Simply Sunday "Pocketful of Dreams"

Journal Page pocketful of Dreams~

Knowing that I have guides watching over me~
Putting my goals in my pocketful of dreams~
November + Reflections of the year~
Thankful for~
This weeks free journal prompt is "Pocketful of Dreams." I always find myself at the end of the year in November and December having a lot of reflection, asking myself questions and wondering if my choices in this year were the best I could of made. Have I used my time wisely, met my goals and do I see my dreams becoming a reality? Have I taken risks? Put myself out there enough? Maybe not. Maybe I haven't accomplished all that I have wanted but I have a lot to be thankful for and the steps that were taken this year. I still have my dreams and am not giving up on them. I am listening to the voices that guide me and am creating a plan and putting my dreams in a pocket. One by one I will take them out and try to accomplish them and maybe one day when I reach in I will get that golden ticket~
I hope you make a journal page and write down your pocketful of dreams and don't give up on them. Be happy for others successes and don't compare yourself to where they are in their journey. Create your goals and take the little steps necessary to bring them to fruition.
I have to remind myself this daily as it is so easy to compare one's self and get lost in the pool of talent that is around us in the world.
Do you find it hard to focus when you see such talent abound? How do you hold on to your dreams to make them a reality?

Cherish your visions and dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprint of ultimate achievements. ~Napoleon Hill

Keep your dreams alive, understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, and determination. Remember things are possible for those who believe. ~Gail Devers

*feel free to leave your link in the comment section if you use this prompt to create a page so we may visit and see what you have created~

Illustration "Happiness Is"

Happiness is finding inspiration, creating it and seeing it finished on my work table~

Happiness is watching my child swinging on a fall day while in the sun reading~

Happiness is swinging in the sun~

This weeks prompt at Inspiration Avenue is "Happiness Is"....
Here is my illustration for "happiness is" from the artist, mom and me ~ Yes I still like swinging as much as my daughter does & we both like reading books in the sun~I can think of a lot of things for happiness is. I might just have to create something else too. What does "happiness is" mean to you?

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about. ~ Angela Schwindt

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour onto others without getting a few drops on yourself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Dia De Los Muertos "Day of the Dead"

Completed Painting~

Work in progress~


This shot is in natural indoor light & looked a bit muted~
Close up of face prior to eyes completed~
Close up of skull~

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell "Hallowed Ground"
These are my Dia De Los Muertos, "Day of the Dead" painting completed its title is Tributo. I was tempted and still may change the champagne color under her head where I have written Tributo which is tribute in Spanish I was thinking of the same blue that is in the background in other places. For now it will stay as is. I made this to honor my mother as well as other's mothers, grandmothers, sisters and loves~This past summer was the third anniversary of my mom's passing~ To learn more about Day of the Dead & cultures celebration of it visit here.
How do you honor your loved ones passing? Have you created a work of art to honor someone who was special to you?

All Souls Day & Dia De Los Muertos

All Saints Day is November 1st and Day of the Dead "Dia De Los Muertos" is November 2nd.I grew up in a family who practiced Catholic religion and have lived in communities steeped in these two traditions. I created this Mixed Media Painting for Dia De Los Muertos and also another painting which will be posted tomorrow.

When creating art are do you look to different cultures for inspiration?

He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay more present than the living man.~ Antoine de Saint- Exupery

Simply Sunday " Magical" Halloween

Do you remember when you were a kid and Halloween was the most magical time! It still is for many adults being able to dress up in your fantasy costumes, have parties decorated in full fantasy and cast with magic. At our house part of the magic includes passing out candy to excited children running around in their costumes, eyes light up, waiting for that handful of candy. The magical treat for us is seeing all the wonderful costumes and happy kids. Even our daughter Sammie loves to pass out candy it is half the fun for her. We usually pass out candy for half the time and run around the neighborhood the other half. We leave a bucket of candy at the door when we leave and hope they only grab a handful~ and what is great is I think they do as when we return there is always some candy left in the bucket. So if you have time to create a journal page today or this week our prompt is "Magical" you can draw an illustration, write about your favorite magical time as a child or maybe the party you went to last night & what made it so magical~ For anyone that celebrates Halloween have a safe and magical time~
What is your favorite part of Halloween? What is magical to you?
The real secret of magic lies in the performance~ David Copperfield
A piece of writing is like a piece of magic. You create something out of nothing.~ Susanna Clarke

Vendors Craft Apron Tutorial

Vendors Craft Apron Tutorial PDF

I came across this vendor craft apron tutorial and since I know a lot of you not only create arts & crafts but some do art & craft shows, well it just seemed fitting to share. This is easy sewing. I am not big on complicated or expensive patterns. I am sure if you are crafty, have a sewing machine this might be one tutorial you would like to try. I sure think this will be one I try this fall & I know the perfect place to get some fabric in our small town.
Are you artsy crafty? or just artsy? Hope you are inspired to sew & enjoy the tutorial!

Do You Ever Want A Do Over & A Cupcake?

Welcome to my little pity party:

I could of used some magic! Sneak peak~

So festive with our Martha Stewart stickers!
Happy we actually got them done!
Wish you were here to have a cupcake and coffee with me! Hoping for a better weekend!

I have been a little quieter than normal this week. I had several days with a migraine & just all round thumbs down. I guess I am having a mini pity party today, so hope you bare with me!
I thought it was just me but Sammie was having a not so good week too. #1 indication: Going to school with your jeans on backwards and not being able to figure out why your pants are falling down all day! * must admit I got the biggest laugh from this when I figured out the problem after school!! #2 being so extremely tired on another day that you have a melt down on the way home from school #3 helping your mom make cupcakes and you crack the eggs in a separate bowl but forget to put them in & mom doesn't notice!

My indication #1 migraines for two days straight #2 so drained on third day and all house work backing up #3no creative time #4 not seeing the cupcake batter didn't get the eggs. (all batter in liners back into bowl and try again! +eggs and stir, into new liners) * should of made a funniest home video!

Then today arrives at Sammie's school to deliver the cupcakes. I parked and we walked over, bell rings at the inside of the entry way just as it rings, we were stopped for a tardy slip! No grace period at this school!! Not even 1minute~ Wait for it to be written, go with Sam to class deliver the cupcakes for the party & see her off. That was the icing on the cake for the week! Any how saved you a cupcake and sneak peak of new art for Sunday~ Hope your week was better than ours! Did you ever just want a week done and gone or a do over?? Here's hoping for a better weekend and wishing you the same!