Hi, Creative Friends-
Happy Belated Thanksgiving! If you indulged in pie, took a second helping of buttery mashed potatoes, and then nestled in for a long nap after the big meal here are ideas to feel a bit better after a day full of delight…
Sip Soother: Try sipping this festive digestive drink Lemon Ginger Tea the morning after Thanksgiving to calm the stomach and soothe the soul. It’s an easy way to help our bodies gently absorb a big meal and feel wonderful.
Fantastic Friendsgiving: Make a plan to connect with a friend the day after Thanksgiving to catch up and check-in. Meeting up can be as simple as having a virtual cup of tea or taking a walk. Reconnecting with others is a simple way to tap into our emotional health and give thanks to the people who make our lives better.
Find a Forest: Do you know that just taking a walk in the woods or a local park reduces stress by up to twenty percent? Walking also helps with digestion. After a holiday meal, slip in a pair of headphones, and listen to a walking meditation. Feel joy abound as stress slips away and you start to feel wonderful after the big delicious meal.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will do to feel wonderful after a big holiday meal.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
The holidays are an exciting time of the year to reunite with family and reconnect with friends. If you are a bit like me, holiday house guests might be bunking up in your humble abode soon. While it’s great to have time to make memories together, hosting holiday house guests can be stressful! Here are ways to lessen the holiday hustle and…
Make Merry Muffins: If you following me on Instagram, you might have noticed some mouth-watering photos of these perfectly wintery Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins from the recipe site Crazy For Crust. Believe me when I say your house guests will be smitten with these muffins! They are spicy, creamy sweet, and the perfect way for house guests to feel warm and happy.
Tree Of Thanks: Create gratitude by making a thankful tree together. Find a tree branch, grab a beautiful vase, and download and print this lovely fall leaf template. Cut out each leaf and write down simple words of gratitude. Watch joy spread and healthy attitudes abound as the Thanksgiving house guests read each leaf placed on the Tree Of Thanks.
A Simple Arrangement: About twenty years ago a very lovely friend came to visit. She arrived late at night and was coming from a completely different time zone so we said our good nights just after saying our hellos. I went to bed and heard her up the next morning running the shower and brushing her teeth, and that’s when it hit me. I forgot to give my house guest a fluffy stack of towels. Not wanting to wake me, unfortunately, she ended up using a kitchen cloth to pat herself dry! Here is my public service announcement, make sure your holiday house guest has a giant stack of towels beside the guest bed, and to make them feel even more at home, create this DIY Simple Wintery Wreath. Fill the wreath with herbs like rosemary and make the room smell welcoming and warm. Place this sweet, little festive arrangement on top of the stack of guestroom towels, and make your holiday house guests feel right at home!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will do to make your house guests feel right at home.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Practice Pie Eating Before Thanksgiving. Life Is Short.
Hi, Creative Friends-
The Thanksgiving holiday is slowly falling like a beautiful autumn leaf into our lives. By now, we have started to jot down a preliminary list of traditional recipes and ingredients to buy. More importantly, we might be asking ourselves how we will find thanks before loved ones start bustling through our front door. Well, here are a few thoughts…
Tree Of Thanks: Create gratitude by making a thankful tree. Find a tree branch, grab a beautiful vase, and download and print this lovely fall leaf template. Cut out each leaf and write down simple words of gratitude. Watch joy spread and healthy attitudes abound as the Thanksgiving guests read each leaf placed on the Tree Of Thanks.
Make A New Tradition: In our house, eating pie happens one week BEFORE Thanksgiving. We realized a few years ago we were blissfully too full to enjoy the best part of the Thanksgiving meal, the pie! We started a tradition of buying pie ahead of the holiday and trying different flavors and supporting local bakeries. Besides being together, this creative tradition has become the best part of our Thanksgiving. Find something joyful in your life, and make it into a lovely and sweet tradition!
Create Kindness For 25 Days: A good way to give thanks is to do simple things to create kindness in our world. We can be so altruistic and ambitious in our need to give back, like sponsoring a large food drive, we fail to deliver on our attempt to be helpful. Here is a simple way for the whole family to remember to create thanks and give back: The Kindness Advent Calander. The FREE Digital Download can be found here. Download, print, cut, and fold each kindness star. Hang the stars on a branch or place them in a jar. Every day for 25 days, you will unfold a simple kindness task. It’s a great way to give back, keep it simple, and give thanks for the opportunity to help others!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or the way you will find thanks!
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
November is here, holiday demands abound, and as the year comes to a close, we can feel our old friend stress make a rude entrance. This makes it a great time too, to pause and find gratitude. Did you know creating a gratitude practice can create overall wellness? The benefits include everything from feeling more positive emotions to strength in friendships.
Find Your Rose. Bud. Thorn: Finding gratitude and empathy for our lives can be as simple as asking at the end of the day “What was my rose? What was my bud? What was my thorn today?” My nine-year-old brought this idea home from school and I think it’s been invaluable for connecting and finding gratitude for ourselves and finding joy with each other. Read more about the “Rose. Bud. Thorn.” exercise here.
Health Visuals: Having gratitude for our bodies and minds can be a daunting task. Taking care of our health can sometimes be last on our list of priorities until we are faced with a health challenge. Surrounding ourselves with positive visuals can be an important step in a gratitude practice. Whether it is posting positive affirmations like this “You Are Doing Great!”, framing one of these fresh original Satsuma watercolors, or gifting a La Moustache art print for the Movember Movement, each can be a reminder to make November healthy.
Branch Out: The simple act of writing down can lead help with gratitude by making it tangible. Try this DIY project the whole family can participate in: “How To Make A Gratitude Tree” from the Artful Parent. Use these FREE special leaf art to create a tree full of beauty, joy, and gratitude.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to find gratitude this November.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Practice Pie Eating Before Thanksgiving. Life Is Short.
Hi, Creative Friends-
Thank you to all my friends who popped by the Art Fair last Sunday and purchased my art! I’m giving thanks to everyone here who supports and reads this newsletter too. Remember “Creativity Is Contagious” so if you think someone in your life might be thankful to receive this weekly newsletter, please pass it on with this link “Sign Up For the Create & Change Newsletter Here.” I will be doing a giveaway in December and everyone on the newsletter list will be entered to win a beautiful one-of-a-kind watercolor!
Now on to this week’s 3 creative ideas…
Sketch Away The Stress & Find Gratitude: The holidays are stressful and can churn up lots of emotions. It can be hard to be thankful and find time to reflect on and find gratitude in our lives. Did you know using drawing as a form of meditation can help? Sign up below for a FREE virtual sketch along on Instagram Live. No drawing experience is needed. Sign up here for the FREE November Sketch Class On Instagram Live - Wednesday, November 24 @12pm (noon) PST.
Make A New Tradition: In our house, eating pie happens one week BEFORE Thanksgiving. We realized a few years ago we were blissfully too full to enjoy the best part of the Thanksgiving meal, the pie! We started a tradition of buying pie ahead of the holiday and trying different flavors and supporting local bakeries. Besides being together, this creative tradition has become the best part of our Thanksgiving. Find something joyful in your life, and make it into a lovely and sweet tradition!
Create Kindness For 25 Days: A good way to give thanks is to do simple things to create kindness in our world. We can be so altruistic and ambitious in our need to give back, like sponsoring a large food drive, we fail to deliver on our attempt to be helpful. Here is a simple way for the whole family to remember to create thanks and give back: The Kindness Advent Calander. The FREE Digital Download can be found here. Download, print, cut, and fold each kindness star. Hang the stars on a branch or place them in a jar. Every day for 25 days, you will unfold a simple kindness task. It’s a great way to give back, keep it simple, and give thanks for the opportunity to help others!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or your idea for a new holiday tradition.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
Did you miss the creative newsletter last week? I paused last Friday to drum up some new thoughts for you and absolutely missed sending out three weekly creative ideas to you all! Well, I’m back and November is here. Which makes it a great time to give thanks for all the people and things in our lives that make our world better.
Movember Movement: Do you have a man in your life? Maybe a dad, brother, uncle, or a good old friend that needs a check-up or check-in? Support him and give thanks for all the ways he contributes to the world around him by bringing awareness to Men’s Health by supporting the Movember Movement. Bring awareness to men’s health and grow a mustache! If sprouting facial hair isn’t possible, consider purchasing this “La Moustache” instant digital download, make a few art prints or cards to share with the special men who make everyone’s life better. Through November, 20% of the profits of this digital download will be donated to the Movember movement.
Practice Pie: What’s the best thing about Thanksgiving? The Pie. All you stuffing lovers out there, don’t even try to change my mind! However, making a pie can be intimidating, frustrating, and confusing. There are many tricks that have popped up over the years on how to make an amazing pie crust. Add a tablespoon of fridged European-only vodka to the dough while mixing, roll the dough out in a northward direction while signing Don McClean’s song “American Pie” or bake the pie in an oven set at 347 degrees and open the freezer door 8 times all while praying to the baking gods the crust won’t be tough. Then BOOM, these tricks will create the Perfect Pie, right? Nope, making pie crust is very simple and you can master pie dough with Molly Wilk’s Virtual Pastry “Mini Class: Easy Pie Crust” class. Take her class, make pie and start a tradition of “Practice Pie,” where you spend the whole week leading up to Thanksgiving giving thanks for practicing the art of making and eating pie.
Deep Breaths & Sketch: The holidays can bring on waves of anxiety and stress. It can be hard to find joy and happiness and a moment to give thanks. Did you know using drawing as a form of meditation can help? Sign up below for a FREE virtual sketch along on Instagram Live. No drawing experience is needed. More details about this fun live event will be sent to you via email next week!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to give thanks in November.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
The mustache is always cool but November makes this sporting this facial hair the king of all coolness this month. Why? The mustache reminds all the men we care about that it is fully important to take care of their mental and physical health.
In honor of Movember, I have created a La Moustache art print and will make a donation at the end of November to the Movember Charity.
Now go pick up this La Moustache print at INPRNT. Gift this print to all the important men in your life to remind them, well past November, to care for themselves inside and out.
Sending you lots of bushy moustache hugs, friends.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
// Hi, Friends-
Can you believe Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner? This year, the holidays will probably look a bit different…
We will most likely skip the in-person meet-ups. That means a lot of family traditions might be put on hold this year.
We probably won’t sit around the Thanksgiving table together, ruminate about old vacations, volunteer our time to serve up meals at a soup kitchen, or make the grandparents happy by giving them big turkey hugs.
The “might not” can be hard to digest.
However, if you are a bit like me, times like these give opportunities to create something new.
A new tradition, an experimental way to celebrate, and a moment to get creative while still connecting with people we love.
That’s why I created this Thanksgiving Greetings turkey wrapping paper. Yes, turkey wrapping paper! You can wrap up happiness and drop it at someone’s door this Thanksgiving! Just go to Society6 to pick up the 5 sheets of Thanksgiving paper inspired by the turkeys of Albany!
If you need creative ways to use this paper to celebrate your Thanksgiving, here are three fun ideas:
Use this lovely thick paper to add character to your Thanksgiving place settings. Make any Thanksgiving Tablescape darling!
1) Wrap up a can of pumpkin puree such as Libby’s (it’s my personal favorite) in a brown paper bag or buy fun wrapping paper such as Thanksgiving Greetings turkey paper on Society6.
2) Make a donation to a food bank like No Hungry Kid, Feeding America, or your local food pantry.
3) Add a bow and print this FREE “A Donation To A Local Food Bank Was Made In Your Honor” tag.
4) Drop this wonderful, loving gift on a friend’s porch!
A box of chocolates, a Mini artist print, a bottle of wine, or a bunch of flowers will look so festive wrapped in Thanksgiving Greetings, all of which can be dropped off on the doorstep of someone very special this Thanksgiving.
No matter how you celebrate this holiday season, may creativity inspire you to make things for people you love and wrap your Thanksgiving in happiness!
Sending you much love and light friends! //
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
Here Are 3 Books To Help Creating Easier Right Now.
// Hello, Friends-
This time of year, we look for creative ways to tell loved ones they mean SO much to us. Maybe we scour the internet for the perfect gift or try to find something expensive to show how much we care.
However, the simplest way to communicate our appreciation is almost always through a thoughtful and well-written greeting card. Whether it’s the proverbial family photo or a delightful wintery card like this one, Snowy Evening, these darling tokens of our appreciation make the recipient feel genuinely important and remembered.
When the holiday greeting card sweeps into our mailbox, we can’t help but think of all the good times and great memories we all have throughout the year!
However, sitting down to write cards can be time-consuming and intimidating.
1) First, start with a personal and heartfelt introduction. Check out, “20 Ways To Start Off A Greeting Card.” from Postable. This sets the tone for the rest of the note.
2) Make the message thoughtful and specific. American Greetings has some wonderful and short ways to bring meaning to our message “What To Write In A Christmas Card.” American Greetings also has great examples of non-religious holiday messaging. I especially love “Wishing you whatever jingles your bells!”
3) The sign-off message on a card makes the greeting concrete. Try these “55 Ways To Sign Off On A Greeting Card.”
Well, friends, let’s get writing our messages and more importantly making our friends and family feel special! //
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
// Hello, Friends-
Remember me? It’s been way too long. We haven’t talked in a very long time.
Your inbox probably missed me. Your imagination most likely formulated a few thoughts on where I have been…
Did you think I took a long romantic wind-swept vacation on the Adriatic Sea?
That sounds relaxing and lovely but no. I’m still here.
Did you imagine I dropped everything to start my next career as a sequined clad lounge singer?
Ooh-la-la! Nope, unfortunatly, I’m allergic to microphones.
Did you guess, I applied to a prestigious Ivy League university to start my new life as a top criminal lawyer?
I don’t have a witty retort for this one.
Or maybe you thought I stopped creating because it was too hard?
Nope, not even close!
You are going to be blown away when I bring you the most delightful, delicious and darn-it adorable creative projects in your inbox this holiday.
Because let’s face it, everyone needs help around the holidays and frankly, a dash of joy!
So, stay tuned and friends and let’s get creating…together! //
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
It's the time of year again when we sift through our memories and reflect on people that bring joy to our lives. Some of them are gone. However, they left parts of themselves for us to carry forward such as a good old-fashioned recipe or a holiday tradition. We sometimes feel compelled to make these recipes and bring traditions forward.
Growing up in the Midwest we had many recipes that are near and dear to my heart. The Cracker Dip, my grandma, use to whip up every Thanksgiving was such a hit that I couldn't imagine ever having a Thanksgiving without it. Then I realized what she put in the Cracker Dip.
What is Budding Beef anyway?
The older I get, the more I understand some of the things left for me from my ancestors are snapshots in time and can be left for a bygone era, like the Cool Whip salad or giblet gravy.
That is why this year, I created and picked a new tradition for my family. I searched high and low, far and wide for the best cranberry sauce recipe. After some trial an error, here is a tradition which I hope will carry on far after I'm gone or at least until next year.
Servings: Approximately 4-6
In a large saucepan add the cranberries, mandarin rind, cinnamon, nutmeg sugar and mix well. On medium heat cook the mixture for 10-15 minutes stirring every few minutes. Let the cranberries pop, remove the cinnamon sticks and let cool. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
When the cranberry sauce is needed, heat the butter in a large saucepan and let melt completely on low add the sauce and a pinch of salt and warm for 5 minutes. Serve warm.
When you try this recipe, let me know if it made you happy!
Until tomorrow friends.
This post contains affiliate links.
Friends make us better people. They challenge us, support us and introduce new things to our lives. When we start to feel like there isn't much joy in the world, our dreams stall, people hurt other people, anxiety reigns, and things seem murky, its friends on which we lean. They talk us through the tough stuff and help us answer:
Is there a light in the world?
Is there joy?
Has humankind lost its ability to be kind?
And then we remember we have amazing, loving and rock solid friends that carry us forward and teach us new things.
Speaking of beautiful friends and new things, a lovely someone introduced me the German holiday, Laternelaufen, which is today. It means "walk with lanterns." You can read the legend of the holiday here "Laternelaufen - The Story of Saint Martin." This holiday is vital. It brings kindness and friendship forward. Let's create a potent symbol, the lantern, to show the goodness that exists around us.
1. With the craft knife score .5 inch of the Opalux paper on the right side from top to bottom. The tab will be the connector to the left side. Now, score every 2" from top to bottom. Fold the paper on each score.
2. Cut out the bottom and shapes. Fold the tabs on the bottom. Using scissors cut out the cuff and shapes. Glue the two pieces of cuff together and let dry. Score the cuff by half lengthwise and fold over. Score the width of the cuff every two inches.
3. Glue the star and moon shapes to the inside of the Opalux paper. Let dry for approximately 5 min. Now glue the right .5 tab to the left side. You will have a 3-dimensional hexagon shape. Continue to let dry.
4. Slide the base tabs into the inside of the hexagon and glue to the inside. Glue the cuff to the top and let dry completely
5. Punch two holes at the top of the hexagon. With the pliers, cut an 8-inch piece of garden wire. Twist in the middle to create a loop. Thread the other two ends of the wire into the two holes on the hexagon and bend the wire to secure.
6. Slide and loop on rubber band on the end of the dowel rod. Slide the dowel rod through the loop in the lantern wire. Tie the rubber band on the side opposite of the first rubber band so the lantern wire is sandwiched between the two rubber bands.
Place a battery operated tea light the bottom of the lantern.
Watch as our lanterns bring joy to the world as they shine their light on the places the world needs to see.
Until tomorrow friends.
This post contains affiliate links.
Sometimes we get stuck. Sometimes we don't even know we are stuck. It becomes days of the same routine. Our days break down to widgets and checkmarks. We eat the same foods. Drive the same way to work. Wear the same clothes. We forget that our brains need to stretch and we need to try something new to reinvigorate the old grey matter.
It's times like these we need good old shove like the day I received an email from someone who asked me if I had ever tried my hand at Chinese calligraphy.
Well no, I have never tried Chinese calligraphy but it sounds interesting. It was just the push I needed to create something that made my synapses fire! The good people at Invaluable created a thoughtful and well-developed tutorial to help even the most reluctant try their hand at something new.
Here is what Invaluable has to say about Chinese calligraphy. They have included a terrific video to help us along our brain growing journey.
Invaluable - As an artistic expression of the written word, what makes Chinese calligraphy so distinctive is its visual form. Calligraphy has been revered as a fine art for centuries and was even prized above all others in traditional China. Over the centuries, different styles have evolved, and today, modern artists continue to fuse traditional techniques with new practices creating a distinctive take on the art of calligraphy. Have you ever considered trying your hand at Chinese calligraphy?
To help you get started, Invaluable created a video tutorial of Chinese calligraphy in action. The guide demonstrates two techniques for you to try using both the traditional tools of brush and inkstone as well as the modern pen.
After watching the video and printing out the Invaluable Caligraphy Worksheet it was apparent Chinese Caligraphy takes tremendous amounts of skill and patience. Although it would have been great to have the traditional tools, I opted for the following materials:
Yasutomo Sumi Ink {affiliate link}
Pentel Watercolor Pen {affiliate link}
You might try sipping a warm mug of Matcha Green Tea {affiliate link} while you feel your brain expand.
Until tomorrow brainiac friends.
It's been a while. We haven't talked in a few weeks. It is, however, vital to talk about how perfection shouldn't be a part of a plan. We are going to miss a few days, take the wrong job, make some crappy art, say a stupid thing at the right time, walk away when we should have stood our ground and given up when giving in to being ourselves would have been very wise. We are going to tumble, fall, run off the road and lose control of it all. We might find ourselves lost in the middle of failure and hope for the map that marks an x for the destination called perfection.
However, where is the adventure in perfection?
It's nowhere. It's failure that marks the spot and is the buried treasure that will build a better tomorrow.
So, let's celebrate the wrong turns, stomach churns and getting lost in all that failure provides. Let's keep creating stuff, failing a bunch and see what kind of adventure is around the corner.
Until tomorrow friends.
Ba humbug today. Here is a secret. Sometimes around this time of year, I turn into Scrooge. No, I am completely blissful about giving gifts, making cookies, seeing family and friends. All of these moments are beautiful and wonderful. I become a Scrooge when faced with wrapping presents. Don't get me wrong, and I love to give gifts. It is heartwarming and one of the true joys in life to see the people that mean something to me light up when they open tiny packages of love. It's the wrapping paper that makes me grumpy. Sure, it's pretty, the designs are mesmerizing, but every time I buy a roll of wrapping paper, it becomes trash. It's throwing money away! Ba humbug!
Today, I made a run to the local recycling center, and I realized we humans are killing ourselves. The amount of things we buy and then throw away is staggering. At the recycling center, there were bikes, electronics, paper, books, clothes, medication and tons of stuff. Where does it all go when it leaves our homes? Today, let's try to reuse something today. Let's create a recycled holiday, turn on our DIY and make our own wrapping paper.
You will need:
Step 1: Cut down the side of the paper bag. Cut off the bottom and top of the bag.
Step 2: Stamp a fun pattern or draw a pattern.
Step 3: Wrap the gift.
Stand back and enjoy the recycled magic.
Until tomorrow Heros of the holidays!
This post contains an affiliate link.
Hello. How many of us were overwhelmed by Cyber Monday? Yes, me too! There were deals galore and so many offers to help us check off every person on our gift list. After all the chaos, sometimes it is great to sit down to a simple project. Who out there made paper snowflakes as a kid? Were they fun? Yes! I remember sitting for hours, snipping and folding until I had a stack to help decorate the season.
Today's project is to create simple snowflakes. You will need coffee filters, a pair of scissors and a few minutes of time. For some extra glitter, try out these Spectrum Noir Sparkle Glitter Brush Pens. They will add a bit more glitz to your snowflake. First, you will need the fold instructions for the coffee filters and then just cut away!
We all now have some special, simple snowflakes to place along our mantle, in or window or sparkle up a holiday present. Until tomorrow snowflakes!
