Cathy Michaels Design by Cathy Bluteau

Busy business

Ahh I don't know why life seems so busy - busy busy busy always - work and dinner and wash and kids and husbands - it really never ends.  Sometimes it seems like it's just busy business, just busy work - nothing really comes of it all!

But I managed to sneak in a few hours in my studio.  I mentioned that I am working on some new journals using my bind-it-all but using the bind-it-all is a little more challenging than I thought.  I've made 3 journals so far but 2 of the 3 I am not happy with - it takes some practice to used this machine but when you get it right - wow - it makes beautiful books.

I want to restock my shop wiht a whole bunch of things at once so I am waiting till I am all done.  I hope I will have some time this week to work on my journals again.

In the meantime I've also been working on sketching and making more girls, here's my latest trio

 

I got a new pen!!

I bought a new pen ... yep, sometimes that's all it really takes - a new pen - a new pen where I want to try out how the lines work.

This pen, which is just a fine point Marvy Reminisce Gel pen in black is delicious!

just trying it out here ...

 

some flowers (hmm it's my scanner causing the fuzziness at the top)

oh - I think I can do something with this last one  ... !!!

The only problem with the pen is that it stays wet for a bit so you have to watch not to smudge - but if you are patient it works great.

Have a great day all

Technology Rant

So listen, I work with technology everyday.  I work in a company where we develop the latest 4G software to make our cell phones faster, better and smart.  I work daily with spreadsheets, powerpoint and email.  I can create the best pivot tables, presentations and can blind cc with the best of them.  I can talk cell towers and process management, restructuring and downsizing - I can keep up with the lingo! 

But, online ... OMG, I now have to blog, tweet, like, pin, facebook and I don't know what else.  I just can't keep up. 

I don't tweet because most of my thoughts don't fit into 1 liners, if I like it I will tell you - not just press a button.  I am on facebook but frankly I am lost - I don't know if my "friends" are talking to me to you or to anyone who will listen - I don't know half the people who want to be my friends, and no I have not updated to the timeline or whatever it is cause every one says they don't like it - phew - at least I don't have to do that. 

 I love pinterest but what will become of my little box of printed ideas for inspiration - now they are all on pinterest -  I used to call my girlfriend in Toronto but now she just wants to post pictures to tell me about her family.  I have not yet used instagram but everyone says I MUST.  I don't BBM and I don't spend $300.00 a month on my iphone bill so I can tweet, like, post, pin and whatever else!!!

But, what I do love my dear readers - is my blog!  My blog is my home away from home.  My blog is where I talk to you and you talk back!  My blog is where I show real pictures and share my progress with new things I am taking on.  My blog is where you tell me how you feel about the things I am doing. My blog now, is even where you have started talking to each other - yeah - to me that`s fun, that`s success.  Why can`t I just share here on my little blog - can`t I reach all of you through here, you can always tell your facebook friends, or tweet about my blog, or pin my or whatever it is everyone is doing.  I just want to talk to you here...

Ahhhh.  Much better, here are some pictures of things I have been working on - just to share - just to show you and hear what you have to say. 

I am also working on some new online workshops and would love to get your feedback on what interests you.  These are the 3 I am working on:

1- Just backgrounds (backgrounds are a nightmare for many of us when we start journals - I have great ideas and techniques for how to start)

2- Drawing 101:  Big Girls:  like the ones I show below

3- Doodle ^{2 _{reads as Doodle Squared (love that) - this will be another doodle class but based on the square pieces I have been doing as shown in this post.}}

Let me know which ones are of interest to you and I`ll focus on those first.

Okay so here`s what I`ve been doing - instead of working with all the online technology!!!

    

 I had done these kind of figures long long ago but decided to try them anew - I like the way they turned out.

  

  

I am obsessed with drawing these faces right - especially the noses - so I keep drawing these over and over again.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

She`s looking a little sad but I do like

her eyes

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little girls are always fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and now they are making their way into my journals!

...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Even when they are not yet fully dressed!

























More of the same journal

































So personally I`m glad I spent time working on the above, instead of worrying about the technology!



Have a good, creative weekend all



Check out my new stash

Oh Boy!  The day has started and I am bubbling, yes bubbling with new ideas.  Yesterday on my way home from the office I stopped by my local Scrapbook store and with the help of Gisele (my friend) and new salesperson at the scrapbook store and check out the stash I cam away with!!!!

 

 

Remember these

 

Well now with my new Zutter Bind it All I am going to be making some crazy crazy journals and things.  My head is spinning with ideas and I just need to get started.....

If any of you have one send me your tips and tricks.

You can see I also bought a lot of new stencils and stamps and yes and a set of new watercolor paints because that's next on my list of things I want to do.

More later this week - maybe even today - right now I just need to get started!!!

 

PS.  I have been getting a lot of questions on my Doodle "Squares" so stay tuned for an upcoming morning art video!

 

Okay - so I'm square

These square paintings continue to consume my time.  I think its because I can work on them mindlessly and really just feel like I am working in a coloring book.  I also bought a copper paper pen which drips out of a bottle and adds dimension to your shapes.  I've been experimenting using it different ways but it still doesn't provide the sheen that I am looking for in these dots or shapes so I'm still looking.

Here are the latest ...

i was trying to highlight my word for 2012 here - clarity

love these close up shots

here you can see the copper pen and the raised effect it has on the paper

the full monty

Oh I forget - I introduced circles here!!

and more squares

and the full shot

Enjoy your Tuesday