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?

The Censor, The Garden, and Mary

Miss Suzi Blu has inspired me again!! Damn that woman!! :) If you haven't already gone to her ning network, please, I beg you, GO!!! (http://www.suziblu.ning.com/) There are so many workshops to fall in love with and they are sure to unleash the creative passion that you thought didn't exist. One of the newest FREE workshops is centered around a book called "The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron. The first chapter is about creating a sense of safety by acknowledging your inner critic (you Censor) and basically telling him to shut the heck up... he's the one who plants "Negative Nelly" thoughts in your head anytime you get a compliment. Have you ever really payed attention to children... they will compliment themselves with such conviction and without hesitation because they're free from self doubt (that negative crap we adults force feed ourselves). Go ahead, try saying something nice about yourself and just listen to your Censor weasel his way in... We don't need to hear any more from the peanut gallery, so could you kindly SHUT UP!!!... I still have to do my positive affirmation homework, but so far I'm loving this book...

On the gardening front... After all my stressing over my bulbs not sprouting I went out on my patio Saturday morning and found that two of my bulbs had indeed broken free (and a couple days later a couple more made their debut).... I tell you, I have never been so freakin' excited and I must have gone out to "check on them" about 20 times throughout the day just to bask in my success. I was all ready to dig them out and "force" them, but I guess all I needed was a little faith and patience. I was so inspired by my newly discovered green thumb that I went out and bought lavender and star jasmine plants and a bunch of herb seeds... and yes, I will sow them myself... that's right, Martha Stewart, there's a new girl in town... Watch out!!!

Some other good news... I have finally finished my commissioned piece for the The American Cancer Society. Her name is Mary and I am completely head over heels in love with her. All day Monday I painted away at this background... I lost count on how many layers I put down, but the end result is beautiful, I think, so it was all worth it. I couldn't bare to not have a remembrance of her, so I dropped her off at Sacramento Giclee this morning so I can have a print all to myself (and anyone else who loves her)... Her she is...

I'm on my way...

Well, it's been a very busy week... lots of stuff to report... let's start at the beginning...

I took a Story Canvas class a couple weeks ago from Chris Cozen at my local stamp store, and OH MY GOD!!!, I can't even explain to you how wonderful it was... She is so talented and her presence alone helped to inspire truly beautiful work from everyone in the class... It's so wonderful to be surrounded by talented people... it helps to spark ideas that may otherwise lay dormant...

I brought a pic of Joseph and I (our favorite picture of the two of us) from our weekend in San Francisco last July... We had only been dating for a month, but I knew then and there I was madly in love... Here's my finished collage... it's my first mixed media piece and I'm so so so happy with it... I love that you can tell a story, real or not, and transform that story into something beautiful...

I have to admit that I was being a total groupie,

hanging off of her every word, but damnit it was worth it... here's a pic of the two of us (after she signed my book, of course)... Another good outcome of the class was that I got to talk to Chris about how she got started creating her own line of rubber stamps... Let's just say that my sketches are on their way to "her lady" and I'm that much closer to launching Peach Honey products... AHHHHHH!!! Yea, just a little excited...

I FINALLY HAVE A WORK TABLE!!! After my custom table dreams fell threw I called my Dad to see if there was any way he could help me make something... He informed me that he had a drafting table that he wasn't using... A FREE TABLE?!? Long story short, I went to Home Depot, got a new table top, and he happily attached it... It's so perfect... it's 3x5 feet with an adjustable height, and I even got a clip on lamp to attach to the side... I couldn't help but play all Monday afternoon and evening.... Here's a couple mixed media pieces I did... you like?

And here's a pic of my new table... yes, it's already covered in projects and I love it!!! I wouldn't have it any other way...

NEW FAV BOOK!!! Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected by Claudine Hellmuth... It took me a week to finish her first book, Collage Discovery Workshop, and this new one was no exception... lovely new techniques to inspire even the newest of artists, and examples of her lovely work... After finishing the book, I took out all my mini canvas boards, and tried them out... here's what I did... whatcha think? (They will be going up on my Etsy site soon, I promise)...

Weekends, Classes and Inspriration

Joseph and I had an amazing weekend just hangin' (still didn't go golfing, but hopefully soon)... went to his folks to check in, and then to mine for an impromptu pool party in their new backyard (which we have official named "The Resort")... it's unbelievably gorgeous and so relaxing, especially when mom is cookin' on the grill... Maureen brought the two girls over, and we just kicked back and enjoyed the nice weather... This is a pic of my mom with Kelli, who is almost 3 months, and me with Lexi who is 19 months.

I love seeing Joseph with babies... a little foreshadowing of things to come... It's amazing how when love is truly REAL, how good and RIGHT it feels... I love this man...

He is the most genuinely loving man I have ever met... he appreciates me for who I am, no matter what I do, or what kind of mood I'm in, the I feel safest when I'm in his arms...

On another note, I talked to my Mati again, and we set a date of next Monday for our first Color Theory Class... hopefully, I can spread the wealth and post a little outline of what I learn for all my fellow bloggers (along with my homework assignments)... I'm so freakin' excited!! (and a little nervous... it's always a little unsettling when other people are judging your work... thank God Mati is a complete sweetheart... I'm sure she'll be kind, even if my paintings are horrible)...


I'm an avid Amazon.com shopper... I have been buying tons of art books (mixed media, photography, scrapbooking, etc.) and I love the techniques and inspirational projects they offer... they just make you want to play (they also make you want to spend way too much $$ at Michael's, but we won't go there)... I received Mixed Emulsions in the mail yesterday morning and have spent every sitting moment digging through it... I highly recommend it!!! It gives great techniques on how to alter photographs using everything under the sun from stucco to oil paint, and even condensed milk... craziness!! GO BUY IT and get inspired!!