On Givin' Myself a Break

true, its been a whopper of a couple of weeks. and i'm real good, i mean real good at being hard on myself. so when i saw this poem (one of my favs) on a fellow blogger's  site i had to repost. i haven't been feeling very deserving of my own good words to myself. I know that's not me but sometimes, like now i do feel the need to sit in the ashes, mourn and allow me to just be in it for a minute. so these words, i will use as my own today.


Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

~by William Ernest Henley

Still Just Being

Well, um, its been about a week and a half since my last post and i really should be in bed but i was inspired by jenn lemen's blog and decided to take a lip gloss and comb free self pic/video(i tried to upload but took forever...still learning how to use it. but when i figure it out i will post it so you can see me in all my coo-cooness.). i really want to connect more with myself and others more authentically. i have to admit its been almost a week since i "liquified". i don't feel bad. i dont feel the same either and i dont think i want to. im a little wobbly with new legs but im very expectant.

and i have been painting. which is good. this is a piece im working on...or maybe its finished for someone very close to me. i didnt over think it or have a real expectation and i like how it turned out. 

well, its time for bed or im gonna end up watching the real housewives of atl for the umpteenth time. night night.

On Just Being

i guess in life and this blog - i try to be funny and interesting. i want you to come back, to like me, to subscribe to whatever i'm peddling. i think I've always been that way.Well today i dont really have the energy or desire to try. so im a just be.

i feel like a layer of me is being rubbed off. maybe more than one. 

its uncomfortable. 

im raw. 

i cried a good part of my trip to atlanta. i know why and then i dont know why. it was good though. 

long drives on the highway are the only times i have alone with myself these days. 

the tears are still just behind my eyes. 

i feel butterflies. 

i also feel the seams of trying to hold it all in are wearing thin and some things are starting to leak out. 

its very uncomfortable. 

i want to distract myself, to buy something, to move to a new city, to tell a joke, to get a tattoo. 

its very uncomfortable. 

there's a rumbling inside that i can't quite put my finger on. 

but i know the timing is perfect. but for what, i'm not sure. 

it feels like there's a magnet pulling the stuff deep down that i hide and ignore and pretend isn't there, to the surface of my life.

its pulling my card. and showing me the lies i tell myself 

about me not being judgmental or not being scared to death that no one will ever really love ME. 

it has hooked a string around all my feelings of lonliness and isolation, inadequacy and jealousy. 

and like master fisherman it's realing it all up from the murky bottom for all to see. 

i can't hide much longer. and what a relief.

you see my grip is weak and i admit asked for this. 

and it seems the call was heard and the waves are pushing against the sand. 

did i say it was uncomfortable? very?

so i sit back and wait and just be.

This, That and the Other

Well I just lost my whole freaking post...and I'm kinda pissed about it. I was gettin all deep working through issue #3,246 and wham i don't know what the eff happened. well needless to say i'll take it as a sign. "stop talking about it and just do it." said the Universe. So I'm off to complete my week 3 homework for my art class (im a week behind).

i will leave you birdies with some pics of some work that either; a) I just completed after some months 2) just started and finished or 3) just got around to scanning in.

a) i just got around to scanning. it's been done since the summer.

b) just finished after some eons. i've been workin on Miss Thang for a while but just finished her last week. 7.5 X12 recycled cabinet door.

Now i must say i love this one. it makes me smile everytime i read it. its the ultimate motivational saying. 7 X 8.5 recycled board.

or c) this one and the one above are NEW PIECES. i really love this abstract x-mas tree. the world is made from my most loved material, cardboard. 6X6 gallery wrapped canvas

 did i mention i got a new scanner(im sure i did its ALL im talking about right now. im more excited about this than when i got my mom-osine. the pictures are so vibrant. and its so fast and smooth and easy to use. i luv her so much i might have to name her. and it does make it a little easier not having my camera for now.

Any who, there they are. My next goal is to get my printer - the Epson 1400 to be exact. Miss Juliette Crane, a fellow flyer recommends it. It's kinda sorta in my budget so I'ma make the plunge....then comes the ink, paper, backers, mailers, return labels, business cards. Even though its quite an investment right now, I know the only way anyone else will take me serious as an artist is if I do the same. All in. SMOOCHES!

On Not Knowing I Was Uptight...

I'm goin' in to my 3rd week of my PAINT FREE class with the wonderful Miss Wyanne. I think I told you, the class is about finding your unique voice as an artist. And you already know this is my...how do you say...let's call it what it is. It's my excuse not to paint more. I'm always searching for one thing or another. So this is no differnt, and always uncomfortable being where I AM. Well I'm likin the class and wanted to share my latest exercises.

 I'm not sure how much I can share about the class, so I won't give any juicy details but these exercises are teaching me some things about myself. I'm also realizing that I believe that if my style is authentically mine, then it won't look like anyone else's style. And that's a lot of pressure to put on myself. Which in turn stifles my creativity. So I'm going to try to have fun, and let all my influences and inspirations show through MY canvas. Don't worry you know I'll keep you posted.

smoochy-smooch.

Grabbing for my dream...an Inspirational Tale

This blog is as much about inspiration and following your dreams as it is a place where I can show my art and shoot the gip. Well today I have a wonderful story of a woman living in my town. Her name is Mandy Campbell and she is the owner of Extreme Cakes. I just finished reading an article on her in our local paper Her type of baking has become very popular on TLCand The Food Network but her story is such an inspiration that I thought I'd share it here with my homies.

First of all I was shocked to see someone having a store dedicated to 3-D sculptural cakes in this small town I live in. Insert critiques voice...IS THERE REALLY A MARKET "HERE" FOR "THAT"? So I read on and find out that recently she was asked by the Smithsonian (yes the one in D.C) to create a cake to commemorate thee100th Anniversary of the Museum of Natural History.

Here she is with the  5 feet long and 2 feet high replica of the Natural History Museum Building

Well you know what I thought. OUT OF ALL THE CAKE BAKERS IN THE WORLD HOW DID THEY PICKED HER FROM SMALLVILLE USA? So I'm really getting into the article now THEN I find out that this seasoned baker's store has only been open ONE MONTH! And she's already in the paper and making cakes for the Smithsonian. What's up with that?

By now it's just me and the paper. I gave my students their work and I'm lost in this odyssey. (Yes I am at work reading the paper and typing this blog...but it's not what you think. Well maybe, but a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.) Anyway, I turn the page, completely enthralled in her meteoric rise and see that TLC has also contacted her and is thinking of featuring her on Amazing Cakes.

She looks like she's about to bark!

popcorn cupcakes. How come I never thought of that? LOL

  Ok. Ok. Ok. Now I'm  fired up and thinking to myself...I have to meet this wild woman. But here's the clincher folks, the ICING ON THE CAKE so to speak.

She has only been doing sculptural cakes for SIX MONTHS!

As an artist,  I sometimes wonder how I can EVER bring this deep passion of expressing myself through colors, shapes and textures to the surface of my life. Well reading this article touched every part of me and piece by piece dismantled all of my reasons WHY NOT. I'm so touched by Mandy's story that I think I might just have to stop by her shop today and meet her in person.

OLD Reasons IT won't work...

1. No one can find me because I live in a small town.
2. There's no market for what I do
3. Or even better, everyone is already doing it.
4. I don't have enough experience or knowledge.
5. It's going to take forever...or longer.

NEW reasons why IT will DEFINITELY work...

1. Any and everyone can find me if I put myself out there to be found. The Internet connects us all.
2. There's absolutely a market for what I do.
3. I really do have something unique to offer.
4. I've been creating all my life this new mixed media is just an extension. And I'm dedicated to learning more and honing my craft. AND

5. My level of accomplishment is directly related to my efforts and my belief in myself....Dam, that was deep. 

You know sometimes my dream can seem so far away but in times like this it feels a little closer. And what if it really is closer, much closer than I ever imagined.

The only way I'll know is if I reach out and grab at it. So I'm gonna go grab at my dream today and I might even get to grab a little piece of cake while I'm at it.

Been Gone a While...Catching Up

Hi U guys. I know it's been too long. All of my electronics decided to die at the same time and it's taken some time to get myself back up and running. While I'm not up to 100% I did get a new laptop (I highly recommend Best Buy open box items. I got a SUPER deal). so I can't complain. I'm realizing that keeping up to date with my gadgets has become more of a necessity than a luxury.

Lots of good things have been going on and I've been staying busy. Work is good and V is thriving @ his new day care. (Insert random cuteness here.)

Sometimes I look @ him and still can't believe he's mine. He's like a human Chocolate Chip!

 

And yes he is a ladies man. LOL

I did finally get my new(er) car a couple of weeks ago and I'm still over the moon about that. It's an '04 Town and Country van.

This isn't it but it looks just like this. My camera's gone to digital heaven so I had to borrow this pic from C-list.

 Now, who in the hell woulda ever thought I'd be in a mom-osine....and like it. Really I love it. Its fully loaded and more than I could've ever asked for. For most of you who know I've been on quite a journey over the last four years...bcoming a single mom, job layoffs and various moves up and down the east coast. And I finally feel like things are coming together for us and it feels SOOOOO GOOD! And I'm learning to let it in and to believe that I deserve to have good things happen to and for me. It's funny how we can ask for something and not believe we can have it. But when I started to believe it could happen...it did. I thank abraham-hicks for helping to get that through my thick skull ;-).


I'm also taking my first online art class. Kelly Rae's class was my first ever online class and this is my 2nd and focuses on finding your own personal style. The class is taught by an extremely talented and generous artist named Wyanne. She's out of FL and I'm very excited about the class

Our first assigment...getting back to basics using good ol' crayons.

 

 

Even though the main objective of the course is to help us develop our own style I believe that what I truly need is the support through techniques and support to have the COURAGE to express my own style. I hear HER and Im so excited to have taken the plunge and made the investment in me.

Well I guess that's  about it. I do have to make the donuts tomorrow so I better go pack my lunch and find out what I'm going to wear tomorrow. (I'll thank myself in the a.m. when I can get an extra 15 min).

More to come...smooches!

Who Do You Think You Are?

I know, I know its been too long. I missed you too. My laptop had a virus, and then Vincent kinda sorta dropped it on the floor. Then my camera got wet and died. And I'm adjusting to my new job. Full plate right? But that's no excuse for not checkin' in with my homies.

And eventhough I have new art I haven't replaced my camera so I have no pics and Im bummed b/c I've found that opening up and sharing my art really helps me and even creates a sense of accountability...and you know my lil ADD mind needs that.

So instead of rambling on I'm posting a great article by a wonderful artist/coach that I plan on reading over and over again.I think, at least for me, when I ask myself this question it forces me to look at how my choices are either leading toward or away from my desired goal. A real kick in the tukkus. I really hope you enjoy it. SMOOCHES!

Who Do You Think You Are?

Inspiration @ the SPARKcon Art Festival

We went to the really inspiring SPARKcon festival in Raleigh last Saturday. The pics speak for themselves. Gorgeous weather and all these talented NCState (the majority) students creating these TEMPORARY and public works of art.It was all done in pastels and by Monday morning (today) it will be replaced by rush hour traffic.

These were all only identified by a number in the bottom right hand corner.

This one brings tears to my eyes everytime I look at it. Its about childhood homelessness. dam.

Oh, yeah these went on for blocks and blocks. And blocks. I was so inspired.

Did you think he was gonna let them have all the fun? They had a kids (and big kids ) area at one intersection.

 I was so proud of myself for not whippin' out my wet wipes.LOL

My most beautiful work of art. I must gush for just one moment....I look at this picture and remember when

he was just seven pounds and laying on my chest. We have come a long way and I'm really happy to be building these creative memories with him. My Schmookie.

I'm tired as a...

...dog.
...hebrew slave.



I started work today and it was cool actually. (yes, im saying getting up way too early to do something mildly interesting and getting paid just above the poverty level can be cool, right? please say yes or I'm gonna eat a pack of raw fudge brownies right now.) It was a welcome break from being at home for the last almost three months.  I'm here to tell you there is no job harder than being a full-time at home mom and I have a lil confession to make(shhh)...I miss day care. I mean I really miss it. I love my son and I shouldn't feel bad for saying this BUT I need some time to myself. And not to go hang out or do anything special (but what would be wrong with that?) I just want some time when I'm not cooking, cleaning or trying to squeeze my big ass down kiddee slide (imagine a watermelon trying to make it through a straw).

For those of you who don't know I take care of V by myself. His father has never been in the picture (a whole other blog all together. remember, pot and oral sex do not go together not at all.) Anyway, this job is harder than I could ever imagine. But the good news is now that I'm working my little man will be back with his snotee nosed cohorts. and since I get off at 2:30 and noon on Friday I will get a little meeee time. Yippee!

On to art...I've got some stuff but don't feel like getting off my butt to hook up my camera to show y'all. Plus they're not finished. And I'm getting tired of pattng myself on the back for starting and not finishing a project. I did buyt some alphabet stamps this weekend but now am scared to commit to adding any writing. It's always something. I'm so scared of effin' em up that now they're starting to collect dust. Which is in total oppposition to this idea of selling my art so I don't have to go to that job up there. I can't sell it cus it's not finished. And its not finishd cus I don't wanna mess it up. Sounds like BS to me too. So I've got to make some decisions this week and ad some things to my Etsy shop by next week. The things I have on there now are just sitting and I don't really even reflect my current style. go figure. Well anyway, I'm off to wash the day off and finish off a bottle of vino. smooches!

On Finding My Style and Time for Personal Grooming

You know I had absolutely no plans today and so I thought it would be easy to et some things done. NOT. So tomorrow is a jam packed day and now I am scrambling tonight to get organized so most of it goes smoothly. And after taking a shower finally (yes its been 2 days) and getting my little gremlin in the bed (not asleep but at least contained in one place) I had to peep my head in to say Hey. That's how much I love y'all. And speaking of love I want to say a special thank you  to the talented, inspireing and kind ladies who take out the time to read and comment on my lttle blog. Y'all are the milk to my cookies.

I have been painting ALOT lately. And I think, I hope, oh I hope I am approaching my own personal style. I admit I have some art ADD but I feel like the more I work things out on paper and canvas the closer I feel I'm getting.... So here's what I've been working on. They are drafts and I'm going to ad some text but cant decide to hand write it or cut out printed type. What do yall think. More people are using the cut type and I'm trying not to be so anal about my own handwriting. Did I say anal? I meant nuerotic.

I've had a sketch of her for a few months now and finally got the balls to put paint to and she just opened up so much for me. I love her for that alone. And doesn't she look so full of thought, huh?

The camera doesnt really get all  the roughness that I love about the flower and how the blue's not quite opaque. cute.

I wasn't sure what this was gonna be when I started but I was pleasantly surprised. I also loosened the reigns on "matching colors" and just let my intuition guide me. The house is actually this cool melon orangy color. luv it.

She's a little blurry and excuse her zombie stare. I'm still working on her eyes. I think I want her to look down but not sure how to accomplish that...but i love her hair. Back in the day I had a color very similar to this just a lil more magenta, wth. ;-)

Love Changed My Life...New Art

I've been working really hard to find my own unique voice as an artist. And after my little mental BM post last night I feel "lighter". And this morning while rifling through some magazine pages I found the boost to get my booty moving. I'll post the close to finished or maybe finished pic tomorrow on my FB fan page but I thought I'd share some process shots. I always love how artist show how they get from one place to the next in a mixed media piece so....

It's late I don't feel like adding captions but I really loved all the magazine images. and layering the heart with tissue paper. And the trip part is I started this piece TODAY1 I am usually a slow worker but when I work quickly I don't have a chance to second guess my choices. Well that's it just wanted to share and I always get excited with new art....more tomorrow. PEACE OUT!

Let the Rambling Begin

1. I don't have any pictures to keep you visually stimulated and probably wont advertise this post on FB. I just wanted to vent.

2. I went to GSO to sub for the week at the community college. and while the good news is they offered me a job. It's p.t. but the hourly pay sorta makes up for it. Sorta. The bad news is they only get paid once a month. Meaning it would be the end of October before I got a check big enough to rent a place. And my credit is so jacked up it still probably won't be enough. For the first time I'm condidering applying for public housing. Oh the shame, who am I kidding. I'll be there first thing Monday morning.

3. My schedule it totally effed up after being away from my paint for a week. I haven't made anything for 2 weeks and am kina scerred to put paint down. I've had too much time to think bout it all.

4. While I loved making my little magnets, I'm now like wondering if they are really any good. How in the hell am I gonna make enough money selling $10 cardboard magnets?

5. I'm so sick of dishes and dirty clothes every frickin day.

6. I quietly beat myself up everyday for not being able to make enough money to take care of my son independently.

7. I'm considering starting a new blog about my life as a single mom and my constant pangs of inadequacy.

8. Why is it everytime I have a good idea and tell someone all the fizz goes out of it? And why can't I keep my big mouth shut?

9. I was about to tell y'all something, I really want to but I'ma try and keep it to myself.

10. Eventhough my life is nothing as I expected it to be, sometimes I think this is all happening for a reason and if I just keep pluggin away and staying focus on my BIG dream it might actually happen.

If God Loved Stilettos...

Well I got back from Greensboro subbing before my perm class starts and am just getting back in the swing of things. So I just wanted to pop in and say "Hey" and let y'all know what's been up with me.

I just finished posting the most beautiful pair of shoes I have ever owned on Ebay for sale....I feel (a little) like Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac. I know that's a little bit dramatic, but dam they are the most goregously stunning pair of metallic, snakeskin, platform sandals..and they are comfortable TOO. And I'm just hoping God will light a burning bush and tell me its all a cruel joke.

"Jennifer, those shoes look sooo good on you, you must keep them for eternity. And oh yeah, go out and get a dress to match....this I command of thee." 

Eventhough I got them for Christmas post having Vincent, they still represent the life I'd like to have again at least a little itty bit. But the reality is I spend more time in my Crocs and since I've been out of work for about six weeks now and while the wheels are turning and I'll be going back to work in a couple of weeks I need the money now. On top of that my laptop has caught the equivalent of  HIV and I can't even get online so I've highjacked my mom's laptop to get some things done.

I've got some other things cookin in the kitchen but tonight I'm just having a little seperation anxiety, so I thought I'd give a shout out and see if I could get a materialistic, shop-a-holic, used to be hot mama, shoulder to cry on. If not it's ok too. I've got a cocktail and hot shower waiting and that should do the trick too. And for those of you wondering what my babies look like here's a stock photo to drool over....

For once 6" is really a lot.

On my second glass of wine and...

I've been thinkin' about this process Im in of finding my authentic voice as an artist. Then it dawned on me, with the help of my friend Merlot, I don't need to find her. SHE is not lost. I need to find more ways to allow her to come out of the basement closet (I thought she'd be safe there). So I, along with my

  trusty apprentice (yes I have kidnapped the entire table. thanks mom) have been making a mess and making some major head way...

washing dishes and...

eating molasses soaked wheat toast and blueberries while we watch Toy Story for the 33rd time. And I've even found some time to paint (ill have pics in a couple of days).

And it has been a real blast. You see I'm a master of imagining the worst possible scenario and then filling my mind and body with enough anxiety to make people refer to me as a royal B.

I don't know how they could think such a thing about yours truly (hee-hee) but I can honestly say I'm a little nicer since I've let "her" out to play.

BTW, a community college called me today while me and my sidekick were out playing on swings. She wants me to start work on Monday. Part-time but its sure better than no-time. I guess there are a few side benefits to deciding to chill the eff out.

Have a great weekend!

New Magnet Art

Hey sweet peas! I got my lil schmookie down and managed to upload pics of some new art I'm working on and thought I should take advantage of this rare time with my laptop.

I started working on these a few weeks ago out of sheer necessity. They are quick (I'm result not process oriented) and cheap. And since I'm on a budget I canuse what I've already got (paint, cardboard box, a dull pair of scissors - yay!). I also needed some reminders that could slap me back into the reality and kick my inner critique to the curb. All I had to buy were the magnets to cut and adhere to the back side. So with out further delay (since I'm about to start stalling)...

whoever they are....

sometimes I wonder...

good question. sometimes I know the answer...

They're all roughly about the size of my BlackBerry. No two are the exact same size though. I like the imperfectness of them. I really need visual reminders and lately the sweet  fuzzy affirmations haven't been working for me. If you don't know by now I shoot from the hip and these little sassy fridge magnets are doin' it for me right now. 

Since the pics are uploaded I should be posting them on my Etsy page tomorrow (I'm going to veg out on HGTV when I finish this post). And speaking of Etsy, I'm thinking of starting a new shop specifically for these little bugars ( I have more and lots of ideas for more - some for mature eyes only...oooooh). From a business standpoint, I don't want to mix apples and...walnuts. But we'll see. It would mean coming up with a new shop name and the whole marketing shabbadoowhop and I don't have the time for my current shabbadoos.

Anyway I just wanted to put them out there with my test group. Not too much else brewing besides still looking for a job....which is a whole other bag of wollybodydingdong (sorry, I had to get that out). But I'll keep y'all posted. Smooches and night-night!!

A Little Inspiration...

My best friend form high school posted the poem below on her FB page today. Her oldest daughter is 19 and my one and only God-child. They are going through some real deep valleys right now....things that make my little temporary, ego trippin' problems seem so small. What a reminder for me to practice much more grattitude for what I do have. I am just amazed and still teary eyed that her daughter was able bring a very bright light into an otherwise dark time. I am more spiritual than religious but I still believe in miracles and they need a couple. btw, please keep them in your prayers. love y'all!

Last Week we threw out worrying, it was getting old and in the way. 
It kept us from being us; We couldn't do things God's way. 
We threw out a book on OUR PAST (Didn't have time to read it anyway). 
Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today. 
We threw out hate and bad memories, (Remember how we treasured them so)? 
Got us a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago. 
Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST. 
Threw out I might, I think and I ought. WOW, you should've seen the dust. 
We ran across an OLD FRIEND, we hadn't talked to in a while. 
His name is GOD the Father, and we really love His style. 
He has helped us to do some cleaning and added some things Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE, Yes... We placed them right on the shelf. 
I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door. 
I FOUND IT- it's called PEACE. Nothing gets us down anymore. 
Yes, Me and My Mom got our house looking nice. Looks good around the place. 
For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space. 
It's good to do a little house cleaning, get rid of the things on the shelf. 
It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

Pitter, Patter Go the Steps of Success

Hi u guys! I'm mobile blogging for the first time today so yay for me. I recently enlisted the help of my Google calendar to whip me into shape and it so kindly sent me a reminder to my phone. So here I am takin' a pause from my errands to check in with my crew.

I don't have anything juicy or super inspiring today but that's okay too. Sometimes this road is not scenic or awe filled. Sometimes the journey to your dreams means doing wutchu gotta do. And the trip part is when I get my mundane tasks (don't get me wrong, talkin 2 y'all is far from mundane but I can sometimes doubt it's healin powers, thus bringin out my lazy bones)completed I'm  inspired 2 take other steps.

So here I am stepping. Stepping closer 2 b-living in my talents and stepping closer 2 building my life my way...one step at a time. ok, gotta go. I luv all y'all! CU later gators!

Learning to Be Kinder to Myself

 Compassion is absolutely necessary as we allow beliefs that have manifested as separation 2 actually begin 2 heal & dissolve~Anakha Coman

Such a great quote via my fb friend and spiritual intuitive andrea beaudoin. its very appropriate today as i realize my journey as an artist is also one of excavating my authentic self. Its so easy to beat myself up for not being or doing all i can be or do. But as I become clearer as an artist, I become more accepting and supportive of who i am as a person (daughter, mom, friend, co-worker) and allowing me to be me fully with out apologies.

So let's take it easy on ourselves today. We sure as hell deserve it. SMOOCHES!!

Elizabeth Gilbert: A new way to think about creativity

New Logo & Confidence Coming to a Blog Near You

 Since the Flying Lessons course I've been working to up the anty on my art business. We (I mean "I") often can come up with more reasons why we can't do something rather than looking for creative solutions that fit our budget, skill and sensibility. Well I've been moping around because I didnt have a professional logo. And since I didn't have a logo and because I didn't have a logo I couldn't  get business cards and other marketing materials for M2BM. And since I didn't have those things I wasn't a real business and nobody would buy from such an amateur and blah, blah, blah....I know cry me a river right.

Well something finally clicked in this hard skull of mine and I decided to...do it myself! What a novel idea. Who would have ever thought I could make my own log?. But then again, who better to design the most accurate representation of me and my creations?

So I've been really excited this week as I've been building this little baby and even though its in it's early stages I'm liking where it's going. Unfortunately, I sometimes get caught up in wondering if others will like my art instead of making what my own heart mandates. But this logo is all about me saying who I am. Not just with the name of my business but creatively. And it feels very true if you know what I mean. And that makes me feel all warm inside like I'm already successful. And that always feels good. So the lesson today for Jenny is...do what feels good and it will be good enough.

Talk soon and big love!

A Different Kind of Art

  (instead of cutting slices I just cut out the middle man and got a spoon ;-))

It may not be the prettiest thing. But it surely is the best tasting...I should say WAS...as it is no more. The Bible says an idle mind is the devil's playground. And while its not totally true here, but since I've been on my little hiatus my taste buds have been trying to get me into some real trouble.

So last night I bit the bullet and made this peach cobbler/pie. Then I proceeded to eat it for dinner and late night snack, and then a bite before breakfast...you know where this is going don't you? Needless to say it didn't last long. And I thought I would feel bad for being so greedy but I DIDN'T. It was the bestest!  And it wasn't hard to throw it together either. Here's my little recipe below in case you wanna dive in and experience the sweet, tangy, juicy succulence of peaches, sugar and butter nestled inside a warm and flaky crust.

2 pie shells
2 lbs frozen peaches (much better than canned)
1 stick of butter
1 cup of brown sugar
Cook for 45min to one hour on 350 degrees.
Cool and enjoy!

Yep, that's it. It so simple and yet soooo delicious. Should you try it let me know how it turns out. Well that's about it. I just wanted to check in with my peeps and share a lil' somethin' somethin'. I'm now gonna go take advantage of a little pre-bed time "me-time". Until the next time...SMOOCHES!

New Mini -Art and a Thrift Store Bargain

Well I finally broke down and turned my mom's kitchen table into my studio. Well half of it any way. The other half is for V's meals and play-do time. And boy what a relief. Since I'm full time stay at home with Vincent now there isn't much time to paint but I just wanted to be close to my things and get messy and boy has it made a difference in my little mood!

These are some little 2x3-ish pieces of cardboard that I cut up. I just love them little scraps turned treasures. and it felt good to start and finish somethings...doesn't always happen like that if you know what I mean with life and all. These were also fun because I wasn't thinking so dam much. Because I saw them as scraps it was easier to hold my harsh personal judgment at bay and that's always a good thing. And since I knew all my art stuff can become like gremlins in water so I really wanted to control the chaos so I set out my intentions to find some hand art storage and guess what, I did! I found the BESTEST almost 4' high storage on wheels from The Salvation Army for only $6! I love it when a plan comes together. :-)

Okay, gotta go somebody just woke up and wants "JUICE!". Talk soon BYE - SMOOCHES!