A List Compilation from Bloggy Boot Camp

Brandi and Me... more pics here

5 things Tiffany taught me... 
1. Successful women can support each other... we don't need to live up to the stereotype of being catty and competitive.
2. Be original!
3. There's room for everyone on the web.
4. Take your business seriously, or else no one will.
5. Your time = $

5 Things Brandi and I have in common:

1. We keep chapstick by our bedsides, for the middle of the night applications.

2. We take off our wedding rings before going to bed.

3. We are not morning people, and can't engage in conversation before 9am and/or two cups of coffee.

4. We love chai tea lattes.

5. We over pack, and then regret it later.

How to make a flight more enjoyable... brought to you by our flight attendant, Todd

1. Greet every single customer with a smile.

2. Sing Happy Birthday to unsuspecting passengers.

3. Have toys available for kids on board.

4. While passing out complimentary pretzels, call them "eggs and bacon" "turkey and chesse" and "waffles".

5. Sing a song to celebrate our hour long flight.

... I love when people go the extra mile to make people feel great.

my new peeps

Some of the awesome people I met at Bloggy Boot Camp

CHECK THEM OUT!!!

Brandi of meDesigns

Lauren of i heart andy gross

Mary of The Mama Mary Show

Stephanie of Rock Star Mom

Beth of San Diego Momfia

Amy of Using Our Words

Kay of Bucksome Boomer

Danielle Liss

Liz of Fleishman-Hillard Inc

Lindsey of the modchik

Celeste of shallowOcity

Andi of Misadventures with Andi

Barbara of Surfing the Net with Kids

Eva of Tech. Food. Life

Anna of ABDPBT

Tricia and Siana of 2 Girls on a Bench

Amy of The Savvy Mom's Guide

Aimee of Ain't Yo Mama's Blog

Lisa of The Gonzo Gourmet

Ali of The Rehan Family

Mique of Thirty Handmade Days

Gabriela of Living La Vida Normal

Gina of Gina's Real Life

Kelly of Joggermom

Kadi of Kadi Prescott

SITS San Diego Bloggy Boot Camp

I'm back home from my SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp in San Diego.  Brandi and I had a blast!  We were surrounded by positive and supportive women.  We asked for each other's business cards, shared resources, and offered suggestions.  We tweeted, retweeted, laughed, and even cried.

Brandi and  Me

You know I couldn't have a vacation without a little drama.

After the first presentation I realized I forgot my business cards in my suitcase.  So,  I ran, yes ran, back to the room to grab them.  Did I mention it was a quarter mile?  On my run back to the conference it started to rain.  Perfect.  While trying to take off my sweater to cover my hair (let's face it, no one wants to see what happens to my hair in the rain), I dropped my business cards all over the wet ground.  I looked up to the heavens, and asked, "Why?"

The awesomeness that followed is why.  I'm glad I asked.

My favorite part of the day was sitting and talking with DeNae, an amazing writer and my new hero.  Her presentation had me mesmerized.  During our mingling break, I sat down and asked her, "How do I find my voice?  I'm struggling to find the words to express my constant mind chatter, but finding it even harder to find a voice that is right for the artistic world and my preemie family audience."  She said, "Those are completely different voices, so don't try to make them the same."  So simple.  So powerful.  As an artist I'm loud, sassy, and kinda all over the place.  A a NICU nurse/preemie advocate I'm professional, sometimes stern, but always nurturing and supportive.  Why would I want to force those two voices together?  They need to be separate because their purpose is different.  I don't want to be loud and obnoxious with my NICU families... wrong place, wrong time.  

DeNae & Me (photo by Brandi)

She also said something I was dying to hear.  She said, "You've found your voice.  I can tell."  I could have cried.  I could have wept in front of my new idol.  Ahhhh!!!!  I didn't think I had one, or better yet, I had one buried under fear and hesitation.  I was trying to be someone else.  I was trying to write like other bloggers.  It's so wrong!  I'm not them!!  The purpose for my blog is different, so the voice has to be different.  I don't know why I have such a problem with being myself.  Originality sells.

Tiffany, Fran, and Kat did such an amazing job bringing this group of women together.  Thank you, thank you!!!

Holly's new book, and a weekend in San Diego...

Did you hear Holly Becker released her first book, Decorate?  She's so excited to see the birth of a childhood dream, and it puts all of my craziness into perspective.  The way she talks about this new accomplishment gives me chills because the possibility of that being me, years down the road, is such an amazing thought.  All the current business busy-ness will be worth it later, when my dreams become reality.  You just have to have faith that it will happen... and I do.

Photo by Holly Becker

I'm in the midst of Holly's Blogging Your Way class.  Absolutely A-MA-ZING!  That kick-in-the-butt feeling I got from Kelly's class, has been resurrected in in this class about writing, color, photography, marketing, and all around awesomeness.  I love the web... all these wonderful classes at your fingertips.  So many possibilities.

I got my patterns in the mail!!!  Another heart-pounding step in my journey.  I'm still awaiting my Fashiondex book, and I'm desperately trying to find a sewing contractor in my area.  It's difficult trusting someone else with your dream, and handing over those patterns to a complete stranger is terrifying.  Monica recommended someone in her area, 2 hours from my house, but I would love it if I could find someone closer... I can reduce my carbon footprint, and save a little dinero.

Photo by Me

I'm off to San Diego this weekend for The Bloggy Boot Camp, sponsored by the SITS girls.  In this ever-changing world, it's important to me to continue to grow as a writer, artist, and business woman.  I feel my voice is still hidden under hesitation and fear, so I'm hoping to gain some writing insight.  Have you ever struggled with your writing?  How did your overcome it?

First Haul video!!

I went shopping!!!  It was one of those days where I couldn't just pass by my local University Art Store... I had to go in and stock up.  Good thing I had my shopping list on my phone.  Earlier that week I received a package from DickBlick, so I decided to make my first ever Haul video.  Hope you enjoy my excited chatter?





Links from this video (in no particular order)
Golden polymer medium
Golden Fluid acrylic in Zinc white
Prismacolor NuPastels
Tortillions
Gelly roll pen in White
Pentel Sunburst in White
Tesia Blackburn (Golden Artist)
Princeton brushes
Heart Clothing Boutique
Kneaded eraser
Derwent Watercolor pencil in flesh pink

If you ever have any questions about the products I use, or talk about, please don't hesitate to email me. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to be the first to view my videos (they usually are posted on the channel a couple days before the blog post is published). Thanks for watching!

...and now for the sketches...

I talked a little bit about Monica Zuniga on Wednesday. She is an amazing Mixed Media Artist, who lives in Mexico city. I am taking her Mixed Media Faces class, and within this class we practice drawing faces with pencil, creating textured backgrounds, and much much more. She inspired me to try drawing realistic faces, but it was a real struggle. I realized I like my dolls, and although I love her realistic artwork, it's not me. It's difficult, sometimes, to accept your style, especially when the devil on your shoulder is whispering "that doesn't even look real." I even had a friend tell me, "her nose looks alien," about a recent sketch I drew. It hurt, but you can't change people's perspectives, you can only change how you feel about yourself. I would rather create my dolls, than struggle to create something that I don't have the passion for. I like my "alien" nose, and that's all that matters.

My sketches are just the beginnings of things to come... not a lot of shading, just the bare minimum of some inspiration that came to me at 2am, after watching one of Monica's videos. I usually name my girls, but because we're in the first part of their creation, they haven't spoken to me, yet.

Have you ever struggled to learn a skill or technique? Did you stick with it, alter it slightly to make it yours, or both?

Classes I'm taking...

As most of you know, I am a very busy bee. On any given week I am taking two or three classes, and reading a couple books to top it off. I thrive off the inspiration of others, so I wanted to take a moment to give my current classes a spotlight.

Brandi Hussey
I'm still working my way through Brandi's Color Rockstar class. The color palettes she includes are so inspiring and force you to look at the world from a new perspective. You know that old abandoned building in your neighborhood? Pay attention to the colors that cover the rotted building... you may just find the perfect color scheme for your new brand.

Photo by mlhradio on Flickr, textured up by Brandi Hussey

Jessica Sprague
I know you have heard me talking about Jessica Sprague for some time now, but let me just remind you she is AWESOME!! If you ever wanted to know anything about digi scrapbooking/Photoshop editing, she is your girl. I have finished the Up and Running with Photoshop class and now am in the midst of Now We're Rockin'. So many techniques, so little time. I get in a groove some days and spend hours watching the class video and practicing what I have learned on some of my fav pics. I'm getting a lot done, and learning skills I can use to toward my website. So much fun!! Revisit her site!!


Monica Zuniga
I've been a fan of Monica's for a couple years now, and when I got my new computer I forgot to bookmark her in my blogger favs. One morning, I remembered her unbelievable talent and went searching for her on Google... I typed Monica, Mexico, hands, artist... there she was. Monica Zuniga, and mixed media artist for Mexico, and her blog was called Hands and Heart. Gotta love Google.
I'm taking her Mixed Media Faces class, and I was overjoyed after the first video (and there are 24 long, amazing videos). The class covers everything from face dimensions to mixed media backgrounds. Although, I have been doing some of the techniques for awhile, it's refreshing to see someone else's point of view and style. The technique may be the same, but the outcome is always unique. I haven't gotten very far in the class, but if the rest of the class is anything like this first couple videos, I will have lots to talk about. She has a lot of classes available on her ning website. Check her out!!

On Friday I will show you some sketches I've been toying around with, thanks to Miss Monica. Come back and let me know what you think..

Computer day...

I received my PeachHoneyLove business license in the mail this week... it's official, I'm CEO and owner of my own company. Sure, I haven't made much income, and there aren't a lot of people who know me... YET!!! It's all mine... the company, the journey... the success will come when it's ready. In the meantime, I'm doing my darndess to make sure everything associated with PHL is up to par. The pictures, blog post, paintings... everything needs to be great!!

Soooo... I'm trying to familiarize myself with everything awesome, therefore, I'm re-visiting Jessica Sprague's digi classes. I bought one of her class bundles a couple Christmas' ago, and when my 30 day Photoshop trial expired, that was it. No more fun for me. Well, I finally bought the program, so it was time to start over... yes, completely start over. I needed a fresh start, anyway.

I started with her Photo Editing class... and if you're wondering if her classes are any good... believe me when I tell you, you have never taken such a user friendly, easy-to-follow, Photoshop class in your life!!! It's a lot of information, so I suggest you take diligent notes so you can reference back to them. But remember, her classes are available to you FOREVER, so don't fret. I went searching through some of the gazillion pictures I've taken over the last few years, and spent hours editing all of my favs. It was nice to relive those moments through better looking photographs... here's one I fell in love with...



By the way, I was on the computer ALL DAY... Joseph didn't mind because he had football and baseball to watch, so as long as I was sitting next to him he was ok. Thank God for earphones.

Mixed Media with Tim Holtz...

I had a class with Tim Holtz on Monday... it was so much fun!!! He is such a sweetheart and so down to earth and helpful... I had so much fun!!... and of course I acted like a complete groupie (I'm such a dork)... he signed my apron and took a picture with me... It was the last class of the weekend, and I was happy to see Tim as perky as ever...
I was surprised at how many techniques were involved in this one 12x12 canvas... I can't wait until he comes back next year... and this time I'm camping outside to shop, so I can sign up for more than one class... I have to admit though that it was the one I really really wanted to take... LOVE HIM!!!

The class was a mixed media Christmas collage and we used everything but the kitchen sink to put together this holiday piece... I loved the way it turned out... My plan is to put together a few of these for christmas gifts this year... a little something for family and friends from my humble little studio...
..they are sure to be filled with lots of love from yours truly...

Polly... Italy... Crap!!!

So I finally finished my polly from Suzi Blu's class... the class is over and I'm so sad... that was BY FAR the best class I've ever taken... I'll miss the weekly Suzi Love videos... so many techniques... so much love... Her mixed media network is still up and running, and we have tons of creative godesses to play with!!!... So much fun...

Anyway, here's my finished Polly... my favorite part of mixed media is how versitile it is... you can use whatever you have lying around!!!... in this painting alone I used woodburning, colored pencils, acrylic paint (three different brands), stencils, stamps, tissue paper, scrapbook paper, paper flowers, gold leaf, and beeswax... Tons of fun beautiful layers!!!... I can't even explain how much fun I had working on this piece... anyway, enough of my babbling... here she is!!!

I finally started working on my Italy scrapbook from 2007 (ummm... yea... a little late)... and thanks to the espresso I bought from that trip (mixed with a little sugar-free Swiss Miss hot chocolate... OMG so friggin' good!!) I have gotten the first three pages done before work over the last couple days... still have to work on the journaling... I may have to take Jessica Sprague's new FREE CLASS to get the ideas flowin'... I'll post my finished pages in a few days...

On another note... I am FUTURE TRIPPIN'!!! (a new term I picked up from my Karen)... with the economy the way it is and my CNA contract due to be renegotiated in 2011 (I know, I know... and little early to be flippin' out), I'm just a little worried (ok, ok... A LOT worried) about the future of my job and wages... anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts... enjoy your weekend...

Oh, by the way, my 30 mile ride turned into 12 miles... so, yea, I'm pretty pathetic, but Natalie assured me that she's going to start kickin' my ass, so we're doing a whopping 15 miles next time... I'm still hoping for some motivation to stick with it...

I love you my Honeybush!!!... Muah!!

Class with Suzi Blu

Hello lovies... Sorry I have been MIA lately... it's been awhile... Joseph had surgery, and I'm happy to announce he's doing wonderful, despite being bedridden forced to watch horrible daytime TV (he loves it)...

I'm taking a online class by the lovely Suzi Blu, who by the way has found her calling... she is an art teach, and she is doing such a wonderful job... her videos are wonderful and inspiring and I'm having a blast... LOVE HER!!!

The class is all about making "pretty pretty girls" (as Suzi calls them)... it's so much fun!! It's eight weeks of videos, homework assignments, entries in our Healing Art Journal, and tons of inspiration... There are about 350 people taking the class, and each person adds their own love and talent to the class... we get to see other people's work, ask tons of questions, and just enjoy each other... It's incredible...

Lesson One was all about drawing faces... the rules to drawing eyes, old vs. young faces, and adding your own little touch to each piece... here are a few of my sketches...

Lesson Two was on Shading to accentuate the natural contours of the face... Suzi Blu created her pieces on wood and does a little wood burning to add a little somethin' somethin' to her initial sketch... here's my first attempt at painting a "pretty pretty girl" on wood... First I sketched out my girl on a piece of birch plywood and then burned the outline...

Then I did a little shading with watercolor and regular pencils...

I blended a colorless pencil and added some white to the nose and cheek area... a little pink and red to the lips, and another layer of colored pencils for added shading...



Colored her hair, another layer of shading and blended with water and acrylic paint... it's not exactly perfect (one of her eyes is a little bigger than the other, and she looks like she has bags under her eyes... not to mention that her hair doesn't have much dimension), but it's my first one so I'll cut myself some slack... I'm so critical of myself... I need to stop... anyway, here she is... you like?