Photography Challenges

For April, I am going to be working on my photography a bit. I joined up to participate in a photography challenge on Orange Flower's site.

Also, as part of 365 this coming month's theme is letters. I'm not committing to this one too much (don't want to over extend myself), but if something comes I will share it.

Okay, till tomorrow and the beginning of macro photos!

Update: I will be using Canon PowerShot S50 for all my photos. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Happy!

Today was gorgeous out, after a weekend of raining, snowing, and down right cold it was a nice break. On top of that, I didn't have to come home and clean/pack or anything today - we got the pictures taken and moving forward.

But the real bonus to the day was a friend at work got back from her vacation to Japan bringing me a bag full of goodies. Before she went I told her how much I love Japanese fabrics and Shinzi Katoh Design. I gave her some money and told her to pick me up whatever she could - I am sooo happy with what she came back with. I was overly giddy and had to refrain myself a bit because she was standing right there and I didn't want to seem like a fanatical fan (think Michael Jackson's screaming fans) so I kept my cool. hehe ;)



I botched the above photo a bit and so I took a better photo of the postcards - which I plan to frame for the new house. I am so happy - it was a good day. Gah, I hope I didn't just jinx myself :)
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Before & After

I was talking to my friend and he requested some before and after photos. So here we go - this is all I have quickly and this late in the night.

When we moved in the wood stove wall was an eye sore to me. In the before photo it has already been primed and waiting for paint. But you can see what the original stone (gah! I hated it) looked like where the stove will sit. We are leaving that the same because we weren't sure if there would be a problem with heat of the metal and the paint being in contact. We talked to others and painting the wall was definitely safe. So I chose a color (took me forever to pick a color and this selling of the house finally gave me the kick to decide) and got to painting last weekend. What a project - lots of grooves and bumps to get the paint into. But overall not too bad and I am very happy with how the color turned out. Chris cleaned the original stone part and that really helped make it look a bit better. We moved the wood stove back in – wow is that thing HEAVY! - and taa daa!
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Oh, Saturday

I keep cleaning, fixing, painting, packing, arranging and it still feels like there is more to do. I swear we don't live in a dump and we are clean people. But once you start looking over your house with "Got to sell" scrutiny you start to see all sorts of little things that need to be touched up or finished. It's really amazing. This is my first time to sell a house. When we bought this house we were coming from a rental - soooo much easier that way. We are starting to run on fumes today. Both of us moaning and walking like we are 150 yrs old!

I am boobing this much and we are still at the start up phase - we haven't even begun the part where we have to leave our house at any moment with pets in tow while strangers come into our house! I am a very private person, so this really weirds me out.

So needless to say I feel like my blog hasn't been too interesting lately and I am sorry to my readers. I hope once we get it on the market it will all slow down, at least just a little bit. I really miss sewing, baking, doodling, illustrating on my computer and reading blogs. So bare with me and I will try to not complain too much :)

The picture above was taking this week during a break. You would almost think I had been the painter! :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Pet Fair illustration

Still busily packing and cleaning - this weekend we need to take photos of the house all pretty.

But I am still going to work every day, so I have this illustration I did for a pet fair poster. I removed all the information and only showing the illustrations I did. They still need to approve it, but I like it! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Illustration Friday - Pet Peeve

Phew! Just barely making this IF topic...

One of my biggest pet peeves is crumbs/dirt/whatever in my bed - I am super sensitive and have been referenced as "Princess and the Crumb" because of this sensitivity. I will notice the smallest speck and have to sweep off my side of the bed several times till I am happy.

So I blame this little evil monster that comes in and sprinkles the bed and floor with crumbs for my obsessive-compulsive disorder! :)

Thanks for visiting and leaving any comments! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Currently reading:

I worked late tonight and then came home and read my book, Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, the first book of a series I will continue to read. The Born Queen – last book of The Briar King series – arrived today and I am just thrilled to bits! I've been anxiously awaiting its release since I finished the last. It will be a bittersweet when I read the last sentence. When I really enjoy a book I always race to the end but can feel myself trying to slow myself down so it isn't over so quickly, rather similar to the way I eat a peanut butter cup (yum!). So, yes, I am a sci-fi/fantasy book reader - never used to be until a friend gave me The Briar King book - then I was hooked. Salix Tree suggested Robin Hobb's books and I am so glad she did.

Okay enough gushing about my love of books, shutting up and back to reading before sleepy time.

I hope all is well with my readers and thanks for visiting :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Baking Break

As some of you know I find baking to be therapeutic. After a few weeks of all the "gotta sell the house!" business I am due for a little baking break this evening. I have been wanting to bake something for a few days now and I knew we forgot to buy more butter last time we went shopping. I found a recipe in my binder and altered it to work with what supplies I had on hand.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie (for when you don't have any butter)

1/3 c. Canola oil
2/3 c. packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. egg substitute (or 1 egg)
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. old fashioned oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together oil, sugar, egg, vanilla. In another bowl blend together flour, oats, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips. Add in the dry mix to the wet mix and blend till combined.

Drop tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes.
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They really hit the spot for both of us! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Chirpies!

I was playing around with some illustrations at work today and thought I would share this one. I ended up doing a different style bird for the final illustration, but I really liked this one – I love the chubby bodies!

I began to think of them as a little band of birds that were going to be reuniting to do a World Tour and take us back to enjoy some of the good ole chirp-n-roll! Chirpies! Chirpies!

hah :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Flower in the yard

I saw a new flower in the yard - it really cheered me up. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Colorful

Lots of painting this weekend. I continued by painting the downstairs near the wood stove today. I am going to share pictures soon as it is complete - a bit more to do. The house is looking really nice.

Oh and Happy Easter! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Painting

After a day of errands, I painted the master bathroom Martha Stewart's Everyday Ice Water. I love it. We had painted it another color (can't remember the name at the moment) last week but it turned out looking more periwinkle and that didn't go well at all. I think this color is going to do the trick. I could possibly be the worst painter - I constantly put my hand or arm on freshly painted walls/crevices, bonk things with the paint brush and I most definitely get it all over myself. But hey, I get the job done! :)

Okay, back to admire my work. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Friend Sheep Magnet

I don't have many magnets because I am super selective, but when I saw this one I fell in love. It is made by Urban Bird Designs. Oooh! She has prints for sale on her site! Cool! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

I want...

these salt and pepper shaker bunnies and just cause they are so cute! Some other fun stuff at wrapables.com Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Illustration Friday - Heavy

Quite a heavy load for this happy turtle. But they all sure look happy to me.

I didn't have much time this week, but I would like to color this once things slow down around here.

Thanks for visiting and for any comments :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Sketchin'

A quick drawing I did while talking on the phone with an old friend. I wanted to finish up my Illustration Friday submission, but couldn't quite get it done before bed. I blame the friend! :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Bear + Bee

I want to be this little bear right about now.

(5 minute drawing and then colored in photoshop.) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Busy Busy

It has been so busy for us lately. Lots of work to be done to get the house all shiny. We did lots of water pressure cleaning and I have to say I really enjoy doing it. I know kind of weird, but something about blasting off the moss and gunk from the steps and drive way has been super gratifying. I was going to take a picture of "before and after" but haven't had a chance. We have more to do so I should get another chance.


This is a sketch on scrap paper I found during cleaning this weekend and thought I would share. I really want to color it in the near future.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Three Cheers!

I recently saw this in a magazine and think it is so great that I just had to share - I even have a little star and "post about this!" note to myself on the page.


Recycline's Preserve Kitchen cutting board is made of 100% recycled plastic. When it wears out it can be recycled again. How cool is that!? I love the colors - reminds me of being a kid and the 70's Tupperware that was all the rage.

You can also get other 100% recycled plastic items, as well. The products shown here are sold at Whole Food Market, and they also sell some on the Recycline's site.




This type of stuff really does make me happy to see - so often it seems companies don't put the effort to make their products recyclable, so three cheers for these folks! :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Fox

Wooyah - Friday! Tweet Follow @kellymedina

The things we keep

This is going to be a bit of a random post, but I tend to do those kind often. I am currently doing some slow packing - we are going to be selling our house, more about that another time - so I am cleaning out drawers, closets, cupboards, etc and tonight I was looking at all my mugs. I have quite a goofy selection, but tonight I wanted to show the ugliest but most cherished mug I have.


I got this beauty from my boyfriend in the 9th grade (we are still close friends to this day). He had it custom made for me, he requested all of my favorite things: mallard ducks, emerald green and my name spelled with an i. (I went through a short phase of spelling my name with an I - it didn't take obviously.


I got geese and some color of green that I just can't quite name.

But don't we all just have at least one thing that no matter how many times you look at it and think "I should get rid of this" you just can't. This is one of mine. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Card Design

After a few tweaks this is going to be a new card.

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Illustration House Sketch

A sketch I did when playing with the Hi-Tec-C pens. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Illustration Friday - Garden

I did part of this illustration for a work project and added the girl for this week's topic. (Don't worry it is a friendly bumble bee :). Happily smelling and collecting flowers.

Thanks for visiting and leaving any comments. I always enjoy reading them. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Dog Parkin'

It was beautiful outside today! I had promised my dog we would hit the dog park again this weekend (we went last weekend). The day started off a bit overcast, but turned gorgeous during the afternoon. It felt great to be out and not be rained on. I'm so happy for Spring, but sorta missing that hour I lost this morning! I never like my weekends to be shortened.





She is a happy girl and quite stinky wet after the dog park. She loves to lay in the dirtiest water she can find. First it was a muddy puddle and then the dog pool — basically a plastic kiddy pool filled with what looks like watered down chocolate milk. I bought her her own "doggy pool" to play in during the summer and she won't use it - apparently it must have dirt, dog slobber, debris and whatever else might be in those communal dog pools *cringe*. Sooo, she got washed once we got home. Now she is all dolled up and showing off for the cats. :)

A good day. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Yum!

I think i was hungry tonight and longing to have some strawberries, whip cream and pound cake... Looking forward to the summer berries! :) Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Inspiring Art

In my work space photos these cards were near my art table and I thought I would scan them for a closer look. They are so wonderful. I collected quite a few just to put on my walls for inspiration. These are just a few of them.

Anyone (Flora?) know who this artist is? I would love to see more.



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Coloring Sheet

This is an illustration I did for my day job. As you can see I pulled the dinosaur out for my IF submission. I'm not completely happy with the elephant, but I like the bear quite a bit. I might end up coloring this at some point, but for now I wanted to share.
The balloons had logos and event information in the final lay out. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Kotori

How sweet is this? I love the music and everything about it. It's simply perfect!


By Yves Geleyn

Click here to watch the very short movie. He has a lot of other great work on his site, this was done in Dec. 2007. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Illustration Friday - Leap

It's always fun to leap over or into puddles!

Thanks for visiting and for your comments. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

A glimpse

I am working on some illustrations and thought I would share a bit of one tonight. It's not finished and will change a bit. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

Multi Vitamins

An illustration I did for Illustration Friday's topic Multi last week. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to submit at the time, but I still do like how it turned out. Tweet Follow @kellymedina

My Work Space

I recently got tagged by Flora and Nina to show my work space. Just like Flora I felt I should clean up a bit before taking the picture, but decided against it. So here is my messy little work space. I do usually clean of the work table when I prepare to sew so I have a nice work space to cut fabric on. But usually I have stacks of papers, magazines and misc. things around. I so wish I could be a minimalist type person, but I just can't seem to do it - so done fighting it! Instead I try to just have a place for every thing so I can find it quickly.

My desk for the digital work. Bookcase showing slightly on the left, where I have a nice selection of design, sewing, and cooking/baking books. I like them being in arms reach.

This is my art table where I do most of my sewing projects. The Hallmark cards lining the underside of the window are so wonderful and I have tried to find the artist but didn't have much luck. That is a Spiderman poster in the upper left (my favorite super hero since I was a kid).

So there you have it... my little studio.

I can tag someone but I am not sure there is anyone I know who hasn't already shown their work spaces. But if you are reading this and haven't posted a work space picture, please do and comment here so I can go check it out. It really is cool to take a little peek into people's work spaces. Tweet Follow @kellymedina