Paper Experiments

I tried playing with a limited color palatte and a reduced number of images today. Everything else was open to whatever I wanted to do; I just couldn't use anything other than the 5 colors and 3 or 4 stamp sets.

I tried out some new coloring techniques here- I used Prismacolor markers given to me by an exceedingly generous artist friend. I really like them, but I need to learn how to test and use them before I go too far into them on a regular basis. I threw away several images because the markers were too dark or bright =(

Sorry it is a little blurry. Hope the colors and design come through. 

I plan to color this in with markers before I am finished. 

It's really hard to see in this picture, but there are DOTS embossed onto the minty green paper behind the flower. 

I am really liking this set of colors. There is a taupe that I wasn't crazy about in the package, but once I used it, I changed my tune. It's neutral but has enough depth to it to be used in many different ways. I have also become a HUGE fan of the slate color instead of black as a neutral. It has a softer, more personal look that I adore. 

I also found a card online that I am using as a reference/inspiration piece for something else. I bought a stamp set that is extremely similar to the images shown here, and so I wanted some ideas on how to use it. 

My guess is that the "you" is a die cut, because the main orange appears to be dimensional. In my experience, stamping across a flat paper and onto a dimensional image leaves you with a break in the image, so a die cut or sticker makes more sense to me here.

This is Friendship, Part 2

A while ago, my dad announced to both of my kids that he would take them on AN ADVENTURE. The adventure could be to nearly any place of their choosing, and would last roughly a weekend. Assuming their choice of destination and adventure was attainable, he would take them and they would have a blast.

He put some minor limits on the adventure criteria. It had to be in the continental US and needed to happen when the weather was warmer. He made a couple of suggestions, but ultimately, the choice was made by my kids.

My daughter decided to visit New York, New York.

I hit up my alien friend almost immediately and let him know my family would be traveling to his city. He asked me when, and assured me that he would be nothing less than a gracious host. He worried endlessly about the weather (spring in New York is fickle), and fussed about the subway. He made many faces at the idea that some scrub might bother my kid or my dad, and promised to keep them safe.

This is Friendship, Part 1

I have been super lucky to make friends with some amazing people over the internet. Some of them have crossed over from "imaginary people" to real, honest and genuine friends that I count on for just about everything.

One of those people is Lauby, the former El Jefe of the House of Paincakes. When he and Dethtron started the joint up, I wrote to them and asked them to let me join their blog roll. I wasn't sure they would say yes, to be honest.

I am primarily into RPGs and not miniatures, and I have a really strange POV about gaming being a lady. Sometimes that reality doesn't mesh with what blog netwerk people have in mind for their membership and I have been told to beat feet at least once.

Birthday Planning

I have a birthday coming up.

I would ideally like to get friends together and have an evening of dinner and drinks.

My obsession continues

I have a problem- I'm more than a little obsessed with Prince.


The man is gorgeous, sexy, talented and blows my mind every time I listen to him. I have an incredibly large amount of his music and I am endlessly inspired by his stuff.

I also sort of have a problem with angels, and happen to have an extremely extensive collection of angel related things.

Can you see where this is going?

Happiness in Progress

the knitting continues at a satisfying pace -


not too slow (as to make me infuriated) and not too fast (as to cause mistakes or ruin the fun of creating stuff)


I can really SEE an scarf developing out of this yarn.

It's stretchy! 

I never in a million years thought ruffles would make me happy.

More Creations Inbound!

I've been working on a whole bunch of different things. Lately, my creative urges have been all over the place and I want to try ALL THE THINGS before my interest wanes. 

So as a weird cross between a joke and a challenge, I decided to learn to knit. Despite all the teasing about being a little old lady, I really wanted to get the art of yarn in hand so I could say that I can do SOME kind of fabric work. 

My initial attempts were pretty horrible, and I got very frustrated. There was even some crying- and I don't cry over much. I decided to try one last time, but I bought larger needles and bigger yarn. It WORKED! 

This is the beginning of success. 

Wonder Continues

So it's been a long time, but things on my creative front have changed. I've got some new stuff I am working on, and my direction has shifted entirely.

This is one of the things I got for Christmas, and I am having a ton of fun learning how to use it.

It's a Silhouette Portrait electronic cutting machine. It's a super fun tool that allows me to use "cut files" or fonts, or shapes, or pictures on my computer, and then cut them out.

These are some samples of the kind of thing I can cut out with this machine. It has settings and adapters that will let me cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, acetate, cloth, foil, and even a setting to create etched glass patterns.

My creative corner just underwent a huge remodel, as I got some new storage options and I rethought how I wanted to be able to access my stuff.

I have stencils and masks hanging from thumbtacks on my canvas idea board.

I got this one as a Christmas gift- I've been drooling over it for MONTHS now. I can't wait to paint, stick, glue and glitter away.

From Hazel & Ruby 

I also got about five different stripes and chevron patterns. I have a verifiable problem with circles and stripes. (don't judge!)

Oh yeah. I also got paint and glitter. This can't possibly be anything but messy and fun!