A huge THANK YOU for all of your support and kind words about my website (and please, critical feedback is appreciated and welcome). It can be scary putting yourself out there but I have come to a place that I don't have that need for the external approval so much. Of course, it will never go away completely. We all want to be liked, and not everyone will like us. Be o.k. with it. I have gotten to a place where I am creating from within, rather from without. Not (well, trying not) to compare myself to others and be so concerned with whatever they are doing. And it feels good. This quote comes to mind " I am not interested so much in what I do with my hands or words as what I do with my heart. I want to live from the inside out, not from the outside in."- Hugh Prahter Isn't that great?

Happy Weekend! I realize it is almost over but it has taken me two days to finish this post. Lately my head + hands + heart have been involved up to my eyeballs in websites, business books, photos, blogs, fonts, colors, etc.. I am FINALLY getting my website up and running. What an experience! On one hand I wish I could hand it off to someone but on the other I am glad I have been learning/doing. I have to admit I am really enjoying the process now.  I feel like it really can be pretty creative.

Things have clicked a bit for me (yes, with the website). And NOW I feel ready to begin. To begin to create surface designs + paintings to submit for licensing (I have already started, and have quite a bit done). To create paintings for sale. To go for those dreams that keep coming. It almost feels like this is my fork in the road. The one where I can turn one way and head down the right path. I can't say that the path will be straight or smooth or fast but really what can we ever say that about? The point is that it just feels right.

I think sometimes as artists we are afraid to say that "Yup, I want and quite frankly, need to create financial streams with my art." Yup, quite frankly I do. There is that bit of "Who do you think you are?" + all that other blah, blah, blah that comes up.

For me to get here, I had to be faced with a different alternative. One that doesn't feel "right". Would it be easier to go that path? Maybe in the short term. Certainly not the long term.

So with the available amount of time and energy I have I will chose to follow the path that feels right.  Wish me luck! :)
____________________________________
In other news...
A new Art Biz Mama interview is coming on Monday and it is a really great one! :)

And to tie into being a mama and artist here is a recent and really great interview with one of my favorites, Kelly Rae Roberts. She talks to Rice Freeman Zachery on balancing it all. Her career, her art, her family. Enjoy!

Amy from Elemental is giving away $50 gift certificate to her shop. Click here to find out more!

Recently I won a year membership to The Thriving Artist Project.  !
I will share an interview with the founder soon. I have already learned SO much!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! The crocuses have popped up here in NY! The temp may be at freezing but I am hopeful!

xo

Keep making ART

my scribbled notes made while listening to a podcast.

Recently, not directly, I have been told KEEP MAKING ART. Through podcasts, the e-course, blog posts. Make LOTS of art. Lots of it will SUCK. Keep making it anyway. I guess the old saying... Practice makes perfect can apply here. Commit yourself. Earlier this year I made the decision to really commit to my art and the different twists and turns that can take. It is very easy to start something, get frustrated and give up.



Here is a video that can be applied to all creative acts. Mati and Lisa shared it with us. Maybe you will get some use out of it.What are you committing to?

Flowers that my kids "surprised" me with

On 1/20 I turned 38. In the past I was never the type to tell you that "It's my birthday" and I am kinda still not but I have gotten much better about CELEBRATING it. I think it comes from getting older. I know you would think why be happy about getting older? Well, that is just it. I am still here, getting older. CELEBRATE IT!

One of my favorite cards

There were cake, presents, singing, hugs and kisses (the best). I am grateful for it all.

I was given a book. Art from Intuition. It is filled with so MANY fun exercises. A chance to get child like and remember what it was like to be free in your art. I did the above automatic drawing after looking through the book. I can't wait to delve into the book deeper. There are many exercises to do with the kids too. I also picked up this one, and this one which look equally as fun.

The Big Dreams, Small Wonders class is on the last week. I haven't caught up with the exercises just yet but I did manage to add to/finish my vision board for 2011 and beyond. Louise has many, many tools about bringing dreams to fruition and doing it with a sound mind and body. It has been great.

And last but not least Monday 1/31 starts Get Your Paint On. Super excited! Maybe I will see you there.

Bye + Hello

Bye 2010

Looking back on the photos saved on my  hard drive I can hardly believe this year has passed by so quickly!

Celebrating and reflecting today with just less then 9 hrs. to go until 2011 arrives here in NY. Some highlights from 2010...

being published twice, kindergarten, declaring, painting, creating, connecting, nyc, playing, new kitty, lots of snow, crochet, flowers, flowers, flowers

Looking forward to what 2011 will hold.

Happy New Years!!

Here is a little video of my kids sliding into the new year.

xo

Art by Aimee of Artsyville

I have spent the last 2+ days cleaning up and clearing out my art space (in between taking care of sick kiddies). I have plenty I am going to give away via freecycle, a big bag for the garbage and a few unused but maybe someday things to be stored away.

It feels nice and light. With just two more days left of 2010 it felt like the time. Clearing the old to make way for the new.

Today I purchased a couple of doodlemagnets from Artsyville. They will both be in my creative space as inspirations and affirmations. One of them is above. I saw it the other day via FB and I thought GREAT and APPROPRIATE. I love starting out the year with this positive intention.

Here is another great sentiment to begin the new year with. It is from an Outward Bound ad. As someone who tends to tell myself  "No, I can't...." I love the farewell to can't. Hello, can!

I am still pondering a word for the year. Have you picked one? I have a couple of contenders. I will pick one tomorrow and share. If you have one I would love for you to share yours.

Phew

Christmas morning sunrise

Christmas in a list:
cookie baking
a stomach bug
up at 2:30 a.m. 
presents at 4:30 a.m.
worn out family
gorgeous pink and purple sunrise
pure excitement
lots of wonder
games, games and more games
wrapping paper everywhere
where to put it all? the toys that is

Cutie needed a nap from all of the excitement

Our Christmas was truly wonderful. As much as I love it I am happy now that it is all done for another year.
We are clearing away bits of Christmas in between all of the snow, game playing, hot chocolate drinking, book reading and lots of craft activities.

Snow.. the day after Christmas

Now is the time to make a clearing and prepare for the New Year and all that it will hold. I am looking forward to it. How about you?

The Sketchbook Challenge will begin on 1/1 and Big Dreams, Small Wonders will begin on 1/3. Lots of good things happening.

NOT To Do List + news

 

I wrote this list the other day as the kids and I were playing with colored pencils. My head was busy with all of the things to DO. So I decided to write a NOT TO DO list. I am trying to abide by my list as best as I can. 

It isn't so easy of course. Particularly the staying up too late and feeling overwhelmed. 

How is your week going?

I am happy to share some news with you. Awhile back I commented on the CraftSanity blog and Jennifer followed my comment back to here and she saw my wreaths over there in the side bar. She loved them and asked to include them in the gift guide of her brand spanking new CraftSanity Magazine!! She has a print edition or the pdf edition. I just ordered mine and the preview looks great! I am so honored to be included!

I have one other bit of news but I will fill you in soon. I have to keep to my not to do list and get some sleep.

If you have a handwritten list add yours over on Artsyville. And say Happy Birthday to her. :)

Agreed

Doesn't this book sound great? In case you are anything like me and often worry about it all you may be interested in it. I didn't buy it but I did print this out. I just love it.

We have decked the halls and the excitement is building around here. Seeing it all through my kids eyes is the best gift of all.

I hope you are enjoying  your week.

xo,
dana

Crochet Christmas

Crochet bracelets

If you are a blogger do you ever wonder if you are ever going to write another blog post? That is how I was beginning to feel. I have been so wrapped up in creating gifts for the holidays and enjoying time with family (plus my three year old has stopped napping) but I wanted to show you some of the things I have been working on (it isn't all of it and it isn't all done). So far my main supply of choice is yarn and thread. It has been simple to do with the kids around and to take in the car while traveling anywhere. The crocheted bracelets were inspired by this pattern from Wren Handmade. Since I am not great at following patterns I made a couple of my own.
 

Crocheted covered stone

I did this covered stone using Resurrection Ferns pattern. I also made another one up myself. They are fun. My husband looked a little baffled by the fact that I would want to actually cover a stone. :)

Ruffled doily

I tried several doily patterns however my skills are still at a beginner level so I tried my own. It began ruffling and at first I wasn't sure but then I really liked it.

doily necklace

 A small doily attached to chain.

I have also been making hexagons using this super simple pattern from One Loop Short. And I have wanted to make pom-poms for so long and I tried last night using this tutorial from One Loop Short as well. I am going to wrap gifts and attach them. So much fun.

I still have super hero capes to finish and edible gifts to make and my husband has kindly offered to help me! :)

Making all these gifts has pushed me in many ways... to work on a deadline (want to be done this week to enjoy the month of December with the kiddies), to experiment, to play.

And with Thanksgiving (we had some snow!) having come and gone I wanted to say Thank You to all who have come by here either once or often. I appreciate YOU! This creative community has enriched my life in ways I can't even tell you!!

Hugs,
Dana

P.S. I decided to treat myself to an early birthday gift and sign up for Big Dreams, Small Wonders with Louise Gale! It starts in January. If you sign up for her newsletter you can get a reduced price for the class.... but you have to sign up by Monday for the reduced price!

Morning... pages, coffee and crochet

this a.m.- pages, coffee and crochet... what you don't see is the storm (aka two little ones) that blew through as  I was doing this. :)

still working away on gifts, mixed in of course with all the daily to do's. wondering will I get it done.
started feeling a bit grinch as I got a bit stressed about the approaching holiday and all that is expected along with them. got over it. don't want to feel THAT.

was reminded of this via emily

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence."

  Max Ehrmann,Desiderata.

hope your weekend went well.

xo,
dana

Midst of making

So this is the s-l-o-w progress I am making on the handmade gifts. And no, I am not making ALL gifts, just almost all. :) I have completed 2 things but I can't show here...yet. The wads of newspaper are the beginning attempts at paper mache ornaments. I read the article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors by Denise Litchfield about paper mache inspired by artist Julie Arkell. I learned of Julie's work years ago and I think it is great. When I ran across the lovely work of Denise I thought I would love to make some things with paper mache.  I found this great site with LOTS of info. She gives step by step directions to make a paper mache clay. It looks wonderful, I may have to try to use this too.

In the midst of making I ran across another wonderfully inspiring artist in Somerset Studio. Jesse Reno.
Have you heard of him? His work is intuitive, wild and raw. I also listened to two interviews he did with Rice Freeman-Zachery and Lesley Riley on Art and Soul Radio. He has some interesting things to say about art and creativity-why he works on lots of paintings at once,  what to do if you think you have no room to create,  and how he got started. PLUS he is SO passionate and excited about his art and life it is a bit contagious.

I hope your week has been wonderful so far. I am off to go create.
xo,
dana
 P.S. I just found this really wonderful holiday mag by Amy Powers. Lots of great holiday crafting ideas. 

A List

I thought I would write a list today. I hope you don't mind.

* Halloween was great. See a pic of my kiddies in their costumes here.
* I know it is only November 3 but I am REALLY getting excited about the holidays.
* I am making almost all Christmas gifts this year and they are all in various states. Super hero capes, crocheted scarves (I am really getting addicted), pincushions, embroidery AND I am trying to complete them all by 12/1. Hmmm....
* So due to the above lofty goal I may be a bit sparse with posting here.
* I am awaiting some new Art Biz Mama answers. I can't wait!
* My wreaths are going to be published in a new gift guide!!
* I thoroughly cleaned the kitchen yesterday and it made the day so much lighter. It is amazing what a super clean room can do.
* If you have a link to handmade gift ideas please share.
* I really wish I could participate in Louise's holiday creative color challenge ornament swap but I think I already have a full plate. If you want to participate head here.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I am off to do the blog hop.
xo,
dana

This and That

Again a week has flown by! Life with all of the twists and turns has been happening.

*We now have a cute little kitty. She is super sweet. My son named her Cutie. And she really is. 

*I started this scarf over the weekend. My mom who is a wonderful knitter and crocheter gave me some yarn and it was out and I felt like making something so I started to stitch. So far I really love it! And to have something portable to work on is great.

 * I have been painting and making collages (first image) in my mixed media book. This was such a great purchase. You can paint in acrylic or watercolor. The paper holds up well and I love the large size.

 

*After many, many hours (and complete frustration may I add) spent trying to work with Wordpress.org to create a web site I think I will throw in the towel and I am doing a trial over here.  I really like the look of the sites and it is reasonably priced. So we will see how it goes.

* I am reading  The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Have you read it? Borrow it from the library if you can. She shares some interesting insights on creativity.

How is it going for you?

Kindness and a Oven Mitt

I am so excited to talk about this today. It is something small but still SO significant. Kindness.

Just plain old good will to others.

I admit it I am a sensitive person. I don't state it as a character flaw either.  It makes me so sad when I see others being unkind. My little guy has told me of bigger kids being mean to him on the bus. This bothers me.
Of course I am not perfect. I am not always Miss sunshine. I have my cranky days. I am human.

I know there is so much kindness evidenced in this great art/craft blogging community. So many fellow bloggers are generous and uplifting to others. I LOVE it. And I know off line there is kindness.

Still I think we can ALL try and make an effort to be more kind on line and in person. Small things. A smile. Holding the door for someone. Letting that driver into the lane even when you are in a rush. Just being aware.
Perhaps when you hold that door open or pay a compliment, that could change that persons energy for the day and they then in turn are more kind to another. A big chain effect. You feel good for being kind and they feel good because you were kind to them.

Random acts of kindness (love these), intentional acts. They are all good. 

Way, way back around Memorial Day I was with my mom and godmother. My godmother mentioned that her daughter likes to buy herself small things that she can open when the day didn't go so well.

You know the kind of day. The kids were up all night (and so were you), you got into an argument, your computer crashed. Etc. We all have them. 

So I immediately thought that was a wonderful idea but why not do one for another person so that each gift could be uplifting AND a surprise! Who doesn't love surprises!

I was so excited to begin creating a bag full of small tokens to lift someone up when they are feeling down.

So it has taken me all summer but I created two!

I have things in each bag. Small things. Thoughtful things. Books. Candy. Lotions. Gift cards. Soaps.
Things that just may make the day a little brighter.

I am going to include a sentiment in each gift.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao Tzu

Someone is going to get the oven mitt I created. And before you ask, the stitches are supposed to be asymmetrical. This project is in Denyse Schmidt Quilts.

And while I was SO proud that I actually sewed a "something" I can't say I am in love with sewing yet.

Back to kindness. I think it would be so GREAT if everyone received or made for themselves a small bag of goodies to lift you up when you are down.  Don't you think?

I would love to hear your thoughts/ideas on kindness.

There are lots of resources out there for ideas too!


http://kindovermatter.blogspot.com/ I really love this blog! There are tons of kindness freebies. They do the kindness thing so well.

http://www.actsofkindness.org/

I loved this book: http://www.doonenicething.com/

Bye Summer

In just a few short hours here in NY summer will give way to fall. Today I picked some of the still blooming cosmos and zinnias we have.

As much as I enjoy this time of year I will miss the flowers, the warm days (it has been very warm just lately) and the light layers of clothes.

The sky is darkening now by 7 p.m.

Sweaters will be worn more regularly. More baking will be done.

I am ready!

Bye summer! See you next year!

doing,buying,noticing

A few snaps from the past week (that went fast).

*Went to an antique flea market and found a yo-yo quilt which was so cute, had to try to make a yo yo. they are so fun and super easy. I see more of these in my future.
*Antique doily and embroidered runners purchased at the flea market. Such pretty work.
*My little guy had his first day of school and it went well (except he already lost his lunch box). A bit hard on me and his sis but we are adjusting.
*Fall is really fast approaching. Sad to see summer go and a bit excited too!
*Some scrappy cards made after reading Denyse Schmidts book. 
*I also made the oven mitt in the book however I can't seem to find the photo that I took.
I will have to show  you another time. I was really proud of myself. It is the first "thing" I have ever made!
I will let you know what I am doing with it and the scrappy cards in another post. It makes me happy to think about it!

Lessons

This is where I am with my little embroidery project. This is the first non-aida cloth embroidery and the second embroidery I ever done. It is far from perfect but I love it none the less. There was a tiny bit of frustration. I really, really should of spent more time practicing the stitches. I just wanted to jump in. I did spend alot of time trying to create a french knot. That one had me stumped until I watched a video and had my hubby help me then it finally clicked. I need to learn to make them more uniform. All the stitches really.  I also used a pen that had a tip that was too thick and the blue is popping through. The pattern calls for a specific size pen and I didn't follow it. In case you are wondering I found the free pattern here.

I don't know about you but when I start something new I expect there to be no learning curve, I should just "get it". Which is really silly don't you think? There have been many times that I have attempted something and because it didn't click right away or wasn't "perfect" I gave up. Learning to drive a car with a manual transmission is one. :)

While embroidering (which I got to spend alot of time yesterday doing) I did gain some knowledge that applies here and to life on the creative path in general:

**Keep trying
**It is o.k. to make mistakes
**Give up perfection
**Enjoy the process
**Give yourself a hand for just starting

I hope to talk about that clarity I had recently, right now I just don't know where to start. I did completely bomb out on my Art Everyday. Sorry folks. I just couldn't manage to complete a piece a day. That doesn't mean that I won't do creative work everyday it just means I won't complete it everyday. I am glad I did try it though. I have always thought about it and now I know. I really admire all who complete a piece every day. I think it is fantastic!

Please come back on Wednesday as I will have a new Art Biz Mama interview up.

♥
dana

Over here

ART EVERYDAY and LOVING THINGS FOR WHAT THEY ARE

Art Everyday Day 10: Pitt Pen on gessoed recycled packaging paper

I am having so much fun with Art Everyday.

Art Everyday Day 11-Colored pencils on kraft paper

Art Everyday Day 12: Acrylic on paper

I must be into pink because I have a little girl? I keep reaching for it.

Yummy watermelon Italian ice. Recipe from Amy.  Isn't it pretty?

Working on my creative color challenge piece.

The other day I read a post on Kolleen's blog, Heartwing Sisters. She listed the things she loves for what they are. Here a few of mine.

My silly ones

Flowers of course

This view in the winter. Not that I am wishing for that or anything. :)

xo,

dana