Ambitions.

How many times have you had a dream grow in your head for a long time and then when you acquired the courage to speak it out loud... someone laughed at your dream? Many times this scoffing is unintentional, but belittling none-the-less. Close your ears to these people you ambitious soul, those reactions stem mostly from fear.

I am so grateful for vulnerability. It helps people realize we are all just spiritual beings engaging in a human experience.

If you are thinking it, say it!

Not everything that is! However, most of us have really nice thoughts about other people but we don't tend to say them that often. What would happen if we did though? Maybe there would be less room for the not-so-nice thoughts in our minds!

For a special friend's milestone birthday, I created a simple book with 50 things I love about her. In my mind, I thought it was a great gift because who wouldn't like a 50 page book of fantastic reminders of how great you are?

Thanks for stopping by! I am ever so grateful for YOU!

Food filled fun in 2014!

There is a new calendar filled with my illustrations for 2014! It is filled with scrumptious food illustrations, a little girl named Josie, and her sidekick-kitten named Sprinkles. Look for it in bookstores this fall!

Hello Small World!

Whoo-whee, that little break was hard but good! In case you hadn't noticed, I took a little break from blogging because I thought I needed a little rest and some time to immerse myself completely and wholly into my master's program. I wanted to see how I'd conform without creating much art. Could I do it?

I've spent my entire life defining myself as a creative-artistic individual and since I'm stepping into new territory by becoming a therapist I needed to see if I could rewrite my inner code.

4 Things I found out about myself:
1.) I missed blogging and creating.
2.) Daily blogging fed a very narcissistic side of me and I needed to take a long look at that.
3.) I pretty much closed my studio door and didn't go in there unless I had to. (Like grabbing a book or using the printer.)
4.) I discovered it is virtually impossible for me to thrive without creating something but since I forced myself into this experiment, I channelled my creative side and became very organized and focused.

I discovered becoming a therapist and being an artist go hand-in-hand. Each profession entails finding and discovering solutions to problems and expressing internal thoughts. The two compliment each other and I plan to use them together now and in the future with others.

This blog is going to organically transform into a place to build up others. I will still post art and creative ideas but I am going to inter-twine inspiration and thought-filled ideas into all of my posts. So I will not be able to post everyday... that's OK. What I do know is that whoever stops by just might get a little encouragement or kind thought to take with them out in this small world.

Hope to see you soon!

Time out.

This blogger is taking a little break, hope to see you soon!

Happy New Year!

Fresh starts are always a good thing!

Merry Christmas!

Handmade Day 12... Holiday Card Books!

Hello friends! I adore Christmas cards. L O V E them. And, I also happen to save each and every one I receive every year. Thus, I have acquired quite a stack of cards! You might be in the same boat so on this last handmade day, I am going to show you how to make books out of your stacks!

Materials you'll need: Cardboard (used cereal boxes), decorative paper, scissors, binder clips, glue stick, paper hole punch

Step 1: Gather your cards.

Step 2: Cut your cardboard into smaller rectangles. (I made mine 5"X7")

Step 3: Slather glue all over the front of the cardboard and place onto your decorative paper.

Step 4: Slather glue back of cardboard and line up another decorative paper on top.

Step 5: Cut papers down to size of cardboard. (Mine were 5"X7")

Step 6: Once your boards are cut down, decorate with any stickers or other ephemera. Punch holes on the side, punch holes into the cards you'd like to save and thread through the binder clip.

Now you can enjoy your cards all year long!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Now The Kid and I are off to sing a few Christmas carols, sip hot chocolate by a fire and enjoy the holiday spirit at the Coronado Hotel Del!

Handmade Day 11... Paper Crafts!

Hello peeps! I've been collecting toilet paper rolls to show you some super cute crafts but my stash met an unusually motivated cleaner and they ended up in the recycling bin. So, I bring you my favorite ideas I've been stalking on Pinterest.

Source: seonsomajuttu.blogspot.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Source: kerryspapercrafts.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Source: seonsomajuttu.blogspot.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Source: jamiebrock.hubpages.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: lilsugar.com via g r a c e on Pinterest

Source: kiflieslevendula.blogspot.com via Janet on Pinterest

These would be great fun to do with groups of crafters, kids, and bored relatives!

Daily Gratitude: I am so grateful to be finished with all things Christmas and only have leisure time to enjoy the festivities!

Today is a good day.

Thinking a lot about world events, the coming new year, blessings and gratitude, and how to encourage others.

What's been on your mind?

I will have the last two days of a Handmade Christmas tomorrow. Life has been getting in the way, all good but crazy as usual. Choosing to be present in all the ruckus makes fewer posts than intended. Thank you for stopping by anyway. My heart is ever so grateful.