Somewhere between the pecan pie baking and, a nice day off yesterday,  I realized I completely missed an official post wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

But it’s never too late to talk about being thankful.

Today it also occurred to me that I tend to yammer on often about how thankful I am to those of you who visit me here, those of you who are my loyal customers, my students, my friends.  In fact so much appreciation for you + the giving spirit of the holiday season {my favorite time of year for this reason, that and the Christmas music of course, and the egg nog, and the decorations... ;)}~ This year I want to do more than tell you, I want to do something special for you. I want to share a gift with you: a very special Creative Thursday care package.

Since I don’t do giveaways very often, we’ll just call this the mother load of giveaways. I’m including a little of everything in this care package going to one of you: a 2011 calendar, a pack of 10 holiday cards, a set of 9 postcards, a set of 7 gift tags, AND a never before released fabric swatch of panda and penguin! AND I cannot forget to include that tiny little jackalope baby ornament up there. He is ready to go to his cozy new home.

If you would like to be entered in the giveaway just say hello in the comments below. And if you feel inspired, tell me something you are feeling thankful for. I’ve learned that taking a moment to appreciate something in your life can never happen often enough. The giveaway will stay open from now until 10 pm PST Monday, November 29. I will then choose one winner at random.

My other thank you to you, now that Etsy finally has coupon capabilities ~ Yippeee!!! Enter the code: THANKFUL on this upcoming Cyber Monday to receive 10% off your order at my Etsy shop from 10 pm Sunday November 28 to 10 pm Monday November 29 PST. To see what time that is where you are, just click here. 

Thankful for you. xo

 

 

Comments are now closed.

weeee!! this morning the random number generator chose a winner and it is Niki Jackson!! Congratulations Niki!

I think I might be doing more of these 'thankful' giveaways because I’ve got to say that reading each one of your comments felt like a gift.

Speaking of Poster Cabaret...I am also excited to be showing my work with Sebastian Foster, the sister gallery to Poster Cabaret that features all original works.

I created several new larger paintings {well larger for me that is ;)} that you can now purchase right here: Photo Opp. 7 {that little penguin just insisted on jumping in on this one} and two from a new series I started {inspired by my costume kids} titled: When I grow up, I want to be a...Lion and a Polar Bear.

It’s almost Turkey day!!!! am  off to bake some pecan pie!!

{Photo Opp. 7 is now available as a print over at the shop}

And more good news! Have I mentioned that you can now find my prints over at Poster Cabaret? An awesome collection of art and artists, I am honored to be included. Based out of Austin, Texas the owner opened this shop focusing exclusively on gig posters and over the years has expanded to become a curator of fine art prints as well. If you like gig posters and fantastic illustrators, you’ll especially love Poster Cabaret. I’ve gotta say, Blanca Gomez = one of my favorites.

 

A few years ago, I bought a children’s book for Sean’s niece, Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. It quickly became one of her favorite books and seriously, how could it not? Not only are the illustrations so beautiful and endearing but the story is equally as sweet. I thought Oliver had been creating these books forever, but as it turns out his first one only came out in 2004.

This morning we purchased our second Oliver Jeffers book to give to Sean’s nephew and, as I’m sure you know how it goes...it got me surfing the internet for all things Oliver. What a truly wonderful artist, from spirit to talent to range of creative style. Turns out we share an appreciation for negative space, hand lettering, honesty and the belief that there is a lot *shite* in the picture book world.

I’m completely inspired. And it also got me thinking, I think it’s time for my characters to start telling their stories...

If you quickly become obsessed, as I did, and want to see even more Oliver you can see additional videos of him speaking  here and here {very thoughtful and involved presentation all about how he got started, his process, and how his work has evolved}.

Happy Sunday!

These arrived yesterday, and I’m so excited to share them with you. I have to say they might be all time favorite holiday cards yet. LOVE them.

And! for the first time I made *very few* sets of gift tags ~ let me just say: Santa Panda, and that is all.

You can find them  all over at the shop, and orders placed through the end of the day tomorrow will ship out this Saturday. The holiday spirit is beginning to sneak in...via penguins in hats ;)

Since you’ve asked...

I officially resigned from Facebook yesterday, and will be deleting my account this week.

Let’s just say after I clicked 'share' on my status update I felt so *relieved*

As is often the case I have a lot to say about this, a lot of opinions, and several of you have even been subjected to my in person ranting/venting about why I want to leave Facebook on more than one occasion in this past year. So it was time!

Sometimes you’ve got be a sheep that breaks away from the herd, and after I tweeted about this decision yesterday I realize I am not a lone sheep. However, I am often a minority in my thinking, with the majority figuring it out some point down the road ~ and after years of resisting my nature and trying to blend in ~ I’m finally ok with at all. I’m willing be the lone sheep if need be.

Which brings me to the real point about why I’m leaving and also why I’m writing this post. It’s not to trash Facebook, or be opinionated about those who genuinely enjoy it, it’s about following what I teach, and living by example.

In my classes, in my life, I talk about following your heart, your intuition, your guidance, whatever you want to call it. And I talk about how important it is to make life choices and work choices from that place. I also talk about the importance of  learning as soon as possible how to tune into that place and trust it, especially when you are a starting a business. I know this gets very difficult when you add making money into the mix because for very obvious reasons, many of us still believe that we have to make choices, and do things we don’t like when it comes to our businesses or more specifically making money. {a whole separate discussion} True some of the time, but I have been challenging myself in this business to follow what feels best for me in any given moment, to make decisions solely from this place and not make decisions based upon fear, or monetary or personal gain. Nothing wrong with monetary and personal gain, but for me personally, it can not come at the expense of what feels right in my heart. 

That is my long version of saying that for whatever reason, Facebook has never felt right to me. I’m on it because I think I’m supposed to be. Because I’m an online business and really the more people who know what you do the better, right? In theory yes. But when you break it down it’s really the more people who know, care and love what you do the better. And for me as a business owner I want to spend time creating for and connecting with those specific people.

Now don’t get me wrong, initially when I joined Facebook I loved connecting with long lost friends and I thought it was so much fun, but then I realized that most people would reach out to me to be 'my friend' and then never say a word to me ever again. When I joined Facebook I reached out to a few close personal friends in the beginning, as well as some people from my high school I hadn’t seen since high scool...and then I began wondering if I really wanted to add this whole other communications arena to my already expanding collection of online presences...so I stopped reaching out to people on FB entirely. So it’s safe to say that the friends I have almost exclusively reached out to me. Which means that you’d think they want to keep in touch right? And maybe they do and seeing me post a status update every week or so works great for that, but to me because I’m a person that can’t do things half-ass ~ it’s not enough. Look if I’m going to keep in touch with someone it’s because I want to maintain the friendship. That takes time, effort and a certain consistency. I know life gets busy, and sometimes consistency goes out the window and that doesn’t mean that caring for someone has also gone out the window, but that’s just it. Life gets busy. Life is busy and how on earth are we supposed to have time to keep up with literally every person we have been friends with throughout the course of our lives. NOT possible and not really meant to be. Friendship for me is more about fostering the personal friendships I presently choose to be a part of, not about numbers on a facebook account. 

Full disclaimer: Aside from the 2% of people I mention below, I am not talking to or referencing my personal friends or family or those of you who are my online friends over at Facebook, Flickr or this blog or twitter. You are LOVELY. I am also not judging people who jive with facebook and have found that to be their favorite online venue to connect with others. I think Facebook fills a void and serves a great purpose to connect people who have no other means of reaching out to one another. I know a lot of families who keep in touch that way and it works perfectly. I think that was the original intent of Facebook anyway? yes? My mom  just happens to follow me on twitter and my blog ;)

All of that aside, Facebook for me became an account I kept to promote my business, more than a place to keep in touch with friends. Since it’s my personal account, and I’m already on twitter, flickr, keep this blog and have an email list... I seriously think I’ve already inundated the airwaves with my business and it just didn’t feel right posting about my business all the time. And for some reason it just didn’t feel right posting personally either, still do not know why exactly? I tend to think that every online venue is like a home that represents the values of the 'owner' and while I haven’t seen the movie the "Social Network" yet, and while it is 'fiction', as my friend said if the guy who started Facebook is even 1/10th as bad as they portrayed him, not good. 

I’m just going to sum up the rest of  my thoughts on why I’m leaving Facebook with the following list, in no particular order of importance, and I’m going to start it by being purely honest:

• Facebook has always felt slightly slimy and snarky to me, and I have never enjoyed logging in. 
• For this reason, and this could be me projecting here, but I have also found that some people, I’m thinking because they just don’t know how to have a certain online etiquette because they aren’t practiced in being a part of online communities, like keeping a blog etc., leave weird, trying too hard to be overly witty, status updates and smart ass comments. I have been really surprised at what people, that I personally know and call friends, have come all the way over to my wall to tell me in 'public', but yet can’t pick up the phone or just send a simple email to keep in touch. It’s true, I’m sad to say. 
• Again, let me say: 98% of my personal friends and blog readers I am not talking to you. The other 2% I am talking to you.
• I think that even though it’s important to have an online presence in this day and age, especially if you are a business, you have to choose the one’s that feel the best to you, the one’s that you are most excited and inspired to participate in, not because you think you have to or because 'everyone is doing it too' 
• Because I wasn’t inspired by Facebook I was only doing a half-ass job posting to it and as I said above, that just doesn’t work for me. If I’m going to have a presence online, I will be present and I will enjoy being present. It won’t feel like something I have to do
• I think it’s ok that even if you are an online business with a presence, you still should have some privacy and I’ve found facebook to be way less private an online space than twitter for instance. Anyone and everyone you’ve friended and then some can tag you in photos, and post on your wall. Not that you can’t manage and moderate that content, but hey ~ it’s one more thing to keep track of.
• And speaking of content, I’m pretty specific about the content and the friendships I let into my life these days. It feels more challenging to manage content and interaction I really want to receive and be a part of on FB.
• So right about now, you might be saying "well don’t friend everyone" but you see I cannot do that. By the time I realized that facebook is better suited for keeping in touch with close personal friends and family, I had already been friending everyone that wanted to be friends ~ also because it just feels mean to say "no I won’t be your friend". Can’t do it. However if on the off chance I decide I miss FB and I return I will only be friends with people I personally know.
• On the legal side and probably most important of all: and I don’t have all the accurate facts on this so please research this for yourself. My understanding is that whenever you load images to facebook, FB automatically has certain rights to those images. As an artist, that doesn’t work for me. This may have been corrected and there may be settings you can set to prevent this, but just the mere fact that I have to work really hard to protect my personal rights, also does not work for me. 
• Many of my long-lost friends who friended me, don’t really stay in touch with me, or even say a word to me. Maybe if we’re lucky we exchange one message back in forth and sometimes no message at all. I’m just also going to say that if we were friends once and we were meant to stay in touch we probably would have already been in touch without facebook needing to re-connect us.
• I keep a blog. Have kept a blog for 4 years. If you want to stay in touch, you can meet me here. If I want to stay in touch with you, I will find a way to connect with you that does not involve your facebook wall.
• Thought I would dislike twitter for many of the same "social media" reasons, but it turns out that I absolutely love it. For me personally, I find it way easier to navigate and express my thoughts on.
• So then you might say "hey you can link your twitter feed with your Facebook feed" but then I say, I tweet too a fair amount and that kind of streaming just does not work well with the FB interface. 
• I also much prefer the no-obligation kind of connecting and interacting with one another. On twitter and my blog if you want to follow along you can, and if you don’t. No worries. You don’t have to go out of your way to 'hide' someone or 'not friend' someone. Again, just plain mean and if you are 'friends' with someone that you decide you need to 'hide' on Facebook, then I guess that’s not really your friend right? And that’s just dishonest. 
• Look it’s hard enough juggling all the balls and making room for people in your life that you genuinely want to share your time with let alone, try and keep up with all the online venues and social media, let alone raise your kids, be loving and attentive in your relationship, take your dog on a walk and have some time just for you, maybe? to be creative, maybe?
• Which brings me to final point. I started my own business to do work that I love, to be as you know, more creative. With all of my attention being split in so many directions on any given day, it needs to be given to areas and relationships that matter most and it needs to be given to my creativity...otherwise there will soon be no more business to blog and tweet about.

When I’ve spoken to colleagues in the past about this decision, the big question, as business owners, is can we afford not do have a presence in all these social media venues? Will it hurt our business? A fair question. Well, I guess it might. However I will say that I have made decisions in the past, to walk away from opportunities or relationships that may have helped my business grow faster at the time, but I would’ve had to sacrifice some part of my truth and integrity. Wasn’t worth it to me, and now several years later I’m still right where I envisioned I would be.

So I guess when it’s all said and done, I’m willing to take that chance that I might be slowing the progress and/or awareness of my work and what I do. I simply do not want to build a business on anything disingenuous or what I think I should be doing, instead of what feels genuine, right and inspired.

 

More good news!

Ok, seriously my little characters have glitter hats on.

Time for some thoughts on Quilt Market. 

And a few photos as well. I wish I had more but I only brought my Iphone and it was extremely challenging to get good shots in the convention center with a regular camera, let alone an Iphone. When you follow the long links list below, you’ll come across many other QM blog posts with more photos. The photo above is of an artist designed building I fell in love with that stands just outside the entrance of the convention center. Reminded me of a quilt, just a little ;)

First let me explain why I am also titling this post 'cross-pollinating'. You see, here’s what I realized about attending Quilt Market: just how little my fine artist/illustrator world knew about the quilting and sewing world. Experimenting with sewing over the last few years especially, I have always been intrigued but mostly intimidated and more accurately overly focused on my own bubble, to really keep up with what’s happening in that bubble.

{Melody Miller modeling her new fabric line, Ruby start Rising, by Kokka}

Well, let me tell you there is A LOT happening in that bubble.

Back to this concept of 'cross-pollinating'. I am not talking about fertilizing a flower here. For some reason I just started describing my fine artist exploring the fiber arts world as cross-pollinating, meaning I have decided to learn about other creative worlds aside from exclusively focusing on mine. What’s funny is that when I looked up the actual definition of this term, one is the "fertilizing of a flower" and the second one is this:

"To influence or inspire (another), especially in a reciprocal manner"

How perfect is that? Because that is exactly what happened. My weekend at Quilt Market left me inspired in so many ways. I can only hope I fulfilled the 'reciprocal manner' part of that definition for others.

{more fabric I love by Echino for Kokka, I so should have stolen Julie’s fabric sample bundle when I had the chance!}

I’ve come to this realization before, even discussing it in my last e-course on creativity, but it did not really sink in until I was at Quilt Market. I now believe that one of the qualities of an especially strong artist is a willingness to explore other creative worlds, whether you try working in the medium or not {although that is ideal} just opening your mind to the possibilities that exist beyond your current awareness ~ is enough to inspire {or temporarily overwhelm} you immensely.

{Jan’s awesome booth introducing Daisy Janie fabrics}

What is Quilt Market exactly? Well my new friend Julie has written about it here and Sarah Jane also wrote about it here.

What I want to say is that it is nothing like what I thought it would be. Having never quilted ever in my life... for some reason I thought this market was exclusively about quilts. Don’t get me wrong, a large portion of it is dedicated to quilters, quilts and their tools of quilting but what is the biggest tool of all = FABRIC. Might have seemed obvious, but I just didn’t realize that Quilt Market was also the place where all the Fabric Manufactures and Designers gather to share their new lines, twice a year. Well, that’s not entirely true as my friend Lizzy has explained this to me before, and has also written about it in her e-book, {which you should run out I mean click over and get now if you are at all interested in learning more about this textile design world} I think it’s the fact that it is called "Quilt" instead of "Fabric" market that has many people misunderstanding what a large part of it is about. 

As fine artists/illustrators we all know about the licensing show called Surtex that happens once a year in New York. If Lizzy hadn’t educated me on the details of Quilt Market as well as encouraged me to attend it {endless thanks to her}, it probably never would’ve crossed my radar. 

{Another reason to love Lizzy. For the past few Markets she has been throwing a cake party. Why? she remembers what it was like to arrive at Quilt Market for the first time, not knowing anyone. So she decided to start having this party where everyone is invited, a chance to meet people, make new friends and have some cake!}

 

That’s why I’m excited to share this with you now. Fine artist/illustrators who are interested in surface design, especially fabric, you need to visit Quilt Market. 

{findings from Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods. bought myself some that brightly colored ric rac package}

Which brings me to the second part of this post and one of the main reasons for writing it besides my carrying on about cross-pollination ;) Ok. seriously. There are some of the most amazing women designers/artists seamstresses that show their work there. Again, maybe when you think of quilting you think of traditional. Nothing wrong with traditional and yes that exists but times have changed and with more fine artists transitioning into this world, the designs are incredible. And we’re not just talking quilts people, we’re talking handbags, embroidery patterns, crafting patterns, children’s clothing, adult clothing, aprons ~ you name it.

{Anna Maria Horner showing one of her hand-sewn quilts at her school house presentation}

I could go on and on at this point, but I will let you explore for yourself. Below is a list of designers in order of my seeing/meeting them that I either already know, or had the pleasure of meeting them for the first time over Market weekend. Not only lovely work, but lovely, spirited people as well. Oh and not to mention, many of these women, have growing empires featuring their designs, but they also happen to have any where from 2 - 7 children. Yes, you read this correctly.

Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts {my first time meeting Julie, she’s good people ;) honest, incredibly hard working, quilting, blogging treasure trove of knowledge on sewing, quilting and ~ if you’re a fan of fabric you are going to love her blog}

Betz White {my friend since my first time teaching at Squam. We were roomies. There is nothing Betz can’t do. And you already know how much I love her book}

Jan Dicinto of Daisy Janie {finally met the lovely Jan, who not only designs but manufacturers gorgeous organic cotton fabrics. She debuted her line with her very first Quilt Market booth and she won a booth design award to boot!}

Lizzy House {someone I’m honored to know and call a friend, who also happens to design some of my all-time favorite fabric}

Cherri House {Lizzy’s amazing momma ~ who also has the coolest quilting book, City Quilts}

Melody Miller {I also met Melody at Squam in my gocco printing class. Could not be a nicer human being, who totally hit her stride at Market this year. She had the most beautiful line of fabric make it’s debut. An absolute favorite of mine.}

Allison {friend and major supporter of Melody, also one of my new favorite people}

Jana of IzzyandIvy {totally spirited designer of the cutest children’s clothes (and she has 7 children!)}

Kathy Davis {has been an inspiration to me since I first came across her cards, she has been in the greeting card/licensing industry for over 20 years and is now designing fabric}

Patricia Zapata {a long time blog friend ~ such a talented lady who needs her own fabric line ASAP ~ so great to finally meet her too!}

Anna Maria Horner {this lady has 6 children, designs and hand sews her creations by hand. she is a phenom. enough said.}

Alexia Abegg {Anna Maria’s wonderful, super talented assistant, also working on her own patterns & projects}

Sarah Jane {a fellow fine artist and illustrator, after three years of following her amazing work, and communicating back and forth via the interwebs, I finally met her, she could not be lovelier ~ fyi she has a new fabric line coming out in 2011}

Tula Pink {crazy cool, person, booth, illustrator/fabric designer}

Khristian {delightful! just like her orange patterned fabric through Anthology}

Jenean Morrison {a fishie!! I 'met' Jenean through my e-course and it was such a treat to meet her in person. She also debuted the most beautiful new line of fabric and with the help of her husband had one of the coolest booths around. In fact she won a booth design award! You must check out the bicycle}

Heather Bailey {another spirited phenom}

Meg of Sew Liberated {another friend I’ve known online, could not be sweeter. She and I made ornaments together at Betz’s workshops ;) and I want Meg’s book!}

Kate Spain {incredibly kind and giving person who’s beautiful designs are literally everywhere from Target to Crate and Barrel}

Amy Butler {an inspiration to me since I first became aware of the movement of indie design online ~ the business she and her husband have built together. Incredible. And she doesn’t even blog or tweet ;) I only had a brief chat with her and her friend in the ladies room of all places. She is just as lovely as you would imagine. And her booth = stunning}

Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish {adorable embroidery patterns and I so want a kitty plush}

Kim of TrueUp {if you love fabric, you are going to love this lady and love her blog}

Trish of Two Peas in a Pod {another incredibly kind person, with the most adorable pattern designs for children’s clothing}

And, two ladies I met who have fabric shops brick and mortar and online:

Deborah of Whipstitch {a pistol! smart as a whip! I had so much fun chatting with Deborah ~ she has a shop in Atlanta that I want to go take classes at, and a book, Stitch by Stitch, that I heard every sewer needs (especially beginners like me)}

Kristin of Sew, Mama, Sew! {Really enjoyed meeting her via a cab ride home. A group of us had the best discussion about the fabric marketplace and the pricing in said marketplace as well as my fine arts world’s pricing}

Oh and last but not least, if this isn’t enough, you can also buy vintage fabrics, findings, buttons at booths like this one Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.

*whew* I think that’s everyone. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. I’m sure I did. 

{this photo is courtesy of Sarah Jane. Amy’s booth was a favorite of mine, had to share it with you and my picture did not turn out}

And so the big question? Will I be designing and selling fabric. YES! The details of how that will evolve to be revealed...

I’ll be honest and say that it has taken me a while to adjust to the idea of selling my designs on fabric for other’s to create with. But after this trip, I’ve never been so sure that it is indeed the next step for me. It makes perfect sense really, I am all about encouraging creativity in everyone and what better way to do that than to create a product that people can actually use to be creative with?

Loved hearing back from some of you that you were indeed creative yesterday. YAY! every bit counts!!

Here’s what I worked on during my extra hour ~ holiday card designs. 

At the risk of sounding like a cornball, painting this sweet little image absolutely filled me with all of the above, peace, love and joy. That’s what it’s all about really, isn’t it? To feel any one of those sentiments, if not all of them as often as we can.

I know this is the wish I want to send to everyone for 2011. 

Holiday cards, two designs of which this is one, are coming and will be released in the shop next Thursday, November 18. Until then, the original of these tiny fellows is available for purchase as of today.

Why wait 'til 2011? sending you peace, love, joy right this very second. xo

{original is sold}

One of the biggest reasons I hear from people about why they aren’t more creative is TIME, not enough of it.

As you know many of us woke up this morning with one extra hour. ONE WHOLE EXTRA HOUR. 

Creatively, that is a good chunk of time, and I for one say that if you can at all relate to the first sentence ~ how about you treat yourself to using that one hour for creativity today? I know I fall into the category above more than I care to admit, and I know that I woke up this morning dedicated to taking this extra hour to paint.

So how about it? Care to join me?

I know this is a bit spontaneous, seeing as how many of you are also a few hours ahead of my time zone, so if you can’t commit to it today, why not try to give yourself that extra hour some time this week. If you do, leave me a comment with a link to what you made, even if it was just a start and is not complete. Does not matter. It’s all about giving something to yourself. I’m assuming that those of  you who visit me here, are equally as passionate about having creativity in your life {otherwise this blog would probably annoy you ;-)}, and that a gift to you, as it is for me, would be the gift of time to create. 

Let me know what you make! happy impromptu Creative Sunday

{photo of me in my apron above is courtesy of Susannah, taken at Squam last September}

Ok, seriously, this week has been filled with so much good news all at once, it is literally spilling over. And it’s all I can do to take it in and not miss a minute of it which is why I will just go ahead and share it a little at a time on this here blog.

Why? you might say? Because some of the moments that have been coming together this week, I’ve been waiting...for my lifetime. That’s big {for me} So bear with me while I savor every last minute of this.

You might also be wondering about the photo above? As this post announces, I’m excited and honored to be a speaker among some awesomely talented folks at Altitude Summit that is held in Salt Lake City January 19 - 22.

So, I’m scrolling through the speakers and come across a wonderfully sweet photo of Wendy + Tyler from Blue Lily Photo. I click on their link and while watching their beautiful slide show of photographs, I notice a family that looks awfully familiar. 

Not only are they familiar, they are Sean’s family!!! his stepsister, her husband and their two children! ;) How small a world is that? And how great is this family photo? I absolutely love it. {and we absolutely love them!}

Another reason I’m so excited to attend Alt this year, the chance to meet even more inspiring people. Which after Quilt Market, my circle of amazing and inspiring friends is also spilling over. This is why I am verklempt.

In twitter speak I am just feeling #sograteful for #somuch.

happy weekend! and I hope to see you in January!!! It’s going to be crazy fun.

5 x 7 in.

Let it be known I did not open my email until 5 pm today. And, I got a lot done...hmmm...not only the video below, but a new daily painting and I plan to keep the creativity going well into this Creative Thursday evening. So there! Making your creativity a priority, works.

This painting is literally inspired by an image straight from our backyard. Aside from our two cats, we have neighborhood cats that like to spend time in our garden. One in particular is this beautiful black cat, and yesterday he sat at the very top of our garage roof with three doves sitting directly above him. My creative license added the squirrel, as they are always running back and forth on the telephone, cable, electrical wires that run in rows at the back of our yard {tell me again, what do all those wires actually do?} I get so used to seeing them that I forget they are there. They become part of the city landscape as well as the social hangout for the critters and an interesting design element that makes an appearance in my paintings from time to time.

So, hey! did you get to do any kind of creating today? If so what did you make???

 

{original is sold}

 

https://vimeo.com/16511875

 

My friend Susannah has kicked off a community 'digital detox'  ~ which I think is such a brilliant idea, it inspired me chat with you as well about this very same topic. Since it’s sometimes easier to make these kinds of changes together, I thought you might want hop on board with Susannah. I think she is officially at day 2.

As you know Sean and I have been passionate about re-organizing and simplifying our lives over the last two years. Digital 'cleaning up' has been my personal focus over these last few months. Progress is indeed happening and it feels SO much better.

And then in the last two days I came across Susannah’s post and Mark’s article, The Key to Creating Remarkable Things, which I tweeted about yesterday {via swissmiss} and have decided that it’s indeed time to make more of a commitment to having a very specific routine regarding my digital content input, and time spent on such inputing.

I’ve been practicing for some time now and I think that’s all you can do, is attempt to make a change a little at a time. When you’ve learned a habit one way, it takes some time to develop a new mode of operating. Of course, it does not make it any easier that the digital age moves incredibly quick which constantly changes the landscape of what we are working with here. This is why I think it’s best that we start these conversations now and begin to determine what works for us, what supports the lifestyle we need and want. What supports our creative time!

begin the day with creative work on my own top priorities, with the phone and email switched off ~ Mark McGuinness

I’m back! and filled with so much inspiration and new things to share with you! But, as you know I tend to get all 'verklempt' = slightly overwhelmed and on information and inspiration overload. I have found that I usually have to let everything soak in for a moment before I find the words to write a blog post. That and I had to immediately jump back into my usual work routine for some pressing deadlines. 

But I just wanted to pop in, say a quick hello, and share with you my weekly inspiration. This week: {well besides just about everything Quilt Market, which will be in another post soon to follow} it’s my favorite red jacket, from Anthropologie, circa 2007 {I think?} by Elevenses. Lord knows I wore it almost all of Quilt Market, which worked out quite well really as I was always easy to find. Not only am I enamored with red clothing but this particular jacket has the best fabric lining. I am crazy for the design and the colors of the tulips. Speaking of fabric, which I did for the last four days non-stop, I would love that interior lining printed on some fabric to make a pillow.

Aside from having a great time at market, I also got even more good news today that I can’t wait to share. All in all a very, very good few days!!! You know those moment when it feels like all the work you’ve done is finally coming together in the ways that you’ve always hoped for, today was one of those days. It must be the red jacket. ;)