Getting a bit more gutsy...I posted a few older things I did in Pinterest

Yes I know they are older things, some are newer within the last few years. Im fishing to see what happens...

I've been down with the flu that everyone has, I've been trying to avoid it...but I guess not...

Tile Deck app for Ipad - can't stop making patterns!

I have been playing with this app called Tile Deck available in the app store in Itunes. So much fun!
It offers 3 different tile configurations, triangle, diamond and a square. You color in the shape and then pick on the repeat patterns, kaleidoscope, mirror, zig zag, flip etc. The app is a couple of bucks, but totally worth it!

Home interiors & Spoonflower

When I get back to Northern Cali, Im going to start working on a handmade collection of home prints. I love interior/home prints, Ive always wanted to cover a rococo style chair in one of my fabric designs. I think I will add this to  my 2013 to do list...

I've been playing around on www.spoonflower.com with the wallpapers....I can't wait to finalize my designs and then stick them up on the wall!!

My word for the year....Growth

I borrowed this concept from another blog.

I am starting this year by choosing a word to guide me.

Growth.

I will live this word to the fullest. I am still working through things (since the 2011 shit show) and I'm sure I will still be working through them well into 2013.
This will be a year of "going for it" and seeing what happens and where the road goes.

There is no other way to grow unless you challenge yourself and try things. I have spent the last two years afraid of change and spent the last two years living such a regimented routine that I found it terrifying if I deviated from it.

2013 will be a new year of new beginnings and growth.

2013 - my year of new beginnings

2012 was a year of a lot of ups and downs. I married my best friend of 10 years. Our beloved dog, Scarlet, passed away. My dad was diagnosed with heart disease and we just found out had been having frequent heart attacks. And I found out that I have an overactive ovary which is causing a lot of havoc on my system physically and emotionally.

2013 will be a year of great change, growth and challenges for everyone including myself.

I plan to be more creative in every aspect.
I have always aspired to write a great short fantasy book.

I plan to create at least one small artwork every month. I haven't been super creative in a really long time. So what I am putting out will be more of creative exercises.

Diet - everyone has this in their resolutions....especially for me it's serious with my father having heart disease and finding out that its pretty rampant in my dads side of the family as well as my mothers side. I vow to take care of myself physically so that I can be there for my husband and our family of 4 legged kids.

I also plan to do something everyday that makes me happy. Even its a little tiny thing. Like today I am writing in my blog that I have not maintained in months.

I have a huge book queue that I look at everyday and say to myself.....I really should read tonight in bed instead of watching movies on my iPad. So I will also attempt to read a book every month. My sister and my dad read a new book about every 3-4 days. I know I am not ready for that big of a commitment....

I will also take the dog out for a walk everyday. Even when Im exhausted after work. He is a very special dog who has become my doggie love of my life after his sister passed away.

And lastly I will make every effort to make my husband remember why he fell in love with me.

Happy New Years!

Flowers in my 'hood.

Everyone who knows me knows I love flowers, fauna and foliage. Even dead dried foliage. Foliage is kinda my thing....although Ive killed most of the plants in our house....

I often take photos of the flowers & fauna in our neighborhood when I am out walking my dogs.
Spring has sprung!!

A little tribute to the color of the year.....

Hand made & hand colored paper

I love paper. I spent some time hand making paper and then hand painting and dying it. I use papyrus and abaca for the base, newsprint as binder and also onion skins and some seeds for texture.
I prefer windsor newton inks, you can water  them down, add salt, rubbing alcohol and get some great effects. For many of these I wet the papers first then drop the inks on them. The paper is naturally porous so the it draws  the inks in different directions.