it right now. I had fun being booth buddies with The Curious Cake Shoppe and wish them well in the coming year! I can't wait to see how they do with the new business The Curious Canvas!
I hope 2010 comes to a peaceful and happy close to all of you, and I hope that 2011 brings you much happiness and joy. Here's to a year full of art!

Moving forward

Things happen in life where you take a step back and begin to contemplate where you are heading.
I recently posted on the facebook fan page that I am taking a break from drawing for money and gave a very vague description of why.
There are very few people who actually know the real reasons why, and some who like to mock me for it. I hate having to defend myself.
Even more so I hate having to defend myself to the one person who pushed me so hard to draw for money more frequently and start "A Shade Better Than Stick Figures" as a legit business. I'm left feeling frustrated and utterly alone in my decision. And since this person's feelings have come to light about my decision to take a break, I've heard from several other people- who don't know the whole story that have the same negative things to say to me.
I understand that people are a little confused about why anyone would want to take a break from drawing for money. I totally understand that. Is there something that you do? Craft wise maybe? Or something creative wise or even mechanic wise? Where you started doing it, because it made you feel happy? It wasn't about other people, just you. Then someone saw that you were doing something that they couldn't and asked you to do it for them- for money...and then someone else...and another person? And soon it's been 5 years of doing something for other people, and you no longer do it for yourself, and you can't understand why you just don't feel motivated or happy to be doing that something just because someone is handing you money? Does it make sense?

Anyway- I'm not tired of drawing. I'm not tired of money. I'm tired of the two being linked together as a means for me to have a second income and suck the life out of any creativity that I once had. I just want to draw when I want to draw, and I want to draw what I want to draw- not what anyone else is telling me they want me to draw. People may think that I'm squandering my talent by not sharing it with the world and selling portraits to people- "just because I can"...but to me, it's the exact opposite. If I continue down this path then I won't be who I know I am. My art is my own, and yes I want to be selfish about it for awhile. I'll still post stuff that I'm working on- but don't expect any portraits for awhile. Who knows, maybe I produce some of my best stuff to date while I'm being selfish...only time will tell.

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part IV

I had the most fun drawing this one. I love Cove's eyes, I love the photos his mom takes. They just all have so much detail in the faces. And this kid...I don't know if they get him to pose the way he does or if it's just natural for him to look so freakin' cute all the time- but whatever it is, I love drawing from Jennifer's photos.

(and yes, it totally looks like his finger is sticking in his nose...even cuter)

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part III

This one I think I bit off more than I can chew. I saw "cute baby with a cowboy hat that's too big for his head!!! I must draw it!" and thought "I can totally draw the details in that hat!" and then once it got to the hat part I wasn't really in a detail mood. But overall I think it turned out ok...The dark part of the hat could have been a little lighter to go with the rest of the drawing, but...I kind of like how it looks.

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part II

I made this a series...because I can't get enough of this baby. So cute!

I don't really know what else to say about it.

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

Oh man, how cute!?! This is Cove. One of the quietest babies I have ever met in my life, and also one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. If not THE cutest. I don't even know what to say about the drawing because he's just that cute. You can expect to see more drawings of this little guy, as his mom Jennifer is an amazing photographer.

Details of the drawing: 8 1/2" x 11" paper (regular old printer paper)- pencils used: HB, B, 2B, and 4B pencils.

I might actually go back and darken the strap of his tank top a little, as I'm seeing it's blending in with his cute little cheek there. So yeah...I just can't get over the cuteness that is Cove.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Horse- with corrections

Ok, so here is the corrected Horse drawing (photo, not scanned, now you can see all of it). I actually had to do a lot more tweeking with the eye, so the one seen in this photo isn't even the final product (I spaced out and forgot to take a picture of the whole horse after I finished the eye...I have no idea what my problem is...because the new eye looks so much cooler. I have a close up of it, but I'm not posting it here.)

So honestly, which horse do you like better? This one or the one in the previous post?

Horse

Shhhh, this horse hasn't been delivered yet! And it's actually not completed either. I just got word today that the commissioner of this piece would like me to blend the cheek area (so the veins are less visible) and the nose...as well as blacken the eye- pretty sure I saw the pupil in the photo I was working from, but what the commissioner wants, the commissioner gets. I actually really enjoyed drawing this horse- I wish I had a bigger scanner so I could fit it all in- there's a lot more of the neck visible in the real drawing. I'm going to make the adjustments tonight and then take a photo of it, maybe it won't look bad (I just really prefer scanned images to photos of drawings, you know?), then maybe I'll post the corrected image. I'm pretty sure you will all agree that the corrected image looks better than this one. But we shall see.

Sorry I've been so absent from posting drawings lately. It was a slow time there for awhile, and I think I needed the break. But my pencils are sharpened and ready and my sketchbook is standing by. Feel free to become a fan on Facebook (or I guess it's called "like" my page on facebook...which just sounds weird to me), A Shade Better Than Stick Figures TM and join in the fun of Sketchy Thursdays. Today is the day that you can start posting suggestions for drawings that you would like to see me draw (not from a photo, but just something that you think would be challenging for me...example: skydiving kitties; Cow in a tornado; a bus; butterflies, etc. You can also add if you want to see it cartoony, or realistic, or from still life, or whatever you think would be cool- or just leave that part up to me.), on Thursday I'll pick one suggestion and draw it over the weekend- posting the winning suggested drawing on Monday. Hope everyone participates. It's a weekly thing (granted the last 2 weeks I've been MIA on the project with other things I was working on)
It's good to be back in blogland and it's great to be back drawing.

Lulu and Bubbles

This weekend I had the honor of drawing these 2 cute dogs. I really hope the recipient of this drawing loves it as much as I loved drawing it. The person who asked me to draw them was getting it done for a present for the owner of the dogs. One of which passed away.

I get asked a lot of the time if I like drawing white dogs, or if it's hard to draw them.
I do like drawing white dogs, they are challenging- since they are drawn onto white paper, but I think that I have done a fairly decent job with all of the white dogs that I have drawn of still conveying that they look white on a white background. I don't think that it's hard to draw them, just challenging...and I love a good challenge.

After I emailed the woman about the drawing being done, she asked if I could add their names under the bench, but above the leaves- which I did- I just forgot to scan it before I gave it to her, so this is the completed drawing sans dog names.

Good times!

The Cowtown Indie Bazaar this past Saturday was awesome! I had a great time and met a lot of really great people! We had a lot of lookers and I'm really excited to be hearing from the people who said they might be interested in a drawing in the future. I have one that I'm currently working on (well not while I'm at work- I have no way to protect it from the rain- which is what it's doing today and looks like it will be doing the rest of the week- I can't afford even one sprinkle to get on the paper between my car and the door so...yeah...it's at home)- so as soon as it's complete I'll post it up here. Maybe later this week sometime.
If you made it out to the Cowtown Indie Bazaar, did you have a good time? What was your favorite vendor? Did you see anything that you want to purchase for yourself? Or for a loved one?
I was neighbors with my good friend Tania at The Curious Cake Shoppe which is always a blast. She had a ton of traffic. I found myself purchasing more goodies from Eye On The Sparrow which is one of my favorite vendors (I purchased earrings from her last spring). I love that she uses guitar strings to make jewelry..so clever! I also found some fabulous jewelry over at Freeforged Jewelry- which is definitely on my wish list- they were set up right across the walkway from me and I was staring at their stuff all day. I should have brought some extra money with me to buy a ring or the really cute twig earrings they had. There were several artists set up with some of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen- but I wasn't able to grab any of their business cards (I walked the show before it opened to the public, and a lot of vendors hadn't finished setting up yet- so there were no business cards available- then when the show started, I didn't have very much time to walk the show- and as soon as 6pm hit- everyone started tearing down their booths). I had a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who made it out! You made it an awesome show! And special thanks to my mom for helping to keep me company in my booth for most of the morning and early afternoon!

2 things

Just 2 things today- neither are art.

1. Don't forget about the Cowtown Indie Bazaar that is coming up on September 4th. I will be there displaying some art and something a little fun (if I can find all of my boxes from moving that contained parts of it so I can work on it). And The Curious Cake Shoppe will also be there! So come check us out and support the local craft/art community.

2. I've started something a little fun (well maybe it's more fun for me...whatever) on my facebook fan page. Starting on Monday's (as long as I'm awake enough to remember), I'll post a message about leaving a comment of something you would like to see me draw (you can specify if you want to see it realistically or cartoony or whatever- if you don't specify, I get to decide). On Thursdays at 5pm I'll pick a random comment and draw it (I put the suggestions in a hat- I don't just pick and choose). I give myself until Monday morning to finish and post the drawing chosen. Last week I managed to get the drawings done before Friday. So if it sounds like something you'd be interested in taking part in, or you have a suggestion of something you would like to see me draw- head over the fan page on facebook and leave a comment on the Monday post.

Looking forward to seeing the suggestions :)

New drawing

After a brief hiatus from drawing I'm back. I drew the image here for a co-worker of mine. Didn't take me long to draw at all, which was surprising, since it's been over 2 months since I picked up a pencil- even to doodle. Glad it was like riding a bike this time.

I'll probably be a little dead on the blog again for the next few weeks- I'm in the process of moving- so everything is boxed up at the moment and I'm not sure when I'll be able to unpack everything.
I've been knitting and sewing (more knitting than sewing though). I actually have to get all of the sewing out of the way before the Cowtown Indie Bazaar in September (don't forget about that show! Saturday September 4th)- as I'm going to be selling something that isn't drawings :O Shocking I know (no worries though, I'll still have plenty of drawings for sale).

anyway, I've missed it here in blog land. Hopefully after I move I can make it a regular thing again.

First notice of the Cowtown Indie Bazaar!

I know I've been neglecting the blog (if I had anything new to show, trust me it wouldn't be neglected)...but guess what's more neglected...my actual website! I need to totally re-do it but I don't have time right now. I almost forgot about it until I got notice that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures has been accepted as a vendor in this years Cowtown Indie Bazaar in Ft. Worth TX...they linked the website to the notice. Oye! I haven't updated that since April.
Maybe I can set aside some time this weekend to work on it- make it look a little better...maybe flow a little more with the blog here, since I like how this looks.

Anyway, The Cowtown Indie Bazaar should be awesome, it sounds a lot like the Funky Finds show I did back in March- so once again I will be manning the booth, while dying to run to other vendors to buy things I can't live without. Again, I will be next door (well in the next booth) to my good friends over at the Curious Cake Shoppe. I'm looking forward to this show.

You want details:
When: Saturday September 4th from 9am-6pm
Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center click here for specific address
What kind of "stuff" will be there?: 100% Indie, 100% handmade items. More than 80 artisans, designers, and crafters. Clothing and jewelry, original artwork, stylish decor for the home, upcycled and repurposed vintage wares, and more.

Why am I posting this now? It's only July? Um, because...I'm busy at work- hence the no posting and no doing any new art lately- I'm affraid I might completely forget about the blog as I haven't been frequenting it lately and I would hate for people to miss out on such an awesome show. Not just because A Shade Better Than Stick Figures will be there, but because these crafters and artists and jewelry makers, etc. are crazy talented- and being that it's in September- you can stock up on Christmas gifts for all those people you care about in your life (trust me, I'll be posting reminders).

So, if I don't see you before- hopefully I'll see you September 4th, 2010 from 9am-6pm (well you don't have to be there the whole time, but I do...so yeah...hope to see you in passing!) Pass the word to all your friends. Handmade rocks! Come to Cowtown Indie Bazaar!!!!!!!!!

What I've been up to in that elusive free time

So, while I haven't had an enormous amount of free time, the weekends do present themselves with enough for some knitting.

A blog that I follow around here: Rebecca Danger- led me to find some of the cutest patterns in her Etsy store. I've had these for way too long now, to not have casted on sooner. But I'm glad I got around to making them.

The first one I made was the orange and yellow striped creature on the right and her baby the yellow creature in the center. Daphne and Delilah. This one pattern alone was what caused me to search Rebecca Danger's Etsy page for the other patterns.

I of course made both of them wrong- because I didn't use the super easy, but at the time-not-known-to-me magic loop method. So I used DPN's instead...I sucked at the top closure. But at least they look related.

Daphne has a pocket that Delilah fits into, and it's oh so cute.

It took me about 2 weeks to get them both completed- but that's with minimal time to work on them both. I won't be using the DPN's for any other monsters, because the ladder effect was rediculous, and I thought I had moved past creating ladders with the DPN's (if you have no idea what any of that meant, I'm sorry...it's knitting. I'm a little crazy about my knitting)

Sammie The Sock Monster was of course the next choice to make. I have a friend who really likes socks, and as soon as I saw this pattern I had to make it for her. I'm thinking of making another pair of socks for Sammie, just because I don't like the roll at the top of the socks. I learned a new cast-on method and decided that they must be re-done. I learned and used the super easy-as-pie magic loop method of knitting, and was sad when the patterned called for DPNs for the arms and legs...magic loop is so much better!

That's all I've been working on (well minus a tattoo design). No it's not drawings, but I hope to get back to that soon. So I can have something festive to show you. Hope this tides you over until that time comes. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Red Weenie Dogs for the Win!!!

Does this dog look like it's having fun, or what? It's all smiles! Although after having just stepped outside for a few minutes I realize this look could also be because of the heat. And it would be water splashing around it instead of grass blades. Does someone have a portable air conditioner that I can hang around my neck?

Anyway, I'm not sure what this dog's name is, I snagged it from Proxy's owner's facebook page. I don't think it's her dog, but one of her family members, maybe?

I like this dog because it's a red dapple weenie-dog. I used to have a short haired version of a dog like this- and it made me smile to see such a happy weenie dog sprawled out in the grass...mine was a bit too fiesty to ever enjoy the grass...although she might have enjoyed barking at anything and everything- I sure didn't, but she might have.

Ok, enough of the walk thru memory lane. I hope Shell is ok that I drew another picture from her cute supply of dog pics. I couldn't help myself- I may need a 12 step program to prevent the further drawings of people pictures without permission (hey, at least I personally know these people that I'm drawing their pictures for...I'm not stealing copyrighted images.)

This one is on 8.5" x 11" printer paper- as you can kind of see, it's askew/off center, I liked the placement of the dog in the original photo, so I kept it with the drawing. I used HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B pencils. I started this a few weeks ago when I had 10 seconds to spare at work...I finished it this morning while I had a pretty decent chunk of time to myself.

More drawings to come? We shall see...

Pelicans

I finally caught a break and had a few minutes at work yesterday to complete this drawing for one of my co-workers. She has a thing for Pelicans and really wanted a drawing of them.
With the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf, I found it very fitting, sort of like a tribute to the Pelicans, since all I have been seeing on the news lately are oil covered birds. Makes me want to grab a big box full of bottles of Dawn hand soap and make a trip south to help out.

This is on 8.5" x 11" printer paper, using 4B, 2B, B, and HB pencils. I've been "working" on this for the last 3 weeks, but total time only took about 3 hours to complete.

Hopefully I'll have some more time today to work on a tattoo design I've been working on for over a month. It's really hard to only have a few hours after work to be creative, I'm really glad I got some free time during work hours yesterday.

update of nothingness

Seriously, I'm still busy at work...so yeah. No drawings to show. When I do have free time, I'm working on a tattoo design for someone...and I'm knitting. Who wants to see knitting when it's 90 degrees outside? (I keep it cool at home so knitting feels right) I won't be displaying the tattoo design, so you won't even get to see what I've been working on.
But some day. There will be drawings again. I hope.

Happy Friday!

Hey, remember when I used to draw and post pictures? Yeah, those were good times! Apparently I have work I have to do at work now...How dare they actually give me something to do that will take up a full 8 hours!!! Shocking! :P
So as of now, nothing to show- nothing for awhile guys, sorry. If I get un-exhausted after work, I will make sure to work on something and then update the blog...but as of right now, I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm swamped with work. But I'll make time if someone needs a drawing- just let me know ASBTSF@gmail.com
Just took 10 minutes out of my work day to let you know that...I'll pay for that tomorrow. :)

"Proxy"

The owner of this dog does not realize I drew her dog...so I hope she's cool with me having done so.
This too was another dog drawing I had been working on for the Paw Paw's Pooch Pow Wow last weekend that I was rained out of.

The basics: 8.5" x 11" on printer paper (hey, the stuff is cheaper than art paper and smooth...I like it)...6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB pencils were used.

Normally I don't do the shading in the background...but I'm totally going to let you in on a little secret...I screwed this drawing up and there was no way to hide my mistake without shading (drawing too dark leads to none-erasable marks). In the original photo (which of course I don't have) there is a book shelf behind the weenie dogs head (I love weenie dogs!)...but I was working from a printed picture as I snagged the image from facebook (I know the owner of the photo, it's not like I'm doing harm here...it's just for my drawing fix). Well, the image printed a little dark and I thought that Proxy's ear (that's the dog's name) was up a little more than it really was...by the time I realized it was a bookcase, I had already shaded way too darkly for it to be completely erased, and I was so far into the drawing that I really didn't want to have to start over...so I improvised. Hope it looks ok. Hope Shell likes it (I may or may not be drawing another picture of Proxy or another picture of a long haired red weenie dog looking really cute in some grass...I'm just saying.)

Anyway, I think that wraps up my over do update here on the blog...now if only I could get over to the website and update that too...hum...
***update***: the website has been updated!!! And also, the owner of Proxy, Shell, loves the drawing! Hehehe!!!! It's a great Friday! Bring on the weekend!

"Mosley"

One of my most favorite dogs on the planet! MOSLEY!!!

I don't know how, or why, but this dog is photogenically blessed. Any time I see pictures of this dog he looks happy, excited, and posed for the perfect picture. He's even greater in real life. Like a big muppet. His sister dog, Lola would agree- she thinks he's a big chew toy (drawings of Lola have not been created just yet, but there are a few in the works).

Mosley's awesome, I don't know what else to say...8.5" x 11" on printer paper, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils were used.

This dog cracks me up...more drawings to follow...

"Abigail- Diva" and "Beau Bradley 2"

More goodness for the folks over at FunkyFinds.com

Jessica had a really cute picture of Abby on her Facebook page that I couldn't help drawing.
I was actually going to use this drawing and all of the ones that I post after this today, for the show last weekend, that I got rained out of. I didn't even want to risk setting up due to the fact that all of my drawings are on paper- even though they are protected with clear bags, I didn't want to take a chance of any water damaging any of them...call me over protective.

This one will be shipped out this weekend, along with the next drawing:




Beau Bradley take 2! The show last weekend was at Paw Paw's Dog House in Arlington Texas. I'm really sorry that we didn't even get to set up there, maybe next year (if this is a yearly thing), I'll be able to set up. I love dogs.

About this Beau Bradley drawing- how can you resist a cute lab relaxing? I couldn't, so I had to draw him.

Both drawings were completed on 8.5" x 11" printer paper using H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils.

More drawings to come!

"Glaser Girls"

My roommate Greg gave me a picture of his nieces to draw. His nieces are adorable!
This is them. (No I don't have the photo to compare the drawing to...I'm sort of failing at remembering to post the original photo, huh?)

Anyway, it's an 8.5"x 11" on white printer paper (isn't it always? Well not if I get my butt in gear and finish my latest creation- not from a photograph)

I used all of the pencils that I own for this one, 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B. I had a lot of fun drawing this one, and Greg said his family loved it. Woo Hoo!

More posts to follow...it's blog catch up day!

(P.S. those are not all of the pencils that I own, but they are the ones I carry with me all the time)

DFW Craft Shows

Hey kids,
my friend Tania over at the DFW Craft Shows blog is launching new sponsorship on the blog as well as a give away!
Feel free to click on the links above to read all about it, as well as to find out how you can enter to win the give away. It's a free custom drawing from your photograph from yours truly :) So if you have always wanted a hand drawn portrait but never got around to contacting me, nows your chance to win a FREE drawing.
So go ahead, go now to the DFW Craft Shows Blog and find out all about the goodness that's going on and how you can go about winning the give away...GO! NOW!!!

Paw Paw's Pooch Pow Wow

I've been drawing, just not posting them. I'm getting ready for this weekends art festival and dog adoption that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures will be setting up at on both Saturday April 17th and Sunday April 18th (weather permitting).

It's a doggie friendly event being held at Paw Paw's Dog House in Arlington Texas. There will be a bouncy house, a 50s themed costume contest (for the dogs! How cute is that?!), and over 30 independant vendors. Click here for more information on this weekends event at the Dog House. Click here for more information on Paw Paw's Dog House and what they are all about.

I've been drawing lots of dog pictures over the last few weeks, and have several more to go. I really do enjoy drawing animals...fur is so much fun to draw. Plus the dogs I'm drawing have such sweet faces. I'll be unveiling the new drawings this weekend at the show (not for sale, they are for people), and then updating the blog next week with the drawings. If you are interested in obtaining a one of a kind hand drawn portrait of your pet, please don't hesitate to contact me: ASBTSF@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, please visit the website. (It hasn't been updated in awhile...so please be patient while I find the time to do that)

Above I mentioned "weather permitting"...that's because I looked today and the weather says thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. I'm not excited about that. I do have a canopy to cover the booth, but am a little concerned with Texas "thunderstorms" because the wind likes to pick up...I may have to cover stuff if it starts blowing too hard, or raining too hard for that matter.

Hope to see all of you out there!

I WON I WON I WON!!!!!!

I never win anything! (ok, that may not be the truth, but it's few and far between when I win anything)

My friend Tania created this awesome website for craft shows- so all the crafting community in the DFW area can know when an application is due, or when a show is, or if a deadline has passed. It's very awesome that she did this. And as luck would have it...I WON! (seriously this was luck, because she used a program to pick the winner). Anyway you can read more details on the win here.

If you are a crafter or artist and want to spread the word maybe you should chat with Ms. Tania over at The Curious Cake Shoppe/DFW craft Shows. She's got some opportunities to spread the word about your craft/art(like with ad space) and a little birdie told me that if you donate some items to the drawings that she holds on DFW Craft Shows, she'll feature your company/work when she announces the winner of your item(s)...so hey- exposure! She featured us when I won, and The Curious Cake Shoppe because that's where the prize was from...so it's a win win, even if you don't donate, you should follow and participate!!!! FREE STUFF TO WIN!!!

How can this day get any better?!?!

FunkyFindsFeature!!!

Guess whose featured on the FunkyFinds.com blog today?

http://funkyfinds.blogspot.com/2010/04/shade-better-than-stick-figures.html

A Shade Better Than Stick Figures! Woo Hoo!!!!

Thanks FunkyFinds!!!!

"Sedona"

A cute little girl that belongs to one of my friends from High school. I saw it on her facebook page and couldn't resist drawing her.

It's the usual 8.5" x 11" paper with HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils.
The hat was a little difficult and definitely doesn't match the photo all that well, but it's close. I hope the little girl's mom likes the drawing.

Don't forget to check out the last post about the fan page contest on facebook!

Contest on the fan page!!!

No this isn't an April Fool's day joke. It just so happens to be the day that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures TM got 100 fans on facebook!!!
In honor of our first 100 fans (and still counting), we are going to be doing a contest on the fan page starting tomorrow and running thru the weekend. Details will be announced tomorrow morning on the fan page.
So if you aren't already a fan on facebook and you like contests, you can click on this link, or you can click on the handy facebook icon on the right side of the screen. Really it's not a contest, more of a give-away...but like I said, details will be on the fan page- so go quick! Become a fan before midnight on Sunday!!!

"Beau Bradley"

I'm on a dog drawing kick at the moment.

This here is Beau Bradley- doesn't he look like the most comfortable dog in the world? Makes you want to be a dog, doesn't it?

This was done on 8.5" x 11" paper, using 4B, 6B, B, and HB pencils.

Hopefully (if work will allow), I'll have a few more dog drawings to share this week (although if today was any indication as to how the rest of the week will go, I won't have any time)

I know I said I would post original photos with the drawings, but I just didn't have time to get it all together today (like I said...work was busy).
Hope Jessica and Joe like the drawing...as it's for them (much like the last one, Abigail Raine)

The blog looks great, huh?

Anyone notice anything different about the blog? hum? Only that it looks fantastic, right?
Yeah, that's because Joe from Funkyfinds.com was kind enough to help a girl out and fix my blog! He's awesome, and very quick! It's painless, I promise.
So if you are needing a blog rescue, you should really contact him. Click here for a price list and details for his services.
I'm over the moon with how my blog looks! Thanks Joe!!! You're the best! (He even blogged about my last drawing!)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

About the Open Air Market tomorrow

Due to unforeseen circumstances A Shade Better Than Stick Figures will be unable to set up at the Open Air Market in Grapevine TX at Cannon Elementary tomorrow. I'm sorry to all who planned on attending, hoping to see us. I encourage all of you to go and support the wonderful local craft and art community- I'm hoping to make an appearance at some point tomorrow to at least do a little shopping and to stop by and say hi to my pals Tania and Richard at The Curious Cake Shoppe. I hope that you all have fun on Saturday.
Stay tuned for more information on A Shade Better Than Stick Figures next show which will be April 17th and 18th. Details coming soon.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Surprise drawing

This is a surprise drawing for the awesome Jessica of FunkyFinds.com

I had so much fun at that show, and being that it was my first- how that day went determined whether I would ever do another show again...You know what? I'm doing more. (One tomorrow for instance...Cannon Elementary 9am-3pm in Grapevine TX)

Thank you Jessica for making my first experience in the craft show circuit amazing!

1st Annual Cannon Elementary Open-Air Market This Saturday!!!

Sorry for the late notice, but I really hope everyone can make it out- this weekend is supposed to be nice...

This Saturday A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, and our friends at The Curious Cake Shoppe will be setting up shops at the 1st Annual Open-Air market at Cannon Elementary:
1300 W. College
Grapevine, TX 76051

Lots of crafts and art will be found. Children's Clothing to hand made jewelry; home decor to fresh made grain foods; art work to diaper cakes (hehehe, see how I snuck that in there)...you'll have a lot for the eye to see. We are really looking forward to it, and hope to see you out there. Feel free to stop by and say hello! We'd love to say hi back!
The event will be open from 9am-3pm- ample time to check us out.

Stay tuned for more info on even more events that we will be at this year!

"Olivia"

"Olivia" was done for my friend Casy. It was completed on 8.5" x 11" white inkjet printer paper using HB, B, 2B, and 4B pencils.
She wanted me to omit the hands holding the baby as well as the background (well, technically I always omit the background...so yeah.)

I was scared that Casy wouldn't like the drawing, but I received an email from her a few days ago letting me know that she did in fact like it. So it is now in route to being with Casy and Olivia in person. I hope it looks as great in person as it did on computer screen.

So you might notice...there's a photo displayed next to the drawing :O Oh my! Yeah, I realized after doing the funky Finds show that people really like to see the comparisons between drawing and photo...sooooo....yeah, I'm going to try really hard now to remember to post a photo with the drawing, so you can see the comparison and let me know of anything I might have missed while drawing it...you know, because that happens from time to time.

problems with website- please be patient

***Update!!! Gonzo is a life saver and figured out my ftp in like 1 minute...so the website should be working...Thanks Gonzo!***


I hate MobileMe for Mac. I'm just going to put that out there. It's up for renewal, which is where I have my website from, and decided to start spitting out these horrific email messages saying that I needed to renew right now, RIGHT NOW, RIGHT NOW! So I unchecked automatic renewal as I'm going to migrate my site to a much cheaper, and more reliable web hosting service. But in doing so MobileMe decided that it was going to end my site hosting now. So my site is down. I apologize for any inconveniences that is causing anyone. If you have questions just email me: ASBTSF@gmail.com
I've supposedly got people that will help me update my ftp info to get my website up and running but iWeb is kind of like MobileMe, it's decided to take a giant crap now that I no longer want to pay for MobileMe...jerks. So yeah...as soon as I find someone who wants to design a website for kind of cheap, or in trade (for drawings), I will dump iWeb as well. But for now, it's iWeb, and hopefully new hosting...soon.
Just what I need after being sick all day...

Funky Finds Spring Fling 2010 (aka my first show)

I had so much fun doing my first show!!!! Thank you to everyone who came out to the show! Your support is so so so very important and very appreciated! You guys are wonderful!

It was a great learning experience. And I have ideas for the next show (which I don't know exactly when that will be)

The first picture is the table I had set up with all of the original drawings. None of which sold, so I will be posting them for sale on my website a little later this week.

The second picture is the print stands (ignore the shirts hanging in the background, that's a different booth). Originally I had them on the floor, but they were way too low for an adult to look threw them, but kids would have been able to reach them (as well as the many many dogs that showed up). Anyway, I'll have to figure out something for prints at a later time.
I had plenty of prints (probably too many for one show), so I may also put them up for sale on my website later this week, or I may even open an etsy store specifically for my prints; but Funky Finds is a very real possibility for selling my prints thru their website- I'll let you know which way I go. There are plenty of animals, cars, the caterpillar and the pirate, as well as "Head Above Water". But you will see that at a later date.

Oh, I also have a new logo (which you can see from my awkwardly placed header on my blog- I'll fix that when I have some time). The logo also comes with my own personal mascot "amber"...I kind of love it, and not just because it's mine...

I didn't really know how to set everything up, but I did have a display side, so people could see what I can do, in case they wanted to order a drawing of their own, or for gifts or whatever. I got rid of a bunch of business cards and brochures, so hopefully that's a good sign.

Richard and Tania from The Curious Cake Shoppe are in the background over there- it was so awesome that we got to have a booth next to them, they were great! Such great company. A huge thanks to Richard for going to get us all lunch from Chipotle! That was awesome! (The food at the show wasn't the greatest in variety, but there was food there, just not anything we wanted.)

The last pic is a close up of the display items. Some of you may recognize drawings I have done for you in the past. Thank you again for letting me draw for you, these are just some of my favorites. Someone at the show asked me which one was my favorite, and you know what? I didn't have an answer. These drawings are like my kids. How can I pick my favorite? I've poured my heart and soul into each of these. The answer I gave was picking one and then instantly saying "well I like this one too, and the one over here I really like too- you know what? I don't have one favorite, I love them all".

Anyway, I think if I do another show I'll have walls and lower prices.

There were so many friendly and helpful people at the show. A huge thanks to Jessica from Funky finds for putting on this great show and getting so many creative people in one building. I didn't have a lot of time to walk around and look at things, but the few quick laps that I did make I saw so much great stuff. Oh yeah, and Gonzo entered the raffle, I think he bought 20 tickets or something, he won. 5 times! Granted it was all girly stuff, so he gave most of it to me. But yeah, he's my lucky charm.

Thank you again. The people I met at the Spring Fling were great, and wonderful, and the vendors were so creative. A great inspiration and a great motivator. I'll keep you posted on any upcoming shows that I might decide to take part in, and I hope to see even more of you at the next shows :)
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

"Tattoo Leg"

the original photograph for this was also taken at the 2009 Texas Thaw in Denton TX.
I don't know if I like this one too much. I thought it would have made a cool drawing, with some candid moment happening with a girl partially getting out of her car, and she just so happened to have a tattoo on her leg.
I used B, 2B, 4B, and 6B on white inkjet printer paper.

I'm still not sure if I like it, but...it's done.
Hope you guys are having a great weekend!

For Starters

This is going to be a multi-part blog. I'm going to start with the stuff I did last week in a couple of posts.
This is from a photo that David took in 2009 at the Texas Thaw at the drag strip in Denton Texas.
It was freezing that day, so I'm glad this years was a lot warmer.
Anyway, this is an 8.5" x 11" on white inkjet printer paper.
I used HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B to complete this drawing.
It's been a little while since I did a car, so it was a little hard to get back into the swing of things, but I think overall it turned out pretty good.
What do you think?

Funky finds spring fling!!!!

Don't forget tomorrow (Saturday the 13th) is the Funky Finds Spring Fling in Ft. Worth Texas!!!!

That's right, my first arts and crafts show- I have plenty of prints and a ton of original art work for sale...I also have plenty of business cards if you aren't ready to buy what I have on hand but might consider having me do a drawing for you at a later date. Also I have buttons for people who stop by my booth and say that you saw my blog :)

http://funkyfinds.us/springfling/2010/



I hope to see you all out there! Don't be shy, come say hi! I'm next to The Curious Cake Shoppe- we'll be in the almost dead center of the building...and Gonzo will be helping me, so you can meet him as well.

Woo Hoo!!!! (Ok, time for bed now)

Is it Saturday yet?

There's less than a week to go...3.5 days left exactly before the Funky Finds Spring Fling, and while I feel like I have almost everything ready to go, I know I am totally going to forget something on the morning of the show...and this event is not close to my house. It's like 30 miles or more away. gonzo may make fun of me for making check lists, but let me tell you- I don't want to forget anything for this show!
Anyway. I'm reporting in today to let you know that I have new stuff to share with everyone, but I'm holding off until after Saturday and after the maddness.
Did you know this weekend is that whole "spring ahead" with the clocks thing? Seriously? I think I might cry. I heard it on the news this morning in my pre-corn flakes and banana's groggy mind- phase and thought I mis-understood them, but then they carried on a 10 minute discussion of not changing the clocks this time and that they would be fired because they would then be late to work- after the weatherman said they would be an hour early if they didn't partake in the changing of the clocks...I was not amused. So I'll be super tired come Monday...but I will have new stuff to share. Promise.
So please, if you are in Ft. Worth this Saturday between 9am and 3pm, you should really come and hang out at my booth...or one of the other 120 vendors that will be there (but seriously stop on by and let me know that you've heard of A Shade Better Than Stick Figures- I might give you a free button (I only have 35 of them though, so you know...show up early?)). It's at the Will Rogers Center in Ft. Worth...in the poultry barn- if that makes sense...here's the link again: http://funkyfinds.us/springfling/2010/ Are you ready for it to be Saturday yet? (a collective yes was just heard because everyone is sick of the promoting already...I promise- you may hear this one more time on Thursday afternoon or Friday and then just a recap of how it went...then no more, ok? ok.)

March is coming in like a lion!

Does that saying even hold up in the state of Texas? I know it did in Wisconsin, but whatever. I'm really getting tired of this weather not being able to make up it's mind. This weekend was in the 60s here and today it's in the 40s and raining...so sick of this- my sinuses will thank you weather when you make up your mind (just please don't make up your mind to be 110 degrees with 100% humidity...that's all I ask).

I do want to apologize for the lack of blogging, or showing pictures recently. I don't know if I have any readers out there like me, who tend to wonder what could have possibly happened to the author of the blog when there hasn't been a post in over a week...or a month...or over the last few months. There's some blogs that I read that I personally know the author and know that they are usually busy- or just don't care to update every day or what not...and then there's other authors who I don't know personally who religiously updated daily and then dropped off the blogging-universe for a month and that makes me wonder what happened to them- if they are ok, or if they are ever coming back to type something again. My imagination is a little crazy sometimes.

Anyway. I haven't dropped off the blogging-universe. I've been getting everything together for the Funky Finds Spring Fling which is less than 2 weeks away. I have to be honest. I will be very thankful when this event is over. It's been way more involved than I think it should have been for getting ready for it. I hope that it goes well, and that I at least meet some cool people...maybe sell a drawing or two.
To destress from all the crazy, I've been knitting an afghan. I'm about 1/2 way done with the thing and can't wait for it to be completely done. All of my other knitting projects and drawing projects have taken a back seat to the afghan. When it's done I'll post pictures...but hopefully I'll get some drawings done before then so you can have something pretty or interesting to look at instead of words to read :)

**Update**- I spoke with Gonzo last night and he has never heard of the phrase "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" or vice versa...apparently that's a Wisconsin thing. Sometimes I really miss that state.

300th post- and a baby drawing to boot!

300 posts! Wow! I can't believe I have that many...crazy.

I don't have a whole lot to comment on this drawing...like, I have no idea whose kid this is, or how the person who gave me the photo is related to the baby...or how old the baby is...or any of the usual information people usually give me.
A co-worker of mine, asked how much I charge and before I even spit the reply out he handed me a picture of this adorably cute baby with mass amount of wrinkles and a cute old man face. Totally adorable. And a super fast draw, it only took a total of about 2.5 hours to complete.
I gave the drawing to my co-worker this morning and he didn't even look at it- just ran it to his truck and came back in to work- so I have NO IDEA if he even likes it or approves of it. Sometimes that's frustrating. I just want people to be happy with their drawings- that takes just a few small seconds of looking at the drawing and getting a first impression of it...if your first impression is you like it- then awesome! If your first impression is something is wrong- then there probably is something wrong...so let me know, so I can make it better.

Ah well, 300th post and it just so happens that I had a hand drawn portrait for ye fine folks. (yes I said "ye")
Thanks to everyone who has been reading the blog. Your peepers are much appreciated!!! Now go tell some more people to stop on by and read it :)

Pirate in color

Since the last post was such a hit (sarcasm), I thought I would post this bad boy.

He's finally in color. I'm not sure how I feel about him. Extremely glad that he's somewhat completed. Still thinking of ways to tweek the image though.

I lost track of how long I had been working on him as I stopped and did other things because I was getting frustrated.

Seriously though. This time someone please leave a comment as to whether or not you like him or don't like him or have suggestions as to something I could change or a different color to use or something. I feel like the last one just sank in the water (no pun intended)- and I really wanted some feed back as all of this color stuff could end up as prints and I don't want to waste the money making them if no one likes it.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks!

Head Above Water

So this is what I've been working on today. Caused by the inspiration from yesterday. It looked way cooler as just a pencil sketch, but without any shadows it was hard to tell what was going on.

For those of you who still can't see it- it's a girl in the water...you can only see the top of her head and her hair. I know, it's a little difficult to see.

Let me know what you think, as I would like some constructive criticism to improve on my work in Photoshop.

I think I went a little overboard with the highlighted dots, they looked really cool on her face and hair, so I started adding them to the water and I think...well...I just over-did-it.

Again, any criticisms would be awesome.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!

inspiration

Lately I have been doing everything I can to not do what I should be doing...awesome, huh? Yeah, well I just got an awesome visual slap across the face to wake myself up.
I've been painting the Pirate- although not at all this week. Why? I don't know...bored maybe? I'm just not feeling it. So instead of starting on a completely different drawing to paint (in Photoshop mind you, I have no patience for drying of paints...actually I do, I just don't have the space to do it in right now-so I make excuses)- I pick up a book; I knit (you know, on an afghan that isn't even 1/2 way done right now); I surf new apps for my iPhone; I play solitare...watch tv...work out...space out. WHY can't I just get motivated?!?
...I received an email from Kidrobot today and clicked on one of the images, just for fun (and to put off doing anything artistic...)- I hadn't ordered anything from them in a long time...but I wanted to see what I was missing out on. I surfed their site for a few minutes and found the new Sam Flores vinyl...which was obviously sold out because of it's awesomeness. So in the wake of being devistated that I missed out on yet another beautiful piece by him I google searched his name and found this: http://www.upperplayground.com/blog/sam_flores his blog.
Thus the visual slap in the face.
Awesome.
I want to paint like he does.
I want ideas that would be as awesome as his.
So what next? Well, the sketchbook is in my hand (the computer is at home, so that'll have to wait)...but art it is.
Thanks Sam Flores for the inspirational slap in the face, I needed that.

so what's new?

So, it's almost been a week since the caterpillar in color post and I thought I would let you all know that I am now coloring the Pirate that I did the outline of back in December (the same day as the original caterpillar drawing) in Photoshop for your viewing pleasure. I'm kind of having fun and getting the hang of painting in photoshop (finally), so I'll probably start doing more of those this year (since I haven't really drawing any realistic drawings lately).
I started one on Monday- I drew the outline for it and scanned it in. I'm waiting to be done with the Pirate before I start on it, as I'm really looking forward to doing the other one and if I stear away from the pirate now, it'll never get done.
Good times people...good times!

Happy Wednesday!

Caterpillar in Technicolor! Ooooh Aaaahhh...

WARNING: Don't smoke...it's bad for you, causes cancer, and makes your lungs feel bad...not to mention you stink...so...just don't smoke.

Oh yes, I finished it. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I've been working on this for 17+ hours this week just to finish up. I'm still not 100% satisfied with it, but hey, at least I don't hate it.

But I can't stress enough- don't smoke ok? Just because I drew him smoking doesn't mean it's cool...I mean look at him. All bloated and one eyed and one arm is pretty much rendered useless- just barely holding onto one of the hookah pipe pieces...I mean it's nuts. I even heard that shortly after the completion of this the caterpillar actually died from inhaling...true story. So don't smoke. (Did I mention that smoking makes you stink? If not I really mean to make that a solid point)

Alright. There he is...and a little birdie told me he might actually be up for print sales come March...keep checking the blog, the website, and you'll have to come see him in person at the Funky Finds Spring Fling in March...

the lost photos

If you could see what I'm holding in my hand at this very moment you would know what the scarf looks like...but alas, I'm slightly not with it and took a picture of the scarf, with my phone, and put it in my knitbuddy app...I thought it was on my camera roll, but it's not...so I have no picture of the scarf to show you.

It's 2 shades of grey. I casted on 40 sts...then I knit every row. With the dark color I knited 30 rows, then switched to the lighter grey for 26 rows, then back to the dark grey for 30, etc. etc.

But I did manage to take a picture of the mittens with my phone and email it to myself since my phone doesn't like me to update blogger...

I knitted them a size Large in Mens. The pattern I found online, but it was from like 1950 something and photocopied and uploaded...and it was for using 2 needles instead of knitting in the round (I hate making mittens that have a seam)- so I worked from the 1950s pattern, but changed it up to fit my needs. If anyone is interested in that pattern (knitting in the round- mens large mittens) shoot me an email: ASBTSF@gmail.com, or leave a comment and I'll be happy to post the pattern for all to see.

I actually think I'm going to use this pattern to make mittens from now on...even for women with large hands, these were roomy mittens and super warm (wool...mmm...warmth). I know it looks like there is a giant ladder in the right mitten, but I assure you, it's just folded (it was in my backpack all day)...there is a ladder in the left one, and I think there was a very small one in the right one (palm side-not pictured)...I get so excited knitting with double pointed needles that I forget to check the tension when switching to the next needle...it's cool, they weren't that horrible, and the person they were for loved them.

Today I'm actually giving my hands a rest (and the knitting needles), so I've been working on coloring in my caterpillar in photoshop (which technically is only giving my left hand a rest).

On a side note, I really love wacom tablets (which I use for Photoshop and Sketchbook pro goodness), but a few weeks ago (pre surgery) I went to a camera store that was giving a demonstration on the Wacom Cintiq...I fell in love, and now it's really hard to want to draw with my wacom...when with the Cintiq you can draw directly on the screen, you can even tilt the screen, and rotate it, or set it in your lap like a sketchbook and just DRAW...OMG I'm in love with the Cintiq...maybe I'll win the lottery soon and buy myself one. I just couldn't get over how awesome it was...and it wasn't even so much the screen as it was the pressure sensitive pen. You control how dark your strokes are, it was amazing. I could see actually drawing a portrait in photoshop with that, instead of on paper- that's how amazing this thing was. Ah...man. One day I'll have one.

End of rant. Hope everyone who has today off is enjoying it; and those of us who have to work, I hope we are getting lots accomplished...

CHRISTMAS UPDATES WITH PICTURES!!!!

I'm so excited that heading is all in Caps! HAHAHAHA! ok, sorry.
So first off, let me just say that I completely dropped the ball and forgot to take pictures of these really cool little knitted ornaments that I made from patterns. They were cute and quick to knit up, but it was so tiny that I only made 7 total to give out, because my hands would hurt too much after knitting them to make any more.

I know I have posted pictures of some of this stuff prior to now, but wanted to share them again because I'm so excited!!! (not really, I'm putting off working on a scarf that I'm pretty sure is causing me arthritis in my hands right now)

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My brother's girlfriend, Blair, wanted me to make her a pair of "Bella" mittens after she saw mine in October (mine are pictured to the left)...I made her's in black, and once again forgot to take pictures...but they look an awful lot like these.

__________________________________

I'm fairly sure that I've posted this picture before, but I could be wrong...this was while I was in the middle of making knitted poop for all of my relatives...It ended up I only made 4...2 went to my parents and the other two went to Gonzo's sister and brother-in-law. I really wish I would have taken pictures of these because I wrapped them in toilet paper and sealed them with smiling poop stickers that I got from Zazzle.com...they were hilarious.

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My awesome friend Tania, received this little guy. The Loch Ness Monster, because when I saw the pattern in a book I immediately thought of her (I don't know why exactly)- but she loved it, so that was a win. He was so easy to knit up that I'm thinking of making a second one for a different friend that would equally appreciate it.
Although my fingers would appreciate it if I never attempted it again (blisters from tight knitting!)

__________________________________________________

And now everyone can tilt their heads to the left (hehehe, sorry). I made bottle cap coasters for a bunch of people (some people still don't know they are receiving one yet)...my birthday present from a few people was a vase full of bottle caps- so I decided to give back. They were not all that easy to make, so I'm not sure that this will be a long lasting craft that I stick with (past the use of the bottle caps I currently have).


At the time of making these I was using a center punch (which killed my hand to use), wire, needle nosed pliers and foam to put on the bottom of the caps so they don't scratch anyones coffee tables. Cheap to make, but rough on the hands. I now have a Dremel tool, so it should be much easier. ____________________________________________________

Do not adjust your screens, this is extremely blurry, so let me describe it for you, huh?

I kept seeing these bottlecap magnets at craft shows, and found a "tutorial" online (I use the word tutorial loosely- it basically told what kind of glue to use and that was about it). I found the never-been-used bottle caps on Amazon.com then I cut up an old 2000 map/atlas with different places that I thought people would like (this one says "Austin" it's for Gonzo); and I used those 1/2 glass marbles that you find in the floral section of hobby stores- the clear ones that some people put in the bottom of vases- it give it this cool magnified look. And round magnets that are rated "6" in strength (they are STRONG!)

Some people received places on maps, other's received things pertaining to their personal businesses...other's just received used bottle caps with a magnet glued to the back...you know, whatever.
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And lastly. I still haven't met up with my friend to give her the present yet, but I figure she doesn't check out my blog too often so I'll post it anyway (if you read this May, you are spoiling your surprise)
I learned how to make Kanzashi flowers.
Last spring we had gone to a Dallas Etsy show and there was a girl selling Kanzashi flowers for your hair- I had never seen them before. May stopped and almost bought one but opted to buy something else at another booth and we never went back. I was dumb enough to not grab a business card- and then when I went to look up "folder fabric flowers" on Etsy I was bombarded with search results....all of them beautiful, but also extremely expensive...I was never able to find that particular person who was selling them at the show- so I opted to figure out how to make them myself. They were tricky and these are the only ones that I have done so far. Those aren't even finished in this picture. The dark blue and pink ones are finished now, complete with hair clips...but yeah.

I think I learned my lesson for next Christmas- attempting to make presents for everyone is a full time job- and I just don't have the time. I like making things for people all year long, not having to tell people "sorry I'm making something for Christmas I can't work on that right now" when it's July. So next year...probably not so much hand made stuff. Sorry!

"Cory and Eden"

Finally!!!

Here is the drawing that I did for Holly's husband for Christmas. She let me know that he loved it and it is hanging in their house.

It's 8 1/2" x 11"; white paper; 2B, HB, and 4B pencils were used.

That was the only drawing I did for Christmas last year- so there isn't much else to post, except some other crafty things...I'll be taking pictures of them and posting them in the coming days. (I have to figure out how to do that from my phone...updates will happen more often that way).

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

recovering

Hi kids! (and I mean that in an affectionate friendly way, not in a demeaning way) I'm back at work, which means my recovery from crazy freak show surgeries is on the way to being complete. However I'm on "no heavy lifting" restrictions, which means I can't haul my laptop to work and upload anything cool right now.
"But why won't you upload when you get home from work and can leave a laptop on the couch next to you and not lift it at all?" you ask?
well, because I'm pretty tired when I get home from work. I can manage a shower, and turning the tv on, and after that I'm pretty useless. Actually tonight after work I have to make a yarn store run and possibly pop in to any grocery store near by to pick up some V8 Splash Berry Blend. My friend Tania dropped it off to me while I was in the hospital and I tried it and fell in love with it. I was terrified that it was going to have a carrot/tomatoe-y taste to it like V8 anything else does (it's been a few years since I've tried V8, I'm not a fan of drinking my veggies)- and the Berry Blend tastes all fruit to me. It was delicious...I'm hoarding the last cup full right now, until I get another bottle of the stuff, then I'll probably down the hoarded cup and get another one right away!
Anyway. So yeah. I'm actually not sure when I'll post again. I promised someone emergency mittens (because it's supposed to be 13 degrees in North Texas on Saturday at some time), and a scarf...so I have to get on that asap...then I'll post.
I forgot to take pictures of most of the presents I gave away at Christmas time...so I'll just have to describe them for you at a later date...and then there's some that I did take pictures of, but I haven't seen everyone to give them their gifts yet so I can't post them yet...ahhh...am I making any sense?
Geez, surgery...I'm glad that's done.