Club High Castle Pre-Pandemic

What a week! I had about 2 days during my Thanksgiving weekend that were relaxing. Once those two days were up, it was as if something unfurled itself with a fury to make up for it! Next week isn’t going to fair much better either (well, I’m just not going to get my hopes up about it. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than caught off guard!). On a more enjoyable note, here are a few things that I’ve been able to sneak in beneath the sum of busy squared and work times three! ~~~ I finished the Talia Winters project! "I’m Still Here" 12 in tall || 6 hours || sewing project Talia Winters from Babylon 5! Moments of Zen ~ It no longer takes me 5 hours to knit one item! “Happy Holidays” 5 hours total || loom knit

Whatever happened to weekends that were, you know, weekends? I miss the lazy yet productive, carefree two days in a row in which I drew and painted! For the past month, they've been nothing but "work" weekends! I'm more than ready for a break! On a positive note, I got myself some knitting looms with a coupon, and I am loving them! I bought the looms as a fun, group activity for when some of my relatives drive up here for Thanksgiving next week. I'm in the process of learning them so that I can teach them...who wants to read instructions! I'll end that with a " :P " emote. Here is my first ever attempt at something. I'm actually happy with it! I turned their hat pattern into a cute bag and used the smallest loom to make the flower. It will be added to Needles and Pins shortly. "Knitty Knit Bag" 5 hours || knitting project My first knitting attempt!

I was satisfied with the old one...but only for a few days. The more I thought about it, the more it ate at me, so I finally changed things up and made a new banner. This layout is here to stay! It's simple and basic; one can't go wrong with that! I'm working on another doll costume and will upload it to Needles and Pins once I'm finished (I'm waiting for the doll to come in). The costume is ready, and I'm proud of it! Finding a suitable doll was tough and took some time since Barbie smiles more broadly than a Walmart happy face sticker! I will upload my latest Alfred Bester drawing in the gallery momentarily. I am thrilled with my latest piece of him. I used a combination of my style (which tends to be cartoonish) and realism.

It's a brand new month, and with November, comes the start of the holiday season! I'm offering a 10% discount on all commissions made in November and December!

EDIT: 24 October 2010 I updated the header with a new image! I don't have much time at the moment to go into detail, but I will later this evening or tomorrow evening. ----------------- I couldn't think of one! I updated the look of the blog with something a bit more personal. I might tweak the header a bit, but before I do so, I'm going to let it "sit" overnight. I added an Archives section to the blog map so that all notifications of changes and additions are in one place, links included. The Welcome Message is where you will find the instructions if you are interested in a commission.

Here is a peak at some of the art I've created for others: Updated: 15 Oct 2014    

Working on a new layout...will be looking nice and new shortly!

Update: 16 October 2010 + Added a new section: Needles and Pens - Other Art Check out my gallery for a sample of my work (click on the image to view it): October 2010 commission status: 0 / 2 OPEN! Sizes and Medium: Medium: Pencil, Colored Pencil, Mixed , Digital Sizes: Paper: up to 9in x 12in (22.8cm x 30.4cm) Digital: at your discretion Rates: $10 per hour with a $15 minimum for all drawings $5 for Shipping and Handling (except for digital pieces) Example: 1 pencil drawing: 3 hours + S & H = $35 1 digital drawing: 3 hours + 0 = $30 Payment Policy: For orders of $50 or less, the fee is required up front. For orders over $50, you may pay half up front and later pay the rest upon completion of the commission. Payment Methods: Check Money Order *Allow for a 7 - 10 day grace period. Work Policy: I can take 2 commissions per month. Once I receive your payment, I will notify you via email and give you weekly or semi weekly updates (depending on the nature of the commission). Dra

Here are samples of other pieces I've done. I don't offer commissions for the forms of art depicted below (not yet anyway). I'm posting them just for fun! "I, Marcus" Acrylic on wood || 2 hours Inspired by Babylon 5! "I, Me" Acrylic on wood || 2 hours Inspired by Babylon 5! "I, Bester" Acrylic on wood || 2 hours Inspired by Babylon 5! "I, Talia" Acrylic on wood || 2 hours Inspired by Babylon 5! "I, Ivanova" Acrylic on wood || 2 hours Inspired by Babylon 5! "A Very Bester Surprise" 13.5 cm tall || 12 hours || sewing project Inspired by Babylon 5! "I’m Still Here" 12 in tall || 6 hours || sewing project Talia Winters from Babylon 5! "From Bester, With Love" 12 in tall || 6 hours || sewing project Inspired by Babylon 5! I made dear Chekov a new costume. “Happy Holidays” 5 hours total || loom knit "Knitty Knit Bag" 5 hours || knitting project My first knitting attempt!

Update: o2 October 2010 + Opened October commissions Check out my gallery for a sample of my work (click on the image to view it): October 2010 commission status: 0 / 2 OPEN! Sizes and Medium: Medium: Pencil, Colored Pencil, Mixed , Digital Sizes: Paper: up to 9in x 12in (22.8cm x 30.4cm) Digital: at your discretion Rates: $10 per hour with a $15 minimum for all drawings $5 for Shipping and Handling (except for digital pieces) Example: 1 pencil drawing: 3 hours + S & H = $35 1 digital drawing: 3 hours + 0 = $30 Payment Policy: For orders of $50 or less, the fee is required up front. For orders over $50, you may pay half up front and later pay the rest upon completion of the commission. Payment Methods: Check Money Order *Allow for a 7 - 10 day grace period. Work Policy: I can take 2 commissions per month. Once I receive your payment, I will notify you via email and give you weekly or semi weekly updates (depending on the nature of the commission). Drawings may take 3 to 4

Take a look at my  portfolio  for a preview of my art! I am pleased to announce that I can now offer commissions! View the pricing table and scroll down to see examples of how each option would be priced. I can take up to 5 commissions at a time. I strongly recommend viewing my portfolio to see a large sampling of my artwork. Openings:  1. Open  |  2. Open  |  3. Open  |  4. Open  |  5. Open   How to Order + Message or email me with         A detailed description of your need.          File type: (.jpg, .png., .gif)         Image Size: (600 pixels by 800 pixels/8in by 10in) + Please type Commission in the subject header of the email or message. Order Progress + Once I receive your payment, I will start on your commission. + Drawings may take 2 – 3 weeks to complete. + If you need me to finish by a deadline, let me know when you place the order. + All sales are final! + I will update you on the progress!  Glossary + BG = background + Simple backgrounds =

Interested in a pre-made background for your commission? Look no further! Last updated: 2 October 2013

Browse around and check out samples of my art! It normally takes me 2 hours for a portrait (3 if it involves a detailed background). Digital drawings take a little longer depending on the level of detail (3 to 4 hours). These drawings are not for sale! Updated: 19 November 2011 "The Question" Digital from a pencil sketch || 3 hours Inspired by the television series, Babylon 5 "End Game" Digital from a pencil sketch || 3.5 hours Inspired by the television series, Babylon 5 "Dream the stars" Watercolor || 3 hours "Back to 2001" 2 hours || Digital "Tensor, said the Tensor." Digital || 4 hours Inspired by the television series, Babylon 5 and the novel, "The Demolished Man" by Alfred Bester "Yet Another Bester" 9 in x 12 in || 3 hours || pencil Inspired by the television series, Babylon 5 "Merry Cthulhumas" 9 in x 12 in || 6 hours || ink, digital Inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft "Dan

The year is 2014! Where are the hover boards and moon bases? Quirky Distractions had a good run, but it was well past due for a revamp and makeover. Miss all the old stuff? It’s still there in the archives. Here’s the scoop on what’s new and where to find things, but first, let me introduce myself for the newcomers. I’ve been writing since I was fourteen…Never mind that I started out with fan fiction involving The Flood story, Noah, and aliens. I suppose I’ve always had an inclination for sci-fi and the odder things in life--we all start from somewhere. I have been told that I was quirky and creative even in preschool. Apparently I drew all the time. I don’t remember it, but I do remember going to my Gram and Pop’s when I was in grade school. After playing grocery store and telephone games with Gram’s many purses and spare rotary phones (grocery store was SRS BSNS!), my sister and I would sit up at Gram’s counter and draw. I remember drawing princesses and designing pretty dres

Can I place an order if all open slots are full? Yes. Your order will take the first available slot, and I will not ask for payment until that slot opens up. Why do you only offer 2 commissions per month? Since I’m just starting out, I need to figure out a baseline for myself. I’d hate to offer too many at one time and find that I can’t do it. Once I get a good grasp on what I can handle, I might increase it. Something suddenly came up, and I need a drawing done ASAP! Can you bump me to the top of the list and do the drawing by next week? I will not put another client’s piece on hold; however, if the price is right, I will spend a few sleepless nights working on yours and the other client’s at the same time. What if I want a pencil drawing, but I only want a digital copy of it? You will not be charged S & H, so if I spend 4 hours on it, the total will be $40. What if I want a colored digital version of the pencil drawing I ordered? No problem! The digital version will