Illustration Friday: Lost

I'm jumping in with Illustration Friday again.  This time the word was LOST.  I was a bit lost in what to create, but as I was doodling the outer rings with my water colors I decided that no one is truly lost. 

And yes, it seems I've misspelled "truely."  I guess you can misspell even if you aren't lost.  Makes me laugh... and isn't that what this is all about?

A topic comes out each Friday and you can see what other artists have created here.

CT 61: Celebrations & Fabric Painting

It's been a long time since I participated in Creative Tuesday (CT), but I want to get back to sketching and doodling and when I saw this week's theme I couldn't resist.  Who doesn't like Celebrations!

I was a little stumped on what to draw, so I had fun imagining what it would look like if Katie and Sammy threw a little party and got dressed up for the occasion.  Party hats, confetti, and leis really set the mood and I'm sure they would have a rockin' time as long as they didn't eat the hats!

These are two pages from my doodle journal... (that black line in the middle is the crease from the middle of the book).  I do seem to enjoy drawing up quotes... and this one was so fitting.  I think I'd even like to give it another go... I have a few ideas on what I'd change.  You can find out more about this weekly challenge (don't be shy) and see what the other artists put together here.

Over the weekend I also met up with my art quilting group and I got to paint fabric for the first time!  We used Setacolor paints and even with the overcast and rainy weather... we had a blast!

Here you can see some materials to get us started.  The yellow fabric is set up with wooden circles for sun printing, I made up 'feathers' and brown cloth... so much fun!

Here are the results!  The big picture shows a beach/ocean/sunset scene that we painted on one cloth.  Really can't wait to thread paint that one... and am already itching to paint a bigger one.

Then, starting on the bottom left you can see a blue piece that might be used as sky, the results of the pink and purple feathers, a mishmash piece with a really cool blend in the middle, the result of the blue and green fabric that you can see balled up above, and the last one are the brown antique looking fabrics - LOVE!!

Once the paint is dry, you are supposed to wait 48 hours until you heat set the colors -- soooo long to wait!  But, I can finally iron these tonight and start daydreaming about how I might use them.  I also have to say that I'm very happy that the paint didn't change the hand of the fabric nearly at all.  What a fun experiment! 

I'm sharing this for Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and other weekly parties in the in case someone else might be on the fence about giving this a go.  I say go for it!!  And of course I'm happy to answer questions if you have them.

...deep breath in, and slowly let it out... now we're ready to face the day!

Good Tea Bag Wisdom

Just a quick doodle inspired from a tea bag tag... I'm a bit quiet on this end after having my wisdom teeth out and I'm still recovering.  Wishing you a lovely weekend!

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edited to add... here is a .jpg that you could more easily download and print for yourself if you like!

Rock on!

Mail Call!! {Thank you, Anita and Kelly!}

I also got a package recently from the amazing gals (and pups) over at Rhinestone Beagle.  A short while back we all got to celebrate their 100 follower milestone and I was the lucky winner of their incredible giveaway. 

Just look at the amazing package I got to open!  (apologizes for the bad lighting, but I was so excited to dig in)

Swoon!!  Notions and fabric, and buttons, and yarn goodies, a squishy owl, and handmade cards, and ricrac, and the coolest lion on a bag with an amazing quote EVER!  I'm feeling totally spoiled!!

Katie and Sammy even shared in the fun with awesome dog jerkies from Sadie, Mr. Biscuit, and Gidget.  They say a huge THANKYOU nom nom nom!!!  Here they are smiling for a treat.

I have to laugh at how serious Sammy gets when anything food is involved.

Here is a better shot of the front of the bag. 

I got to pick out my own animal to personalize the bag... and picked a lion.  And it's incredible and regal!!  And that quote just makes everyone smile! 

It reads, "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. --Aristotle"

SWOON!!

Oh, look what got packed into the bag?  Is that X Marks the Spot all finished and fresh from the dryer?  And where might that lovely be off to?  A quilting guild meeting?  Oh maybe?!

Looks good in there, doesn't it?  The handles were the perfect length for a large quilt too!!  And I got so many compliments at the meeting on my now quilt bag!!

And?  Guess what?  I will also have the pleasure of teaming up with these amazing ladies (and their pups) for a Spooktacular Craftathon in October.  Awesome right?  I'll let you know more when I have a date for my guest post :)

Ok, and yes, I will even show you the latest finish, Ms. X Marks the Spot..... tomorrow.

Sweet dreams!

Power of Happiness!

I saw this on Sarah's Yes and Yes blog this morning and I want to scream it from the rooftops!!  It's not only true, it's a very amazing quote that really captures what I want this blog to blossom into.  *love*

As a side note, Mr. Henry Ward Beecher is a pretty amazing man.  He is the brother of  Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin and lived during the time of Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain as a thinker, minister, author, and wasn't afraid to speak up for what he so strongly stood for.  So many interesting things about his life here.  And another fantastic quote from him:

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else."

*deep breath in, slowly letting it out* now I am ready to start my day!  Inspired.  Ready to be amazing!

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Tea Tag Wisdom

Rambling into 2011

It's really funny how things unfold sometimes, isn't it?  Here is an example which I feel the need to ramble about. 

It happened while I was pondering this happy little spot yesterday.  Thinking about the types of things I post about, wondering if I go on about certain things too much or if I am neglecting other things.  Thinking deeply about what I am hoping to accomplish with this space and how I will know if I am successful. 

You know... all those thought provoking items.

I cozied in with a cup of green energy tea and look what I found on the tea bag tag...

How's that for right on!?!!

I look forward to taking on my mission to seek and be happy very seriously in 2011 and of course share large doses of that here.

And how about a sew-a-thon?  I have seen lots of comments about how my adventures might be inspiring you to pick up a needle and thread or dust off your sewing machine -- and I'm all about that! 

So, let me know... maybe we could start with some hand sewing to make say... a pin cushion, small dolly, or one of those fabulous fabric birds?  We could progress to an apron, tiny tiny quilt or anything really.  Sky's the limit!  So, it's not really a sew-a-thon more like... 'I Know I Can Sew' or a 'I Told Me Sew', or 'You Can Sew Do It!'  Can't wait to hear what you think, pick a start date and give it a go... if we start in January we could make something for say Valentines Day, St. Paddy's Day, Mother's Day -- so cute -- I'm getting out of hand, ha!

Alright lovelies, I hope your path is revealing itself for you as well.  It's the smallest things sometimes that give you the biggest nudges.  Let them move you!

Follow your Dreams

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

--Neil Kendall

This quote hit my email box this morning from the Runner's World Quote of the Day.  Man this is ringing true with me right now!  Happy Wednesday! 

You've Got to Smile

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile"

-- Anne Byrn, award-winning cake baker!

I was looking through my draft blog entries this morning and found these cupcake pictures just begging to be posted!  I still in shock that I haven't put these up yet!!

These are the Cocoa-Strawberry Cuppies that I made for my birthday (two weeks ago -- where has time gone?)

I took a chocolate base and made it more rich by adding extra cocoa and a pinch or five of cayenne pepper.

Then I topped these sweet delights with a homemade strawberry buttercream. 

I didn't follow any specific directions. Or rather, I didn't follow them well.

My buttercream ended up being a little more runny than I had hope, but it was jam packed with flavor and real bits of little diced strawberries!  Not bad for only the second time of making homemade buttercream.

A blueberry made the perfect topper to finish them off!

I can still taste the moist cake and sweet frosting now. 

I'm still kicking myself for not throwing a few in the freezer for a later date; maybe I'll remember to do that next time around!

Hope your having a sweet Monday!

Great Quote!

Good Earth

I'm sipping a cup of Good Earth Super Green Tea: Matcha, Sencha, & Orange

(I sound crazy right with this heat... but my office isn't called the ice box for no reason)

I bought this tea because I read everywhere about how good green tea is for you.

And I want to do good things for my body.

I will keep buying it because: one it's delicious. 

Happiness in a cup. 

Seriously, smiling ear-to-ear happiness!

And two.

The tea bag tag has some of the most creative happy quotes I come across in my day.

Today's quote:

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." Pablo Picasso

I can just feel the universe screaming at me to break out my paints and go to town. 

It's either that or Mr. Happy has somehow slipped that in there as a way to get me to paint our pantry with a fresh coat or five of white paint.

I guess I won't know which it is.

Good Morning Flowers

Good morning my lovelies!  We made it to another Friday!  Whoop whoop!

I have a number of flowers still perking up in this heat to show you and I found an amazing quote that really fits how I'm feeling. 

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." ~e.e. cummings

How'd that last "flower" get in here, hahaha! 

Here's to wishing you an amazing day which leads into a relaxing weekend for you!

Awake! softly.

Let's start the day softly.

Stretch your arms above your head.

Roll your head from side to side while your chin touches your chest.

Close your eyes.

Deep breath in slowly.  Release the breath slowly.

And repeat.  Today. Will be Ah-mazing! 

totally amazing.

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."  ~Kahlil Gibran

Happy Roundup

I have spent a lot of time this week reading and taking happy things in.  I feel like I am looking for a new perpective or for life's next clue to help me find my way.  Gentle reminder to self: life doesn't always work that way.

I wanted to share some of the things I found.  They touched me in someway or even just made me a smidge happier -- even if just for a moment.

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering." ~Pooh's Little Instruction Book 
[found at Ruffles and Stuff my go to place for all things sewing inspiration]

[Eddie the golden retriever is from the dailypuppy.com.]

This really really really reminded me of my little Katie-girl and how lucky I am to have such a cute pup in my care.    

Plus how can you resist that I'm so tired I feel asleep in my food bowl look.  I'm smiling ear to ear looking at this!


 The Happiness Photo Assignment over at The Pioneer Woman.  (if haven't ever heard of the Pioneer Woman than I suggest you head over there pronto to meet Mrs. Ree and look at every single one of the happiness photos in this flickr group here.  Yes, I'll wait for you to get back.) 

On a whim I entered this snap of Katie.

Then I started looking at the other entries and couldn't tear myself away from trying to click through each and everyone of them.  It's an intstant booster shot of happiness for your day! 

Here are a couple: (really so hard to even just pick a few...)

 
 By Jenny Modesitt

 By My Way 2009

By Lizcave















By Asparks7

By gbd04213


The story of When Your Hut's On Fire, which I found over at Christine's Blog.  That still makes me giggle everytime too, because I am a Christine too!
It starts off like this:
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.



Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. ..... YES read the rest here!
 
A magical Woodland Fairy Birthday Party which I found at Kate Landers Events.
At one point, my friends joked around that I would make a great party planner.  And actually, I probably would make a pretty decent party planner.  I adore getting people together for fun, laughter, and merriment!  I love attending to every detail and I love doing unexpected things.  (some what a la Monica from Friends, but I promise I would never ask that you tightly recap your markers -- honest!) 
 
Along those lines I always find myself snooping for ideas even when I have nothing to plan which is why I find myself glued to Kate's site!  Just check out the cute details and how this woodland fairy theme is carried out to the max (pictures from Kate Landers Events blog)!

Everything looks so magical. 

I am digging the toad stools on the table and as chairs!

The names for the food are so darn creative!  The served things like fairy dust (cotton candy), toad stool cupcakes, dandelion milk, chocolate dew drops, snail sandwiches... oh my goodness!

These are cupcakes with upside down white chocolate chips shoved in as toad stool spots!

The party was complete with fairy outfits and fairy dust take aways.  Sigh.  I only wish I had the need to plan a woodland fairy party.  Mr. Happy's birthday is coming up in June, but I can't say he would be the least thrilled with this theme.  Another one to tuck into my memory for later.

Lastly, I found an artist at Etsy that has me cracking up.  Found at NayArts.
Think abstract backgrounds paired with original cleaver sayings and you get this: (it'sr really hard to try and pick just one or two that I like -- I like them all!)

link here.

Ok, I give, this is probably my favorite.
Link here.

Hilarious, no?
link here.



















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I'm not 100% sure that I have figured out what my next move is, but at least I am laughing along the way!