Today missing yesterday?

Does winter always make us miss summer? Or is just after a week of snow followed by rain and blasts of wind that I really miss summer? I thought of this picture today. This was taken in the backyard of our old house--old meaning we actually sold it last July. Lucky, huh? Yes, actually it was--but it will be a long long time before I don't miss my little prayer garden in the backyard. And the birds, the white dogwood tree, the Japanese maples, and much more. I loved spending the mornings in a chair, with a cup of coffee, a book and my journal--all under a small umbrella in the prayer garden. But, luckily I took the time to be there when I was there, and now I have wonderful memories I can call to mind. I can sit there, or wander around the yard...in my mind. All this to say that this is why I chose the words: pay attention to the moment for this photo.

Begin by blooming...

Polaroid Love & a Night Light

Well, using my new HTC Inspire and some little photo app I was able to create this very fun little picture. Okay, the original sock monkey nightlight is as darn cute as it gets....but, even he likes the cool things I can do to a picture of him. 


Then you add one Polaroid Pogo Instant Mobile Printer and more fun happens...the kind of fun that can easily make business card size magnets. All you do is put the battery in, load the paper, charge it and then you can either print from a camera to the printer with a USB cord or send the picture via bluetooth from your phone to the printer. 


I have always loved Polaroid pictures and certainly miss making cards, magnets and mail art using the little sticker pictures from the once very popular (and the basically no longer available i-zone camera). 


Well, this is what I've been up to for fun the last two days. I look forward to sharing more pictures with you in the future.


Do you have a favorite photography app on your phone? What phone and what app do you recommend? I'm just learning the whole smartphone thing, so I would love to hear your thoughts.

Oasis Art Gallery in Wallingford

There are creative spaces galore in Seattle. I have enjoyed all the intentional and unintentional finds throughout the last year. This one, the Oasis Art Gallery is particularly fun. Their gallery is all about "making art a part of everyday living. "Local artists, yay! Walls with wonderful photographs, paintings, mosaics; tables and shelves with ceramics, jewelry, cards, knit items, and much much more. It is a great destination to drink in inspiration and find unique gifts for every occasion. 

Need A Snow Day?

Image by emilyonasunday via Flickr

Okay, we aren't having any snow here in Seattle, yet--and that is just fine with me...but, I do love snowflakes. Check out the "Need a Snow Day" button over on the left sidebar. Click it and go create a snowflake! What a kick--and no little slivers of paper to clean up. :)

Related articles

• Even Easier Paper Snowflakes Scrumdilly-do! (apartmenttherapy.com)
• How-To: Colorful Paper Snowflakes From Junk Mail (craftzine.com)

Creating in Small Spaces

It has been many months since my dresser and its drawers --along with the rest of my creative nook-- went into a smallish storage unit in anticipation of the sale of our house. Yes, the house did sell, thankfully. In the meantime, a wonderful round dining room table (carefully covered with a waterproof tablecloth) has been my space for creative and soulful play. Oh yes, I have a box or so of stamps, tapes, misc. papers, index cards, Sharpies, pens, beads and more. 


The other day I came across a small black photo album under a zip lock of supplies. I sat and looked through some of my Artists Trading Cards. "Giddy," seen above, is made with a piece of blouse fabric found in my mother's abundant fabric stash years ago when cleaning out her sewing room. Most of my ATC's have been made using old playing card's or index cards. I usually paint or ink the background--sometimes to completely cover the numbers and suite of the card--other times a heart, spade, 3 or Queen comes in handy in the design. Once the background is dry it's just a matter of mood, colors, stamps, papers, beads, and a theme if you want to make a series or just challenge yourself. There are plenty of good resources on making ATC's. Two of my favorites are:

by Bernie Berlin

 Suzanne Simanaitis

Artists Trading Cards (ACT's) are one of the perfect small space project--not only because of their small size but because they inspire endless possibilities. A little of this, a little of that...and they become addictive. Working on one card can lead to 20 other ideas! For anyone who likes to play with collage, create visual surprises from whimsical to serious, this is great creative fun. 


Related articles

• ATC's - A Novel Idea! (dianezone.wordpress.com)
• Mixed Media Art & Creative Art Journaling (5) (creativeaddictionblog.com)

Following instructions

As yummy as the feel of this yarn is, the instructions make my heart smile every time I see the label:

Knit, Relax, Smile. Repeat!

Sometimes we just need simple instructions to get our creativity flowing. Eliminate the complicate. Stick to simple. Simply put, this sweet skein is going to become a gorgeous little scarf. Now the question is...what pattern should I use?


Suggestions?

SMASH Stick and Leftovers

I like to collage cards, journal pages, envelopes....it is a great way to play and use junk mail, left over wrapping paper, and maybe even a rubber stamp and a strip or two of duct tape. Everybody loves duct tape, right? Even the plain old gray kind can lend some texture and a good background for a word or two.


Rip some paper, tear some tape, grab your glue stick--or better yet--the new SMASH Stick--glue stick one end and pen on the other. A very fun tool for anyone crafty-at-heart. Check out all the SMASH products at K&Company you might just find some fun stocking  stuffers or the perfect gift to get someone started in a life of creativity!

What do you like to do to reduce stress?