art stuff: something pretty to remind us

We use A LOT of magnets around our house, especially considering the size of our magnetic family wall calendar, but most of them aren't pretty. They're functional, heavy duty - meaning they can hold up a stack of papers three inches thick for the next Junior National Honor Society Meeting.

Adding just a pop of color and ART to this board makes it so much easier to view - overloaded schedules and all. This is our family calendar- not pretty, but useful.

Now this is is pretty. And fun. A little painted canvas turned into workable magnet. We have started using these on our family calendar to remind us of something important.

( Plus we reserve these ART magnets for special tidbits - like love notes and free tickets! No tacking up a yucky dentist appointment with these - fun stuff only! )

Sometimes all we need to feel better about our crazy schedules and hectic lives, is just a little bit of ART. Everyday life can be so routine that we dread it. That's why anything unexpected makes it so much better- like a secret note, or a child's drawing-  things that are visually pleasing. I don't like to LOOK at my family calendar. It is almost always overwhelming, but by adding a little bit of pretty, I get an unexpected smile from myself. I am reminded that eveyday life can be beautiful- I just have to help make it that way.

December is not so bad, but most of the time our calendar is overflowing with stuff to do, places to be, people to meet. Having something pretty to remind us to slow down, have fun, and LOVE YOUR LIFE - well that's worth looking at.

art stuff: 15 minutes of mixed media

- wait, make that 10. Ten minutes of mixed media. Today I chose to make the challenge a bit harder. I set the timer for ten minutes instead of 15. I am still working in my small Dylusion Creative Journal.

I began today on an un-prepped page. I did have a few supplies laid out.

My supplies for this shorter challenge included some paint, inks, pastels,  and a permanent pen. I dried layers with a heat embosser and finished the layout off with a sealer. Start to finish - ten minutes. This just keeps getting better and better!

This all started here! You can see a few other examples of 15 minutes of mixed media here.

currently: ten things

1. Ordering photos. I can't stop ordering photos from Social Print Studio! I love them (and they don't even pay me to say that) and since I was so behind in developing my photos this was the perfect opportunity to get caught up. I am most in love with their mini squares. LOVE!

2. Keeping LIFE simple. Living simply. Loving simply. And learning not to let what the rest of world thinks dictate HOW I live or love. If it is right in my heart and with God, well that's all that matters in the end.

3. Painting up a storm. Using up old paints and finding a place in each piece for a bit of me. Allowing myself to work in small increments of time has, oddly enough, helped pushed me forward. No stress to committ to an all day affair with my studio. A little here and there gets the job done just as well.

4. Making time to LIVE again. I have spent so much of the past few years worrying over things I can not control that I forgot to do the little things that have always made me smile. Like walking in the rain at sunset. Nothing more peaceful or beautiful. Happy to be doing more of these things.

5. Catching up on some UN-favorite chores. It is no secret I love housework. This is includes my favorite chore of all time - ironing. It soothes me, what can I say? What I DON'T love it dusting. Too much stuff to move in this joint. But, alas, the time has come. Either dust or get on an inhaler. I guess dusting it is.

6. Loading up on homemade Christmas goodies for all the family. All but one are like me in that they love paper, notebooks, pens- office supplies in general. We tend to love and hoard them both. I am working on some pretty things to add to their collections. (and mine!)

7. Staying pretty true to my #photoaday creative challenge. Some days I can't fulfill the daily word prompt, no matter how creative I get, but I do try to take a photo and be creative with it - whether that be in altering it or in the actual shot itself. It is fun and I look forward to reading the daily prompt. Takes using my iphone camera to a whole new level. Want to see some of these shots? Follow along online here. IG- Raemissigman.

8. Enjoying the view from where I am. We spend so much time worrying about where we are headed and where we will go next, we forget to appreciate what it is that is right in front of us. No more. I am going to enjoy my view, from right here, for as long as I can. Tomorrow will come no matter what - me wondering what it holds won't change that. I will get to where it is that I am supposed to be eventually, me worrying about if that day will ever come is pointless. Nope- from now on you will find me right here, in the present, enjoying what I DO have. What is right NOW.

9. Grateful we were a part of such a wonderfully successfull fundraiser. The last time I checked we raised over a million dollars in toys in one night. It melts my heart to see what people will do for others. We hear all about what people aren't doing these days and not enough about what people are doing. This is a big deal. Focusing on the positive is a life changer. And through this event many, many, many children's lives will be changed, if only for the holiday.

10. Thankful for family. Thankful to have us together again this year. All of us. We are not perfect, in the rest of the world's eyes- but to one another we are as good as it gets. At the end of the day, we are all that matters. No job, artistic goal, bank account, or degree, could ever matter more than WE do to each other. It will not be a perfect day, guaranteed, but it will be time well spent. Because in all honesty, each and every holiday has held some less than perfect moment and yet all I can call to mind is the happiness. The love, the laughter, the good times. So, yes, I am thankful. For my quirky, less than perfect family. All of them.

art stuff: workshop peek 2

Sharing a peek at my second workshop that will be coming soon!

More information coming soon!

just this: I am thankful

I am thankful for so many things - more than I could list. I am thankful for my family, with all of it's imperfections. I am thankful for my faith, for without I would not be here. I am thankful for my home and the sunshine that lights it. I am thankful for my friends and all the laughter they bring to me. I am thankful for second chances and time outs. And I am thankful for you. I am just thankful. For all of it. For all of you.

art stuff: pretty painted pouches

Just a little peek at some of the new and pretty painted pouches headed to my Etsy Shoppe!

Stop by the shoppe and see what else is new!

art stuff: 15 minutes of mixed media

I started this a few weeks ago and it has really made a difference at how I look at a few minutes of art time.

Just choose a medium, set the timer and go to work!

I am more inspired than ever to take that time and make it mine! Today I am working in the small (5" x 8") Dylusions Creative Journal.

I created this page from start to finish with the timer set to 15 minutes. I had a few supplies laid out and ready to use, but nothing precut. I also used a heat embosser to help speed up the drying time in between layers.

Not only am I working on a journal layout, I am finishing it. This is the best idea I ever came up with! Enjoy!

currently: 10 things

 

So here I am again, in Week 2 of TEN THINGS. This is a good sign. Here you have it.

 

1. Working hard on getting the technical difficulties worked out on the filming side of things in the studio. Hoping this latest fix will be the end cure. We will see. I am anxious to resolve this issue, NOT because I like to film- oh no- no, no, no, no. I actually dread and fear being on camera, but do my best to hide it. I am anxious because I have some cool new ideas that are easy, affordable and pretty, to share with all of you!

2. Finishing up some new things for the etsy shoppe. I am having fun with some new ideas and they seem to be well received. Always happy for an excuse to paint and sew.

3. Following through on the self imposed challenge of getting in the studio for FUN each day. No work related projects count. I mentioned here that often means just a few minutes a day. Well I have been faithful so far and loving it. It is amazing what can be accomplished in those few minutes when your mind (and timer) are set and your thoughts are focused on just plain art.

4. Trying on an old, but favorite, gown from a few years back. Have a big BLACK TIE AFFAIR planned for this weekend that involves fun, food, family and raising a whole hek of alot of toys for less fortunuate children.

5. Editing some photos from a local Art Show this weekend. Some bonding time with my girls and art. What could be better?

6. Sorting through some photos. Getting ready to challenge myself to yet another project that requires weekly dedication. Do I need another project? Um. No. But I promised myself I would get caught up on this memory making stuff and since I am TOTALLY hooked on these sweet photos by Social Print Studio and in love with the concept of Project Life (tweaked to be me, of course) I think I will give it another whirl.

7. Counting. It's back. The need to count. Yikes. I hate it. I love it. I hate it. It happens either way. So I count. It makes me feel better. (p.s. I have three bullets to go)

8. Making Apple Pie. Yum. The good old fashioned four inch tall, so fat you can't cut it kind of Apple Pie. And homemade whip cream. Yes.

9. Re-thinking having the Mr. home every night again after three years. (just kidding. I think) I DO want him home again at night. I miss him. We miss him. We miss him at dinner and we miss him at Orchestra Concerts and Golf Matches and everything else in between...but...with the light at the end of the tunnel getting brighter and brighter I am paniced. I have had this awful time sleeping for three years, BUT I have come up with a pretty smooth and peaceful routine every night too. It's a system that works for the kids and I am pretty sure that system isn't going to sync with Big Daddy. Am I happy he is going to be home at night? Happy he will be an actual present part of this family again? Absolutely. I'm just saying - a girls' got a routine.

10. Thinking about Christmas Cards. Wondering what I will do this year. Better add it to my project list.

art stuff: teeny tiny painted notebooks

Who doesn't love teeny tiny things? These notebooks are my favorite lately. They feel so great when they are all finished and look so much cooler to pull out of your bag or backpack than a regular ole' notebook.

These notebooks are just the right size for those little lists and reminders along the way.

And since I can't remember anything these days, I always have a few of them tucked away here and there - my bag, backpack, the car and of course, one on my nightstand, for the middle of the night - because THAT is when I remember everything I forgot during the course of the day!

Oooh and these make the sweetest little stocking stuffers! Check them all out here! BIG ones coming next week! (you know- for all those BIG IDEAS and LONG LISTS!)

art stuff: workshop peek 1

I have been a little behind on filming my upcoming workshops due to a technical difficulty - blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. That is all about change soon, so here is a little peek of workshop one.

More information coming soon! Stay tuned!