Hello, friends! Here is a little bit about life around here right now:
The hardest, most difficult, and most stubborn project on earth: me.
In all seriousness, pandemic fatigue has set in around here and I'm trying to figure out how to prioritize my own self care while still giving as much as possible to my child, my partner, my clients and students, my friends, and my family, and so forth. If you have any tips, feel free to share!
I bought refills for my tape runner for the first time in a decade — and I use that thing non-stop! If you've never heard me wax poetic about my ATG, this is that moment. This giant tape runner is the bomb!
It was originally designed as a tape runner for framers, but scrapbookers took it over because it's archival, super sticky, and the refills last forever. I looooove mine and use it almost every day.
He's 21-months-old and I couldn't love him more. He's smart and curious and loving and is developing quite a sense of humor.
When Steve starts back at school next month, our little guy is going to start going to daycare 3 days-a-week and I'm all kinds of mixed emotions about it. I'm devastated that he's going to make memories without me. I'm thrilled that he's going to socialize with other children and hopefully make some friends (#pandemicbabyproblems). I feel guilty about sending him, even though I'm also really looking forward to having a few days a week where I can put my head down and plow through my to-do pile. I feel so guilty about it that I thought…maybe we just won't tell anyone he's going. But, really, what is there to be ashamed of? And I do think that one of the things that becomes toxic about the internet is when people don't share their real struggles and issues. We all have them. So, we shall see how daycare goes…I think I'll probably cry more than him on that first day.
Current art crush?
I have loved Mark Hearld's work for a very long time and I recently discovered that he has an instagram account. Yay! Take a peek:
He's a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: drawing, collage, textiles, pottery, printmaking, and more! I want to be him when I grow up!
So, there you have it! That's the scoop on life around here at the moment. If you're a Monthly Member, August's personal vlog and studio vlog are both in online classroom!
What's the difference between a personal vlog and a studio vlog?
- Personal vlogs have a lot of daily life stuff (lots of baby) and a bit of random art content. They're pretty much like the old weekly vlogs you can still see on my YouTube channel. All Members have access to personal vlogs.
- Studio vlogs are art focused on a single art project or art-related topic. Past studio vlogs include: behind-the-scenes of putting together an online class, a studio tour, the process of making my giant tree mural, etc. Maker Members & Super Learner Members have access to the studio vlogs.
Also, the Member Livestream is TONIGHT (8pm EST). See you there!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Hi Julie – the “daycare vs no daycare” is always a heavy topic for moms. As a full-time working mom, my kids were full-time daycare kids. It is never not hard. BUT both my kids are super curious and intelligent and daycare gave them weekly themes to explore and fun projects I would never have had the time or energy to do with them. They are both grown now and they do not hold it against me one bit. It’s all good. :o)
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
Thank you! Its great to hear that!
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
I remember having such a great time in daycare/preschool when I was 3 & 4 years old. I especially remember making footprints on a roll of butcher paper. That project has never left my mind and randomly surfaces on a regular basis. The sight of little feet crossing the paper was cheerful and brings to mind all the good life has to offer. Plus as with most kids, I was frequently admonished not to make messes so getting paint on my feet felt delightfully transgressive.
I actually taught my children to paint and write on themselves and let them draw on me and my husband. Come to think of it, drawing on each other was an early feature of our dating. I wonder if all of this harkens back to that daycare project.
My own kids never went to daycare due to family circumstances and that I was a full time parent. I was anxious that my first would be behind her classmates when she went to kindergarten. She wasn’t. But oh that first drop off. Goodness knows I had to pull over for a sobbing session. Eventually I learned to embrace brunch and matinee movies. I was also a school volunteer so I was present much of the time. I’m not sure any children would welcome their mums in high school.
My mum gave me a book about the history of motherhood when I was pregnant with my second child. I don’t always keep the information in that book top of mind; it’s so easy to spazz out as a parent; most parenting advice is simply a reflection of other people’s anxieties. I’m sure your little guy will come right in the end. Plus you have all those school art projects to look forward to. I’m looking forward to seeing how your son’s art influences yours.
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
YOU are a wonderful example of an artist who does many things: print making, collage, mixed media, scrapbooking, quilting, jewelry, art journaling, painting, teaching, sashiko, card making, paper crafting, cookie decorating, writer, TV host, blogger, author and more! I’ve been following you for at least 10 years. I am always amazed at how prolific and multitalented you are. Thank you for bringing us many years of inspiration, guidance, creativity and encouragement. I want to be you when I grow up!
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I appreciate your candor about pandemic fatigue. I’m struggling with that as well. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but here’s to remembering that “this too shall pass.”
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
I’m delighted to hear that you have such happy memories of daycare and preschool. I’m also looking forward to him bringing home lots of art projects!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Yes! Its hard, but it will end!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!
Thats so kind of you. Thank you!