Books and Wicked

Lately I have been doing quite a bit of reading (what am I saying? "Lately?" I never really do stop reading.) Anyhow, a while back I picked up the first book of Erin Hunter's "Seekers" series about the journey of three bears (Kallik, a polar bear, Toklo, a grizzly bear, and Lusa, a black bear.) It has a writing style that for some reason I don't find very easy to follow. It isn't difficult, but from time to time it becomes uninteresting, and then my mind begins to wander. I do like the story and the characters, though, so I've gotten all four volumes that have come out so far. I am currently reading the fourth volume, "The Last Wilderness."

This has been an exciting month. My new Kinetic bike trainer came in the mail a couple of weeks ago, so I should be exercising a little more regularly now. That, and my mom gave me three books, completely by surprise. One I don't care much for; it's a picture book about Passover, and since I'm not Jewish, nor particularly interested in the writer or illustrator, I will most likely trade it for another on my next trip to the used book store. But the other two are swell, and just my kind of books. One is titled "The Crystal Prison" and written by Robin Jarvis; it is part of the Deptford Mice Trilogy. The other one is part of The Mistmantle Chronicles, titled "Urchin and the Heartstone" and written by M. I. McAllister. Both are the second volumes in each of these series, so I may get the first volumes before I begin to read them. They smell of Redwall ripoffs to me, especially the latter one, but I don't care. The writing in both books appeals to me no matter where I flip them open, while I find only the first book in the Redwall series at all interesting. And in any case I may be wrong.

Also on my reading list are "Beryl: A Pig's Tale" by Jane Simmons and "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. About how I picked up Despereaux, it's kind of funny. When I first came across the book, I was put off by the ragged-edge pages (a pet peeve of mine) and when I saw the trailers for the movie, I was not interested in the story. But just the other day, while browsing my favorite section at the bookstore, I noticed that it was written by the same person who wrote "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane", which I found absolutely charming. So I picked up Despereaux, ragged edges and all.

Ah, books. I am so happy to have a boyfriend who loves reading as much as I do (incidentally, my boyfriend is back from Louisiana --hooray!) It's so much fun to go to bookstores together, each of us getting lost in our favorite sections to find one another an hour or so later carrying our finds in our arms.

I also got to go with my mom, my friend Jennifer and my boyfriend's sister Kate to see Wicked. I waited for Wicked to come back to Miami for over a year, and all of my expectations were exceeded. I love my Wicked CD, and having listened to it countless times, I thought I would be disappointed when seeing it live, since it's never exactly the same, and they were not the same performers either. I was so nervous and excited as it started, fearing I would be disappointed! Then Glinda started to sing and her voice was so heartbreakingly beautiful that tears started rolling down my face almost immediately. I was just so happy.

I know it may sound like I am exaggerating but that was one of the happiest nights of my life. So of course it makes sense that I would spend $50.00 on a huge poster signed by the ENTIRE CAST!!!

Anyway! Next weekend is going to be great. This Friday my boyfriend is picking me up really early to go participate on a Paint Your Heart Out charity event. Never done something like that before, but it should be fun. Then, on Saturday, we're heading to IMAX to see "How to Train Your Dragon." I've got mixed feelings about that movie, because the trailer got me interested in the book by Cressida Cowell (which I loved) and I later found out that the movie respects its source material very little. It's still gotten rave reviews, so far anyway, but I'll just have to see for myself.

On Easter Sunday we hope to go to church and to the Palm Beach Zoo. And next weekend there's an SCA event aaand... THE FAIR!!! I love The Miami-Dade Fair and go every year, so I am really excited about going with my sweetie. But more than anything I am happy to hang out with him after not seeing him for three whole weekends. ♥

So yeah. Life is good right now.

-Marina

Laurie Digi, and a ☆NEW☆ Critter Crew set!

Hello, everyone! Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, but I was busy inking all those sketches I shared with you throughout the past month.

Thanks to all of you for your votes on the poll. I loved receiving your feedback! I was a little surprised that the "Boy Lost First Tooth" was one of the most popular designs. But since he was, and someone requested it, I will make a matching "Girl Lost First Tooth" design next month.

Unfortunately I don't have any more TGF sketches to share with you today (those are coming very soon!) but you are still encouraged to give me your suggestions and requests --I NEED THEM! Then you will see your design ideas sketched here on the blog.

Also, since this little girl drinking a glass of milk was requested too (having first showed up on my blog's background image) she will also become a design for The Greeting Farm sometime in the near future:

Drink of Milk by =marinaneira on deviantART

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ NEW LAURIE DIGI! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Don't forget to check out this week's DIGI GIVEAWAY at TGF! It's Laurie, by yours truly, holding a tray of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies:

I hope you like her! REMEMBER you must COMMENT on The Greeting Farm Blog (CLICK HERE) for a chance to win Laurie.

Also, coming this THURSDAY to The Greeting Farm shop:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ "GET WELL" CRITTER CREW SET! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

You know, I love seeing everyone's cards, but I will admit that as much as I like all of them, I do have my favorites! This card by Mary Giles, featuring a poor sick Ricky being looked after by doting little Maggie, has the most wonderful color scheme, and I love the way in which Maggie's ears are sticking out:

Isn't it lovely? Be sure to drop by Mary's blog and say hello. Another one of my favorites is is card by Randi Wall, featuring Laurie tending to baby Toby, who has a little bump on his head:

This card's color scheme is so soft and original, so pleasing to the eye. I love it! You can visit Randi's blog by clicking here.

I really hope you like this set and enjoy using it to create your cards. I already have it (just one of the perks of being the artist, HO HO!) and I can tell you it is really well made as all TGF sets always are.

Well, that's about it for now. Please keep giving me your suggestions. I haven't had many more. So get on with it, people!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL rest of the week! ♥

-Marina

Critters, and a poll!

Happy Friday, folks! Are you excited about the weekend? I know I am! I have a lot of fun planned, including a whole lot of inking, designing my new portfolio website, movie watching, card-making, hanging out with friends, going the Heat game on Saturday night, and spending some quality time with my boyfriend who's gonna be out of state for three weeks (not so happy about that, sigh!) But anyway, on to the stuff you actually care about: more TGF sketches!

It's been all kid designs this week so far, so I thought I should add at least a couple of critters to my monthly quota of stamp designs for The Greeting Farm. Here's Toby, who has gotten into a spot of trouble:

And Mother's Day may not be until May, but I thought I'd start making a few designs for this date in advance. Here's the first one, a Mama Chipmunk and her little boy gathering nuts and fruits:

And just one last kid design of a little girl ready to play tennis:

Hope you enjoy these when they are made available in the TGF shop! I look forward to creating more designs based on your suggestions and requests next month.

And don't forget to visit today's post at The Greeting Farm blog, introducing the NEW Critter Crew Design Team!

★  THE FAB FIVE!  ★

Jami Bova

Mercy Kerin

Sandra MacLean

Heather Schlatter

Sparkle Smith

They will be using stamp designs featuring the critters designed by yours truly through the end of July. Be sure to drop by their blogs and congratulate them!

And now... your input is needed again, ladies! So vote below --I'll be sure to let Marie know which designs you're itching the most to get your crafty hands on!

Which of this week's designs would you like to see made into rubber? (You can choose more than one!)

Toothy!

Hi, everyone! Hope you've had a nice Thursday so far. As promised, I've got more TGF sketches to show you! But first, I would like to answer a few questions and address certain comments from the last couple of posts:

Joni: Thank you for your concern! ☺ There is no need to worry, though, as these are not the finished designs. They are only rough, low-res pencil sketches, that would print poorly. I certainly do watermark when I am posting inked designs (unless they are free digis, of course.) Thank you for your sweet words!

Sprytebyrd: There is actually a baking-themed stamp of Laurie that has yet to be released!

Kristyn: There is also a jumping-rope themed design of Penny, the little girl mouse, which I *think* hasn't been released yet either.

(The stamp designs I create for The Greeting Farm every month are released at a slow pace. There are, in fact, DOZENS ready and waiting to be released --including new critters you have yet to meet! Lots to be excited about.☺)

Normajean: All the kid design sketches you have seen so far have undergone Marie's approval. So I am sure they will show up on the store at some point in time, though I don't know which ones will be made into rubber and which ones will only be digis. Since the muddy boy with frog has proven popular among you gals, I've put a word in with Marie in hopes that he will be released as a rubber stamp. First, of course, I have to ink all of them!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ NOW FOR THE NEW SKETCHES! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Maylee suggested a boy who just lost his first tooth. I instantly fell in love with the idea!

Thanks for the inspiration, Maylee! Now then, this put me in a generally "toothy" mood, so here's one more: a little tooth showing some very good hygiene habits!

You can expect more tomorrow --including a brand new design featuring your favorite baby bear! (remember Toby?) Don't forget to let me know what you think and keep those design ideas and suggestions coming!

-Marina

Dress-Up Girl & Soccer Boy!

Good evening, everyone! I have a couple more sketches for you, based on the suggestions I've received. But first... notice anything different? Yup, it's a ~BRAND NEW~ blog design! You see, my previous background was a scan from a funny animal comic from the 40's or thereabouts --it wasn't my own artwork. I was okay with that because this was my personal blog. But now that I am using it more for my illustration business, I think it's time it reflects what I do so that there is no confusion. When I have a chance I'll update my linking stamp/button to match this new theme.

Anyway, I hope you like this new look! It took me a few hours, but I am happy with the results.

Moving on! Jenn, Callie and Kristyn asked for a little girl playing dress-up with Mom's clothes, while Maylee suggested a boy playing soccer. I'm happy to oblige! ♥

Are you enjoying being a part of this creative process? I sure find it a lot of fun and hope even more people will get involved so I can create the kind of stamps you want to use to make your beautiful greeting cards. Let me know what you think of these kids and keep throwing ideas in my direction. I will be sketching all day tomorrow, so expect more surprises shortly!

-Marina

A Muddy Little Boy and other TGF Designs!

Hello, everyone! I hope you all had a nice Tuesday. Mine was spent sketching thanks to all the inspiration I received in the comments section of my previous post (and by the way, I tried to reply to everyone there, in case you didn't see it.)

I've got a couple more sketches of upcoming designs for The Greeting Farm that need to be cleaned up before I can post them here, but for now I have these three to show you. First, let me introduce this dirty little boy, who looks ready to trail mud into his mother's freshly mopped kitchen floor:

He's my favorite of these three new kids. =D Callie, I hope you like him! ;) I thought it would be cute to include a happy frog as you suggested.

Here are two more: a little girl whose egg has just hatched into a cute little chick, and a boy who isn't looking very happy. I am going to be playing with different expressions more in upcoming designs.

I look forward to your feedback in the comments section! And PLEASE keep the suggestions for new designs coming. ASK ME for what you WANT! =]

-Marina

★ ☆ Calling all TGF fans!! ★ ☆

Hello, everyone! Long time no post. I've got big news: from now on I will be asking for --and using!-- much more input from all of you, so I can create stamp designs that you REALLY like! You will also be getting little "sneak peeks" of sketches of upcoming TGF designs. So let's get the ball rolling! =D

So far you have only seen me create cute little animals for TGF's "CRITTER CREW" line. Now I want to take a shot at drawing some little boys and girls. Here are some sketches of the first designs of children that I created for The Greeting Farm in the past month:

Mind you, in the finished design, the little girl is holding a flowerpot. I'm still trying to find my own style when it comes to drawing kids, but what do you think so far? =]

Please tell me, in the comments, what would you like to see the children do? You know, poses, situations? What scenes, holidays, themes, etc. would you like me to tackle? Give me all your suggestions, and don't be afraid to be detailed! If I can use them, I will. And be sure to keep checking the blog --if your suggestion happened to inspire me, you may see it a sketch of it right here, even as soon as hours after you posted your comment!

I hope you will find this as exciting as I do. I'm looking forward to making you a part of the creative process of making new designs for The Greeting Farm!

-Marina