Humblearts Journal

Balance

Like many other artists who work at home, I have a hard time keeping it all in balance.  But I swing from one project to the next, knowing that each thing in my life adds to my work.  I think my biggest struggle is turning off work, the wheels are always spinning!

This week's Illustration Friday theme is balance.  I have been working on a series of Valentine cards and this little guy just fit perfectly.  The caption on the card will read, "You crack me up!"

I love Mary Engelbriet's Home Campion magazine and this month there is an interesting article featuring Eric Carle's studio.  Pick it up the next time you're at the market, it's a great peak into his work space.  I love that he has a whole wall dedicated to things children have sent him over the years. 

Here is a crazy parade float my daughter did in 1st grade.  She did everything, I just sported the glue gun for her.  Fun days!

well, at least it's not a scarf!

I taught myself to knit about 4 months ago from a kids knitting book.  I wanted to find a hobby to help me relax and also I was hoping to be able to teach my girls this crafty little skill.  (I haven't been able to do that yet, but we'll get to it)  I knit to de-stress and have whipped up a pile of scarves.  Many found homes this Christmas and my family has very toasty necks.  The problem is, living in the southwest, there are only so many days you can wear a scarf or give one as a gift.  So I decided to give purses a try.  Here is the first one.  I crocheted the handle and flower.  Cute, I think I'll whip up a bunch and maybe make a dent in my drawer full of yarn.  (Then I could go buy some more!)

Here is a very talented illustrator who works in a printmaking style too:  Ashley Wolff

And last for today, I thought I'd share my new blog.  It's my adventures in homeschooling.  Over the months I hope to fill it with project ideas and book recommendations, so if you have wee little ones in your life, you might find it helpful.

Disaster Relief

Disaster Relief, for illustration friday.

Offer hope to a hurting world.

A little thing can mean a lot.  It's often said that charity begins at home.  Speak a kind word to the ones you love.  Hug each other until your arms feel like they are going to fall off.  Take a treat to a lonely neighbor.  Send a card to a long distance friend.  Read a story to a child.  Listen, really listen when someone is speaking to you.  Forgive,  even though it's very hard to do.  Enjoy your spouse's imperfections.  Look in the mirror and love what you see.

New Year

Okay, I'm not real big on traditonal resolutions.  But I do like goals and road maps and having a plan for the next year.  This year I'm giving myself the gift of time to enjoy my life.  My goal is simply to slow down and take the world in for a while.  I'll be working on things, but I won't be beating myself up this year for not accomplishing everything on my to-do lists.

In my new found playfulness, I made a little booklet with things I'd like to work on this year.  I am a bookmaking nut.  I love making books in any and all forms, so there will be lots of those finding there way into my blog. 

Illustration Goals:

Send samples every 3 months.  Something I have not been very good about doing.

Finish my two dummy books that I have shelved and send them out.  (I'm really good at making things, not so good at getting them out in the mail!)

Sell prints online and in shops around town.

Beady Dreams:

Do weekly bead auctions on justbeads.com

Work on more one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, finding more shops and galleries to sell them in.  Can't wait to use all the beads my Mom gave me for Christmas!

Send out 1 bead article a month - again, not so good about mailing things out.