As we dig out the boxes of lights and decorations, hunt down the perfect tree, and finish up our holiday shopping, it is time again for my card list. I have moved again since last year so if you are going to send me a card (please do!), note me for my new address. If I don't have your address or you have a new one too, please send me a note so you aren't left out.

Also, if you would like to buy custom-made cards from me, I am now offering them for the first time. Buy one card at $5, a set of 3 for $12, or a set of 5 for $20. Each card is unique and customizable. Default card is random wintery/seasonal theme and blank inside, but I can add greetings with my calligraphy nibs for .20 cents a line. Black ink only. Custom design requests welcome. All prices in US dollars and payments via Paypal. Please order well in advance so you can receive them in time! Below I have listed how many cards I am currently making. If you have a deadline for your order, especially if you are mailing your cards, please mention that in your order note. Also, if I don't get any buyers for this I will not offer it next year unless personally requested.

Cards I'm currently working on: 0; all cards mailed

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Other sites I update often:
Facebook: Use my real name if you know it.
Twitter: [link]
I'm also on Meetup and LinkedIn!

My Schedule
Enjoy Christmas and New Years, then start volunteering for a couple local animal shelters, work on my art, and plan on becoming a mommy.

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Currently working on:
Preparing for the holidays, will have more art to upload next year.
Open for commissions!

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$$BUY HERE$$
my Zazzle.com account
my personal website
or just note me for commission info.

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Clubs & Magazines:

As you may know, I went to SakuraCon and Kumoricon this year. SakuraCon rocked and Kumoricon, well, quite frankly sucked. I have had a few friends request that I let them know how SteamCon, a new steampunk-themed convention in Seattle, was compared to the other two I have been to. Here, for those interested, is my 'review' of SteamCon.

First off, the event lacked an online schedule showing panels and such so I thought there wouldn't be any. This was false. At badge pickup, we received delightful newspaper-style programs with clearly labeled maps and lists of events. The panels my husband and I went to were actually very well presented with lots of fascinating information shared. The down-side to the panels was simply room size. It felt like the rooms were bedroom-sized at best with each one crammed full to the point many people were stuck standing all around the room. I was lucky to get a seat and I guarded it like a desert creature guards their waterhole, lol.

The venue, a Seatac hotel, had a much more logical layout than Kumoricon's scattered design. The bright and lively hotel spaces helped make up for the cramped panel rooms somewhat and food was available in the hotel, not blocks away. I still would like to see it moved to an actual convention center to help with the cramped issue. It would also make it easier to get to since having the airport right there causes some traffic issues.

Costumes were a huge attraction in themselves with a huge array of styles and it seemed every demographic was represented. There were lots of costume supplies in the vendor hall, which was NOT in a dark, smelly parking garage...YAY! But, the prices were a bit too high and I ended up not spending a dime, though I wanted to get a number of cool items. The art show was fascinating, with not just 2D works, but 3D crafts like steampunk-style weapons made from candlesticks and unidentifiable things that lit up and spun, including some of the 2D art! Again, even the prints were expensive so I settled for just looking.

The major issue I had with the con was parking. The hotel had very limited parking for the size of the con and though the website claimed it would be $10/day which is still quite high, we ended up paying $12 for just a few hours! Another issue was the fact many events were additional costs. For a first-time con, I don't think limiting events with added costs is a good idea, but since many sold out anyway, I guess I'm in the minority on that. Still, I would've like to have attended the concerts and tea party/fashion show had they not been extra.

All in all, it was a very nice con compared to my last one, though it really isn't worth the 3-day pass, at least not until they find a better location. I think they made out well, considering they had a much larger attendance than expected, with passes selling out and such, so hopefully they'll take the hint and pick a larger venue for next year. If Seattle is too pricey, there's a lovely convention center just down the road from me in Lynnwood, hint hint, lol.

Hope that is an indepth enough review of SteamCon for all of you. If not, just comment with questions and I'll answer them as best I can. I probably will go again next year, though I hopefully will have a less thrown-together costume with a cool prop or two.

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Other sites I update often:
Facebook: Use my real name if you know it.
Twitter: [link]
I'm also on Meetup and LinkedIn!

My Schedule
October 23rd-25th: SteamCon

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Currently working on:
Some more realistic artwork, though still fantasy-based.
Learning XNA and C#
Open for commissions!

*****************************
$$BUY HERE$$
my Zazzle.com account
my personal website
or just note me for commission info.

*****************************
Clubs & Magazines:

Tagged by . Feeling a bit down, today would've been my grandma's birthday - she passed away suddenly when I was 13.

THREE NAMES I GO BY
1. Elaine
2. Kzinrret
3. Lady Firecat

THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Babysitter/Petsitter
2. Retail Sales
3. Substitute Teacher

THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Upstate New York
2. New Jersey (well, we vacationed for a full month there for years)
3. Western Washington (Seattle Area)

THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. The Goode Family
2. The Simpsons
3. Glenn Beck

THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN (just three?)
1. The UK (Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales)
2. Florida (Do NOT go for there in July!)
3. Canada (Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick)

THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. UK (my hubby's never been and it's been almost a decade since I have)
2. Romania (where my hubby's from )
3. California

THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Fajitas
2. Corn on the Cob
3. Hot Fudge Sundae

THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. My Birthday (Nov 16th!)
2. Thanksgiving
3. Christmas

THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. Fish when I was little
2. Cats
3. ...does my hubby count? LOL!

THREE FRIENDS WHO WILL REPLY
1. Someone who is easily amused
2. Someone with way too much time on their hands
3. Someone who is bored

THREE FAVORITE BANDS/SINGERS
1. And One
2. Assemblage 23
3. God Module

THREE FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH
1. Tennis
2. Table Tennis
3. Cat Sprinting/Tag - requires two spazzy cats

THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. La Croix Lime Seltzer
2. La Croix Lemon Seltzer
3. Non-fat mocha latte (caramel a plus)

I tag anyone who falls under the "THREE FRIENDS WHO WILL REPLY" qualifications outlined above.

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Other sites I update often:
Facebook: Use my real name if you know it.
Twitter: [link]
I'm also on Meetup and LinkedIn!

My Schedule
October 23rd-25th: SteamCon

*****************************
Currently working on:
Some more realistic artwork, though still fantasy-based.
Learning XNA and C#
Open for commissions!

*****************************
$$BUY HERE$$
my Zazzle.com account
my personal website
or just note me for commission info.

*****************************
Clubs & Magazines:

I haven't really used my scanner that much since April, but it now seems to have died just when I wanted to use it for some really cool stuff I've been doing lately. So I won't be able to upload for awhile since my all-in-one scanner is a lousy res and my camera doesn't usually do pencil justice. I would love to get the perfect scanner that is actually big enough to scan my 11x15 sketchbook in one shot, but it's $2,000! If our financial security wasn't on such thin ice I'd probably jump on it... yeah I'm a bit crazy, but anyone who has had to scan a fully-shaded pencil drawing in 3 or more pieces and somehow stitch it together knows why I would, lol. I just finished a wicked looking two-headed wingless dragon that blows most of my previous dragon drawings out of the water and I can't show you guys . I will try to photo it, but I have a feeling it won't look right. I'll link here if and when it is up.

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Other sites I update often:
Facebook: Use my real name if you know it.
Twitter: [link]
I'm also on Meetup and LinkedIn!

My Schedule
October 23rd-25th: SteamCon

*****************************
Currently working on:
Some more realistic artwork, though still fantasy-based.
Learning XNA and C#
Open for commissions!

*****************************
$$BUY HERE$$
my Zazzle.com account
my personal website
or just note me for commission info.

*****************************
Clubs & Magazines:

I've been taking a break from drawing since I've been super focused on finding a job, ANY job. After dozens of applications to everything from art to retail, I still have nothing - not a single call back or email reply, so I'm trying something new. I'll be doing art, but with a specific style/goal in mind. Though anime is fun, I'll be going more realistic, though many will notice anime influence. I've decided to pool my talent, skills, etc to create pieces that match potential companies in this area that would hire an artist like me. I'll still gladly take commissions, even anime ones, but I just wanted to let you guys know where I'm trying to go with my work and why since it may be a bit shocking, lol.

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Other sites I update often:
Facebook: Use my real name if you know it. If not, note me with your ID and I'll add you.
Twitter: [link]
I'm also on Meetup and LinkedIn!

My Schedule
October 23rd-25th: Steamcon (may cosplay, undecided)

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Currently working on:
In Need of Commissions!

*****************************
$$BUY HERE$$
my Zazzle.com account
my personal website
or just note me for commission info.

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Clubs & Magazines: