Hello out there!  I'm changing up the way I do the Around Here posts.  I'll be answering the same set of "questions" each month and we will see how life evolves over time. I hope you enjoy the new format!

This is me right now:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My current art obsession is: layering patterns on patterns on patterns.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My current life obsession is: cooking recipes from skinnytaste.com.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
I'm loving: being home.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

I'm hating: the snow.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My home is: messy.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My life is: full.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My favorite art project I made this month but haven't shown on the blog yet: a super awesome floating panda.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
Wait until you see the tutorial for this mysterious object — it's coming soon and it's quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. If you'd like to see more behind-the-scenes life stuff, check out my vlog:

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

84 thoughts on “Around Here: February 2017

  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply

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