Alphabets - Coffee ABC's

Color pencil sketch, manipulated in Photoshop.

The cup sketches were actually from artist trading cards (ATC's) I created. After scanning the images into my computer, I simply manipulated the images in Photoshop and came up with this illustration. I was going to try to do the whole alphabet, but that will be for another project someday. =)

I was so busy making ATC's last week that I didn't get to post my "visitor" drawing for Illustration Friday last week (it's on my list of things to do). And I hadn't missed a week since I started this blog in May! Anyway, I didn't want to miss it again, so this is what I came up with.

I also found an "A to Z of Coffee" list on the internet. Really good info and definitions of some coffee-related terms. Fun read!

Monday Artday Challenge - Charm

Yay!!! I'm so excited about the awesome award I won for the weekly challenge. Thank you so much Bearuh and thank you Monday Artday!


Monday Artday posted a challenge to "alter" a small object so that it could be worn as a charm.


First, I found my small objects: small wooden tile and buttons from my sewing basket. I think just finding something to use took the longest time!


I painted a small tropical fish on the tile and painted the buttons, which were used as embellishments. I also applied gloss varnish to seal the paint, and added a starfish charm and crystals, too.


Oh, and I finished it with a lobster clasp so that one could easily hang it on a charm bracelet.

I'm so happy to be trading with Sheri, who also made a beautiful charm out of a domino tile. I'm looking forward to the exchange! =)

"Crazy for Coffee Mugs" ATC's

These ATC's are getting to be so addictive! =) Here are some new ones I did...


Beach Mug


The Love Mug **For Kat Blue**


Mermaid Mug **For Emila Yusof**


Tuscan Red Pot Mug

"I Love Chocolate" ATC's

Giant Toblerone Bar (watercolor) **For Pati**


Sees Candies (watercolor) **For Zari**


Chocolate Covered Oreo - Chilled (watercolor) **For Brian**


Joseph Schmidt Chocolates (watercolor) **For Woody**


Brownies... Yum! (watercolor) **For Zari**


Frrrozen Hot Chocolate (pen and watercolor) **For Irisz**


Chocolate Lip Balm (watercolor)


Amalfi Lemon-White Chocolate (watercolor) **For Mike**


Fields' Burger and Chocolate Shake (watercolor) **For Mim Stella**


Chocolate-Covered Strawberry (watercolor) **For Maryam**


Cheese and Chocolate Train (watercolor) **For Ms. Froggie**


Chantico Shock (colored pencil)

Just heard about these Artist Trading Cards and thought they would be fun to do. These are from what I'm calling my "I Love Chocolate" series, based on something I posted a couple of weeks ago: Click here. If you'd like to trade I have most of these available. Email me at JCEPH4@aol.com

Thanks!

Captain

I drew the first captain that came to mind. Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop.

"Love, exciting and new. Come Aboard. We're expecting you..." So goes the theme song for that famous TV show, The Love Boat. And here is none other than Captain Merril Stubing to greet his guests as they board his ship. Handsome, charming, debonair, single-dad -- Captain Stubing was a good catch, but his buddy Doc seemed to take all the ladies. On the last show of the series, the good Captain finally married a woman played by Marion Ross (Richie's mom from Happy Days).

Anyway, more fun facts about the show can be found here.

On a related note, I've been on two separate cruise vacations to the Mediterranean and (if you don't get seasick), cruising is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to travel. All you can eat buffet, gi-normous moving vehicle, people to wait on you hand and foot. (Sigh) I want to go on vacation now.

Expedia has a handy guide that explains all about cruises. Check it out!

Emergency

In case of CHOCOLATE Emergency, break glass! Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop.

I'm a certified chocolate FIEND! hehehe. Here's my top 10 (ok, 12) favorite all-time chocolate experiences:

12. Starbucks Chantico. Billed as a chocolate dessert, it was so rich, you could go into chocolate shock if you drank 4 or 5. Find out why they pulled it from their menu here.

11. Trader Joe’s Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix. Read a review of this DECADENT product.

10. Chocolate covered fresh strawberries. Isn't this health food? =)

9. Although this is a non-food item, Ben and Jerry's sells the cutest Chocolate Fudge Brownie lip balm.

8. Try this: Buy a box of chocolate covered oreos (yes, chocolate-covered), store in the freezer, and in a few hours, enjoy a fabulous treat!

7. The Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity3 in New York City. Maybe it tasted so good because we had to wait 3 hours to get seated during the holiday season?

6. Amalfi, Italy - a little shop called Sapori d' Amalfi sells the most delicious lemon/white chocolate candy bars.

5. Fields, Oregon is a tiny town consisting of a few buildings, but they serve the most incredible, world-famous chocolate milkshakes!

4. See’s Candy chocolates and confections.

3. Umm… I haven’t experienced this YET, but on my next trip to Switzerland, I’m going to take the Cheese and Chocolate Train.

2. The Toblerone bar.

1. Can I just say, I LOVE Joseph Schmidt Chocolates! Works of art, and the most delicious chocolates ever.

If you have any of your own favorites, feel free to tell me about them!

Missing

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop.

I actually saw a poster for a missing llama named Dolly while on my trip. I forgot a few of the details (I faked some of the info on this poster), but it was indeed true that a pony last accompanied the poor animal on a walk before it turned up missing. I do hope they find poor Dolly.

I believe llamas are considered livestock rather than actual pets in the traditional sense. You would need lots of room for this beautiful creature. As I was looking around the web for interesting info, I discovered a page devoted to sounds that llamas make when they're uncomfortable, alarmed, flirting, or aroused. Check out the following link and listen for yourself: Llama Sounds
You have to listen to their humming -- it sounds just like a person!