Illustrating for Fun! :D

 

There's something about Illustrations made for children that give me the warm fuzzies. They're carefree, fun and full of color! When I became a mom, I became more and more interested in illustrating children's books (amongst other things in the art world). Better yet, I've dreamed of writing and illustrating my own series. It's still an aspiration of mine, so why not start practicing? ;) While my Mini Me was watching "World World" on PBS, I decided to take the liberty to tweak Dog, which got me thinking about my dog, Brina.

 

I rarely get to see Brina (my Mini Me's dog) or Pixel (my Mini Me's cat) since they live with their dad. However, I got to hang out with Brina the other day and I snapped a pic of her peering up at me requesting to be let out. Using that pic, this was my attempt at illustrating both Brina and Pixel.

Makes me wonder if Brina and Pixel's adventures could come to life? Hmm... 

Capturing 2 generations

From time to time I've been asked to photograph folks and from time to time I'm there to capture moments. This weekend, I was asked to photograph a set of grandparents with all of their grandchildren. Included are also photos of the kids' parents w/ their own parents. ;)

Meet the Arzate Family:

 

 

  

Illustration Fridays :D

I have decided that my sketching/drawing needs practice, as all skills do. So, at minimum, I'll be illustrating on Fridays (or throughout the week)! Oh, and I grabbed the idea from Here.

Last week's topic: Sweater

The text reads: "This sweater was given to me to replace another sweater that I've owned for 17 years." 

I've always been drawn to hooded sweaters. No pun intended. The sweater that's being replaced is an old high school hoodie that belonged to my h.s. bf. LOL My point is that it truly belongs to ME since I've owned it the longest. However, my current Love doesn't agree. More so because it was the first thing I'd throw on when I was cold. Here's the thing, the replacement had to meet the following requirements:

• Appeal
• Interior Softness
• Thickness
• Comfort
• And it had to be given to me ;)

Ding! Ding! This new replacement meets all of the above. But shhhh.... I still have the other hoodie hanging in my closet. **grins**

These are the supplies I used. :)

Next Friday's topic will be: Layer

Thankful Thursdays 1

On my road to being more grateful, I've decided to dedicate at least one day out of the week for all of those people, events and things that I'm sincerely thankful for.

• First and foremost, I am thankful and oh so very grateful to have an amazing son. Not just any son, but a truly sweet and respectful kid. A son that is so in tune with me that he knows how to read my mood within seconds. A son who at such a young age can calm me down by holding my hand, showing concern and saying everything will be ok. :)
• I'm thankful for all of the events that have led my life up to this point because without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
• I'm thankful that I have a job so that I can pay rent, utilities and purchase food. Also, because it's created more networking for me.
• I'm thankful for the long road I took to finish my education because along that road I met a lot of folks and learned ton of things.
• I'm thankful that I've been given the chance to fall in love more than twice in my lifetime.
• I'm thankful that I have a reliable vehicle that I can drive a long distance without worrying about leaving me stranded for a change. One that has radio stations that I can read because the numbers show up clearly. One that I knew would start despite the negative single digit weather. One that my son feels extra safe in.
• I'm most grateful to be able to hear the words, "I love you, mom," on almost a daily basis. :)

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." ~Oprah Winfrey

Thoughts become things...

I've been on a reading binge for the last few years trying to find ways to keep my Ego happy. Because we all know that if the Ego isn't happy, then we're not happy, right? Right. Well no... not so right. Here's the thing, according to Dr. Wayne Dyer, we're born without the Ego. As babies we automatically trust that someone or some higher being will take care of us. Once the Ego comes into play, then we Edge God Out. Pretty brilliant, right? He talks about this in Oprah's Soul Series, which can also be found on YouTube in a collection of 6 segments Here.

He, along with the many authors of books I own, talks about how our collective thoughts become reality. Is that so, you ask? Why yes. Yes it is. The toughest thing to comprehend is that your own thoughts got you to where you are today. Whatever do you mean, you ask? If your mind is focused on negative thoughts about yourself, then guess what? That's what you get. For example, "I'm gonna apply for that job, but someone else will probably get it" or "I want a new car, but I can't afford it. I don't make enough money. I have too many bills."

I've had a tough time re-training my brain to think positively. However, a big part of me believes I've managed to sway my brain into thinking along a more positive road and have accepted that there's a Universe/God that listens. We have approximately 60,000 thoughts a day and there are so many rules! Let's get started:

1. Avoid speaking and thinking in a negative manner. Which means avoiding the words like can't, won't, not, don't, no and never. This has been pretty challenging when talking to my Mini Me. Instead of telling him, "Don't make a mess," I say, "Try to keep clean." Soccer games was a fun place to hear parents yell negative remarks to their kids. "Don't let him take that ball. Don't stand around. Don't wait for the ball." What do kids do when you tell them "don't"? They do the opposite, right? Right.
2. On money: Instead of focusing on having too much debt, focus on it being paid off. Focus on receiving checks instead of receiving bills. :)
3. Be grateful for what you do have and what is yet to come. Say it outloud.
4. Visualize what you want for yourself. "Momma's strolling through the Louvre with her Mini Me."
5. Forget about what you don't want (because focusing on what you don't want will make it come true). "Ugh, I hope I don't get called into work today." RRrrrrrring!
6. See setbacks as opportunities for personal expansion and spiritual growth. If it didn't happen, you wouldn't be where you are now.
7. There is no such thing as a coincidence! If it happens, listen to it and find the message in it.
8. Go out and buy a journal and call it your Dream Book and fill it with all your desires, objectives and dreams. For example, if you want that hot rod that you've been eyeballing, paste a picture of it in your Dream Book.

My goal this month is to begin creating a Dream Book or a Vision Board. The Vision Board is where you paste cut outs or photos of the things you want to attract into your world. We'll see what the Universe has in store for me. ;)

Happy thoughts to you and may the force be strong with you!



Dia de San Valentín ♥

Valentine's is for the birds. *grumble grumble* Ha ha ha. I actually think it's a great little holiday no matter how commercialized it is. I mean, seriously? Aren't all holidays pretty darned tootin' commercialized? Did I just say "darned tootin'"?? **grins** What's so great about it, you ask? Yeah, folks should show they care about you 375 days out fo the year, but not all of them know how to show it. It's also the one day out the year when Person #1 can finally get the courage to let Person #2 know that Person #1 lusts after them... I mean... loves them. Heh heh. It's the idea of exchanging a loving token of caring and affection that makes it a good day between mother and child, friends, lovers, siblings, neighbors, fellow students and so on. ♥

Anyhow, instead of purchasing a card for my Mini Me, I opted in making a little one with whatever office products I had closest to me. Unfortunately, I don't own a sewing machine nor do I manually sew, soooooo... I bought him a lil guy that's been sitting in the passenger side of my vehicle all day. He's still young enough to appreciate a soft and fluffy teddy bear and I'm taking FULL advantage of that for as long as possible. :)

We had our movie date, afterall, on Friday. I give "Gnomeo and Juliet" two thumbs up and a smile. It's a funny little film! It's definitely going into my miniature blockbuster collection along with all of the other animated films I own... err... I mean... my Mini Me owns. **smirks**

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." ~Author Unknown

It's Friday... I'm in love...

Let's hear it for The Cure and their song Friday I'm in Love! **clap clap clap clap**

My Valentine's weekend started off with a bang! It turns out that my Mini Me's principal decided to have their Valentine's day celebrations TODAY and I was notified THIS MORNING. Luckily, I'd already taken my Mini Me V day shopping two weeks ago. The down side, for my Mini Me, was that he didn't get to make his candy bags. Bright side, for me, was that I got to make 'em. ♥

Tonight is date night w/ my Mini Me and we're heading out to watch "Gnomeo and Juliet". According to him, it's his Best Day Ever because his class was getting pictures taken, it was Free Dress Day AND they have a school dance happening after lunch time. lol Yeah, I had all of this information noted, except the fact that he had to take his Vday cards today.... hmmm.

Here are some quotes to kick off your Valentine's Weekend:

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” ~Charles M. Schulz, "Peanuts" cartoonist

“I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.” ~Author unknown

"Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it stays. Clutch it, and it darts away." ~Dorothy Parker

"I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours I watched whatever I wanted on TV." ~Anonymous

"I just love to do special things for my wife on Valentine’s day. Like open the door for her when she puts all the laundry in the washing machine, or plug and unplug the vacuum as she moves from room to room cleaning. Guys, it’s these little thoughtful things you can do to have a marriage such as mine." ~Anonymous

Hope you all have a great Valentine's Weekend loving others or heck... loving yourself! :)