The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Chocolate" Challenge

Hi, there! Our new challenge is to honor National Chocolate Day, which, as it turns out, was July 7th. So we seem to be a wee bit late, but, if chocolate is in the mix, better late than never! I heart chocolate. In just about any form or sweetness level. You say chocolate, and I say how high? Oh, wait a minute, I think I have my metaphors mixed up. Let's try that again. You say chocolate, and I open my mouth. Like a baby bird. A very large baby bird. With no feathers, and no wings. Oh, unless you count my angel wings. But they are invisible. As is my angelic personality. Where on earth was I going with this? I have no idea. But then, neither do you, so we are in the same boat, so to speak. Chalk it up to being a real senior citizen. At last.

Yeah, like I was eagerly awaiting the day I turned 66. Not in a million years, my friends. But, the benefit is that I get to start drawing Social Security, so I am worth a little more than I was in June. Certainly more than a penny. See what I did there? Haha. You knew I would do that, didn't you? Snicker and snort...

Oh, and btw, for those of you who wonder why I say snort. It is NOT because I do anything up my nose. Far from it. (I just typed 'fart from it', so you know where my mind is.) No, I do not snort things up my nose with a rubber hose, or otherwise. I do make an ungodly noise out my nose when I laugh. Not always, just when I am truly tickled. Yeah, I snort like a piggy. Which annoys Gary to no end, (poor baby). I will admit it can be embarrassing, especially when I do it in a venue that frowns on such things. I will leave that to your imaginations.

On to our challenge. As I said, it is to celebrate National Chocolate Day. And I chose another Sweet Pea image to use--good for me, as Sweet Pea Stamps is our sponsor for July--YAY! I not only heart chocolate, I heart Sweet Pea Stamps, as well. Love the many artists in the store, along with all their fabulous images. I am getting quite a collection now. You, can start yours, too, if you win the draw this month--which is for 3 images of your choice. So do play along with us! Pick the medium of your choice, and hand-color your image for your project--something to do with chocolate this week. OK? OK.

As I was saying, my image is Alice by artist Helena Reis, and can be found here. She is a sweet thing, isn't she? I will admit to having a baaaaaad week of coloring. I colored this image 7 times, before I was satisfied I could post it. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Biorhythms, maybe? Or lack, thereof? I do not know. I only know I became really exasperated, because I had been ahead of schedule with my cards, and now I am barely caught up. Arghhhh! But I printed her, (several times, as it turned out), on X-Press It BC, and colored her, (over and over again), with my Copics, (which I had to refill):

 Skin: E000, E01, E11

Cupcake/Hair: E21, E25, E29

Bow/Dress: BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78

Watch/Pinafore: E30, E31

Sleeves: BG70, BG72

Okey dokey. I added a few die cuts, which is such a shock, I am sure you need CPR to get your hearts back in sync. Snicker, snort...

My DP is from the Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells collection, (no, it is not just for Halloween!), and I paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I also stamped and colored a cupcake from House Mouse Stamps Make a Wish 2 rubber stamp, and then cut it out and popped it onto my design. The dies I used are: Cheery Lynn Steampunk Pocket Watch, Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Oval, and LaLa Land Crafts Steampunk Corner. Hi-yo, Silver! Away...

I actually just thought of that Lone Ranger quotation because I called teammate Kathi, Kimosabe, on an email a moment or two or ten ago. Don't ask me why. Again, I have no idea. Perhaps I am in my second or tenth or thirtieth childhood. It's a pleasant place to be. Life was much slower then. I was faster, but life was slower. Now life is so much faster, but I am so much slower. Is that the way it was meant to be? Inquiring minds wish to know...

Oh, btw, I thought we were going to Paz Cantina for breakfast last Friday. As it turned out, their website misstated the hours, and they were not open at 9. Which put a crimp in our breakfast plans. But never one to give up where food is concerned, I said we should go to Barrio Urbano, which is the #1 place for chilaquiles in Phoenix, according to Phoenix Magazine. So off we went, and boy, howdy, were we ever happy with our meal. Fannnnntastic! If you get the chance, this is a definite "must-try" for breakfast. Absolutely scrumptious, from the flavorful black beans, to the beautifully seasoned potatoes, to the downright delicious chilaquiles, which are tortilla chips covered with a beautifully spiced tomatillo sauce and topped with two fried eggs. Oh, my, too much to eat, as the portions are huge. But you will gorge yourself with a grin on your face with this dish! So glad we went there! The Bloody Maria you see in the photo was delicious, but so very, very hot--it had the following ingredients: House infused Serrano y chile de arbol Chinaco blanco, house bloody mix, fresh lime, tajin, nopal. (Just FYI--serranos are five times hotter than jalapenos. It's no wonder that Gary is suffering this week with stomach issues!) So the next time we go there, we will forgo the Bloody Maria. 'Nuf said.

We also got to go to FnB for dinner Saturday night. I had a Greek yogurt soup that was so flavorful and cooling in our Arizona heat. My main course was King salmon that the owner had just caught in Alaska, so it was mighty tasty! And a huge portion, which I couldn't quite finish. (Had to save room for dessert, don't ya know!) I ate the entire, wonderful riccota tart to finish my birthday dinner. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos again!) Anyway, it's still hard to be me! 

I also mentioned last week that Angela was taking me to Wild Thaiger for dinner on Sunday night. We had Dragon's Eggs, which are fabulous pork, crab, and shrimp dumplings. We couldn't decide on steamed or fried, so we got a combo. I preferred the steamed and Angela preferred the fried, so that worked out perfectly. Then we shared some yummy Tom Ka Gai soup and a platter of Candy Shrimp, which was almost too good to eat! I hate to admit it, but we also split mango and sticky rice. (I think I have had more than my fair share of desserts lately! And my waistline shows it!)

So, for my next birthday celebration, my sister, (Merrilyn), BIL, (Ron), and hubby, (Gary, of course, who did you expect?), and I are going to Persian Garden Cafe for lunch. Today. Neener-neener, I get to go and you don't. I expect to have some fantastic Purple Shoots, which is a dish of eggplant and green beans. Sounds scrumptious to me, with all the Persian seasonings that he uses.

And I still have my birthday coupons to Kona Grill and Gordon Biersch to use up. Then I shall be birthdayed-out. If there even is such a thing, which I doubt. But I will try it and let you know...

So, do stop by The Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge to see the fab, new inspiration by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, Vannessa, and Karen. And then play along with us this week, won't you? We are looking forward to your creations! 

Have a fantastic weekend!