I've been trying to do more and more artsy things lately, but am off to a slow start. I am still in the process of organizing my art space. I just joined Suzi Blu's current online class La Sirena- it's an online art workshop, this class is focusing on folk art and more stylistic Mermaids! :) I haven't painted any Mermaids for this class yet(only a few sketches). But I do have a couple recent little projects to share.

Mixed-media greeting card

Mixed-media painting,

"Princess in the Garden"

I've been on hiatus

...but I'm back! :) Nick and I have been living in Milwaukee for about 4 months now, and we love it! We both enjoy our jobs and have been making some good friends. A couple weeks ago, Nick surprised me with a new art desk! So that means many, many more creative endeavors!

Here is a painting, an art journal page, and 2 artist trading cards that I've made recently:

On a side note, my mom is giving me her old sewing machine...I haven't sewn anything before, but I am so excited to learn! :)

If you are looking for a really fun online art experience to shake things up a bit I have a great recommendation! I recently took one of Suzi Blu's mixed media art classes online and it was fabulous! I was really nervous at first because I had never done anything really "artsy" (except for making a few scrapbooks) but it was awesome! Through her videos Suzi really inspired me to get outside of my comfort zone and realize that I can be an artist. Visit Suzi Blu's website and view some of her (and her student's) fabulous artwork and sign up for a class!

Get inspired!

65 in 365

I recently started writing out my "Bucket List," of things that I want to do in my life.  Well, I did write down about 100 things that I wanted to do in my life, but the list just seems so daunting and un-doable. So I saw on Postcards from Insanity she made a list of 65 things that she would try to accomplish within in the next year. I like that idea better because it gives me some sort of deadline. The Bucket List just seemed so never-ending, that I probably would've procrastinated it all the way until I was on my death bed and then tried to cram a million things into a week.  Yes, I do like to procrastinate.
So here it goes, maybe writing about it here will help keep me accountable, I will update every month with things that I have accomplished. This list will be in effect for July 1, 2010-July 1, 2011.  June was just too completely busy with moving and everything. 

My 65 in 365 List  (in no particular order)

1.     Take at least 1 yoga class each month.  0/12

2.     Go to an outdoor concert.

3.     Ride my bike more.

4.     Plan and save for a trip to Europe for summer of '11.

5.     Create a better budget and stick to it.  0/12

6.     Buy a better car.

7.     Reach my goal weight.

8.     Run a 5k.

9.     Go on a roadtrip with just Nick.

10.   Buy a nice DSLR camera and learn how to use it.

11.   Get a haircut/trim 4 times. (Doesn't seem like a lot but I barely ever get to a salon)  2/4

12.   Get a manicure or pedicure 4 times.  1/4

13.   Volunteer at least 10 times. 4/10

14.   Try a spin class.

15.   Do at least 3 Girl's Night Outs.  1/3

16.   Wear a bikini proudly (never done that before). This is my year!

17.   Actually make a wedding album.

18.   Buy a couch.

19.   Try 20 new recipes. 5/20

20.   Write 1 blog post each week.  5/52

21.   Host a themed dinner.

22.   Get into Nursing school.

23.   Go to an amusement park.

24.   Do not eat meat for an entire month. (Must start over if I do eat meat)  0/30

25.   Learn a song on guitar.

26.   Join/Start a Book and Wine Club.

27.   Get my nose (re)pierced.

28.   Read 25 Fiction books.  2/25

29.   Read 5 Non-Fiction books.  0/5

30.   Make my bed every morning for a month. (Must start over if I don't)  0/30

31.   Lay out under the stars.

32.   Sell a piece of artwork.

33.   Sign up on the Bone Marrow Donor's Registry.

34.   Be a foster home for an animal.

35.   Host 3 Game Nights.  0/3

36.   Make Nick breakfast in bed.

37.   Trace my ancestry(and Nick's) as far back as I can.

38.   Get a tan (doesn't happen too often...I just burn!)

39.   Finish my recycled magazine trash bin.

40.   Send snail-mail to friends/family back home.

41.   Join the Red Cross.

42.   Get 10 followers on my blog. 3/10

43.   Send a letter and pictures to my friends/host family in Germany.

44.   Do something creative everyday for a month. 0/30

45.   See a play.

46.   Take an art class.

47.   Find more happiness in the everyday things.

48.   Reconginze the beauty of the world.

49.   Find a church that I enjoy going to.

50.   Fill up my art journal.

51.   Go camping.

52.   Make a mixed CD for Nick.

53.   Make handmade Christmas cards.

54.   Make something mosaic.

55.   Organize my art space.

56.   Set up an Etsy account to sell artsy stuff.

57.   Organize all the photos I have.

58.   Write a letter to each of my Grandmas every month.  0/24

57.   Go skydiving...again.

58.   Go canoeing or kayaking.

59.   Take a Zumba class.

60.   Go horseback riding.

61.   Perform a kind deed to 5 strangers without expecting anything in return. 1/5

62.   Take a ballroom dance class with Nick.

63.   Have a picnic.

64.   Read the Bible. (in progress)

65.   Tell at least 10 people about this List and encourage them to make one, too!

:)

Let's see how I do!

Stormtroopers and Stop Signs!

This is what is currently entertaining me:

What Stormtroopers Do On Their Days Off

My personal favorite, Firefighter Stormtrooper! :)

More of these funnies can be found here.

And...Hacked Stop Signs:

More of these beauties can be found here.

Our Special Day

            I was reminiscing today about our wedding day, so I thought I would upload a few pictures from our very special day! :) I love everything about our wedding day...our Chuck Taylor tennis shoes, our swirly purple wedding cake, the little ring bearers in blue jeans and the rain...Yes, even the rain.

Yum...I can't wait for our 1 year anniversary to try the top tier of our wedding cake! :)

House Hunt

              The hunt is on! N and I have decided that a move is in our (near) future. :)

I'm definitely feeling a little anxious about the entire thing...

There will be a lot that I will miss from our little town. I love the job that I have and the people I work with. I also love the Ambulance crew that I have been blessed to be apart of for this short time. Most of all I will miss my family. It's a good thing Milwaukee isn't too far away! :) Who knows, maybe someday N and I will end up back here, but for now it is time to move on.

            I just have to remind myself that there is a lot to look forward to, as well: a new house, new people, new city, new adventures!