Happy Holidays!

Hello I have not forgotten you or my art journal. Things have been just a bit busy around with life, helping with homework, preparing for the holidays and my daughter Krissy having a baby! Also opening the shop.Yes, it is open!

Not fully loaded or arranged the way I want quite yet but I am learning to navigate my way through & hope to be adding more soon. I hope you can take a peek. Know if there is some print of a work you have seen here or on Flickr that I created and you would like,  most likely I can have it made for you so just ask me! As I am still working on recovering files which has slowed having prints listed! But I have started to list original work & some handmade items. Lots more coming soon! Including supplies and other things later after Jan. 1st.



In case you missed this from last year a journal page I painted. It is a free download for you to create a holiday journal page, or letter to someone *even Santa for your personal use only please. & you may share it!

Now, I will be around on and off but not really back to blogging until after the holidays since last night Krissy had her baby boy! He was 9lb 2oz ! He & his mom are doing well. We will be going and helping on and off throughout the holidays. If you have Facebook you can see him on my personal page!

Thanks for being patient with my blogging new art of late. To see a crafty tutorial or two including this one of how to create your own Snow-Globe visit my other site DearCreatives.com

I miss all my blogging friends dearly and wish you all Happy Holidays! I promise to get back to normal after the holidays sharing more art and inspiration! All my best, Theresa

Spa Product Giveaway & Review

Just in time for the holidays I have a great giveaway going on that I wanted to share with you! The Giveaway is for 2- $20. Gift certificates to Siam Natural Soap. At Siam Natural Soap they carry herbal handmade soaps, natural body scrubs, home spa & herbal masks, hair treatments & body oils *under moisturizing. 

 They great part about winning a gift certificate is choosing the products of your choice!  


Here is my review of their product I had the chance to sample:


The product I got to try was wonderful!  When I used it on my skin it doesn’t take much product to get excellent results the scrub was smooth but, with bits of grains  & as you scrub turns into a lathering silky feeling soap. “Amazing” When your skin is completely dry it is left feeling refreshed, clean & rejuvenated. The Malva Nut has a very soft nutty, sweet smell!  I can’t wait to try more of their products! I can see using this product daily on my hands too to combat the washing & dry winter conditions.  I look forward to trying Siam Natural Soap’s moisturizers & other products.

To enter just go to my other site DearCreatives.com Giveaway Time! 
See entry & details at bottom of post~  I promise you won't be disappointed especially if you win! Non winners will be getting a special code to use & posted after drawing close. So everybody really wins something~  


I hope to be back to posting soon! xo Theresa

Ps.Sorry for my absence of late & not posting any new art I had an unwelcome guest called a cold & flu! Nothing like getting stopped dead in your tracks! Especially in December. I am still on the mend.

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary Walk & Photography

I hope you had an enjoyable break if you took one. When we recently took time off to meet relatives and gather. We found time to take a wonderful walk by a nature preserve in Alameda, Ca. at the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary.

If it hadn't of been so hazy with a layer of fog I would of taken more pics of the SF view.We walked all the way down from where we stayed and followed this path to the sanctuary.

I managed to see some wildlife in many forms on the water, logs and land. 

A blue heron on a log sitting in solitude.

A grey spotted squirrel hiding among the ice plants.

There were so many birds around this preserve. There were so many little plovers along the shore, they are so fast I only got a few good shots.

A plover on Crown Beach.

And some of them seemed to just pose for me, like this regal brown seagull, at least that is what I call him.

I just loved the way the sun light hit and the one strand of hair blew into Sammie's face. She loves nature and loved our outing at the beach. I can't wait to share a few more fall photographs and soon some new art! 

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary Alameda, CA

Birding-Oakland Magazine

EBBA on Flickr 

Shoreline Park 

Happiness flutters in the air whilst we rest among the breaths of nature. Kelly Scheaffer

What did you do over the holiday? Have you taken a moment to enjoy nature before the storms hit? 

Thankful

Dear Creatives friends & family, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family & friends, eating a meal or two, taking a nature walk and having safe travels!

I hope you are able to take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for. I am thankful for many things and besides my family I include my readers who at many times have supported me as much as my family with my art, photography and en devours. Brightest blessing to you all at this time of giving thanks~

What are you thankful for?

Be back soon with more art & photography!

Free Thanksgiving Printable Game

I wanted to share this free printable game I put together for our holiday gathering & thought you might like to use it  for some added family fun time on your Thanksgiving gathering too.

I created a printable game I am calling  Turkey Talk – Conversation Game. There is 25 questions with an answer sheet. It is family friendly, has questions for both kids & adults. Feel free to share the link so others can access it. All I ask is you link back to me & share where you grabbed the printable.

Sample Question of 25

Printable @ : Turkey Talk Questions & Anwers Printable

 

The printable is ready for printing  on 8.5 x 11 card stock or paper & is for personal use only. It is four pages are ready to print & cut out!  There are 8 questions per page with the exception of the first page which has Q.1 , the answers & terms of use. I promise more fun freebies are to come so stay tuned for some holiday fun. If you missed out on my other free printable & some tutorials you can view my
project / freebies page

 Printable answer sheet  is less  decorated to save ink, but if you would like this one just email me.

 If you'd like to follow along here for more art and  freebies coming up, feel free too.

Don’t forget to enter my giveawaythat is still open!

One of our families favorite games when gathering is Catch Phrase.

What is your families favorite games to play during holiday gatherings?

Giveaway Time!

Hi Everyone, I wanted to invite you to enter a giveaway I am having! I had the pleasure of sampling some Stampin' Up products  and this is what you could win! Entries are low right now, so chances are good! I am also having a holiday blog hop! For handmade items! Come join in all the fun! Info. is on the navigation bar for Holiday Hop.

 Stampin' Up Cookie Stamps!

And just to let you know in December I will be having some more giveaways, on this blog too!

Enter here: DearCreatives.com

Have a great weekend!

Fall Photography

I have some photography to share with you. I had a chance to take out my camera on a stroll and thought I would share some of my favorites from the day. It is hard to believe the days had been so warm up until today, but with the night air is cold and we are seeing, finally have leaves changing colors on the trees. I was so glad Sammie & I went out for a long leisurely walk. Shes been getting out of school early due to conferences, so it was the perfect time since days have been getting shorter.

 The cherry tree leaves are a brilliant red in the sun against the sky.

Sammie enjoyed trying to catch falling leaves as we walked in the soft breeze.

 The sun through the trees making a rainbow of colors was not only warm but gorgeous.

I am so glad we took the time out to stop and enjoy the weather and nature! Energizing our spirits.

 Sometimes the sweetest moments are only a walk away! She is changing just like the leaves, growing more beautiful inside and out!

Click on image to see full size! 

We came upon  a flock of yellow bellied finches (at least that is what I think they were) and we watched them for quite some time, enjoying the sun, hopping through this bush with lots of vines and onto the trees hiding from us. We met a cat who asked to be petted, we aptly named him Sunny due to his disposition and bid him farewell as we went our way.When looking down the street through the tree leaves the sun created a natural bokah of light. I tried to capture it for you to see! We spotted  roses blooming in brilliant colors in many neighbors yards along our walk back. I must say this is what makes fall my favorite time of year! Natures beauty and simple walks with my kiddo.

Today I am thankful for moments like these that will hold me through winter! 

What things help you get through the winter months?

I am having a Holiday Blog hop if you want to add anything creative or crafty just link up here! It will be open until January. I decided to start it early. To keep my creativity inspired and be able to feature followers and those that link up. 

To hostess on your site:

 get the InLinkz code

Technology vs Artist

I created this journal page Technology vs artist to represent me the artist vs me when dealing with technology.
Down the road I may do a few blog posts that may help you when you decide to create a website and also share some more resources.( If you have any questions before then just ask in comments. )

I started DearCreatives.com a website for Creativity, Crafts & Inspired Living. I created the site with the intention of then building a portfolio web site & linking it over along with this blog after experiencing the blogger crash. I also did this to gain experience on how to create a website, allow me the freedom to share other types of creativity and shops... I enjoy.

I didn't know if you wanted to read about all that in between my art postings. I also wanted to run a business focused site with shopping. It is now nearing completion and hope to share the news when it is live. This is part of why I have been gone these past few weeks.

(I have a link up every Friday and if you are creative and have something you would like to link up feel free to It is open Fri-Thurs mid day weekely.)
If you stop by DearCreatives.com , please do leave me a comment so I can thank you and visit when I get the chance.
I am thinking of making a few changes here after the beginning of the new year. It seems funny to even talk about time, that far out. I will try my best to be more consistent with posting. Next week Sammie has all short days and I am hoping to create some art with her along side me. I can't wait to share more of what I love doing! Until next time, stay creative and have a great weekend!!

What projects have you been working on?

Color & Light

Hi there, I can't believe it has been a full week since I last posted. I hope this finds you well! I am working on a few projects, more of that to come later. Today I am going to share some color inspiration! I am finding it everywhere right now.

Saniapell.com

I am playing with colors, fabrics and paints lately. So when I saw this photograph I was in love and had to share it. I love all the colors in this photograph!

Pinterest

This Olga in an armchair by Pablo Picasso uses those blue/greens, greeen s and the lighting reminds me of fall.A more solemn time of year and this painting evokes that to me.

Right now in my yard are leaves falling, fall flowers full of color and I am noticing with the time change lighting is different, as is the perception of things. I miss having sun peering through the window giving me natural light to work by.But, maybe I need to embrace the lighting as Picasso did in his above work of art.

Does the change in lighting affect your work or work habits? 
Or even mood?

I hope to have some new work to share soon!

Color, Art , Post Halloween Thoughts

Hi, thanks for being patient with my in between posts. I really have had some things going on and don't see slow being in the forecast until after the new year. Hopefully some new things to share soon too!

Any how since I usually blog about color inspiration on Tuesdays and have nothing of my own to share. I thought I would share another artist whose work caught my eye. His name is Johnny Taylor. I love his use of color and bold pop art style. He says, beside the pop art influence,"he draws inspiration from graffiti art and improvised music, particularly jazz, dub, and hip hop." Artist Statement

 

Recently I had come across this vintage camera ephemera of a camera and was really drawn to how Johnny used it in his art.

Another thing that inspired me is that in 1992-1993 he painted three paintings a day. I know how hard it is to complete one! If you would like to view Johnny's work check out his website JohnnyTaylorArt.com

Doesn't Johnny's art just make you want to play with color more?!! I sure do!

A little post Halloween. I hope you had an enjoyable time if you celebrate or have kiddos you take about.  Sammie's costume was a witch and her makeup I applied prior to her trick or treating. No real art to share, unless you consider makeup as an art. I do! It can create magic. It transformed her and her personality!

She let me take quite a few photographs of her after, which is always fun. Until the sugar high began to crash! lol

This photo was taken and altered. ( prior to makeup )  I wanted to post it yesterday but, never got the chance!
See you soon with some new artwork!

Whose art is inspiring you?

All That Jazz

Friday! Paint Party Time and I didn't think I'd make it, but a short post to link up with a group of fellow creatives! Come check it out if you like the link is in the resources page.

 Click Image to see large

This has been a week of all that jazz! Music and art can be so interwoven. Especially in my house. At my house we all have our corners of creativity surrounding music and art. So while the Mr. is off playing music I got my own jazz going on! If you know me I love music, but can't carry a tune!

So I put one on paper! 

Happy Paint Party Friday & All that jazz~ 

This was created with pencil sketch first, paint, more paint, watercolor pencil, colored pencil, pencil and a touch pastels. I went back & surrounded the silver writing on the dotted journal page with black to make it pop! 

And a cool rendition Jazz metal of Adele singing Rolling In The Deep! Enjoy

"Everybody came. Everybody came to the Cotton Club."  Cab Callaway

"What we play is life." Louis Armstrong

Whose jazz art or music has influenced you?

A Bit of Crafting

I thought I would share a bit of what I have been up to & let you know why I am sparse at posting. I have started working on another journal page. I made a video of me painting it, but haven't edited it yet. I hope to share it soon. If not here, it will be on You Tube.

I pinned one of my handmade paper art quilt blocks & its ready to sew by hand. Its not a favorite one but that is OK. I do love the colors & textures. Look at the top right corner for whole quilt block.

 Click image to enlarge

If you would like to see another one of my art quilt blocks so far it is the Dreams art quilt block .& here are some other handmade papers prior to quilting that I did.

Here are a couple of links to making handmade papers but are different from how I did mine, but I sure want to try doing it this way too! Hanmade Papermaking Tutorial & many video tutorials on making handmade papers on You Tube.

Crafting Halloween stuff:
I found an older velvet dress at a thrift shop & am going to make Sammie a Halloween costume. Why did we wait to the last minute? She couldn't decide on what to be. So this week is going to be full. If you want to see how it is going to turn out & my inspiration for the diy visit here! You might like the little hat tutorials I found & the makeup tutorials. I will be working on that today.

I also have been making these Halloween vases from recycled jars & Fall inspired ones too. If you would like to see more about them you can see it on my freebies & tutorials page over here on DearCreatives.com
I have more Halloween, craft inspiration & tutorials there.

Honestly as we get closer to the end of the year I feel the time slipping away from me! Does that happen to you? Time already to pick up the kiddo! Bye for now.

What have you been working on?

Part 2 Art Journaling Video

Hi there, thanks for stopping in! I thought I would post the Part 2 art journaling video of me painting "Spring" in the Season's Series. I am also going to post "Summer. " You can see more "Summer" sketched out in post prior to this post if you would like to see more. I hope you enjoy the video. I tried to share some in sites to the details of when I was painting or penciling.

If you have any questions just ask in the comment section and I will answer.

Set 2 of photos of "Summer" 

 

Click on image to enlarge

To see the finished full size visit my Flickr page

I'll be linking up with Paint Party Friday! Feel free to join a lovely group of people the link is in my resources page. I hope to take Sammie to the pumpkin patch this weekend, to wonder and choose a pumpkin or two.Then do a little visiting of everyone's blogs in the early morning or evening. Be sure and leave a comment so I can stop by. Let me know if you follow me and I will follow you back too!

Summer of Love

In the laziness of a summer day I sat on the grass and pondered my true loves caress, to whether he holds me in his heart or not. He loves me, he loves me not. I hope his love does not fade with the seasons end.  Theresa Huse 2011 

Are you finding the time to sit down and create art, craft or do something creative? 

What is your favorite medium right now?

Journal Pages Work In Progress

Hello, I thought I would share some work in progress photographs of the journal page "Summer" in the Seasons Series. I have been doing.

This is the sketch from which I began the process of the Summer page. Thinking back to how we would make those daisy chains & pluck flowers saying, "he loves me, he loves me not."

 

Click on image to enlarge

1. I sketched out the idea. 

2. I have added dark blue for the shadows.

3. I have added yellow for some of the highlights & mid tones.

I usually try different techniques with acrylics in my pages. This allows me to see what I can do if I was to take it to canvas or another medium. I am taking a few more wip photographs to share with you. So be sure & visit to see how it morphs! I also hope to get to editing the part 2 video of how I created the spring page to share with you soon, but didn't want to keep you waiting on a post. If you want to see part 1video you can visit here.

I really enjoyed finding this journal page. By Elizabeth M. who creates pages in a different style. I just bought a few pens and would love to get some tapes to create a few pages like this. I created this pattern at ColourLovers from the colors on Elizabeth's page.

The link goes to the pattern and palette.

Now I have to get settled back in from being away for 5 days so I can get to editing, thinking of what new to be painting and start the process, along with some new journal pages. I will also share with you soon the "Seasons Series" all together. So much to do and always something needing attention. 

What are your biggest challenges that keep you from creating new pages in your journal?

Help Protect The Artic, Polar Bears, Spotted Owls & More

I wanted to share with you an easy way to help protect the land that is home to the Polar Bears and

Keep the Arctic Refuge Wild!

Source: flickr.com via Zoe on Pinterest

All you have to do is hop over to Sierra Club, fill a form out with a letter to:

• President Barack Obama
• Secretary Ken Salazar
• Dan Ashe 

Source: mycuteanimals.com via Asli on Pinterest

The letter is written and you are able to add / change anything you wish! All the details and information is on Sierra Clubs site. Please take the time at no expense to you to help a good cause! Thank you so much for doing something good for our planet, the Polar Bears home and other wildlife

Source: google.com via Lilly on Pinterest

To see all the other current calls to action visit here.

 To help save the spotted owl details here!

What good cause (s) have you helped with lately?  

 

PS. No, not going to happen. It will have to be at least next week before I get the next video up. I have plans to go out of town for 4 days and time has just slipped away. More art next week! Until then stay creative, fill out a form and send it to help a good cause!! Again,Thanks for taking the time to help!!

Painting Spring Journal Page Video Part 1

Hi There! Just thought I would share part 1 of the video I did of painting my spring journal pages. Part 2 coming soon! This is a week where I will be traveling later and gone for a few days through the weekend. I am hoping to get part two up prior to leaving. xx fingers crossed!

If there is anything you want to ask me about the painting or process just post in the comments and I will get back to you as soon as possible! I promise to make my way around to those who have visited also, so just leave a comment.

 Page s finished, as you can see from the video there is still quite a bit left  & I hope to edit it this week.

This is is a 7x speed of the actual process which was about 28 min. of filming.
I also posted another tutorial on You Tube for decorating a clipboard with fancy scrapbook paper and trim if you are interested. Link is on the side bar.Thanks for visiting! ;)

Have you made any video's yet?Do you have any questions about product or ...?

Spring Journal Page & Art Supply Discount

I wanted to share my spring journal page with you today & a special discount later in the post. This is not my favorite in the series for my "Seasons" journal pages, but there are aspects of it I love. The mountains with snow left on the caps, the movement, the colors and the added textural layers that I played with.

What I didn't like is she is not a pretty girl, lol she is almost cartoon like, but hey they can't all be pretty girls. Although if I want all pretty girls for the series I might have to try and do another spring. Or leave it at that. I actually made a video of  painting this one but was having problems with the program. But I will upload it when it is all done. If you are like me I love watching people paint. Sometimes you can catch things that help you that words couldn't express.Here is another that you can click and see larger if you like, to see some of the detailing. I have also uploaded them on Flickr.

I'll be linking up to Paint Party Friday! Come party with us if you like. Link is in resources and wanted to share a discount link with you!

Have you been painting lately or sketching? Maybe this will help you get the supplies you need!

My sponsor Dick Blick is offering a special discount right now to my readers! Too many good deals not to share them! I hope you see something you need at a great price. Some of the things that I love about Dick Blick is they are super friendly if there is a problem (which is never accept when I enter in the wrong quantity or forget a discount code * they help adjust orders ;) , helpful and orders arrive fast! Who doesn't love a box full of art goodies to play with?

BLICK ART MATERIALS: Save up to 85% on Select Items through October 19th!

Raindrops Keep Falling

Today it is raining here! I love the smell of the fresh rain on the earth and plants, the feel of the humidity and when the rain isn't a cold rain I love it even more!

Droplets, Natures Acrobatics

 Theresa Huse 2011

 Theresa Huse 2011

I just love to see how the droplets fall onto the plants, watch and wonder how they stay sitting balanced upon leaves and petals. I also love the Fuchsia against the green leaves. And the color palette cream, fuchsia and green. Outside so grey yet indoors with my paints so colorful.

 Theresa Huse 2011

This photograph of Narcissus is one I took this past spring, just after a rain. What I didn't know at the time is there are varieties that bloom in the fall! I must look what varieties they are as I can hardly wait to see them bloom again and plant some new varieties to bloom in fall for next year. The above link is to Wikipedia if you want to see its history, lore, information......

Pinterest 

I just loved this photograph I saw. I have always loved the rain.

Do you stop, look, listen and feel the rain?