Chewy in Red

     This will be a review and tutorial for Derwent Graphitint pencils.  I have used these before and like them.  They mix graphite with a water soluble tint. It is a nice mix of black and white with a bit of tint.

This is my nephew drawn in Graphitint with just a bit of color pencil in the lips and hair.

So, I thought I'd do one of the Good Flea's Chewy to show you the process.

Florence, Anyone?

     It's Sunday afternoon and I am totally bored.  It's past time for a post, but, I'm soooo in between projects.  I have two in particular - one I can't show yet because it is Christmas presents in progress, and the other is not finished enough to show.  So it's back to Italy snippets - ready?

     The one thing that amazed me the most about Italy was the art and architecture.  When I was in Catholic school (1st grade to 3 1/2 yrs. college) the nuns always rewarded our efforts with "holy cards" instead of gold stars.  They usually had a short prayer on the back.  These cards were always copies of religious art masterpieces.

This is a picture on one of the side altars at Santa Croce, Florence.  Note the small "holy card" bottom right.

     This icon is also from Santa Croce.  I had seen so many of these paintings, mosaics, and statues on cards and in books all my young life.  But, what a thrill it was to see the real deals in Italy.  Everywhere we went there was another memory made real.  Some were a lot bigger than I imagined, and some were smaller.  But all were impressive.

       Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence.  The size of the churches was most impressive - Huge.  The basilicas were even more so.


     So, if you're bored today, take a road trip down memory lane.
     Kareen

Three Dogs And a Bag of Poop

     While the Good Flea is out of town on business, I'm doggie sitting for Chewy and Gadget.
Honey is not amused.  She would rather spend her time under the guest bed than play with C & G. But, when they leave she is always bored and looking for them.  Diva dog all the way!

I've Been Robbed!

     In broad daylight!  Right in my own backyard!

     Normally, I like these little fur balls with their pretty fluffy tails.  I even draw them because they are so cute.  But, this is enough!  

     I watched this crime as it happened.  But, I was so amazed that I didn't take a picture.  I was afraid to open the blinds further for fear of scaring him off.
   
     He ate my marigolds!

Oh, the carnage!

Kareen's Artwork: Do You Like Leather?

Kareen's Artwork: Do You Like Leather?:      Well, do ya?   I do, and so does my son, the Good Flea 's Hubby.  He's getting darn good at leather work.   A few years ago, we...

Do You Like Leather?

     Well, do ya?   I do, and so does my son, the Good Flea's Hubby.  He's getting darn good at leather work.   A few years ago, we went together for beginner's classes at Tandy Leather here in Tulsa.  What fun! Since then, he has made it into a growing hobby and occasional commission.

Here's the Good Flea with her new custom designed purse from the Hunny!

I Accept Your Challenge!

 What Challenge?  The 8 Photos of Happiness challenge of course!

Ariel's Little Corner of the Internet created this fun challenge.  And special thanks to Hannah at Paved by Pawprints for nominating me.  This is such a treat for me as I'm new to blogging and still trying to figure it all out.  So here goes!

Happiness is:  
     Honey and Gadget the one time they really wanted to play together.  Amazing how little fur balls can tug your heartstrings!

Happiness is:

   Seeing Honey and the Good Flea's Chewy in the matching winter coats I sewed for them.

Who needs a new project?

     I do - that's who!  I go stir crazy when I'm bored.  I'm always looking for the next project.  So, I've decided to have a sale.  You know portaiture is MY thing!  So for the next week and a half, I'm reducing my prices because I NEED a project.
     Christmas will be here sooner than we like to think.  And a portrait of a favorite pet or person would be a welcome addition to any home.
      So, I'll take the first 3 requests by August 22nd.  Offer good only for this sale!
Small size  9"x12"       $150.00 
Medium     11"x14"     $175.00
Large         16"x20"      $225.00       All sizes are actual paper size.
Additions    $25.00
No shipping charge        Please refer to the Prices page above for further reference.

This is a drawing from an internet clipart site.  I drew it strictly for a tutorial on my techniques.  It is not for sale (in my closet).  I don't want to infringe on copyrights.

Laura's Villa

     The Good Flea has requested I tell you about my trip to Italy.   Nooooooo - this is not one of those boring "let me show you my thousands of pictures" albums.  I'll only show a snippet or two at a time.  Promise!

      Two years ago, my sister and her husband, gave me the Christmas gift of a lifetime - a two week trip with them to Italy.  The best part of the whole adventure was having time to visit with them. They live in Atlanta, GA; so we don't see each other very often.

      We flew Delta via Air France from Atlanta to Paris and on to Florence.  There they had reserved a half of a villa as HQ for the visit.

What's In Your Bag?

     Whaaa?  What bag?  Why my "Bug Out" bag of course.  Now, if you're thinking I'm some crazy paranoid old woman - I'm not.  Well, sometimes, maybe a little.  Anyway, it is the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
      For 33 years, every summer, I would begin collecting our valuables, important papers, and photo albums to keep in a special place for quick evacuation.  This is very much like on TV's MASH.  Sometimes we were only given a day or two's notice.  Keeping 4 kids and dogs calm while packing up our old VW van during all the craziness in the community was quite a feat.  Amazing how people panic with an impending hurricane!
      So, when I moved to tornado country, I continued to keep a bug out bag near the front door.  That lasted about 5 years.  I finally realized that if there was a tornado, there might not even BE a front door, much less a bug out bag.
      But, about a month ago, I awoke one morning, and just started filling my backpack with a few days necessities.  Then, seeing Honey giving me the glare, I realized she needed a bug out bag too.
So, I started filling my collapsible carryall with food and water for both of us.  So now we are prepared for whatever may come.  I think I would have made a good Girl Scout if I had lived in the city.

The carryall with liner I made to conceal innards.  Dried foods, easy open cans, and bottle waters fill the bottom.  There is a tether for Honey to ride on top.  She's not a real hiker.

This is after I added a few more items, a small pillow, towel, and puppy pad on top so Honey can ride in comfort.  She's not spoiled!  Nooooooo!

I love these mesh bags I bought from Rick Steves for my trip to Italy.  Here there is a change of clothes and extra socks plus a sewing and eye glass kit.  

And this is my hanging toiletry kit - also from Rick Steves.  These both fit in the large compartment of the back pack.  There is also another smaller mesh bag with medications, can opener, plastic bags and utensils, and TP, etc.

And what would any self respecting "bug out" bag be without a crank radio, LED headlight, compass, and extra leash and poop bags.  An old fashion fan always comes in handy in hot weather or swarming bugs.

So there you have it.  Bag is all ready with my money belt and print out of vital records in the side pocket ready to put on in a rush.

      But, I have another bag I haven't shown you.  And I can't!  It's a bag I keep with me 24/7.  

But, you can't see it.  The main compartment is my heart, filled with the love of Jesus.  The side compartment is His holy Word, lest I offend Him or others.  The other side pocket is His salvation.

The handle bears the motto "Jesus is my Boss".  This is my "Bug Out" bag of Faith.  

      One bag is useful to get me from one physical location to another, and one bag is useful to get me from here to eternity.  Never hurts to be prepared for both events.

Now, what's in Your bag?

Kareen

PS  If you have any suggestions for additions, please let me know.  Thanks!  K