100th Post and a Spotlight on Kayla Conspiracy

In truth,I should have hit my 100th post a looooooong time ago,but hey, we finally made it!

 The last few weeks have been busy with the start of the new school year between my own classroom (I teach preschool)and my son beginning middle school and starting at a new school. Our second floor tenant moved out, leaving an apartment that needed a whole renovation before it could be rentable again.I will spare you those horror show pics.

Then,because it wasn't chaotic enough,I had shingles flare up on my face. I had always heard you could only get shingles once (my 1st episode was in July and on my side), but apparently that is NOT TRUE.I have been documenting the whole episode on my phone (the doctor loved this idea,so she could see the progression). It's been two weeks since the initial rash and it is finally starting to scab and clear,but the itch and burning discomfort remain. Maybe I will do a whole post on it someday,complete with my "Walking Dead' extra face shots,lol.

So, with a bit of sick time on my hands I have been working on few things I have been wanting to learn, such as digital drawing. Way back when I was in college, digital drawing was in it's beginning stages.Heck, the whole internet was in it's beginning stages! So, needless to say, I am a bit behind on things. I don't have the time or resources to take classes right now,but I am still a determined student. I finally found styluses I feel comfortable drawing on my Ipad with. My tools of choice are a Bamboo stylus, Nomadbrush Flex,and my favorite,the Jot Pro. I find the Jot mimics the feel of real drawing tool in my hand the best,and I love the fine point. All three work great,though.
here are some links for you interested in looking into them
Nomad Brush Flex
 The Jot Pro
Wacom Bamboo Stylus
here is a pic I did of my kiddo of when he was a baby,using the Jot Pro and the Pen and Ink app on Ipad

Not too bad for a beginner. I love a new hobby.

Next up, let's get to our spotlight feature! Today we are turning the spotlight on The Kayla Conspiracy
Kayla makes some pretty awesome geek inspired chic fashions. Here's a bit about Kayla from her bio:

Kayla Conspiracy Clothing & Accessories is a mother/daughter operation specializing in geeky and novelty fashion and jewelry.

From Avengers dresses to Harry Potter jewelry, we've got something for you!
We also are happy to do custom orders so if you need something in a different size, don't hesitate to ask!

I am loving this Shield Inspired Skirt

Pretty superhero inspired combs with bows

fun jewelry like these Harry Potter inspired Lightning Bolt earrings

and I LOVE these superhero styled overskirts

Kayla Conspiracy can be found on their Etsy shop Tumblr and Facebook

Be sure to check them out!!!

Boston Comic Con --These Are Good Times To Be A Geek...

Boston Comic Con 2013 finally took place this weekend,after the marathon bombing in Boston resulted in a postponement of four months while a new date was decided on and a new venue was secured. The Con moved from the Hynes Convention Center to the the lovely seaside Seaport World Trade Center,drawing in an estimated 15,000 people. Judging from the lines we observed wrapping around the center when we arrived, I'd believe those numbers and would guess there was possibly even more than that. The Con has coming a long ways from it's initial launch in 2007, with only 900 or so attendees.

What has changed since those early con years? The media is focused on comics these days. Epic shows like 'The Walking Dead' are based on comics. Your hot movies of the summer? Last year's blockbuster was 'The Avengers',a movie comic buffs have been waiting on for years.(I know I had been waiting for an 'Avengers' feature since I was a kiddo of nine--that is a few years ago,lol). And show like 'The Big Bang Theory' show hey, it's o.k. to be a geek!

So on Saturday myself and my two fellow bff geek moms packed our three boys in to the mini-van and off we went. Yes, you read that right. It was the moms leading this outing. We were possibly more excited about it than the boys. Terry Moore of 'Strangers In Paradise' was going to be there! And George Perez! It was George Perez's work that began my lifelong obsession with comics. I was 9. I read my younger brother's copy of 'Avengers' 160. That art! And there were girl  superheroes! Who was this 'Scarlet Witch'?? She was so cool. And that little panel where the Beast is reminiscing about another team and another time, and there is a small 'X-Men' picture...well, that began a whole new obsession.

I didn't get to actually meet George Perez,unfortunately, due to time constraints and a really long line at the time, but I did get to see him doing awesome sketches for folks in the line.The one I saw was a'Wolverine' head shot (hey, doesn't he have a movie out now???), I believe. That made it all the worthwhile.

I did get to meet one of my favorite writers,Steve Niles. Now there is a writer who can write stories that quiet frankly make me sleep with the lights on. I felt like a complete blithering fangirl, and apologized profusely but he was so cool. That was okay, because this was what this whole weekend was all about, he said. You know what? He is right. One of the things I like best about Boston Comic Con is it is about the fans.

Steve's table mate was none other than Terry Moore. We had the pleasure of meeting Terry at a previous Boston Comic Con, and he is always easy to talk to and VERY funny. 'Rachel Rising' is one of my favorite books right now,and if you aren't reading it, well,why not???? It was recently optioned for television and I wouldn't be suprised if it became the next hit like 'The Walking Dead'. It is scary, creepy and gorgeous all at the same time. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
You can tell how excited Deb is my the 'Italian Handwaving' in the picture with him.

Another artist/writer we were thrilled to see again was Colleen Doran of  'A Distant Soil' fame.
Deb and I had previously met her in our  'wild and kid-free days' back in the late 90's when we traveled to the 'Small Press Expo' in Maryland (yes, you read that right,too. Two geek-girl-comic- fan adventurers travelling to far way Cons. Oh, the days of our wild and crazy youth!) Colleen was as lovely and sweet as ever, telling us about the new gorgeous remastered version of 'A Distant Soil', and that it is ending at issue 50! Another 'must try' book, people~you won't be disappointed.

I could go on and on, there was SO much there to talk about and experience.  Amazing cosplayers doing their thing,artists creating, fans well, having fun. Instead, I will leave you some with pictures from the day--as I begin looking foward to next year's Boston Comic Con.












These are good times to be a 'geek'...

'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight on FDart Studio!

It's been a hot one here this week on the east coast,we saw temps in the mid 90's all week with heat indexes in the 100's. It was a great week to be on vacation,though. The kiddo and I hit the beach, festivals,took in a few movies ('Despicable Me 2': very cute. Loved the minions.' Pacific Rim': everything a giant monster movie should be.Loved it!)
All good things must end, though and it's back to the daily grind tomorrow--hopefully with lower temperatures. What makes it bearable is the next vacation is only 28 days away :)

On to our 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight of the day. Today we shine the light on an awesome father/daughter team,Floro Dery and Flor Dery who have combined into one awesome,artistic Etsy shop!

Here is their shop bio:

Floro Dery is an artist who has worked in animation for over 20 years. His work includes original concept designer for The Transformers: The Movie, illustrator for the syndicated Sunday Spider-Man with Stan Lee, and storyboard artist for the Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Flor Dery is the daughter of Floro Dery. She is a major fan of anime and prefers to draw in anime style. Her art and crafts are a side hobby from her full time profession. Her work includes fan art, pins, magnets, handwoven bracelets, nail art, and keychains.

It is apparent that artistic talent runs deep in this family. Here are just a few of the awesome items in their shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151772930/female-kingslayer-signed-print-of

This hand-painted pendant is double-sided. Here is the reverse side:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125971934/reversible-unicornmermaid-red-pendant

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157321444/unicron-decepticon-hall-of-heroes-signed

So many great beaded bracelets, but this is my favorite :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154774416/wonder-woman-beaded-bracelet

There are so many great items in this shop--be sure to go check them out!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FDartstudio

Free Comic Book Day 2013

Today I am dedicating my blog to a feature on one of my favorite events--Free Comic Book Day!

Traditionally held the 1st Saturday in May(generally coinciding with the weekend of a big superhero movie release)FBCD kicked off in 2002 ,with the intent of drawing in new readers,calling back former readers and as a way of thanking current readers for their support. In the years since it has grown quite a bit. All the big publishers and many of the smaller press ones have contributed book in recent years. Even digital comics giant,Comixology was in on the action yesterday, promoting free books on their site.

 I make no apologies,I love comics. That very 1st FCBD in 2002, I bundled my 1 year-old son into his car seat,buckled in my 10 year-old daughter,grabbed their dad and off we went in search of these free treasures.
These days it is my son and I who make the trek,but it is a fun  annual mother-son activity that we look forward to each year.

These days the early bird catches the worm. Seriously, as word of FCBD has grown into an international event, the goodies go quick. Really quick. Last year we arrived at one store only an hour after opening to find everything gone already. This year we were prepared,arriving before our local Newbury Comics store opened. The lines grew down the plaza within minutes,and once again, when the doors opened the books flew off the shelves. People were courteous and patient. The comic book crowd is generally a pretty cool one. I was thrilled beyond belief the spot one copy of the book I was looking for. Luckily nobody else was.

 Pippi Longstocking Color Special from Drawn & Quarterly

Newbury had a limit of 5 FCBD titles per customer. Retailers have to pay for these titles,so limiting is both fair and necessary. Between the two of us,these were the titles we chose.


Newbury Comics was also having a phenomenal sale. We left with all this for under $20!

$1.00 grab bags!


Graphic novels 25% off of the lowest price...couldn't resist!


We hit our next FCBD stop later, at New England Comics. Comics were limited to 2 new FCBD titles,2 older title freebies,and a free Tick comic. So again, 5. These were our picks together.



Sam breathed a sigh of relief when we found they still had the elusive FCBD Heroclix release (Iron Man 3) behind the counter.


So now we sit back, enjoy all the goodies from our travels and count down until next year's Free Comic Book Day!


Have a great day, and go read a comic book!