Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017
My Tropical Take on Drawcember
I have been trying to draw every day. I usually do something creative every day, but I know that if I want to improve my drawing skills, then I need to draw every day. I've tried many different daily drawing challenges, some with more success than others, but usually I feel constrained by the prompts. If I can't think of anything to draw for the prompt, I go to Google Images and I usually end up copying someone else's doodle or a piece of clip art. Now, I know that all drawing practice is good for me, but I have a hard time staying motivated when I am just copying clip art into my sketchbook. As I was browsing Instagram for Drawcember prompts a few days ago, I felt even less inspired. Most of the prompts involve snow and things related to Christmas. Ugh!
Meanwhile I can't stop thinking about the amazing vacation I took last December when I went to Costa Rica!
I fell in love and decided then and there that I would take a tropical vacation every December. Unfortunately, this year I am recovering from surgery and was unsure if I would be able to travel, so I stayed home, in rainy Oregon. So, instead of traveling to the tropics, I plan to draw the tropics. I brainstormed a list of things that come to mind when I think of Costa Rica. I am not assigning a prompt to each day; I am using the list as inspiration each day when I sit down to draw. I might end up drawing sloths each and every day (I am a little obsessed with sloths right now), and that's ok.
Here is my list:
If you are interested in joining me on this tropical adventure, I'd love to see your daily drawings. I'll be tagging my posts with #TropicalDrawcember as well as #Drawcember2017
Do you draw every day? How do you stay motivated?
Please share your tips and tricks in the comments.
No, really, I need help!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
30 Days of Brave Challenge
I have decided to try the 30 days of brave challenge during the month of May.
I have been trying to build my blog and eventually start my business but year after year my plans get pushed back and ignored. This year I have decided to be brave and push myself to move forward with the process. And so I am participating in the 30 Days of Brave Challenge.
On day one of the challenge I had to find a physical object to remind me of the challenge daily. I chose a slightly too small bracelet (the one you see in the image above). It is just tight enough to keep me on track without being uncomfortable.
Today is day two: I am committed. One of my choices today was to make a public announcement of my commitment to the challenge. I will post my progress throughout the month. So far I have started writing up my business plan and I am learning how to create better images for my blog. I can't wait to see where this month and this challenge will take me. Feel free to follow along on the blog or join me in the challenge!
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Monthly Check-in: April 2017
Another month has passed us by, so it's time for another monthly check-in.
Most Popular Blog Post
No blog posts this past month, so yeah... no popular posts.
I've been spending a lot of time revising my posting schedule, thinking about what I want the 10th year of my blog to be (can you believe this blog recently turned 9 years old? More about that in a later post), researching and trying to make this blog better than ever before.
Most Popular Instagram Photo
This month, with 18 likes, this picture of bubbles on the beach was my most popular photo.
Creative Challenges and Link-ups I Participated in
#drawriotdaily - I worked on this for part of the month, then gave up. I don't really like the prompts. I'll keep looking for my challenge.
April Focus Projects
I had some crafty goals for the month but fell behind on most of them. I did crochet a messy bun hat for a friend's birthday and I am working on a new free pattern, both of which will be on the blog soon.
Year-long Goals Progress
1. Use my sewing machine - nope
2. Knit/Crochet some sweaters - nope
3. Finish the Groovyghan - nope
4. Complete a drawing challenge - hmmmm.... still looking for the right one
5. Etsy shop - nope
Most Popular Blog Post
No blog posts this past month, so yeah... no popular posts.
I've been spending a lot of time revising my posting schedule, thinking about what I want the 10th year of my blog to be (can you believe this blog recently turned 9 years old? More about that in a later post), researching and trying to make this blog better than ever before.
Most Popular Instagram Photo
This month, with 18 likes, this picture of bubbles on the beach was my most popular photo.
Creative Challenges and Link-ups I Participated in
#drawriotdaily - I worked on this for part of the month, then gave up. I don't really like the prompts. I'll keep looking for my challenge.
April Focus Projects
I had some crafty goals for the month but fell behind on most of them. I did crochet a messy bun hat for a friend's birthday and I am working on a new free pattern, both of which will be on the blog soon.
Year-long Goals Progress
1. Use my sewing machine - nope
2. Knit/Crochet some sweaters - nope
3. Finish the Groovyghan - nope
4. Complete a drawing challenge - hmmmm.... still looking for the right one
5. Etsy shop - nope
How was your month?
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Monthly Check-in: February 2017
Most Popular Blog Post
The post with the most views and comments was my only post this month. What a weird month it was.
Most Popular Instagram Photo
This month, with 26 likes and 3 comments, this picture of my progress reading Christine was my most popular photo.
Creative Challenges and Link-ups I Participated in
#drawriotdaily - I found this challenge at the beginning of February and hope to make it through a whole month or drawing a picture a day before the end of the year.
February Focus Projects
I'm still working on the Tardis baby blanket, although I am almost done....
Year-long Goals Progress
1. Use my sewing machine - nope
2. Knit/Crochet some sweaters - nope
3. Finish the Groovyghan - nope
4. Complete a drawing challenge - started one :)
5. Etsy shop - nope
The post with the most views and comments was my only post this month. What a weird month it was.
Most Popular Instagram Photo
This month, with 26 likes and 3 comments, this picture of my progress reading Christine was my most popular photo.
Creative Challenges and Link-ups I Participated in
#drawriotdaily - I found this challenge at the beginning of February and hope to make it through a whole month or drawing a picture a day before the end of the year.
February Focus Projects
I'm still working on the Tardis baby blanket, although I am almost done....
Year-long Goals Progress
1. Use my sewing machine - nope
2. Knit/Crochet some sweaters - nope
3. Finish the Groovyghan - nope
4. Complete a drawing challenge - started one :)
5. Etsy shop - nope
How was your month?
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
2017 5 Day Headband Challenge: Day 1
Today is Day 1 of the 5 Day Headband Challenge by Soléne Knits. Today's prompt was to think about some headband inspiration:
So, I searched Pinterest and created a board:
My basic inspiration is braided cables, textured stitch patterns and animal ears.
Should be a fun challenge!
Thursday, January 5, 2017
A Peek in my Art Journal: Drawcember
This past month, I attempted Drawcember, a drawing challenge on Instagram. I completed about one week of posts and then lost steam. Here is my progress:
