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Randomness:)

Happy Friday!!

My week has been pretty calm, which is life speak for a little boring but stress free 🙂 But I do have some pictures to give you some idea of how my time passed:

p cWe finally installed our counter tops!  YAY!!!!!  I think David did a great job and we are so close to having our kitchen completed!!!!  I wanted black counters, but I was afraid that since our cabinetry is white that if we put in a solid black top it would make the kitchen look a little sterile.  I was hoping the silver gray would soften it some and I think it did.  Thank Goodness.  It really worried me that it would not work out…It would be an awfully costly mistake on my part.

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Also, we have been trying to eat a little healthier.  We are not going crazy, but I need more grains and cut out the fried food. And  ever since I watch an episode of “How it’s Made” featuring Couscous and Quinoa, I’ve been more than a little intrigued as to what they would taste like…..and now I do.  The Couscous tastes okay and kind of reminds me of rice.  The texture is mushy and it’s the mushiness that gets me.  The Quinoa reminds me of the pellets that is in a stuffed teddy bear.  It’s kind of gritty and has a funny after taste.  Needless to say, these were not a favorite at my house and I don’t they will ever be on our plates again, lol…

beadsContainers copy      Also, I have everything ready to sort and organize my beads.  I bought the black boxes from Ikea and I can’t even begin to tell you how well these are made.  Although Ikea has many sizes, these are CD/DVD storage cases.  I think they sell them 2/3.99.  I like them so much, that when we redo our living room I am going to use these to sort out our movies and music.

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See I have been drawing;)  This one is going to take a long time…But I do have an ear partially done…

Well I guess that’s about it for me, for now.  Exciting stuff, huh?

Be Well and Happy!

It’s worth the Likes!

I thought about not posting this, because it  does not have anything to do with anything really. The only thing creative about it is that if you are willing to give it a try? It will save you A LOT of money.   So…. to prove how much I want to share the love and help you save money to buy art supplies, I will post this and I will take one for the team and reveal more about me that I ever wanted to discuss on this blog!

I don’t know about you, but razor blades are way too expensive.  David and I both like the Fusion Blades and they range from 13.00-18.00/for four blades.  To me it ridiculous, but the cheap razors are painful as the dickens!

In April, I happened along this video.  I thought it was promising so I gave it a try. With it being Spring and Summer, I shaved almost everyday (the whole leg and bikini)  and I used the same blade under my arms.

The results?   I was using the same Fusion blade in August!   I have very very dry sensitive skin and it did not cause any irritation or pain.  The only con was that the shave was not as close as if it was a new razor.  But that’s it!

So let’s to the math?  A pack of 4 blades will last me an entire year and 4 months!  I also, have tried this method with the Venus (yellow blades) and works pretty much the same.

***If you decide to try this, use men’s jeans not women’s…

Now that I have shared this  with you, my next post will be regarding:  pre menopause, PMS and bikini wax and excess facial hair….Nah, just kiddin’…  I think?

I hope you have a wonderfully creative day!

Be Well and Happy!

Zenday…

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Zendala Challenge #42

Micron, Marker on Card

This Zendala is this weeks Bright Owl Challenge. As usual, I  love the design, but this work goes to show you that not every idea is golden.  This took me hours to complete, so I thought that after all that work, I had to at least post.  I have been using these designs as note cards, because even though they are fun to complete, I had to do something with them when they were done. Luckily for me, the women in my life seem to enjoy them.  But this one is a definite do over!  I wanted to overlap the designs in gray and silver as sort of a fade out.  And in my head it was really beautiful!  But in real life, I just got confused in the pattern and I couldn’t make anything light enough, my pen was bleeding, my eye sight was failing and it was a big ole….MEH!

 Nevertheless, it was a good way to pass a cold Sunday evening…Well, the Zendala, coffee and Law and Order that is 😉

In my neck of the woods, today has been a beautiful and sunny.  I hope you have enjoyed some sunny skies too!

Be Well and Happy Monday!

Randomness ;)

I’m ending Friday with a few photos from my week:

Karen and RobFirst off, my twin sister and her husband attended an Inaugural  party.  Each attendee had to dress up as a political figure.  Rob went as Fidel Castro and my sis went as Sarah Palin.  I tell her all time that she favors Mrs. Palin, but she never believed me until after stepping down from my make-up/hair artist chair..lol  Live and in person, when Karen smiles they could pass for twins.  Rob did pretty good on his costume too.

Moulding  I’ve been painting!  Not the good kind either.  If someone tries to make you believe that painting molding, trim or even a wall is like painting a picture?  Run…Run Hard… Run Fast….It’s a scam because they are not even remotely the same!

GetAttachment[1] I did manage to make some placemats (I’m using the term loosely here) ….May table is so small that my placemats don’t fit anymore.  so I took the rubber shelve lining stuff, drew an oval from my turkey roasting pan, cut it out and I have placemats!

GetAttachment[1] Also, my sister-in-law Vicki came by and gave use beautiful light she made in her kiln class!  I love it, and I can’t wait until it is in my kitchen!  Thank You!

I am happy to say, that I as of today. I finally have something on my drawing board.  I think it’s the most drawn and painted animal on the internet. But I don’t care, I think it’s cute and I want it!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Be Well and Happy Friday!

Chan Luu inspired Bracelet

wrap bracelet

 My Chan Luu inspired bracelet

 I can not tell you how bad I wanted a Chan Luu bracelet.  But having boxes of beads,  I just could not bring myself to buy the bracelet…no matter how cool it is.  Since, wrap bracelets are so popular, I was hoping to find some instructions to make my own.   I tell you, if it was not for YouTube I would not know how to do anything, LOL.   I searched YouTube for a couple of days, trying to find a video that was simple enough that I could follow the instructions.  After a lot of searching, I found the video below.  I thought I would post this just in case you would like to make your own.

Be Well and Happy Wednesday!

A Book Review For You….

I am very proud to say that I have completed quite a few of my resolutions and we are still in January!  I have A LOT of resolutions this year for some reason.  But once I write a goal down, it might as well be tattooed on my skin for the whole year.  One aim for the New Year that I really need to tackle and tick off is what do about my slumbering blog.   And after much thought and ideas from my family, I decided to do things a little different.  Yes, I will still post content about art when I have it :)….But I do have varied interests that I’d like to share and at the same time let you know that I have not fell off the face of the earth.  It is my intention to post something at least a couple of times a week, but it is my hope to post everyday.  We will just have to see how it goes 🙂
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Creative Colored Pencil by Vera Curnow

We are going to start off with an informal book review of one of my recent purchases.  Being such a novice in colored pencil, I think I can provide a perspective that is in line with other artists that does not have a grasp of this medium.  And I know just enough, to be smart enough,  to say I do not know anything about colored pencils.

When I ordered this book, I was extremely excited.  I am starting to have a great love drawing landscapes and there are not many colored pencil books out there that are strictly landscape how to books.  So to come across this little gem was a WOW! I have got to have it!  kind of moment. But when the book arrived and I read through it, I was extremely disappointed.

Do not  get me wrong, this is a well written book showcasing beautiful artwork from various artists that we all know and love. But it  is not a how to book.  Page after page you will see a thumbnail line drawing perspective from an artist with the corresponding color palette and a blurb of what to do (or not do) in a certain aspect of the painting, but that is all you are getting.  And I think, sadly,  the book description is misleading the readers.  It in no way diminishes the beauty of this book and if you are accomplished in this medium, but wanting to branch out into landscape, I can see this being very useful.  But for people like me?  It’s a look book.

Just for fun!

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Moon Called by Particia Briggs

Mercy Thompson Novel Book 1

Yes, the secret is out, I will read just about anything.  From Jane Austin and Robert Frost to Patricia Briggs and Gilbert Morris, I just love them all.  But if you threatened me with a Taser for the truth, I would have to say romance novels are my favorite especially paranormal.  The world is harsh, full of heartbreak and sadness. Sometimes a girl needs a happy ending 😉   Although, I never got the Fifty Shades of Grey thing.  I did read the trilogy and thought it was kind of silly and for some reason women went completely wild over Christian Grey.  I am thinking the reason women are so in love with Mr. Grey was because he always made sure Anastasia Steele ate and ate good!  Personally,  I do not need someone to tell me to eat or heap my plate full…I do fine all on my own, LOL

Moon Called is a pretty good read.  I will not give a synopsis because there are plenty out there and written by a better class of writers.   I do not care for the cover, it looks a little juvenile.  Mercy ( the heroine of the book) reminded me so much of Kat vonD that she was one who came to mind while reading this book. I think to date Ms. Briggs has seven books in the series and I will definitely be reading the second one.

Also I’ve read:

Dark Storm by Christine Feehan

Be Well and Happy Tuesday!

Zenday…

photo blog

Zendala Challege #41

Micron and Colored Pencil on Card Stock

This challenge is brought to you by Erin from  thebrightowl blog.   Each week Erin posts Zendala challenges on her blog.  I have to commend her dedication and all the hard work that she puts into these challenges.  Each of her designs are unique,  gorgeous and a pleasure to Zentangle.  THANK YOU ERIN!

 I thought I’d doll this up a bit by turning this into a card and adding  a little color.  I think I may need a stronger saturation of color but it’s an easy fix and I think it’s kinda cute;)

I do love tangling!

I hope everyone is enjoying this pretty day.

Be Well and Happy Monday!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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I hope everyone is as excited as I am for the beginnings of 2013!  I consider New Year’s Day a do over.  So, anything that wasn’t accomplished in 2012, here’s your chance 😉  I was able to accomplished ALL of my last year’s resolutions.  The reason I was able to complete such a feat was because I was resolved not to have any resolutions.  This year, I do have a couple, I won’t bore you with the details, but I do have them written down to give myself atleast a little accountability.
There has been a lot going on in the Ottaway household.  And as I type this, my D.H. is hammering away in our kitchen.  Yep, the remodeling is well under way and David is doing a beautiful job!  I’m telling ya, he’d make an awesome contractor.  He’s very meticulous in what he does and has a good eye for detail.  There doesn’t seem to be much that he can’t do.  I really admire that quality in him EXCEPT when he’s paying attention to what I’m doing.  Then? Not so much!
Also, I celebrated a birthday this month.  I thought I was turning 46 and come to find out I was turning 45, so its pretty awesome to gain another year.  The above photo is a present that I made myself.  It’s a black cord wrap bracelet with stone(ish) beads.  This bracelet took  many hours to complete, but man this thing goes with everything.  As a matter of fact, I’ve made myself quite a few pretties that I will be posting soon.  The big joke around the house is that it was my birthday month, because every time David or Alana looked at me I was either making myself jewelry or painting my nails, reading or something.  It’ my fault I guess.  Alana asked me why I was beading so much and I told her I was making myself presents for my birthday….
Well,  I guess that’s about it for now. I hope you guys have a wonderful start of a new year and I wish you all good things!

****This post was written and the picture was taken on my new Galaxy Note 10.1 that David gave me for Christmas. I’M IN LOVE! Sooo….if this doesn’t look right, I’m still trying to figure everything out and I can’t find spell check ,LOL

Be Well and Happy Tuesday!

 

Barn Front…

Barn Front

Graphite on  Smooth card

   I found this drawing while I was cleaning out some papers.  It was about a quarter of the way completed, so I thought since I haven’t drawn in a while I would just finish this.

  I don’t know what it is about old barn and building faces that I find so appealing, but I do.  I just love the rustic worn out boards and chipped bricks.  I guess it’s the country girl in me.

The only thing difficult about this piece was  the grass.  Drawing grass and trees are still pretty hard.  I’m not too thrilled with the paper.  I don’t know what kind it is but it’s has a pebbly tooth to it.  I had a hard time getting a sharp line even with using a mechanical pencil.

Be Well and Happy Monday!

Julie Christie….

Julie Christie

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

  Anytime I’m on my Facebook page, my cousin always has a picture (or two or three) up of this lady.  He is so enamoured by her that I thought I would draw her for him.  He’s such a good fella and  I was drawn (sorry could not help myself) to do something special for him.  He loves it so that was a pretty special payback;)  HOWEVER, David thinks she looks like Barbara Streisand…I would be insulted but in those days most of the actresses did look-alike, so no harm done to my ego.

        She was pretty easy to draw except for sweater.  All those little yarn fibers gave me fit.  I don’t think I did too good on that part, but I tried and unless you get really close it doesn’t look that bad.

  Not too much going on, on this end so I guess that’s about it for me for now.

Be Well and Happy Tuesday!