37 things list & why my neighbors think I'm crazy

You know you are in love with your new camera when you find yourself taking photos in your backyard at 7:00am... in your flannel pajamas with your hair standing on end. What can I say? I didn't want to miss that light in the trees. My neighbors already think I'm crazy, why not feed into it?

Remember my 37 things list? If not, look to your left. It's the black & white one. The other one was my 36 things list, which was a somewhat unsuccessful attempt at completing a list. Maybe I was too busy that year entertaining my neighbors with my art projects in the backyard. Anyway, I have started my first item on the list.

I'm taking an online e-course by Alisa Burke & it is fantastic. Lots of videos, instruction, inspiration & resources for a really good price.

Ron Burgundy & the Christmas Tree

Ron Burgundy appears to have a giant crush on the holidays.

It's actually the decorations he is crushing on, although I doubt he would turn down a turkey leg if someone was offering.

He seems particularly amorous of the 9 foot tall tree that appeared in his living room, covered in ribbon & sparkly cat toys. Dreams do come true.

I wonder, if during his first Christmas when he would occasionally stop by (we thought he lived with the neighbors) if he would peer in our window & dream of being close to that big sparkly tree. He was often uninterested in the food we offered- preferring a pat & a snuggle.

I'm so thankful we figured out that he was looking for a place to live.

Sometimes he sits up on top of the rail & watches me look around for him, although he occasionally does a better job of hiding from me... in the laundry basket (when it is empty or full), in the closet or behind a curtain. 

I won't have to look too far for the little guy for the next few weeks, will I?

This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for... my family, my friends... but a special thank you to all of you who find space in your heart & your home to rescue homeless animals like Ron Burgundy. Thank you!!

Hot Water Hills Music & Art Festival

Here are a few photos from the first annual Hot Water Hills Music & Art Festival in Hot Springs a few weeks ago. It was a small festival with lots of potential.

This standard poodle seemed to be surprised by all of the attention she was getting... which made me wonder if she had the opportunity to look in the mirror before leaving the house...

I loved this quirky take on the tin man from the Wizard of Oz- the head is a pumpkin.

This booth had a lot of mosaic tile & hand-painted painted furniture... two things I love.

I've always wanted to set up a booth at a craft fair...

Feature Art Friday: Pedro the Chihuahua

SMASH book: Ideas are awesome

Recently I found myself mentally stuck- completely unable to move in any direction on several projects. I have a hard time giving myself “down time” with regard to creativity & commissions, having a full-time job & a part-time job do not really leave as much free time to work on my creative ventures… so it sometimes seems as if I should be making things with every spare moment I can find. My brain apparently disagreed & put me in some sort of mental time out. I spent an embarrassing amount of time yesterday staring. Staring at a list. Staring at the computer. Just staring.

I decided on the way home that I would not require anything of myself once I got there. I would not even try to make any progress on anything, unless someone wanted to engage me in a staring contest because I could totally wipe the floor with someone in a staring contest at this point. Just ask my computer.

It made me very happy to arrive at home & discover that the SMASH book I ordered had arrived. Have you ever seen one of these? It’s a great little journal with all sorts of prompts & lots of different pages made from cardstock. It even comes with a pen that had a glue stick on its rear end. No joke.

So the evening was spent playing with my new creative treat, which seemed to shake me out of my fog. My brain even started working again & before I knew it I was coming up with new ideas. Time out should always be so productive… because ideas are awesome.

Inspiration: Downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas

I'm always inspired by the architecture, festivals, galleries & people in this cool little town in southwest Arkansas. Here's a peek at some of the architecture... hope it inspires you too!

The lights are on...

Any creative person (& probably their attention-deprived spouse or significant other) will probably recognize the authenticity of this quote by Twyla Tharp. We may be sitting physically right there in the room with someone, but in our heads we have really checked out & gone to our happy place. "The lights are on & no one is home" & all of that... 

I have, on more than one occasion, found myself somewhat confused by the amount of time that slipped away while I was mesmerized by some creative project. Including this one.

The 'ART' print is available here. 

I love a carnival

You can call me a chicken about a lot of things, but you'll never be able to call me afraid of color. I'm not sure what is behind my recent fascination with bright pink paint, but I'm just going to go with it. I really can't wait to see what this looks like when it is finished. 

No, I really don't know yet. But as soon as I do, so will you.

10 (more) things that make me feel better

You may wonder why, for the second time in 6 months I'm sharing a list of things that make me feel better. Maybe I seem like a very sad pitiful person, but I'm really not. I just really tend to feel things a little too deeply & to carry them with me a bit longer than I should. It isn't a matter of "dwelling" on things... I just keep feelings around longer than I should. But honestly, this list isn't even for me- it's for 2 friends of mine, who don't even know each other. Both are dealing with scary & brave choices in their lives. And if that combination of emotions doesn't call for some Stevie Wonder, well then I don't know what does.


Much like the last list, some are explanatory & some are not:


1. http://www.kindnessgirl.com/ which led me to http://www.guerrillagoodness.com/ You really can't completely lose faith in humanity while there are people like this in the world.
2. Being at home.
3. Warm gooey cookies- chocolate in general makes anything better, but warm cookies right out of the oven, preferably not completely cooked all the way... yum.
4. Watching a funny movie- especially with someone who will actually laugh out loud. Doesn't everyone know someone with a wicked laugh? Someone with one of those laughs that gets your table wistful & curious looks in restaurants, because everyone wants to sit with your friend... the one with the great laugh.
5. Stevie Wonder- as a preschooler I danced around the living room to Stevie Wonder eight-track tapes. Yeah, I said eight-track.
6. Doodling- I'm sure a scientist could explain to me exactly why mindless doodling makes me feel better, but I don't really care why- I just know it works... but only if there is no effort or expectation involved.
7. http://www.positivelypositive.com/
8. New art supplies- there is just something optimistic about unopened art supplies. What will they be when they grow up? Who knows... the possibilities are almost endless.
9. Hot bubble baths
10. Belly-laughing babies- if you don't believe me, go to youtube & search laughing babies. or laughing children. I heard a child laughing in a very I-have-completely-lost-control way on Sunday & I smiled as I walked by into the store.

Feature Art Friday: A rat terrier in a tutu

Meet Ladybug. Isn't she cute with her tutu & her pearls?

She's not actually dressed for the ballet, it's her wedding attire.

Not for her wedding, for the wedding of the person she owns, who happens to be a vet.

Ladybug was a member of the wedding party.

Here is a quote from the friend who commissioned the art as a wedding gift:

"Ladybug routinely accompanies Dr. Kim to Chenal Valley Animal Hospital & spends her days patrolling the clinic's hospital area, where she is always on duty & takes seriously her job to represent the clinic & of course to assist Dr. Kim as necessary."

I'm told that a dog named Muttley was also on hand (on paw?) to represent the groom's family, the matron of honor brought her 3 dogs & the minister was accompanied by his German Shepherd.

Sounds like my kind of wedding.

Quote of the Month: "Without music..."

Music can change your mood, 

change your mind, 

inspire creativity. 

It can transport you to another time-

bring you memories of people & places your were sure you had forgotten. 

Music can help you find the words you need to say or the feelings you need to feel.

It has surely been a part of as many beginnings & endings as you can remember.

And without it, life would be a mistake.

'Without Music' print is available for purchase here.