I Feel Loved

Today I am in Alexandria VA at a meeting for work.  I feel like UGH (at first I said shit, but Mom reprimanded me).  I was sick all weekend, literally slept like 60 of 72 hours between Friday and Sunday.  Flew up here Monday, felt ok.  Felt ok yesterday but was TIREEEED.  Started coughing last night.  Coughed.  Coughed.  Coughed.  etc etc.  Slept in this morning, came to work at noon....and no I didn't go to the Dr. because I don't have FEVER, and if I don't have FEVER that means I'm not actually sick, right?!

ANYWAY

Since I got to the office at noon I have been delivered TWO presents from friends that work here: 

 

 

#1 a wooden pencil from Polly!  And yes, it's because she loves me. She's trying to help me cure my phobia with small baby steps - so this pencil is not actually 100% wood.  It's 70% wood and 30% recycled plastic.  It feels WEIRD and plasticky.  I wrote with it - hesitantly - and I didn't die!  WOOHOO!  I'm still very reluctant to actually bear down to see what would happen if the tip broke, but I'm going to let it live in my pen bag awhile and see what happens.  I appreciate her attempt at therapy :)

 

#2 a  Pocket Travel Spiral Sketch from Dena!  LOVE IT!!!  All the little wheels fit into the box along with paper and two little pens.  I'm not a big fan of the pens, they are more like markers and they bleed, but I can use them for something else.  The set is awesome and even has two of the weird-shaped wheels I didn't get in my big spirograph I haven't had a chance to play with.  FUN!!!! 

 

I already drew one for Dena: 

 

 

 

Polly can have the next. 

 

And I don't know if it's the love, the art, or the sudafed I took at lunch, but I definitely feel better.  



Inktense Painted Doodle

Played with my Inktense pencils a little more after doodling this today.

Mail Porn

oooo I got some good mail today!!!! I ordered some awesome stuff from AlleyStamp on Etsy and it arrived safe and sound.

And here's what I got:

I have been watching WAY too many youtube videos and of course I want every tool these people use.  But I'm trying to pace myself.  This time I limited myself to the some of the FaberCastell Gelatos - the 50's diner collection, some Tim Holtz rub-ons (I love me a rub-on) and a super cool stencil called "50's clock".  They threw in the cardstock letter stickers and the REALLY AWESOME and large birdcage clear stamp for FREE!!!  Got to love the Lagniappe!!!!!!!

The MAIN attraction and the reason I chose to order from AlleyStamp in the first place is this:

If you don't know what this is, get thee immediately to THE YOUTUBE and Youtube it.  Prepare to be amazed.  I'm making myself wait to open it because I need to finish some actual work first, but I expect to be playing with this A LOT and very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  SO EXCITED.  

January 2014 SIDB

(Note the fancy new acronym  for this recurring type of post - SIDB.  Formerly known as Shit I Didn't Buy.)

I recently hit one of my favorite places on earth- the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby (or as my Mom and I call it, "Hobb Lobb".)  My Mom and I went to Hobby Lobby one evening about 15 years ago and both of the lighted "y"''s on the sign were out.  "Hobb Lobb" is was and "Hobb Lobb" it shall remain.

Anyway.  Hobb Lobb. (As it shall be known henceforth).   Here are some things I DID NOT BUY:

#1:  Pre-melted Birthday Candles

 #2 A game called "That's Baloney", that is shaped like "Baloney", and refers to it's own questions as MEATY.  As a periodically recurring vegetarian, and a firm non-ground-processed meat-eater (ground meat free for 30 years!  For reals!)  this game makes is a little queasy.

#3 A Wood Carver's Starter Kit.  Do I need to explain this one? I was, however, tempted to get this for my friend Sally, who shares me love (loathing) of unfinished wood.

And #4 - A mini punch in the shape of a.....anyone?  Bueller?  What the heck is this supposed to be?!  Actually I think this was at Michael's, but whatevs.














I DID buy some pretty awesome art stuff, which I will show you in another post.  I am having WAY TOO MUCH FUN playing with all this art stuff, some of which I have had for YEARS and have never used.  Now if I could just win the lottery so I can stay home and do this full time....
 

Starry Night Inktense and More

Journal page with the Inktense pencils, (YES I USED WOODEN PENCILS.  I was SUPER careful, and kept them super sharp.  I am willing to suffer for my art, to a certain extent.), the awesome Panpastel, and a a BG09 Copic marker my long-time friend Becki so generously sent me!  I love all these materials.  The Inktense comes in woodless blocks - they are going on my wish list for sure!!

I also used my 3 absolute favorite new pens -  Gelly Roll Stardust pens in copper and marina  - OMG awesome!! Smooth!  Super opaque, and SO SPARKLY YOU CAN'T STAND IT.  I want all of them now now NOW!!   And my other new favorite - the Signo Uniball white.  Fabulous.

Thanks again Becki!

Color ID Update

Chuck and I sat down while I was in Jackson Friday night and took another stab at ID'ing the colors as listed on the packaging of my Artist's Loft Pearlesent Watercolor Pan Set.  We made the following executive decisions:

We determined the problem has GOT to be a misprint on the packaging.  There IS NO DARK BLUE, and there NEEDS to be a DARK ORANGE.

A letter of complaint will be composed.

All judges decisions are final.

Messed Up Journal Page that Turned Out Cool

I worked and worked on this one journal page and I just never could like it, so I said screw it and used my fancy EK Success edger punch "diamond flowers" to punch myself some cool borders I can use on something.  I am loving them.  They are bright and happy.  They are on pretty heavy sketchbook paper (>80#, but not sure the weight), and I sort of just want to sit here and feel them. 

Hello, my name is Sonya and I'm a texture junkie.  

As long as that texture is not unfinished wood.  Don't get me started on that.  

 I love the way the teeth on this punch look.  How in the world do these things work?!  It's magic!

PS EK Success pays me nothing to say how great this punch is, but I probably would go ahead and cash the check if they wanted to send me one. 

I need to open an art supply store

Dangit Becki Britt!!!!!!! Now I need ALL THE PANPASTEL colors!!!!!! Thanks for the phthalo blue shade. It is awesome!!!    

Am I color blind?

Ooooh Ohhh! I have so much to write about and share!  Mostly art stuff.  FUN stuff!  Book stuff!  Dog stuff!  I took almost a whole month off at the end of the year, and I finally feel like I have found my way back into my own headspace.  I had plenty PLENTY of time to really nest in my studio.  I got to play.  I watched WAY too many youtube art videos, and I'm obsessed. 

I'm always obsessed with SOMETHING, right?  Art, gardening, and reading obsessions keep me from running the streets and getting in trouble, as they say. 

So yeah I have GRAND plans for this blog for 2014.  We'll see how that goes when I actually get back into the swing of my normal work life, but I'm hoping I can maintain a better balance of work and play. 

For your first assignment with me, I have a test.  During my art supply organization/ purchasing/hoarding over the holidays, I discovered that I really HATE not have things labeled.  Like colors of pens and paints.  I spent hours making a sharpie chart and combing the internet for the names of the colors.  Yeah I know, I may need to up my meds.  Whatever. 

I bought this awesome pearlescent watercolor set at Michael's for $4.99.  Less than $5!!  I figured it was going to SUCK and not actually have any pigment, but surprise - it's great!  AND there is a list of colors on the package.  HOWEVER, the list of colors is in alphabetical order, NOT the order in which the pans are actually situated.  Annoying.

Now, I learned my colors a long, LONG time ago, and I've been able to (properly, I think) identify "yellow" and "silver". But the rest?  Driving me nuts.  So take a look at this, PLEASE!?  Help me match up the colors?  When you take a look at is and start trying to match them up, I think you'll see my frustration. 

And due to my slight neurosis, I can't continue until these are properly labels.  So....GO!

 

Here is it in different light

 

 

Office of Redundancy Office

Also, learn some grammar.  Really, Sun Herald?  This is on your front page today.