Whimsy and Mermaids

I've been doing a lot of sketching and doodling to try to improve my drawing skills. I think I've improved quite a bit at drawing figures from different angles. It's been a lot of fun! I can see improvement! I guess practice makes better (maybe not perfect)! The two classes I take with Art Trader are super fun and relaxing!

Mermaid Practice sketch page #3

#2 - these might have turned out a little better than the #3 page!

this is a whimsical sketch of an angry cook! Maybe someone left a mess in the kitchen!

The top row have roughly the correct propotions a face should have (draw a circle-ish shape put the eyes half way btween top and bottom, ears a little lower, then nose and mouth). The bottom row has really wonky placement of features- eyes too close together/too far apart, eyes too far up on the head. Haha - a good exercise in whimsy! I'm still looking for my distinct style! Tell me when I find it :)

Ruby Wedge Maneuver!

As finals rapidly approach, Ruby has developed a new attention strategy. She runs around the house and then jumps bewteen me and the couch...and then just stays there. It's super cute!

This is Gary trying to identify a bird call Chase played on the computer. Could it be this knitted thing?

Whimsical and color scheme practice.

Whimsical practice! Exercise: stylization. :)



Finals started today! So far so good :) I'm hoping the rest of my finals will go just as well. I'm confident I'm going to pass with flying colors in the rest of my classes. I've got nice cushions in almost all of them. ;)

Good luck everyone!

Smile!

No nudity in this post! Promise!



Doesn't this guy just make you smile? He kept sticking his head through the fence for pets. I bought some suri wool from an alpaca with a similar coat color that I can't wait to knit with! I've got a pattern that I want to try as soon as I figure out the stitches...it's been awhile since I tried knitting! Did you know that camelids (such as an alpaca) have oval red blood cells. Most other mammals have the biconcave, disc shaped cells. ;)


We had bible study again today. I still feel a bit shy, but it's getting better as I get to know the girls better. Today's chapters were on worship and the mind. Worship shouldn't be just a Sunday morning thing but an every moment thing. How enriching would it be to have a constant attitude of worship! ...instead of my whiny/busy/distracted state of mind. I've had a lot of negativity in my life lately, and I really want to end that. After all there is always, always something to be grateful for - I just have to get out of my narrow-minded view of things. So maybe this week will be the fresh start I need! I think I might start taking part of lunch to take some quiet time to get focused. I hope my friends will understand. Another thing I can do to worship God is plan ahead - that is make lunches and set up the coffee machine the night before. Then I can get up and read some psalms while drinking my coffee and enjoying the birds on my snow-laden porch. That sounds like a good way to start the day. As for the mind part...the author states that the Christian should constantly be reading the bible and good, wholesome books - in any subject you like... For example, on her suggested reading she listed the James Herriot books as well as Jane Austen and an assortment of other classics. She also talked about reading gardening books ^_^ It's important for you to actually challenge your mind by learning new things and reading good literature! This chapter also talks about focusing on the positive things in life. Paul says "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8.

Disciplining my mind to be renewed and worshipful are lofty goals so pray for me this week.

Finals begin next week so it's important for me utilize time management, focus while studying, and maintain a godly attitude.

Peace out!



Ps... whimsy mermaid class starts tomorrow!! Maybe they'll show me some ways to clothe my mermaids :)

Whimsy

I'm taking a Whimsical Art Class at Art Trader. This is the first exercise - color schemes. It's also sort of the last exercise too (creat a body and then trace it and reclothe it a couple of times).


This is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

On this little fairy, I decided to use compementary colors for her wings and the background. I through some yellow in to make sure it didn't look too Christmas-y. I also used my circle template for the circles in the background. That little thing just makes patterns so much easier ^_^



*Nude mermaids follow...so don't look if they offend you*

Chase let me sign up for a whimsical mermaid class for valentine's day. I can't wait for it to begin...so I did some mermaids for my whimsy class!

Disciplines of a Godly Woman

But first some art...

We covered snakes in Lab Animal Medicine and it was on my mind.... This is for a "What Was I Thinking?" themed swap ^_^

This one was for a purple and red themed swap. I think we could all use a nice cup of tea!




Today I joined a lovely group of young women for a bible study covering the book Disciplines of a Godly Woman. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) it is exactly what I need to be studying at this point in my life. My life is so unbalanced right now it probably looks like the last couple of rounds of Jenga - about to fall apart unless I do some serious work on the foundation. I've sorely neglected the foundation and my constantly frazzled state of mind is Exhibit A. This bible study just sort of popped up...I wasn't sure if I was going to go (most likely leaning toward not going since I'm tragically awkward around new people). But before I had made up my mind, I had a copy of the first chapter of the book in my hand and directions. Today's discussion centered around what discipline is and why we need as well as helped identifying the things that prevent me from being disciplined. So for this week I'm going to get up early and start my day off with a little God time. The ATCs have to slow as well...they are becoming somewhat of an idol. Vet school....God help me!

Vet school is frustrating the living daylights out of me. It's one of those semesters that I'm going to work really, really hard and keep up with my classes and still struggle. I aim to do my best, but I need to learn to be satisfied within my own capabilities (ie grades). Also I need some God-given patience and self-control to deal with constantly being around my buddies. I love them all, but as an introvert it takes a lot of energy for me to be around people constantly - especially when there's almost constant bickering among them. I need time alone to recharge and re-center on God. So pray for me as I try to make a fresh beginning and add a healthy dose of Godly discipline to my life!

Recent Art

I made some art -for relaxation therapy :)

What a Week...

This week I perfected the single serving blueberry toatser oven treat.

Chase and Ruby snuggled up on the couch...

I did this last week ^_^


So we had some tests today. I didn't do as well as I hoped in pharm - but hey I did just fine. Radiology was a little rough - the cases were not as "straight foward" I as though. I was just a bit disappointed with my performance, but we'll get grades back later. So I guess there's no point in worrying about it just yet. I wanted to ace this test so I'd have a cushion for the remaining tests. *sigh* I studied so hard - I'm just worried my effort didn't pay off.

Clean House!

So Chase just up and volunteered to help me clean the house today ^_^ He just started vacuuming! Aaahh. How nice ^_^


I got out the springy table cloth. Not quite sure about how I'm going to arrange this yet ^_^

Clean den!

Clean bedroom!


Ok. Gary says it's time for bed. Goodnight!

My Swap

After seeing the response to my latest work at ATCSforAll.com I decided (after someone suggested it) to make this my first swap! It's based of a tutorial in the 9th issue of arttrader magazine (it's free)... So I asked the author for permission, and she gave me the go ahead and even was the first to sign up for my swap! I'm so excited about it, but also a little nervous. I don't want to mess it up!

Here are my entries for my own swap. If I have time and energy I'd like to make cards for everyone who signs up (shhh...don't tell). Considering my upcoming test schedule...it's doubtful I'll be able to. Next week is going to be a killer! I'm really having fun with this!





Also, classes are going pretty well right now. They are really challenging, but I'm enjoying them! I've actually done moderately well on the quizzes too (straight Bs). Of course, I'm still aiming for better grades, but B's are great too :)


Peace and love to all!

I did art! I did art!

So in the latest issue of Art Trader e-zine (it's free) there was a 10 minute art walkthrough by Sal Scheibe which I did. I didn't think I could acheive good results..but being about to do art in 10 minutes was too good of a lure. So I tried it and was very pleased with the results. Thanks for the great tutorial! I think I'll keep doing these for a bit.

Congrats to the happy new parents Michelle and Paul! Little Adah is beautiful! I'm so happy for you too :)


Update on my clinical schedules to follow later this week. Right now, classes are the most challenging they've been (i honest to goodness study for hours every night), but they are the most awesome they've been yet (so far..the first round of tests is in the next couple of weeks). I'm learning how to be a vet!!!

Christmas Break

Chase and I were luckily able to go home over break. We enjoyed spending time with both of our families ^_^



Family portrait...sort of. Gary was too lazy to sit up for the photo.

As promised, here is a family photo of some very close family friends.

Chase's grandpa made one of these for all of his grandchildren and children. We will treasure ours forever.

Chase and I placed our wash stand in the master bedroom right before you enter the bathroom. Haha - we're still debating what we should put in it! I think some reorganization is in order. It would look fabulous with the oak desk my grandpa made so maybe someday those will both go in the same bedroom.

Celebrating the Good times!

I just took my last test of 2009 and ended up doing moderately well in all of my classes: 3 Bs and 1 A. I feel quite a sense of accomplishment at that. However, this last semester (more than last year) - I also felt much happier. In the long run, grades really don't mater that much for me (just as long as I learn and pass). It's much more important to enjoy life, celebrate each day, and thank God for all of it. Sometimes, we busy humans forget to take the time to actually enjoy life ^_^Treasured memories from my wedding...


Today I had a nostalgic moment and went and looked at our wedding pictures ^_^

This is one on my most treasured memories from the wedding. After the rehearsal dinner, my bridesmaids and I stayed to make our own bouquets. People had said that making your own bouquets was a bad idea...not a good way to save money, but my experience proved otherwise. We ordered all of our flowers in bulk from Sams. Then we each picked out the flowers we wanted and rapped some ribbon around the stems. They ended up be absolutely beautiful, and the memories of spending that peaceful time together in the midst of chaotic wedding planning is one of my favorite memories!





After the bouquet making - we all just hung out at my parents' house. Also...a good memory.

Right around that time we found Ruby and her puppies. ...

Can you believe this is the same dog? It's amazing what a couple of months of good food and lots of lovin' can do for a dog. I may just be a proud mother-hen, but I think I have one of the prettiest dogs in the nation. She's got such a loving personality too! I have to admit though...she farts under the covers when I let her snuggle with me on the couch. Stinky dog! I'm so glad we found her ^_^