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

Zucchini Love Art Print For Purchase At Society 6

Hi, Creative Friends,

Summer is such a wonderful time of year with its shimmery long days, sweet bountiful produce, and moments of pure happiness. Breathing in the height of summer and making the most of this beautiful season can really get our creative ideas flowing.

This week, let’s make the peak of summer happy with these 3 creative ideas:

1. Garden Gone Wild: Are you finding yourself with oodles of tomatoes and bunches of zucchini squash right from the garden? I’ve got two secret amazing recipes that will create summer meal happiness: Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese & Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. Both are recipes are as delicious and delightful as a cool breeze on a hot summer day!

2. Bottoms Up Beautiful: Whether putting our feet up by the beach or just sitting in our backyard, cocktails have a way of making summer sing. Try this book “Beach Cocktails: Favorite Surfside Sips and Snacks” by The Editors Of Coastal Living. Start with creating a surfside sip in a Bormioli Rocco Bodega glass and top with these modern striped drink paper umbrellas. They are just the right combination of sturdy and sexy for summertime fun!

3. Fruits Of Labor: The summer is filled with such juicy happy treats including these fun Fruit Collection art prints at Society 6 or try bathing a bottle of summer rosé in a beautiful Forest Flower Wine Cooler. Long after summer fades any of these lovely things are sure to create a reminder of summer’s happy times.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how will you make the peak of your summer happy.

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 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 natural world is an interesting place and sometimes we forget, as humans, to pause and see the value in other organic things. That’s why…

This week, let nature inspirewith these fun, creative ideas.

1. Go Outside And See The Story In Nature: Trees are all around us. If you are a bit like me, thinking about the story of trees seems a little bit peculiar. However, this where the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Overstory” by Richard Powers becomes powerful. It’s an excellent read and fascinating in its perspective about humans as they relate to the natural world.

2. Bake & Eat Something New: Baking with natural ingredients can be inspiring and fun. Try this new cookbook “French Pastry Made Simple” by Molly Wilkinson. Molly makes the most complicated french pastry recipes, such as cream puffs and eclairs, simple and sweetens the experience with her American In France perspective. Also, Molly evangelizes the benefits of using natural vanilla bean paste such as Heilala Vanilla or a real vanilla bean when making something delicious such as Pâte Sucrée crust. It really will inspire baking naturally!

3. Paint & Send A Greeting: When was the last time we paused to take in nature? The colors, the scent, the sounds the natural world creates are incredible. Sit quietly in a garden or park and then paint, draw, create a collage with nature’s inspiration. Try creating a special greeting card for a friend on these Strathmore Creative Cards paired with a Kuretake Gansai Watercolor set. It’s a creative way to get out into nature, inspire fun and spread creativity.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how you are letting nature inspire your creativity.

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 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,

If you are a bit like me, there is a feeling maybe this pandemic is almost over. Does anyone else feel the tension, anticipation, and hope that joy will return to our lives soon?

This week, while we hope for happiness to return, here are 3 ideas that inspire bits of creative joy.

1. Ernest Hemingway: the great American novelist, has something to say about the human spirit and it’s a good quote for times like these. “But man is not made for defeat… A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” -The Old Man and The Sea. A new documentary is out on PBS by Ken Burns about Mr. Hemingway and it is full of scandal, strife, and the compelling story of this very flawed man. You can check out the trailer here. It’s the stuff they don’t tell you in school when you read “The Old Man and The Sea.”

2. The Morning Bun: Here in the Bay Area, we have a breakfast roll called, The Morning Bun. It’s a sugary, cinnamon swirl of doughy delight that is a combination of a cinnamon roll and a croissant dough. The best morning buns are at La Farine Bakery in Oakland, California which was the birthplace of this morning treat. Read about the history here on My Recipes. For those of you who can’t stop by one of the three La Farine Bakeries, this Morning Bun recipe from Bon Appetite looks scrumptious and might just make a little joy while we wait for the world to return to normal.

3. Manley Crayons: There are so many bright, spring flowers popping right now. How do we capture that vibrance and joy of this moment? Try sketching those beautiful buds with Manely Crayons which made in Spain, are super bright, and smell like a lovely soap. They are a great way to keep busy and get creative now.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or something that puts a spring in your step.

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

This post contains affiliate links.

The holidays can be SO Jolly!

Until they’re NOT.

Like when we have a whole pipeline of fabulous holiday ideas ready to create only to have a nasty little virus take down one cute kiddo. After five days of wiping noses, doctor’s visits and the logistics of getting one kid to school while one is flat out in bed, I am finally back at my desk, trying to be jolly and ready to sooth my stress with some emotional holiday eating!

What’s a better way to pacify our festive fretting than this recipe for “Ginger Giants?” They are big, chewy, spicy, sweet and warm us like this two person Christmas sweater {affiliate link}. They might just be a slightly better brick of love than “Peppermint Molasses Superstars but either recipe is a delicious winter delight!

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Ginger Giants

Serving: About 12 large cookies

• 3/4 packed cup dark brown sugar

• 1 cup softened unsalted butter

• 1 large egg

• 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses

• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 3/4 cup candied ginger

Vanilla Frosting

• 8 tablespoons butter softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 4-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

• a pinch of salt

• Sweet Tooth Fairy Sprinkles {affiliate link} or more candied ginger for decorating (optional)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together brown sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in the egg and molasses until light and creamy.

Step 2: Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl then add them slowly to butter mixture.

Step 3: Use an ice cream scoop to drop the cookie dough onto prepared sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 10-12 minutes and then switch positions of the baking sheets in the oven. Bake for another 10-12 minute or until set. Cookies should be firm and dull in texture in the middle when done.

Step 4: Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the frosting. With a mixer, whip the softened butter on high for 3 minutes. Turn off the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Combine until smooth. Add the cream, vanilla and salt. Whip until smooth.

Step 6: With a butter knife or an offset spatula, frost the cookies with one tablespoon frosting. Add sprinkles or a couple more pieces of candied ginger. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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Enjoy the warm goodness and happy cookie making friends!