Puffy Painting Party

There's nothing like a Ladies' Night that turns into a Puffy Painting Party! I can always count on my T1 ladies to keep things interesting (and artsy, at that). Our Ladies' Night began with dinner and ended with margaritas, good conversation, and some glow-in-the-dark puffy painted shorts.

I was pretty pumped that Cee sewed on my adorbs flower after the iron failed to deliver.

Having a glow-in-the-dark butt was at the top of my priorities.

Cee was much more practical and planned out her designs as I debated color schemes...

Kay is a master seamstress & the best wifey ever!

Based on previous puffy painting history, Kay insisted that I paint her T1 writing (I'm kind of a letter writing rockstar when it comes to puffy painting).

My glow-in-the-dark butt...and signature handwriting that I use in all of my art :)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

Hey it's Monday!!! You know what that means...Magnificent Monday Movie :) Have you guys ever heard of free-running? I hadn't until just recently, but it's pretty much the coolest sport EVER. Watching people free-run makes me feel like I can run up walls and take on the world! Well...maybe after I finish physical therapy...

Didn't cha here?! I'm the next Super Mario Brother! Errr I mean sister.

Have you guys ever heard of/seen anyhing like this before?! Uuuuummmm reactions please, because this is incredible!

Letting Go of Childhood

With less than a month left in Michigan, the countdown has really begun. Although I am excited to be moving to Tulsa, a piece of me will always remain in MI. My parents are selling my childhood home, which has been incredibly difficult on all of us. It's funny what "makes" home for each of us...the wild violets that stubbornly appear in our yard each year and the old vine that creeps across our brick with outstretched fingers--these are symbols of home for me. What are some symbols of home for you?

(Click on each photo to enlarge)

Tiger background

I officially have time for everything artsy, now that finals are over :) I finished another background, of which I believe will likely be a tree. It didn't turn out quite the way I had intended...in fact it rather looks like a tiger, haha! But everything changes once you add new textures and materials to a mixed media piece. You never know what you will end up with! I took some pictures of the finished background outside, but Mr. Sun created quite a few shadows...including a dark spot near the bottom that was in nearly every shot:

Okay, I know you're all waiting for Magnificent Movie Monday--so here it is!

 

Think your Monday is bad? This bride's having the worst day ever...

Oh hey, they're playing my song!

Guess what's happening this month, friends...It's the East Lansing Art Festival! I'm excited because this is the first year I'll actually get to attend. How silly considering I lived in EL for 6 years; now that I don't live there, I'm going. College always kept me too busy!

Anyone else have the Monday blues? Well I've got a cure for that--Magnificent Movie Monday!!!

Because everyone needs a cheerful song to do a happy dance to :)

Cookies & Hats

I've been missing O terribly since my brief Detroit move, so yesterday I bought him these cookies from TheHomeBaker:

Don't they look delicious?! I hope she sends them out to O soon so he has some goodies to munch on while he studies for his SuperImportantLifeDetermining exam.

Here's O and I in the wonderful winter hats that my mom knitted for us:

She's a crazy-good knitter and makes all sorts of things from mittens to sweaters to purses! I've been encouraging her to make her own Etsy shop because her stuff is incredible.

Doing Nashville

Extended time without blogging = Heather-Ashley on vacation. When BFF-B (that's bestfriendforever-boy, as opposed to bestfriendforever-girl) told me that he was going to Nashville, I responded with, "So WE'RE going to Nashville?" because I'm always up for a road trip, and obviously that was an invitation! So I spent the last few days in Tennessee enjoying fantastic weather, incredible food, and pleasant southern accents. BFF-B was concerned with taking a peek at Vanderbilt, while I was on the hunt for a pair of cowgirl boots and trying to figure out how to get to Graceland from Nashville (clearly my agenda was the more important of the two ;) ) I happily purchased these gorgeous babies:

And then proceeded to prance around Nashville in my new digs feeling super-southern. Oh hey Nashville:

I recently had a major spurt of artistic energy and cranked out a ton of new sketches...with a WIDE variety of topics. Pictures soon.

On to my new project--Magnificent Monday Movie. Okay, so its not really a movie since its only like a minute and a half (and I suggest just watching the first 50 seconds), but "video" and "clip" didn't sound as cool. This is ridiculously ADORABLE and hilarious all at the same time; you *must* watch it :) Expect a new Magnificent Monday Movie each Monday from now on!

Oh hey Slow Loris who LOVES his tiny umbrella!

Michigan Move Successful!

Long time, no blog! Well I officially made the 12 hour drive with the kids (and by kids, I mean cats). I thought they'd be screaming for most of the drive, but lucky for me, this was pretty much the extent of their behavior:

Adorable, right? Vincent rode shot-gun and Violet was like the Princess-and-the-pea in the middle of the backseat. Let's just say, Violet and I were eye-level :)

In other news, I was super excited to receive the vintage freezer basket I ordered from LivingTheVintageLife. Once I get into the craft-show/art-fair scene in Tulsa,  I intend to use this little guy to hold some of my shop items.

So if any of you come across a similar basket (its this great turquoise/teal color if you can't tell), PLEASE let me know! I'm in the market for a number of these guys. 



The Chickadee's Song

This is one thing I'm really going to miss when I move to Tulsa:

 

The first little "Fee beee" tweets are my favorite (the end isn't as grand). Every morning in Michigan I'd wake up to this little chickadee's song. The first time I woke up to her adorable little "Fee beeee" in Minnesota I was momentarily confused, thinking I must be in Michigan. Speaking of Michigan! I have a few days left here, then it's on to Detroit again. All this moving can make a girl crazy!

Check back this weekend and I promise to post some entertaining pictures/video/sound from the 10+ hour car ride with 2 screaming kitties...

Mixed Media Piece: Directions

I'm currently in the middle of a mixed media piece that I've been referring to as "Directions". I was soooo happy to have found these little guys:



My canvas is primed and painted, and my Detroit map is ready to go! I've been sketching out how I'm going to use the delicate map; I want to get it perfect before I take the plunge and cut into it.

Motivation and drive have been lacking a little, unfortunately. This dark, dreary weather really drains my creativity. Spring has just started to show Minnesota a little leg, but in a few days I'll be back in lovely Detroit for a 2 month stint.

Okay, for all you kitty lovers out there, I thought I'd share 23 seconds of cat humor with you--Enjoy:



Becky Lou Filip

Not too long ago I discovered this incredible Indie band, The Honey Trees. Now if you're anything like me, you're skeptical about being introduced to a new musician/band. But the lead singer, Becky Lou Filip, has this unique, haunting voice that lingers in your head long after the song is over.  You know how there's always that one insanely-but-modestly talented girl that everyone wants to be because she draws you in? The one that's just so dang cool--uniquely beautiful, artsy, mysterious...think Zooey Deschanel, only better. Well that's Becky Lou.

                              

You simply MUST listen to The Honey Trees' song, "Orchard". You'll find reality melting away as you slip into Becky Lou's voice...

Did I mention she has an Etsy Shop?