morning coffee & childrens stories

       As like any other mother, I find my children amazing; but this morning
was particularly perfect. My boys were at school already which left just Izzy and I. I made us coffee and "coffee" [which is actually a whole lotta milk, a dash of sugar and a touch of coffee] but anyhow; the snow was falling just slightly with the morning light leaking in our windows as as we drank our coffees. Izzy had my colored pens and was drawing and I was checking my messages such. 
       I looked over to find her 'writing a story', however much a person her age can write. I'll admit it was a lot of scribbles, loops and lines between [and around] the lines of your standard writing paper.
       I asked her what she was doing and she said "I'm writing a story", which in it's own made my heart swell a little ❤ but what struck me was when I asked her what it was about she actually had a story line and description of what she was 'writing' so in a sense, despite the fact it may not have been actually written on paper, in her head she truly was writing a story.
       Maybe it's just me, maybe it's because I'm her mama, maybe it's a lot of things combined; but all three of my children have picked up some type of art.
My oldest son: drawing & photography
My middle son: photography & cooking/culinary
My daughter: baking, writing & painting
       I personally think it's important that children experiment with arts and learning to find their niche with it if they enjoy it. Both as an interest and an  outlet.  I've seen their  improvement grow within it, I've seen their creativity unfold and their imagination spark.

And I find it amazing every time.

artist's block - break it!

    The recurring question “how do I break this artist's block”, we’ve all hit that wall where we just can’t find a way to get anything out, and if we do it’s just rubbish we can hardly bare to admit we created. There are many causes of artist’s block, and luckily many cures!

     Sometimes we're not inspired, this is probably the hardest to overcome because you can't always just make yourself get up and go get inspired. Another reason people hit this block is because they're just bored with what they're doing. Below are a few ways to break either of those causes, use one method, use four whatever you want and whatever it takes. You can get through it.

• Take a break; seriously. This is my first suggestion give yourself a little bit to think, relax, rejuvenate and simply be blocked for a minute, hour or a day or two. Unless you’re in some rush to get it done take advantage of this step. Sometimes your brain just needs a minute to cool down before it powers back up and gets going again.
• Prompts: prompts come in many forms from themes, words/phrases, examples, visual pieces, music etc. They are used to inspire you and make you think about how to represent or respond to the given prompt. [you can google [art type i.e. writing, photography, etc.] prompts or you can use your own.
• Try something new: Think of something you haven’t done/tried before. Then go forth and find a tutorial and give it a try, you’ll create something from that tutorial AND maybe you’ll get inspired to use the method/style in a different way with something else.
• Previous Ideas/Art:
• in my opinion everybody should keep an inspiration journal [writing journal, thought journal, whatever you choose to call it]. We’ve all had those moments where we’re in class, at work, walking our dog, showering, whatever and we have a brilliant idea! Write it down, write it on your hand, write it in the steam on the mirror, write it on a scrap of paper just write it down. And when you get the chance add it to your journal [I do recommend keeping this on you, but it’s up to you. I also know people who keep their ideas in their phone notes because it’s easier to carry your phone then remember a journal] When you get a block, go back to this list and find stuff on there to start, work on or whatever.
• another option is to go back to an old piece of work; think of the ways you improve it and do again, branch off [start a series, make it bigger or even get an entirely new idea!]
• Start a project: Project 365, 52 week project, a monthly themed challenge [NaNoWriMo, 30 Days of Photos, 30 days, 30 sketches], even make one up! Make a goal/challenge to get yourself creating something, anything. It doesn’t have to be fantastic, it has to break that barrier between you and your inspiration. 
• Believe in yourself: if you believe you're never going to create art again, you're probably not. If you keep thinking it's only going to suck, it probably will. Believe in  yourself and your art! Take compliments! Let your head grow! Improve, grow and strive. You'll get through this block, we all have 

SUMMARY 
   ☆ Take a break
   ☆ Give prompts a go [music, words/phrases, visual, etc.]
   ☆ Try new methods/styles/techniques/etc.
   ☆ Go back to old ideas/art and try them [again]
   ☆ Start a project [daily, weekly, month long, etc.]
   ☆ Believe in Yourself

*** This is an older article I had written on deviantART in 2010, while updating my old posts/journals/articles, I decided to share some of them here. Maybe you'll find them useful as well ♥ ***

Penguin Nails

       I really have nothing special to say about them, other than they're pretty freaking awesome! *dances*

Watermelon Cupcakes

Watermelon Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 pkg. regular white cake mix

1 pkg. cherry kool-aid

1/2 c. mini-chocolate chips

1 c. white frosting [store bought or home made]

red & green food coloring

Directions

1. Mix cake mix as directed. Add in cherry kool-aid and a few drops of red food coloring as desired. Gently add in mini-chocolate chips.

2. Put into cupcake tins, filling about 3/4 of the way to the top

3. Bake as directed by the cake mix

4. Allow to cool. Meanwhile, take mix green food dye into frosting until desired shade[s] of green.

5. Frost cupcakes when cooled.

6. [optional] Sprinkle extra mini-chocolate chips on top after frosted OR mix in when mixing frosting

***this is NOT an original recipe***

Jello Cookies

Jello Cookies

Ingredients 

3.5 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1.5 c. salted butter, softened

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

4 (3 oz.) pkg. jello (any flavors)

food coloring

Directions

1. beat butter in large bowl with mixer until creamy. add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. blend in egg and vanilla.

2. in separate bowl mix flour and baking powder. gradually beat flour mixture into butter mix.

3.  divide dough into 4 sections. sprinkle 2 tbsp. of jello into each section. knead together. add a few drops of food coloring to make dough more vibrant

4. shape dough into 1 inch balls. roll in extra jello from the packets. place, 2 inches apart on baking sheets. flatten with bottom of bowl.

5. bake 8-10 minutes at 350 on lines baking sheets. cool on backing sheets 2 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

***this is NOT an original recipe, it can be found on numerous sites online***

2014 Resolutions

         I don't usually make new years resolutions since I don't believe the changing of a year will actually inspire me to change my life [for example; turning 20, that inspired me to start thinking & changing some things]. But anyhow; this year I decided to make a few resolutions... and here they go

★ Improve relationships and promote positivity in life [& "break-up" with anyone who brings only negativity]
★ De-clutter my life both physically, emotionally & mentally.
★ Work towards goals on my 101 things in 1,001 days project
★ Since my best friend is getting married this year; get in better shape so I can rock that dress even better
★ Improve my photography, complete my Glory-Be-Project & try new styles/medias
★ Be more regularly active on deviantART

❅101 things in 1,001 days ❅

         101 things in 1,001 days is pretty simple; you make 101 goals to complete within 1,001 days [approx. 2.75 years] you can find out more by reading Day Zero Project [about]. I started mine the first of this year, which means it will end on the 28.September.2016. That amount of time is more realistic in changing my life than 1 year.
         I'm not gonna list all 1,001 one things but they range from things I want to do with with my kids, art, my life and other bits and pieces of dreams and aspirations.

☮My Goal in Life ☮

         My ultimate life goal is simple; to find peace and happiness in every day and promote positivity in my childrens lives, my life and that of strangers. To be a good person and teach my children to be good people. I want simple things. I don't dream of greatness nor do I hope for a huge house on a lake. I just want to find my bliss and share it with my children & my love.

 ☕ If You're Reading This ☕

★ Do you have any resolutions [for 2014 or otherwise]?
★ What would you consider your life goal to be?
★Feel free to share any goals, beliefs or anything else ❤ I would love to hear your ideas, thoughts & goals!

Surviving Project 365

The beginning of the year brings hopes, aspirations, resolutions and PROJECT 365. Here's some helpful tips to help you get through your project 365 a bit easier

What is project 365?
Project365 is originally the goal of taking a photo a day for a year [totalling in 365 photos]
BUT; you can do it with anything
write something every day
do a sketch/drawing a day
make a craft a day

With that possible question cleared up, many of us set forth on New Years day with the ambition of completing this project, but ideas do grow slim, creativity fades, time just simply doesn't allow it, ambition and excitement over the project grows weary... simply put; interest gets lost along the way here and there.

Thus, this year, armed with your fresh new, Project 365 Survival Guide, you are ready to start your project and FINISH!


Why do it?
There are many reasons to do it; the main two being
* to improve your art
*to keep a diary of your life


ALWAYS, always, always take your tools on you!
This is a pretty basic concept, but an extremely useful one. Keep your tools on you; your camera, pen & paper, pencil & sketchbook, tablet, whatever. This will be the most helpful advice I can give you.

Ever see something and think "I wish I had my camera?"
Or have inspiration to write hit you at the bank?
Maybe you see something while you're waiting somewhere that you want to draw?

Since you are now going to be doing it every day it's going to be a lot easier to have your tools with you wherever inspiration may strike.
Plus; this will fit into your daily schedule a whole lot better than setting time aside each day to accomplish your work.

If you forget your camera; use your phone camera. It may not be the best quality but it will be a photo regardless which will work if you don't find another opportunity that day.
Same goes for writing or drawing; you have a notepad on your phone and you can take a photo of whatever you want to draw.
Your phone will probably be extremely helpful in your project!


Have a goal & support
What's the point in doing a project this extreme without a goal? So you have a large collection of photo sitting around on your harddrive? Some do this to improve their skills and create a chart or meme [day 1, day 25, day 50, day 75...etc.]
Personally I did mine with the goal of turning it into a book. That way I can look at it sitting on my coffee table one day and say "hey, that was an interesting year".

I've heard of some people who say things like "for every month I get to..." and treat yourself to something. If you work better short term with a reward at the end go for it. At day 100 I bought myself something I had wanted and did the same following that.

Also; tell your friends and family what you're doing. It's hard to stay excited about something if you're the only one that knows about it and how hard you're working. Let them be your cheerleaders. Even if they aren't interested in your art most of the time they will still support your goal, and they probably wouldn't object to a quick overview every once in a while!


Don't wait until last minute!
Imagine this... it's 11:54pm and you remember you haven't done your project today. It's dark, it's almost over and you're potentially tired. Take something earlier in the day, if you find something better later then awesome, if you don't at least you have something to fall back on.
At least you won't end up with the case of in 6 minutes all you can find are your dirty socks, broken hair ties and a bag of stale chips.

Plans & Back-up Plans
I'm not talking Monday - this, Tuesday - that, Wednesday - this; that would make this incredibly tedious.
If you're a photographer get to know the area around you, plan some mini-trips, get a plan of things/places you can do/go to get different things. Do you really want to take a photo of your grandmas garden everyday? It gets old.

So; you're sitting there and your daily project is finished but: OMG You have a brilliant idea! Write it down! Seriously; write down all your ideas in a notebook, a memo on your phone, whatever. Just keep a list because there will be days you're not inspired and when those days come oh look, you have ideas!
[another suggestion is try the 100 theme challenge, you can complete two challenges at once!]
You can also join groups on dA that offer prompts, online groups, blogs, tweeters(?) that offer daily/weekly/monthly prompts


Experiment
Project365 is the perfect chance for you to experiment and try new things. You're in this for a year, so why not have fun with it? It is your perfect chance to try/learn new techniques, perfect old ones and work on something different you wouldn't normally do.


This is 365 pieces, NOT 365 masterpieces
This is a tough one for a lot of people, you're not going to get a perfect artwork everyday! Don't scrap everything because you didn't get a great piece for the day. One thing you'll notice through the project is the improvement you've made. What took you all day in the beginning may only take you a short time now.
Also you get to learn new things like mentioned above, if it's not perfect, oh well. You're learning! And by learning, you are really improving.


Promote your project
Let people follow your project. Create a folder in your gallery, make an album on Facebook, create a blog, a flickr account, etc. Let the world see what you're doing. Not only does this open the chance to share your project and perhaps get some feedback, it also keeps an organization of your project.


Be Organized
This isn't the most important, but it is very helpful. Create a specific folder titled 'project 365' and put your work for the project in there. It makes it easier to keep track of where you are and see your improvement than having them scattered about your computer. If you have a special folder for art, you can always move the photos into there later.


Other Stuff
    * Don't have time for project 365? try a 52 week challenge. A 52 week challenge is a less intense version of project 365. Instead of a project a week for a year
    * Pick a date that works for YOU - sure Jan. 1 is quite memorable, but, so is your birthday. Christmas when you got your new gear, ect. I started mine April 1. Spring reminds me of a 'fresh start'.
    * ENJOY THE RIDE! - this isn't supposed to be a chore, it's a fun project involving something you love. This is your project, your rules, your art!