Alphabet Book... another page

Who says you have to do an alphabet book in order????

Daily Marks

It’s a new year and what a better start that to resolve to add a few marks to some paper each day.

I have found that doing a journal page each day can be overwhelming and some days well just face it.. you don’t feel like even cracking your journal. I have found by just making some marks each day will spur you on to greater works. The next day you can add to it or not… its your choice , no pressure from me.

Great book to read: Mini Habits by Stephen Guise This book not only give you a insight to make your life a little better, maybe even replacing an old habit but makes it easy to do so. Wonderful read

Putting it All together

I purchased some of these great tiles from “ Inchie” they are wonderful uniform heavy weight board, like matt board that you can add your art to and create a great mosaic or boarder. They come in different sizes for your needs. You can get them premade or you can make your own, check out the Etsy pages for ideas and templates….. super fun!

The Color of Fall

When the fruit is falling off the trees. When the red is showing on the leaves, When the air grows crisp and your coat hugs you a little tighter. Take a look around and see the wonder of the season and the gift of life.

Sometimes the Words Speak for Themself

I love to create something I don’t even know I have in me. Finding family pictures that are so unique but….everyone looks the same. What was their personality like? Would I have loved them? How old are they really?

Working with pictures and paint, adding touches and then the words.

My secret dear people is to look in horoscope books, they have the best sayings, and to take them out of context, really adds to the fun.

Enjoy these 3x3” mini pictures and try and make your own with your family.

When Cats Are Part of the Process

There is one thing about cats and that they are very independent.   When you don't want them someplace that is where they seem to want to be.  Today my cat Porter was very much into my photo shoot, It was hard to say "scat" to him when he is so cute an loveable.

I would love to hear  your adventures with animals and how they make your work, fun, tolerable or the "Bain of your existence".

Whats on the Easel Today

Working on some of my old flower pictures... I thought that this was headed in the right direction but i ended up adding more flowers and painting out the background to a nice grey black.

I tried using some chalk and inks to paint in some detail.... I don't know.

Its time to hang it up and think on it.

How many times have you painted over a painting or just started again because it wasn't going anywhere?

Creating a New Quilters Series of Cards

I have been working on a fun Quilting card series.   I am friends with many quilters and I have been known to sew a quilt or two in my day.  The idea of having just fun designs for a specific group has made me energized.  It might not sell but I want to do it because....well I want to do it.   Taking these 2 designs out of the 9 I have, I thought I would show you my process.   These were done with scraps of paper, ink , glue and a little paint.    I want to find something creative to write on the front.  So I googled " quilting terms".  Do you know that quilters have the best terms?  Meeting with my friend Rebecca at the local coffee shop we went over the terms and laughed and laughed at the made up stories we could tell from these terms.. take " jelly roll" and "fat quarters"  sounds like someone hasn't been working out.   " Long Arm". "Stacked",  " Prairie points" and that isn't even counting  the names quilters have used to identify some of the designs on quilts "  Flying Geese " "Drunkards Path" " Log Cabin".  I can tell right now I am in for a lot of fun coming up with something great to put on the fronts of these. But.... I might have to keep the smutty ones to myself.

Do You Know Really How Loved You Are?

In the depth of winter, the dark endless days of rain when I live can, get me feeling down and about now I am really struggling for a light at the end of the tunnel.   I find the small bulbs poking their heads out of ground and Valentines day around the corner start taking me away from the dark and make me think about others and if they really know how much I love them and cherish their love and friendship,because I do.

Its good to pause and think that I am loved as well and do I appreciate the love they give to me.   humm....

TED Talks....

Having to spend so much time with my foot up.  I took up binge watching  TED talks.  This is a playlist creativity.  There is also a great one on doodling and why it is so great for the mind ( no one will ever make fun of you with your decorative borders) 

https://www.ted.com/playlists/11/the_creative_spark

The Presidents Photographer took my picture!

I was asked to get a professional picture taken and they sent out a John Lill from Seattle.

I enjoy finding out about people so I started asking him about how he got his start in Photography.  Senior Class Picture Intern when he was in high school.  Enlisted in the Navy, became a photographer in the Navy and became friends with the admiral and the admiral recommended him for his next tour of duty... The white house !   He served 1 1/2 years with Bush and 1 1/2 years with Obama.  He was the guy that just hung out with the president day in and out taking around 5,000 pictures a day............. and he is taking my picture! 

John has great eye ( you should see the pictures he does of rock stars!)  If you ever have a need for some photography... he not only does head shots, but weddings etc. He takes great pictures but has a rich history to talk about.  I had a really fun photo session  considering i was really dreading it.

What to do when you are laid up

I just had ankle surgery this past week....one week down.    I wasn't looking forward to this , but I have decided to make lemonade out of my misery.   I know the first few weeks i will be down for the count but I will gradually be getting around more in my knee scooter  ( they are fun- try them in empty malls)

1. Watching all those how -to videos on Youtube.
2. Edit my photography files
3.  Plan a party  
4.  Catch up with all my business partners and maybe make a few new ones.
5. Do some PR for myself
6. Learn jewelry making
7. Plan a menu for a week
8. Sleep longer
9. Read a book or 2 or 3
10. Phone calls to all my family
11. Plan a vacation for this summer or just some weekend trips
12. Look again at my on-line art classes
13.  Send me some suggestions,  .......... PLEASE

Move More.......

Yep, that is my resolution for 2015.   I use to think that if I could just write  it down, it would magically happen.   Great thought, Wish it were true, Hopefully thinking..   as my mom would say " Dream on..."  it makes me laugh just thinking about that statement.   She could always keep our feet on the ground.

This year my goal is to:  MOVE MORE!!   That is it, move my hands and jump in with both feet, with my art and my life. I have heard that the worst habit that we can have is to SIT!  who knew ? but it makes sense.  If we don't move it we lose it.  So lets not lose it this year, lets keep going. At least stand when you are watching TV, get your self a ball for your desk, you can't help but bounce a little or a lot!   Puddle jumping is am amazing activity. Most of all, enjoy your year, it is a gift so make the most of it!

4-H Small Business.... something New

Did you ever participate in any of those youth groups?   Campfire Girls ? Boy scouts ? 4-H?

Well now 4- H is supporting all us old alumni by letting us participate in their small business products.   They are not only supporting the 4-H branded items but helping us get our products out to the public.  

I learned so much thru 4-H.   Doing  many demonstrations and participating in the many public speaking contests,  has really helped me thru school and the many jobs I have had in my adult life.   I learned so much about the skills it takes for daily living, money management, nutrition, cooking, sewing, photography, animals and art kept me engaged and active during my teenage years.  I am a big fan of 4-H and I am so glad that it is alive and going strong.  If you have had a great experience as a child please support these types of youth groups.

4-H Mall: http://www.4-hmall.org/Category/greeting-cards.asp

Art and Holiday Shows

The season has started for those fun and festive Art shows.  You know the ones, they can be held in school gymnasiums', church social halls, residential homes as well as some of the larger venues. Many of you have your own special ones where you gather some friends and make a day of it,traveling to the different shows then going out for lunch to show off what you have bought

.   I have a tradition with my own group of friends where we go to the most creative of the shows and glean ideas to make our gifts.   Now that we are older and have done this many years, we enjoy peoples creativity but if we see something we like we buy it., who has the time any more to be that cleaver.

Next week I will have a booth at one of my favorite venues.  The Tacoma Dome Holiday Food and Gift show.   It starts on Wednesday and goes thru Sunday.  There is an admission charge but the amount of creative people you find there is well worth the money, especially if you don't have the time to go out each weekend to find your gifts.  

If you go be sure TO BRING:  your coupon  ( enclosed in the blog) ,  good walking shoes and YOUR LIST of people you need to shop for.   The great thing about this show is once you have paid the admission you are paid for the rest of the days as well.  

oh.... and stop by my booth   I will be in the Artist-in-Action area  # 0739  

Artist Trading Cards

Have you ever seen those amazing little cards that artist trade around?  They are usually small little cards that artist put their work on and then trade them without money being exchanged but the art itself being exchanged.   Usually you do this is a group that knows you or maybe one that doesn't.   I signed up for an exchange through  Lynn Whipples collage class. It was initiated by a student.   I am bout ready to send out my cards to someone I have never met who lives in Tennessee.   I am excited to see how she likes them but also what I get back... expecting something in the mail is always fun!   Here's a sneak preview of what am going to send her... shh... don't tell her

Bring on the Flowers

It has been so hot here.... I am not complaining but that just isn't normal for the Seattle area.  We love our sun,  when it comes out we want to take advantage of it.   So when it gets hot here ( I am talking above 80- don't laugh)  and we have to find a cool shady space I have been hiding out in my studio with a great fan blowing away.   So my choice of painting flowers has been a no brainer,That and I am taking this awesome class from Lynn Whipple colager extrodinaire.  

Bowl of Flowers