Not lost but found, here I am. It's spring and my list is more than a mile long. I've had so much on my plate and so much going on in my life. I've been a bit neglectful this past week or so but not intentionally, I've just had to focus on priorities. This has left me with no time to post or visit your sites. I apologize. By the beginning of June, I should be back in the swing of things.

Two projects on their way to being completed are "Spotted" and the "In God We Trust" bookplate I posted way back when. I chewed on the latter illustration for some time before deciding which way to handle it. I am now comfortable with the direction I am going with it, now I just need the time to finish it!

Two quick blind contour illustrations for the theme "breakfast time."

1. A view looking down into my daily bowl of cereal-whole wheat flakes, skim milk, fresh blueberries, bananas and ground flax seed. YUM!

2. My dear Grandma who is no longer with us, always made me little jars of homemade strawberry jam and preserves of peach, plum and raspberry and packed them in cute boxes and gave them to me for Christmas. We always had homemade jam all winter long. In the summer, my Grandma, Great Aunt and my Mom would all make strawberry freezer jam-heavenly on crisp toast with a dab of butter!

For more cool blind contours visit InkFinger.

A quick blind contour of my kitchen sink. Upon the ledge sits two of my favorite pieces of Blue Mountain pottery that I have had since I was a child. An owl and a pussy cat. Between them sits the tiniest pot of flowers. Next to it on the right sits a candle of stacked animals; a pig, a dog a cat and a frog. One day while out shopping I found this cute candle and bought two, one for a dear friend of mine in California (who I had to leave behind) and one for myself. Every day I look at it and think of her and the fun times we had. Sherry and Dale, we really miss you!!!

I created this in color but actually like it better as a linework piece only.

Most of you know I am a regular at Starbucks at a couple of locations in town. I spend a lot of time on my lunch hour, getting away from the office and sketching to ease my tension.

Most of the Starbucks in town know my husband and I by name as it's our favorite stop when we're together. The employees tell their coworkers that I am the woman illustrator that sketches everyone. This week they wanted me to sketch one of the new employees however this is often difficult as they are behind the counter most of the time. I've decided I need to go back and just stand around the counter and sketch them as they are working. We like the two places we frequent most as the employees are always so cheery and friendly-oh and they make the best Lattes and Mochas in town and we've tried them all!

This fellow is in Starbuck's every day around lunch time. Of course he looks quite a bit different than this illustration. Why? Because I used a dark color palette which makes him look younger than he actually is. His hair is quite gray and he often wears light mutes colors and always black shoes. Experimenting with color and texture is always such a fascinating experience-one I thrive on. I've sketched him twice now and like this sketch the best of the two. The first was a quite 3-5 minute gesture drawing which I may post later.