Joyfulness

Having less that two weeks before Christmas started stressing me out this week because of my growing my to do list, everybody's right? But this little cheerful ornament on my Christmas tree reminded me of how I want to be this holiday season, joyful. It helped me to put things into perspective. I am really trying to make this holiday special for my family and friends and I love doing those little extra things that make it special. But when stress comes in the form of crabbiness, I think that's time to let a few of the little things go. I mean I really don't need to make my own gift tags right? Truth be told, I love to make my own gift tags. Maybe something else can fall off the to do list. But either way I want to make sure I keep the Joy that was intended for this season. We all do too, right? Hopefully my little ornament be a visual reminder, to keep perspective this very special time of year.

Happy Little Mushroom

This is my project for this week's Creative Thursday class. Fabric art is our topic this week. I found this mushroom pattern on Etsy's blog - the Storque Myra Masuda from My Little Mochi came up with the pattern. I fell in love with this little cute mushroom and knew this would be my project this week. He is very glittery but the glitter did not photograph well. Right now he's my little computer mascot. Making him was very much out of my creative comfort zone, but I'm so glad I made him, and I hope to get a chance to make another cute little softie sometime soon. Hope you have a happy day.

Yummy Fruit Smoothies

We made fruit smoothies this week for the first time. This recipe is so good. 1 ripe banana, 1 cup of frozen whole strawberries (found in the frozen section of the grocery store), 6 oz. of vanilla yogurt (I used yoplait french vanilla, it was great!), 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of orange juice. These were fantastic! I think were going to try to make apple dumplings this week too. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out. By the way the cute wooden houses in this picture were purchase on Etsy from Woodmouse. Have a fantastic weekend!

Sketch to Sculpture

I made my sketchbook sketch into a sculpture. It was not as smooth of a transition as I would have thought. I think my sketch has a different feeling than this sculpture does. But it was very fun working with my hands in 3-d. This was another project in my Creative Thursday class. We're having all kinds of creative fun over there.

Inspiration

I'm having so much fun with the Creative Thursday class that I'm taking. I made this for our 3-d class project. It's so nice to have a peer group to inspire you. It makes so much difference to know that people are looking forward to seeing what I'm creating for the week. Inspiration is very essential for me to create art. The only challenge is to consistently say inspired. What inspires you?

Happy Garden

Hi I've been playing this week with a new toy Bienfang Watercolor Brush Pens. I love getting new art supplies and trying them out. It feels like you become an 8 year old kid again.

Trying new things under pressure

I'm taking the Creative Thursday e-course on creativity and making things and I love it. This is what I made in our first week. I've never done this before and made a lot of mistakes before it finally worked out.

We were talking about deadlines in our class. How a deadline motivates and puts pressure, even a certain amount of stress on you to achieve. My brother once told me that we need pressure or we would not get anything done. I am from the publishing industry and meeting a deadline is a must. So a deadline definitely motivates me, but I hate to think that I need a deadline to get something done. I think that a deadline makes me prioritize my project, and in this case, artwork and make it a priority in my day simply because it's due. But what I really need to learn is how to make artwork a priority in my daily life so that I consistently create. I think the deadlines of this e-course are training me to make art a priority in my life.

Warm Fuzzies for Grace

I made this card for Grace to brighten her day. On the inside it say's "Grace we're sending warm fuzzies your way to brighten your day". I was working in Painter on Stephanie Fizer's sketch challenge "Happy Monsters" and these happy little warm fuzzies came about. I did not know it then, but they came about for Grace. Then I was on Amber Dusick's blog and she said she was looking for a sign, so she made one. I commented that I need a sign too, one that said "It's all going to be ok" I made one too, little did I know then that I was saying this to sweet little Grace. Then on Facebook I found this link for making cards for Grace, and it all came together. If you get a chance check it out. This card challenge is going on until the end of July. My hope is that these little guys will make Grace smile.

Flying/Celebration

I just finished taking Kelly Rae Roberts e-course Flying. You can also get an autographed copy of this book "Taking Flight" on her website. I have not even started to process all the information that was in this course. But, will take time to go over it again in the next two weeks. It was a very positive experience. Some people in the class called it a life changing experience. One thought that I wanted to ponder with you, is celebration. Celebration of how far we have all come. I'm going to take some time to think about that today and celebrate it in some way? Maybe you can too, and please let me know so I can celebrate with you. Then don't forget to do a happy dance, or something equally fun.

Ripples

This is my very first artist trading card that I made for the ripple project. A small sketch donation to help the animal victims of the oil spill. I hope to make more. This is such a feel good project to get involved in. I feel honored to participate.

Inspiration in Chicago

I went to the Old Town Art Fair this weekend. It did not disappoint, but the rain did. It started to downpour as soon as we got there. All the artist's closed their tents. And we had to wait it out. It was worth the wait because the artist's that participate in this art fair are amazing. It's only my second year attending, but both years the quality of work blew me away. You should check it out next year if you get a chance. Then we were off to the Printers Row Lit Fest. where there are always treasure to be found. My favorite find was this children's book Tess's Tree Illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators Peter H. Reynolds. So all and all it was a very inspiring weekend and I hope to do some artwork this week while I'm still riding the wave of inspiration. I'll post it when I do. Have a great week. Happy Monday.

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

Since I've been laid off from my graphic design job this Macy's fashion challenge has gotten me back into my love of colors and layouts. I am so thankful for that. It is so fun to put things together. This is my outfit for the month of June. The challenge is: Surprise! Your being whisked away for the weekend-what will you throw in your bag? My layout is ranked 15th so far. Give it a try and see if you like doing it as much as I do!

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

This is so fun! I'm addicted to Macy's Fashion Director.

Streak Milestone

We'll today is the day. Day 100, I have exercised at least 15 minutes a day for 100 days straight. Yippee, whoo hoo, celebrate with me, it was hard work! This was the first phase of my goal. Tomorrow I can take a day off and then start all over again on Monday for the second phase (100 more days), then after that the third phase (100 more days). I love doing this streak of exercise because, it motivates you to work out even when you don't feel like it, just to keep it going. So heres to motivation, and milestones. I hope it can bring someone inspiration.

Beauty is everywhere

I've been taking pictures with my little guys, when I take them for wagon rides around the block. I love all the beauty that can be found this time of year. The little ones are so good at spotting things that my eye's miss. Dandelions in particular. I stopped seeing those as beautiful. But my little guys are so delighted to find those little yellow flowers, that now I see the beauty in them too. That is such a gift that they give to me, the ability to see things freshly through their eyes.

Beautiful Book!

This is just about the prettiest book I've ever seen. I want to recommend it to every artist I know. Print & Pattern is a great blog too. You can find this book here. Seriously I don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful images displayed in one book. It's very inspiring!

Inspiration

I am taking an inspiration day, A much needed break from my day to day routine. Oddly enough my break is usually pretty routine, but refreshing non the less. It usually consists of a bookstore and art store visit. There is usually cup tea or a fruit juice involved, and music cranked up in the car on the way. Todays music will be Toby Mac's new cd tonight. And I'm hoping to return tomorrow with an new Illustration Friday posting. I'd love to know what your inspiration break looks like too.

Linked

I am so excited this is my first posting on Illustration Friday! I just made this illustration for my son, Zach.

Blue skies are calling...

I really wanted to challenge myself to paint this sailboat. I grew up in a family with a Dad who had an affinity for the outdoors, boating and fishing in particular. This painting made me feel much closer to my Dad, who has passed away. That is why it was such a nice thing to paint, I think little parts of my Dad call out to me occasionally, it was nice to creatively react to one of them.

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

I got up at 3 am to do this one. When my little guy woke up for a drink. Otherwise I don't have 3 am ambition. There would have to be a pretty great vacation planned for me to want to get up that early. Have a fun day.

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

Vote if you get a chance I'm in the topped ranked pages today! Thanks Yippee!! I love this challange!

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

TV reality show audition is the challenge for today - check it out!"

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

I just entered this outfit in Macys Fashion Director challenge of the day: "What would you wear to a Art gallery opening!" This one was right up my alley. I hope it wins!

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "

I love this outfit - check it out!"

Terrific Tuesday

When I was working my 9 to 5 job. Tuesdays used to be my favorite weekday, not Fridays because in the publishing world Fridays are frantic, deadlines are tight and work is given out with a 20 minute turn around. Which we use to jokingly say "quantity and not quality". Now that I'm not in 9 to 5 mode, Fridays are fun again. But I still think Tuesdays are terrific. Well anyway this little bunny stopped by to say have a "hoppy" day.

Jump start creativity

Hi all, I'm reading a book called the Artistic Mother http://shonastudio.blogspot.com/ by Shona Cole. It's really good so far. It's about fitting creativity in your life. I particularly like that it urges you to create everyday, regardless of how you feel. As an Artist and mom, generally speaking, I like to create art when I "feel" like it. But one of my teachers once told me, "Just start the process and the feeling will follow". I need to put that into practice, and Just start today no matter what. Hope you all enjoy doing something creative this weekend!

Artist mission statement?

The vision board that I just created got me thinking about an artist mission statement. I think it would be a great motivational tool. The vision board definitely is. The vision board reminds me how passionate I am about what I want to achieve. It also reminds me of the balance that is required to make my goals a reality. I'll keep you posted on my progress with the mission statement and I love to know what you think on either topic.

Creating a vision board

I am trying to add a little clarity to my life. It was suggested to me by Marisa from Creative Thursday http://www.creativethursday.typepad.com/to create a vision board. Hopefully I can do that this week. Here's a link to find out how to make one http://christinekane.com/blog/how-to-make-a-vision-board/ I'll keep you posted on how it goes and I'd love to know if you make one too.

Beautiful Day!

It was a magnificent day around here today. The kids and I spent this beautiful day walking around the neighborhood, blowing bubbles in the backyard, getting my car washed and running errands. The Hyacinth in my kitchen window are so fragrant. It was absolutely dreamy today! Yippee spring will be here so soon!

Exercise Streak

Hi all, I started an exercise streak in February on the opening night of the Olympics. And I have been exercising everyday since, for 21 days now. Boy did that time go fast. My goal is to exercise for 15 minutes a day for 100 days straight, then take one day off, and do 100 more. Join in if you feel motivated to. Even 15 minutes makes you feel great and the streak keeps you going, because you don't want it to end. Let me know if you try it. I would love to have some exercise buddies.

I love lynda.com

Hello all I just wanted all the artists out there to know about a site called lynda.com Professionals from every aspect of computer art teach courses and they are so insightful. I've almost finished the Painter 11 tutorial and I am pretty sure I could teach this program after taking this course. I also started the Photoshop top 40 and have learned a lot there too. Check it out.