Rough Night

Morning Blogger Friends,

I just gotta tell you.  I didn't think it was possible to get "less" than no sleep. But I know for a fact that is the case with me.  The story of my stray cat. Bones is awesome. I love him dearly, but he has become a BED HOG. I have a pretty big bed (king size) and I actually pick a side to sleep on. I know when you are single that is not the thing to do, but oh well.  At first I thought, "maybe he just wants this side of the bed because it is closer to the door?" So, when I sleep on the other side he lays on top of the covers right between my legs. I go to move in the middle of the night and I am paralyzed.  Unreal, but last night was the straw that broke the camels back. Not only has he picked a side, but he has not picked a pillow.  I went to roll over and my face went into cat butt. Do you have any idea how disconcerting that is?  He will be sleeping on the window ledge for a while.

This particular ATC is rendition of Cinderella. I call her "Cinder".  The image is from Saturated Canary.  I colored her with my Copic Markers and then fussy cut.  The bling is from my stash. In case you could not tell, I am a fan of the Michaels Recollection Line.  I am going to get some sleep tonight as well as a few more ATC's made. I have signed up for quite a few swaps that require me to make specific themed ATC's.  I am ready.

Until Later
SS

Three years

Hello BloggerLand

I just realized that I started this Blog three years ago. I don't exactly have a post for every week like my original goal was to be. So my promise to myself is to be more consitent. Even if it is just one post per week, I know that I can do it. Writing about this thing "I call Life" can have it's rewards. First off it helps me to stay sane, Ok Maybe a little sane. I don't want to go overboard. : )  You can definitely see how my style and interests have changed. Three years ago I was into Disney Pin Trading and now you can't get me to even look at one.  I do still crochet but not nearly as much. I believe that comes from not being with my normal group of ladies. And onto my new hobby!!!

I discovered ATC's about 1 1/2 years ago and I have been hooked ever since. What does that say about me? I am a true instant gratification person. (Ok, I have not gone to inchies).  But I love to collect them and trade. My goal in the next year is to go to an ATC swap convention. I am certain they have them somewhere.

So, in any case, here is today's little work of ART. I definitely will think twice about using this Kenny K image again. I mean, don't get me wrong, she is beautiful. But most of the time I fussy cut my images. Let me tell you, this was NOT fun to fussy cut. I loved coloring her.  I made 2 of these for a swap that I am in on SWAPBOT. Because I like her so much I may make another one for myself to keep. I colored her with my copic markers and then embellished the card with whatever I could find in the green family. Trust me, with my stash, that is a lot. I am determined to use up some of this stuff BEFORE I have to move again.

I am entering this in the Crazy Amigo Challenge.  The theme this week is "Women". I can pretty much guarantee I have something to match that one. : )

Today I made lunch for my team at work. I have been a little of a cooking mood. I think tomorrow it will be peach cobbler. I am feeling some baking coming on.

Alright, I have to go for now.
Until Later
SS

What an amazing day??? (Joking)

Good Afternoon Blogger World

I just gotta say, today is starting off so much better than yesterday. Of course, I am also one more day closer to the weekend, so that might have a little something to do with it.

I spent the morning going over Performance reviews. I gotta tell you... BRUTAL.  I now remember why I dread this time of  year. But it has to be done.

For today I created this ATC in my usual style. A digital stamp colored with Copic Markers. This time I used and image from Jade Dragonne who is an artist on Deviant art. If you have not taken a look at her work you simply must. After fussy cutting the image I popped it up with foam dots and used marker to help accent the background paper as well. The bling and embellishments I got from my "unbelievable" stash.

So, what is my goal this year, I think I finally found one. Well, at least 3. The first one is to move back home. I gotta tell you, I really miss Texas. Number 2 is to lose weight. I don't care if it is only 10 pounds but I want to lose weight. And number 3 is to make at least 5 ATC's a week.  I think I can do it.  I can't begin to tell you how much fun I have with these small works of ART and I absolutely love trading them as well.

My kid called me last night. Of course the only time he does that is when he NEEDS money. It's sad to say but that is what my life revolves around. Being his personal Banker. I mean, can he occasionally call just to see how I am doing, if I am alive, etc. Is that too much ask for? I mean I am his ONLY mother. : ) Oh well, one can only dream.

I gotta go, lunch is over and it's time to get down to the grind.

Until Later
SS

Pretty Pink Bow

Hey Blogger World
It is actually about midnight but I wanted to get this post in as I want to link to a challenge before Tuesday is gone.

This ATC was created by me specifically for Wicked Wednesday Challenge. This week they have Ribbons and Bows as the theme. I honestly was thinking that I would do one of my new Kenny K images for this but then I ran across this cutie from Saturated Canary.  I am horrible with image names. But at my age now I know so many of my family and friends that have fought or are currently fighting Breast Cancer. I just wanted to let them know, I support you.

Make sure you check out Krista's Blog. I love her and the fact that she keeps a "SMASH" journal with some of her art actually inspired me to put some of the images I color in mine as well.

I am also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp blog challenge. This week it is "Anything Goes".  However when I went to enter and attempted to scroll down to get to linky, I thought I was going to break my finger. OMG, well over 1000 linked and still counting.  I don't think I have EVER seen one that full.  It's nice to see all the individuals crafting their hearts out. Oh, to make the world a better place, with a little bit of paper and a whole lot of crafty stuff. : )

The next challege being entered is the Dream Valley #51. I have to admit, this was the first time that I actually saw this challenge blog but I know I will be back. I loved looking at all of the linky's on this one.

I colored her with Copics and then fussy cut.  The glitter embellishments are from Michaels Recollection line. I think I got them for 75% off.  Unfortunately I lost my mind in the store so I don't think I "really" SAVED any money. HA-HA

And now I have to share my story. This morning while walking to work, I was verbally accosted on the street. I work and live in Downtown Oklahoma City. In all honesty, since I moved here people have been nothing by nice to me. But I guess this was not the day. I won't go into exactly what he said because I am certain it is offensive but let's just say that he referenced my weight and ethnic background in a less than positive light.

Anyway, I really hope that you all like my ATC and see you next time.

SS

Technically Challenged

So I tell you, I use to think that I was pretty technically savvy. And now I think that I was just wrong. I take pictures of my work with my iPhone because it is convenient. I email them to myself and then save the pics. Well I have 2 websites that I use constantly that for whatever reason keep rotating the image to landscape. So I can't figure it out. I almost said, ok I give up but I know that I love posting my work there and sharing with other people. I will try again tomorrow but as you can tell, today I am a little "challenged".

This ATC is called "Take a long look".  I have used this image before from the The Greeting Farm.  I can't quite remember the name.  I colored her with Copic markers and then embellished with glitter, paper flowers and BLING.  The saying I created with Tim Holtz sticker words. 

I left work a little while ago and really needed to just unwind because everything that I asked to get done today. Did not get done. I am not a happy camper. Maybe my bottle of Corona will help the situation. Only time will tell.

Until Later
SS

One more ATC Post

Hello

Happy Sunday

As you can see I am still enthralled with ATC's. I have been having so much fun creating these cute little works of art. I am definitely an instant gratification person.  So these are right up my alley. And I love to trade them as well. I do most of my trading on Swapbot and ATC's for all.  If you are not familiar with either of these sites and into ATC's I suggest that you take a look.  

I made stuffed bell peppers last night. As any of my friends know it is very difficult for me to cook for one, or even 2. I have been single forever and Daniel has been in college for over 3 years. So, I should have gotten the hang of it by now.  Unfortunately I have not. So I ended up making 8 bell peppers. It is so easy to make them and they are quick, except for the baking time. But I can craft during that time.

The ATC I made has an image from Mayzy Art.  She use to have a shop on Etsy but now she has her own website. I love her little images. She was colored with my Copic markers and I added some silver metallic accents to the headband and umbrella. I originally did this image because I had a circus themed swap to do but decided on another as this one was a little too much to fussy cut for 10 partners. The background is actually embossed with powders from "Sparkle and Sprinkle".  I went to the Scrapbook convention in Grapevine last weekend and spent too much money, again.  (A real surprise, Right???)  They have some great stuff and I love their glitter.  It is actually pretty reasonably priced considering the quality. And what girl doesn't like glitter.  

In any case, I hope you like this little creation. I need to get back to crafting. I am in the process of coloring at least 20 images today. On number 11 now.  I hope I make it.

Until Later,
SS

Hello It's ATC Time

Amazingly this is the first ATC I have created in some time. I miss the crafting and wanted to get back into it.   I actually did this one for a swapbot swap called "6 word memoir".  I love this style ATC.  I remember when I first started I only did collage work. I have now fallen in love with digital stamps and Copic markers.

This image is from Kenny K designs. I colored her in pink in support of breast cancer surviors and those that have fought bravely.

I still struggle with the picture taking. I am still trying to use something other than my iPhone.
This weekend is my "crafting" weekend.  I take 48 hours and forget about life and stress and things that might go exactly as expected.  Sometimes I do a retreat and others I just stay at home and veg out. So far I have made 14 ATC's this weekend.  I am now on my way to my crocheting meetup.
I am also going to link this to ATC's with attitude this time.  It's about my favorite color. I am a girl that enjoys her pinks.
Until Later
Shaunda