sketchy doodle

pattern on my eye glass case

I joined another group on meetup.com. I'm such a groupie! I can't help it, I love seeking out and connecting with like minded people. The group is called sketchy doodle and the mission is to practice sketching in a small informal group, meet other people who like to sketch, develop your artistic skills, and learn by seeing how other people draw. Sunday was my first sketchy doodle adventure.

tiger eye from a Swarovski ad

cogs from inside the candy factory store

plants located around the edge of the food court

imagery from the paradise bakery signage

I really can't remember when I sketched for fun with other people. I have sketched with others at school or for a design job but, both of those have certain goals you are trying to obtain. To just sketch for fun with others was nice. We had small conversations with one another between creative bursts and in the end we shared with one another what we created.

We met in a mall food court. In a setting with so many people around it's no wonder most sketched people. I love seeing the different styles of drawing each one possessed. Figure drawing isn't my favorite and I haven't done it in about 10 years so, I stuck to my comfort zone and sketched other images I saw while looking around.

vegetarian shepherd's pie

Last Monday, we tried a vegetarian shepherd's pie recipe I found on allrecipes.com. I find all my recipes on that website! "This meatless comfort food is packed with high-antioxidant vegetables, plus curry's anti-cancer curcumin." by USA WEEKEND columnist Jean Carper.

Bert & I enjoyed this recipe (the kids just ate the topping). The flavors blended well, the mashed red potato topping with peas was fabulous and it had my favorite ingredient, eggplant! The curry suggested was a tad overpowering but, as it cooled the flavor mellowed. I still think I may cut the curry in half next time.

See Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Learn about the Meatless Mondays Campaign

creative every day: body

I have been working on my project for the Creative Every Day Challenge. The (totally optional) theme for January is Body. This was a perfect theme for me to start on. Three and a half years ago when I was 8 months pregnant with Hudson I drew a shadow of my baby bump profile onto a canvas. Since our move almost 3 years ago it has packed away in our garage. It's still in our garage but, now it's sitting on my easel in progress instead of stored away in a box.

monthly goal meet up

I'm participating in the Meet Up which is a monthly goal sharing group. Goals, goals, goals ... everywhere I turn I'm reading about, thinking about and jotting down goals. I guess it makes sense since it's the beginning of a new year and new decade!

Here were my December goals ...

1. graphics referral sheet with info & prices - done!
   
2. creative stash website splash page - done but, needs to be loaded online
   
3. craft and bake with the kids - of course!
   
4. create handmade gifts - a few but, yes!
   
5. spread holiday cheer - as much as I could!
   

Because I have a few freelance design projects in the works I plan to focus on those in January, getting to any of these biz goals would just be gravy...

1. load new creative stash website splash page
2. creative stash business cards
3. add bookmarks to etsy shop
4. add magnets to etsy shop
5. gift packaging idea & photo for etsy shop

The monthly goal Meet Up has found a new home thanks to Liz at Athena Dreams. Thanks Liz! Wishing you all a creative and productive month!

new year, new goals

I have to say, I love making new year's resolutions. Being the goal-setter and list-maker that I am, that’s not surprising. It's my favorite way to start the year fresh. Looking back and thinking ahead. Although, I do need help in learning how to stand still in the present sometimes. This year I want to continue in the direction I've been headed; simplifying, healthy living, creating and peace. I narrowed my list of creative and personal goals down to my top 13.

1. meditate and journal every week
   
2. plan a date with each of my kids once a month
   
3. create 4 new paintings
4. save $1,000 emergency fund
5. work on how to respond calmly rather than react when situations become tense
   
6. work on my fitness 4x a week: yoga, zumba and weight lifting
7. reach next weight loss goal of 18lbs. lost by the end of the year
8. learn how to use my sewing machine
9. grow herbs and vegetables in our backyard
10. continue to make healthy eating choices and work on cutting out sugar and hfcs
    
11. volunteer my time and energy to those less fortunate at least 2 times this year
12. engage in outdoor activities: hiking, swimming, picnics and evening walks
    
13. create, grow and network etsy store & freelance design (20 hours a month max)

Many wishes for health, happiness, growth and peace in 2010!

2009 - a very good year

I have loved 2009 … it was a very good year. There is so much to look back on and treasure. My son Ethan turned 5 and Hudson turned 3. My first born started Kindergarten and my youngest started preschool. My oldest began reading and loves to make funny faces and my youngest is finally potty trained and in love with taking photographs. 2009 was the year I really upped the ante my creative passions … designing, painting and handmade gift making. I picked up a bunch of freelance design jobs, with the highlight being my sister's wedding invitation suite. I created 5 new paintings. I opened up my etsy handmade gifts shop, small as it may be, it has been something I have wanted to do for quite awhile.

2009 has also been a year of consistent mind and body health. I made it to my weight loss goal of 12 lbs. lost for the year - woo hoo! Due to a shortened work schedule all year, I had extra time to read, create, practice yoga and volunteer at my son's school, which has been very rewarding.

We spent many days at McCormick Train Park since we had a yearly pass. We enjoyed a gem of a hiking trail only minutes from our house at Usery Park. We went to a peach festival and picked our own peaches. We planted tomatoes and basil in our backyard and ate the fruit of our own labor, while it lasted. We spent MANY days at our community pool and had lots of fun in the sun. I have crafted and painted so many times with the boys this year.

Bert and I got away to play often. Bert took a road trip while moving a friend, I went to New York for my sister's bachelorette party & bridal shower. We went to Jamaica for the first time and watched my little sister get married. We took a road trip to Colorado to see our favorite band, Phish, play again for the first time in years. We traveled to see Phish again for a 3 day festival in California. We have lived the "good life" this year and have much to be grateful for.

I look at the photos I realize just how lucky I am to have this life and people I love to share it with. Thank you for sharing it with me. Peace and Love, Peace and Love. xoxo

holiday happenings

"So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it." ~ Willy Wonka. Oh my, Christmas only 4 days away?! Eek. We are sort of, kinda ready. Ready or not, we have been very busy this year enjoying the holidays! Here is what we've been up to ...

Let it Snow
We kicked off the holiday festivities with a little snowfall. 7 pm every night it "snows" at Tempe Marketplace.

Santa visits Falcon Field Airport
We joined some friends to see Mr & Mrs. Claus fly in on a bomber plane. Too cool! We visited Santa and toured the aviation museum.

Breakfast with Santa
We had breakfast with Santa at our community center. Ethan saw a few kids from his kindergarten class so, that was pretty exciting for him. Santa walked around, said hello to all the children and gave each child a present.

Gingerbread House
Hopped on sugar we had a blast building, decorating and eating our gingerbread house!

Playgroup Holiday Party
We had a holiday party with our playgroup at the park. We have been a part of this playgroup for almost 3 years! Here the kids are decorating sugar cookies.

Mesa Temple
Each year this church creates a beautiful display of lights and has music. Nancy, a friend from our playgroup, plays in her church bell choir and she was preforming so, we headed down to enjoy the music and lights.

Natal Circle Neighborhood
We met up with some playgroup friends to see Natal Circle in Mesa light up the holidays! The entire street is lit up with elaborate holiday light themes. Residents hang out in their driveways next to fire pits and in awesome garages party rooms.

Holiday Pen Pals
Each holiday our playgroup matches up a holiday pen pal for the kids. The boys always enjoy making, sending and receiving their pen pal cards! Here are the cards the boys made.

Whew! We have been busy having holiday fun and are so excited to celebrate Christmas day! Hope you and your family are enjoying all the season has to offer. Many wishes for a very happy and healthy holiday!

gift wrapping

Here I used the Peace Joy Love wrapping paper & gift tag I designed to finish a friends gift. You can print the gift tags and wrapping paper at home. An inexpensive way to finish your holiday gifts in style! Free art downloads are available over at the Soft Flex Company website.

vintage figurines turned ornaments

I had a few vintage Christmas figurines lying around with no home. They are tiny and really didn't really fit into any of our holiday decor. After seeing the gnome ornament by Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane yesterday I knew just what to do with them. Turn them into ornaments of course! I twisted up some pipe cleaners and with a little glue gun I gave them a purpose.

They are so stinkin' cute, aren't they?!

christmas ornaments

I love creating handmade ornaments to adorn our tree. I blogged last year about the handmade ornaments I have created since 2002. Ethan is still swiping ornaments from the tree this year, I think he has a special place in his heart for them too!

Last year slipped by me and this year I'm cutting it close but, the more I thought about it the more I realized I want to create a new ornament this year and keep the tradition going. There are so many wonderful ideas online for homemade ornaments to create. Shall I choose recycled, re-purposed, beaded or painted?! hmm... I haven't made up my mind yet, although I do know I will be using what I already have around the house mixed with the wonderful ideas I've stumbled upon below.

Recycled Paper Roll Ornament by Regina at Creative Kismet
[via Creative Every Day blog]

Gnome Ornament by Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane
[via Craft blog]

Plastic Toy Ornament by Heather Sitarzewski
[via Craft blog]

Recycled holiday card ornaments
[via marthastewart.com]

Cookie Cutter Ornaments
[via marthastewart.com]


Tree Bling Ornament by Jamie Hogsett
[via softflexcompany.com]

Beaded Snowflakes
[via marthastewart.com]

Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes
[ via marthastewart.com]