Welcome To Msartists Mixed Media Playground

Video " Painting In My Journal" All That Jazz

2012-02-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

I posted this on You Tube, but if you don't subscribe to my channel you probably missed it. I just edited this journal video last week. You can see me painting "All That Jazz". It has lots of layers. If you would like to see the original post its right here with more details. I hope you enjoy the video.

I will be back next week with some photography from the botanical gardens in San Luis Obispo, CA. The flora looks so much different in winter, but there are things starting to blossom. You are sure to enjoy them if you like nature!

Here is a snap shot of the original completed. I tried to add it here for you to see, but Blogger hates me and won't let me add it! That is why I will be moving off this platform soon! Until next time, or visit me at DearCreatives.com too! I have a weekly link up you can join in! Love to have you there too! All my best, xo

Character Sketch & Painting

2012-01-27T00:27:00.000-08:00

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Hi, Happy Friday everyone! Just a quick post, as it's been a busy week. Sammie got in her first play, a musical. Add on homework, book report and settling into having more work. Seem to be running late each night and behind. Enough said, the life of a mom. So I did make it to the paint table a couple of times and took a sketch I did when hanging out late one night.

{sketch}

I am doing a series of animals as people hunters and such. So here is my latest. Who knows if I revise a bit. But, I thought I would share. It is the same as prior. Pencil, color pencil, acrylic paint. I redid my deer girl you can see her in the previous post.

{close-up}

I hope you have a great weekend ahead! & visit Paint Party Friday to see more artists. Link is in my resource page if you haven't been.

Enter the giveaway if you like! Hope to see you soon! Hoping to make it to an art & wine show over the weekend on the coast if the weather permits. PS: Be sure & subscribe or follow on Facebook or networked blogs I heard they are getting rid of Google Friend Connect in March. Did you find your blogger changed? Mine just did!

What are you doing this weekend?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday ReMix Deer Painting & Fabriano Papers & A Giveaway

2012-01-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

Mid week check in! Hope this finds you doing well. After many days of cold gloomy weather & a bit of rain the sun has popped out! Ya! I always love painting in the bright of natural light and I have some things I sketched out to work on. Today I thought I would share my deer girl reworked. And don't forget to enter the giveaway before you go today! xo

This one with my phone at night was better than my camera, go figure!

Yes, practice makes perfect even if she is not! The thing is, nothing has to be perfect.When it comes to finding my own voice with my art, characters it is just that. I have stepped back from taking classes a bit and am really trying to stretch me, organically. Ha! Well, that and the budget right now isn't for taking some. Although I have been tempted by a few. I am going to the library with Sammie soon. I am going to check out some books that I have been wanting to see and practice some illustration. (hope they have the one I am looking for as our library is so small, I miss the city library!! I digress)

{comparison new on the left}

{taken at night sorry about lighting}

So here is how the story really goes....I did really like my girl without her background, but what really spawned me reworking her was a request. I got an email from my daughter who lives in NYC she said, I really love your deer girl and she reminds me so much of .......So to recreate one that I thought would be just to her liking or hopefully so! This girl has a little more pencil work, watercolor pencils that was washed over parts, lots of color pencil and a touch of acrylics. I created this one on some {Fabriano paper} the feel and touch of it is Amazing! If you use it be sure not to overwork any areas. (Not a mixed media paper, but can take paints, pencils, it has a thickness and depth to it * also don't dig to deep with sharp drawing pencils, not meant for being heavy handed)

her colors are lime green, bright pink, hair red brown

I am going to share what I used and some alternate options in case you are interested in trying this {juicy}
paper! This is truly affordable quality without spending a lot of money.

{heavenly}

This is what I used for my painting. Fabriano Studio Watercolor Paper Fabriano Rosapina White, with a name like that, heavenly! Say no more.

Fabriano Italian Watercolor Paper Value Pack

All I can say is love, love love!

For all you journalers I just found they also make a journal! This is next on my list when I complete my new one!

Fabriano Artist’s Journal

Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencil Sets

I am also wanting to try these pastel pencils! Who knew? I am intrigued as I am loving pastels lately although I didn't use any in these smaller paintings. Have you used these? More about pencils later! Now, I don't have sketches of what is next as I am charging my camera battery today. I hadn't charged it in a month, woops! But, I promise to have more tid bits soon!

Oh, if you made it to here a little treat enter my giveaway from my other site DearCreatives.com for Sibu Beauty's Organic Facial Cleanser it truly is Amazing! I got to try it. I will be having another more artsy giveaway in February so stay tuned!! I hope you enter I'd love for you to have the chance. If you want to see more about the products visit my site or Sibu Beauty!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deer Girl 2 Sketch To Painted

2012-01-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

Another weeks flies by! I found myself doing a little sketching, taking the sketches and adding colored pencils mocking up my colors then painting. This week I went to my tried and true, acrylics. I like using watercolor pencil but decided watercolors themselves aren't for me. I have not found the happy place with them.

The initial sketch had no color pencil :

I color penciled to see how I wanted to paint her.

Here is my deer hunter /deer girl painted with acrylics and some color pencil work, but not much. Here she is painted with acrylics and no background

Here is a close up of her. I am still experimenting with my imaginary friends. I didn't get to paint over last weeks girl yet, but I am going to.

I kind of like her without a background, but I played around with this background almost like if someone walked up with a flashlight in the dark and saw he.

Click to enlarge

Here is a collage of the images that you can click and see the details larger. I hope to get more painting in next week. Hindered by my first migraine of the year. I am hoping they don't come to visit too often and I would be happy to never see them again. Maybe my girl can hunt them down with her bow and arrow. lol The Mr. got me some medicine and it helped. I am planning on playing along with Paint Party Friday. Do join in if you paint! Visit either way to see others. I hope to get some journaling done next week, but if nothing else I have another sketch to paint. Have a wonderful weekend.

Winter Musings & No Sew Tutorial

2012-01-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

I have some photos of a lovely winters walk. With the lack of rain the leaves still are on some of the vines in all their glory and color, a few winter's musings and where you can grab my tutorial.

Beautiful Healdsburg, CA.

On another day we took a walk with Audrey to the park. I showed her a raised garden bed they had and we talked about plants, she smelled herbs and discovered nature.These moments captured are precious.

Speaking of precious meet my new little grandson. Sometimes it is hard to believe I have kids old enough to have kids. I am so lucky to be young enough to enjoy this and old enough to appreciate it even more.

Jade is all ears for Sammie to come home from school and she patiently waits until she is done with her homework to play. Our kitty is growing into a cat, but still is very playful.

I do have some new drawings and such to share later this week. I need to charge the camera and have proper daylight to snap the photos, edit and then I'll be ready to share. I made a tutorial for Pin cushion-sewing kit it is a no sew tutorial and I used wide mouth mason jars on DearCreatives today if your interested hop over, take a peek and bookmark it for when your ready to make your own. Hope you are having a great start to your week! xo

Deer Girl & Paint Party Friday

2012-01-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

Hi! I wanted to play along with Paint Party Friday. Have you ever joined in? If not you can grab the link here,visit the other artists and count your self in when you have something you painted to share. I decided to work a bit on my drawing this year along with my painting. So I am going to share my sketch and then how it looks painted.

You know how I love nature. So I decided to create a deer girl and nature scene. Here is the sketch.

First she had fawn spots but then when I took the first photo it just didn't look right in the photo. So I worked over her face a bit really quick. I might work on her some more, but she needed to dry. I am good for tearing wet paper. I love working with lots of layers.

Here is the little scene all painted. I used water colors to brush up and learn some new skills. Ya, not my favorite. Kudos to all you watercolorists, as I know it takes some mad skills! But one thing I love about playing like that is I added white acrylic into the sky & then I really liked how it turned out. And little details here and there with color pencil. This was created with pencils, water colors, acrylic paint, colored pencil & love.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and new year. My shop is open and slowly adding things and I hope to update it this weekend. I am busy crafting too. And of course organizing! Yep, somebody has to do it. Have a great weekend and be sure to leave me a comment so I can return the visit! I'll be so happy to see what your creating! And in case you didn't see my New Year Journal Page and post it is here. But here is a snip it.

This is a new year, with new opportunities & unexplored creativity waiting to be nurtured. Envisioning my dreams onto canvas & bringing it to reality is filling my soul; Creating from the place of my heart.~ Theresa Huse 2012

What are you focusing on creatively in 2012?

Thursdays Musings

2012-01-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

Hey, I thought I would just share I hope to post tomorrow with at least one drawing I have done this week. I am hoping to paint it this afternoon & take some photos to share. Today I am swooning over this!

We are planning on doing some fixing around our place. No small task. I am trying to get the Mr. on board with when we redo the floor we put in an island / table in the kitchen that can also be used for art & crafts. We would have a sink area behind it & not more creative cabinets, but that is ok. I would love this in Krissy's old room / our now guest room. Only problem is when they come to visit & stay where would they sleep?
My whole family lives 5-8hrs away. So when you visit you stay at least a few days. So a version of this would be great, we'd only need a place for three. When we have company we can venture to the other room for dining.

In the mean time I am making do & organizing from a few custom orders I had over the holidays, putting away ribbons, materials, paints.....

I have a post on DearCreatives.com today about cloth grocery bags & safety tips for using them. Also links to free patterns for your reusable bags. I also have two posts one of which has my top 10 photography tutorials & tips / one post dedicated to lens selection. If you are green, sew or love photography & crafts I am sure you will like it so venture over at your leisure! Hope to see you tomorrow! xo

If you are on Pinterest you can follow my boards for Craft rooms or anything else if you like! Seriously trying only to go visit when I have my morning coffee. Love that site!

Readers just disregard: just verifying with code here: 6JQSRZW36F2V

Journal Page & New Beginnings

2012-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hello again, I pulled out the water color pencils & pastels & fine tip felt pen to create this journal page. Magical beginnings happen when you grow them from the heart. I went into this page with no ideas & expectations, just a quick page to refresh my rusty self. I remembered a flower design I had drawn years ago for a stained glass window I created. I wonder what happened to it over the years? The moves & changes life gives you. Oh, well....

Then I started to write some of my feelings down. I put five things I would like to focus on, not necessarily resolutions. I try to give myself goals monthly. There is plenty of pressure without having to have a resolution for an entire year. Not to mention if things change we need to be able to adjust. Right? I am all about being flexible & in the moment, probably why a year long commitment at this point doesn't feel right for me. I have had plenty of long commitments personal & work.

I have started to draw again. I wanted to nurture something new that would help me in my paintings. I can't wait to share with you even if I am hiding under a mushroom due to my lack of drawing skills. Sharing from a place of where I start & where I go along with my journal pages, paintings & photography this year. I want to re-start my daily journaling, painting.....

I created a digital, super quick too. I have to go clean my art & craft room so I can get working again on a daily basis,but I had wanted you to know I didn't go any where. I am here, just filled with lots to do. I am adding things to my shop, planning & also working hard on my other site for creativity & crafts.If you are interested in a great list of top ten photography tips & tutorials and where to get them from you can visit DearCreatives.com,

Here is the digital I made.

What magical beginnings are you starting this year?

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:36:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a happy and creative New Year!

This has been a whirl wind holiday season which started out with several weeks of being under the weather. Luckily I recovered in time to travel to visit Krissy's new baby and celebrate Christmas with my family. She had a 9lb. 2oz. boy! Both mom and baby doing great. Sammie and I had a good visit but, I missed traveling to friends due to holiday gatherings, meeting my new grand baby and staying 45 minutes from where they live. Lots of time was spent with the older kids and catching up. Now onto giveaway and discount news ...

To celebrate 2012 I am planning a giveaway soon here! But I have a giveaway you can enter for handmade Cashmere Snowmen on my other site. They are beautiful and made by a fiber artist! Just follow and comment, that is it! Do it quick because it is ending soon. I may extend it to the end of the week since the holidays haven't allowed for many entries, which means better odds for you!!

I am also going to be reading more this year and if you would like to read the same book(s) we can have a chat once a month about it! More about what I am reading and the details later. Now if you have been pining over some getting some new arts and crafts books or other books you may like this discount:

Start 2012 off right with 35% off + FREE shipping at ChronicleBooks.com. Use discount code NEWYEAR at checkout. Ends 1/6/12.

Don't forget to visit the shop for handmade items and a few originals. Interested in a print, just ask! More items to the shop soon. I will keep you posted. I can't wait to get creating in the new year! Wishing you the best in 2012!!

What is on your list for this year? Wishing / Resolutions / Hopes?

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-18T11:56:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

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!

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

2011-11-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

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

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?

Creativity & Growth In Creativity

2011-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody! I Came across this video today and thought I have to share it. It speaks to creativity and the learning curves we go through. I hope you watch it! I posted my completed "Winter" season journal page earlier today & full post with photo collage of progress and other things if you would like to see it click here when you are done with the video. But here is just one photograph in case you don't have time.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Ira does say years, Years, YEARS! Do a volume of work, huge amounts of work! So go create something! Fight your way through! Thanks for those words of wisdom and encouragement Ira Glass!

I can so relate to this, sometimes struggling, sometimes hard on myself, aching to grow creatively to produce quality work. I am going to fight my way through! Now going to create! Sketch, Draw, Paint and repeat! Paint, photograph, Paint, Photograph repeat!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead! Linking up with Paint Party Friday come check it out if you like! Leave a comment so I can visit you back! Follow along if you like! But, be sure and be creative!

How do you work through your creative obstacles?

Journal Page "Winter" from Seasons Series

2011-09-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

How this week is flying by! I hope this is finding you well.I did a photo collage & another shot of my "Winter" page completed.

Winter from the journal page series "Seasons"

She is my favorite so far, I just finished spring & am going to be *editing video of painting that journal page. Kelly asked, "winter already?" But, no! I want fall as long as possible. I am only doing a series of girls for the seasons then back to journaling & painting other things. I am sure those things may have some fall inspiration, as it is my favorite season!

When I get a chance I will upload a larger version so you can look close up at the detailing. It will be posted to my Flickr account. Link is on the side bar to follow along if you like.

On another note:
Part of why I haven't been around I just had gotten back up hard drive & hadn't finished moving files..... when I lost a majority of my files to a computer hiccup! Two years of photography & art! Can you see me crying!? Any how, the Mr. found a program & reset the computer a few days prior to that to recover images. But things seem to still be missing! I am devastated, but still hoping to recover more!
Photography Storage Tips:
Never keep your work just on one hard drive! Always back up! & if you use Flickr or some other hosting site add in your edited work as soon as you are done & hold private until needed! Take my advice & don't chance losing your work!

Tomorrow I have an award ceremony at Sammie's school & I will probably add this post to Paint Party Friday, but I might not be able to visit until the weekend. Just let me know you dropped by and I will return the visit! If you want to link up something you made with PPF just look in the resources page and then go pop it in their linky on Friday morning! There is lots of creativity going on with PPF! PS I have some new art quilt blocks to share soon too!

What have you been painting, journaling or working on lately?

Do you have a photography storage tip to share? (obviously I could use more!)

Autumn Color Inspiration

2011-09-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Theresa Huse

Autumn has finally arrived? We still are having days in the 90* but the evening air as the sun goes down is crisp. The things I love about autumn are the colors nature gives us! Vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, green and browns that you can find about nature. Sunflowers, pumpkins, leaves from the trees....You can hear the wind blowing more often and see the dancing of the leaves.

Theresa Huse

Our nights and mornings are filled with fog in the area we live and as we round into October we will see the season change, often times I have to stop with my camera and capture the beauty of nature given to us in the autumn months. If you would like to see my autumn journal pages just visit here.

I will be looking for fall as I take walks and enjoy the changing season. I hope to capture more photographs to share with you soon. & if you are interested you can visit me at DearCreatives.com where I have been sharing lots of creative, crafty fall inspiration & even links to crafty fall projects! If you have something to share you can visit and link up in our weekly Feature Friday posts!

What are your favorite fall colors?

Beginnings of Winter Journal Page

2011-09-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

I took out my journal and was thinking of how I just made my Autumn girl * (you can see her in the previous post if you missed her) and how maybe I should do a girl for each of the seasons. And so the story begins.

I knew I wanted winter to be a girl who was pale like snow, with jet black hair and ruby red lips.

I had this wonderful scrapbook paper that had deer, birds, trees and snow. I added it to give the page interest and dimension. I wrapped it around my girl like winter wraps snow around nature in winter.

I wanted the sky to be blue with snow and maybe have the appearance of rain falling. This was the beginning concepts for my winter pages.

I love how sometimes things just flow better when you sit down on a different days and on different weeks. I can't wait to share with you the finished pages. Here she is with a few layers and sorry the image was taken at night so its not the clearest, but when I post the pages done I will take the photographs in day light.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead! We've been having our typical late CA. summer, which as me indoors under a fan and trying to paint more! If you like to visit other artists and see what they created this week this post is linked up with Paint Party Friday and the link is in resources. See you soon!

Did you get any creative projects done this past week? What is your favorite season?

Autumn Journal Page

2011-09-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Hello friends & creatives! I am getting back into a little bit of a routine here and trying to paint a bit more. I created this page first by just sketching the outline of the face. I meant to take some work in progress photos but didn't. I will have some on the next journal page, but I did take a few different shots of this one to share with you.

There are many things about Autumn I love. The late afternoon breeze bringing the fog in, the leaves blowing, the changing colors and the clouds in the sky.

I layered pressed dried leaves and dictionary pages around my pages

I made sure to give lots of detailing to her face and lips. Some bold, some subtle

Wonky camera angle but wanted to show a face close up

I wanted my page to have the feel of Autumn winds blowing and beautiful colors ~

Sorry I have not been on a regular posting routine. I could explain all the details but don't want to bore you. I will have more journal art and more to share with you soon. I hope you are enjoying the beginnings of Autumn.

What is your favorite part of Autumn? What have you been working on journals, art, photography? Let me know, I'd love to see!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Elliot

Journal Pages

2011-09-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow creatives. I am trying to journal again daily, as I have been doing other things and hadn't made that a priority lately. What a difference it has made almost like taking steps backwards. I pushed through this page and yesterdays feeling pretty frustrated. I must of done her face about five times.

This evening I worked on some pages that I think were feeling less forced and more at ease for me mentally if that makes sense. I guess what I am trying to say is it flowed better and the results ended up much better too. I'll be sharing those pages later.

Although she has a party hat on she isn't altogether a happy gal. I wouldn't be either if I had to get made over five times! lol Oh, well it has been one of those weeks I am glad it is almost over and ready for the weekend! So I am making a wish for a good weekend and better week ahead! And am wishing you the same! Happy Paint Party Friday!

If you want to visit other creative folks drawing, painting and creating just visit the link for Paint Party Friday in the resource page here and join in with everyone if you like.

Morphing My Journal Page

2011-09-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Days seem to be flying by. I don't know where time is going. Do you ever feel that way? I been re evaluating my time and where it is spent. I created a journal page that took the complexity and detours from my daily life and let it out on the page. Big "me" topics are time management, focus & simplifying. I actually used chalk board paint and chalk ink for this journal page. My journal page morphed several times.

But, then like my daily mindset and routine right now it felt so complicated. I want to simplify, focus, change to make things more productive. And of course compare less! How many times a day do you come across some great artwork, artist, illustrator and just think wow and then you feel like your work is not good enough?

I have been all over the place in my work and thoughts. Focusing on other things yet in my heart I know I want to reshape things to be more clear for myself. Which in of itself can be complicated! Almost like a puzzle.

Sometimes the page can handle the complexity of life more than you can. Let it feel your frustration, pain and take you away from it when you let go.

But the reality of life is you need Focus!

And that is up to ones self

Full Journal Page Completed

In life it seems so easy to over complicate, carry burdens and feel mixed up about what direction to go in artisically. For me, right now I know I need to simplify, focus and there is no perfect time like now! Maybe you have heard it before from me or even said it to yourself and even attempted to simplify and focus. I don't know about you, but for me it sure isn't coming easy!

So today I am sharing my unedited, morphed many times page with you as I still look for these things within and for myself. I don't know that I am happy with the outcome of this page, but I do know I feel so much better after creating it.

Do you ever feel like you need more focus? What is one way that you create more focus or simplicity in your life or for your art?

Artist Quotes:

"The further I go, the sorrier I am about how little I know: It is this that bothers me the most," Claude Monet

"It may be that the deep necessity of art is the examination of self- deception." Robert Motherwell

"Artistic temperament sometimes seems a battleground, a dark angel of destruction, and a bright angel of creativity wrestling." Madeleine L Engle

Falling For Autumn & Color

2011-09-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

I am getting excited for autumn. Yesterday although warm we had an evening with crisp air and a full moon. I feel I can breath a sigh of relief from the heat as its temperatures are dropping. I am anticipating autumns air and her colors return.


via Pinerest

Irene Suchocki

I can't wait for fall to bring me an abundance of color and creativity that I can collect like leaves falling from the trees. In return I shall share things with you.

Let the sun dance with the leaves in the day. Let the night chill the air.

Let the textures, patterns and colors play showing nature bringing autumns return.

Let the moss grow and flurish

Yellows, greens, orange, reds, rusts and browns. Colors I await you~

via Pinterest

A Cherry On Top Photography

What are your favorite gifts of Autumn? What colors on your palate will you place?

If you would like to learn more about color I came across this book: Color A Natural History Of The Palette by Victoria Finlay. I haven't read it yet but it looks interesting & colorful. I might check my library first. Have you read it? Photography not tagged is by me.

Imagine The Stories Journal Page

2011-09-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Remember the sneak preview of the journal page I gave you. Well here comes the rest of the page and a little journal prompt for you. This has been one of those busy, the kind that seems like you aren't getting anything done! One step forward, two step back weeks. Do you ever have those?

Journal Page: Imagine The Stories I'll Tell You

This page was inspired as I was reflecting on how I love to tell Sammie stories as she swings. Sometimes she reads to me, we talk, tell each other stories and in the summer all while hanging out the laundry. The butterfly is pulling the book around to open it.

Well I love doing this so much and thought of the news my daughter Krissy gave me a bit ago. She is having her second baby due in December. Shes has had a rough pregnancy but is doing better now, but still has to take care. Any way, this page is for the little one who is on his way. I created this page for him.

One day Sammie will be older, the swing empty and waiting for the little boy to come and have me tell him stories. It won't be often as we live far apart, but I know he will enjoy the tales I have to tell him. I can't wait to hear a name, see his precious face and enjoy another baby in the family. Her daughter Audrey will be almost 4yr old when he is born.

Journal Prompt: I just thought I would share you can add pages about events happening in the family and how they relate to you personally. I said things in layers that didn't show, you know some personal things. I also added in real tree twigs and some mesh fabric ribbon. Lots and lots of textures and layers.

Well, that is all from me for now. I hope to get back on track with things this coming week. Thanks for visiting! & Have a great weekend. Oh, and its Paint Party Friday if you like seeing other creative folks work. The link is in the resources page. Follow along and sign up Or subscribe by going back to the top left side. I'd love to have you here and return your visits. Be sure and comment so I know you stopped by!

Do you journal? Have you worked on your journal pages lately?

Reflections & A Reminder

2011-09-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA this week. It has been hotter than hot here. I can't seem to get my head out of the freezer and creating anything! But, here are a few things I did work on prior to things being heated up!

Editing photos

Do not use without giving credit

River by the waterfalls of Lake Tahoe

How quickly things race by us, rivers, visits with family, life, time......

I feel like my head hasn't been in the right place this week between the heat and close family friends losing a loved one. My mind has been elsewhere. Its always a reminder to be present for the ones you love and cherish your time here. And tell them that you love them daily!

Part of my journal page

This is a part of the journal page I was working most recently. I wanted to post more but for some reason Picnik and my computer aren't agreeing. So I will have to run a scan and do all the fun tech stuff then hopefully I can post full page and story behind it on Friday. I incorporated twigs, netting and texture in this page.

Another Reminder

I thought I would remind you to enter the giveaway here! All you artsy, crafty folks might like this for printing off your work! Just leave a comment to enter. It closes tonight at 7pm PST and the odds are good! ( its on my craft blog) I really wanted everyone to have a chance but could only have the giveaway over on my craft site. So if you want something for nothing but chance, just drop by and comment.

With that said I am off to spend time with the kiddo and help with the homework and maybe tonight when the Mr. is playing music I will have a chance to paint in the cool of the evening.

Have you had time to journal or make art lately?

One on One with Nature- Still Life Stand Outs

2011-09-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

I was remembering our trip to South Lake Tahoe and thought I would share this photograph I am going to link up to a little Still Life Photo Challenge that Branson runs. This makes me wish we had a full week to venture back up for a visit. I love being in the woods and the lake there is so beautiful. The snow was still on the mountains yet it was quite warm.

There is something to be said to being one with nature or maybe two in this case!

I hope you all have some time to get outdoors this long Labor Day weekend and if you are traveling may it be safe! Maybe we can make our way to the beach or woods for some much needed inspiration after a week of back to school and computer stuff. If you want to check out some wonderful photography just visit the link I have added. I refrained from adding my flower shots this time, maybe another day I will enter one of them!

Happy Labor Day Weekend! What plans do you have?

Color Pattern & More Wishes

2011-09-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

A little color, a little pattern and getting back into the art room today. I have been busy getting ready for changes here, tech things, but more of that later and on to the color and pattern~

Click images to enlarge

I called this pattern He loves me.

Did you ever sit in the grass as a child or teen and pull the petals off of daisy s? He loves me, he loves me not. That is what this pattern reminded me of. I made a few other patterns over on Colourlovers; Organic Poppy, Lovely Travels, Lovely Travels 2, Deers Sunrise it is amazing how you could just keep making patterns with colors. I love that! I want to print some patterns on fabric and sew something soon!

Here is one of the color palettes I came up with. I just had to add the wishes for you in the left corner and my painted illustration in the right where I had taken the color inspiration from in case you didn't stop by the other day. If you have time see Tuesday's post I shared some lovely music and wishes~

Painted Illustration by Theresa Huse 2011

Wishing you living and loving your great big dreams~

One thing I have learned is if you don't love them and live it then it won't happen, so nurture your heartfelt dreams and follow them where ever they lead you. If you 'd like to see more people working on their dreams visit Paint Party Friday artists and even join in. * see my resource page for link.
I hope I have more to report soon! Along with the full painted illustration. Follow along with GFC or Subscribe if you like I'd love to have you here and visit you~ Have a great weekend!

When did you start following your heart and nurturing your dreams?
What plans do you have for Labor Day Weekend?

Plans, Projects, Art & Song

2011-08-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday already! Where are the days going? Passing too quickly as I work on projects, plans and art.

I wish I could hold certain days in my hand forever

I just came across this song and singer Mindy Gledhill I love her voice and this song. A reminder, I have to remember that no matter what I wish for, no matter if I have to climb, it is about the journey. Life and art are one in the same that way to me. It is always the journey isn't it? Making the most of special moments and even the simple moments. Like dipping your brush in paint and touching the canvas. I hope you enjoy this music video & my message after it~

If I had a hundred wishes I would give them all to you~

Now I hope you go and take a chance! Live your crazy dream~

I'll be back later in the week with my color inspiration & more art. I've been working on my great big plans, making wishes & following my heart.

What big plans do you have today?

Mother Earth & Pledge To Our Environment

2011-08-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

I finished my mother nature painting and I decided to make a pledge for future generations. So I digitally journaled on my painting a pledge; To care for our earth and think about the daily changes I can do to ensure she is here for future generations.

Original Painting

My Pledge

I will always do my part to keep you healthy for future generations.

You can help our planet too!

From the simple everyday things such as recycling, using cloth napkins, using cloth bags for grocery shopping, composting, planting trees & plants and more .......

Thank you Mother Earth for all you do for us!
& if you are interested I shared wip photos in previous posts.

Here is a small round-up of some articles, tips, pdfs:

pdf - 100 ways to save the environment -article

10 things you can do to save the earth- article

Zoom Action Help The Environment - PBS Kids-article

Organizations:

National Wildlife Federation

who I partner with

Friends of the Trees

OurEarth.org

Greenpeace

National Audubon Society

The best for last a list of Environmental Organizations from around the world! - Wikipedia

I hope you take the time to think about, make changes, join organizations, help in the community and help in your everyday life while caring for our planet and Mother Nature.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein

PS. if you are interested in seeing other people's art today check out Paint Party Friday the linky is in resources! & don't forget to follow along with GFC. I would love to see you here & visit your blog too.
Leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by. See you soon~

What are a few of your favorite tips for helping our planet?

Artwork In Progress, Photography, The Waves of Change

2011-08-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Two days left on the count down to the kiddo going back to school. How this summer flown by! I thought I would share another couple of shots of my painting in progress and our goodbye to summer photo.

Ok, maybe your thinking this is.....but the thing about painting what you feel is it morphs the ideas you had on canvas or in this case paper.

And morphs it some more so you can see changes happening and like the wind you never know what direction it is going to go. Although now I can see more of the nature theme coming about here and off to finish this up in the few days ahead and get some photos taken so I can share some more!

This week I will be pushing myself to get back to a routine of more regular painting ( starting Wed. when Sammie is back to school) and I have even started a new to do list. Big challenges, leaps of faith and things on the drawing board. I am attempting a few things I have wanted to do for some time. Please have positive thoughts for me and even prayers will be accepted gratefully as I answer to my callings.

click images to see larger

Sorry no journal post this weekend. I hope to get back on track to inspire your pages again this fall. Sorry for failing this summer between the Blogger crash and other things. I will keep you posted when it going regular again. This past weekend was: A large dose of migraine, a helping of back to school and nothing getting accomplished. I hope yours was more fun than mine and the week ahead full of accomplishments, creativity, happiness and good health.

You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C. S. Lewis

Have you given yourself some new creative goals or challenges to enter into? I would love to hear~

Mother Nature

2011-08-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hello, I finally have some beginnings of art to show you. I thought I would practice a little on some faces and then inspired from my trip to Tahoe I just added in some nature elements. Yes, I am a nature lover! When I was a teen I wanted to work with various organizations, I was very passionate. Then life takes you on different journeys but I always like paying homage to my love of nature via my art.

This is just a pencil sketch with humble beginnings with my thoughts.

I love layering, gesso and painting and although I may start out with a sketch I always seem to travel on.

Thus the morphing continues. She is made with scrapbook papers, pencil, color pencil, acrylic paint, gesso, matte medium on Canson mixed medium paper. I am longing for a trip to the beach, it has been intensely hot inland and I am a coastal girl at heart. I need breezes, cool air, pine trees and the ocean, destination Cambria. So I hope we make our way there this weekend prior to Sammie's start of school! I promise some photography from the coast and sharing mother nature when she is done!

What are your favorite places of nature?

Fall Colors

2011-08-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Most designers for fashion and home are working on seasons ahead. Watching trends, setting trends and creating our newest colors. I love seeing all the fall colors it is always been one of my favorite seasons. So I couldn't resist doing a little fall color inspiration today.

Photography by AehoHikaruki

The reason I chose this photograph was it had almost all the colors of fall minus deep plum and silver. Maybe I will do those next week. What you will find this fall is Taupe s, Yellow Mustard s and Dark Teal. I think this may be my favorite fall color palette, ever. That is big as I love color!

Click above image to Enlarge to see full view

I called this pattern I made Fall In Paris. I just knew I loved it when I saw it! Maybe fabric for window curtains or a bag who knows. Or maybe just printed and framed on a wall.

Refinery29

So when it comes to color it can affect our choices from fashion, home decor and new paint colors as they pop up and its always good to see what is new, even if you are late looking! I haven't been shopping this fall but when I spotted this outfit I was in love! I hope you are enjoying fall colors as much as I am.

PS: If you would like to see and download a copy of the color fashion report for fall visit Pantone.

What is your favorite fall color this season? I'd love to know.

Do the seasons affect your paint color choices when creating?

Travels In Tahoe CA

2011-08-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hello, I thought I would share a few photos from one of our jaunts while in Lake Tahoe. We drove about 40 minutes from South LakeTahoe to near the Nevada line and hiked down to Chimney Beach.

This is one of the views we saw on our hike down.

The hike didn't seem very long going down, but with the altitude difference coming back after a long day at the beach and playing round was the opposite. We paced ourselves pretty well but the last climb up was very steep, although you can't tell from this image. I can't wait to share more nature goodness with you!

This photo collage opens bigger, if you'd like to see it up close. Yes, this July there was still plenty of snow on the higher elevations.

It was amazing to be on the beach with all the views. With it being warm out and snow on the mountains was spectacular. The water was extremely cold and high this year. I was suprised to see sea gulls at such a high elevation and so far from the coast. I wish I could of captured all the birds I saw on photos. I did manage to capture a few more to share later.

PS. I can't believe we are on our last ten days of vacation. I have a few more things on the list and hope we can squeeze them in! I hope to have some artsy stuff to share with you soon! xo Theresa

Have you managed to get a little travel in lately? What have you been up to? I'd love to know!

Summer Flowers

2011-08-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend to you! I thought I would share a little photo editing I did. I took a photograph of this lovely yellow flower I saw. The first photo is with the flower unaltered.

The second image I softened the focal and focused on the center of the flower and added a texture overlay.

I used the textures on Picnik this time. I put the photo and text in my frame on my Photo Shop.

I thought I would post this here in case you didn't visit my other site. I love summer for the lazy mornings Sammie and I get to have together. I can't believe fall is right around the corner! Can you?

What things will you miss about summer?

Able to Post Again.... Hello Dear Friends

2011-08-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is how I feel about all you creative dears who have stayed with me; (sorry to say I lost a few due to the Blogger crash situation and being unable to post until now)

You are creative friends for life!

Has Blogger finally gotten this fixed so I can at least post a little until my new site is up? Lets see how far I can get and get you caught back up to what I am up to.*still no access to dashboard!

These past few weeks have been filled with a test web site / blog. I moved my craft blog now off Blogger and am off to a good start on a self hosted domaine. All you crafty, creative & those loving inspired living drop by for some inspiration & join up! DearCreatives.com is where I have been posting since the blogger crash once I had it up and running.

Cell phone pic while driving over the Golden Gate Bridge

on way home from Lake Tahoe

via the scenic route

* Blogger isn't letting me upload mulitple pics via computer yet :(

Now I have the task of creating a new site for this blog and all the details of that. Since I now know I can do a lot of it on my own (thanks to doing my craft site first). Yes, I am still going to move platforms. After this experience I can't see any other options. I will keep you posted with all that. It is a bit down the road before all is said and done. I have lots of things I need to plan for the process. It is never a small feat to deal with all that when not trained in html.

A little travel A lot of photography! Can't wait to share!

Creatively this summer I have been off and on again with art and projects. I have done some photo editing, lots of photography, sewing, a little journal page here and there..... and of course some travel. I loved our trip to Lake Tahoe and have many photographs to share later.

I am hoping for one weekend trip and maybe a visit to see the older kids prior to Sammie's back to school which is right around the corner. I never write this much, please forgive me. I just feel like I am catching up with you dear friends and can't wait to get back to visiting too!

Until next time with photography, a journal page or art which I will be sharing, fingers crossed Blogger stays on the good side of me. & I will now post to the forums about the photo upload issues! & hope it gets fixed.
How have all of you been? What have you been up to? Creating...Travel....Reading....Photography? Do catch me up!! xo Theresa

Blogger - Blog Posting Problems Test to see if post shows up Please see fan page for more info. if there is no post

2011-07-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

Nature Time

2011-07-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need to reconnect with nature

via

See you after our trip!

Photo Shop Color and Pattern

2011-07-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

White Sage

I managed to get back to working in Photo Shop I am still in the learning curve stage, but thankfully some things are coming back since the last times I worked on some images with textures and frames. So here are some examples of Photo Shop work I played with and outcomes.

* Images can be clicked on & enlarged

White Sage with texture over image

You can see the photographs look very different by changing the effects and textures. I have come across a website with a series 31 days to a better photo. Darcy has all kinds of tips and some with Photo Shop. You can visit her here for the series @ 3Boybarians.

Color Palette Inspiration

I took these photographs of the white sage blooming before we were going to cut off the flower tops to spur growth of the white sage plant & shared it when I did a post on purple and green back on May 26th. You can see the original photograph here.

Pattern made with color inspiration

I hope you are finding a little creative time in between all your goings on this summer. I have a few new photos I will be working on in other colors, but they needed more work prior to sharing. This is the last week of swim lessons & piano for Sammie and then we are free to travel. I will post when I am going.

Do you have a favorite Photo Shop or Photography web site you like? What is your favorite color?

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! Taking a little blogging break! Today we have planned a family barbecue for the evening. Then in the next few days an escape to the beach, a trip to the pool, barbecue and fireworks on the 4th! I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. I'll be back after the holiday with some color inspiration on Tuesday. Until then here is a little Pinwheel freebie I came across.

Star Spangled Pinspinners

The link above for is for the freebie, printable and tutorial on how to make one! Just in case you have time I thought you might enjoying popping over to All sorts to grab it and make one.

Don't you just love pinwheels?

Sammie having fun at the pool, those swim lessons are paying off!

See you Tuesday!

Art Quilt Block

2011-06-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a quick post. I have been trying all night to get into Blogger to share my art quilt block with you.

This is created with the paper fabric I made on muslin. Washes of paint are actually done over the papers that are glued to the muslin. When making the paper fabric you use scraps of papers, tissues, fabrics, string, twine or whatever you have on hand. * I don't know if you know that post? I'll try and find it and link it later. Then added fabrics, quilting and some other elements to it. The quilt block size is 14" x 14".

These photo collages will go close up and larger if you click on each.

You'll be able to see the free motion stitching I used.

You might be able to see on the first image where their is a direction line in the center that I sewed listen closely referring to your dreams. I have some other fabric paper I made and hope to make a few more. I am not sure if I will piece a few together or hang them individually due to their size. I may make smaller 6" x 6" blocks to piece together as an art quilt later.

Here it is the next day and I am adding the pictures and finishing writing all this, crossing my fingers it will post. Is anyone else still having problems?

I'll be linking this up to Paint Party Friday to share what I have been up to this week. In my resources is the linky if you want to see what all the creative artists are painting up and you can find out more about it via their site.

Have you ever made your own paper fabric? Painted on fabric? or make an art quilt block or quilt?

Color & Photography

2011-06-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today I just wanted to share a quick color, pattern post and a photograph I took in the late spring of apple blossoms. I forgot I took it and when I was looking for images for my color inspiration I came across this in my photo files. (how those files need organizing!)

I wish I lived on a small farm with a field full of apple trees. Someday maybe, I can wish~ Right?

Soft whites pinks and greens make a wonderful pallet from apple blossoms~

Not only does it make for great color inspiration but pattern inspiration. I could spend lots of time making patterns over at Colourlovers with no thoughts of all the other things I need to do around me.

Over the next few days the weather is suppose to be milder until the weekend and then it heats up again. Oh, how I miss spring already! I am not ready for the July/August heat.

One cool thing that I have to tell you about is iTunes 31 Nights of Live Music * for Free. You will be able to see all the music headliners for free in real time or later on your computer... Just follow the link to learn more about it! How cool is that? And I have some new projects to share later in the week.

What are you up to this summer? What is your favorite band?

Starting July 2011

Journal Prompt " Love Note"

2011-06-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

When I took the photograph of my journal page "Love Note" the sun just happened to hit the moon and shined upward. Honestly, when things like that happen, I just have to smile!

I made myself a love note in my journal page. I have found over the past few years my focus has not been on the business side of my art. I have focused on growing artistically and I have put others needs first. Squeezing in my art here and there. Now, I really feel a need to focus on many aspects of my art life that has been taking a backseat. My focus needs to be creating my art life with planning, dreaming and creating opportunities and seeing my vision (s) and bringing them to life.

Whether it is putting myself out there more, applying for submissions, trying to get into shows or fairs, writing, creating a piece of artwork, getting artwork published or what ever my desires are, I know you have to ask for them. At different times I have done some of these and had some success (s) and some disappointments but I must not give up on my dreams and goals.

I am always reading about succeeding with goals and different ways to achieve them. Dreaming those ideas, creating those plans and putting them into action. I have had several goals over the past year. Some put on hold by necessity, some by fear, some by needing to help others. Now I find in the quite of my space that I need to give some attention to those desires and not just ask for it, but nurture it to fruition. Like the journal page I created here.

.

When I made this page I had a plan for something entirely different I had created a flower and it made me think of growing so I charcoal penciled in a girl and some thoughts. Then I felt it didn't flow just right so I began to paint her in, I also wrote thoughts all down her dress.

When I think of asking for things I have a way of looking to the universe, a power greater than I that I can reach out to. To represent that, I painted / created the mountains and night sky. All of a sudden in the journal page its vibrancy wasn't there so I added inks.

I arrived at the place where I knew the page was ready. Ready like I am now personally to really focus on what I am wanting and the love and nurturing that it will take me to bring my desires to fruition.(& work that it will take to get me there!)

Have you ever come to the point where you really have to work at nurturing those dreams into reality by pushing your faith in yourself and your artwork? What big leaps of faith have you taken?

Journal Prompt: Create a page with a love note to yourself. A reminder of those things you wish to nurture and see come to fruition.

Quote: All that we are is a result of what we thought. Buddha

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. Nora Roberts

Food for Thought:
Using Inks in your journal pages I used Adirondack ink by Tim Holtz.

Art Bag

2011-06-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Artsy, Crafty, Re-cycled fabrics, my own pattern & Art Bag Creation.

Remember when I mentioned all those art bags & posted about all the wonderful inspiration? Well I haven't been in the painting mood lately, but I printed out something I painted onto muslin and created an art bag / purse using felt, burlap and fabric scraps I had laying around. I used some decorative machine embroidery. Although far from perfect my daughter Sammie fell in love with it. She asked me to make the straps so she could wear it from shoulder to hip. I thought I would share the results and a few steps I am going to take to make it better next time.

If you have ever printed something from your computer you will notice how sometimes the colors just don't match the image. That is just what happened here. It was pretty light on the muslin that I printed it on. But I used permanent felt tip markers to draw in shapes and color it up. I need to fix color prior to printing!

Well, you know how I hate to stop even where there are mistakes. I decided since I started and this was kind of like a pro to type any way to finish what I started instead of scrapping it. I love figuring out how to create patterns on my own. This image shared is the back where underneath the front flap is sewn in and connected.

Another thing I will change when I create my next one is the strap material. For this I didn't want to go out and purchase anything. I wanted to use felt I had, burlap from a recycled coffee sack, woven burlap scraps I had from the wedding table runner we made, and for the straps I had these great silk pants that were ripped which I cut and created them from. Added a vintage button from one of the grandma's stash & ta da.....

A happy girl modeling her new art bag with gnomes. I promise to share my next one with you when I make it! & I hope I can even try painting directly on fabric when I get unstuck from my painting slump! Here is the acrylic painting completed which the art bag was made from.

If you'd like to see my post about the art bag inspiration just click here. Also visit here to see the original post of the gnomes acrylic painting and if like you can visit my link on the side bar where I have video of how I finished the painting on You Tube.

Have you ever tried creating and sewing an art bag? What art or crafts inspiring you right now?

If you have never sewn a bag & need a pattern and instruction this might be something you would like. Amy Butler's Style Stitches.

Color Inspiration " Pomegranates In Bloom"

2011-06-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would share with you my favorite flowering bush of the season where I live. It feels so tropical when these bushes bloom, but they are not tropical they are native to the Iranian Plateau and the Himalayas in north Pakistan and Northern India. They are vibrant with color, yet feel so cool in the heat of the day. I could look at them for hours due to the ever changing blooms which then turn into pomegranates.

These flowers start from a round bud that is hard like the shell of the pomegranate.

Then they burst open like a star exposing their soft vibrant orange petals.

When they are at full bloom you can see the centers and their bright yellow stamens just bursting with pollen which the bees and birds love! There is nothing like finding a humming bird feeding on these beautiful flowers if only I could capture a photograph of that!

WikiMedia Commons

The history and lore around the Pomegranate flower and fruit is quite fascinating. Here is an amazing illustration of the plant. If you want to find out more about this plant and its history visit Wikipedia.

Theresa Huse 2010

I am inspired to draw and paint some more pomegranate flowers and later when the fruit comes I would like to try and illustrate the fruit also. I am sharing two links to prior posts you might also enjoy with pomegranate's painted by me, and one has a journal prompt.

Since I missed giving you a journal prompt since it was Father's Day about about revisiting this journal prompt page where I illustrated pomegranate flowers as an example of a page you can create for yourself & with a prompt.

Also you might remember from a previous post an Exotic Woman Acrylic Painting I created with pomegranate flowers in her hair. If not you can see it here.

Here is part of a passage from the Bible I am not sure from where, it might be Exodus if anyone knows I would love to find out.
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and pomegranates budded.

What flowers inspire your creativity? Are their colors vibrant? soft? I would love to know~

Summer Plans

2011-06-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

When Sammie got out of school I asked her how she felt and this was her answer. Jumping for joy. I can't say she is loving the laziness of summer as much as I am but we both agree we are ready for planning some activities and travels. So she is jumping for joy again since we have decided on a few summer plans!

Day trips to any of these are fine by us! The beach, a castle and aquarium. Then a museum *or two, zoo and botanical garden trip in San Francisco would be wonderful to check off this summer!

The beauty of the vineyards, mountains and being near the Russian River. I think a raft or canoe trip down is on the plan & we'll have the luxury of visiting family in the area. Hanging out, barbecues, horse shoes, and a little shopping and a lot of catching up.

Another family trip to visit my brother & his family in South Lake Tahoe, CA. We always make a trip or two to the beach for kayaking. Plenty of outdoor activities and this year we get to see his new addition to his home an art studio! I am jealous? hm... I'll try not to be!! & hope we get to play with paints. We also love to get out the telescopes and view the stars and planets there are no city lights which make it amazing!

Lots of hiking in Tahoe and when back around our coast line. That should be fun! I'll bring my camera and snap wild flowers and nature. I promise to share.

There will be plenty of swimming when the pool opens here in a week & where ever we find water! No fancy trips, but summer plans that will take us here and there. Visits with family long over due. Lots of outdoor and fun activities! Swim lessons too. And of course a bit of art in between it all~

What are your summer plans? Are you finding time to create art around them?

Color From My Garden

2011-06-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever watched a flower blossom? It is so fascinating to me, this isn't time lapsed photography I actually watched it unfold in a matter of half an hour or so. I just checking back and shooting photos.

This is one of the color palettes and designs I came up with from the photography of these daisy s. There are spots of orange, pollen in the center. Nature is so beautiful! The colors and patterns nature gives us captivates me and inspires me so.

Colour Lovers is going to be expanding their studio with software you can import and use your own shapes, images and more. I can't wait. I am so wanting to create some of my own patterns and then make fabric and paper from them. But for now, Sammie is calling me every 5 minutes. I need to get a plan so I can work in between entertaining, taking her to the pool and what ever else comes up.

H mm, I forgot how challenging summer can be without a plan. So off to hang out the laundry on the line, while making a mental plan of summer and to watch her play. Maybe I will find a butterfly in my garden while looking at flowers like this lady in the pattern. Or something to inspire a new painting to work on.Wouldn't that be nice~

What summer plans of art or travel do you have? What colors are inspiring you today?

Journal Prompt " Be Kind To Yourself "

2011-06-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Journal Page and Prompt Be Kind To Yourself. Listen, calm yourself, reflect and accept peace within. This is what I am reflecting on today as I look back at a overwhelming past week and mishap from yesterday.

Hello Journalers and friends, I wasn't sure if I would be able to get a post out today. I usually try and publish the journal prompts Saturday evenings but yesterday was busy and hadn't written a post in advance. We were working on the yard, kids coming and going....Then all of a sudden Sammie was brought home injured. She had a terrible fall over at the neighbors. A gash in in arm from just below the arm pit to wrist area and scraps all on the upper inside arm from tree branches and rocks due to the fall. She is lucky not to have broken anything, nor did she need stitches!! To see your child bleeding, crying and in pain is very difficult, but out came the nurse in me, calm, taking her inside to clean her up and add the necessary treatments.
Then of course what else would make a little one feel better? How about a movie and popcorn to take the mind away from the pain and of course lots of attention, ice and compassion from mom. Whew! Under control!!

I have to admit this past week I didn't paint not even once. But I remembered this page I made I don't think I shared. Be kind to self! Perfect I thought, I can still give you a journal prompt. The prompt really it goes wonderfully to what my week was like and reminding myself to be calm and loving to myself even when I don't reach my personal art.... goals.

Sometimes life takes you away from your passions a bit, that is ok and we need to be calm about the detours. Honestly I feel like I get a little edgy when I don't get to create a page or have some creativity going on but the bottom line is, I still need to be calm and kind with myself. I know this summer has so many detours in it, but I will try and let you know when I am taking a trip, having to help family, or just sidelined or haven't had time to create art or journal.

On another note about self and loving one's self. I started Weight Watchers since a friend of my daughter's joined and was loving it and losing weight. They were having a special and decided to join. I love how it helps you be accountable to your self in a good way! {points, tracking, weigh in, community, using your own food choices and helping you make better choices} I know not every week will be easy, but I lost 3.2 pounds this first week The good in that is I have reached one of my goals this week, in a big way and starting on better health!

Do you ever have weeks where you can't get a chance to create your art? Have you ever had to challenge yourself to love certain aspects of your life or self? Have you ever had to try something else to help you with your weight?

Journal Prompt: Be Kind To Yourself;
I hope you are able to create a journal page about being kind to yourself, loving yourself or calming those voices of negativity from within. Use stamps if you wish, write yourself a note, give yourself a reminder and mostly reinforce loving yourself!

Quote: If I am not for myself, who will be? Pirke Avoth

Food For Thought: Leather Journal with embossed heart

Color Inspiration & Weighty Matters

2011-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Today I thought we'd get crafty and creative with our color inspiration, first up; Who doesn't love a good old fashion milk glass vase, plate or candy dish? At the price of vintage milk glass when I saw this I was swooning and new this was exactly what I wanted to do with my recycled pretty glass jars I had been hanging on to. The link under the image will take you to the well put together video tutorial. It is so worth viewing, that is if you love milk glass.

Source: houseandhome.com via Theresa on Pinterest

Milk Glass Tutorial from Vaughn Mills Presents House and Home H&H TV. *latex paint

Source: sprinklebakes.com via Theresa on Pinterest

While we are on the subject of color and pretty things I have a little confession to tell you. Yes, I have decided for my own health I will not be eating things as pretty as these! But there is no law looking at them while I am on my journey to better health! Right? Oh unless it drives me to eating them, covering my eyes as I write this!! New mantra " I will have will power! "

Source: home-biba.blogspot.com via Theresa on Pinterest

Now, this is a color combo I would love to be able to pull off when I drop the (**) lbs! Too much sitting all winter, a new carpool lane where you don't walk the kiddo into the school and have to park a million miles away, sitting while blogging, sitting while creating art....Well you get the picture! No I am not blue about it, nor am I seeing just red about it. I am going to do something about it! And ensure I get walking to start! So if occasionally I slip in a post of how I am feeling about it all, well I hope you do understand.

How do you stay active and healthy while your focus is on your creativity? I would love to know! Toss me your best tips why don't you.

I have to say the magazine is a deal! Two years with no auto renewal! I have a few old copies and would love to get a new subscription. I have to say I loved the recipes and articles. This might just help keep me on track!

Journal " Shes Singing The Blues"

2011-06-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well its raining here again which is a little unusual for this time of year, but I am sure the garden is loving it. I created two journal pages to share with you along with a prompt for this week to help you along with your journaling. I must admit also that I didn't do a lot of visiting this week and only two days of painting. I was a bit under the weather ironically, with migraines and just feeling drained. I hope to be up and around the web visiting, painting and even starting some sewing projects inspired from the "Art Bags" post I created!

This journal page was inspired by wishing I could play the guitar and sing. Sometimes I feel left out musically in my house. The Mr. plays drums, guitar, base and piano. Sammie plays piano and sings. I just can play chop sticks! & a little percussion s. Despite the journal page having too much water and curling some of the magazine image there were aspects of the page that I loved and can draw from when I create something on canvas or wood from this.

The second page I created was inspired from the days before Sammie when I would follow Leon around to his gigs and go out dancing. Now, the girls stay at home and the boys go out and play. This makes us sometime sing the blues other times it's just fine. We have are art projects keeping us busy. I kept the back ground the same colors to have some unity for the two pages.

I hope you are inspired to make a journal page about something to do with music. Maybe what instrument you played, how you sang, who inspires you musically, what music you love or about a time you used to go out and enjoy going to pubs and listening to music. What ever it is I hope your singing the blues in a good way!

Journal Prompt: Create a journal page that has something to do with music.

Quote: Blues means what milk does to a baby. Blues is what the spirit is to a minister. We sing the blues because our hearts have been hurt, our souls have been disturbed. Alberta Hunter ( American Blues Singer)

Food for Thought: This 32 sec. video add for Moleskine Music Journals * makes me wanting to make another video for you & learn more about editing!

I am glad I saw the add it'll be the perfect music journal for Sammie who is starting to write her own music on the piano.

Art Bag Inspiration

2011-06-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a few things that inspired me this morning while looking for something to post on my craft blog. It just happens to be Art Bags that I am posting about today and if you would like to see some summer craft inspiration I have a round up of tutorials I started and that will be added to over the summer months, just pop over to MsartistSewCrafty and follow along if you like. You will be inspired to try some crafty tutorials when you see them! Now onto the Art Bag Inspiration;

Crafty with an artistically inspired flair
The Art Bags~

Source: google.com via Kathy on Pinterest

*The Crafty Chica

Kathy-Cano Murillo

Artyshils
Shilpa Ruchandani

Source: gulfsprite.com via Christy on Pinterest

Gulfsprite.com
Christy Sobolewski

These artistic ladies have shared their images but another I found and just fell in love with was DJ Pettit!

DJPettitt -Art Bags

Source: djpettitt.com via Theresa on Pinterest

Now are you as inspired as I am to make an art bag? This is totally on my summer to do list too busy or not!

Have you or do you think you would like to make an art bag?

Don't let not sewing stop you! Check out these canvas bag options; be sure and use fabric paints or techniques for painting on canvas.

Color Inspiration & Pattern Design

2011-05-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Everything's coming up flowers~

Today I wanted to share with you my color inspiration, pattern design and where it came from. Honestly I love doing floral arranging and for the wedding I used two styles. One set of table arrangements were a Rustic / Romantic style, with a natural flair in ball jars. The first photograph shows untrimmed, prior to flower heads opening with the pops of purple and when we were allotting how many flowers for each jar that we would need. The other style was more dramatic and with less flowers and curly wood branch added in a small modern glass rectangle jar. I promise to share some photos and details of those later. So without further adieu the photography, color inspiration, pattern design results.......

Image Credit Theresa Huse

This photograph shows what the flowers looked like when the heads were open and the pops of purple among the blush pastel colors were coming to life.

Image Credit Kelly Boitano

Now here is my color palette inspired from the wedding flowers. Many blushes surrounded with the bolder colors from the mason jar and purple flowers.

Here is the pattern I came up using blush colors in the background with the pops of color. This might be great for fabric for a skirt, apron or even scarf.

Now if you love eye candy, you'll love this book Print and Pattern if you visit the link there is a flip video showing pages of the book. Swoon! This just may have me trying to make some hand made design patterns of my own.

What new projects would you like to try?

Journal Prompt "No One Should Be Like A Caged Bird"

2011-05-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

This weeks journal prompt is continued from my post on Friday.It isn't about making a page related to what I wrote.. It is about looking at found objects differently. I used old Polaroid film that I found expired from a yard sale camera the Mr. found for me. Maybe I will never have the film to work the camera, but I have used the expired film in my journal page and it will also be on my canvas when I rework the journal page onto canvas.

*Please note that in the previous post I in no way was indicating anything wrong with being stay at home mom. I am one. As is my second youngest daughter. You can read my response to a concerned reader, in the comments, should you read prior post.

I took the expired film glued images on them then wrote and painted after writing on them.

Also you can use imagery not only from magazines but to cut out shapes to represent items from page content. I found an image of the rustic wood and cut an image of the women out of it. Then I used graphite pencil to enhance edges and blue paint on the outside. This was all painted over writing I had first done on the orange painted page. Later not shown here I outline the heart with wings with graphite pencil having it show up more.

I don't let rips, mistakes stop my process I let my intuition guide me

Sometimes imagery can tell a story

My ah ha moment with this piece is that you don't have to have the perfect cage door open, or the perfect image of a woman running painted, imagery can represent those actions without having to be that thing. Example the bird flying at her head representing freedom, being freed. The white on the cage representing a light of freedom, the shape of the woman in white with textures to simulate movement.
If you would like to read the full post of what this journal page was about just visit the prior post here.

What ah ha moments have you had when painting or creating something?

Journal Prompt: for this week is for you to incorporate found objects into your journal page. Also not be afraid to use loose imagery to tell a story. Do not worry about rips, tears or making mistakes.

Food for Thought:

The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Anelou

Quote: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. Maria Robinson

Journal " No One Should Be Like A Caged Bird"

2011-05-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I sat down to paint a journal page in which seemed like it had been a long time. I looked through a few images and when I started I thought I would do a journal page about my daughter's wedding, but as I was painting it was changing and being more about women, relationships and how things can get out of context.

I remember the era my grandma was from. Most women didn't learn to drive, they lived with their husbands, stayed home and raised their families. Although my grandma did do some work, she always made money from home but it wasn't enough to support herself. As I journal this that is part of the happy part memory. She did have some money for her needs but ultimately she was a caged bird with no choice, no way to emancipate herself from a situation that was ultimately not good for her. Yes she loved her husband but he had issues that were not dealt with. At times he was very cruel to her verbally and down right scary at times. She stood up to that but never left. Luckily she was never hurt.

So what I am trying to say as I journal these thoughts is I am so happy we live in a day and age where we are more educated as women, have the capabilities to make it on our own and have a voice. We can stand up for ourselves and there are places women in need can get help. No one should be like a caged bird.

That is the title of my journal page No one should be like a caged bird and is written next to the image of the young lady. On the top left, but you can't see it in this photograph. Next to her, along side the bird cage I painted in white on the cage to represent the light / escape from being caged. The figure in the white with the bird represents her being freed. At the bottom of the page is a figure with a heart with wings. This represents listening to your heart and having the wings / guts to leave. The photo with the feet in boots with wires represent that even though things can get tangled that there is light there and that you can find a way out. On my page under that a voice says "No escape" yet on the side of my photo where it doesn't show in the photograph I took it says " Find One"

I could write so much more about this subject, but I chose to leave my journal and page as it is, words unspoken. Luckily today you can speak the unspoken. There is hope you don't have to be imprisoned by any circumstance.

Today I am choosing to share this with my Paint Party Friday Friends as most are women. I hope to create a large painting from some of the concepts of my journal page. When I do, although it may not be right away I promise to share it when done. I know this is more of a somber subject but, as an artist I feel not everything has to be about something that is pretty. This will be a two part post and on Sunday I will have some journal prompt ideas posted for anyone who would like to create a journal page. Today I leave you with a quote I just read for the first time by Maya Angelou and the thought as she so puts, never stand on the grave of your dreams.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.

But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Purple & Green

2011-05-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

This has been a week of unpacking, laundry and open house, but I saw that Inspiration Avenue was using a purple and green prompt this week. Knowing that I love both those colors I thought I would share a couple of purple and green photographs of flowers and one of my journal pages I did but originally wasn't going to share.You know a journal page that is just so, so and just for you, but it fit the bill for this post so I decided to include it.

The one thing I love about the Mr. is he always comes to give me a kiss in the morning prior to leaving for work.

White Sage is so beautiful when it blooms in the spring

I don't know who loves Rabbits Ear Lavender more the bees or me?

Lisianthus is what we used for a pop of color for the wedding flowers, the buds open to the beautiful flowers.

Purple Kate Spade Shoes my daughter wore under her wedding dress I altered my photograph and gave it a green border

I had to sneak in a photograph from the wedding photographer Kelly Boitano just in case you want to see more purple and green & wedding photographs in a journalist style!

Then don't forget to pop by Inspiration Avenue there is still time for you to join in the fun prior to Sunday's deadline for this week or visit their blog to catch the list of participants to see what everyone else created for the prompt. Hope you drop by Sunday for some more journal art. I promise to share some painting as I get back in my little art space and creating again now that things are settling down from all the festivities of the wedding.

"But, luckily, he kept his wits and his Purple crayon." --from Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." --Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish Poet and Playwright, 1600-1681

What is your favorite shade of purple or green? What color shoes did you or would you wear under your wedding dress?

Pink Color Inspiration & Rustic Romantic Wedding

2011-05-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have been drawn to pink lately, but until I looked up the meaning behind the color I never knew some of its color psychology. Did you know the color stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence? Most of the time when I think of pink I think of its youthful, lighthearted and passionate meanings.

And of course that is in the forefront of my mind right now with having just finished with Laura's wedding. I have a few photo's to share with you and a link to the photographers preview! Laura sent me the link with one word "Wow" and I must say you will be swooning over those photographs too! So when your done with the post hop on over to the link at the end of the post!

* These three photographs by Theresa Huse

Her sister Jenni who was her Maid of Honor wore these pink shoes!

Laura and Charles theme was Rustic / Romantic pink flower swooning

Soft, Sweet and Shades of Pink / Sisterly Love

andi.vs.zf

Pink is a tint of red, or red with white added to lighten the color. Pink can also go red-orange (Coral) or red-violet (Magenta aka "Hot Pink").

I can see using this palette for painting

Source: weheartit.com via Theresa on Pinterest

After seeing myself in some photos and my dress I have to admit I am ready for some spring training to drop some weight I have gained. I am swooning over this pink bike with a basket full of roses!

Source: weheartit.com via Theresa on Pinterest

The whole wedding week was magical, like pink glowing glitter sprinkled everywhere!

Don't forget to visit FloryPhoto.com to see a preview of the special wedding I was part of. They are very beautiful! Kelly and her assistant Nirav did an amazing job! Her sister Jenni did the makeup and hair *site in process.

I made the banners, mustaches and table scape s, place-cards, signs and floral designs. Amy helped with the floral work and set up! The wedding was held at the BarnDiva, Healdsburg, CA.

Next week my color inspiration is coming from the bride's shoes purple! One of my favorite colors! Now run over and take a peek at those pretty purple shoes, Healdsburg and the wedding preview! Ready, get set, "Wow"!!

PS.There is a lot more to pink than meets the eye! To find out more visit Squidoo.com to find out more about this wonderful color, pinks meanings, brand identity and more interesting information. Now that I have my color inspiration I am off to paint.

What shade of pink is your favorite? Do you know a fact about pink? Let me know your favorite wedding photo from Flory Photo.com of Charles & Laura's preview!