Happiness in 15 Minutes a Day

My life these days is busy. Very, very busy. Not glamorous artist rock star busy either. It's cramming in creative time between strep throat, double ear infectious for both kiddos and a broken arm kind of busy. Yeah.  

I was starting to get really sad about not having enough creative time and then remembered something I learned way back when kid #1 was small: 15 minutes. There is a magic to 15 minutes a day of anything. Its a small chunk of time that adds up if you stick with it daily. 

For the last few months I've been setting my phone timer, and free drawing for 15 minutes while kiddo #2 naps. And I feel much much happier. You can see my 15 minute sketches over on my Instagram page. 

The Horse Blanket Rides Again

Holy cow - how has it been so long since I last posted here? We are all a bit under the weather here at my house with some kind of nasty cold. We've been taking turns under this heavy green crochet blanket known in our house as the "horse blanket". It reminded me that I had done an Illustration Friday about it FIVE YEARS AGO. Five. I still love the drawing, and the story, below: 

This week's Illustration Friday topic is "Blanket". Back in the 70s my grandma crocheted a zig-zag, three tone green afghan (as she would call it) for my grandpa's naps. It matched his avocado green recliner, and was crocheted extra long to cover his 6 foot 6 inch frame from shoulder to foot. When she was done with the blanket, my grandpa took it for a test drive. Turned out all that extra yarn made it too heavy, and he called it the 'Horse Blanket'. Gramps was a wannabe cowboy in his older years, and I am sure he would have much rather saddled up a horse with that blanket than take naps under it. He was always on the go. I like to think that during his naps under the Horse Blanket he dreamed about taking a horse for a ride, and maybe letting the horse curl up with him under Grandma's heavy duty creation.

Years later after my grandpa passed away, my mom and I were helping my grandma clean out some of her stuff and the horse blanket reappeared. It was in mint condition, since Gramps had taken to napping under a much lighter blanket. "Does anyone want this old blanket I crocheted for Gramps?" she asked. Of course I snatched it up.

Wishing

Cindy the Octopus : 8 x 10 art print by BeatUpCreations on etsy

Wishing...
I could move my house and all of our friends out of this rainy, dreary, wintry place. 
I had 8 arms like an octopus: two to hold the baby, two to play with her sister, two to take care of our home, two to draw with.
I had enough energy to do all I should be doing.
I could give my boobs to someone else for a day.
I could forget about all that I need to do.
I was more able to accept chaos. 
We had a food replicator.
My guts could handle drinking coffee.
I could exercise while sitting.
That time would stand still.
That time would speed up.

Happy Birthday Will!

Etsy Wednesday: Tangerine Dreams

Rust, Tangerine, Pink, Orang... countryfences $12.00	vintage tangerine tango crop... GORvintage $19.00	Vintage Suede Saddle Shoes T... ivorybird $32.00
Printed throw pillow: hand p... EarthLab $38.00	Striped Blanket Pink, Tanger... MableDear $22.00	Vintage 70's Italian Avi... BackThennishVi... $125.00
Tangerine Trio - Print of Or... sharonschock $18.00	EXTRA LONG scarf in juicy ta... EcoShag $30.00	Mommy necklace Tangerine Tan... FrejaToys $20.00
70s Sargent Pepper Marching ... nickiefrye $64.00	Bookends - Orange - laser cu... DesignAtelierA... $44.00	Mini Clothespins - Tangerine... ClipAndPin $5.55
Tangerine orange and pink ru... toriska $48.00	Tangerine and Grey Handmade ... FlowerThyme $30.00	Mommy Calling Card or Busine... CreativeFoxStu... $10.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.


I love the color orange. In the last 8 months I've also probably eaten my weight in satsumas and tangerines. Sadly they now give me horrible heartburn and acid indigestion. Not yummy. So, I'll just have to enjoy my oranges in other ways.

Here's a collection of fresh squeezed orange goodness for you and your home from Etsy! See the entire Treasury over here.

Where is my mind?

Back in the saddle, folks. Suffering from severe pregnancy brain. I totally forgot to do each and every item on my to do list yesterday even though I looked at said list no less than 100 times. Can't get enough of this jam. Remembering when I ate it for the first time in Paris, at 19 when I'd forgotten all of my money back in Amsterdam and lived on baguette and jam for nearly a week. Feeling excited about finishing this top, and hoping I have time to do more sewing. Marveling at the summer - like weather in Seattle (58 degrees! Sun!). Wondering if Cherry Garcia counts as a lunch food. Can't get this horrid song out of my head - or the fact that I have merely 3 weeks to go until baby arrives. Seriously thinking about taking my friends up on their offer to karaoke Backstreet Boys and Digital Underground to me if I go past 40 weeks. Seriously. 

Etsy Wednesday: Objects of Desire

Raymond Loewy Teapot, Teacup... kiteless $65.00	Sunny Block Abstract Print twoems $26.00	Italian Ceramic BALDELLI Abs... weareMFEO $59.00
Wood Letters J - Wall, Nurse... Hindsvik $125.00	Vintage Industrial Wooden St... bellalulu $120.00	dead meadow necklace - vinta... urbanlegend $25.00
Vintage Sweater Coat Cream W... ohthisnose $120.00	Hanging Air Plant Teardrop T... plantology $28.00	Washi Tape Organizer - Wood ... 464Handmade $35.00
Shut the front door 18x22 ha... WilliamDohman $175.00	10" Modern Wall Clock -... decoylab $90.00	Morning Delight- face nettin... yellowfield7 $380.00
Living in treehouse wonderla... Ninainvorm $49.00	Grumpy Melbourne Owl Brooch tigerandhare $20.00	Vintage FUN and GAMES Epheme... sushipotparts $6.00
Monty the Fox Lambswool Plus... saracarr $38.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

This week is kicking my booty. Here are a few things from my Favorites on Etsy that are making me smile this week despite all the crazy.