A to Z Drawing Challenge

Sandy over at Sketches and Messes 2nd Time Around blog issued a friendly challenge - no time limit - doing a little sketch, doodle, drawing, etc...from Ato Z.

I had some down time this morning at work, and found myself doodling. I'll most likely add color later on.

Recycled Watercolor Container

Lately, I've been journaling on the go - mostly sitting at the Kiss and Ride line outside of my son's school. I keep a tin, filled with my watercolors and my Aqua brush (which has become my most indispensable tool). Also, do you recognize what those white pads are in the cellophane? MAKE UP/FOUNDATION squares!! PERFECT for adding edging, backgrounds, etc... and much cheaper than buying the pads from stamp suppliers (sorry retailers, but I'm always looking to save money!)



The tin shown used have cookies inside!! Its the perfect size to hold all my watercolors and my Aqua brush.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish everyone a safe journey - even if you are staying home and just running to the store ... be safe!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Dream In Color Journal

November has been a rough month, I've been sick with the flu for almost the entire month. I didn't feel like doing much of anything, so I started a new journal - most of which is done sitting in the Kiss and Ride line waiting for my son to get out of school.


I used H20 Luminare watercolors, Derwent color pencils and Prismacolor markers. In between doodles, I spritzed my pages with Spectra Fix - a fixative for pencil, watercolor and pastels. What is great about Spectra Fix, is that it isn't in an aerosol can - it comes in a pump bottle.

Some of the lettering is from an old pack of Anna Griffin scrapbook stuff ... and I also used some rub-ons from Fancy Pants that I received from the now defunct Scrap Goods club.

A Question For All The Teachers Out There .....

... do you REALLY like the teacher gifts that your students/we parents give you?

I pose this question, because "Tis the Season to Start Teacher Giving" ... but I hesitate these days because of a small but pointed web exchange I read last year on one of my web lists.

Basically - the teachers hated the gifts.

I read the comments, first wryly ... because yeah, I can understand only being able to do so much with 25 Apple note card sets or mugs ... then sadly, because I know how much fun my son has picking out gifts for his teachers ... then I got angry, because I know how much fun my son has picking out gifts for his teachers.

I began noticing the PTA letters that came home, asking parents to forgo the "cutesy gifts" and send cash or gift cards for the teachers. Cash??? Okay - this irked me because while I understand teachers aren't paid much, that this cash comes in handy - is this REALLY what I tell my son? "No sweetie, we aren't making cookies this year and that hand painted mug - your teacher gets tons of those ... we're gonna give her money"

So ... I'm asking the teachers out there ... and please - be honest - are you sick and tired of the mugs, the pencils, the notepads (grin) ... is it really cold hard cash that you want?

..now, I have my own idea of what my son and I are giving from now on, and I'll post a pic of it soon .,.. but in the meantime ...

Let me know.

Back In The Swing Of Things

Wow ... has it really been 2 months since I have posted?? EEK!!! So sorry for the lapse .. but after the summer, work blindsided me .. then the FLU blindsided me. I feel as if I am slowly lifting from a fog. I still have a lingering cough - and my ears are clogged ( SO ANNOYING ) ... but I am slowly feeling back to normal.

The road trip to Florida was fun - though I think I will have to return to Orlando and spend at least a week at Disney Land. Next year, its back across country!! My son and my sister will be joining me again for our bi-annual road trip and this time we will be driving to Vegas and Disney World in California. I'm already planning for it, as 8 months will fly by!!

Here are some pics of our summer adventures:


Summer 2009_Florida and North Carolina