Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Once upon a time, there were three mini-me’s…Freedom, Nikki & Casper. The mini-me’s led a simple life of fun and relaxation.

One beautiful day, the mini-me’s were frolicking about when a package arrived.

It was a pretty purple package, and the mini-me’s mommy said it was for them.

“I wonder what’s in it?” said Nikki.

“Maybe treats or a new toy,” said Casper.

“Let’s quit talking and open it,” said Freedom.

Inside was a pretty parcel, wrapped in tissue paper with a lovely yarn ribbon.

“I can’t wait to see what it is,” exclaimed Casper excitedly.

“Let stop talking and get to opening,” Freedom said again.

“What is it, what is it,” squealed Nikki with excitement.

“It’s black and furry. A new stuffie, I’m sure!” chirped Casper.

“Wait just one minute!” exclaimed Freedom.

The mini-me’s leapt back in surprise and horror!

Mini-Me Twinkie!!

There’s a new kid on the mini-me block.

To be continued…

Did you know we live with a kitty? We do! Her name is Twinkie. She’s 17-years-old! She doesn’t get much blog time, but if you’d like to read about her, check out this post, this post and this post.

You can read the original mini-me post here. The mini-me’s are custom handmade by Lynne of  Dip-Dip and the Bridge. She also has an Etsy shop called Handmade Gifts By L with even more of her lovely crocheted creations. Want a mini-me of your own? Contact Lynne at chi-chigirls86@hotmail.com and she’ll give you the details.

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Here’s what’s been going on in my studio…

This Week’s Inspiration

In 2013, I’m doing Inspiration Mondays and Results Thursdays. Every Monday, I’ll post a painting “inspiration” and then on Thursdays, I’ll post how I’m interpreting that inspiration.

Last week’s (and this week’s) inspiration comes from Kirsten of Peaceful dog…SEASHELLS. I’m going to take two weeks working on this painting because I’m using a larger canvas than I’m typically use to. This canvas is 16″ x 20″.

I started with the background and this week, I’ll add a little girl.

Speaking of painting girls…Sue, of Graceful Greyhounds, asked, “Do you always do a girl/lady, or do you do other things?” I thought that was a great question. Right now, I am focusing on painting girls. The reason is twofold.

First, I love to paint them. I’ve heard writers describe that at a certain point when writing characters, the characters start to form themselves and often take the story in a direction quite unexpected by the author. My girls feels like that when I paint them. I have a vague idea of what a particular girl might look like, but once I start painting, they start to form themselves. It feels magical to me. My hope is when I start to sell my paintings, a customer will look at these little girls and connect with a particular painting because the girl’s “spirit” resonates with their spirit. Of course, my customer may just like a painting because it would look good in a space on their wall (ha) and that’s “okay” too.

Second, I’m trying to focus on developing my “style,” and the best way I can think to do that is to paint the same thing over and over and over again. In the future, I do think I’ll expand my repertoire to include more animals.

Thank you, Sue, for a great question.

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For the next few weeks, instead of starting a new creative book, e-course or challenge, I’m going to work on an unfinished project. Many years ago I bought four doll and quilt patterns from Hanging by a Thread. Last week, I did a post about the one I finished, but I never got around to the other three. Now, I want to finish them up.

This week, I dug up the other patterns and the fabric I purchased for the project. All the doll and quilt patterns are basically the same. The only thing that changes are the accessories and the designs embroidered on the quilts. So my question is…should I work on them individually, or should I do all the dolls, then all the quilts at once?

I think I’m going to work on them individually. Although it would be convenient to do some assembly line work, I’m afraid I may get things mixed up if I try to work on all of them at the same time. I’m going to start with the Seedy Lady quilt because I already have a good portion of that one done.

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Every Saturday, I share my weekly Artist Date.

This week’s Artist Date was both inspiring and a celebration…the Purdue Student Film Fest 2013.

The film fest was held at the Lafayette Theater.

Built in 1938, it was once a black and white movie theater. The outside still has the original marquee and facade.

The main floor is open and where we sat for the screening.

There’s also balcony seating.

The balcony still has the original seats from 1938.

The built-in aisle lighting still works.

I attended with my daughter and her fiance. They designed and drew the film festival graphic that is on the program and showing on the screen. My daughter is a Film Studies major, and the Purdue Student Film Fest is a showcase of short films by the students of the Digital Film Production class.

Each student wrote and directed a short film. They also served as cinematographer on a another film, then acted as producer or assistant director on a third, and sound and editor on a fourth film.

You could feel the heart and creativity behind each film. To say I was a proud momma would be an understatement. Congratulations to my beautiful daughter. Here’s to many more films to come.

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Every Friday, I share a poem. Friday is also the day I post a prompt of something you can do to make the world a kinder place. I call this the Kind is Kool challenge.

I offer both the poem and the kindness challenge without any obligation, so “Comments” are turned off every Friday. Enjoy.

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Accepted

You are no longer young,
Nor are you very old.
There are homes where those belong.
You know you do not fit
When you observe the cold
Stares of those who sit

In bath-chairs or the park
(A stick, then, at their side)
Or find yourself in the dark
And see the lovers who,
In love and in their stride,
Don’t even notice you.

This is a time to begin
Your life. It could be new.
The sheer not fitting in
With the old who envy you
And the young who want to win,
Not knowing false from true,

Means you have liberty
Denied to their extremes.
At last now you can be
What the old cannot recall
And the young long for in dreams,
Yet still include them all.

Elizabeth Jennings

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Kind is Kool Challenge

Week 16 Challenge – Take a treat (baked goods, candy, fruit, etc.) to work or a meeting.

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Every Monday, I post a painting “inspiration.” Every Thursday, I post how I interpreted the inspiration. I decided to do this to keep myself painting, to strengthen how I go from an idea to a painting, and to give myself permission to play and try new things. For the next several weeks, I’m taking my inspiration from the great ideas you sent me.

This week’s inspiration comes from Kirsten of Peaceful dog…SEASHELLS. I’m going to take two weeks to work on this painting because I’m using a larger canvas than I’m typically use to. This canvas is 16″ x 20″.

How to be HAPPY!

Every Thursday, Jay of The Depp Effect, posts something that makes her happy, and I’m playing along. She encourages us to look around and notice the things that make us happy. I enjoy this challenge because it makes me consider the things that make me happy, but are easily overlooked. It’s a wonderful exercise in attention and gratitude. Please grab the badge and join in.

Here’s something that makes me happy…DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

I was never interested in photography until digital photography opened a whole new world for me. You immediately get to see your picture, so you can try something different it you didn’t get what you were hoping for; you can take as many pictures as you’d like without going broke developing them; you can instantly get rid of the duds, and storage of your pictures is easy, either on your camera or on your computer. Also, since digital cameras can be super sleek and slimline, they’re easy to carry at all times.

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I have lamented many times on the state of my photos. Last year, I even started a small School Memories album. While I LOVE the idea of scrapbooking, I’m not inclined to do it right now, so I was intrigued when my sister told me about Project Life.

Project Life is a simple system for scrapbooking. It consists of an album, photo pocket pages and inserts.

The pocket pages and inserts make it easy to create pretty photo pages.

I’ll do a few pages for next Wednesday’s post. It looks like a simple idea. I hope it works for me.

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April is National Greyhound Adoption Month. Why would you want to adopt a Greyhound? According to Freedom, Casper and Nikki, adopting a Greyhound can help with, if not completely solve life’s important issues. For instance…

Fashion fades, only style remains the same. Coco Chanel

Freedom: Do you have style? If so, we’ll add to it. If not, we’re automatic style.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

Casper: What with collars, matching leads, tags, coats, plushy beds, toys, treats…we’ll make sure you have no money, and you’ll never be happier about it.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas

Nikki: When you have a Greyhound, you’ll have as many friends as your floor will support.

2012 Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan Spring Fling

The bond that links your family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Richard Bach

Casper: When you adopt a Greyhound, you also join the Greyhound Cult Family.

If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it. George Burns

Nikki: Watch us and learn. We’re masters of relaxation. We’ll have you living for a very long time.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu

Freedom: We will make you brave and strong.

Thank you, Freedom, Casper and Nikki. I would agree with you on all points. If you are considering a new addition to your family, give a Greyhound a look. To find a group in your area, checkout the Greyhound Adoption Group Directory. Our group is Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan.

Once you have a Greyhound (or any pet), you’ll want to get them some neat stuff. The Pet Blogger Mall is new and exciting…a place you can go to purchase products made by pet bloggers. It is currently under construction, but you can sign-up to receive progress notifications. Sounds like a lot of fun.

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Here’s what’s going on in my studio…

One of my two cards clubs got together this weekend.

We made these inserts for pocket photo album pages, but they also could be used as card toppers.

We made three photo album inserts with the same color scheme back in July.

This Week’s Inspiration

In 2013, I’m doing Inspiration Mondays and Results Thursdays. Every Monday, I’ll post a painting “inspiration” and then on Thursdays, I’ll post how I’m interpreting that inspiration.

Last week’s inspiration was from Kat of Dog Gone Right…WATER. Here’s the girl that came out of that inspiration…

This week’s inspiration comes from Kirsten of Peaceful dog…SEASHELLS.

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Every Sunday I do a post about my creative journey under the category “Creating the Creator.” Over the years, I’ve done a variety of things…book studies, e-courses, challenges. The last three months, I worked my way through Creating A Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd. I put a lot into it, so now I’m ready to take a little break and do something fun and different. Last week, I mentioned reading a book on creative writing, but then I saw a post on Audrey Electric about a doll she made and it reminded me of an unfinished project I have. Many years ago I bought four patterns from Hanging by a Thread. I finished one, but never got around to the other three. Now, I want to finish them up. I’m going to save the creative writing books for later and dig into this unfinished project.

The dolls’ names are Seedy Lady, Sunny Lady, Snowy Lady and…I can’t remember the one I finished. Spicy Lady?

I must have gotten rid of the pattern when I finished her.

The patterns include instructions for one doll and one mini quilt.

I love little details, so these are very satisfying because they include loads.

I don’t think the pattern company is in business any longer because I searched for them and couldn’t find any information.

I haven’t exercised my sewing skills in quite awhile. Hopefully, it’s like riding a bicycle…something you don’t forget.