Lighthouse watercolor

We're back home. Finally. 

I love traveling... Well, no, let me rephrase that. I love visiting new and not-so-new places far from home. But I hate the actual getting there - all the airport waits, the endless plane trips, horrible airplane/airport food. When I was younger and traveling without a child it didn't bother me so much. In fact I sort of enjoyed the anonymity of airports, the hustle and bustle of travelers. But now, it's all just too much for a little three year old and her mommy.

In any case, we made it back and we're settling back in. I haven't finished unpacking yet, but one of the first things I did was to download the pictures from my camera to the computer. Among all the trip photos I also found this old one that I had forgotten on the camera. 

It's a watercolor/mixed media I made for someone who's like a second mother to me. She loves lighthouses, and this one especially holds a lot of memories for us. At that point it was still unfinished, I added some seagulls, enlarged the rock, and glued the lace at the bottom. But then, I didn't take a picture of it finished...

What projects have you been working on lately?

An easy but cute piece to hang on your wall...

... by your child!

I don't remember where I got this idea, but I read somewhere that stamping some medium, framing, and posting it on the wall can make for pretty cute decor. I had been looking for another addition to N.'s play area, so I thought, why not let her do it? She loves to stamp.

She choose the stamps (and yes, I let her use mine, not just her kiddie ones) and went to town on several pieces of paper. Then I asked her which image she liked best ad she said the boy and girl. There was also a cherry blossom stamp very close to it, and when I measured the frame I realized it would have to go in as well. I cut it out in the shape and size of the frame and inserted it, then hung it up proudly.

She was so excited to see her stamping go up on the wall. And I think it turned out pretty nice. What do you think? What would you have done differently?


We also decided to buy some fresh flowers to add to our living room. She and I both love flowers, and we frequently buy some at the market. She chose the roses, pink of course.

What do you display around the house that was chosen or made by a child in your life?

Catching up

Done! For about a month...

But for now I get to enjoy some freedom to craft, and read, and knit, and... I'm so excited!
*happy sigh*

*another happy sigh*

*one more happy sigh*

*and a smile*

So what am I going to do with this time? Well, I do have to clean the house, since I have family coming on Friday to stay with us for a week. My sister hasn't seen N. since last Christmas. My mom hasn't seen her since she was 1 month old! I guess that's what happens when you move as far as I have, haha.

I have a whole list of projects to complete before Christmas too. I'm knitting some santa hats for my DH and I, making new Christmas stockings, some new ornaments, a pillow, and lots of cookies!

I'll try to share as much as I can as I go along. For now, I'd like to share my reading list for this break. I've been waiting to get my hands dirty with these books' projects for a while now. Anybody wants to join?

and...

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Trying new things

Today, I'd like to talk about an artist that I really admire, and who I'm so thankful for - Carla Sonheim.

I always believed I couldn't draw. Crafting, knitting, sewing, stamping, yes. Drawing or painting? No way, no talent.

Then I found her book and her blog. I can't tell you how much it changed the way I see drawing and painting! I feel no pressure with her exercises, and that helps me have fun with it. And guess what? That made my drawings much better.  I'm still no illustrator, but I don't hate what I draw anymore. I have so much fun doing it that I now carry a little sketchbook with me everywhere I go, with some markers, coloring pencils, and chalk. I'm constantly doodling when I have the chance.

There are some amazing women artists and crafters out there, and some of them have inspired me tremendously to get out of my shell, try out new things, challenge my perceptions of what I can and can't do. Here are two of the results from following her lab.






What are your limits? What do you think you can't do? I hope you can find some inspiration, like Carla inspired me, to have fun with it.

Jumping right in...

My first post.

It's finals and I'm in desperate need to release some stress. So I started the blog.

And because I'm snap happy, what better way to start then to share some of my snappy snaps? Pretty raw, actually. SOOC, except for the last one which has very little done anyway.

This is going to be fun.

What soothes you when you are stressed?