January Birthday Flower: Carnations

Hi, Creative Friends-

It’s the middle of January and if you are a bit like me, the new year might feel like a pair of brand new hiking shoes. The shoes are stiff and feel joyless without the miles of long wandering hikes, muddy trails, and days in the languishing sun. Just like those hiking shoes, the year needs to be broken in with some wandering and creative joy.

Therefore…

Here Are 3 Creative Ideas To Find New Joy In The New Year

1. Arrange The Day: January can bring on the dark, grey days of winter. To brighten up any space, grab a big bunch of flowers at your local market and try this Skillshare Class: Modern Flowers: Arranging A Stunning Centerpiece.

2. Sunday Scones: Ah, the scone! It’s too dry to be a muffin and too special to be served on a weekday. However categorized, the scone is the elusive darling of the breakfast table. Since the art of making scones is a bit of a mystery, let’s make Sundays, “Scone Day” and learn to make a delicious buttery scone this new year. For a simple and delicious recipe that breaks down the process, try King Arthur’s Simple Scone Recipe.

3. Ask For Joy: Do have a mentor, friend, or someone whose talents you admire? They might have a class or a resource they are willing to share to spread their creative joy. This is the case for the amazing illustrator Rebecca Green. Her work and storytelling are absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, she has a blog “My Blank Paper” and Patreon classes where she offers advice and tutorials. Find joy in the new year and creating by reading about her work or someone who you admire. It’s a surefire way to get inspired and reach your 2022 creative goals in a joyful way.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will find joy in creating in 2022.

1. 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-

Happy New Year! Surprise! I’m back in your inbox with more creative ideas for 2022!

If you are a bit like me, the new year is a great time to set specific goals and dream up new ideas. However, January can be tough on our mental well-being. This new year, in particular, feels like we are taking a cat for a walk in the middle of winter, slightly joyful but absolutely confusing! Finding the energy to set resolutions can be daunting. So…

Here Are 3 Ideas To Take Our Creativity By Surprise.

1. Something Borrowed. Something New: Pick a book or movie that is NOT on the “need to read this list.” A great way to find something new and surprise yourself is to try the app Libby (It’s free!). A public library card, a device, and Libby will get you access to a big range of books, magazines, and cookbooks in moments. It’s a great way to get the creative juices going and support and surprise those New Year’s resolutions.

2. Mindmap: If the new year is making you feel overwhelmed and need a place to organize your thoughts, try Asana. This organizational software will help calm your mind and organize the year into tangible goals so creativity has time to flow.

3. Be Inspired By Someone Else: Do have a mentor, friend, or someone whose talents you admire? You might be surprised they offer their teachings for free or at a minimal cost. This is the case for the amazing illustrator Rebecca Green. Her work and storytelling are absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, she has a blog “My Blank Paper” and Patreon classes where she offers advice and tutorials. Suprise your creativity by reading about her work or someone who you admire. It’s a surefire way to get inspired and reach your 2022 creative goals in a surprising way.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will surprise your creativity in 2022.

1. 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

Owl’s Blizzard Art Print

Hi, Creative Friends-

Here we are. It’s peak holiday hustle time! Are you a bit like me and feeling frazzled by the holidays? This time of year can make us feel like we are in trudging along in a winter blizzard!

Speaking of the holidays, don’t forget to “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, let’s chat about how to…

Make Life Magic This Holiday With These, 3 Fun, Cozy, Creative Projects

1. Bring On The Pom Poms: It’s festive sweater season and here is a simple DIY that can turn any existing cozy sweater into a fun project! The Easy DIY Pom Pom Holiday Sweater. It’s a simple project to keep the party going whether in person or virtually!

2. Hot Chocolate Heaven: Is there anything that screams the holidays more than a sweet cup of hot cocoa topped with a big fluffy marshmallow? Make a pot of the richest and most decadent cup of hot chocolate with Molly Wilk’s Chocolat Chaud recipe. Then crown the cup of chocolate with a big batch of homemade marshmallows! Find a great tutorial here at “The Flavor Bender: How To Make Homemade Marshmallows.”

3. It’s A Wrap: After making a big pot of hot cocoa and while wearing the DIY Pom Pom sweater, wrap up some gifts with this sweet cozy "Owl’s Blizzard Wrapping Paper.” It’s a cute way to give creative cozy vibes to everyone on the holiday list!

Owl’s Blizzard Wrapping Paper At Society 6

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on how you are getting cozy & creative this holiday.

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

California Wildflower Art Print For Sale At Society 6

Hi, Creative Friends,

It’s not officially the season of floating down a lazy river, eating boatloads of ice cream, or loafing around the backyard. However, in preparation for summer let’s take…

This week, sweeten the start of the summer with these 3 happy, creative ideas.

1. Go Wild In Your Backyard Or Living Room: Is there anything more beautiful than snipping a bouquet of homegrown wildflowers? Try planting a bundle of California Wildflower Seeds brimming with Golden State poppies or purchase this California Wild Flower art print from Society 6 to start the season sweet and make any room happy.

2. Make A Travel Plan In Your Own Kitchen: Some of us are yearning to travel to someplace new but still are having trouble leaving the comfort of our own home. Try creating a sweet escape in your own kitchen with this new cookbook “French Pastry Made Simple” by Molly Wilkinson. Molly makes the most complicated french pastry recipes, such as cream puffs and eclairs, downright simple and sweetens the experience with her American In France perspective.

3. Let’s Go Fly A Kite: A super cool DIY project is always an exciting way to celebrate the start of summer and kite flying always makes the soul soar. Making one’s own kite is thrilling and easy! Here is how to make a kite from a blue IKEA bag. This project makes for a happy way to create a sweet, happy summer moment!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how you are creating sweet summer.

Also, thanks for reading. 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.

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

“Poppies In Spring” Art Print at Society6

Hi, Creative Friends,

Most people are ready to spark spring joy with a big adventure. Traveling to someplace new sounds pretty dreamy right now after 14-months of pandemic life. However, if adventures are still on hold, don’t worry, I have 3 ideas for the creative weekend warrior like you.

This week, spark spring happiness and stay at home with 3 ideas that inspire bits of creative joy.

1. Kid Cosmic: If you have kids at home and need a mental break, fire up Nexflix and cue up “Kid Cosmic.” It’s an American animated series created by the same super-cool geniuses that made the animated series “The Power Puff Girls”. “Kid Cosmic” is another dynamic series, where the writing is stellar, the art direction super and it’s an all-around terrific story that takes kids of all ages on the next great adventure! If a little more time for a mental break is needed, have the kiddos try making themselves into a Power Puff character here at the site Powerpuff Yourself.

2. Rhubarb Sauce: Spring is here which means it’s Rhubarb season. For those not yet familiar with this beautiful vegetable, the story of Rhubarb can be found here at “The Kitchen Project: The History of Rhubarb.” Rhubarb is one of the tastiest spring surprises and if making a pie seems too daunting, try this 2-ingredient Rhubarb Sauce recipe. Just remember, the leaves of the Rhubarb plant are poisonous. Just use the red stalks for any Rhubarb recipes.

3. Ecoline Markers: Mother’s Day is right around the bend. Why not create a personal drawing for the lady who does everything and more? Ecoline Markers can be used wet or dry and have a broad and fine tip. Pair them with Canson Watercolor paper and other drawing supplies. Mama bear will swoon with pride when she is presented with a one-of-a-kind piece of art on Mother’s Day. If short on time is the meme this year, try gifting Mother a lovely art print like Poppies In Spring from Society6.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or something that sparked adventure and joy for you this week.

Also, thanks for reading. 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.

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 Spring Tulips (Art Print For Sale at Society6)

Hi, Creative Friends,

This week was a complicated one. There were many distractions happening in the world and seems like after a year of being locked down, the world is prepping to return to normality.

As always, re-entry is always rocky and frankly distracting.

However, did you know that distraction can actually help the mind get better at problem-solving and creative thinking?

This week, here are 3 things, and a few more, that inspire creative distracted thinking:

1. A great book and why we need to get distracted and let our minds wander. “The Net & The Butterfly: The Art & Practice Of Breakthrough Thinking” by Olivia Fox Cabane & Juda Pollack. It talks about how we need to let our creative genius wander only then will we catch that elusive idea.

2. Following Deb Perleman on Smitten Kitchen and cooking in the kitchen is always a good distraction. Feed your pandemic anxiety with something quick, sweet & delicious! Try Deb’s Salted Brown Butter Rice Treats to soothe the sweet tooth and check out her cookbook “The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook” by Deb Perelman for more ways to distract and create this weekend and beyond.

3. If sketching out feelings appeals to you, try starting a sketchbook. These “Ecoline Watercolor Markers" and the “Stillman & Birn Zeta” Hot Press (Smooth Heavy Weight Paper) sketchbook or a thinner but more economical sketchbook “Kunst & Papier” Binderboard sketchbook are great tools to start laying out the ideas. You can find great classes on how to start creating a habit of sketching on Skillshare. There is a terrific sketchbook painting class by Leah Goren “Illustration & Inspiration: Keeping a Sketchbook.” She uses gouache, which is an opaque watercolor, for her sketches but you could use any kind of watercolor, including the “Ecoline Watercolor Markers” mentioned above to start sketching away.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or a distraction that inspires you.

Also, thanks for reading. 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.

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

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Hi, Friends-

Can you believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner?

February is tomorrow!

Where does the time go?

Well, if you are a bit like me, you might be trying to plan something thoughtful to give your Valentine. Finding a good Valentine’s Day gift can be complicated! Sure, a box of gooey truffles always makes Valentine’s Day delicious or a bottle of chilled bubbly always sets the heart and head spinning!

Both are good options but will they win the heart of our Valentine?

Maybe or Maybe not.

That’s why, this year, I created four different beautiful Valentine’s Day art prints available to purchase at INPRNT. *

These Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine art prints will make your sweet Valentine swoon. They were inspired by monochromatic bouquets of flowers found at french markets.

Here are the four prints available for purchase.

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Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Amethyst

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Amethyst

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Rose

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Rose

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Peacock

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Peacock

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Coral

Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine - Coral

Here is another way to win now for Valentine’s Day.

January 31st, 2021 - February 2nd, 2021 you will get 10% off your order with this special code:

2HKMQUX

These prints are is gallery-quality giclée art prints on 100% cotton rag archival paper, printed with archival inks. Each art print is listed by sheet size and features a minimum one-inch border and the print can be purchased with a frame for an additional cost.

* Please note shipping times may be delayed from INPRNT due to covid restrictions and the slow down with mail service. Delivery by a particular day is not guaranteed.

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Well, I hope your special someone enjoys their Fleurs de la Saint-Valentine art print, and don’t forget to use the code above to get 10% off your INPRNT order.

Until soon friends.

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