Portrait of Me by Lemanntim

For some reason I love to collect portraits of myself drawn by different artists.  I've been amassing them over the past 10 years.  The other day, I discovered the amazing art of Lemanntim on deviantART.  She had posted the cutest illustration for a children's book and I started watching/following her gallery.  She had the most awesome portraits as well.  I noticed that she was currently taking commissions.  I had to have her draw a picture for my collection.  Here is the fantastic result.

It puts me in mind of the children's books my babysitter used to read me and my sister when we were little.  Most of those books were from the 60's and 70's because they belonged to her children.  I love Lemanntim's unique style of coloring.  I do believe that this is my favorite portrait in my collection thus far.  

More ATC's

Here are some more ATC's I made with images from Pixabay.

Pixabay ATC Fun and a Ransom Note

I've been hella bored this weekend.  This is nothing new.  I stay bored.  During the quarantine, I've been having a problem staying creative.  Before COVID-19, creativity seemed to flow effortlessly.  Now I have to force myself to make anything.  Yesterday, I decided I'd settle down in my chair in my literal cave (my workspace is recessed underneath a loft bed) and create some mixed media ATC's (artist trading cards).  I've known about Pixabay for some time now, but I've never really utilized it.  For those of you who don't know what Pixabay is, its a site with over a million free to use, copyleft photos, illustrations, vector graphics, film footage, and music.  In addition to using some photos, vector graphics, and illustrations from Pixabay, I used some hand painted papers I purchased from my friend Stephanie's Etsy shop, Paper Cut Lane.  Stephanie is my favorite mixed media artist ever!  So when she opened up her Etsy shop recently, I was thrilled that I could buy her handmade supplies to use in my own mixed media pieces.  Here are some of the ATC's I made yesterday.

I also made a ransom note handmade postcard yesterday for an upcoming swap on swap-bot.  I wanted to add a sinister message, but not something too creepy.  Here's what I came up with.  

I don't read magazines, so I purchased a digital file of these cut out letters from LaSoffittaDiSte on Etsy. Much easier than combing through magazines and finding the letters myself.  

I've already been searching Pixabay this morning, looking for more interesting images so I can make more ATC's.  Unfortunately I'm running out of ink already just two weeks after installing new color cartridges.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to invest in a color laser printer soon.  Do any of you have any recommendations for a relatively inexpensive ($400 or less) color laser printer with a scanner?  Or can you recommend a good brand?  Any suggestions would help me out a great deal.  

Witcher Plushie

I finally got my ass in gear and finished the Geralt de Rivia plushie in a bathtub.  This is for a swap on swap-bot.  The pattern I bought for this plush proved to be too difficult for me to understand with regard to the body.  I ended up keeping the head from that pattern and used a body pattern that I was more comfortable with.  I had to redo my tub because the new body was significantly larger than the one I'd previously planned on.  No, those aren't rocks in the Witcher's tub.  They're supposed to be bubbles, but I guess they are a little big.  He looks really sad about bathing doesn't he?  

Joe Exotic, Rascal, and a Bunny

Lately I have found little motivation to do anything creative (except for my Teesha Moore inspired creations).  I was unable to sleep last night and I was soooooo bored!  Finally about 5AM I decided I would pixelate the Tiger King, Joe Exotic.  If you haven't seen "Tiger King" on Netflix, you are definitely missing out.  It's a trainwreck mixed with a car crash, and a raging dumpster fire.  I highly recommend it.  I used a base by Cosmindart to make my pixel icon.  Here is the enlarged version of my icon (actual size is 50x50 pixels).

Isn't he adorbs?  So kawaii!

My raccoon buddy, Rascal, has been coming out in the daylight hours.  Due to this new behavior and his limited fear of me, I researched raccoon rabies and he seemed to have symptoms.  Then I found out that once a raccoon contracts the virus, they only live up to three days.  Rascal has been friendly with me for months now.  I've determined that Rascal is just friendly and weird.  He is starting to get a little too close to me, but as of right now, he follows my verbal commands to stay back.  He does back away if I make any sudden movements, so he's not completely comfortable with me.  This is Rascal getting a little too close.

Finally, I made an ATCoin patch, or a merit badge as I like to call them, for a swap on swap-bot.  It was a spring themed swap.  I always think of bunnies when I think of spring.  I absolutely hate finishing the edges of these patches!  I think it turned out pretty cute. 

That's all for now.  Stay safe, y'all!

Teesha Moore Inspired Patch Pillow

Since I already made two bags, I felt it was time to create something else out of my collection of Teesha Moore inspired patches.  While I was on Pinterest the other day, I saw a TM inspired patch pillow, so that's what I made.  Here is the front and back of my pillow. 

Making anything out of these patches requires sewing through numerous layers of fabric.  I found that pulling the needle through with a pair of pliers makes things 1000x easier.  However, I still have a blister on my thumb from all the sewing.