Card for Granddaugher

Here is a card I just finished making for my grand daughter who will be 3 soon :)

I like brighter colors so keeping it pastel was a good change for me.

It is colored with ShinHan Touch markers, which blend beautifully - just as good as Copics! I am very happy with them.

Hair:

107 Sand

96 Mahogany

101 Yellow Ochre

134 Raw Silk

Skin:

26 Pastel Peach

133 Baby Skin Pink

109 Pearl White

Jumper - has an antique or ivory base under the blue, giving it an antiqued aged look:

144 Pale Baby Blue

109 Pearl White

185 Pale Blue Light

134 Raw Silk

Balloon:

44 Fresh Green

141 Buttercup Yellow

37 Pastel Yellow

35 Lemon Yellow

Cut on Cricut with Penny Duncan SVG's and emblished with Stickles and ribbon.

I think it turned out pretty cute! But not as cute as my granddauther :)

BCG Sketch - Haha!

Artistic Interpretation Quick Sketch of Son with BCG's
(ShinHan Twin Touch markers on Bienfang
marker paper)

BCG's blacked out

My son is in boot camp at Ft. Knox. Everyone had their eyes tested and everyone who needs glasses had their personal glasses taken away and military glasses issued. My son sent me a photo of himself with his new glasses on.

..........I thought it was a joke until he sent a picture of the order for his glasses.................

They call them BCG's - short for "Birth Control Glasses" and that is a fitting name for them.

My son won't let me post the picture he sent because he is looking most uncool in his BCG's so I made a quick sketch of him last night - so I'm posting that. I've been laughing about those glasses for the last day.

So here it is, a quick sketch using ShinHan Twin Touch markers on Bienfang marker paper, which is really thin and I'm not so crazy about it because I'm used to bristol board. My son is blonde/blue eyed - I don't have the right skintone colors so my drawing makes me laugh also :)

And yes, the glasses give him a googly-eyed look - I'm still laughing!!!!!!!

Busy, busy, busy!

It's been very busy the last week or so. I spent a few days in Anchorage with my son before he headed off to boot camp. Always emotional when kids grow up and leave the state. But he will do great and this is a good step for is future.

I got home and was trying to have a relaxing day when my daughter called from Hawaii to tell me about a dangerous felon who escaped from the pretrial a few miles away and to lock my doors...I hadn't heard anything about it. But I wasn't too worried.

My husband came home for lunch as ususal, then back to work. An hour or so later I get a call from him saying "don't worry but I got hurt at work and busted up my hand and they caught the escaped felon and he is in the bed next to me covered with lacerations and they are trying to stitch him up and there are cops all over the place!".......hmm...way to change the topic away from HIM!

I get us back on topic and he says he will be released soon so don't come to the hospital, he's going back to work. He came hope early because his hand is broking. He is right handed and he has a very physical job and he is an ARTIST. He was told to follow up with the ortho dr. I called them the next morning and they were talking about surgery..huh? No one mentioned that to me. A detail my husband left out.

So we get into the dr and his hand is very broken, surgery is required. Bones in the palm of his had broken in 3 places and pushed down towards the wrist, too far apart from each other to even heal up, and they as all very sharp spikey twisting breaks. 4 hr surgery - yes, 4 hours, no including prep and recovery. They found some additional breaks in there which didn't show on the xrays. Plates in his had and pins in his finger.

But he is pretty tough and he will heal up fine.

I was sent some wonderful marker papers from some ladies on Split Coast Stampers. These papers are expensive and I can't find them here in Alaska and wanted to try some samples before laying out the cash on the paper and postage as well, postage just might be as much or more than the papers...one disadvantage of living in Alaska.

I am going to see how my ShinHan Twin Touch markers do on these speciality papers compared to what I have been using - I love playing with my markers! ShinHan also has some really interesting acrylic paints I would love to get my hands on called PASS. They can be used like watercolor as well as acrylic. But I can't find any here in America. :(

I also ordered some Derwent Inktense pencils yesterday and am really exited to get them. They look like a ton of fun and very vibrant instead of a wash like watercolors. I love color!

Well, enough for now, gotta go play with markers and papers :)

Homemade Diary for my Shinhan Twin Touch Markers

I made a mini diary album for to keep a record for all my "marker mixes" - which colors to use for hair, skin, jeans, boots, trees, etc. I generally use 3 or more colors when blending. It is just easier to keep a record instead of figuring it out every time - although that does create some pretty neat discoveries.

The photos loaded backwards, from open to the front cover! I haven't decorated the cover yet but it is a cute, sturdy little book. I used glossy Collage Pauge and it is a strong seal and hold up very well.

Happy New Year! May 2011 be the best EVER!

Love my Shinhan Twin Touch Markers

I have been doodling a bit with my Twin Touch alcohol markers. They are great, colors are transparent so they can be blended together. Colors are vibrant and they are much more reasonably priced than Copics but on the same quality level, in my opinion.

Black hair seems to be the most difficult so I have been practicing and I am happy with how this girl turned out. I love the vibrant colors so I made a calendar with the verse Eze 34:26.

Random Creations

Cool Studio 3 Color Cubbie give away @ Wee Memories

Great giveway http://suchins.blogspot.com/. I could really use this to control my marker madness mess! :)

Couple more cards

This card is much prettier in person. The mountain is hand cut, the trees are cut on the Cricut. I used my Shinhan Twin Touch markers, a Copic marker and an old Design alcohol marker (very smelly - ick) to color the trees, mountain, shadow the snow and also the starry background paper was the wrong color, a middy light blue. Did work well so I colored it with a Touch marker and now it's just right! I love my Shinhan Touch markers, no odor, affordable, beautiful colors, high quality and very blendable. I used pop up adhesives so this card is dimensional and the sparkly snow is white glittered embossing.

This is Pioneer Peak, the mountain behind my house. Love it :)

This easel card is colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. The headband and flowers are glittered with Stickles and the girl is an Anya from The Greeting Farm

Had a huge windstorm...2 days of banging, crashing, howling winds. Blew all the snow away! I am making cards as my creative outlet.

I got my field project into Cornell University and am waiting for the instructors response, then a week to make any corrections or to prove my position. Then I am officially certified through Cornell University for SSI/SSDI Benefits Analysis and Work Incentive Planning! But..

It's not the end. I will have to go out of state to attend Virginia Commonwealth University's 4 day training with 1 year follow up. This will allow me to get paid directly from SSA for doing the SSI/SSDI benefit analysis. With Cornell, the client will have to pay out of their pocket or find another agency to pay for my services, which aren't cheap.

I will have to go to Phoenix. Please pray that my body strengthens so I can make the trip easily. :)

It's almost Christmas! Yay!

Been Busy!

I've been doing pretty good :0

I started taking online classes from Cornell University (yes, THAT CORNELL). It has been great to be busy again and have a goal to go for. I have just one more webinar class then I have my final and move to the field project part of the course. Once I get done with that, I will have my certification from Cornell :) Then I can get going in my new career (CWIC).
I may have to take a short 4 day training through Virginia Commonweath University but that will just be a formality. VCU has the contract with Soc Sec Admin so if I get a cert from them then SSA will pay my fee to do benefit analysis for SSA recipients.

Weather has been warm here, especially for October. It is getting dark though.

I hope everyone is doing well :) Life is coming back! I expect to be back on the bike fairly soon, but on the trainer since winter is approaching

:)

Hmm..Where has the Summer Gone To?

I'm still around, better than I was last time I posted but not yet where I want to be. 2 neurologist say they don't think the dizziness is from MS. I've had my eyes checked, every blood test out there, seen eye doctor, physical therapy, ear doctor, had ultrasounds on my heart and carotid arteries and they all show I am super healthy!! Which is great...but I still have dizziness and feel like passing out sometimes.

Right now I'm on a 30 day heart monitor to see if my heart has an abnormal rhythm. I'd be suprised if this is the cause but sometimes the monitor starts doing this beeping thing. I don't know why, I've never felt what I would consider abnormal heartbeats.

If this doesn't turn up anything, then my dr. wants me to go out of state to a university hospital like Mayo clinic or something. I'm wondering if it is my ear, I have artifical stapes bones in my ears and wonder if one has moved out of place or something.

So there it all is.

I have a great opportunity for a new job though, since I'm no longer working for Public Assistance. I would contract with the state and make about $70 per hour. :) And be my own boss! Oh yeah!

Summers are short in Alaska and we haven't had much fun this year because of what is going on with me, my dad was seriously ill and my husband is working 10 hour days, 6 days a week.

We are seriously lacking in the fun department!

Prayer

Been fighting an MS attack, haven't worked in awhile. Pray for full healing and recovery!

Update

It's been a very nice summer, weather-wise. One of the best in years. Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling good for awhile. Really started impacting my life.

So I finally went to the doctor. Yep, finally. I was just hoping I would start feeling better but didn't.

I am having surgery on 9/11 and hopefully will be feeling MUCH better after I recover. Thumbs up and pray for the best! I really, really HATE being put under and how it feels waking up. I'm not looking forward to that. I will be out of work for around 4 weeks, which is a bummer because I've been missing a lot of work due to feeling bad so I don't have any leave time left. Leave without pay. But that's just how it goes sometimes.

My son graduated from the Military Youth Academy last week!!! He's enlisted in the Air Force and we are just waiting to find out which job he will get and when he will leave for basic. His top choices are Aerospace maintenance (part of the onboard flight crew), Aerospace propultion (he wants the fighter jets) and even put down security forces (MP?). I was told that if he puts down security forces, he will get security forces because not many recruits want that job. I hope he gets the aerospace jobs.

Here's a picture of him from his Drill and Ceremony competition. He looks pretty tough!

I'm very proud of him!

My Kid is Joining the Air Force

His lowest score on the ASVAB or whatever was a 75, his highest was a 98. He started out wanting to do special ops - intellegence, spy, behind enemy lines, freaky stuff. But he's now leaning towards something in the mechanical field, which is what he scored 98 in, they were talking to him about working on spy satellites. Keeping with the spy realm.

He's a super smart kid who's finally realizing just how smart he is. He's stepped up his game and has taking all advanced classes in school, which he never wanted to do before because he didn't want to work that hard - yeah, drove me nuts.

Now he's deciding what his future career will be.

Time to cut the apron strings!

I'm going to miss him. :(

New Friend - Michael Fatali

After hiking around Zion, we visited a gallery and met an awesome photographer, Michael Fatali and his wife.

We got to chatting and invited him and his wife to come up to Alaska and we will take them out to our cabin where he can photograph the northern lights or whatever catches his eye.

None of his photos are enhanced in any way, not with filters or darkroom/lab manipulations. What you see is how it was a the moment. Which means he may have to wait a long time, exposed to the elements, before getting the perfect shot.

Take a moment to check out his work, you won't be diappointed!

http://www.fatali.com/

Flat Tire, Fat Tire and Vacation

I have been riding to work regularly, it's been nice. The weather has been better this May than it was the entire last summer! I hope it sticks around.

I got a flat tire on my ride to work. It was not the best way to start the day. I ended up totally ruining the tube, because I rode on the flat for a distance. I went to the bike shop to get a new tube and asked the Bike guy to have it installed by the end of the day, because I had to get back to work and didn't have time to do it myself and it takes him a fraction of the time it takes me to change road tires. So I walked back to the shop after work and the tire was still there, flat as a pancake. Bike guy was busy so I ended up doing it myself anyway. It's that crazy time of year for the Bike guy so I can't blame him, I was just hoping...

We recently picked up some sea kayaks!! :) I also finally got a 4 wheeler, now I don't have to be the passenger anymore! But we will continue to be careful not damaging trails.

We went on vacation for the last 2 weeks, a few days in Vegas (smells like sewer and cigerettes - yuck - too loud, hot and crowded), Utah (Zion and Bryce - loved it!) around the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and back to Vegas. We were supposed to go canyoneering in the slots and hike the Narrows but because of unusually rain the risk of flash floods cancelled our plans. That was really disappointing. A few photos from Zion. Loved it! I think I could live in Utah. Drank lots of Fat Tire and the local brews, that was fun to try the different brews.

I Rode

In the rain today

And it was good!

Lots has been going on. I'm going to try an post more often.

We didn't make it to the cabin over spring break because I couldn't get the time off so we did a couple super quick weekend trips. The final trip the weather was just amazing and the temps were so warm we were peeling off layers of clothing while sitting on the lake ice fishing. It was really nice. The eagles are back for the summer.

The weather here has been spectalular, already warmer this spring that it was the entire last summer. Things are not yet green here, though and with the warmth and sunshine comes dry conditions.

Our neighbor decided to burn his lawn last Friday. Capt'n Balance and I had the day off and I was sitting on the deck soaking up the sun while he was talking to a friend. I pointed out to the guys that it looked like the neighbor's fire was getting too big for him to control. The guys said "naw" and kept on talking. Then I told them the fire crossed the fence and was now in our hayfield. No big deal, said the guys. The neighbor had his hose on it.

The friend left and I told the Capt'n the fire WAS OUT OF CONTROL! FINALLY he took a look and sure enough, he's running for anything he can grab to put it out. Well, there wasn't anything to grab because we have no water over there, we hook up irrigation pipes to a well across the road when we need to water it, which hasn't been for a few years. SOOOO, we towels and buckets. Wet the towels and of course the few gallons of water in the buckets does basically nothing.

The wind picks up and the fire gets BIG and moves FAST. It starts heading towards the log pile, my folks 5th wheel RV and the BARN! My house is attached to the barn. The barn was built in the 40's and has old grain and hay everywhere. Fire gets there and it will be a total loss. We call 911 and keep beating on the flames. My dog follows me as I run back to the neighbor who is standing on his side of the fence still, holding his hose. I rewet my towel and realize my dog is following me. I start running back to the leading edge of the flames and the wind kicks up and blows the fire right at my dog and I. My dog freaks and starts running away, but deeper into the field which is on fire. He is surrounded on 3 sides, I'm running to him and calling him to do a 180 and come back the way he came, then we would be fine but he was stepping on flames and freaked so bad he wouldn't listen to me. I got about 20 feet away and he finally bolted straight ahead through a wall of flames, but past the fire and clear of the fire. He's paws are burned though and he's hurting. He will be OK, we think. We have a vet coming to look at them. We couldn't tell how burned he was until yesterday, burns tend to show the extent of their damage a few days down the road.

So now the dog is out of danger, I'm sucking smoke and feeling heat, my face is a little scortched.

The wind changed again and the fire is now on a rampage towards the barn. Division of Forestry trucks start to arrive but they go down the neighbor's road instead of our driveway and the first truck gets stuck in muck and the other trucks can't get to the fire because of the fence. The fire is MINUTES from torching the RV and the barn! I'm screaming at the forestry guys, telling them where to go. I start running to the road, which is over a half mile away from the fire, my lungs are full of smoke and I'm not in a good place mentally. I start waving my towel and FINALLY guide a truck to my driveway and around the barn to the fire. They go right to the leading edge which is heading towards the barn and start up the pump in the back of their truck. They only have 75 to 150 gallons in these trucks.....soon they are out of water but they have stopped the fire from heading towards the barn and then a real fire truck shows and refills the Forestry trucks. We had about 8 forestry trucks and the fire tanker and they finally put it all out. Then they start their investigation and they talking to us...they think WE started the fire and let it get out of control. I set them straight immediately. Our neighbor felt very bad and apologized. If there had to be a fire, it worked out OK because if it went any other direction it WOULD have burned down 3 homes.

The fire was about 50 ft away from the rv/barn. Too close for comfort. I have to say, when they Foresty guys went down the wrong road, I really thought my home was a loss. The fire was soo big, so close, it was a horrible feeling.

But all's well that ends well. We have rain today and it's making things green up and that burn will grow back greener and healthier than the unburned hay.

These were taken about a half hour after the Forestry guys showed up and took over. I was covered with soot and almost sick from breathing smoke. My throat felt like it was on fire.

Not quite ready to Ride

Just when I think the weather will cooperate, we get snow. So I haven't gotten to ride to work yet. I haven't gotten my new tires on my commuter bike yet but I would have to ride my winter bike anyway because there is still ice everywhere in the mornings.

My son-on-law is in the Air Force and they are stationed in Mississippi until he finishes up with his schooling, then they will be stationed in HAWAII!!! Needless to say, I'm stoked! I have never been to Hawaii but I plan on going there at least 2x per year after they get settled in about 8 months. WooHoo!

Work bites, that is what has been taking up a lot of my free time. I didn't even get to go to the cabin over spring break because of work. GRRR. The economy is making more people eligible for welfare, employees are quitting, there is a hiring freeze so we are in a really tight spot. The heads are thinking of manditory overtime but I keep telling them it will backfire. No one is accepting the voluntary overtime that is being offered because they are burned out. Forcing people to give up their down time and family time is NOT going to help. Ut will make morale fall even lower and the accuracty rate will continue to decline because it all becames harder when one is tire, unhappy and burned out. Personally, I will not be doing manditory overtime because my family and sanity is more important than this job. They need to do the right thing and open up the positions for hire.

I was going to climb the Butte today but me and the hubby went into Anchorage and scored 2 17ft sea kayaks off Craigslist!!!!!!!! We got a sweet deal!!!!!!

My son and nephew climbed the Butte a couple weeks ago and got some great pictures. It's a small little butte but offers great views!

The Edge of Daylight!

The sun is coming BACK!!!!! The snow is MELTING!!! It's almost time to RIDE to work!

Still too dark in the mornings but in the next week or 2 it should be good to go!!!

I have people lining up who want me to work on their bikes but I don't want to commit because my spare time is more sparse than it used to be.

Warm weather is on it's way! Lets hope for a warmer summer than last year.