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?