Create & Bloom

This month's Create & Bloom Mixed Media class will feature this canvas wall hanging:

If you would like to make one of these, follow this link to register for either Weds., August 1st 6pm-9pm or Saturday, August 11th 10am-1pm.  Both classes will be held at Polkadots and More in Mukwonago.

Don't Wait for your Dreams...

 Go get them!

Glimmer Mists and Faber Castell Gelatos.  Love!

Playing with Canvas

I'm currently taking Donna Downey's Internationally Inspired online workshops.  I LOVE creating on canvas.  Here is just one of my 2-page layouts.  I'll show you more as it comes along.

The background was done with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists.  The butterflies were cut out of canvas and colored with Tattered Angels Chalkboard paints.

I love Weds!

Yep!  Wednesdays are my day off from the real JOB.  It's when I tinker with my creative business and "fill my well" so to speak.  So after I get enough caffeine in me, I know I will have a wonderful day;)

Look what came in the mail yesterday!

YES!  It's not too late to sign up for our Live, Love, JUNK! Retreat.  September is right around the corner! I watched an episode of the Junk Gypsies this past weekend and oh my, the inspiration was awesome!  One of these early bird tickets could be yours!

Tattered Angels Project

A week ago I attended a couple classes taught by Stacye Dewid of Tattered Angels.  It was great to become even more familiar with their products.  And, did you know that they are owned by Canvas Corp., AND Canvas Corp. just purchased 7Gypsies.  Very cool combination of companies in my opinion. 

Anyways, today I wanted to show you one of my finished projects from that day:

Lots of fun, inky texture.  I have left my actual project at the Polkadots and More store for those of you that want to take an up close look at it.  Here is a close up of the cover and two of my favorite pages:

The SumMEr of ME

This summer I've been trying to really focus on my health.  Last month I started an online course called "Body Restoration" by Brave Girls Club. 

(photo courtesy of Brave Girls Club)

This is really helping me stay focused.  In addition, I spent two weeks on the Dukan Diet, which rewarded me with a 13 lb. weight loss! 

Now, I've incorporated one-two daily walks in my day.  I can't believe how good I feel from a 20 minute walk!  The weather has finally cooled down enough, so I walk early in the morning and then again when the sun starts to set.  Our subdivision is very hilly, so I can really feel the results in my legs;D 

I'm so happy that my friend Renee asked me to share a little about how I've been taking care of myself.  Renee is featuring different people almost daily on her blog.  Be sure to check it out!  You never know when someone might inspire you to take better care of yourself!

Trash to Treasure Project

TGIF everyone!  Today I have a project to share with you.  One of my favorite things to do is to find a piece of "junk" and repurpose it.  I found this piece at Goodwill and paid just $1.99 for it.

This box was so much fun to repurpose.  I still keep thinking about other ways to reuse it.  I'm thinking it would be great to hold my paints on my work table too!  What do you think?  

My friend Kris Lanae and I will be teaching a trash to treasure class just like this during our Live, Love, JUNK! retreat this September.  

Happy Birthday and More

Yesterday we celebrated my husband's 55th birthday!  We took him to a restaurant lakeside and had a great time.  Here is a picture I snapped of my oldest, Angela, with my husband:

Our server at the restaurant was "less than desired", so when we got the check we thought this was appropriate:

LOL!  She forgot to put the bill in there!  Frieudion! 

Today we are lucky enough to have my brother-in-law and his family in town from Montana and Colorado to visit with us.  Plus, the heatwave is over!!  Yippey!! 

I'm celebrating by wearing one of my Kris Lanae necklaces;)  (Who am I kidding...I wear a Kris Lanae every day;)

I hope your Tuesday is as great as I think mine wil be;D

Meet the Very Creative Rachél Payne

Happy Friday!  I have a special treat for you today.  Rachél Payne is one of the artists that will be teaching at my Creatives--Celebrating Sisterhood Retreat in April, 2013. 

Here Rachél is today with a little video for us:
http://youtu.be/mk-76beVm5o

Thank you Rachél!  To find out more about Rachél, visit her at:  http://collectingyourself.wordpress.com/

Girl in Process

I've been taking Juliette Crane's How to Paint a Girl ecourse.  If you get the chance, I would highly recommend it.  Juliette is a fellow Wisconsinite and I absolutely adore your unique talents.  She is very good at presenting herself as "the total package".  An artist, dreamer, storyteller and more!  I thoroughly enjoyed taking her class.

As for the painting.  It's so interesting to learn other artist's techniques.  I've taken many classes and it really helps me to define my own personal style.  So, although I'm not yet comfortable with painting my girls (I prefer sketching them), here is one I'm working on.

I have no idea where I'm going with this one, but I'll be sure and give you an updated picture when I'm done.

Happy 4th of July America!

Boy, it's been awhile since I've had a chance to be here.  I've been taking some online classes and practicing my drawing.  So today I thought I'd share a little bit of my darling girls with you.

I enjoy drawing girls.  I guess I've just been tweaking and feeling out my own style.  The one thing I don't enjoy is painting my girls.  I don't know why.  I just find it very difficult.  I think maybe because I would need some more colors that are very fine.  I don't know.  But, I do enjoy sketching them for now.  Eventually I'll decide how I would like to feature them on some art.

Tomorrow I'll show you a girl painting that is in progress.  Enjoy the rest of your Independence Day!