one beautiful thing // exploded flowers

images via fqwimages // font is queretarotaro via dafont.com

Deconstruct a beautiful thing and create something just as beautiful.

branding genius: sue bryce portrait

Sue Bryce seriously rocks my world.
If you haven't seen her photography, GO NOW! Do not skip Before/After.
As much as I love her photography, I love her attitude the most.
She is smart. She gets women. And she uses it to her advantage.
Her accent is also super cute.
All you need are these two videos to understand why I labeling this as branding genius.
They just make you HAPPY!
Videos by Hailey Bartholomew!

in the market for // a journal

I have never kept a journal or diary. I never really thought about it.
But when you think about it, this blog is a journal. And so is Facebook. And Instagram. And Twitter.
I'm just sharing my life one bit at a time.
One thing I am afraid of is oversharing or overstepping my bounds.
I have to stop myself before sharing sometimes because this is my life.
These are my thoughts.
Some of it is personal.
Some of it is just too much to share.
Some of it is not meant for others.
Some of it is stuff you don't want to hear.
Some of it is stuff I don't need you to hear.
Sometimes we have to get it out, but we can't share it either.
And so I have decided to start a journal.

Clockwise from top left:
1. Words not War by Hello Hailey at Minted
2. Rifle Paper Co.
3. Jonathan Adler for B&N
4. Striped Lines by Alethea and Ruth at Minted
5. Violets and Poppies by Kristen Smith at Minted

ferns + oil pastels

Collect some nature. We have a very big fern in our front yard.
Grab paper and oil pastels. (I got them at Walmart)
Place fern under paper. Hold it still. Or tape it down if you want.
Rub side of oil pastel and see your creation appear.
You can rub the oil pastels with your finger to create a more blurred effect.
Be prepared to wash your hands.
Just have fun!!

teaching & nurturing creativity

I don't think it's any secret that art is really important to me and my family. We've always got the crayons, paints and paper out. Our dining room chairs have little splatters of paint on the back and the kids' fingernails are always colorful.
But I don't believe that creativity is just doing art projects.
Creativity is such an important thing to have. We all have it, but many people don't believe that.
Even if you don't feel artistic or crafty, you can still be creative.

Creativity is everywhere. Art is everywhere.
But mostly it is in the way we think.
If something isn't working, a creative mind can find a solution.
If there are no good ideas, a creative mind can find one.
If there are 3 things in the refrigerator, a creative mind can eat well.
If things are a mess, a creative mind can make it nice.

How do you get a creative mind?
You have to believe you have one. There is no other way.
Sure, some people are more inherently creative than others.
But if you believe you can stretch your creative muscles, then you can.
Teaching my kids that they are creative is important.

It's about saying:
"Wow, I really like the way you put your bike in the garage!"
 or
"That was a creative place to hide!"
or
"I definitely think you should dip your donut in ketchup!"

One day, they may stop the constant coloring.
But I will praise their creativity in all the things they do.
I will continue to show them that their minds are creative even without a crayon in their hands.
And if they keep the crayons, that's just a bonus.

p.s. these photos are from june. oh, so behind.

adorable illustrations // priscilla burris

I told you I love cute illustrations, right? Yes, I believe I did.
Well... I HAVE to tell you about Priscilla. Her illustrations literally make my day.
When they pop into my Facebook feed, my whole life brightens.
The way she draws children is so right on. She captures that sense of wonder and silliness and she captures how much little things mean a whole lot in their eyes. Makes me so happy.

You can check out her website. Her blog. Her Facebook. Click like now! And she also posts sketches at The Sketchables. Give yourself a dose of happy, check her out and let her know you do!

artistic process: plurabelle calligraphy

What can I say? I can't get enough of the artistic process!
I've been practicing my own calligraphy quite a bit lately, so this one was really fun to see.
Molly's work at Plurabelle Calligraphy is stunning.
And her blog is even better. Full of inspiration.
I'm really hoping to see more process videos from her!

Go show some love!

artistic process: alisa burke

Here I am with another artistic process video! They are all over right now and I am soaking in every bit of them. It is just too fun to see art come together. It kind of reminds me of baking.. how you start with eggs and flour and butter and sugar and end up with something totally delicious.
I have followed Alisa Burke for a long time now and her style is so awesome. Purposely messy, full of color and I love her philosophy about making art from what you have and how she uses nature as her inspiration and muse. I can't wait to see how she plays with art with her adorable daughter.

Enjoy and as always, go show some love to Alisa!

artistic process: the vaguely

It's no secret that video is it. Youtube is the net's second largest search engine.
Video has this incredible way of telling a story.. of showing a story.. of playing to emotions.

I'm in love with seeing the process of artists. When you can see their joy of creating, it suddenly makes the person and the product more appealing. It brings you back. I love this one on Vanessa Hernandez of the Vaguely created by Hunter & Fox.