new app

I found a great new app and have been playing with it! I think I like the Photo Stream so I can take pics with my phone and then they automatically appear in my desktop library. This app has so many cool options. Here are some recent pieces from my journal and a girl I'm working on. I took the pics with my phone, altered them in the app and then uploaded them here!

Lately, I've been finger painting in my journal. This page was inspired by Max, my Havanese that was rescued from life in a puppy mill. The first picture is what I painted, the second picture is how I altered it in Camera+. The effect is called "fashion".
Have you found any cool Apps?

new supplies

I saw these cool new ink sprays on the Ranger site and couldn't wait for them! I found them on eBay and they came yesterday.

I got an email from Michael's that the new Liquitex spray paints were in. So....I dragged the kids with me and bought 2 cans to try. It was crazy windy today so I couldn't play. Maybe tomorrow?!

Then, we went to Target. My daughter wanted a journal so she can write about our upcoming vacation and I found paper tape! Cute, huh??? I bought a set to try.

Now I just need time to be able to play with everything. Since we leave this Sunday, my play time might have to wait until we get back. I wish I could take everything with me, but I know I won't do a whole lot where we're going. Maybe just some markers and a journal to doodle in??

sad news

I put Flash, my toy poodle, to sleep on Thursday. It was awful and I feel such a loss! He was 17 years old and was with me longer than I've been married. Flash experienced SO much of my life that I cry every time I think of it: moving apartments, dating, boyfriends, marriage, babies, etc. He was a wonderful boy and I thanked him for being mine. In the back of my mind, I knew it was time. I felt torn because who am I to decide my dog's life is over? On Monday I noticed his eye was goopy and thought he had pink eye. Do dogs even get pink eye? By Wed. it was really gunky and I kept washing his face. Thursday, I cancelled his grooming appointment and got him in with the vet b/c the white of his cataract eye was completely blood red! I was scared b/c I think I knew. Max (my rescue Havanese) knew Flash was sick too. He had been sniffing and licking him incessantly the last two weeks. He was also very aggressive towards him. The dynamics around here are very different. It's quiet without him. He wasn't noisy as he slept 22 hours a day and only barked b/c he could hear Max's bark. Otherwise, he was deaf and pretty much blind. He was incontinent and needed me to constantly change his diapers. He needed me to clean him b/c he couldn't clean himself anymore. I had to carry him up the stairs. I had to lift him into bed and help him out of bed as his legs would give out when he landed. I was scared he was going to break a bone. I was a caregiver to my lovely old boy. Flash smelled terribly, but I loved him unconditionally and I miss him so much. Max misses him too.

play

Here are some bright bits of color. I'm feeling like spring is right around the corner, but being this is Chicago you never know. The other day I was walking my dog Max and it was beautiful out! It was a great walk and he was pooped when we finally got back. A few hours later, I picked up the kids and took Jake to guitar. When we got out of the car, the temperature dropped about 20 degrees! The next day, it was freezing cold and hailing, snowing and raining all at the same time! Spring break is in 3 weeks and we are gearing up for a week in the Bahamas! We are going to Atlantis for sun and fun. The last time I was there I was 18 and with my friends on spring break.

Supplies Me

The other day I signed up for Jane Davenport's class "Supplies Me". I LOVE the way she draws! She is SO cool and I hope to take a class from Jane in person one day. Her voice is soothing and I love seeing her on the beach with her dogs. I looking forward to learning from her and hopefully I will finally be able to master how to draw a nose correctly some time soon!

Class is in session!

Happy New Year! I'm just getting back into our routine as the kids just went back to school this past Monday. But.... they are off tomorrow and Monday! We had a great vacation spending time together. The kids were disappointed that it didn't snow at all over break, but today it snowed a lot! After school, they ran outside to go sledding across the street. They had so much fun and loved the sleds.

I taught a journaling class over vacation too! 5 girls (including Gia) participated and they seemed to really like what they learned. Everyone sewed their own journal and I taught them lots of different backgrounds, textures and collage. It was a little stressful as we were in the dining room and I was worried something was going to break or stain the floor.

I have been playing around in my journals, trying to get myself going again. I am participating in Strathmore's journaling series and right now the instructor is Traci Bautista. I love to doodle and I love using intense colors. So far, it's been fun!

blog repair

All is fixed and I decided to change the background AGAIN! Winter is officially here as it snowed yesterday. Barely a dusting, yet everyone forgot how to drive! Of course my kids are wanting LOTS of snow. They are ready to go sledding!

Just participated in a holiday shopping event and did really well! I was thrilled by the positive response. Everyone loved my girls and felt my work touched them in some way. Additionally, I am excited because two local shops will be carrying my work. I have to get a move on and make a few more pieces so there is enough of a selection when I bring in the pieces on Wednesday.

I SO want to go away, take a bunch of classes, be around like minded people and get inspired! Now that it is so yucky outside, I will be inside a lot. However, I love learning and exploring new mediums and ideas and am feeling a little isolated not being able to have some fun! I'm still kind of stuck having to take online classes as I don't have anyone to come stay with my kids while I'm gone. My husband works a ton and they aren't old enough to leave alone. One day! I know..... one day. I have found one online drawing class that sounds good. Anyone find anything they definitely will be signing up to take?