for those afraid of lettering...

This is such a great video about how easy it is to create interesting lettering for your art journals and canvases.

Lettering for Your Art Journal from Julie Balzer on Vimeo.

I'm a big fan of her blog too... there's tons of inspiration and she's very generous with her "how-tos" as in this journal spread. So interesting to see how it transforms in the process.

on love and vulnerability

You will love this!

I happened on Christy Tomlinson's first online workshop - She-Art - signed up on a whim, and have been thoroughly enjoying it for the last few weeks. She has such a warmth that you just want to grab a cup of coffee and hang out "with her". (Watching her videos). It was a three week process, with new videos of inspiration and techniques uploaded each week and lots of time to watch - I think they are up through April.

I'm taking the next one and thought you might want too, too. It's worth every penny of the very inexpensive $35! Sign up here. Plus I think you'll like her site. Be careful, though, I got a little carried away in her online store.....

A course you should know about - especially since it starts tomorrow!

I just took this workshop and would highly recommend it if you are up for a pretty intense life review! I was challenged by it, inspired by it, and moved by it. It's a wonderfully creative way to create some space for yourself, and ultimately understand yourself better. The brave girls ladies have created an online offering, with lots and lots of videos of both how tos and inspiration. They also provide all the materials you need - you just print them out - I loved that part. It created such ease. I could add my own materials if I felt like it but otherwise everything else was there. It has a time line on it which is generous but ultimately it comes to an end, so if you are not in a place when you have time to keep up, it might not be right for you. They do, however, allow you to take it again for just $25. Here's the link - Soul Restoration.

Symbols and Labels

In preparing for this month's Wine, Women and a Paintbrush, I was thinking alot about the "labels" I wear these days. Mostly, they are Chauffeur, Chef, and Spectator and, while I am 100% behind my kids and their passions, I'm not always fulfilled by the routines and responsibilities that that brings for me. So, after reading Jennifer Swift's book, Creative Bloom, I thought it would be fun to create new labels or symbols that help us to remember who else we are. And, as is always the case at WW&P, everyone went off on their own tangent! Which is exactly what Cheryl and I hoped for when we designed this offering. A place to take the materials we provide and explore and play to your heart's content.

This particular evening was delightfully intimate (just 5 of us) and, as such, was full of deep thought and conversation. And outcomes. Included below are: a remembrance of life, inspiration for managing the day's activities, the fun of play, a reminder of flow, peace and joy, and a gift for someone who inspires.

This project is an easy one to do at home. Just head over to Home Depot for some rebar tie wire and flush wire cutters. Then put on some play clothes and bend away. The book mentioned above is great for whimsical inspiration and even comes on the Kindle!