Only on Monday.

Christmas card ideas for a client. I can't decide which one I like better.

Right before Thanksgiving, these goodies came in the mail for me. Gifts. Many gifts all in one day. You'd think it was Christmas or something! 

1. The hardboard in the back is a blank canvas for something creative from Pam over at doodlestreet. Thanks Pam, I cant wait to get paintin'!

2. The lovely striped friend frame is from my newest blogger buddy Lisa over at lisagravesdesign. It's from a new project she and a friend are launching. Best of luck to you Lisa and thanks so much!

3. The Keep Calm Carry On is from my friend Paige (I just love that name) who saw this and was reminded of my sister because that was her motto. Thanks Paige!

Then, while out lunching today in the OC with my newly re-aquainted longtime friend from elementary school Amy, I saw this jump into my hands and scream a silent scream for me to purchase it. So, of course I did and now I have something cool that my sister would have LOVED.

For those of you who asked, this is a diorama. It is a make believe world you create inside a shoebox. You can do one of any subject and for some strange reason I have been thinking about them and literally dying to do one. So last week my niece told me she had to do one for her 5th grade class and I nearly jumped out of my skin just trying to get some of THAT action! She came over yesterday and we created it along with my other niece who wanted some creative action too and made a Christmas themed one. Shame on me for not taking a photo. This is a sample of some random diorama from the internet.

How about you? Do you like to create little pretend environments in shoeboxes?

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a lovely long and leisurely lunch.

Holiday Hoopla.

Well, it's official. The Christmas season is in full swing. The holiday hoopla is here. We almost decorated for the season today, the boxes made it from the garage to the deck. Inches away from holiday cheer we find ourselves. Maybe tomorrow, there's always tomorrow.

How about you? Are you ready to dive into the holiday season?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the chance to make di-o-ramas with shoe boxes with my nieces today. Fun stuff.

Texting knows no bounds.

I just read today that you can pay Santa $10 and he will text a letter to your child. Really? This is where I give my big eyed blank stare. REALLY? My heart sank when my eyes scanned this sentence, where is the magic behind a text? How does a small child get to experience the personal acknowledgement from the big guy if just a few texted lines show up on his/her mom's phone? What can he/she hold in his/her tightly gripped little hands, inhaling deeply and possibly smelling the faint scent of cookies if there is no letter? No squeals of glee at the large envelope addressed to him/her? Just a quick text... oh my. 

I think this may be the last year for Santa talk around our house and I'll be heartbroken if he doesn't get a letter in the post. Yikes, I just had a realization that maybe it's more for me than for the kid. Gulp.

Naaaahhhhhh.

How about you? Do you think Santa should text?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the delicious rain storm we encountered on our way back from LA. I heart rain.

Black Friday.

We are out of town but we still have a winner! It is Laura Zarrin, a talented artist and illustrator up in northern California! Whoo-hoo!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend with fabulous friends!

Give thanks.

Well, looky here, it's Thanksgiving Day! A day to express our gratitude for all the little things and big things in our lives. When I woke up today, I wasn't feeling very thankful. I was sort of thinking of the little things and big things I am not grateful for, not such a nice way to start the long holiday weekend. So, after allowing myself about three seconds of Debbie Downer, I began to only let myself think of the really good things I really am grateful for. The list grew and grew. Here's my top 5:

1. I am so thankful for really special friends I've made over the past few years. Very quality people who do not cast judgement. Love that!

2. I am so thankful for my ability to breathe without struggle, move with ease, feed and take care of this body of mine.

3. I am so thankful for my son who giggles in his sleep. I love that he dreams happy dreams.

4. I am so thankful for all of my family. Even the ones whom I find to be challenging. Especially the ones I find challenging because they reveal my shortcomings and help me grow.

5. I am so thankful for the opportunity to live a creative life and love it.

How about you? What is your top 5?

Today's the last day for my Thanksgiving Give Away. Leave some verbal love, or just a plain ol' comment and you'll be entered to win a print. Please let me know if the word breathe, flow or simplify speaks to you in any way!

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to be getting out of town for a few days to spend it with some of my favorite people on earth.

Gobble-gobble.

Happy Turkey Lurkey Day Eve!

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a night out to see New Moon! Whoo-hoo!

Mixed messages.

"When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate." - Ann Landers

I know Ann, but aren't we supposed to NOT compare ourselves to others? That's the message I've been hearing anyway.

Stamp-a-licious. Stampedy. Stamp. Stamp.

Squeak! I have postage stamps! I've always wanted to have my art grace the tiny square of a stamp and since the USPS hasn't come to me, I must go to them. Or to the middle man which is www.zazzle.com. Anyway, there is postage for sale at this link here. IF you order any before the end of Thursday the 26th of November (day after tomorrow) you get $5 off! I think I'm in love...

Things inside my head:

While out walking today, I have come to the realization I have sold my soul one more time. Not literally but in a way that feels cold and uncomfortable. I have taken on a project that has consumed, literally consumed my life for most of my waking hours for about two weeks straight. It's not that I don't like to work hard because I do, I feel very productive and satisfied. When I signed up for project many months ago, I was excited. Full of creative energy, there was synergy with my graphics partner and I couldn't wait for it to get started. Then I waited. Nothin'. And waited. Nothin'. Waited some more. Nothin'. 

And then slam. An unbelievable amount of work in a very short amount of time. The work is not the problem, it's the feelings that came up with this amount of work. I was overwhelmed and my family life was suffering for it. 

It wasn't supposed to be like this in an ideal sort of world but I guess we don't live in anything remotely close to an IDEAL world. Never the less, being in the graphics industry for close to two decades has learned me a big lesson, expect the unexpected! Right. I should know better. Especially at a time when I am fragile with grief and especially during a week when kids have off for the holidays. I love having clarity about certain things and today was one clear morning.

How about you? Do you have distinct and clear moments of realizations?

Don't forget to leave some comments to be entered into my Thanksgiving Give Away. What's that you ask? Read the post below for details love.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for some free time to myself tonight. Books are in my near future!

Thanksgiving Day Give Away!!

Ahhh. Three words that speak to me. Speak loudly yet only in whispers. I have created these three images as prints and will be offering them in a shop shortly. However, I'd love to give one away to someone who hears these words as well and would like a visual reminder. I'll send you an 11"X14" print of one of these prints if you leave a comment on my blog from now until the very last minute of Thanksgiving. (That would be midnight on Thursday, Turkey Lurkey Day!) So, leave me a comment, any old comment but make sure you tell me which word speaks loudest to you!

Here's some Monday love thrown at you!

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to figure out how to get 12 hours of work done with one kid and two nieces lurking about. I love challenges.

Chick-o-pee.

Another painting I'm working on for my big project. This is about as far as I have gotten though, had to set the brushes down and hightail it back to my computer. I'm working on a very large catalog and spend almost every waking minute in front of my computer, hand perched atop my trusty old mouse clicking away. It's all a really good thing, it just seems these past few weeks that it's never going to end. One day, soon, hopefully tomorrow it will end because it really, really needs to get to the printers.

So, that being said, I wish so badly I had something interesting to say. But I don't. If you want to talk pixels and FTP sites, let's engage but most likely you don't so I won't. Instead, I'll leave you with a list of a few things I wish I had done this weekend:

1. Saw "New Moon" with my girlfriends

2. Played the game of "Life" the Spongebob version with my kid

3. Relaxed with my feet up and my hand around either a glass of wine or sparkling water

4. Paddled around in my kayak

5. Tried some interesting new food

There. My list. Not very exciting but much, much more exciting than what actually went down in this life of mine. So this list will have to wait til' next weekend.

How about you? Did you get everything done this weekend that you wanted to?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for my new found grief and loss friends. New people to cry around. Whoo-hoo!

Sparkly-icious.

This is another painting, it's still a work in progress but I just love the word "sparkle." Don't you? It's so fresh and yummy... 

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a delicious Mango Chicken dinner.

Bountiful and delectable.

This is a little painting I've been working on. It's for a special project that I can't speak about right now but it's big, it's overwhelmingly big and I hope it goes through. When, not if, it does I'll talk about it.

A few things on my mind...

This morning, I saw my son sitting on the couch with a permanent marker. That's a big no-no on cream leather couches, so I went over to him and asked him very nicely what he was doing. "Nothing" he said and looked at me with just a teeny bit of guilt. I didn't pursue it but later when he was about to walk out the door, I saw writing on his hand so I grabbed his hand and asked him what that was. It turns out he wrote some spelling words on his hand for a test today. What? I have a little cheater on my hands! He's eight. Sigh.

The movie "New Moon" comes out today and sadly I am not at the theater. I'm up to my eyeballs in work at the moment but as soon as I get some free time, you'll know exactly where I'll be!

Today has been exactly 5 months without my sister. I've been anticipating this day but so busy with work projects that I haven't had much time to express my sadness. I wish so badly I could say it is getting easier. Yes, I do wish that. Sigh.

So when one is overworked, sad and over tired, what does one make for dinner? Why that would be chili cheese fries with a peppermint ice cream chaser. Not a very nutritious one but quite filling and momentarily satisfying. I'm sure I'll be sorry later.

How about you? Do you like to indulge in bad food once in a while?

Happy weekend!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the start of a week off from school for my son! Whoo-hoo!

Aww, nuts.

It was such a lovely fall day today that I just couldn't resist doing a quick little illustration of some acorns. I love it when the weather turns cool, the mornings are brisk, the evenings are chilly... it's all good.

How about you? Do you like cold weather?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have an abundance of work.

Holidays Shmollidays.

Holiday houses. So it seems, it takes a village...

It's getting close to filling our homes with love and good wishes. The day to officially do that is after Thanksgiving, although I think some folks did not get the memo and have already begun in the festivities. For example, I discovered that the malls and shopping areas are overloaded with holiday decor and it's been up for weeks. I don't mind though. The decorations are doing their job by setting the stage for holiday thoughts. So, hot chocolate, twinkly lights and ice skates get ready because we are on our way!

How about you? Do you enjoy the early holiday ephemera?

Wedensday Gratitude:

I am so grateful I finished a large project.

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for some office/studio rearranging in my very near future!

Your state of mind...

"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success." - Dr. Joyce Brothers

Oooo, me likey very much.

Rejoice.

Hello there red and white, you make my heart giddy. This time of year really is a season to rejoice in gratitude and gladitude.

How about you? Do you feel overly exuberant as the holidays approach?

Things make me smile:

As the holidays seem to inch their way closer, I keep waiting for the feelings to match the ephemera and twinkling energy that are a feast for our eyes. I'm not feeling it this year and that makes it all feel just a bit hollow. 

To fill the empty bits, I went for a long drive, having conversations in my car with no one and I couldn't help but feel a longing to go back in time. Back to another time where I didn't have to think about who is missing and how not to think how I'd like to re-write holidays that will show up in the future. There was safety in doing what was always done, not necessarily sanity but at least safety. Next holiday season will look a lot different than this one, so I lean comfortably into that idea but this one feels uncertain and a tad uncomfortable.

Someone in the medical field told me yesterday, that one of her patients who lost someone close to her heart this past year is going off to Timbuktu for the holidays. This idea struck me as absolutely brilliant for I'm not even sure where Timbuktu is but it seems like a place that is very appropriate for a lost soul to visit for the holidays. A fabulous way to re-write the script. This made me smile.

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice long drive. I heart driving.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a huge load of work to be walking out the door very, very soon.

Stamp-idy goodness.

More Christmas-y goodness to adorn those holiday envelopes. I might be uploading these to zazzle.com in the next few days. Now, which one shall I pick to order? Hmmmm....

Things in my head:

Today was class number two for loss and grieving. Not so much the warm and fuzzy feeling this time. Actually a little annoyance towards one of the persons there, I am ashamed to admit. You would think after a decade, if you still couldn't talk about your loss without being reduced to tears there is something that you never worked out. I got the feeling that this person just wants some attention and to be heard, not really looking to get over it. That made me sad. And, a little annoyed. Now I have guilt for not having compassion for someone experiencing pain because if that were me I'd say yes to compassion please. Yes, the warm and fuzzy feeling was no where to be found this morning. Still very glad I went though. 

How about you? Are you patient with people who annoy you?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to be almost finished with a very large project I worked on all weekend long. Whew!

Stick a needle in your eye.

"Practice makes perfect" they always say. "Confront your fears head on." Abigail didn't quite buy those two lines but she did feel an afternoon on the balance beam would certainly help her gracefulness.

I suppose I was thinking about one liners from childhood like "turn that frown upside down" or "it's for your own good." I'm not exactly sure why except maybe it could be when I came home last night after having a glass of wine with a friend, my husband told me he and the boy were bowling. Huh? Yeah, bowling in the living room and the ball was my son! Huh? That's when the line "this is gonna hurt me a lot more than it's gonna hurt you" came to mind. So glad I was out for that event!

How about you? Do you have memories of certain phrases from your childhood?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for dinner out with new friends.

Detour after detour.

This quote really struck me today. After working intently on the computer, rushing and attempting to make a ridiculous deadline, I realized there are roadblocks on every road. Even ones that seem to have smooth sailing. Every problem has a solution, that's the detour.

How about you? Do you take detours often?

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice warm bed to crawl into on this Friday the 13th!

Illustration Friday_Blur

You'll shoot your eye out kid! From this point on, Christmas wishes would only be a blur for little Simon. He was never the same after the "Red Ryder!"

Christmas on my mind once again!

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a lovely gift I recieved in the post today!

Start with a list.

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."- Ben Stein

So right about that one! So many times we know exactly what we don't want but only have a vague idea of what we really do want. How can that be? This is our life, our one and only life. For instance, how would that look if we went to the grocier and only had a list of what we didn't want? We'd be picking items off the shelves at random because they sounded good but had no continuity. Maybe we'd get lucky and have a few items that went together but mostly we'd end up back at the store to pick up more items for complete meals.

This I know for certain because I did make a short list of exactly what I wanted and it all came true within a year. (Still waiting for the big pile of money though but I think I threw that on there at the last minute with half a heart.) Go make a list today. Even if it's one tiny little thing you want out of life. Write it down. Give it energy by writing it down. Let's see what happens!

Now, where's my pen . . .

Movement...

"Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." - Conrad Hilton 

I like this very much.

Happy Veterans Day!

A big shout out to the soldiers and people who protect us. Thank you. We may not show our gratitude very often and not everyone feels the same way about war, but you do a great big job and you are the ones going to bat for us. You go to bat so we can work at our jobs, drink our Starbucks, play with our children at the park, go to church, go shopping whenever we want, have women in political office, have many options in medical care and enjoy huge amounts of freedom. I appreciate all you 48 million men and women who have and are serving our country. Thank you.

How about you? Did you thank a veretan today?

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a lovely day of work with my child at my side. Huh?

Walking on sunshine.

This is all we are supposed to do. Love one another. That's it. In loving, purely loving, all the other good stuff like respecting, listening, supporting, encouraging, trusting, giving, sacrificing, etc. will follow. How hard could that possibly be? Um. Pretty hard, I wish I could say easy. Yeah, I really wish I could say easy.

How about you? Do you find it easy to love everyone?

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to feel well enough to walk out in the sunshine today.

Let's not go there...

Pitter patter goes my heart for some more holiday art. I just can't help myself.

Things in my head I wish were not:

I think I may be a border line hypocondriac. I realized that today while driving myself to the doctor. I'm seriously not looking to be ill nor do I want to be ill but every little bump, gurgle or blip is sending me to the ledge of anxiety. I know without a matter of doubt that because of the history of my family and the most recent tragedies I am acting this way but I don't know how to stop. This type A personality I have is not serving me right at this time. I need some Type B, C and D to come visit. And soon.

On my nightstand:

I bought this the other night while killing time with my niece before the ballet. I heart Alisa Burke's art so much and she is a San Diego artist! Love her work and this magazine, it's full of yummy art throughout. Pick one up, you'll be glad you did!

How about you? Are there publications you can't do without?

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a night to shake a cold I refuse to get. Warm bed, hot tea, cozy jammies here I come!

Sleep in the daylight can be a really good thing.

Today I went to a class on Loss and Grieving. My sister's best friend went with me. I have to say it felt really significant to be in a room with several other folks who knew exactly what grief felt like. All of us have different stories and the time lines of our stories sure are very different but there was something in all of us that brought us to that room. Something that allowed us to feel vulnerable yet safe at the same time.

It wasn't easy to get there though. As glad as I am that I went, I had several excuses just hanging out in my back pocket to pull out and use if needed. I didn't need them and I am very glad. In fact, it was such a positive experience and such a silent relief that I was able to take a good sized nap after I came home. Sleeping during the daylight hours is not something that comes easy for me, nor just regular sleep for that matter. This was a good day.

How about you? Do you make yourself go to events that you may be uncomfortable with but walk away feeling relieved you went?

Holiday Cheer.

A little more Christmas cheer. It's funny, I am completely immersed in Halloween graphics right now for next year but I can't seem to shake Christmas from my mind. I just love the holiday season!

How about you? Do you look forward to the holidays with cheer or dread?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the chance to see the American Ballet in OC with my niece. I'm grateful for the special bonding time.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a quiet day at home.

Stampin'.

More Christmas stamps. I've got holidays on my mind again.

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a successful meeting and photo shoot up in LA. I love to travel for business reasons, keeps things exciting!

Two steps forward, one step back.

I've been thinking about Christmas lately and that's because as a designer you have to be several seasons in front of real life. Then that really puts me behind instead of ahead of the game but that is for another day. While at the post office today, I asked about the Christmas stamps and found out the choices are rather boring. So, I created my own. You can get real postage stamps made at zazzle.com and I might just do that!

How about you? Do you find yourself three steps ahead or three steps behind most days?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a very successful art show at my son's school tonight. Kid art is the best. Ever.

Misery escapes me, just barely.

I found this on Sarah Jane's blog and just had to post it here because it really struck a cord with me. Sadly, most apply to the artist in me so I should be wallowing in complete misery but since I accept that fact, somehow the misery is escaping. Whew! I guess I am learning to starve the critical wolf inside. Do these apply to you in any way? Please say no... but if they do, chuck this list out the window.

Almond Joy.

Doodlestreet had a drawing for an original painting for placing her stickers around town and I WON! It wasn't rigged or anything . . . she painted a small version of my favorite painting of hers. It's called Almond Red but since mine is a smaller version and it brings a smile to my face, I am going to call it Almond Joy. Yup, pure joy up on the wall and it's all mine... thanks Doodle, you're the best!

Finally finished the monster truck mural . . . what should have taken me two days bled into three for this really incredibly nice family who were so patient with my paints and brushes for three days! This should suit a little two year old just fine for a few years!




How about you? Do you have projects that take you much longer than you anticipated?

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to have a free day tomorrow to catch up on life's little necessities. (Post office, grocier, exercise...)

We have a winner!!

And the winner is...



First Winner: Danica
Second Winner: Lisa Graves
Third Winner: ScrappyDoo

I couldn't pick just one name so I had to pick three. Danica, send me your pick of the boxes so I can send you one. Lisa, pick your top two boxes (I'll need a second choice from you in case Danica chooses one you want.) And ScrappyDoo, send me your email so I can contact you along with your top three choices of the boxes (I'll need three in case the other two are spoken for.)

Click here to view the boxes (or scroll down a few posts.) Thanks for playing along blogger friends!

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice Vietnamese meal in my tummy. Yum!

And they're off...

November has up and begun right when we weren't looking! Where did October go? Is it just me, or is this second half of the year just racing on by?

On the subject of racing, I am in the midst of painting a monster truck mural for the cutest little boy ever. I am about half way done and I'll post how it turns out tomorrow. This is the sketch I gave to the client. I think all those black and white squares are going to get the better of me! Yikes!

Today is the last day for my Give Away! Leave a comment and you'll be entered. 

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for lots of work. Keeps my mind off other things.

The aftermath of Sugarhood.

We got us a skeleton and two spanish dancers running wildly, gathering loot in the form of sugar and sticky goodness. I think there was fun to be had last night!

After a day of recovery, my little family of three is off to see a Broadway play, the Lion King. Heard it's great, hoping for stupendous! Super duper fun weekend!

How about you? Do you like to see plays?

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a project to be well on it's way to complete! Whoo-hoo!