I’ve been busy in online classes learning new skills and taking breaks in between working on my canvases for the Expressions of Love Collection. I love how the colorful backgrounds make the hearts pop!
In talking with others I find so many feel unappreciated and taken for granted. No one likes going unnoticed for all the work they do. Sometimes a simple “Thank You” can have a huge impact on their day. So make sure to say “Thank You” to those who brighten your days.
The four paintings shown here are a work in progress so stay tuned. They’ll be available in my Etsy Shop soon. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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“Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” ~ Wayne Dyer
Microgreens and Sprouts are both very healthy additions to your diet especially if you’re trying to get all of your essential minerals and vitamins without pills or supplements. Both of these can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and even help improve your mental health and so much more. But what exactly is the difference?
For starters microgreens are young shoots of a plant while sprouts are germinated seeds. Microgreens you’re eating the small plant minus the roots because you cut them at the soil whereas sprouts you’re eating the whole thing. Another difference is in how they’re grown. I created the chart below to give you a better idea:
In regards to what which one provides the best nutrition, that award goes to the microgreens. Although sprouts are very healthy to eat and provide lots of nutrition, along with fiber and protein they just don’t compare to power of microgreens.
Studies have shown that microgreens give you the vitamins and minerals of a full grown plant all packed into a small little plant. These little guys are just loaded with everything a sprout has but lots more of it. Pound for pound, microgreens provide more vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber than sprouts.
I’ve grown both and love them! They’re delicious on their own but I love to add them to salads, sandwiches, smoothies and just about anything else I can think of. Ultimately, it comes down to you and what you’re willing to do to get and stay healthy.
I hope you found this post helpful today. Thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Those who think they have not time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” ~Unknown
I’m working on a sketch which I’m getting ready to paint. This is part of an online workshop called Watercolor Dreams with the very talented Katrina Koltes who lives in Italy.
Katrina’s portrait paintings are more realistic and have a real dreamy vibe which I love and long to create. Getting this sketch just right seems to have taken me hours to complete. But that only means that I need more practice. So I’m showing up to learn more and improve my skills as an artist.
The portrait below was my first taste of Katrina’s surreal style of painting and I was hooked. I won’t even tell you how long this sketch took me to complete 😅 But it was one of the best realistic paintings I had ever done up to that point.
So I invite you to come along with me on this fantastic adventure of creating magical paintings. Wish me luck 🤞
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PS – I found this quote to be pretty funny because that’s kind of how I’m feeling right now 😂
“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
The big day is here! I just received my newest issue of Stampington’s Art Journaling Magazine in the mail and my article along with my Angel Journal are featured on pages 118-122🎉 Angel Valentina, shown above is one of the angels in the article.
Many of you followed me on this incredible artistic journey as I created these angels and filled my journal. It was a wonderful experience and I’m so grateful that my art was chosen for publication and that you were with me on this journey.
Thank you to all of my readers for your love and support. It means the world to me💖💖
This issue is scheduled to hit the newsstands on April 1st so make sure to pick up your copy so you can read the article✨
Have a beautiful weekend!!
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“Angels live among us. Sometimes they hide their wings, but there is no disguising the peace and hope they bring.” ~Unknown
The first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is coming this Monday, March 20, 2023 and it will run until June 21, 2023. You may have already noticed the warmer temps moving in, birds nesting and beautiful flowers beginning to bloom. Also, on this first day of Spring the hours of daylight and night are almost equal. It always takes some adjusting to the new longer days ahead.
On my lovely morning walks I’ve seen many squirrels busy building their nests. You can tell the difference between a bird and squirrel nest from the ground because birds primarily build their nests with twigs. Whereas squirrels use fresh branches with the leaves attached. You may also notice a lot of small pieces of fresh branches with leaves on the ground.
This was a photo I took with my phone of a squirrel nest. They’re easily seen once the leaves dry and turn brown. Squirrels can have anywhere from 2-4 babies usually between the months of February to May. They have a hefty appetite and will eat their own body weight every week which is about 1.5 pounds. I love watching them in the mornings with their high energy, it motivates me on my walks 😊
Have you checked your yard for signs of any new babies that may be coming soon?
Hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by!!
I thought with Spring upon us very soon I’d share with you, this watercolor abstract I made a while ago. I used my Cricut machine to cut out the letters for the word Imagine and I framed it in a 12 inch square frame. This painting hangs in my studio because it was one of the first things I painted when I came back to my art after a somewhat long hiatus😊
I love that the flowers are loosely painted and you have to use your imagination to see them. It was also a fun way to experiment with the paints and let the colors mingle.
Our imagination is so important in our everyday lives. We use it for everything our minds dreams of and we create from that. So have some fun today and use your imagination✨
I hope you’re week if off to a great start! Thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” ~Carl Sagan
This past week I joined Laly Mille a very talented artist from France for a free online workshop. It was absolutely wonderful as we created this journal spread together. I find Laly’s art mesmerizing with the lovely colors and dreamy romantic layers that pull you into each painting.
This butterfly spread took several layers but it was worth the wait. Originally I wanted the angels to be fully visible but then I thought angels are rarely seen but you know that they’re there. So I covered them a little, making them much softer and I liked how they turned out. I love pretty much the entire spread but my favorite part I think is the twinkling fairy lights, they look magical ✨ What’s your favorite part?
I highly recommend you hop over to Laly Mille’s site and revel in the beauty of her art at LalyMille.com. She also offers online courses which are available on her site.
Hope this inspires you to create some art!
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“I dream of the painting and then I paint my dream.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.
Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.
Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:
boosting moods
headaches
acne
hair loss
insomnia
anxiety
stress reliever
eczema
dry skin
insect bites
wound healing
helps prevent digestive issues
reduces inflammation
You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.
Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
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“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown
I’m really enjoying filling the pages of my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge at Mindful Art Studios.
I made the 3 inch square flower painting last week and wanted to find it a home. I was drawing a blank on what to do next in the journal and then I read a comment on Instagram by an admirer about the flower and butterfly:
“The little butterfly with the trail just makes it, I love how the daisy is reaching out for it.”
So I thought lots of swirly, crisscrossing butterfly trails would make the perfect background, and there simple too which fits with the theme of this journal. It was pure luck that the trail of the butterfly on the painting lined up with the trail in the background. I mean honestly, what are the odds? 😂
But it’s a happy colorful creation. What do you think?
Hope this inspires you to create some art!
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“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee
I added another painting to my Simplest Things Journal. I’m really loving the slow drawing process. It quiets the mind and soothes the soul 😊 This was a design I made in a smaller version and thought it would make an interesting big design. But instead of painting another circle, I wanted to try a freeform design.
What I love most about this design is how the lines overlap in some areas making thicker lines that look like folds and creases. What do you think?
Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!
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“Art is a natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment.” ~MaryAnn F Kohl
This was my inspiration for the the painting above 😊
Have you ever thought about how color affects how you feel? Many people associate colors with different things like trees, the ocean, flowers or even a cool summer’s breeze which evoke positive emotions and make us feel good. But you can also associate colors with negative things because we create these associations in our mind through our personal life experiences.
Our brain reacts to sensory impressions. Visual impressions make up 80% of that. And that’s a pretty big chunk. So it’s no wonder that color can greatly affect our moods. Studies have shown these are some of the generalities of how colors can make you feel:
Pay attention to the colors in your environment and how they make feel, especially the clothes you wear. You may be quite surprised and discover new things about yourself!
Hope you enjoyed this post today, thanks for stopping by!!
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“Color was not given to us in order that we imitate nature. It was given to us so that we can express our emotions.” ~Henri Matisse
Journaling is a great way to have fun and unwind from a long week. This was actually a warm up exercise which is part of an online class I’m working on by the very talented Katrina Koltes.
Art journaling is anything you want it to be. It can be an abstract or a more serious painting or anything in between. You can write your thoughts in your journal and then cover them up or don’t. But the choice is yours. The main goal is to simply do whatever your heart desires and makes you happy😊 So what are your waiting for? Grab your journal and have some fun this weekend!
Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!
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“What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence.” ~Claude Monet
I was listening to a recording of Wayne Dyer today and thought I’d share this wonderful quote with you on one of my abstract watercolor paintings:
“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”
I recently created a handmade journal in an online workshop hosted by Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studios and Ali Manning of the Vintage Page Designs. Lately I’ve been immersing myself in creating botanical designs in the journal.
I’m trying out different things like using my brushes in new ways, mark making and just having plain old fashioned fun. What I love is that it keeps you in the creative zone even if you only have a small amount of time to spare.
It’s not about making an elaborate painting or drawing unless that’s what you’re aiming for. But instead I make my marks, don’t always like them and then use my creative imagination to save it 😂 But that’s where the fun is because you never know where it will end up 😊
Hope this inspires you to get out your supplies and starting playing! Thanks for stopping by!!
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“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.” ~George Bernard Shaw
Last week I participated in Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge. On day 5 I created a few simple circles with different designs. I thought they looked pretty cool and wanted to make them much BIGGER! So I did full sized drawings of these two. What do you think?
I love watching the watercolor paints mingle and mix. You never know what they’re going to do and that’s the fun part 😊
Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!
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“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” ~Bob Ross quote on creating art
This was my inspiration for the the 2 paintings above 😊
“Act as if it were impossible to fail.” is a quote by Dorothea Brande from her book Wake Up and Live! It’s a simple quote that is so very powerful. When you think about it, what would you do differently if you knew it were impossible to fail? Personally, I can think of lots of things I would have done differently in my life and I’m sure you can to.
It’s not a far fetched idea, but something that’s pretty basic if we’d only believe. We have a tendency to create so many obstacles in our minds that stop us dead in our tracks from reaching our goals and creating our dream life. But why?
The reasons can vary drastically from one person to next. But I think the first step is to look at ourselves in the mirror and be accountable for our actions, thoughts and attitudes. Because these are the things that brought us to where we are today.
The next step which is easier said than done is to dig deeper and look at where some of these beliefs and thoughts started and what started them. Is it something our parents taught us? Or is it a result of something that happened to us? Is it combination of both of these things or something else? But you must be completely honest with yourself if you are to move forward.
Once we have a better understanding of why we react a certain way to certain situations we stand a better chance of conquering the obstacles we created for ourselves. And as a result we can move on to bigger and better things.
I hope these words of wisdom by Dorothea Brande inspire you in some way today! Thanks for stopping by!!
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“All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman, the formula, the command of right-about-face which turns us from failure towards success.” ~Dorothea Brande
Amy Maricle @amymaricle at Mindful Art Studio hosted a challenge this week called The Simplest Things which I participated in. The idea was to create art everyday, from the simplest things. It was a 5 day challenge which started Monday and ended yesterday.
Originally I wanted to create a handmade journal for this challenge but it’s been a busy week so I ended up using a 6×6 inch mixed media spiral journal instead. I normally like heavier paper for journaling but the 90 lb mixed media paper worked well for this challenge.
Day 1 Prompt: Cursive Letter L
The photo above is for Day 1 and since I’m in mega love mode painting my hearts for the Expressions of Love Collection I couldn’t resist painting a few watercolor hearts that I cut out and glued into the journal.
Day 2 Prompt: Thread
Now this one was pretty funny because I started with threads which turned into seaweed which turned into an underwater world 😂 You never know where your imagination will lead you!
Day 3 Prompt: Leaf
I painted watercolor leaves which I cut out and glued into the journal. Technically the prompt is leaf, meaning only one but it depends on how you look at it. Plus I was having so much fun playing with my gold pen I had to make some extras.
Day 4 Prompt: Write then Cover with Watercolor
I’m not the type to put all my thoughts and feelings onto paper for the everyone to see. So I poured my heart out into the journal with a watercolor pencil and then did a very colorful watercolor wash for the background. Since I did actually pour my heart out into the journal I thought it was only fitting to add the heart inchies I previously made to these two pages.
Day 5 Prompt: Watercolor Wash and Marks in Pen
I decided to keep this one simple with painted watercolor circles and patterns using a Sakura Micron 05 pen. But the white space was just too plain for me so I added some glitter and now it feels finished!
This challenge was lots of fun and Amy was wonderful in teaching new tips, techniques and different ways of thinking about art! If you’re interested in learning more, please visit Amy Maricle’s site at MindfulArtStudio.com. She created a new online course, The Simplest Thing Journal which is based on some of the practices used in this challenge. It’s currently on sale sale through 2/13 so don’t miss out!!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!!
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“Art is not what you see but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas
Growing up my parents had a beautiful garden and they loved growing plants for home remedies. Any time we got a sunburn or burned ourselves on a hot dish, dad would get a cutting from the large aloe plant he had growing out back.
I remember him peeling the skin and exposing the clear jelly substance inside the leaf. It would ooze a thick yellow liquid that was actually the sap. The clear jelly part of the plant is what would make your skin fell better in no time.
The Aloe Vera plant was originally from Africa but can be found all over the world. It has been used for centuries for it’s medicinal benefits. Aloe Vera is not classified as a cacti but rather a succulent.
It can be used both internally and externally. Studies have shown it can boost collagen production and promote the healing of wounds. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It’s great for many skin irritations including bug bites, sunburns and can improve and even prevent wrinkles. As a mouth rinse it helps reduce dental plaque. When you drink the juice which is available in most grocery stores it helps to relieve digestive issues and can also lower blood sugar levels. It’s amazing the number of health benefits it has but these were just few.
So if you’re looking for natural remedies having one of these plants should definitely be on your list. But be aware it may have adverse interactions with certain medications when taken internally. So as with any lifestyle change always seek the advice of a medical professional to make sure it’s a good fit for you 😊
Hope you enjoyed today’s post, thanks for stopping by!!
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“Nature is so smart it put the medicine inside the food.” ~Unknown
A quick shop update. I always felt that we should express our love and appreciation to those we care about every day and not limit it to one day a year. And that was my motivation in creating this new line, Expressions of Love.
These 5×5 inch paintings were created on a thick 1.5 inch canvas so have the choice on how to display them. You can hang them in a small area or you could buy several and hang them as a nice grouping on your wall. The other option which I love with this thick canvas is that you can easily stand it on it’s side making it perfect decor for a desk, shelf or counter.
They are happy and fun paintings that will brighten up any space. They’ll come packaged in a pretty cellophane bag and tied with ribbon. These are the first two paintings I have available in my Etsy Shop and I’ll be adding more this week.
I love books and creating my own journals, it’s wonderful. When I heard that Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studios and Ali Manning of the Vintage Page Designs were hosting a free online workshop called Botanical Books on how to make a beautiful handmade journal I was thrilled and couldn’t wait for the day to come.
Well, yesterday was the big day and I loved every minute of it! Ali did a wonderful job teaching how to create the journal itself and Amy taught how to fill it with botanical designs. I was able to create my the first two paintings in the journal and I’m looking forward to filling it up 😊
For the covers I used a watercolor paper design from my stash which I always like to have on hand. This one had a botanical design from a handmade leaf stamp I made so I thought it would be perfect for this journal. Plus it was really popping with color.
Definitely check out both of their websites as they’re packed full of fun courses, ideas and lots of inspiration. You can also find them on Instagram @AmyMaricle and @VintagePageDesigns.
Also, Amy is hosting a challenge next week The Power of Starting Simple. Just hop on over to find out more details about the challenge and join in on the fun!
Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend, thanks for stopping by!!
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“Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.” ~Unknown
I made this little village a while ago and bring it out every year as part of my Valentine’s Day decoration. It was created on an 8×10 inch canvas which I painted first. If you don’t have a canvas, a sheet of watercolor paper would also work just as well.
While the paint dried, I designed and cut some wonky, whimsical homes from Valentine themed cardstock. The doors and windows were made using shaped punches but you could easily cut them by hand.
Once I had all of my parts cut, I made sure everything fit together before gluing it on to the canvas. I added a few stickers, rhinestones and sequins for interest. And finished it off with some doodles, shading and highlights. Of course lets not forget the glitter for the bit of sparkly magic.
There are so many variations that you can make, just use your imagination and supplies you have on hand!
Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Love one another and you will be happy. It’s as simple and as difficult as that.” ~Michael Leunig
I recently came across a pencil sketch I did a while ago of this vintage 30’s girl. I really loved the styles back then so I thought it would be fun to create her in my 9×12 inch Strathmore Watercolor journal and bring her to life with some color.
I named this one A Sunday Afternoon because she gives off a vibe of being completely relaxed wearing her pretty Sunday dress and hat. Her eyes are closed as she takes in a deep breath and gives thanks for all the beauty that surrounds her 😊
How do you like to spend your Sunday afternoons?
Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Flowers are the music of the ground, from earth’s lips spoken without a sound.” ~ Edwin Curran
Today pretty much every cell phone has a built in camera to snap a quick picture, freezing that special moment in time to cherish forever. I remember as a kid the long process of taking pictures, dropping the film off at the store and then having to wait that long, excruciating week to see how they turned out.
Then I remember the day dad brought home a Polaroid camera. It was the coolest thing ever! You could take a picture and the photo was ready in minutes, right in your hand. No long wait to get your photos developed, you knew instantly if you took a good shot. It was amazing!
The Polaroid camera was invented by Edwin H Land, an American scientist. The story goes while on vacation in 1944, Edwin had taken a picture of his 3 year old daughter. She asked him why she couldn’t see the picture he had just taken of her with his camera. So this amazing inventor came up with the camera design, film and chemistry in a single day! It did however, take three years before he was able to present his instant camera to the public for the first time.
In 1948, the Polaroid Land Model 95 camera (shown below) made it’s way to the American consumer. It was a monumental breakthrough in the history of photography. The original camera combined two rolls of film, a negative and positive plus some chemicals to create the images. Polaroid only manufactured 60 of these cameras at first and they sold out in a single day! The company completely underestimated the consumer’s demand for this new invention.
Polaroid Instant Cameras are still being made today and have improved a lot from the original 1948 version. There are 3 models including a smaller “Go Camera” which is compact and perfect for traveling.
I love photography and use my digital camera all the time but there’s something nostalgic about the Polaroid Instant Camera. So I think this year, I’ll have to put one of those on my wish list 😊
Hope you enjoyed this snippet of photography history today. Thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Photography is the beauty of life captured.” ~Tara Chisolm
I love Valentine’s Day but it’s sad that it’s only celebrated one day out of the year. Our love for others should be celebrated everyday and not limited to a single day. So I decided to fix that and came up with the idea to start the Expressions of Love Collection.
I thought it would be a great way to tell some one how much you care and appreciate them. They could be perfect gifts for weddings, anniversaries, or a simple I love you! You could even gift one to show your appreciation to a special some one for all that they do.
The four paintings shown here are a work in progress so stay tuned. They’ll be available in different sizes and styles to fit your specific needs. Best of all, they will available all year.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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“Forever and always, from me to you. My love is pure, my love is true. It is gifted to none other than you.” ~Truth Devour
I finally finished my art journal layout. I tried new techniques with this one but wasn’t so crazy about it. I had to keep switching out my ideas because things kept going sideways but that’s a part of the process. So I’ll have to rethink this a bit. But nevertheless, it was lots of fun experimenting.
Since it’s still just a few weeks into the new year, I found the words “Fresh Start” in a magazine and thought it went well. One thing I really like is how her blue hair turned out with the gold highlights.
Some of my supplies came in so I’m going to work on creating a few new paintings. How are you going to spend your weekend? Hope you have something fun planned 😊
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“I am open to the mystery and magic this new beginning brings.” ~Unknown
I received some great news, Stampington Art Journaling is going to publish my angel journal. So I’ve been busy writing and rewriting the article trying to get the words just right. I’m uber excited but also a bit nervous. But I know it will all work out perfectly fine.
I’m keeping it simple today with so much on my plate. I came across this quote by Brendon Burchard that I thought was really good and put it on my Imagination Abstract Painting:
“Amplifying what is great within you will accelerate your life faster than fixing what you think ‘limits’ you.”
This was a fun Valentine’s Day card that’s fun and super easy to make. You can make it fit any size card. All you need is a cut out of a heart from heavy cardstock that fits on the front of your card and some ribbon.
What you do is glue the ribbon to the heart cut out, letting the ends of the ribbon extend past the heart. Make sure to use enough glue because you want the ribbon to be firmly attached. Once the glue has dried, turn the heart over and trim the excess ribbon with a good pair of scissors. Then glue the beautiful heart to the front of your card. Add embellishments and stamped images or hand write your own. And that’s it!
Another idea is use strips of fabric and follow the same steps as for the ribbon. There are lots of possibilities, just use your creativity 😊
Hope this inspires you in some way!
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“I do love nothing in the world so much as you.” ~William Shakespeare
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is already knocking on our doors and is only one month away? It’s one of my favorite holidays, but I wish it was longer than just 1 day. I always felt you should celebrate love every day of your life and not limit it to a single day 💖
I’m working on some new paintings but the ones in this post are currently available in my Etsy Shop. I’ll keep you posted with the progress on the others, but for now I’m waiting on a few supplies to come in.
I really enjoyed making all of these bright, fun mini paintings filled with lots of love. I love how the confetti makes it look like a celebration, it’s just fun! With that said the canvas panels with the creative lettering are my favorite. Which one is your favorite?
Have a wonderful weekend!
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“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” ~Roy Croft
The beginning of a new year is a chance for most to set new intentions to create the life of their dreams. But things don’t always go according to plan and we can get discouraged and even give up.
In my personal experience I’ve found that sometimes all you need is to hear the right words at the right time to get you back on track and reignite your passion. I’ve collected these 15 uplifting and inspiring quotes to help keep you motivated this year:
“When obstacle arises, you change your direction to reach your goal, you do not change your decision to get there.” ~Zig Ziglar
“You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” ~George Horace Lorimer
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
“Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.” ~Tony Robbins
“Do not fear ridicule or rejection; fear the consequence of an unlived life that comes from not expressing yourself or pursuing your own path.” ~Brendon Burchard
“Not having the best situation but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.” ~Marie Forleo
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” ~Jim Rohn
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If your are anxious, you are living in the future. If your are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~Lao Tzu
“Whatever you put your attention on will grow stronger in your life.” ~Deepak Chopra
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle
“All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney
“Whoever loves much, performs much and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” ~Vincent Van Gogh
“Faith is the bridge to all dreams.” ~Bryant McGill
“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistance.” ~James N Watkins
“You can’t just wish for a better life, you must go out there and create it.” ~Joel Brown
I hope these words of wisdom will lift your spirit when you need it most and fuel your passion so you can work towards your dreams!
I wanted to share with you a fun journal page I made in my Strathmore 6×12 inch watercolor journal. I started with a loose, watercolor wash for the background and once that was dry, I drew in the flowers using a Sakura Micron 003 pen. It’s a good way to have some old fashioned carefree fun! As most of you know, I have a thing for sparkly magic so I added accents of glitter throughout the design✨
Hope this inspires you to create art today😊
Have a fabulous day and thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Flowers are the music of the ground, from earth’s lips spoken without sound.” ~Edwin Curran
I came across an old issue of Romantic Homes Magazine and fell in love with some of the images. So I thought it would be fun to cut them out and turn them into a journaling layout.
I started with blank pages where I wrote thank you notes to all of my family members who are no longer here but inspired me on my artistic journey. It felt good to create this journal layout with all that gratitude as the foundation for these pages.
It took a bit of time to finish because there were quite a few layers and I had to be patient and let things dry. I was going to for a romantic and dreamy vibe. And I wanted to pull the viewer into my magical garden. What do you think?
Hope this inspires you create a fun journal layout with some images you love!
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Share the Happy 💖
“Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life.” ~Jack Canfield
Last year I had the pleasure of participating in Amy Maricle’s Inchie Challenge which was a lots of fun. I had so much fun that I bought her book, “Draw Yourself Calm.”
It’s a wonderful book that is well written and teaches you to simply slow down. The best part is you only need minimal supplies to get started. I find the practice of creating these mini works of art very calming and relaxing, a good way to destress. It’s also a good warm up for me to get the creative energy flowing.
In this video you an see the inchies I made for Amy’s 2022 Challenge that I put into a handmade book I created. I hope you’ll hop over to her site, Mindfulartstudio.com and learn more about Amy and her work. Highly recommended!
Stay inspired and create some art!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy 💖
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas
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Thought I’d share with you a mixed media canvas I made a while ago titled “In art she found herself.” I created this on a 9×12 inch canvas using cut pieces of patterned paper, acrylic paint, lace, ephemera and pretty much anything else I could think of.
The little bows on the kite were the hardest. They’re very small and made from crepe paper that was painstakingly folded and tied off with a thread. Then I had to carefully glue them to the canvas. The style at the time was basically a face without any detailing. But I always look at it and feel it isn’t done. What do you think?
✨🎉Wishing you a New Year filled with Much Happiness, Good Health and Great Success🎉✨
Hard to believe the New Year will be here in just a few short days. There’s so much to think about during this time as we get ready to welcome a new era into our lives. I’ve been very busy plotting and planning my goals for the coming year and working on my battle board.
I’m determined more than ever to make this new year count and to reach the goals I set for myself so that my dreams will become my reality. But you have to take the first step and set goals. Don’t set so many they’re hard to attain and don’t make them too easy, they should challenge you. I’m sticking with 3 major goals and prioritizing the rest. I’m also adding deadlines for when I’ll reach these goals to keep me more accountable.
Once you finalize your goals, you need to come up with a plan to reach them. Outline the steps, in detail on what exactly you need to do to get there. Do you need to read a book or take an online course to learn new skills to reach your goal? Or is there physical work that you need to do like start an exercise program and eat a healthy diet? What ever you need to do, write it down.
The last step for success is to actually start following the plan you designed for yourself. Look at your goals everyday and do at least 1 thing daily to bring you closer to your goals.
The sheer act of starting your plan will make you happy. After a few days you’ll be excited that you stuck to it and your confidence and self esteem will grow tremendously. So remember to keep going and reach for the stars because anything is possible!!!
Here are a few motivational clips and tutorials to help you get started:
I’m taking a much needed break before the holidays so I’m sharing with you a very inspiring quote by the late Dr Wayne Dyer on my watercolor painting titled “Change.”
“If you change the way the look at things, the things you look at change.”
Hope this inspires you in some way. Thanks for stopping by!!!
I wanted to share with you a fun watercolor painting I created a while ago. This is one of my favorite happy color combinations. For this piece I actually made 2 paintings. One was used for the background and the other was used to create the birds which I traced from a stencil, cut out and adhered to the background painting.
One thing I love about watercolor is that you can lift the paint off using various techniques. For the birds I used a stencil and a Wet Ones hand wipe to lift the paint off the paper. When using this technique, you want to make sure you have a fairly dark background so you can see the color variations where the paint was lifted.
To make the blue bird at the top even more different from the others I painted it with clear glitter paint. I also used a stamp with white embossing powder to add more interest. The quote in the bottom right was getting lost so I added a border to give it more pop.
You only need a few basic inexpensive supplies to create art and have fun. So what are you waiting for? Start creating some happy now 😊
Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!
With the cold and flu season here I wanted to share an old remedy that my mom used to make. She believed that honey and garlic would cure anything a cold or flu could bring and she was right. Although I’m vegan, this is one thing I didn’t give up.
Growing up honey was a staple in our home. We used it on toast, in recipes and to sweeten tea. It was always delicious! Honey has lots of benefits including:
Rich in antioxidants
Strengthens the immune system
Eases sinus issues
Helps suppress coughs
Promotes the healing of burns and wounds
Boosts memory and more!
Now add some garlic to the honey and you have even more health benefits like:
Contains antioxidants
Helps protect against illness including colds
Reduces blood pressure
Improves bone health
Improves cholesterol levels and more!
When you combine these two superfoods along with a bit of onion, no virus or germ can survive. I’ve used this remedy for years and it shortens my illness without fail every time.
It’s easy to make, just put the onion and garlic in a mini food processor and puree. Then transfer it to a small bowl and add enough honey to cover the pureed mixture (I always add a little extra 😊). Store it covered in the fridge. Normally when you refrigerate honey it becomes thick and crystallizes. However, with the added onion and garlic, it becomes more fluid like a syrup.
Now I’m not going to lie, the garlic and onion can be strong so don’t chew it, swallow it like cough syrup. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day and you’ll feel worlds better in no time!
Ingredients:
1/8 onion
2 cloves garlic
Enough honey to cover the minced onion and garlic.
Hope this helps you stay healthier this winter. Thanks for stopping by!!!
It’s hard to believe Christmas is just 12 days away! I hope that you are doing well and not stressing over the hustle and bustle that comes with this time of year. But if you still need some last minute gifts there are lots of beautiful, original works of art available in my Etsy Shop.
I hope you’re weekend is off to a great start! I thought I’d take a little break and play with some new ideas and techniques. I like the way she turned out but I’m not completely sold on this style. Looking for something more dreamy.
With the New Year fast approaching I wanted to share a motivational quote with you by Zig Ziglar on my Determination Painting, it reads:
“Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals and your determination to use every available minute.”
Time seems to fly by faster and faster. But for me, the worst feeling is to have time fly by and feel that I made no progress and spun my wheels in the mud. Time is always moving so we need to move right along with it so it doesn’t pass us by.
Are you ready to grab time and make it your ally this coming year?
Hope this inspires you in some way. Thanks for stopping by!!!
I love flamingos, they’re such cool birds to watch. It took some time but I was able to finish my pink flamingo. There are lots of layers and texture in this 6×12″ painting. When I first started, I had no idea that a flamingo would end up here, but there she is. And she is my first 😊
Now I need to give this painting a title. Would love to hear your ideas. The ones I have so far are pretty nerdy 😂 So your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
The photos below are a progression of this painting. I probably should have taken more but I really get into the creation process once I start and don’t always think about the photography part. But I hope she inspires you in some way.
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Share the Happy 💖
A few interesting Flamingo facts:
The word flamingo comes from the Spanish and Latin word flamenco which means fire.
There are 6 species of flamingos in the world.
Chicks are born either gray or white and take 3 years to get their beautiful pink colors.
Chicks are born with a straight bill which curves as they age.
Adult flamingos hold their bill upside down when eating.
Flamingo colors range from pink, orange to red.
Their color comes from the carotene in the food they eat.
Flamingos can up to 5 feet tall but most are about 3 feet.
It’s hard to believe today is already December 1st and year is almost over. This is the perfect time to give some thought to the coming new year. As human beings we have the incredible ability to see the end result of something before we even get started. So where do you see yourself in a year from now or 5 years from now?
It’s so important that you envision where you want to be because you’re going to end up somewhere in the next year or the next five but the question is where will you end up? Are you going to spin in circles with no aiming point or are you going to make your dreams a reality? The choice is yours so pave your path to the future you want for yourself. Start by acting as though what you desire is already yours. This will help you envision it more clearly so it will become your reality.
All of your thoughts, actions and decisions have brought you to where you are today. But to get to the future you envision for yourself, you most likely need to make changes. They don’t have to be drastic but start with 1 thing that will bring you closer to your dream. Keep doing that 1 thing everyday until it becomes a habit. Then change 1 more thing and repeat the process.
Before you know it, you’ll be 10 steps closer to your vision. And if you reach your destination and decide it’s not for you or you have a change of heart along the way, then change your path and envision something new. Remember anything is possible but you must take that first step so life can give you the opportunities and circumstances to make your visions, your reality.
I really love the spirit of Christmas and making others smile, it warms the heart 😊 I’ve been very busy getting the last of the ornaments and paintings up in my Etsy Shop in time for the holidays!
Time seems to fly by faster and faster because Thanksgiving is here once more. Hopefully you’re able to slow down a bit and enjoy this special holiday. Take the time to really savor the intimate moments with family and friends and create some special memories.
I want to thank you for your continued love and support and for joining me on this creative journey! It really means a lot to me 💖💖
Wishing you a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I thought I’d share these special journal pages with you. They were created by my family 😊
It was a fun time talking and laughing as we passed the journal around. The idea was that each person takes a turn drawing a line in the journal. You keep passing it around and adding more lines until it’s mostly filled up. It’s pretty funny to see the images that emerge from all the random lines. You can add some color if you like and you’ll end up with a fun family art journal that you can keep as a memento for your special day.
Hope this inspires you to create some fun memories this Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by!!!
With this year coming to an end, faster than I’d like I thought I’d share this book review with you. It’s written by Alexandra Stoddard and is titled “Grace Notes.” In this book Alexandra offers 365 daily meditations of grace, one for each day of the year. So with January 1st fast approaching now is a good time to get the book so you can start the new year off on a positive note.
The book is beautifully written with inspiring words of encouragement, love and grace. She even gives you a few lines at the bottom of each day to write you own thoughts if you like. Alexandra also includes with each day famous inspirational quotes and her own personal insights. You can find Grace Notes on Amazon where you can also preview a few sample pages to get a better idea of what the book is really like.
With as crazy as things have become, this is simply a nice way to start each day. It’s a gentle reminder of how to live life with grace. I highly recommend this book!
I hope you enjoyed this book review, thanks for stopping by!!!
I’ve been busy in Santa’s Workshop making new Christmas Ornaments. Some of the designs were more time consuming than anticipated but I thought the end result was worth it.
I still have a few finishing touches but what do you think so far?
Hurricanes are not to be taken lightly. They can cause loss of property and life. The state of Florida was hit by Hurricane Ian on 9/30/22, and it caused mass destruction across the state. Now Hurricane Nicole has caused even more. Nicole missed us thank goodness but the east coast of Florida, north of us was battered by winds, flooding and King Tides. King Tides are the highest possible tides in a calendar year and that only compounded the already serious issues caused by the hurricane.
I’ve been watching the news and am horrified to see homes in Daytona that are literally crumbling and being washed out to sea. The devastation is terrible and breaks your heart. One resident, a widow had lived in her home for over 30 years and thought she was in her forever home. But sadly her home is now uninhabitable.
I wish I had something happy to share with you today but I’m at a loss of words I guess. I can’t imagine how these people must feel at this time. My thoughts and prayers to go out to all affected by these storms.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy because many need it now more than ever 💖
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new.” ~Socrates
Flowing Waters Art 