Hop Art Studio

James

(James is poking his head out from behind that tree)

I'm so proud of my sweet son. This was his decision and he's really enjoying BCT. It's hard, no doubt about it, but he seems to be up for the challenge.

Only a few weeks from now we will be driving up to see him for his graduation ceramonies. I can hardly wait! We are so excited.

I'm gonna take a ton of pictures! (He'll be so sick of me pointing the camera at him. But I won't care.)

James has written a few letters to us. And need I say that these letters will be treasured for ever.

The calls have been few and far between. But it's so wonderful to hear his voice.

He's becoming a strong and confident young man.

It's was hard to say goodbye to him when he left for BCT and there have been lots of moments when my heart has really ached from missing him. But I know this is what he wants and he has to learn to be on his own.

So proud of you James.

Purrfect Love

 

Copic Markers - E33, W3, W5, RV06, RV02, Y08, YR23

Another over cast day!

Love that it's rained. Helps with getting rid of some of the pollen.

It seems to be worst this year than last. Or maybe I'm just getting more sensitive? Don't know.

So I tried taking a good picture. Oh well. It's either that I've forgotten how to take pictures or it's not bright enough. 

I applied some glaze to the eyes and heart. Bottle was old, it has been about a year since I've used my supplies.

Hard to believe, isn't it!

These cute little animals are by Kim Hughes - Paper Smooches . I'm definitely eye-balling her newest stamp set. May need that one!

I'm also dealing with some funky blood work up results. Apparently my red-blood count is off.

And, oh yea, almost starting menopause. Yippee!!! Not!

Not needing estrogen. Thank goodness

 Oh yea, and I should be dead.

My blood pressure was 100/68. Dang that's low, right?

My T4/T3 levels are off too, just a bit. So I have to go get my blood drawn without taking my Armour thyroid med.

And while fasting.

Man, let's see....low blood pressure, not enough red-blood cells and they want to draw blood while I fast? Ha!

Now that's funny.

Have a great weekend.

Chickies

Copic Markers :Y00, Y06, YR04, RV0000, RV02, Y38

Still having overcast days. Hard to get good pictures.

 Very strange winter. Not cold enough. Things are blooming when they shouldn't be.

My lantana, which was hit by one cold spell, already has tons of green buds at its base!

But I'm hanging tight. I don't believe in cutting stuff back until later on, when the threat of freeze is over. 

The weather is "wonky" in this part of the state.  So it's best to be safe than sorry.

These adorable little chicks are by Paper Smooches by the awesome Kim Hughes.

As you can see I'm trying to stay simple. Just coloring, popped up images and some bling.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

 

My Lil' Ballerina

 

Copic Markers: E50, E51. E53, RV10, R11, R02, R05, Y04, Y06, YR23, B95, G07, C1, 0

This is the first little gal I drew. (Well, actually re-drew)

The first style that I did was very familiar to me, just the way I draw.

I worked on her a ton. Cleaned her up, printed her up. Put her aside for a time and then when I looked at her again I hated her!

Crumbled the paper up and just told myself  - you can do this. Relax and just draw.

Man it's amazing how one can do something when you put your mind to it.

I just told myself to stop trying so hard and just do it!

I now have a total of 4 gals - a mermaid is the newest one.  I'm almost ready to print her out and color.

Now the dilemma.

Last year some of my rubber stamps were stolen and used by a pretty high profile company.

(I contacted the artist and the company. The company was wonderful about the whole situation. The artist, well she never contacted me back. Did I out her? Nope. That's just not cool...ya know?)

Anyways, where did she get my images? They were obviously mine.

Maybe she found them on line somewhere, in some data base.

Maybe she proposely stole them. (They were flipped, but otherwise unchanged.)

Since that time I have come to the understanding that NO art is safe. 

People don't care about copyrights.

People think that if it's on the web it's fair game.

People think if they just change something, even just a bit, than it's their original to do what ever they please.

I have saved links, after links about how this just isn't the case. 

So anyways I'm really having fun drawing again.

I'd love to be able to share my drawings but I don't want them stolen.

(Not that I think they are THAT good...lol. Just people are dishonest. At least, that's what I've been reading on line. Seems to be happening a bunch lately.)

So what to do?

I'm still thinking about my options.

I'll let you know what I decide.

Coffee Please

Copic Markers: R0000, R20, RV13, R22, RV29, C1, C5, E00, E53, E33, E37

(Oh Yes! The paper I use, thanks for asking -Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80 lb. Or you can use just Neenah Classic Crest if you can't find Super Smooth.)

My coffee maker died. Yep, the second Keurig I've owned in one year. So I went out and bought something different.

Now, I like the machine I found. It makes single servings.  No K cups. The coffee tastes great to me.

But....hubby....well not so much.

So I'm off to buy the good ole' stand bye Mr. Coffee maker. Yep, no more single servings at my house.

Oh well. Pick your battles I always say.

This is another adorable digital image by Hambo Stamps.

I printed her twice and cut out the little hand and popped it up over the coffee cup.

 

I have become a drawing fool lately!

I'm on my third drawing, a mermaid. She's cute.

I'm thinking I may post them as freebies for everyone to use.

I'll explain why, if I do decide to share my artwork, I will not be making them into rubber.

Or selling them as digi stamps.

And why they will be for free.

She's Got Heart

(We are having lots of overcast days. Hard to take a good picture, darn it!)

Copic: E11, E21, E33, E35, E37, R20, R17, R85, BG23, BG34, BG49, C1, B45, 0

Okay, I drew.

Really....I'm amazing myself lately....LOL

Like I have been saying, I'm trying to draw cartoons. And I'm really not that great at it.

My son keeps encouraging me to keep trying. So I have been.

Draw, erase, crumble and draw again.

It's a vicious cycle!

So yesterday, after scanning a gal I drew and worked on in Photoshop for hours. When she was done I thought to myself, "Self I like her."

Not!

So I started her all over again. I'll share her with you another time.

I was pleased with her so I drew another little girl.

Yep, as you can see from the middle picture I used those kids as a starting off point, an influence for her.

And I just started to draw. Weird, really....lol.

So I scanned my 2 little gals, cleaned them up. Saved them and printed them out.

 I ran to my son for a word of approval, excited that I finally found a style I was somewhat please with and what did he say?

"Those are good mom, not really cartoony enough, but good. Kind of like something girls would like."

Good enough for me!

Changin'

Copic Markers -BG0000, BG01, BG09, RV10, RV23, YG0000, YG03, YG63

 

Isn't he the cutest? Just gotta love Tim's digital illustration for Hambo Stamps.

I wish, beyond wishing, that I had half the talent that Tim does when it comes to illustrating cartoons. Man can he draw!

I've also created one more card this week. Crazy, huh? 3 cards in one week. I must have a fever. 

Coloring fever that is.

I'm still trying to learn how to draw cartoons. Don't get me wrong I can illustrate, in my own style. But I want to get to the point of being able to just draw silly little cartoons like I see my boys drawing. Both my boys are really talented. 

I know it's just practice, practice and more practice. And then you find your own unique cartoon style. 

I'm just more of a realistic illustrator. Need to have something to look at to either get inspired or as a reference for an illustration.

I'm not giving up, but boy is it frustrating....lol.

Hope you enjoy my cards. 

(I'm using old paper packs from last year, can ya tell? Wink....not ready to get back to spending on paper, embellishments, keeping up with the Jones. Not stressing....this is all about having fun!)

Yes, I'm still knitting and crocheting. It's so relaxing. 

Hello My Friends

 

Copic Markers: E33, E35, E37, W00, W3, W5, 0, R20, E04

Kim Hughes "Chubby Chum Pals"

 

I made a card!

Man, oh man. 

I stamped out some images last month.

Really had all the intention in the world to color them.

Things got busy.

Son left.

Life got busy, again.

Missing him.

Writing and sending cards to keep him "Army strong!"

Got a call from him last night.

Cried this morning.

Miss him dearly.

Got on with my day.

Cheered up.

Colored.

Guess that's how life goes.

It just keeps going.

 

(Thank you my friends for all the sweet words of encouragement. Hugs.)

 

Army

The beginning of this month my sweet son James left for basic training. Yes, he joined the Army back in May of last year and was in the delayed entry program. So this was the month he was to leave.

I have to tell you that the months leading up to the day he left flew bye. I don't know where they went! Honestly. I knew he was leaving. I was prepared for him to leave. But it hit me like a ton of bricks when I saw that van pull away and I knew that he would be on his own.

I'm glad that we had a lot of time to spend together last year. He wasn't in school and only working part time (just under 40 hours). We'd often have lunch together or spend  a few evenings alone while his little brother and Dad were at baseball practice.

We have always been close, he's an artist like me and we share so many similar interest, but I think last year was even more special because I knew he would soon be gone. And also I knew that this was something that he really wanted. Maybe something that he needed.

Funny, I've been a girlfriend with her boyfriend at basic training the first year and then his fiances  the second year while he was stationed far away. Then after our first year of marriage a move to a new state and then right away a 6 month depolyment!

So separations are not a new thing for me. Many separations from my hubby when we were young, when we were new parents and when are kids were in school. But boy nothing really prepares you for the first time your child leaves you. Especially when they go away to the military. Sorry, it's not the same as when they leave to go to college. We haven't talked to him in weeks. So, yep, not the same at all!

So keep James in your prayers for safety and that he continues to grow to become the wonderful man that I know he is to become. He has been a blessing in our lives and I know he will continue to be a blessing to all those that he meets.

And yes, prayers for this Mom. Even though I'm handling it really well and I was prepared for this new journey it still is not the same place with out our James here.

Still Time!

Stamping Up stamp Sets for Sale

 

I still have several Stampin Up! stamp sets for sale. If they do not sell by the end of this month I will be moving them to either my Etsy store or sell them locally. So if there is something you're on the fence about hurry up and let me know that you want it.

Thanks for the sweet comments. I agree, I need to take care of me also and not use up all of my energy taking care of my family. (Although, for me, they do come first.)

But as a sweet friend posted "To thine self be true." When we put our passions aside and don't attend to them then we will never be 100% happy.

I will make it through this stage of my life. I'm actually excited about this year! 

Bring it on!

Life Changes

A new year filled with lots of changes.

My son left the beginning of the month to start his career in the Army. He is currently going through basic training. I look forward to the weeks ahead. To supporting him through this time in his life and to be there for him when he graduates in the spring.

Times have changed. 30 years ago when my hubby (then boyfriend) went away we had no contact with him until he graduated. Now there are websites, Facebook pages, cell phones and photos that we can look through. Life is good! All of these changes make this time for us parents easier. So please keep him in your prayers and thoughts.

I don't make New Years resolutions but I do take time to reflect on the year before and evalutate what I should do differently this year. What improvements I should make, in myself and in my life.

The past few years have been a struggle for me. Emotionally and physically. I will turn 49 this year. As 50 looms near I realize that I have not been true to myself - in many areas. I have let my wants and needs be pushed to the way side as I have had to focus so much time and energy into being a wife and mother. In a world where so many women have been taught to put their careers ahead of their family I guess I have lead an "archaic" ideal of family life, where mom stays home, does the cooking and chores and is always available. I'm happy that I have chosen this path, no regrets. But it hasn't been an easy choice during times when women no longer cook or have chosen traditional roles in a marriage. 

Now I'm not saying I'm unique, I know there are many women who make the choice to leave careers and be SAHM. It's just, at times, makes me feel different. That's all.

So now....as I'm reaching a different point in my life...with my first born leaving home. My baby only having 2 years left in high school and I'm almost 50 that I have to stop and think about changes.

And yes, going through that "change" in a woman's life I have to try to take the time to find what I want to do the next 10-20-30 years of my life.

So. I plan on drawing more, watercoloring, painting, yes crocheting and knitting.

And I want to color again. I do want to get back into card making. But in a different way. 

For me, not for anyone else. But for what I want, what will make me happy.

I want to be creative. 

I want to be an artist, again.

Thank you for sticking with me.

Thank you for letting me share my passions with you.

Thank you for the journey.