a creative halloween

While I don't typically dress up for Halloween, this year I thought it would be fun to get creative with a little digital "make believe" (kinda a hobby of mine). And since my life seems to be a circus right now- complete with balancing, juggling, a strong man and taming wild animals- I thought a circus theme would be appropriate!

I hope everyone has a creative, amusing and safe Halloween weekend!

business of the studio

I am thrilled to be featured in the latest issue of Where Women Create where I share a little peek into the business side of my creative life!

wednesday in the studio

little monsters tutorial

With Halloween right around the corner, I was inspired to create a handful of colorful little monsters from recycled cardboard tubes. If you weren't aware, I love finding new ways to upcycle cardboard tubes- they are free and super easy to turn into something unique. This project would be really fun for kids or for those who are like me and sometimes act like a kid!

Start with a a variety of cardboard tubes in different sizes.

Cut to different sizes and paint in a variety of bright colors.

Create fun, simple, whimsical and goofy monster faces.

Add details with a sharpie.

Use pom poms, toothpicks and more cardboard to create little details for the monsters.

Display in Halloween decorating or place them around the house for a laugh :)

online class sale!

Happy Monday friends! This coupon means that two more online classes have been successfully updated and moved over from Ning to their new home on a private blog. I am celebrating with another with a SALE- once again these little sales are my way of saying thank you for the support and the understanding during this time of transition with my online classes!!

For some reason I never took to traditional scrapbooking, in fact I just might loathe it! To begin with I am not traditional plus I am not very organized, I don't like all the products you feel pressure to buy, it seems to require lots of money spent, it takes a lot of time and quite frankly its just too organized and mainstream for me (please don't be mad traditional scrappers!)

But... I do LOVE taking pictures, in fact I take my camera everywhere, I love and appreciate documenting and preserving special moments, in true artistic form I enjoy putting my own creative, messy, recycled spin on photos and with a background in fine art- a completely unique approach to preserving memories! This class is for anyone out there ready to try something new with photos, scrapbooks, logging memories and preserving history, a class for those who don’t want to spend lots of money, who are ready to begin to rebel when it comes to scrapbooking!

Regular price- $50.00

After the $10 discount the class is $40.00 with unlimited access so you have all the time you want to create!

click here for additional class and registration info

please note that it will take 24-48 hours to process registration

This class will introduce you to the basics of canvas. You will learn a variety of simple ways to work with canvas using acrylic paint, image transfers, iron transfers, and more. We will make use of raw, stretched, and primed canvas to build up layers that are glued and sewn together to create a unique piece of art ready to hang on the wall.

Please note this is a beginner class.

Regular price- $30.00

After the $10 discount the class is $20.00 with unlimited access so you have all the time you want to create!

click here for additional class and registration info

please note that it will take 24-48 hours to process registration

homemade easy cinnamon rolls

Sometimes you just have to indulge and what better way than homemade cinnamon rolls! This recipe is fast, easy and perfect to pop in the oven for a lazy weekend morning.

The dough is yeast free so it is really easy and quick to make-

2 cups of white flour

3 teaspoons baking power

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup of butter

2/3 cup milk

Roll out the dough on a floured surface.

to make the filling-

3 Tablespoons melted butter

1/4 cup of white sugar

1/4 cup of brown sugar

3 teaspoons of cinnamon

Spread the filling onto the dough.

I love raisins so I added lots of raisins.

Roll up dough, pressing tightly as you roll.

Cut into sections.

Place the sections onto a well greased pan or cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until browned on top.

Remove from oven and let cool.

Drizzle with icing.

to make icing-

1/3 cup of powdered sugar

1-2 Tablespoons of milk

Serve and savor!