Happy Halloween! And a new pic of Hanna!

Happy Halloween! Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween... I know Abby is pooped; she scored 230some pieces of candy and spent time with her friends. I was so glad to have some catch up time with Stacie.

Last weekend we took a visit to the farm (missing the almost 3.4" of snow here in western MD). You might remember our little Hanna that we hatched from an egg. We weren't sure if he'd recognize us (since it's been a few months) but I think he did remember! He kept checking us out and finally let Emily hold him... What a BIG guy... but still smaller than the other rooster he hangs out with... and WAY better looking!
I think he has a fan club too... many of the chickens kept following him around.

Anyway, it was so great to spend time on the farm. To get away from the craziness and just have carefree fun!

Oh! I almost forgot! I finally received my sketchbook (Arthouse Sketchbook Project) in the mail today! I'm so excited to start it. I have a flood of ideas in my heard... I hope they turn out! Stay tuned for my journey!

Have a great week and HAPPY NOVEMBER!

Update and a NEW PROJECT!

Ok... I know it's been too long. I have been crazy busy. School is kicking my butt... anatomy and physiology is turning out to be a semester of memorization. And you know, my brain is not as fresh as it once was :)
Today we dissected a cat. Learning all the muscles (humans are very close in muscular makeup to cats), how they work and preparing for tests and practicals one after another is testing my stamina.

Anyway, I did take a picture of the cat today... but I think I might not share that here because it's pretty sick.
If I could share the smell of formaldehyde through the internet, I might consider that.

Either way, I'm still alive... and very apologetic for not posting more often.

On a fun note:

I signed up for a the 2012 Sketchbook Project! (Thank you, Stacie, for introducing me to this fun adventure)... and I AM SO EXCITED! Here's the scoop from the website:

It's like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks.

Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the world.

After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can be a part of the project. To participate and have us send you a sketchbook that will go on tour, start by choosing a theme to the right.

If you are interested in learning more, please check out the 2012 SKETCHBOOK PROJECT!
You still have time to sign up and you can use a coupon/promo code: "ETSYHIGHFIVE" to get $5 off!

I can't wait until my blank sketchbook arrives. I picked the theme, "In 10 Minutes" since I plan to work in increments of 10 mins at a time... give or take a few here and there :) So please stay tuned to take this journey with me. I'd love your ideas too as I go along... God knows I need all the advice and ideas I can get!

I promise to post again soon. In the meanwhile, let me know how you are doing... I miss all the art so I'd love to hear what you are doing.

Our Dodge 'Journey'

Several weeks ago Dodge started a promotional campaign for their 2012 Journey.  They put out internet clues and planted 3 red Journeys in the US. The east coast journey took place this past weekend and we (all 5 of us) took the trip!

We took a 10 hour trek towards Albany and into Vermont on Friday, stopping along the way for food and bathrooms... We stayed in Lake George, NY for the night and started out fresh in the morning. Checked into another hotel on Sat night in Middlebury VT (nice town...).

I have to say I am disappointed in Dodge for changing the contest halfway thru. They didn't stay true to the contest format that most people were counting on.  We never had a chance. In fact no one had a chance until at least noon on Sunday... and it ended up in Maine @ Mosquito Harbor (anyone who knows my hubby knows we are NOT going any where near a place with that name :) )

But at the very least we were able to spend 60+ hours of quality family time together... really 60 hours!

I have to hand it to the kids... they are troopers! They got up this morning and were both in school on time! One in time to film the morning announcements and the other ready for picture day! 

anyway... it was a weekend to remember. Not sure if driving to VT in one day is a smart idea... but it's something we will be talking about for a long time!

Kindle Covers are Ready!

The quilted Kindle Covers are finally ready for the store! 

They are now available at the MUSE! 

Also I am dropping of some Halloween, Thanksgiving and other assorted cards... Like I said.... I can't seem to stay away~ LOL!

Had a great weekend... spend a day in the trees, climbing and zipping at Sandy Spring Adventure Park for Emily's 12th birthday and took a class on Zentangles taught by Stacie! And to top it off... The Philadelphia Eagles win their first game of the season... YEA!

Hope your days are going well too~ I'm off to school.......!

*new* Kindle Covers at the Muse ...Soon!

So I tried to stay away... but you know me... I love to make gifts! So I spoke to Whitney at the Muse and she is allowing me to bring in some Kindle E-Reader Covers! There are quilted and fully lined.  I have a few different colors and styles in mind.

 I will post a few pics when they are finished...

I think they should be ready for the store by Sept 12!
Thanks to Whitney for always allowing me this gateway for my work! ...

..... and yes! I am still taking classes. I just started my A&P 1 class and it is already daunting. But I'm up for the challenge! Speaking of which... I better hit the books! See you soon!

CORRECTION: Hanna is HAN

It's official... this morning at precisely 7am Hanna let out 'HIS' first crow followed closely with a second attempt.  At 2 months and a week, he is practicing his vocal skills.  Good thing he's going to the farm on Monday... I don't know if we can handle a wake up call for the rest of the summer ...

So there it is... Our Hanna is officially HAN!

On a different note... I will be finishing up finals on Monday and then back to PLAYING! I have gazed longingly into my lonely studio. But for the month of August it will return to it's usual state of chaos.  I can't wait!
I have some new techniques I want to try out... it's very exciting...~!

So thank you for all your patience this summer... and stay tuned to some interesting projects.

Birthday Celebration and a Gift for me!

It's that time....~ Tomorrow is a dear friend's birthday and today we are meeting for lunch to celebrate!
I can't wait to see our little clan... it has been a long summer without my friends and this is the perfect opportunity to catch up~ !

I made this litle box for my friend and filled it with various ephemera along with a very special book - Four-Word Self-Help by Patti Digh. 


Stacie first introduced me to this book and I love it and have gifted it many times. Despite it's title, it is not a self' help book... traditionally.

It is filled with meaningful four-word phrases that you can use in a variety of ways. My favorite... using them in art. In fact they are all parts or in whole someone's art.  If you get a chance, check it out. Very inspiring!

And I will say, I had missed crafting these past few weeks. School and summer with kids have completely taken over my life and I hadn't set aside time to craft for myself.  I really enjoyed making this project for my friend.  Thank you Rene' for giving me a reason to spend some time creating... it's really a gift to me!