Melissa T. Liban Illustrations

Blogger App

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:54:00 +0000

Hello my friends. My computer is basically a goner so now I'm waiting for my new one. It can't get here soon enough! So for know I found that Blogger has an app, which seems okay I guess but I couldn't leave a comment for some reason so I has to leave the app and just do it regular online style. But as far as posting goes it seems all right even though I don't like typing on my phone.

My Computer Broke and Blogging From My Phone is Being....

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:21:00 +0000

About the Rabbits and My Other Books

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:48:00 +0000

Hello my friends. I've been off and busy working on my stories, well, trying to at least, been learning to balance my creative activities with having a three month old baby and a couple of boys. But at least I finally got around to putting my book About the Rabbits one other sites besides Amazon. You can now get it Barnes and Noble and other online retailers.
Very soon my newest young adult novel Permanent Adhesives will be coming out, and I'm thinking of making my novella Actuality: A Teenage Vampire Novella free for a while, so keep an eye out for all of that. I also finally made myself a Facebook page, so far I have six whole likes (one being from myself), so click HERE if per chance you'd like to go like my page. I might be hanging out at Facebook more because it's not quite as time consuming as blogging, I'll still be here though, and hopefully will be back with some new illustrations soon, but I can't seem to stop writing, already working on a new book.

e-book Cover Re-deisgn

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:08:00 +0000

I'm re-designing the covers to my e-books so they have a little bit more of a cohesive look (and I got tired of the old ones), so here's a peek.

Have not released Permanent Adhesives yet, coming soon, and for real this time because I'm always saying that I'll be releasing something soon, but no lying here, for real! I was thinking of starting a Facebook page just for my writing, would any one you follow it? Cuz not too sure how many people actually follow my blog posts any more (and I know, I haven't been the best blogger lately). If nobody comments here maybe I'll put up a poll in the sidebar, maybe I'll go do that now actually. To Facebook or not to Facebook, that is the question. I figured then that's where I'll do all my book talking and leave here for illustrations mainly.

Sunday Sketches with Baby Bunny

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:26:00 +0000

Baby Bunny says Hi!

Happy Sunday Sketches and Happy St. Patrick's day! Check out more Sunday Sketches HERE!

Illustration Friday: Wool

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:35:00 +0000

Doris is enjoying her new wool sweater

Doris is showing off her new sweater for Illustration Friday where the theme this week is wool.

Hello Cute Baby Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:23:00 +0000

Hi there!

Okay, I swear, last picture of baby feet.
They're just so darn cute.

Sunday Sketches and Cute Baby Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:59:00 +0000

Hello my friends! It's Sunday Sketches. Some real quick sketchy doodles I did (inspired by baby) while new baby # 3 was sleeping and # 1 was doing his homework, and number #2 was off somewhere behaving.

Baby feet!

Sweet Squishy Number Three

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:59:00 +0000

Hi everybody! I'm still here, I promise! #3 came a couple weeks ago and needless to say I've been busy! First the holidays, then being extremely pregnant, and now having a newborn. When 3# was only a few days old my husband got sick and now kid #2 is sick, it's been kinda crazy over here, but #3 is so sweet and squishy and lovable, it's totally worth it. Above are her sweet little feet.

Normalcy is slowly coming back around here, so hopefully I'll be back to my regular blogging soon!

Creative Tuesdays: Mittens

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:42:00 +0000

Hello my Creative Tuesday friends! The theme this week is MITTENS. This bunny and birdie found a pair of big mittens and it seems there might be something good inside.

I wanted to say Happy Holidays to everybody because I probably won't be around much the next few weeks, so HAPPY HOLIDAYS, SEASON"S GREETINGS, FELIZ NAVIDAD, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY KWANZA, and HAPPY EVERYDAY!

About the Rabbits: Free e-book on Amazon

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:37:00 +0000

My rabbit friend here reminded me of something, I'm giving away my young adult novel About the Rabbits free again (I almost forgot, not the best at the whole book promotion thing). It will be free tomm. Friday, Dec. 7th and Saturday Dec. 8th. Rabbit friend there isn't one of my typical squishy cute bunnies, but still quite friendly and if you have not yet downloaded a copy of About the Rabbits she would like you to do so tomm. or Saturday.

About the Rabbits:

Win Hoff moves to a new town with her mom. Supposedly a new beginning, but she views it more as a dead end. At first sight, the house they move into gives Win the creeps. It’s when she starts to see strange shadows and hear footsteps and giggling in the night that her feelings about the house are confirmed.

After Win encounters a zombie like rabbit in the basement, she turns to the help of Rusck Almeida; a withdrawn teen known as Bunny Boy whose sister had a psychotic break that occurred on Win’s front lawn the previous school year. Win and Rusck begin investigating the strange happenings, and together they start to uncover clues to a possible serial killer which could be tied to what happened with Rusck’s sister. As it turns out, it just might be time for the killer to strike again.

Click HERE to download a copy, remember, tomm. the 7th and 8th it is free.

Creative Tuesday: Starry Night and AEDM

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Hello my Creative Tuesday friends! The theme this round is Starry Night which was the perfect inspiration for me to draw. I've been doing a lot of writing lately but not enough drawing, so this got me a going.

I'm also participating in Art Everyday Month (it's Day 27), which I've been terrible blogging about. I've mostly have been writing, but have thrown in another creative endeavor here and there, and I've also have been quite busy with other things, birthdays, holidays, and prepping for kiddo number three, who should arrive in about eight weeks. she's a girl and the other two are boys, and there's a bit of a gap between the boys and number three, so we've been doing a lot of shopping, but we've hit some good sales for baby gear.

I made cupcakes!
A creative moment I had within the couple weeks I haven't blogged.
Kiddo #2's own special birthday cupcake.

Bye for now everybody! Have a lovely day!

AEDM and PiBoIdMo Catch Up

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:39:00 +0000

My goodness, I haven't been the best these past few days blogging about my creative endeavors, maybe because I am just too busy being creative! I haven't drawn that much, I've been writing, so I don't have much as far in the image dept. but I do have a picture of some cookies I made.

These are the pumpkin spice cookies I made. I will admit, I did not make them from scratch, I used a mix where I just added water, egg, and butter, but boy were they good.

So off to more creating, it's pretty dismal out here, so hopefully it doesn't damper my creative spirit.

Go Visit:

Art Every Day Month (AEDM)

Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo)

AEDM: Day 5, 6, &, 7, PiBoIdMo, and Pete and Doris

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Hello my friends! It's day 7 of AEDM and PiBoIdMo. This post covers days 5, 6, & 7, mainly for AEDM cuz for PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month), you don't really post your ideas, well, I'm sure you could, but I'm keeping my golden gems secret for now, even though many do revolve around Pete and Doris. I finally just completed this page. It took me longer than usual cuz Mondays are busy as far as kids activities go and yesterday being Election Day and the kids were off, so didn't get that much done, but alas, I finally finished it.

To view the beginning of their story click HERE and then follow the posts sequentially.

I would also like to say thank you for any who has stopped by and left comments. They're highly appreciated and I do reciprocate (it's the nice thing to do).

AEDM: Day Four and Sunday Sketches and Picture Book Month

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:13:00 +0000

The image in my post is large today because when I make it smaller it looks blurry. I've been having issues with blurry images on here. I have to figure out how to save them so they look good at any size.

But anyways, it's day four of Art Everyday Month and it's also Sunday Sketches. And yes, it's Pete and Doris again. I feel compelled to finish their story now because my children want to read it in its completion. They are the ultimate Pete and Doris fans. So if your bore of Pete and Doris, blame it on my kids!

Click on PAGE ONE or PAGE TWO to catch the beginning of the story.

Oh, it is also day four of PiBoIdMo, which is Picture Book Idea Month, and also, did you know November is Picture Book Month, which is a celebration of picture books. And one of my kids' favorite picture books is Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. They think it's hilarious, like full on belly laughing funny. Even though kid #1 can read, he prefers I read it, so then he can spend his time laughing. And it is a funny book, and the illustrations are cute and funny too. Adults can see the humor behind it, so it's fun for all.

Share a review of your favorite picture book to help celebrate Picture Book Month.

AEDM and PiBoIdMo: Day Three With More Pete and Doris

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:36:00 +0000

It's day three of Art Everyday Month. And today is more Pete and Doris. To see the first page of their adventure click HERE. Just click on the pic to make it larger. I must have saved it wrong or something because when I make it any larger it looks blurry, but if you click on it to make it larger, it's okay.

Now that Pete and Doris have figured out that they need
to do something to cure their boredom, they just have to figure out exactly
what that something is. Will it require getting off the couch?

It's also day three of PiBoIdMo, which is Picture Book Idea Month. Read more about it HERE.

Have a fun third day of challenges.

AEDM: Day Two and PiBoIdMo with Pete and Doris

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to Day Two of Art Every Day Month! I'm also participating in PiBoIdMo, which is Picture Book Idea Month. Basically, each day you think of a new idea for children's picture books. While thinking up ideas for books and AEDM, Pete and Doris keep popping up, so I finally finished this comic book page I started of them quite a bit ago.

Will Pete and Doris find something to do? Will their boredom be cured?
Stayed tuned to find out.

And if per chance you enjoy Pete and Doris and want to see what they're up to on a regular basis, they do have a Facebook page.

I'll be back tomorrow, not sure if with anything visually stimulating since I plan on doing some writing today, but I'll have something at least.

AEDM: Day One: Puppy With a Jet Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Hello my friends. It's the first day of Art Every Day Month! I attempted AEDM last year, but only lasted a day or two. I did it the year before and held in there pretty well. We'll see how it goes this year. Leading up to this day I've been quite busy being creative. I made my first ever homemade Halloween costume for one of my kids. Kid #2 had the unique request of being a puppy with a jet pack. I couldn't find a puppy costume for nothing and I knew I wouldn't be able to find a jet pack, so we got creative. Also, the inspiration for my little illustration above.

Not sure how much he actually looks like a puppy, but I tried. Just bought a hat and sewed on some ears made of felt, and little dude requested one green spot near the ear, so that's why there's a green spot. Then I took some old blanket sleepers and just sewed some felt spots to them. There used to be a tractor on the chest.

For the jet pack I used a large cereal box, tin-foil, some kid sized yogurt cups, and some streamers, oh plus ribbon for the straps. And that's how you get a puppy with a jet pack.

Now for AEDM this year I'm probably going to have a whole mixture of stuff. Illustrations, writing, cookie making, and maybe some more sewing crafty stuff because I have some felt left over from puppy there.

See you all tomorrow!

Join in the AEDM fun HERE!

Sunday Sketches

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Hello my Sunday Sketches friends! Hope you all are enjoying the fall. Above is my is my quick sketchy doodle. That's Elias and Molly. I drew them up because I have this one young adult novel I wrote and will hopefully one day soon be publishing as an e-book, but I keep changing the cover. Below is how I used my little characters for the newest version of the cover to Permanent Adhesives. I made the girl, Molly, looking up, but I'm thinking of changing the eyes because she kind of looks possessed.

Check out more Sunday Sketches HERE!

Creative Tuesdays: Break New Ground

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:47:00 +0000

Hello my friends! The theme for this Creative Tuesday is Break New Ground. We're breaking new ground in my house with music. My 4 3/4 year old just started taking violin lessons. Which is totally new ground for me cuz I have have absolutely no musical talent what-so-ever, so I'm learning right alongside him.

And in the song that inspired the theme, there is a line about waking up your sleepy soul, and what's a better way to do that than with music. Even thought right now when my son plays, it doesn't sound much like music yet, but he'll get there!

And for some reason I drew a girl instead of a boy, even though I'm talking about one of my sons (I have two). Maybe I have girls on the brain because my soon to be baby (in just over three months) is a girl. Now I won't be as out-numbered by boys!

Check out more Creative Tuesdays HERE!

Sunday Sketches, Chicago Marathon, and The Crowley's

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:48:00 +0000

It's Sunday again! The week goes by too fast sometimes! Happy Sunday Sketches and Happy Chicago Marathon! The hubster is running his 9th Chicago Marathon!

Marathon illustration I did quite some time back (I think it was well over a couple years ago).

This is my piece for Sunday Sketches. I showed the original sketch well over a year ago. I finally colored it in! I just have to finish up their hair and it will be officially done. I have this tendency to draw a sketch for something and then put it to the side and forget about it.

If you have not been formally introduced to my friends above, let me introduce them. I'm sure you all know Pete, he's the unicorn. Sitting on the couch is Verona Crowley (she's 11). Climbing over the couch is Georgina Crowley, she's three and the twin of George who is laying on the ground. And then there is the fourth Crowley child. She's leaning up against the couch there, that's Sharonda, she's 13.

Also, if you did not know (I might have mentioned this before) unicorns like to tell bad knock-knock jokes.

About the Rabbits: Free e-book this Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:15:00 +0000

This weekend my young adult e-book About the Rabbits will be free on Amazon! Download a copy HERE!

Here is the description of it:

Sunday Sketches and My Free e-book

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Hello Sunday friends! Below are a couple of quick sketchy doodles for Sunday Sketches. The second one is kind of dark, but I think you can get the gist of it.

For more Sunday sketches go HERE!

Don't read the next part of my post if you don't want something pitched to you, or continue because maybe now you're curious. Here it goes...

Just the other day Michaele Razi asked me if I had written another e-book for young adults, and yes I did! It is called About the Rabbits and for the next few months it will be available exclusively on Amazon. Click HERE to check it out! But, so you know, next weekend it will be free! Tell your friends if ya want, spread the word if you feel like it, and you can even borrow my pic from below (just in case you want to blog, tweet, or Facebook about it).

This one is 72 dpi where the one above is 300.

And if you don't have a Kindle, you can still get my book. For most tablet devices and smart phones, you can download the free Kindle app, and if you don't have either of those, you can download the Kindle app for your computer and get your read on.

Have a great Sunday my friends!

Creative Tuesdays: Birds of a Feather

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Hello my Creative Tuesday friends and all my other friends. The topic for this round of Creative Tuesdays is Birds of a feather. Doris' friends share the same love of cardigans as she does, and they're out hitting the sales. Fall weather is finally here! If per chance you don't know Doris, she is the pink bird in the back. She's usually seen hanging out with a unicorn named Pete.

Sunday Sketches

noreply@blogger.com (Missy) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Hello my friends and happy Sunday Sketches. Today is a piece I drew a while ago and finally colored and completed, but I need some input. In my Crowely family illustrations I'm using a limited color palette which is grays, pink, green, and yellow. In the first version of my drawing Verona, the girl in front, is wearing a yellow jacket, but is it too much yellow in that section of the picture cuz I have to keep the cars yellow cuz in my story in my story I specifically mention that the little cars are yellow. Then I figured I change the color, but if I make her jacket green, almost everyone will have a green jacket, and pink, I think she’ll blend too much with Nita in the pink jacket behind her, so I changed Verona’s jacket to dark gray. So after that way too long paragraph, should her jacket stay yellow or gray?

I like to dress my characters for what their clothes would look like in real life. Here is a post where I did their outfits and below is the jackets. I couldn't find any jackets for George and Georgina on the Polyvore site and Sharonda's hoodie isn't the right colors, but I figured it's the right style.

Crowley and Friends Outerwear by missylib featuring wool coats