Prismacolor vs. Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils

Please forgive all these artsy related posts. I’m hoping perhaps they can help others that might be searching for similar things.

I’m a person that researches a ton before I make a major purchase so it’s no surprise I’m doing the same thing when it comes to colored pencils. Initially, I was leaning towards Prismacolor as my go to colored pencil of choice; however, many reviews are saying after the company was bought out, that the quality of the colored pencils have gone downhill. Because of that, it was back to research once again and I found a few colored pencils that have my interest. Top on the list are the Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. Unless something comes along that blows these away, this will be the colored pencils that I purchase.

Check out the above video to get a thorough review from both pencils. Also, I have a new artist that I can now follow. You can find her at Lachri Fine Art.

House Mouse Series: Pin Cushion

Last evening, after my daughter and I were settled, I pulled out the colored pencils I’d purchased (earlier that day) from the art store where she’s attending Art camp. The brand of the art pencils I’m using escapes me at the moment; however, I’ll update when I have a chance to look at them.

Here’s what I made…

House Mouse Card design_1.7.13.15
Handmade card and envelope

 

This particular House Mouse stamp is called “Pincushion.” Isn’t it adorable?

House Mouse series: Pincushion
House Mouse series: Pincushion

 

Here’s a plain version of the stamp.

Of course… there’s room for improvement; however, I really love this stamp and I’m slowly getting used to making cards again.  At the last moment, I decided to add a strip of the corresponding envelope paper to the card. I thought it’d match up better that way. Early this morning, I shipped off the card to it’s owner. They should receive it in a few days. Along with this card, I made one for the BF too! However, I forgot to take a picture of that. Oh well… I’ll get him to do the honors and take the picture himself.

Faber Caastel PolyChrosmos colored pencil
Faber-Castell’s PolyChrosmos colored pencils

Last evening, I did watch a few colored pencil tutorials and I’m finding that I’m not disliking them as much. In fact, I’ve decided when I do decide to make a “pricey” colored pencil purchase. I’ll invest in Faber-Castell’s Polychrosmos colored pencils. From what I’ve been reading, they are amazing, they don’t break when sharpened and they should last me a very long time.

Serging: A bag for art camp

Early this morning, I realized that I’d told my daughter that I’d make her a bag for Art Camp. Art Camp starts today. Whoops… and so around 5:00 this morning, I pulled out my Serger, cut out the appropriate lengths of fabric, and started serging. If I was not so rushed, I would have taken photos of the entire process.

Sewing: Art Supplies Bag
Sewing: Art Supplies Bag

1.5 hours later, I completed the above bag. Guess what? I still had enough time to shower, dress for work  and pack her lunch.

Her art supply bag, is fully lined with the same fabric. I do believe I’ll include a pocket, but that will be added after she arrives home this afternoon. This bag was purposely made large to hold all the art supplies that she needed for the camp and the ones she’ll acquire over the course of this week. I must say that it felt great completing this last minute project, and more importantly, I kept my promise and had her bag sewn before Art camp started?

I don’t like doing anything at the last minute. I normally do my projects well in advance, but this one slipped under my radar. Guess what? My daughter accepted my apology, and smiled as she looked at her brand new art bag.

Bikers hangout…

This Saturday, the BF and I will be attending an event with two of his friends.

Harley Davidson Comic

We will be going to the event on motorcycles. They all have them. My BF has a Harley. Don’t even ask me what type of Harley it is, since I don’t have the slightest idea.

His biking buddies are bringing along their girlfriends. Thus far, when he’s gone riding with them, I have not been in attendance. However, we have “friended” one another on Facebook and have dropped by to occasionally comment on each others post.

Apparently the BF has been saying lots of good things about me and so they all are looking forward to meet me. How sweet is that? Truth be told… I’m looking forward to meeting them also. The BF did tell me, I might want to consider wearing a hat or some type of tube to secure my dreadlocks and so I’ll be sewing one within the next few days. He also suggested I wear jeans. Uhm… I don’t own those. It looks like I’ll have to purchase a pair towards the end of this week.

My daughter is only slightly disappointed she can’t attend. There’s going to be a concert, so she would have loved to have attended that; however, I told her that the BF and I would make sure she attends at least one concert this summer. She’s happy. What will she be doing while I’m away? She’ll be hanging with her grandparents. This week, I have planned special activities for just the two of us. Thus far, she’s been pleased with what we’ve been doing.

 

Being creative: Making more cards…

During my “down time” on Sunday, I was able to make a few more cards.

Cardmaking_ICL.7.5.15

 

Here’s one of the simple cards that I made for my BF. You know something? I’ve had this stamp used to make this card for almost four years.

Beary-Grateful.10.08.11.jpg
Recycled photo: Card I made almost four years ago

 

It’s the Berry Happy Hedgehog from the Clear Stamp collection. Remember when I mentioned that we said we would start sending each other hand-written letters? Well… we’ve kept our promise to each other.

This card was  very simple to make and it used one of my clear stamps that I adore. I also made a matching envelope. I wrote my note that evening and mailed it from work yesterday, he should receive it tomorrow.  I trotted off to finance office and paid them the .50 for postage. Last evening, the BF told me that he’d mailed me a card also. I should receive mine tomorrow also. Yeah!

This evening, I have another card to make and that will be for Jennifer. I received a letter from her on Sunday. I must say it was nice to receive a letter from my blogging pal. My cards are not as fancy as hers; however, I’ll have fun making hers and writing her a note.

While I enjoyed making the above card, I must say that I’m not happy with the pencils I used to complete the project. They were actually my daughters art pencils. They’re great, but I really miss markers. My daughter is a talented artist, but she much prefers sketching with pencils.

Copic Markers 36-Piece Sketch Basic Set
Copic Markers 36-Piece Sketch Basic Set

 

Because of that, I’m finally going to break down and purchase some Copics Markers. I’m looking at the set that has 36. They’re a bit pricey, at $136; however, I have heard nothing but good things about them… and you can purchase refills!

Houe Mouse Christmas Stamp
Christmas Tale by House Mouse Designs

 

I also need to stock up on ink pads and perhaps a few more clear stamps? I’m quite fond of House Mouse designs, so I most likely will purchase a few of those.

I’m nudging you Jennifer! can you recommend some good brands for inkpads and perhaps some clear stamps? I have not purchased either in a few years.

Lunch and Breakfast: What’s on the menu?

My goodness is the time flying by. This past July 4th weekend, my daughter and I spent part of our weekend with the BF.

July 4th quotes

 

Naturally, I cooked meals. As I tell the BF, he’s fortunate that I enjoy cooking so much. For me, it’s a form of crafting. I don’t use recipes and I definitely am not measuring what I add to the dish. Often, I have no idea what I’m going to make but my heart and fingers usually guide my path.

I told the BF that I wanted to making “pulled chicken,” for my daughter and him. “Do you have barbecue sauce?,” He asked. I smiled and told him I did not need barbecue sauce and I also told him that a “pulled chicken dish,” did not automatically have to have that.

First I put the chicken breast in his pressure cooker so it would be nice and tender. While that was working I sauteed onions, squash and mushrooms in a skillet. To that dish I added herbs and spices that I ground in my granite mortar and pestle. Once everything was completed I shredded the chicken and added it to the vegetables. My daughter said she wanted cheese and so I added a tiny amount to the last few minutes of cooking.

Pulled Chicken_1 07.04.15
Pulled chicken sandwich and potato salad

 

Here’s the result. As you can see, I also made potato salad. It’s the first time my BF has tasted my potato salad and he raved at how good it truly was. Guess what? They both ate seconds… and thirds! Although I love potato salad, I have not made it in a while. Truth be told… I could simply feast on a huge bowl of potato salad, that’s how much I adore the dish. However, I did not do that and ate in moderation.

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Spicy eggs, bacon and a roll. The drink is freshly juiced carrot/lemon juice.

 

I also had a chance to make them breakfast as you can see in the above photo. My daughter loves her cheese and so I added a small amount to the eggs, along with mushrooms, broccoli and a few other vegetables, spices and herbs. They both raved over this dish also and when back for seconds. With full tummies they were content to lounge about for a bit before we all played Scattergories!