Sometimes I
…
sleep in late.
like to eat breakfast for dinner.
find comfort in a house of leaves.
dance when nobody is looking.
dream in Spanish.
But I always have a sense of wonder.
April’s Creative Experiments
It’s already April; when did that happen? I suppose I was shocked when I realized how fast February and March have gone by. Truthfully I barely even recall January. But in these past few months I’ve accomplished two of my main goals; to cook more and lose weight. But I’m a firm believer in the idea that we are always a work in progress. So, I’m always looking for something new or different to do, which leads me to the Creative Experiments list from Daisy Yellow’s blog. Her posts are always intriguing and full of inspirational quotes and words of encouragement. And although I don’t have kids of my own, I think it’s great she includes her two daughters in a lot of her creative projects.
After reading her post this morning, I immediately decided to accomplish a few of her challenges/experiments this month. I’ll be documenting each of my experiments as I complete them.
Here’s to a fun month of creative challenges and everything in between!
Self-Proclaimed Papyrus Addict
Greeting cards aren’t exactly something I used to get excited about. The only person whose cards would make me tear up were the ones my mom would give me. She always had a way of finding the perfect card with just the right wording that would pull at my heart strings, causing a tear or two.
But I confess that I’m more of a minimalist when it comes to the words in cards; I prefer to add my own. And since we moved, I’ve fallen in love with the beautiful Papyrus store. It’s a small place and a chain store nonetheless, but it’s filled with beautiful cards. On several occasions I’ve bought a few random cards to use in my art journal (see above) simply because of a unique design or the intricate details.
Sometimes taking a step back from the ebb and flow of a fast-paced world is a good thing – especially if it involves appreciating a message sandwiched inside an alluring card.
At this point in my life
At this point in my life
Although I’ve mostly walked in the shadows
I’m still searching for the light
Won’t you put your faith in me
We both know that’s what matters
If you give me a chance I’ll try
You see I’ve been climbing stairs but mostly stumbling down
I’ve been reaching high always losing ground
You see I’ve been reaching high but always losing ground
You see I’ve conquered hills but I still have mountains to climb
And right now right now I’m doing the best I can
(“At This Point In My Life” by Tracy Chapman)
Thanks to Pandora I stumbled upon this incredible song.
Teach a girl how to cook and you feed her for a lifetime
The easiest and most pleasurable way to eat well is to cook.
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon the above phrase while reading the New York Times’ Recipes for Health section. At the time I was reading The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size, a book given to me as a gift by one of my best friends. She gave it to me since she knew about the journey I’ve been on to continue eating healthier but to also improve on my cooking skills ans techniques. So, needless to say the phrase struck a chord with me.
Since then I’ve become quite obsessed with reading cooking blogs and collecting cooking magazines. I’ve quickly replaced all fiction reading with stacks of magazines filled with delicious recipes and beautiful culinary imagery (aka food porn). By far one of my favorite publications has become Cuisine at Home. The entire magazine is filled with great instructions and multiple pictures on varying steps. Truly, an amateur cook’s dream come true.
Sure I’m new to this “creative” medium but I’ve already become proud of what I’ve accomplished in the kitchen so far. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a fan of Yelping my next favorite restaurant. But cooking is almost like meditating, only with a delicious tasting pay off.
Low Rising by The Swell Season
I came upon this video earlier today and was so enamored by its simplicity and how it was still able to create such emotion. Too beautiful for words.
Lush Lines
Constantly a work in progress
Blank pages reveal their true colors
Cutting and pasting themselves into existence
In this state of mind, perfection doesn’t exist
But its yearning never ceases
Closing my eyes I see everything
Flaws hidden from others
Now beautifully on display
DIY Postcard Swap 2010
Thanks to the wonderfully talented and inspiring Hanna (iHanna), I recently took part in my first ever Postcard Swap. Each day to the mailbox was almost like Christmas because I never knew what to expect from my fellow postcard swappers.
A sneak peek at my postcards
My stash of 10 postcards. Received from all over; US, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands!
It was truly a fun experiment and I could see myself participating in other shared craft projects in the future. To see a ton of other postcards from the swap, check out the Flickr DIY Postcard Swap pool.
Never underestimate the daylight
If my art journal could have a soundtrack, I’d have to say that most of its earliest pages would be played to the sounds of Circa Survive. It never ceases to amaze me how music can help one deal or cope with certain feelings or situations. And for me, this band has always found a way to do that in many of my own personal experiences. A lot of their lyrics have held some sort of significance, and this stands true with their newest single (listen below). Plus, the album cover is another great piece by Easo Andrews.
I can’t get started from the part
Where I left off yesterday
Shoulda spent my time a little wiser
I sat alone guilty as sin
Waiting for words to come
From out of my head
Still making sense to anyone
I can’t wait to understand the reason
I’ve yet to translate any meaning besides
It’s not worth it to try
Get out (x2)
Lock myself up in a room without a window
Just to see if it was any easier to breathe
I was wrong
Never underestimate the daylight
There it’s so much easier to breathe
Yeah!
I can’t wait to understand the reason
I’ve yet to translate any meaning besides
It’s not worth it to try
Get out (x4)
There’s no meaning besides
It’s not worth it to try
Newest art favorites
A weekend full of artsy goodness always proves to be a fun time. Between the Indie Craft Bazaar and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites artists, including the artist that created my newest art collection piece (above), Marina Terauds.
Ashlee Walters – Paper Show
