Hop Art Studio

Dogwood

Well I  took a break and went upstairs to draw.

I used my Prismacolor pencils to draw and color some dogwood flowers. It was quick little illustration. ATC sized (called ACEO's  -The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals.)

Fun little size to work with.

I sat there drawing away with my Kindle Fire propped up in front of me playing a new SyFy series I began watching on Netflix.

And I must say it was very fun!

So I will definitely try to crave out a few moments in my busy days to try to work on something artistic.

Even if it's just a tiny piece of art.

And a want to give a big hug to everyone who follows my blog. Your comments lifted my spirits and gave me the courage to keep on "keeping on".

 

(Oh yeah...working on a new look for the blog. I think the dog's a bit on the creepy side, right? But I like the colors. I'll look at the other ready made options Typepad has. Haven't searched around them lately. I'm sure they must have some cuter ones. Or I'll have to work on one of my own.)

Life

Yes I've been a bad blogger.

I've been busy. Not with anything in particular, just life. I seem to always be taking care of everything. I have all of these grand plans to get "creative" and they just don't come to fruition.

It's tough really.

There's this "artist" inside of me yelling out at the top of her lungs...."Grab that paint brush. Pick up that pencil! Do something!!!" But instead I find myself cleaning, cooking, fixing, scrubbing, folding......etc. It just never stops!

So this week I decided that I needed to crave out a small space just for me.

When we built this home I was so burnt out by the whole process that I did not put in the plans an "art room".

We had just moved back from our tour in California. All of our things were in storage.

(Military storage, I had no access to anything I owned.)

We were living in a two bedroom apartment with just our beds and a love seat when we found land and a builder.

I had no idea that for one year I would have to live out of our suit cases. Yes, it was stressful.

In the end it was worth it. (You can look back at the house here on my blog.) It's our last home. 

So why didn't I put in a room just for me?

Well....there are some battles we fight and then there are others that we just don't even try to win.

I rationalized that one day the boys would move out and I'd take over one of their rooms.

And when James joined the Army I thought, "Here's my chance!"

But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. 

(The thought of changing his room just broke my heart.)

So anyways....

So there is this little space, at the top of the stairs, where I have placed a desk. 

It's tiny. No space for any supplies. Just the desk.

But near by in the hall way, directly across from the desk, is a small linen closet.

I got busy....cleaned out a shelf. Bought some very cool clear storage baskets at Target (I found them in the bathroom isle.)

I put all of my "art" supplies in them. 

Carted them upstairs.

Put all of my colored pencils in some cute McCoy pots.

And found my papers.

So a small space,but I think for now it will be fine.

This summer I'm gonna force myself to NOT ignore my inner voice anymore and get back to my roots.

So please forgive me as I continue this process of change. 

I'm still finding it rather hard to get back into stamping.

And I'm not sure where this process will take my blog.

Art...illustrating...coloring...knitting...life...?

It's a journey.

Maddie

New gal's in town!

I just finished her this week and colored her in.

Didn't have a chance to create a card but I hope that's okay.

I love to color.

Cards, well....it's been a while.

So artist first, cardmaker....when I can.

Copics -E00,E50, E53,Y11,YR31, YR23, Y17,E81,E33,E23,E77,RV21,R17,R59,B32,B95, G14

Maddie and Cat can be bought at Hambo Stamps.

(There are some cute saying that are part of this set.)

Profits of the sales of my new digital stamps go to support OWH. (See blinky on my sidebar.)

Daisy

 

My new digital stamp is now available at Hambo Stamps!

I'm so excited to be able to share my illustrations again.

I just bought some new Copic markers.

I was such a good girl last year. Nothing bought. Really!

Just yarn and some magazines. 

Okay a few books too!

And since I sold so many of my stamping supplies I had a bit of cash stashed away.

So I decided to spend a bit of it on the new markers.

I will also be getting the set of Ciaos that I don't have.

Then, of course, there are the refills. 

Yikes!

Have a great weekend.

 

Josephine

Copic Markers- W1, W3, W5, 0. B95. YG67, E50, E51, E35, E47, RV00, RV23, RV34, R46

Josephine can be found at Hambo Stamps.

I hope you guys are okay with me posting cards again?

It's actually weird for me.

I've been away from it for so long that when I see a card posted on my blog, I have to wonder if it's mine!

Yikes!

I have a new gal coming out this weekend.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a card done this week so that I can share it with you.

If not....

I'll make sure to post her and links to the hop here on my blog.

Here's my puppy.....

My son took this picture while there was a strong wind blowing and he was just enjoying all of the smells.

(I'm a dog person. But if I could find a cat that didn't shed I might, maybe, someday.....own one.)

Linda

 

Copic Markers-  E00, E21, E33, E35, Y08, YR04, Y38, RV10, BG05, BG90, R29, 0

OMGosh! I'm always running around.

And around,

And around!

This is Late Linda, one of my new digis for Hambo Stamps. Profits of these go to OWH.

Did you know that Hambo Stamps have some really fun challenges?

Now that I'm starting to get back in the game, the stamping and coloring game that is, I want to start working on something fun every week.

They have a great challenge this week, extra folds.

I want to work on it next week. I'm rusty! But I'm gonna give it a shot.

Take a look at all the beautiful cards the design team created.

Hambo Hoedown

I'm so inspired.

And oh my!

Look at the gorgeous fairy card created by Sarah.

It's so nice seeing what people create using my drawings. And I'm so happy to be able to help out OWH.

Not to change the subject....

But a mom can't help but brag....

James passed his first exam this week, missing only 4 questions. He's so excited.

Watch out for Army Geeks!