Artsy You

New Blog

2015-02-02T15:40:00.001-05:00

I have decided, after a lot of deliberation, to start a new blog for my new projects.

With all the changes that have been happening in my life in the past year I figured a fresh start would be best.

Here is the new site if you want to come and join me: http://sgeeky.blogspot.ca/

Hope you are all well!
Keep on Creating
Angie

Photography Business

2014-05-26T21:22:00.002-04:00

Hey everybody,

So I haven't been around (as two little ones tend to keep be pretty busy) but I'm trying to set up a home business... Yup I'm another photography mom! The difference is I have a fascination with different things as well, including Cosplay Photography and Staged Photography, as well as costume creation. So hopefully that will have some more of my art and costuming on it as well.

What this means... well in time I will have a site up. At that time this blog may change it's name, or no longer be running (which I will then link to the new one :) ) also it'll mean that soon I will be getting a lovely watermark for all my images. WOOT!

Until then I'll keep you all posted, but here's an image I took at a recent maternity shoot.

So soon I should be on again, until then keep creating.

Angie

A YEAR .... OMG

2013-11-13T15:33:00.000-05:00

So life's been a little nuts!

It's been a year since I've last posted and there are a lot of good reasons... a job, a new life, a move and insanity LOL.

We have welcomed a new baby into our family on August 29th. Her name is Ivy and my oldest (now 2 and a half) is a big sister.

Photo done by my awesome friend Joy :)

So I've put a lot of my crafts, art and work on hold... but that will all be changing in the new year. We are getting into full swing on costume creation for Fan Expo in August. I have 4 costumes plus my own to make... 3 for friends and my husband... I may have others added to the list.

In the year of searching for what I want to do in my life my husband has suggested me taking a fashion course. So we are going on Saturday to look at the facilities for the Fashion Design course at Fanshaw College.

Being we have recently moved I am now a lot closer to London Ontario so going there is no biggy on the traveling.

So welcome back if you just came back due to this post.
And I hope that the past year has been awesomely amazing for all of you.

I am hoping that this is a start of something amazing, and that I'll actually keep posting.
Your comments and stories would be awesome motivation for me to continue, being I've realized I need a community to keep me positive.

Thanks for being Awesome!
Angie

Geeking Out with Anticipation...

2012-11-06T13:48:00.002-05:00

So Halloween is over and I totally flaked out and didn't do much.

Me, Monkey and My husband!

We went out and dressed up (kinda) and even took a monkey to her first trick or treating. But other than that we didn't do too much.

Violet and Daddy Trick or Treating at the Mall.

We also had a lovely dinner out on Monday (Oct 29th) for our 2 year anniversary. Violet accidentally (and Daddy didn't notice) wore home a daycare dress and refused to take it off so we let her wear it out. Some things are just not worth fighting.... and it wasn't like she wasn't looking adorable!

So now that we are done the extravaganza of Halloween... and I'm still dreading the shopping involved with Christmas... I've decided to start preparing for the Awesomeness that is Fan Expo next year. (Yes I know it's in August but you have to start early if you are making costumes.... and it's fun... so pffftttt :P )

I have decided so far to make 2 Costumes... possibly 3. We have Thursday evening (which I may not dress up for), Friday all day, Saturday all day, and possibly Sunday.

For Friday or Saturday (we haven't solidified which day we are planning on the group costume) my friends and I are planning on being Evil Disney Princesses. We are going to loosely (being I am altering mine quite a bit) on the images by Jeff Thomas. I am planning on being Evil Snow White.... but instead of having Rabid Dwarves as seen below....

I am planning on making shrunken Dwarf heads to hang on my belt... I know, twisted right? (I will post my progress on those once they get started) I'm also planning on gothing the outfit a little more. I'll post sketches once I figure out exactly what and how I want it too look... I'm still having the debate whether to wear a corset or just a fitted shirt... Decisions, Decisions!

I have been planning on two other outfits... My opinion on Cosplay is if you wear a fancy and maybe uncomfortable costume one day you need the next days to be more comfortable.

One option is Kotoko... I have semi dressed like her in a past halloween but I plan on doing more exact a job this time. If I wear this it will probably be on the Sunday being it would be comfortable to drive home in it...

Kotoko from Chobits

The other option, which will probably be a definite go for on the Saturday or Friday we aren't doing the Princesses is Tira from Soul Calibur 5...

I'm hoping to figure out how to make the weapon, I think a hula hoop but I'm not totally sure... may have to google that. (Unless anyone else has some ideas they can send me) She's a little skimpier than I usually go but I figure I can make it slightly (as in not using a string across the nipples) more appropriate. But she's my favorite character for Soul Calibur and this would be the second incarnation of her I'll be trying, last time was good but hopefully this time will be AWESOME.

Now I need to get my pencil and sketch pad out and start figuring out the costumes so that I can buy material and build the things I need (and do them better than the half a$$ I usually manage for Halloween with running out of time).

I would love to here if you have other suggestions, or what you may be being... or if you are coming to Fan Expo if you would like to join us in a mass Evil Disney Princess Cosplay let me know (ATM we have Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Wendy).

Until Next Time
Keep Creating!
Angie

Getting ready for Halloween...

2012-10-25T11:03:00.001-04:00

So Halloween is upon us and I've been a total slacker this year... to the point of actually buying my daughter a pre-made costume instead of making one (Bad Mom!). Next year hopefully my motivation will be higher but until then slacker mom for the win. I have at least bought 3 pumpkins for my door, racked up leaves and got some caution tape to decorate with. Hopefully my house will be more hallo-weeny by next week.

Until then, and until I get motivated to do any of my pictures or art work I have planned... watch a cute show:

I hope you like it, I think it's fun (If it doesn't work let me know and I'll try and re-embed it.

Until Next Time.
Angie

Getting Setup

2012-10-17T16:10:00.002-04:00

Oky, So I have my new computer all set up. CHECK
I have my drafting table CHECK

Now I'm just in need to two critical things to get going.... One is some way to organize all my stuff (I'm thinking drawers or bins or something) and the other is TIME.

Time is the main issue.... When I have a few moments I have the bad thing of playing Guild Wars 2 (I'm only LVL 10, but I'll get there) or watching shows at Geek and Sundry.

My favorite show's Table Top and I love getting caught up on it (But as a mom I am now a month behind... BAD MOM!)

I have to say I love Table Top so much that a few friends and I have bought some (most) of the games and keep trying the newest ones we watch.

Small world is one that after watching I ran out and bought... we've played it a few times and have had a blast each time!!

Oky, I admit, part of my love for table top is the fact that Wil Wheaton is part of it and I find him awesome! But other than that it has definitely resulted in me not putting aside my time to do art or get started on anything else... I think it's time well wasted.

Well, that's my little update.
Still planning on posting picks from Fan Expo and other monkey related stuff.

Until Next Time.
Angie

The new years starts in September.

2012-09-21T16:32:00.000-04:00

Oky, so it seems that I am going to be mostly a monthly blogger. Although I would like to post more (and maybe I'll be able to get on more of a spurt soon) I seem to resign to posting at least once a month.

That being said the past month has been pretty good.

I am a big believer in the year starting in September. Maybe it's because with school that was how you counted the year (based on start and finish) but it really does seem to be true. I tend to start my biggest projects in September, it's like a fresh start and everything's a go!

The end of August went out with a Bang.... With the accumulation of my excitement for Fan Expo we had a total BLAST!!!

Here's a pic of me (I'm Wolvey) and the lovely ladies at the Expo.

I'm hoping to have a bigger post done with more pictures soon being I have quite a few on my camera.

Other new thing... I'm starting to work out. I'm a total slacker at times (I'm terrible at homework) but all in all I'm doing fairly well. Hopefully by next year I'll have the muscle tone to pull off more comic looks a bit sharper. Heck, I already have a list of things I want to build for next year (including some friends costumes).

I have actually started setting up my art room... WOOT!! So far I have my new computer (which I have to actually turn on sometime) and a few shelves. Still need some ideas for my insanity of art supplies, but that will come in time.

So until next time... which hopefully will consist of a bunch of pics....
Keep Creating!
Angie

COS - I wanna - Play!

2012-08-10T15:36:00.001-04:00

Fan expo is only 2 WEEKS AWAY.... ZOMG BBQ!!!

SITE HERE!

I can't believe how quickly time goes when you're anticipating something.

I know I haven't been all that great posting lately but part of me getting back into the whole blogging was that I wasn't going to force myself to create content for the sake of content.

I also have been pretty busy with life and work and so, blogging takes a back seat to those.
If you follow my twitter you will see that I am still alive and kicking!

So in my excitement at the expo I've been preparing, planning and anticipating the CosPlay and costuming that will be associated with the convention. And am seriously considering starting to dress up more elaborately in future years.

I have been looking through a lot of cosplay images from non other than SanDiego Comicon. and have truly enjoyed the effort of love some people put into their costumes.

I have also recently fell in love with this site:

SITE HERE!

It is for all you geeky (whether comic, gaming or other) people can find all that you need to be fashionable... plus AWESOME images of cosplays like this:

LINK!!!

Ain't it cool???? I think this is pretty awesome, and would love to be able to create something this awesome!

So, I will gather more material and inspiration, as well as start getting my workspace in order (I think I may have found a desk... now to buy it and start the set up process!!! BOOYAH!)

So for those of you going to the Expo who aren't my friends! I hope you have a blast and send me a message, maybe we can meet up!
For those who are my friends.... "LETS GET OUT GEEK ON!"

Keep Creating!
Angie

Inky Comics...

2012-07-24T16:27:00.000-04:00

So, I've started to draw again. It has been years since I've truly sat down and drew something for myself... but it's actually managed to happen. (Although most of the time is during my lunch or slow days while on the phone at my job)

Pretty Pic of the X-Men from Marvel

Last week I showed you a quick pic of a female "Wolverine" drawing I created.... I haven't had a chance to actually scan it at home but hopefully once I do I will manage to put it up.

In working on the image I have realized that I miss doing comic related art. So I've started a new pic (the rough outlines are below). Being my friends and I are planning on going to Fan Expo as Gender Swapped Marvel Characters... seemingly mostly variations of the Avengers (being that is the comic most of them have watched... le sigh...) I decided to draw a variation of Wolverine fighting Iron Man.... but it's a female Wolvy and a Female - Steam Punk Iron Man (Thanks to an AWESOME idea by my friend Ang)

Here's a rough sketch of the image... it's now in the process of being inked....

In inking my images... which currently is done with a ball point pen and nothing fancy. I decided to check out how the professionals Ink and Colour their comic images and came across this....

INKING BOOK Free (No Pics)

Inking Book, Actually purchasable from Amazon with Pretty Pictures and All

It's actually pretty interesting! It doesn't have any of the pictures he is discussing but it is very informative on the actual process and descriptions of inking a comic.

I'm now looking at continuing my experiments in drawing and inking (something I used to do a lot in highschool). I've noticed I've really missed it, I think in part I miss being a comic geek... being it's hard to afford a comic habit (especially being X-Men have been my favorites since my preteen's). Comic art is one of those few things that merge the geek and the artist together....

I've been thinking if I continue the Comic Art, which often turns into Costume Creation, and maybe add my love of Collage, Photography and Comic-like art together, I may have something truely unique....

Now I REALLY need to get my space together so I can start truly thinking and planning and especially CREATING!!!!

Until Next Time
Angie :)

Wolverine as a girl!

2012-07-18T15:55:00.000-04:00

So Fan Expo is coming up in about a month... if you haven't realized this by now then you haven't been reading this blog close enough... :)

As I discussed last post, I'm seriously planning on being a female version of Wolverine for the Saturday (being I won't be as rushed, nor will I need to drive.... driving with Claws is a No-No LOL).

So as I tend to do, I drew a picture of a female wolverine in the way I was debating on portraying him/her.

This is a regular thing I tend to do. I will draw multiple versions of a haircut before going and getting it done. I will draw multiple versions of a costume before making it.... (Don't mind the pics, they were all taken with my phone at my desk... If I get a chance I'll scan the final image for better quality)

Final Drawing: Female version of Wolverine!

So I've never professed at being the absolute best drawer in the world, but I have been drawing comic characters on and off for 15 odd years. I have recently acknowledged that I really like the comic style body with a little bit of anime-ish facial features thrown in.

Below are the steps it took to draw this. This drawing was a doodle over 2 days at work (yeah, I have my slow moments just like everyone). So enjoy and let me know what you think of this as a costume for Fan Expo... do you think it'll be suitable???

Step 1: Pencil sketch... starting light ink.

Step 2: Inking continued

Step 3: General inking completed...

Step 5: Erase all pencil and start bolder inking

Step 6: Bold ink completed, now to add shadow and details.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the steps... this was drawn on a notepad with regular clicky-pencil and a general black pen.

Until Next Time
Keep Creating
Angie

Cupcakes and Geeks

2012-07-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

So I've finished the 4th chapter in Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts (I've linked this a few times, if you need the link just look at the previous blogs :) ) and it's called Finding the Sacred in the Ordinary. In this chapter she recommends taking pictures and finding the joy in things like: Cupcakes, Heart shapes found in nature, Someone opening the door for you.

Cupcakes by the Cakebox in Kitchener, ON

This is a really good idea but I don't think I've fully had a chance to explore all the possibilities that this can allow. So what this means?? I need to take the time to truly explore my idea of "Sacred" and what that means to me. I also need to figure out how I view that.... This alone may be a bit of a journey and may be re-visited every now and then, in order for me to see where it takes us. :)

So, instead of soul searching for my idea of "Sacred", being I'm at work and that may require a little bit more privacy than my office, I'm going to have a bit of a geek out...

MARVEL!!!!

Yes that one word says everything... if encompasses my whole childhood and the interest that have become more and more prominent in my life since I've accepted my geekdom in general.

If you are a poor soul reading my blog who does not know about Marvel, I have two things to say... Go HERE!! and Have you been living under a Rock??? If you are offended then you can quick escape to HERE (Yes this is a link to the New York Times) LOL.

Anyone in the geek community will know that SanDiego Comic Con is going on right now... Le SIGH!!!... and all those involved in the community would love to go and wish we would actually manage to go up (or down respectively) but money is a HUGE ISSUE!!! So Marvel, the rocking company that it is, has set up a virtual coverage of the SDCC 2012. This link will bring you to the hub of a bunch of AWESOME things... especially the liveblogs, that are a totally rocking idea (you can read the completed ones on the link too).

On an un-related/related note you should check out the new Table Top episode... we are having a game night this weekend and maybe some of these games may become part of it!

What I think is funny when I have these moments of talking about how awesome things are, I feel like I'm some promoter... even though I am not involved in ANY of these products. I just love to talk about them LOL!

So, while I go and ponder the concept of Sacred, you can enjoy all the geekdom!

Until next time
Angie

The Geeking Of The Out!

2012-07-11T16:28:00.001-04:00

So I'm starting to debate on costuming for Fan Expo!!!!!!! (Can you tell I'm getting excited)

I am really thinking of doing a Female version of a comic character.... mostly I'm planning on being a female "Wolverine" if I can figure it out in time. This would be done for the Saturday showing and the masquerade in the evening (If I can manage to get into it to see... no I'm not competing!).

I kinda liked this image of a female "clone" that marvel made... I would prefer if her hair was short and spiked more like his, but all in all it's pretty cool....

I'm debating on doing my costume more along the version of this....

OOoooooo Or this (yeah I just found it while surfing the internets.... lol)

So.... what I need.... Jeans: Blue or Black..... A black shirt (maybe one I can make look more like armour or something), shit kickers..... and a hair cut (which will be done tomorrow and may need a touch up before the actual Con!

YAY... so much fun!!!!!

Until Next Time
Angie

Creative Community

2012-07-05T15:49:00.005-04:00

So I have finished Chapter 3 of the lovely book called Taking Flight... and I have to feel a little proud that I have managed to build a group of friends who are a very strong creative community.

The Book

Chapter 3 was all about finding those who inspire you, are inspired by you and are just inspirational in general. It talks about mentors in art, life and anything else that is exciting and of interest to you.

Here a few blogs by some awesome people that are part of my life:

Captain Creates

by a lovely knitter and artsy friend Sharmie.

Craftzilla Conquers the World

by my amazingly crafty friend Gillian

Podgy's Ponderings

Which is the amazing rambling and discussions by one of my best friends who is talented in Knitting and very much apart of my artistic/ craft community, while still being a mutual foundation for my life.

52 to Green

This is a blog by one of my friends from University, Kelly, and her trials and tribulations to lead a green life while still being a Techy Single Mother.

All I Need to Know about Shakespeare I learned from Star Trek

This is a suitably geeky, yet intellectual blog by my friend Victoria who is a Journalist in Alberta.

Aside from these lovely people's online community and the many other sites that I read daily (or when they post), I have to admit that I have a very strong personal art community as well.

On Thursday's, when I can make it, there is a lovely knitting group at All Strung Out in Guelph. Which consists of women, and a few men, from 18 to 60+. From being part of this community (even though I don't tend to knit more than one thing a year) I have found friends and other creative individuals who have become inspirational to me. Some are professional hobbyists and others manage to make a living at the crafts they love.

So I am sending out a giant thank you to all those who have been part of my life personally and merely in the digital world! And hope that someday everyone will find the community that inspires, and supports them in all aspects of your life.

Until Next Time...
Keep Creating
Angie

Why do I look....

2012-07-04T15:54:00.001-04:00

So today I started doing my usual downward spiral (and I don't mean NIN) when it comes to my blogs.

Instead of having a laissez-faire attitude about whether or not people actually read my blog. I am sitting waiting to see if the number goes up....

What this means? Other than the fact that I've obviously had a fairly slow day at work, is that I'm basing my success as a blogger and my idea of being an interesting individual on whether or not people read and/or comment on my blog. This is totally something I need to work on.

I don't know why we all have such a striving need for approval in some way or another. I wish I was able to just write without others opinions being prominent in the back of my mind. But I have failed yet again to be able to complete something without feeling a need for approval.

This truly bothers me and it should not. I should be able to write and discuss my ongoing journey in life, art and all things without feeling like I am trying to appease some other individuals. I want to be able to scream my ideas out to the world without feeling like someone is going to 'hush' me like I'm in a library.

So I'm going to shout.... I will shout and shout and shout and one day I will be able to write without feeling like I need a following or approval. Maybe the only answer is to just keep my nose to the grindstone and keep going.

I should just write and if someone comments then I can read that, but other than that I should avoid looking at the tracking pages.

Maybe we should start a mantra.... "I am successful individual, I enjoy my art, my family and my blog, I have a job I love, I am successful in everything I do, I am happy, health, safe and strong, I am rewarded for my hard work, I am surrounded by people that love me and are supportive of anything I choose to do, I am comfortable monetarily and am truly happy with where my life is at, I have strong and supportive roll models whether I know them personally or not, I am happy being me."

Well that's a good start.... If there is anything else that I feel should be added I will update the mantra in further posts. Heck just writing that out makes me feel all glowy inside.

Until next time
Keep Creating.
Angie

Too many Cons, not enough time...

2012-07-03T16:33:00.002-04:00

To those of you who know me, and some who don't, you will soon come to realize that I have a very LARGE geek streak! At times I tend to tone it down as well as I can (as in at "Work") but most of the time I am proud to be a little geeky, a little punk and a little bit everything else.

Today I have a big "Le Sigh" about not ever nearly having enough money in order to all the Geeky things I would love to do.

One of the big things is having to choose between Cons....

Yes I know, who goes to conventions (and if you don't know what that means, then shame on you). Well I do! My husband and I have an ongoing date (as in this year it will be SANS MONKEY!!! and even A HOTEL!!!!!!!) at Fan Expo! If you don't know all the amazingness of Fan Expo then go check it out! It is a menagerie of all things geeky... Including this year's top stars of Stan Freekin Lee, Patrick Steward and Kevin Smith... whom I'm really hoping to see in action at the Jay & Silent Bob Get Old performance if my budget can handle it.

What I am "Le Sighing" about is the fact that Polaris is on this weekend and I wish I had it in my budget to go this year. Mainly for the fact that I have a slight *cough* thing for Wil Wheaton. I don't know what it is but I think I have a border line obsession... heck my husband even makes comments LOL. Now I am not the kind of person to go up to him and totally geek out but I just may.... Instead it's this ongoing thing...

A story... when I was little I was a huge Star Trek the Next Generation fan. My dad and I watched it religiously, and I was at that right age to have a total kid crush on Wesley Crusher. I know, pathetic, but what can you say to a kid.... As I was watching the Guild when I was pregnant with my daughter (being I wasn't allowed to work) I was totally fascinated by this jerk of a character called Fawkes. Low and Behold it's my old childhood crush.... When I found that out I TOTALLY freaked out. Now once discovering this I started following his blog and has since very much enjoyed everything he has come to create in a career and as a Geek Icon. I am now an avid watcher of Table Top and follower of his Twitter feed.

What this has to do with conventions??? Well, Mr. Wil Wheaton will be attending Polaris, and I so don't have an extra $100 for entry, and possibly pics, and parking, in my budget after planning for Fan Expo this year.

So I "Le Sigh" and someday, when it is meant to be, I will meet all those I find to be interesting individuals. Those who inspire me to enjoy and embrace all the different parts of me, from the artist, to the geek and so on.

Until next time...
Angie

Fears, Obstacles and the Chorus of Idiots.

2012-07-02T19:34:00.000-04:00

So as I had mentioned before I have finished chapter 2... which is namely about identifying and facing your fears. My issue?? I'm not really afraid of completion or creation. If anything at times I tend to be overconfident and believe that I can create/re-create most art I see....

I understand that there are a lot of reasons to have fears in the creation and the path of art. There are the fears of failure, persistence and rebuttal. But I have never truly feared any of these items. Instead my issues tend to consist of a lack of funding and what I like to call the Chorus of Idiots.

The chorus of idiots is that nagging discussion in the back of your head that seems to enjoy stating the most negative sentiments you can think of. Often they are along the lines of "why bother" and "what's the point" but I have managed to smack and beat the chorus down to a not so subtle mutter most the time. My chorus seldom seems to reflect my commitment or creation of art. Instead it they tend to be more centered around large sentiments that I know I am unable to do anything about.

So I'll keep beating back my chorus, and try to budget my funding within my desires to create. I still need to get my space together. It's just a matter of time... but patience is a virtue... right??

So I will keep reading on and trying to find time between work, family and my 16 month old to get my art space together. When it finally is successful you will be one of the first to see it. :)

Until next time...
Angie

Inspiration

2012-06-23T21:59:00.000-04:00

I have finished reading the second chapter in the book and it's about discovering and acknowledging your fears. This will take a little soul searching so I'm not quite ready to discuss that yet. I have, however, decided that I need to set myself a few goals so that I can actually accomplish my journey of self.

1) I need to finally hunker down and set up my art space. In my new house (we rent) I have an amazing loft that I plan on turning into my creative hub... and I actually have to do it. This will take a little time in finding a computer desk, drafting table, and other things that I feel would be helpful in the space, but this in a goal that is necessary to start.

2) START .... I know it sounds funny, but my goal is to START! To start doing SOMETHING. Anything that requires a creative outlet.

3) Find inspiration. There are so many different loves in my life that I need to finally find that spark. In order to do this I've been trying to expose myself to creativity in my own area as well as through other means. I attend a knit and chat night at All Strung Out in Guelph when I can, and I've been trying to expose myself to other creative things in the city.

Last night there was this very interesting city gathering at the new Interactive Fountain in front of City Hall. They started with a band, followed by some spoken word performer and finished with a dance troupe in the fountain.

The band and the spoken word were neat but the most interesting part of it had to be the fountain. They started with 5 dancers who in dance seemed to turn on the fountain and express "joy". The part that I loved the most was once the fountain was turned on they were joined by more and more choreographed dancers of all ages and skill levels. As the water increased so did the number of dancers in the fountain. They ended the night by including spectators in the dance slowly pulling more people till it was just a community dance in the fountain.

Towards the end I decided to try and take a panorama picture with my cell phone. I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of the picture.

Dancing in the Water.

This made a few of the audience "well up" but the experience was certainly worth going. I'm looking forward to going to more of these types of events in the future and hopefully bringing the family to more of them too.

May inspiration find you, wherever you may be.
Until next time.
Angie

The Unearthing

2012-06-18T21:49:00.001-04:00

So I've completed chapter one. At this point I am not doing any of the actual art activities being I'm still lacking in space and time and money and mostly motivation (I won't lie). But this chapter did do it's job in unearthing a lot of thoughts.

The main goal in chapter one was a discussion of looking within... accepting that there are dreams and whispers within your soul/heart/life that may need a little bit of attention, or even a leap into the unknown. And it got me thinking...

I have come to the realization that I have two very conflicting likes and interests... heck most of my interests seem to go to the extremes (and I don't mean bungee-jumping). I have a love and fascination with all things math, this is a surprise to some but not to my closest friends... my usual explanation is that I'm the only person I know to apply to Aerospace Engineering and Studio Arts for University. As you all know I have completed a Studio Arts degree but a part of me has always liked the reliability of math. The concept that you have a right answer and a wrong answer and that the subjective quality of art is not there.

What I have realized that through all of my life I have been trying to keep these two contrasting interests separate. I want the frivolity of art (I think it's the idea more than the practice), but some part of me has always wanted to be a high end business person. A major part of this need is the feeling that I am better than what I do. I look at something (business, art, etc) and always say "I can do that!". Over the past 6 or so years I keep debating on going back to school to get an MBA (yeah I know, WAY different than art), I just haven't figured out the logistics, and the money issues involved (I soooo don't want more debt).

Other things that have been hounding me is my feeling of inability.... That there are so many better artists that I have ever been. That I haven't been top of my class in most things since high school. I know this is what some of my friends call "the chorus of idiots" talking to me, but acknowledging that they are there is a big step is starting to figure out what is it I want to do with myself....

So... from this looking into myself I've discovered the above and more:
1) I love math/business/physics and a variety of un-art-related activities
2) I am an artist and like being a creative person. I mostly love collage and photography but have done portraiture, chalk, drawing, and my fair share of comic characters.
3) I am a lover of nerdy things... I truly enjoy Geek and Sundry , I have a "slight" fascination with everything Wil Wheaton , and have even played my fair share of table top games, Vampire the Masquerade, D&D and LARP (If you don't know what that means... fear the geek! LOL). I am also an avid comic and action movie lover. I used to own quite a few X-Men and have tried to keep up with my Marvel lore over the years.
4) I miss doing sports, mostly some form of martial arts. I have a black belt in TaeKwonDo but haven't practiced in years. I've been really debating on taking kick boxing (Something different enough that I won't feel like I'm looking down on or trying to correct other people).

So I've come to acknowledge that I have two very contrasting groups of interests, but I think I'm compartmentalizing. I also need to acknowledge that all these interests are part of me, one single being, and that maybe they are not as contrasting as I think.

So my goal.... to find/create something that can encompass all of me. What that will be, who knows... that's part of the excitement of the journey.

Until next time.
Angie

Creative??

2012-06-16T22:46:00.000-04:00

Well, I have to start off with apologizing for being offline for so long. I could lie to you and tell you it has to do with some great and amazing thing... but it doesn't. It has to do with life.

With having a daughter who was almost one and going back to work, life had just taken over my ambition and will to be creative in any means. It's funny how tiring life can be when you aren't accomplishing anything extracurricular. You just deal and survive day to day. You enjoy your family and your friends, your new job (or old) and deal. You feel content. But there is always a slight nagging, a slight something in the back of your head poking your brain saying... "Hey!... I'm here when you need me!"

I think I need it...

I need to take the time to re-discover who I am, what I am and how my many conflicting interests can turn into one thing... So I bought a book.

Yeah, I know. You're groaning on the other end saying "Oh, No... Not another one of those self help things". Well, it's not... really.

It's this book:

Find the awesome blog by Kelly Rae Roberts HERE!

So now that I've got the book... I started reading it. I'm only about 14 pages into the book and she has mentioned a few times about creating a whisper journal. What is a Whisper Journal?? It's a book where you can write down, store, paste or sort the ideas, thoughts, things, that are nagging you in the back of your brain. Those things that you keep pushing down and ignoring. Those things that keep bothering or nagging at you and you try to pretend they don't exist.

Being I am who I am, I have come to realize that I "SUCK" at journaling. I always have these grand dreams, thoughts, expectations, that I will start a journal and fill it with my thoughts and dreams and everything else in my life. And then I get about 3 days in and stop or forget or give myself an excuse why I can't find the 5 seconds to write anything down... and so I stop. I tell myself that this was another failed attempt and I pretend it doesn't exist.

I feel in someway I did that with this website. I had these grand ideas of creating a website that would be unique. That would help express my belief that art isn't limited to a few while still being an outlet for my need for a certain amount of academics within the site. When I hit a bit of a brain freeze, combined with my daughter getting to the age that she was getting into anything I left out, I stopped being able to find the time to be creative. And so started the spiral that ended with me only managing to get pictures I took posted and a few treasuries from Etsy. I so wasn't planning on creating a mom blog, I wanted an art blog and I was failing. I kept focusing on putting out content, I felt a need to expand my viewer base and focused too much ondoing what other sites wanted. I joined blog hops, I joined feeds, I re-configured thing into designs that others said would work. I started feeling frustrated about the whole thing. Then Christmas came and it gave me my excuse to stop.

So I've changed my mind about this site. Instead of being a site that tries to teach art, to teach accessibility and to teach how it all relates I'm am starting fresh. All the old posts will remain but from this point on we are starting new, with new ideas.

What I'm hoping to do is use this site to help me go through my creative journey. This will be my visible "Whisper Journal" as Ms. Roberts calls it. I warn you that this will be an up and down process, I may not even talk about art sometimes and that's okay. Instead of Artsy You being about me trying to show you how to be artsy... it will be more about me trying to figure out how I can re-discover creativity and maybe we will all end up artsy together.

I will be using this site in conjunction with a new board I just started on Pinterest and possibly Twitter a bit. (If the links don't work please let me know and I'll fix them).

So I hope you join me on this journey, wherever it may lead us.

Until next time.
Angie

YAY!!! BACK UP!!!

2011-12-11T15:38:00.001-05:00

OMG it's been a while since I've been able to post on here. Between my computer being in the shop and my daughter teething I haven't managed to actually get onto the computer in almost a month and a half. I'm a bad blogger.. bad bad blogger :).

So I am back. With my daughter getting more active I will be having a harder time posting regularly. I am aiming at once a week minimum!!! So if I haven't posted in a while you better email me and tell me I'm slacking.

I am planning some art activities and some little lessons in the next little bit. Hopefully they will be posted here once I'm done. For now here are a few pics I've done of my daughter recently. Would you believe she's nine months already! WOW how time flies!!!!

As usual I'm using a NIKON D40 and an attached flash pointed to the ceiling. I really love the contrast this gives me and she's been such an awesome model :).

Until later!
Keep Creating
Angie :)

Wow.... computer come on!

2011-11-11T19:10:00.001-05:00

Would you believe I'm STILL waiting for my computer to get back from the shop! It's a little ridiculous.

In the mean time I've started a fall painting in oils so hopefully I'll get that finished within the next week so that I can post it here. I'm also planning a few history-ish discussions, so hopefully I'll have all those together so that we can get back into the swing of things once my computer comes back.

In the mean time I've been still taking pictures... mostly of my daughter. Would you believe she's now 8 months old!!! Wow time flies.

Best Friends!

Here's a crazy cute picture of her and my dog! We just took this tonight... it really made me laugh.

So until next time!
Keep Creating.
Angie

GAH!

2011-11-02T22:14:00.000-04:00

Oky... with all the Halloween fun going on... and my computer STILL out on repairs *shakes fists at the computer repair people who said it was only going to be a week or two*, I have totally been fail at getting ANY posts done.

I found this awesome mouse pad... I only wish it was true LOL.

Halloween was full of Awesomeness!!! I wish I had actually taken my camera with me so I could show you all the awesomeness of the costumes. I will try to find some pics from friends over the next week so you can see.

Muwahahahahahahahaha

IT"S NOVEMBER.... yup ALREADY! It kinda snuck up on me, and that being said I SO NEED TO start on the getting ready for Christmas. I know... I said the evil C word.... CHRISTMAS... gah! So hopefully once I FINALLY get my computer back I will be able to actually get a bunch of tutorials and lessons up for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this can manifest in reality.

So until then... I would LOVE to hear about your Halloween... or Christmas *shiver* gift plans.

Until Next Time.
Keep Creating
Angie

A costume: My Little Lamb!

2011-10-26T21:14:00.003-04:00

ZOMG.... so I still don't have my computer back *cry* and have become a bad blogger over the past few weeks 'cause of it. I have a really hard time getting onto the laptop to do my posts :(, but hopefully I will get it back SOON! And become a good blogger again! I have been a TOTAL FAIL at my month of Halloween 'cause of this computer issue and am sad that I didn't get more tutorials or posts up. I also apologize at the total lack of tutorials lately, I hope to remedy this SOON!!! So please be patient with me....

My little lamb!

So I thought I'd kill you with cuteness LOL... this is my daughter in her completed lamb costume! The hat we supper easy to make... I used this pattern off of Babycenter and did some simple alterations (my alterations are in Bold Red!):

Abbreviations
sts = stitch(es)
st st = stockinette stitch
rev st st = reverse stockinette stitch
k = knit
p = purl
rep = repeat
in = inch(es)
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
dec = decrease
rem = remaining
RS = right side of work
WS = wrong side of work

Materials
1 - 100g ball of Reynolds Andean Alpaca Regal (off white or white), 1 - 25 g ball of Anny Blatt Angora Super (Loukoum). US 8 double-pointed needles.

Gauge
16 sts and 22 rows to 4 inch square in stockinette stitch using US 8 needles.

Hat
Using Alpaca Regal, cast on 56 sts using picot cast-on as follows: *cast on 3 sts, cast off 1 st, slip stitch now on right needle back onto left needle (2 sts on left needle), repeat from * until there are 56 sts on left needle. This will form a scalloped bottom edge for the hat.

Beg with a k row, work in st st until hat measures 4 in from cast on edge. (Instead of 4 inches I did 5 and a half... this made the hat fit over her ears slightly instead of only on the top of her head!)

Shape top:
1st dec row: k2tog, k5 8 times (48 sts)     Follow this row as is
K2 rows                                                  P1 row, K1 row
2nd dec row: k2tog, k4 8 times (40 sts)   2nd dec row: P2tog, p4 8 times (40 sts)
K2 rows                                                  K1 row, P1 row
3rd dec row: k2tog, k3 8 times (32 sts)    Follow this row as is
K1 row                                                   P1 row
4th dec row: k2tog, k2 8 times (24 sts)    Follow this row as is
K1 row                                                   P1 row
5th dec row: k2tog, k2 8 times (18 sts)    Follow this row as is
Last dec row: k2tog to end (9sts)             P1 row, then follow row as is
Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull up and secure.

Rabbit Ears
Cast on 12 stitches with the Alpaca Regal, then directly following, cast on 10 stitches with Angora.

The right side of the ear will have a panel of Alpaca in stockinette stitch, and a slightly smaller panel of Angora in reverse stockinette. So the inner ear section will fit snugly inside the ear flap, and feature just a little bit of texture.

Row 1: (right side) purl 10 stitches of Angora, Knit 12 stitches of alpaca regal.
Row 2: (wrong side) purl 12 stitches of Alpaca Regal, Knit 10 stitches of Angora.

Repeat in this manner for (instead of 12 rows I used 16 to make the ears longer, more sheep like) 12 rows total. Be sure to twist the strands of yarn around each other once so that the transition does not require seaming.

Decrease Row 1: (Angora) purl 2 together, purl 6 , purl 2 together, (alpaca) Knit 2 tog, Knit 8, Knit 2 tog.
Row 2 : work in pattern with no decreases (knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches).

Continue with these two rows until there is/are 1 angora stitch left and 2 alpaca stitches left. Cut the angora yarn leaving 5 inches of tail. Pull that through the remaining stitch to end that section. Cut the Alpaca yarn leaving about 12 inches of tail. Thread the tail through a needle, and loop it through the last two alpaca stitches.

Finishing: Use the long tail of alpaca (already threaded through the needle) to sew up the side seam. Fold the ear in half so that the angora sits inside the alpaca outer ear. Starting at the top of the ear, sew the side seam together.

Finishing
Weave in all ends. (Fold bottom of the each ear in half and stitch it together to hold the shape of rabbit ears. Attach the topmost corner of each ear bottom approximately 5 rows from the top of the hat and continue sewing the bottom of the ear along two of the seams created by the decreases in the hat.) Instead of these instructions I folded each ear but only joined them together at for the inside, and this allowed the edges to be attached to the hat pulled out slightly so that they would look more lamb like. In order to figure out my placement I put it on my daughters head... what seems to work is to start the bottom most corner about and inch and a half from the rim of the hat then sew upwords.... also the ears were placed slightly forward from middle on the side of each hat.

My dog and my lamb :)

So all in all the hat turned out pretty good :) I'm quite pleased with it! I hope you like it and find the tutorial helpful!

Until Next Time.
Keep Creating!
Angie

Lamb-ing it up!

2011-10-19T22:29:00.000-04:00

YAY! So I finished the hat... I will have the how to make it and some pics up by the end of the weekend. I will let you know how I altered the original pattern... IT TURNED OUT AWESOME!!! I have also managed to finish sewing my own outfit today for the Halloween awesomeness that is Mary had a little Lamb.

So in the spirit of Lambs I decided to make a treasury today. I actually got Etsy working on this computer (yay) and so here it is....

'Lamb-ing it up!' by Sylvanfire

Lambs and Sheep galore!

12 Sweet Blue and White Baby... Thebestpapersu... $7.50	Cloudy the Lamb - Amigurumi ... pepika $5.00	50% OFF SALE Mary Had a Litt... solocosmo $3.00
Little Lamb - fused glass p... ArtoftheMoment $42.00	Nursery Room Wall Art, Playf... BrickHouseStud... $9.00	Lamb, Lion and Wolf Magnets JooSweetie $8.00
Little Lamb Hat Baby Photohr... BabiesBugsAndB... $16.99	Skelanimals Lammy the Lamb E... fantasticfiles $2.00	baby lamb cuffs KNITTING PAT... TinyOwlsMagicA... $5.50
Nursery Wall Decor, Girl and... BrickHouseStud... $9.00	Lamb PDF Sewing Pattern Stuf... DollsAndDaydre... $10.00	Little Lamb Bonnet with ears... EweNMeBoutique $25.99
Mary Had a Little Lamb elsita $7.00	Original Painting Illustrati... mikaart $39.99	Chii the Lamb Leather Purse ... leatherprince $43.50
Lamb earrings StickManJewelr... $33.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I'm in love with a bunch of the stuff on here, especially the Skel-lamb! I also love the Lamb Bonnet by Ewe N Me Boutique, who is a local artist that I have purchased from before (We got an AWESOME purple viking hat for Monkey when she was New Born!)

All this talk of Lamb popped the silly Lambert the Lion into my head. Do any of your remember this??

I had to share it for nostalgia sake!!

So Until Next Time!
Keep Creating
Angie :)

OMG! 7 Months already!

2011-10-17T21:22:00.001-04:00

OMG... my daughter turned 7 months on the 2nd, and I finally managed to get the photoshoot done last week. With my computer being away I haven't had a chance to upload them until today... So here they are.... WOOT!

I decided to do a skully blanket for the background keeping in our Halloween Theme!! I think they turned out adorable!

Big Smiles for Mom!

Oooo what's that??

We changed up the background and tried a toy... which mean I have a ton of pictures with things in her mouth!

Yummy Toy!

These are the funniest... just like her parents... Dad plays WOW and Mom writes Blogs LOL!


Typing... ish

Can I eat this??

Look at me go!!!

Well, I have finished her hat and costume!! YAY!!! I will post a pic of the hat and a how too sometime this week! I am still working on my costume and will hopefully have it done before the party on Saturday... keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Until Next Time

Keep Creating!

Angie