Book Review, I haz it!

Legacies (Shadow Grail #1)
A teen befriends four others when the world she knew is flipped upside down after her family dies in a car accident.  While recuperating in the hospital she also finds out that her home has been burned to the ground as well.  She is sent to Oakhurst Academy where she is told she is a Legacy and that means she's a magician.  Her magic hasn't fully manifested like the others but they are able to stop something that has plagued the students of Oakhurst for years.

    I've been looking for a good book for a while and while I've read others, this one makes me want to read more. For me, this was refreshing.  The characters were engaging and the plot fascinating to say the least. From the start I knew something was up in the school that no one was talking about.  And when Spirit and her friends found a compelling clue in the basement I knew something was up even more.  The crew of course ends up saving the day but in a very exciting way.  All in all I just loved this book and can't wait to get my hands on the next!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Le gasp!  A book review!  Yes, I'm doing that now.  I bought a Kindle for class purposes and I couldn't let the opportunity go to waste and not read something other than class work.  I was excited to read this book too because it had one of my favorite authors.  I love how she's dabbled in everything.  

Maybe art to come.  I just haven't been in the mood lately.   Slight art slump because of class.  My silk screens have been giving me hell and there's a possibility that I may have to either buy new ones or get these restretched with new screen material. Restretching is much cheaper and I can ask my teacher to take them for me.  She lives near the place and needs it done as well so it sorta works out. 

I'm tired, a little stressed and sore.  Sore mostly from work.  I need new shoes and inserts because I hurts just to stand for too long in the shoes I have now.  I've worn them that much.  I will be happy to toss them in the trash when the time comes.  Along with my regular shoes as well.  Cracks in the bottoms so water leaks in easily when it rains, the leather is cracked as well and the back are worn as well.  Poor shoes, I'm so hard on them.  They barely last a year sometimes.  

Along with new shoes I just need new clothes period.  I hate spending all that money on clothes but I need a new wardrobe mostly.  I really have maybe 4 pairs of pants that are really comfortable.  So pants are a must and then underthings.  Blah.  

Anyway, on to my pogo games.  Badges are calling my name.

Reviews? Why yes, that is a good idea!

So I've decided the next book I read, after I'm finished I'll post a review.  I'm not going to go back and review the other books that I've read lately because I know I'll mix things up with other books.  I have a habit of mixing plot ideas and what not so it's not a good idea to try and write a review right off the top of my head.

At least I'll have something else to post other than my art that I haven't been posting because I've been unbelievably lazy.  Bad me.

And update sometime soon.  I'm working my way through "My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me."  I love fairy tales and this one has me interested.  So off I go to finish reading this fairy tale collection and possible working on more revamps of some old comic characters.

Fair, Projects, and a Little This and That

So.... haven't written in a while because let's face it, I'm lazy.  That's mostly it.  Soooo I decided I'd write about last night a bit.

Mon County had their county fair last night and Traci and I decided to check it out for a bit.  Let's face it, sometimes we just need to get out of the apartment for a while.  We went out to eat, picked a few things up, and then just headed over.  Five dollars for each of us to get into the door, which wasn't so bad really.  Back from our home county it was twice that and that didn't include concerts or anything.  Went to see some small fair stuff then walked around for a bit.  Saw some fair animals, the goats and miniature horses were adorable, got kissed on the hand by a pig or two (the animals is case anyone's train of thought was going else where) and Traci almost got pecked at by a chicken.  Or rooster..... Not quite sure..... Took a little break to sit and have a snow cone (it was in a cup so really a snow cup but who cares!).  Joked around that if Traci played Bingo they'd probably kick her out of the little tent because she'd win all the time.

Fair fooooood.....  I love the smell of most fair foods.  I adore funnel cakes.  It was decided by both Traci and I that we'd get our own because we don't like sharing foods we haven't had in ages.  While waiting in line we met up and talked to one of the girls Traci works with and her boyfriend and it was quite nice really.  It delayed the nommings of the funnel cakes though because since we touched animals we didn't want to eat the funnel cakes without washing our hands.  We said our goodbyes, grabbed a giant thing of cotton candy and headed home.  Nommed half the funnel cake when we got home and funnel cake cravings were set.  At least for now.

Though I'm not sure if I want to try that again.  I had some of the weirdest dreams last night and this morning which caused me to wake up around 7 something and not be able to go back to sleep.  Poo.  After waking up before 7 everyone morning for a while my body thinks only an extra hour is awesome.  Oh well.....  And of course, worst breakfast food ever.  The rest of the funnel cake that I didn't eat last night.  I'm such a horrible person!  I regret nothing!

Interesting news though.  Traci brought a cat down the stairs yesterday when she got home from work.  I've seen her around and so had Traci and the kitty is rail thin.  Soooo we fed her.  Wolfed it down and began purring at us.  We couldn't help it and bought a small thing of cat food after dinner last night and some flea stuff so we could treat her.  She was here when we got home from the fair and she crunched on some food before trying to get back into the apartment.  Silly thing doesn't know yet that if she runs in again she'll get a full on bath before she's allowed to stay long in here.  No joke.

I worked on a project this week just for myself and to see if I can come up with any other project ideas for my advanced class.  I though of trying to work more with color and so far, this project was fun.  I finished it yesterday and loved how the colors interacted.  Bright, bold and fun.  It's mostly a bunch of curvy and curled lines but it's simple and that's what I wanted.  I'll try to have a picture up soon.

The whole thing was slightly delayed though when I went up Monday and found someone had not only used my screen but tried to cover up the fact that they punched a small hole though it by putting emulsion back onto the screen.   I was not amused.  I think I fixed it and it should hold out for a couple months if I'm easy with it.  It had it's first trial run yesterday and the patch worked perfectly.  But if I find out who ever did that to my screen they will pay me for the damages.  My screen, my stuff, no touchie!  RAWR!

The weather seems to be clouding over now.  Don't know for how long.  Storms are in the forecast and I can kind of feel it in the air.  But we'll see how far that'll go.  And a breakfast other than horribly bad for me fair food would be nice.  Maybe Tudor Biscuit World.... Best biscuits ever!  Drooling over it now.  Can't help it!  But we'll see.  It all depends on what Traci wants.

Pictures of things I've been working on to come up at some point in time.

Work work work....

As an update to everyone I finally did get a job for the last of the summer.  I am officially an member of House Keeping at the the Marriott hotel here in Morgantown WV.  I must say, we seem to be the cleanest hotel here and top rated.  Amazing right?  lol I just don't care honestly.  It's a job so it's more money than I was making which was nothing.  Soooo minimum wage compared to nada so I can't complain too much.  They will probably be depressed that I'm going to leave as soon as school starts but I can't keep this job and go to classes.  I'd only get maybe an hour to two hours a day and that just doesn't work.  Especially when I'd get paid more than 8 something, close to 9  or more when I go back to the cafe.  The only good thing about housekeeping though is the air conditioning.  lol

I've been doodling a bit but not a lot lately.  The heat wave has totally killed me this week especially since I had to walk in it around 10 and 2-4 which is the hottest part of the day of course.  Not too happy about that.

Anyway.... I have had an idea for a story running through my head about witches' familiars and the such.  I thought it would be an interesting change.  I know there is a series out there about familiars already but I'm kind of intrigued by the idea.  I was even thinking of re-purposing a few of my old comic characters into characters of the stories.  The comics would probably still go on as little inbetweens but I'm not completely sure about it all.

I have almost finished two more cards as well!  I just have to cut them out because I haven't done that yet.  But this makes 15 cards if I haven't said it before.  I'm excited.  I can't wait to work on a few more here soon but I'm hitting an art block so it's kind of hard.  Not too happy about it.  Oh well.

Jobless No More!

As of last week I had an interview and was hired for a job starting Tuesday!  I'm pretty excited actually because I haven't had a job yet this summer.  It's not like I hadn't been putting in apps either.  I've put in several of them and all I did was just walk in with this new job and she said come in tomorrow!  I know it's only house keeping at a hotel but it's better than nothing.  I'll be able to actually not have to dip into my savings constantly.  Go me!

I'm 15 cards into my Oracle deck and will probably start posting them here soon.  At least I think I'll want to soon at least.  I'm in love with these cards.  I wish I could get the descriptions done properly because what I have so far isn't going well.

Let's see.... I'm almost done two silk screened cards.  I need the backs of them but I just don't feel like doing them at the moment.

I really need to get started on my idea for a print exchange.  I need to create a landscape and a creature to go with it and start with the ground rules of the exchange.  Possibly look into asking some artists from Deviantart that do prints to create something.  Of course, I'm not keeping it to just prints.  I'm opening it to everyone.

Hm... I also have a slight story idea going on in my head.  I may have to write the ideas down before I forget them.  And I pity many of the comic characters that I've created.  They're going to be in it though it's more serious than I thought to be at first.  More later when I figure more things

Comics and Weirdness

So I do have a comic for you.  Finally after ages.  I've had these done but not on the computer.  And then I had to fix it and color it and yeah.... I'm just making excuses at this rate.  I haven't had a lot of positive energy behind my working lately so that's probably why I don't really have anything.  It happens sometimes and I just loose focus or inspiration.  I have my beautiful muse but she can only tolerate my arty stuff for only so long. lol

I love my comic characters because they just get into so much.

In other news and weirdness I had gone up to the Creative Arts Center to work on a few things and I got what I needed done, done.  Cleaned a few things out of my drawer, excess prints and what not.  Organized a few things and got my screen exposed.  So I got that done.  Seeing as there was nothing else I could do at the moment I headed back.  Between the CAC and my apartment is the PRT station.  If you don't know what it is, goody for you.  It's evil and old and just horrible all over though I depend on it a lot.

And omg, we even have a wiki for it!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgantown_Personal_Rapid_Transit Unbelievable and totally laughable.

Anyway, this isn't about the PRT.  I was walking past the PRT and someone was walking toward me.  I had my fiance's ipod on like I usually do because I don't like to walk without something playing in the background.  Well this person looked like she was going to talk to me or ask me a question so I paused and took my headphones out.

"Who do you think you are for telling them about me?"  *me blinking and looking highly confused* "You had no right to tell them about.  Especially since you are walking around like the prostitute that you are!"  *me looking even more confused, saying nothing and deciding that I'm just going to walk away at this point while putting in my headphones once again and turning up the music to something by Owl City*

She continued the rant and I didn't get it all because let's face it, who'd want to be ranted at like that?  Well, I did turn around when I hit the cross walk and she was waving her coffee mug at me and still ranting at me from all the way back where I left her.

Geez..... I thought I was off but that was just a little too much!  *huffs*  I most certainly am not a prostitute either!

Something Old

So, not a lot new for me to post.  I didn't get one job I was interviewed for but that's not a huge shocker there.  I expected it.  Thanks to anyone who was hoping for me to get it.  I really appreciate it.

Anyway,  a bit of art here and there was done.  I admit, I read fanfiction and enjoy a good bit of it.  I found one on DeviantArt by chance that I found interesting and started doing fan art for.  I couldn't help but be inspired.  So I got two done and a lot of people have liked it.  It boosted my mood a bit so I'm ok with not getting a job.

Now, onto something old.  A comic that I just find amusing. It was for a project for class I had and the theme was Apocalypse. I chose Random Bunny because he's just so much fun to draw. By far he and Tea are my favorite characters. 

Anyway..... RB loves to rant and he is perfect for it.  And when the apocalypse failed his swearing was just fun to come up with!

Yes, be amazed at my poor comic style/coloring.  But it's mine so nyah!

Untitled story Preview

So ages ago I started writing a story inspired by Indigo children mostly.  If you know about Indigo children kudos to you.  For those of you who don't then here it is.  Indigo children are thought to be a generation or generations of children whom have a higher than normal psychic abilities.  Usually they grow out of it but sometimes the abilities stick with them.  I thought of a world where they found children with these abilities and offered them the chance to train and use their abilities for good.  Anyway, it has to title of the such because it is just so hard to think of one that's appropriate because I'm not sure if this will even get finished.

Please, enjoy this snippet. It's just the first chapter but it's still something.

I swear I have stuff!

So, I'm still alive and home for the weekend.  A fabulous three day weekend that is my Birthday.  Joy of joys right?  I'm another year older and yet I don't feel any wiser. lol

I've been working a bit on some art, but not a lot.  I don't seem to feel like working but I know I should push myself to at least do a little here and there.  Whether it be writing or drawing.  Or even reading over a few things to fix mistakes.  Doing something is still doing something.

I did accomplish making a comic the other day and I really kind of want to get it up at some point.  All of them because A lot of people love them.  And I can't help but love Random Bunny.  He's amusing because he can say what I'm thinking and no one really cares.  He's a cartoon!  lol

I've begun to think about maybe posting snippets of an old fiction story that I'd started years ago here.  The only reason I'd do that is maybe it might help me get into finishing it.  I've been no where near it for years and personally I would like to share with a few people to see what comes of it.  And maybe I'd draw a scene or two from the story.  I've gotten better with drawing since then and would like to test it out.  We'll see though.  Nothing is ever really final with me.

Now, back to my book!

A little more art, a little less self esteem....

So, in the past two days I have been working more on some pieces of art.  A critter I sketched out a few days ago while at work that I find completely adorable and posted here earlier.  It is not a lovely burgundy color.

Not so happy with the background I believe but it's mostly likely going to change sometimes in the future.  I'm hoping that I can get as detailed with the rest of the critter like I have around the eye.

I've also been working on my cards as well.  But right now I seem to have hit a slight art slump because I've been so tired.

The past couple of nights I haven't been sleeping well.  Last night I'm sure I saw several points of the clock and I know I was tired at work.  I feel asleep on the couch last night but still couldn't sleep deeply enough in bed.

Yesterday was my interview for a summer job.  I feel like I've completely bombed the blasted thing and maybe the only thing I got right was sending information in for the background check.  And low and behold, it's another kitchen job.  I need to start pushing applications for jobs for the next year seeing as this is coming up on my final year of college.  I'd love to get a position in a job that, I don't know, studied for!  I really need to get into printmaking or just finish my card series and get those published.  That or make it big somehow with art.

This is the time I wish I could animate or something.

Have I done anything?

Why no..... I honestly don't think I've done a lot art wise.  Not even  much of much and that's partly because I've just felt drained it seems.  Last night I didn't sleep to well but I feel creative, unfortunately for me I've started drawing but I can't seem to finish them.  I haven't had time to go to the studio either because of work.  By the time I'm done I don't have time to go up there to do any printing and I'm kinda missing it.  I know I have a Yudu (a whole huge story as to why I'm not to fond of using that tool some time in the future) but it's not really the same and I feel I've wasted a hundred dollars on something I think I've used..... what..... three times?

Anyway..... back to what I may or may not have done creatively.  I have finished another set of gloves.  The blush gloves are done, but I started the moss gloves and have one done.  That's actually exciting because that means I'm on my way to finishing gloves!  And possibly selling them soon.  A little extra is always nice.  I'm just depressed because I have not figured out how to stagger colors, like zigzags in my knitting yet.  I'm such a looooser. lol

I need to work on cards, I've got three or four actually set up.  They're sketched out but not fully put on the cards but for two.  The phoenix I may work on more tonight because it's kinda calling me at the moment.

Anyway, I'm kind of nervous at the moment because I have a job interview tomorrow at the hospital across the street from my apartment.  I'm not completely sure how it will go across because I have no clue what to expect from this interview or the job.  I know it's a dietary job just I don't know if I'll be just filling trays of food or actually taking the trays to the rooms or something.  Totally nervous.  But I'm going to try my best.  I need something to help keep me surviving this summer.  What I'm making for seven days of work at the cafe just isn't going to cut it.

Gloves!

I have been working on a set of gloves I have dubbed the Blush fingerless glove series.  Go knitting!  lol Anyway.... I've only just begun to finish them.  I'm on my last set of the gloves and I'm adding a bit more than normal of the other gloves.  I gave them slots for fingers instead of just the plain opening at the top and I'm hoping I can get the bottom to be a bit more snug.  But I don't know if the bottom will work out.  It's hard to get your hand into them with the bottom so I'll have to play around a bit more.

I'm excited to have them almost finished.  I wanted to start on another set of gloves but I wouldn't let myself do that until I'd finished the ones I started.  At least I'm using my stash up.  I'll try to have a picture of the whole blush set soon.  I don't have an awesome camera like my fiance does.  Soooo, no pictures yet.

And for any of you wondering out there.  I do plan on selling these.  I'm building a small foundation of stuff to sell on Etsy soon.  I have plarn (yarn made from plastic bags, yeah, crazy I know!), it's all brown but I plan on making white soon.  And these gloves.  I need more items and hope to work on it soon but at least everyone knows now that I have more than drawing under my thumb!  I've got knitting!

Sketchies!

So, I finally found some time to actually sketch a bit.  Not with my Bamboo tablet, but that I don't care about because let's face it, everyone needs a little time with just a pencil and paper.  I love my little tablet but I felt good with a pencil in my hand finally.

It was break time for me at work and I had fifteen to twenty minutes and came up with two basics sketches for my line of oracle cards I've been working on for a while.  I can't wait to really start in on them because I'm working on the Phoenix now and have the hourglass started.  With these two last sketches I'll have the Sword master and the key.  I have a long way to go before I really finish any of these.  And no peekies at them until I'm further along and my fantastic girlfriend has helped me with decisions.  I also like to have a silk screened print done as well before I decide to post them.  Sorry folks.

The second sketch of mine is a little odd sketch that was done in my usual type way.  I just created a little creature that I feel in love with.  Fuzzy and cute.  Gonna love those two details till the end.  I plan on trying to do the outlining with the bamboo sometime soon to try and give it color because I know that I'll feel it needs more.  That and I would ink it on the paper but that paper wasn't the best sooooo computer is better at the moment.

  I think it's cute.  I hope I'm not the only one....