2018: 107/365

(And, the snow keeps on falling...)

I don't think whoever coined the phrase,

"April showers bring May flowers."

meant snow showers.

Ugh.

2018: 24/365

Happy National Compliment Day!

Armed with post-its, pens, and positively punny praise, Tyler and I headed out to spread a little kindness today...

(Since it is also National Peanut Butter Day, we had to make sure to include some of the nutty stuff in one of our compliments!)

Leaving little notes of encouragement is one of my favorite things to do.  I even created some free printable kindness cards, in case you're interested!

2018: 14/365

I believe that in order to keep the creative well full, it's important to spend some time outside the studio.  Today I wandered around Buffalo ReUse gathering inspiration.

Enjoy Today!

(All of these photos were taken during an impromptu picnic dinner earlier this week.)

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

Sometimes I Get Carried Away

The theme over at The Butterfly Effect this week is "eyes", so I started by creating a fl-eye painting.  I used joint compound, collaged book pages, a hand carved fl-eye stamp, and paint (it is Paint Party Friday, after all).  I was having so much fun, I just couldn't put the stamp down!  So, then I painted...

"Butter fl-eyes" and "Fruit fl-eyes"!

The fun didn't stop there.  The theme at Inspiration Avenue is "dolls", so I drew...

An "American Eye-Doll"!

Boy, was I on an (eye) roll!  The Sketchbook Challenge theme is "flowers", so I created...

An "Eye-ris"!

Just because I was out of challenges didn't mean I needed to stop, right?!?  (I warned you in the title of this post that sometimes I get carried away!)

So, one more... 

Just for fun...

An "Eyeball"!

Okay, okay, I'm finished... For now.

But, since the question I am most frequently asked is:

"Where do you get your ideas?"

I thought it would be fun to show you an "idea page" from my sketchbook...

(click on image to enlarge)

When I'm working with a theme, one of the things I like to do is brainstorm.  (This page is completely eye inspired.)  One idea leads to another... and another... and another!  No idea is too ridiculous at this point (actually, the ridiculous ones are frequently my favorites)!

The best part about these brainstorming pages?

If I'm ever in a creative slump, I just flip through my sketchbook and there are loads of possibilities just waiting to be explored!

Looking for...

The wonderfully kind, talented, and inspiring Chrissy has been posting some fun and amazing "heart and seek" photos over on her cul*ti*vate blog.  I am totally loving these pictures and wanted to share some of my own.

In September I posted my first "heart" pic.  Here are a few more...

Every day I am greeted by this heart in the hardwood floor at the base of my stairs.  It is a wonderful daily reminder that a little bit of love is always nearby.

On Day 8 of Chrissy's "Heart and Seek" she posted some great sunny, sandy, beach heart pics.  It was great to experience some warmth through her photos, however these days I'm more familiar with hearts of the snowy variety!

I engraved this heart into a wall of snow.  There is always more than enough of the white stuff to play with...

I first saw a heart shaped snowball on Sophia's blog and it was love at first sight!  I nestled this little cutie in a beautiful handmade scarf by Tiffany.

As soon as the snow melts I will be heading out in search of some heart shaped rocks...  Until then this painted heart rock will have to do.

"In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities."

-Janos Arnay

The Gnome Is Back...

Okay.  Here's the story...

I had a completely different post all written and ready to "publish" when I saw an email in my inbox that said that this week's Photo Friday challenge is "Travels".  Well, I just couldn't let that theme pass me by without sharing more gnome photos!

This is the photo where I made a spectacle of myself while taking it!

Here is another photo from Niagara Falls - I just love the rainbow in the background.

And a collage of some fun gnome photos for your viewing pleasure!

I have so many neat things I want to share with you, but my original post will have to wait for another day...

I will also be participating in One World One Heart.

(I have a fun giveaway planned for it!)

If you haven't heard of it be sure to check it out!

Another Challenge

Photo Friday

Theme: 'The Street'

A Day at the Fair

I believe the best way to recharge a creative battery is to put down the brushes, turn off the computer, get out of the studio, go outside and do some livin'!

So that's exactly what I did...

And one more...

(a clue to what I'm working on for this week's color challenge)