Save it for the rain.

"It ain't no use putting up your umbrella till it rains." - Alice Caldwell Rice

Household Hero.

Would you like to be a hero? This is good clean fun, will make you look like a hero, and is also very useful. See below for how to change the handle on your toilet. WHAT? I know, I know, leave it for the handy guy, right? No! It's super simple and you don't even have to touch toilet water. It's more hazardous to clean the toilet than to change the handle. Trust me. You will look like a hero. (Well, at least in my little warped world.)


Step 1.
Assemble your new parts.

Step 2.

Take off the lid on the back of the toilet and put it aside. Unscrew the bolt on the inside of the tank where the handle meets the porcelain. Unhook the hook at the end of the long bar and make sure to hook it onto something close or it will drop to the bottom of the tank. You will need this hook later.

Step 3.

Pull out the old handle. Place the new handle into the hole and tighten the screw.

Step 4.

Attach the hook to the long bar. Replace the tank lid and enjoy some new toilet handle love!

OK, maybe I spend too much time alone and at Home Depot. Back to the drawing board...

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful my niece likes Home Depot. She really IS my sister's daughter!

You make my life easier!

Do you go around informing the people who make a difference in your life how awesome they are? How them just being them makes your life easier? Maybe you do, maybe you don't but if you did, just think of all the skips in the steps we would see, all the smiles that twinkle in the eye, and all the lovely little comments they would go around informing to their awesome people! So that being said...


You


are


awesome!


Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a fun art project with my niece and son this afternoon.

Bloom.

Keeping with the same theme from yesterday, I thought this might make a nice card.

How about you? Do you like to send cards?

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a big chunk of unexpected time today!

Planted.

Goodness, I've been away for a few days and I didn't even realize it. My time has been used catching up on my photos and getting our lives cataloged into books (for many more reasons than just being a super organized over-achiever) that I didn't see the time sliding right out the door. I suppose one could say I'm planted and blooming among the photographic chaos. I am blooming in the thought of being caught up with years 2005, 2006 and 2007. Double fist pump!


How about you? What are you blooming in right at the moment?


Random Musings:
This evening, our little family of three escaped the heat wave by going to the gym and working off some steam and enjoying a refreshing swim. Afterwards, the thought of turning on the oven was too overwhelming so we grabbed a quick bite out. Mr. Man's dish came with some dark chili peppers and we started discussing how they looked. The sentence, "I'll give you 5 bucks if you put one of those in your mouth" slipped out to the kid and his greedy little eyes lit up like fireworks. Completely surprising us, he anxiously agreed and put the pepper in his mouth. It took a few seconds but sure enough the heat hit him and he ran for water. Then more water. Then more water. I thought he was exaggerating so I put a pepper in my mouth. Dang, that was hot. My mouth still burns. AND I don't even get 5 bucks for it!


Saturday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for libraries.
Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for jigsaw puzzles.
Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a nice long conversation with a long lost friend over chai tea and inspiration for three paintings. 

Stretching.

I've been trying to catch up on my photo albums. This means, searching for photos from 2005 to the present, collecting and separating them into groups and years, and arranging them into a layout in the albums. I find I am more of a photo arranger/stylist... way less than a scrapbooker but more than a shove it into a photo pocket kind of girl.


But anyway, I am digressing from the subject I came here for. While searching and organizing, I have found I have a few pockets of my life that have come up empty. I am missing some sort of photographic evidence of Christmas 2006 and other events. Important events that should be documented with at least one photo. This made me wonder that if I wasn't capturing moments on film (or digital pixels), what WAS I doing with my time?


Yes, life gets busy and just trying to manage it sometimes is enough, I get that. However, I simply cannot recall why I wouldn't at least have a camera in my hand on Christmas. Or a photo of my 40th birthday. Or a really good photo of my sister and I. I remember thinking quite often, there will be more time. Always more time. But now that I really ponder about it, I was in the midst of that time and still failed to take a moment to capture the memory and tuck it away for later. Because now, when I am emptying my pockets of memories, I am falling a little short.


Still, this is not the point I wanted to bring up. So here it is... If we all have the same amount of time, how are we choosing to spend it? I have frittered away gobs of minutes and hours, worrying, watching TV, shopping, thinking there will be more time, needlessly wandering, etc. I don't want to find myself down the road in a few years, wishing I had more photos to fill in the blank spots. We all know how things can change in an instant. I don't want to leave my most meaningful activities to chance. I want to stretch out  and enjoy the sunshine on my back, all the while documenting it.


We all have 168 hours in one week. What are you going to do with yours?


Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for some progress in my photo organizing.

Treats for tricks.

In the mood for some scary treats...

This gentle reminder showed up for me today:

"Truth is many-sided. Have love and patience for all who do not see as you do."

How about you? Do you have little bits of advice show up just when you need it?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to almost be finished with this cold that is kicking my A#$!

Stickers everywhere...

A friend of mine's sister is getting married and I was asked to create some stickers to adorn miscellaneous items for guests and these are what I've come up with. (In the bridal colors, of course!)

I can just see them now...

Autumn Equinox 2010

Welcome Autumn, we've been looking forward to your arrival!


Don't you love the change in the seasons? San Diego doesn't boast of drastic climatic changes when new seasons slide in but we sure do have pumpkins, hay rides, and apple picking!


Enjoy your Fall Day!


Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for good news just when I need it!


Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for surprise sightings of friends.

Get Well.

To all the sickies out there... hope you have a quick recovery! This is art for a get well card I've done. Just in time too... my throat hurts.


Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to get lost in some work, that is a good feeling sometimes!

Yes, you are!

Thought I'd let you know, just in case no one told you today!

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for exercise out in the fresh air.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a day to catch up on my photo albums. When you are as behind as I am, any progress takes a while!

Stitched in.

What is it that makes your heart sing? The one thing, that if someone took everything else away, you'd still be grateful you have your one true love? I love words, I love photos, I love animals, I love helping people, etc. but the one true thing that makes my heart jump ... is art. I couldn't bear to go on without it, it's stitched into the seams of my heart.


I was hoping my favorite pastime, next to breathing, was passed onto my son but I am not so sure. He does love to draw cartoons and look at picture books but when I suggest making an art project, he doesn't always bite. However, he gleefully agreed to make a painting yesterday and he was so proud when it was done. As long as we're creating, it's all art!

How about you? What makes your heart skip a beat?


Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for the gift of time.

The lighting is different.

Halloween's a comin'... can you feel it in the air? It's not quite fall yet but the light seems a bit different and the mornings are staying dark just a little bit later. That means one of my favorite holidays is coming! Yipee!

How about you? Have you noticed the change in the lighting?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a very flexible schedule!

Illustration Friday - Proverb

Consider the turtle, he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for many opportunities for progress today.

Out of the loop once again.

A while ago, a nice gal contacted me about using one of my "They Draw and Cook" recipes for a Sims 3 cookbook. After finding out more of the details, I gave her permission to use my art. It is published on her site here if you want to take a look at some of the other recipes used. I must say, her site looks nice, AND I love the fact that she and her twin sister work together on this, but I just have one question... what is a Sim 3? Geez, I'm so out of the loop.

How about you? Do you know your technology?


Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a nice breakfast out with a friend over a delicious meal! Thanks Teenies!

Knock, knock.

This is a play on some color combinations that have been speaking to me. I've been really drawn to monotone, subdued, easy on the eye palates lately.

How about you? What colors have you been reaching for?

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for the chore opportunity of cleaning off my work desk. I found something I've been looking for and I now have a nice clean surface to work on. Yippee!

Happy thoughts.

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." - Andrew Carnegie

More or less ... take your mind off the things that are making you unhappy and your focus is redirected. The thought process that you become what you are thinking about comes into play here. When your focus is off the unhappy bits and you start to focus on something that brings you joy, your life will become as such. That's the talk on the street anyway. Do you believe it? I do.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice trip to the San Diego Museum of art to look at Henri Toulousse Lautrec's lithographs today.

Lady of Leisure.

Our lady of leisure at our house. Anyone thinking about a nap around here has got some serious competition.

How about you? Do you have someone outdoing you on the lounging arena?


Saturday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for some good time at the bookstore today. Yum!

Surprises.

Hello fine friends! I don't have much to say today except that life is full of surprises! I followed some links from a previous reader and found some of my art for sale on All Posters.com. Then I found another site with more of my cupcake art. AND then I saw one of my paintings on Amazon! I never thought you could say Amazon and my name in one sentence except for my name would preceed the words "a good customer!" Ha-ha! See... life ... full of surprises!

How about you? What has life thrown at you in the order of ... SURPRISE!

Happy Weekend to you!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a little boy who makes my heart burst in joy and laughter.

Thoughts on thoughts.

Did you know that we are supposed to control our thoughts and not let our thoughts control us? It took me an embarrassingly long time to learn that. I still struggle. 


Where are your thoughts?


Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for some faster internet connection... as in moved the router closer faster. D'oh!

Arrivals.

It has arrived.


I am excited yet scared at the same time.


What is it? Click here to find out...




My sketchbook from the sketchbook project came to my house, filled with empty pages, eagerly awaiting to be filled with items that represent the subject... "the greatest story ever told!" I picked the subject, I thought it would be a no brainer. However, I am not sure what to draw. Should I fill the entire thing up with one story? Should I have each spread represent something that tells a story? Should the whole thing have a uniting theme? I need some suggestions... anyone?


The cool thing about the project is, everyone who submits a sketchbook will have a bar code on it and it will be cataloged in the Brooklyn Library! Holy Cow! You can go to the library and check out each artist's booklet! How cool is that? If you want to do one too, click on the link above and sign up... then come back here and tell me your topic!


Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for strawberries with whipped cream alongside a game of Catch Phrase! Good times, good times.

Birthday Blues.

I miss you. And that's all I have to say today.


Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a productive day.

Abra-Cadabra.

Well, here are the two complete Alphabet Card Sets. The kid was watching the progress and requested a set that spells his name... me thinks he's a good critic! These might be showing up in my Etsy shop in the next few days. Which do you like better?

New Set:

Old Set:

Hope your Labor Day weekend was relaxing and rejuvinating!


Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for being blessed with a child who brings such delight and innovative ideas into my small little corner of the world.

X is for "X"tra helpings.

New:

Old:

Random Musings:
"Everyone who got to where they are had to begin where they were." - Richard Paul Evans

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a lovely evening out, sitting at a bar, enjoying wine, food and delightful company.

Laborious resting.

W... where, want, wishing, window, whales, wonder, whiskers, and whaz-up! Just a few more left! I'll post the final before the holiday weekend is over. I promise.

New:

Old:

Random Musings:

It's a holiday weekend... Labor Day. For some reason, all I want to do it lay around. All weekend long. Could be a tribute, could just be laziness, but most likely my body needs it so I'll listen. Too bad I'm off sugar though because a nice bowl of ice cream would really fit the bill!

How about you? How do you celebrate Labor Day?

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for time to be leisurely.

Anticipation...

More alphabet cards... only a few more to go and then the set will be complete. Whoo-hoo! I will show both complete sets when finished.

It sure feels good to be on the creative path again after taking a few days off to catch up with life. School is in session, Fall is right around the corner and before you know it... the holidays! I look forward to all of it but usually when each one arrives, I can't wait for it to be over.

How about you? Is your fun in the anticipation or the actual thing you look forward to?

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice work meeting over lunch, thanks, B!

The Day was Green.

Finally, Green Day in concert! We've had tickets for months and of course we were far, far away from the stage...

We went with our crazy friends but no one seemed to mind the nose bleed grassy section...

That is until Mr. Man scored some wrist bands for the mosh pit way up front. Billy was so thrilled we made it down to the stage that he had to sit down and think of something really impressive...

So he called up some fans to the stage...

Most of the kids in our group went...

Oh, Billy,  you rocked the house and believe me, we were impressed! Thanks for the 3 hour show!

Tomorrow will bring back the regular scheduled illustrations but for today, I just had to share these photos.

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a really nice teacher for my kid.


Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for concerts that make me feel youthful, despite the glares I get from the kid because I am dancing and singing. When did I become so embarassing? Ha-ha!