Congrats That Grad With A Free Card!

Hi, Creative Friends,

The Spring celebrations are here! If you are a bit like me, you might be looking for ways to make celebrations like a graduation or a spring birthday happy and special. Here are…

3 Creative Ideas To Make Spring Celebrations Full Of Joy.

1. Gift A Perfect Gift: If the thought of giving a graduate the gift of cold hard cash doesn’t bring around joy, try giving something personal like this beautiful silk The Poppy Silk Scarf or create a one-of-a-kind DIY like one of these cool ideas at HGTV’s “20 DIY Gifts Your Grad Will Love".”

2. A Personal Message: Writing a letter is intimidating but finding the right words to tell someone how important they are is truly a gift in itself. If you find composing a meaningful message difficult, check out the book “How To Write A Letter” by Sugar Paper. The book offers ways to make a message and find words for any occasion simple, heartfelt, and happy! If you need a special graduation greeting card, download one for FREE here “Congrats Grad FREE Greeting Card."

3. Eat Something Special: Make a birthday special or graduation memorable by sending or bringing something sweet and delicious to that special person. Try ordering a cake from Milkbar or an ice cream party from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Either will make the day joyful, memorable, and delicious!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will create to make your celebration 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.

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

Any-Berry Shrub Drink Recipe From Bon Appétit.

Hi, Creative Friends,

Spring is in full bloom and if you are lucky like me, delicious spring fruits are popping up everywhere! Making something in the kitchen has never been easier with the ripe strawberries, tart rhubarb, blushing apricots, and dark red cherries that are magically appearing in our markets. Creating a sweet treat with any of these fruity gems is a great way to find joy in spring. So, let’s…

Create Joyful Treats With These 3 Lovely Recipes.

1. Peachy Keen: Any spring birthday or anyone who loves butter will adore this Brown Butter Peach Bundt Cake from Sally’s Baking Recipes. Use farm-fresh peaches and taste the sweet, tart buttery goodness that comes with each bite!

2. Berry Good Shrub: If you need a way to toast up a new grad or whip up something special for a big birthday, try this delicious “Any-Berry Shrub” drink recipe from Bon Appétit. It’s easy to whip up and a great way to create something non-alcoholic, refreshing, and new.

3. Easiest Way To Celebrate Spring: Rhubarb. It looks like red celery and when cooked tastes like heaven! Grab a big bunch at the local market and whip up this super easy Rhubarb Sauce. The recipe only takes a few ingredients. Within a few minutes, you will have the tangiest, sweet, and most joyful topping for ice cream, yogurt, or toast ever!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or your favorite way to create with spring fruit!

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

A FREE Mother’s Day Card For Mom

Hi, Creative Friends,

This is a Public Service Announcement. Mother’s Day is This Sunday, May 14th! If you are a bit like me, finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be daunting, and if you find yourself procrastinating to find a SUPER special gift for mom let’s talk about…

3 Last-Minute Creative Ideas To Bring Joy To Mom’s Heart.

1. Wow, Mom Breakfast: Pancakes are the queen of breakfast. Why not wow your Mama Bear with a stack of fluffy, drenched in butter, and made with love hotcakes on Mother’s Day morning? A great recipe that makes the most joyful pancakes every time is this “Simply Perfect Pancake” recipe by King Arthur.

2. Say It With Art: Sometimes we can’t find the words to tell our beautiful mothers how deeply our love runs for them. Try using old magazines or scraps of paper to create a homemade collage card like these made at Free Period Press “ 10 DIY Collage Cards.” Saying love with art can sometimes be the easiest way to bring joy to anyone’s heart. You can also print this FREE special pancake card if time is limited.

3. DIY Mom: Mom just might need a little self-care to make her feel happy. Whip up a simple sugar scrub for mom with this DIY project. She will feel delighted and joyful when she is gifted with a beautiful hand-crafted one-of-a-kind creation.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will create to bring joy to Mom!

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

Stress Less Desk Illustration

Hi, Creative Friends,

Did you know the month of May is Mental Health Awareness month? If you are a bit like me, mental health can be pushed aside for other life priorities. However, maintaining our mental wellness can lead us to happier more robust selves. So…

This Week Take Care Of Your Mental Health With These 3 Easy Creative Ideas…

1. Take Some Headspace: Like a toddler who begins to tantrum at an expected moment, sometimes our brain needs a timeout. That’s where the app Headspace comes in handy. Headspace is a meditation app that provides simple meditation practices to help the brain gain space to assess the current state of the self. Headspace makes it an easy way to check in with ourselves.

2. Take A Walk On The Wild Side: Research says mental health and physical health are intertwined and walking is one of the best ways to incorporate physical activity into daily life. Try this “Guided Walking Meditation To Connect With Your Senses.” It’s an easy way to nourish our relationship with our body & mind.

3. Kale. Exhale. Repeat. : Momma always said “You Are What You Eat!” and a ton of new research is backing up the claim that our gut healthy, the bacteria we have in our intestines, affects our brain’s health. How do we maintain excellent gut health? Pick one meal a day and add one of the top 10 superfoods such as broccoli, oats, eggs, spinach, cocoa nibs, almonds, and kale. Try this amazing “Kale Slaw Recipe” for any summer cookout. It’s an easy way to keep things tasty, our guts happy, and our minds healthy!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or your best creative self-care mental health tip.

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

Peachy Keen Art For Sale At Society 6

Hi, Creative Friends,

Spring is in full bloom and if you are lucky like me, delicious spring fruits are popping up everywhere! Making something in the kitchen has never been easier with the ripe strawberries, tart rhubarb, blushing apricots, and dark red cherries that are magically appearing in our markets. Whipping a sweet treat with any of these fruit gems is a great way to take a mental health break but if you need inspiration…

This week, let’s create daring treats with 3 lovely recipes…

1. Peachy Keen: Any spring birthday or anyone who loves butter will adore this Brown Butter Peach Bundt Cake from Sally’s Baking Recipes. Use farm fresh peaches and taste the sweet, tart buttery goodness that comes with each bite!

2. The Royal Punch: If you need a way to toast up a new grad or whip up something special for a big birthday, try this delicious drink Apricot Sunray Punch by The Spruce Eats. It’s easy to whip up and a great way to create something daring and new with the royal fruit of the spring, the apricot!

3. Easiest Way To Celebrate Spring: Rhubarb. It looks like red celery and when cooked tastes like heaven! Grab a big bunch at the local market and whip up this super easy Rhubarb Sauce. The recipe only takes a few ingredients and in a few minutes, you will have the tangiest, sweet and lovely topping for ice cream, yogurt, or toast ever!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or your favorite way to create with a spring fruit!

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

Congrats That Grad With A Free Card!

Hi, Creative Friends,

The Spring celebrations are here! If you are a bit like me, you might be looking for ways to make celebrations like a graduation or a spring birthday happy and special. Here are…

3 Creative Ideas To Make Spring Celebrations Happy.

1. Gift A Perfect Gift: If the thought of giving a graduate the gift of cash doesn’t bring around happiness, try giving something personal like this beautiful silk The Peony scarf or create a one-of-a-kind DIY like one of these cool ideas at HGTV’s “20 DIY Gifts Your Grad Will Love".”

2. A Personal Message: Writing a letter is intimidating but finding the right words to tell someone how important they are is truly a gift in itself. If you find composing a meaningful message difficult, check out the book “How To Write A Letter” by Sugar Paper. The book offers ways to make a message and find words for any occasion simple, heartfelt, and happy! If you need a special graduation greeting card, download one for FREE here “Congrats Grad FREE Greeting Card."

3. Eat Something Special: Make a birthday special or graduation memorable by sending or bringing something sweet and delicious to that special person. Try ordering a cake from Milkbar or an ice cream party from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Either will make the day happy and memorable and delicious!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will create to make your celebration 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.

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

A FREE Mother’s Day Card For Mom

Hi, Creative Friends,

This is a Public Service Announcement. Mother’s Day is This Sunday, May 8th! If you are a bit like me, finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be daunting, and if you find yourself procrastinating to find a SUPER special gift for mom let’s talk about…

3 Last-Minute Creative Ideas To Bring Joy To Mom’s Heart.

1. Wow, Mom Breakfast: Pancakes are the queen of breakfast. Why not wow your empress with a big stack of fluffy, drenched in butter and made with love hot cakes on Mother’s Day morning? A great recipe that makes the most joyful pancakes every time is this “Simply Perfect Pancake” recipe by King Arthur.

2. Say It With Art: Sometimes we can’t find the words to tell our beautiful mothers how deeply our love runs for them. Try using old magazines or scraps of paper to create a homemade collage card like these made at Free Period Press “ 10 DIY Collage Cards.” Saying love with art can sometimes be the easiest way to bring joy to anyone’s heart. You can also print this FREE special pancake card if time is limited.

3. Everlasting Flowers: If the thought of sending mom a darling bouquet that will wilt away before Memorial Day sounds like a deal-breaker, invest in flowers that your dearest mother can wear all year long like this beautiful silk The Peony scarf. It’s hands down the best way to bring joy, beauty, and love all year round to a dearest mom!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you will create to bring joy to mom!

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

Hi, Creative Friends,

Good news. It’s almost summer. It’s that season when things get juicy, fun, and a great time to explore new creative outlets.

This week, get ready for a happy summer, with these 3 simple creative ideas.

1. Make It An Endless Summer: If the classic 1966 film “The Endless Summer” doesn’t inspire a trip to the beach with its wanderlust surf culture, a good beach read like “The Last Thing He Told Me” might be a good way to inspire a day to firmly plant toes in the sand and soak up the sun’s rays while sitting in a beach chair. Bring a Hape Mighty Sand Shovel and spend the day making an endless sandcastle that will create a happy summer day and great memories.

2. Food & Flowers Make Good Friends: It’s Peony season and Memorial Day, two things that only happen once a year. Let’s create a celebration and usher in summer by grabbing a bouquet of peonies and cooking up some amazing recipes. The Barefoot Contessa’s Memorial Day Menu looks like a great way to celebrate a long weekend. If you somehow missed the chance to grab a bouquet, there is now a “Peony Bouquet” art print for purchase at Society 6. This print creates a beautiful way to usher in summer into any living room or kitchen.

3. Plein Air Painting Summer Edition: It’s fun to get outside and sketch up flowers, landscapes, and people especially in summer. Here is a good sketchbook to effortlessly carry around: Travelogue Drawing Book. Pair it with a set of Ecoline Watercolor Brush Pens and find happiness in sketching all summer long!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how you are creating a happy 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

“You’re Doing Great!” Art Print For Sale At Society 6

Hi, Creative Friends,

If you are a bit like me, you might be feeling awkward as we slowly lift the veil of the pandemic mask and try to return to a sense of “normal.” If we are feeling a bit out of sorts, it’s a great time to bring on positive thoughts and build up some creative mojo.

This week, remind yourself you are doing great, with these 3 simple creative ideas.

1. A Belly Laugh Does the Soul Good: If you need a reminder we are all humans just trying to survive and need a good laugh watch “You Are Doing Great” by Tom Papa on Netflix. Tom reminds us that we need to pat ourselves on the back for just being human.

2. Pandemic Pets Rule: A pet does the mind good. Did you know the bond between humans and pets can lower cholesterol, blood pressure and bring on feelings of happiness? Just looking at images of pets and make us feel positive. If having a pet isn’t possible, try these books on pets “Catlady: A Love Letter To Women And Their Cats" by Leah Reena Goren or this adorable kids book about “Brooklyn Baily, The Missing Dog” illustrated by Libby Vanderploeg. Both books are delightfully illustrated works featuring beloved animals and tell good stories by amazing female artists.

3. Create Positive Vibes: Surrounding ourselves with uplifting messages can create a sense of well-being. Try one of these art prints from Society 6 like “You’re Doing Great!” or “Failures Plant The Seeds For Success.” Place somewhere prominent, like a home office or in a kid’s room, might just help influence positive vibes only!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how you are creating positive in your life.

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

“A Party Without A Cake Is Just A Meeting.” - Julia Child

Hi, Creative Friends,

Happy Birthday to all the readers who fall into the astrological sign of Taurus!

Birthdays are sneaky. One day, we glance at our calendar only to realize someone we love has taken one more trip around the sun!

This week, make a birthday joyful, with these 3 simple creative ideas.

1. Let Them Eat Cake!: Molly J. Wilk’s French Pastry Class: I just finished one of Molly’s Virtual Pastry classes. First, they are as good as they sound and I now have an Ultimate Chocolate Tart birthday cake sitting in my refrigerator. If you need an extra special birthday gift, Molly offers accessible french pastry classes virtually from her kitchen in Versailles, France which can be found here on her website Molly J. Wilk Virtual Pastry Classes. All classes are held on Zoom and she provides recipes and the ability to access a private Facebook group to interact with other bakers. Molly also has a cookbook coming out in June called “French Pastry Made Simple” which can be pre-ordered! Either or both the pastry class and her book would be a great way to say happy birthday to anyone!

2. Olive A Good Party. Olive & June is a women-owned company that has transformed the art of the at-home manicure. They have some of the most modern polish colors around such as AW & CV. However, it’s Olive & June’s Nail Tutorials that will inspire and help create an at-home self-care, birthday bash! Pair some polish with these cozy and plush slippers, hop on a Zoom call with the gals and paint anyone’s birthday happy.

3. Homemade Happy Birthday. Create a lovely thank you card with these Strathmore Watercolor Cards & Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Palette to create and say happy birthday in the sweetest way possible. Try your hand at making a calorie-free birthday cake with this Beautiful Birthday Box video tutorial or purchase a special piece of art from Society 6 like one of these Zodiac Art Prints: Taurus Art Print or Taurus Quote Art Print.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or a creative idea on how you will say happy birthday!

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

Hi, Creative Friends,

Do ever find yourself needing to create a big thank you to someone special? Whether it is your Mom, a helpful co-worker, or a super-engaged teacher, a special thank you can be hard to find. That’s why this week I rounded up 3 creative ideas to say thank you now!

This week, say thank you, with these 3 simple creative ideas.

1. Be Bars Above The Rest With A Watercolor Card: Chocolate is a delicious way to say thank you! Wrap a few bars of Endangered Species chocolate up with a ribbon, like the Caramel Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate flavor, create a lovely thank you card with these Strathmore Watercolor Cards & Arteza Classic Watercolors to create a super heartfelt thank you! Best of all, Endangered Species Chocolates give 10% of net profits to save our wildlife.

2. Molly J. Wilk’s French Pastry Class: This one was mentioned last week but it’s so good I thought it was worth a mention again. If you have someone that loves to bake and the idea of a gift certificate makes things easy, Molly J. Wilk has a solution. She offers accessible french pastry classes virtually from her kitchen in Versailles, France which can be found here on her website Molly J. Wilk Virtual Pastry Classes. All classes are held on Zoom and she provides recipes and the ability to access a private Facebook group to interact with other bakers. Molly also has a cookbook coming out in June called “French Pastry Made Simple” which can be pre-ordered! Either or both the pastry class and her book would be a great way to say thank you to anyone!

3. Giant Flower Power Thank You: Nothing says thank you more than a big bunch of beautiful flowers! What’s better? Creating one big special thank you that will last a lifetime with a few supplies and this tutorial here Giant Paper Flowers. Or head over to Society 6 and send a thank you art print such as this Modern Mom Flowers print. Whatever you do, don’t forget to say thank you!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or a creative idea on how you will say thank 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

// Hello Friends, - It’s been a while since we have chatted. How are you doing with all of this madness? If you are a bit like me, you might be feeling overwhelmed.

The news is chaos.

Schools are shut.

Face masks are the new little black dress.

Two words: food shortage.

Stay 6 feet away!?

Oh, and murder hornets are here…

Mental health should be our number one priority at the moment. It’s no joke that we are being layered with stress and anxiety. What we probably need right now is a good old fashioned hug.

So, I illustrated something for you. It’s a big old bear hug coloring page for you and it’s FREE!

Download it for FREE here: Bear Hug Coloring Page Printable.

Print it, and color your feelings out! Snap a photo of your coloring page and pass the “Bear Hug!” onto someone who needs to be remembered they are loved. I can think of so many grandparents, teachers, and parents who need something to keep them going right now.

And to all of you struggling right now above or below the surface, hang in there.

If you need a bear hug, I’m here for you.

Until soon friends. //

// hello friends-

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12th.

Yes, this Sunday.

It tiptoed up on us didn’t it?

Maybe we planning on whipping up a macaroni necklace to present to dear old mom? Scouring the internet for the perfect #momlife mug? Contemplating spending our entire life’s savings on a huge bouquet of flowers to make mom feel grand?

Here is the bad news.

Mom wants something different this year.

Yes, the macaroni necklace will warm mama’s heart but is sure to end up in the dark recesses of her dresser drawer. The #momlife mug will most likely “accidentally” slip off the counter or be left on a bench at soccer practice. As for the flowers, HELLO!, mom taught you to save your money for a rainy day.

What does mom want?

To be presented with a beautiful DIY project that is new, fresh, modern, easy on the pocket book, fun to display and is guaranteed to make Mom swoon.

Something that is petal perfect.

And lovely.

And beautiful.

Whip out the watercolors, rummage around the closet for some tissue paper and take a bit of time to create a DIY project that mom will absolutely love:

Hand Painted Giant Paper Flowers!

Giant Paper Flowers

• free flower petal template (download here)

• 1 - piece of card stock

• scissors

• 1 - sheet white tissue paper

• OOLY Watercolor Paint Pods {affiliate link} or non-toxic kid safe watercolors

• 1 - craft brush {affiliate link}

• jar or cup for water

• a multi-temp hot glue gun & hot glue

• 1 - 22 gauge flower wire {affiliate link}

Step 1: Print the free flower petal template on the card stock. With the scissors cut out the petal template and the circle shape.

Step 2: Fold the tissue paper in half lengthwise. Using the watercolors, paint the tissue paper and let dry.

Step 3: Cut a long 1.5 inch by 18 inch long rectangle from the long side of the tissue paper. Roll the rectangle into a tight tube shape. Make long incisions into the tissue tube on the short side. Do not cut all the way through the tissue. Leave a 1/4 space at the bottom of the tissue to hold the tube shape together. This will be the center of the flower. Set aside.

Step 4: Use the flower petal template as a guide and fold the remaining tissue paper under the petal template as many times as the tissue paper will allow. With the scissors, cut around the template. There should now be multiple petals. Make a 1 - inch incision in the middle of the petal base.

Step 5: Heat the hot glue gun on low. Place one dot of glue on the left side of the base of a flower petal. Pinch the right side over the left. Repeat until all the petals are complete. Using the circle card stock shape as a flower base, glue the tissue paper petals onto the circle base by overlapping the edge of each petal just a bit.

Step 6: Glue the center of the flower in the middle of the petals. Take one (1) flower wire and poke a small hole in the back of the flower. Remove the wire and add a dab of glue and then reinsert the wire.

So much love and fun went into making this DIY project, Mom is sure to feel overjoyed and very appreciated.

To all the wonderful Mamas, Happy Mother’s Day!

Until tomorrow creative friends! //

// hello friends-

If you’ve ever felt as though you’re in a creative rut, you’re not alone. Sometimes we all feel stuck.

Stuck in our lives.

Stuck in our work.

Sometimes, just stuck in being stuck!

Well, the good news is we are all human and our human brains sometimes need a giant creative force to spark new ideas from the deep, dark corners of our old grey matter. Sometimes we need an outside jolt, like a great white hot bolt of lighting, to nudge us through the dullness and push us out of our creative apathy.

This is the time we need to seek out inspiration from creative minds and look to places like Invaluable where inspiration abounds. Invaluable developed this interesting infographic that details how to harness creativity. Salvador Dali, the prominent Spanish surrealist painter, was rife with innovative thoughts and new approaches to his work. Although he was quirky, eccentric and at times seemed downright mad, he developed “6 Ways To Harness Creativity: The Dalí Way” which provides excellent ideas on how to get unstuck and gather inspiration.

My personal favorite is, the “Hypnagogic Nap” which taps into the subconscious brain for imagery. It’s pure genius!

Well, I am off to take a short nap, get unstuck, and get back on a creative path. If you need a bigger creative push, try my Skillshare class, “Create Everyday: How To Unlock Your Creative Magic Now.”

Enjoy the Dalí wisdom and getting back on the creative train.

Until soon creative friends!

Endless Summer By Andra Weber Available at Society6

Summer is here folks! Let's find ourselves ready for sweaty seat weather, lazy days, backyard BBQs, long car rides, sprinkler dashes, and watching the light fade slowly over the west. Summer brings many opportunities to make great moments in our lives. However, the pressure to spend this time of year can make us feel like there is nothing we can afford to do but watch paint dry. The good news is summer brings a lot of free and affordable opportunities that make memories on minimal dollars and create endless summer fun.

1. Pick Farmville.

Imagine picking ripe, juicy berries, as birds chirp and the sun tans our bare shoulders. Just the thought of placing a tender, sweet strawberry or cherry on our lips can bring on blissful pleasure. Find a local farm, take a friend or take the whole family. Everyone will have bellies full of juicy, delightful, fruit as well as effervescent giggles that will last the entire summer through.

2. Born To Ride.

A bike isn't just a mode of transportation or a faded tool from our childhood. A bike provides a summertime freedom that parallels none else. We can enjoy the wind on our face and the warm summer sun on our legs as we cruise to the corner grocery or down the bumpy boardwalk. Dust off the rusty 10-speed, adjust the banana seat and let's pump our breaks right into summer.

3. Ice Scream! 

When is there time to make something extra special in the kitchen? Summertime! When I was a kid, I still remember the day when my grandpa made homemade vanilla ice cream. The whole process was magical from the rock salt to the machine. Pair a homemade treat with a once-a-year fruit, like rhubarb, and the memories of this summer will stay with us for years in the future. Try this recipe for "Rhubarb Sorbet" from Epicurious.

4. Prepare Wishes.

When we were little, we most likely wished on a star, caught a firefly, or puffed a dandelion to send hope out into the world. There is something about a summertime ask that can bring delight to the soul and enchantment in the air. Let's get wishing.

5. Get Paddling.

Most of us are not sailors, but when summer arrives, it's time to tap into our maritime moment. What is it about a boat in the summertime? It's like the mermaids of the universe are calling us to set sail. Grab a friend, rent a canoe, locate a waterway and spend the afternoon watching the sunlight dance over the water. Summer will never feel so splendid. 

Let's give a big cheer to summer. Drop me a line and tell me what is on your list to make summer endless!

Until soon friends.

We travel around the sun once a year and the trip ends with only one day celebrate. However, the stars in the sky say something different.

The stars say we can celebrate forever and through the Zodiac, we never need to stop celebrating what makes each of us unique. 

My birthday month is over, but these two Taurus prints from Society 6  are going up on my office wall. They will remind me that we come from the stars and we should shoot for the stars. 

Check back soon as more Zodiac prints are coming to Society 6 including two-sided Gemini!

Until soon friends and birthday buddies.

Springtime ushers in delightful moments. Flowers bloom, the sun peeks out from the spectrum of winter grays and lovers fall in love. It's a great time to have an affair.

With rhubarb that is.

Yes, it gets a bad name with its poisonous leafy greens. However, with the bad always comes the good. It's the Ying and Yang of life. Chop off the dangerous green parts and then prepare the lovely red stems. Make a delightful, saccharine, tart, relish that will make anyone swoon their way into spring.

Roasted Rhubarb Relish

• 6 1/2  cups fresh cut red rhubarb scrubbed and thinly chopped (remove and discard all the green leaves)
• 1 1/2 cups turbinado sugar

Step 1: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine the rhubarb and the sugar.

Step 2: Place the rhubarb/sugar mixture on the baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Remove the top layer of aluminum foil and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes or until the rhubarb is soft.

Use the relish on yogurt, ice cream, in muffins or eat by the spoonful and enjoy!

Until soon lovers and friends.

Day 13 Of Finding Empathy.

Summer is just around the corner, and there might be a few parents out there looking to avoid the "I'm bored!" summertime slump. As adults, it's hard to have empathy for kids who whine and complain about having nothing to do! 

However, there is a new way to banish the "I'm bored!" phrase from your kids' summertime vocabulary while still firing up the brain synapses.

Without screentime.

Without spending a ton of money.

Without hours of material prep.

Without scouring the internet for activities.

If your kids love to tinker, try new things, and explore the "why" behind the "what," the STEAM Kids In the Kitchen book is the answer to keep kids engaged and learning all summer long!

It's filled with interesting activities and educational projects like:

Pizza Bubbles
Color Changing Lemonade
DIY Solar Oven
Strawberry DNA Extraction
Green Eggs and Ham
Kitchen Mini Makerspace
And so many more!!!

These projects will have kids:

question like a scientist,
design like a technologist
build like an engineer
create like an artist
deduce like a mathematician

– and, most importantly –

have fun in the kitchen!

There is both a print and ebook available to purchase here.

And until May 23rd with every STEAM Kids in the Kitchen purchase, a STEAM Kids In the Activity Placemat will be included for FREE!

Enjoy cooking up learning with STEAM Kids in the Kitchen and keep the boredom at bay all summer long.

Let me know how you like blowing cheese bubbles and catching sunlight with sun catcher cupcakes!

Until soon friends.

Day 12 Of Finding Empathy.

Being a mother is tough stuff. We deal with lots of things that are not glamorous or respected. Like barf, chauffering kids around, grocery runs, late night bloody noses, packing lunches, working through funny feelings and buying endless birthday party gifts. The list goes on, and so do the expectations. It doesn't matter who is helping us raise new humans; it can feel like we are the keeper of all things.

Don't get me wrong, being a mom is a beautiful job. It comes with moments of bliss, but with all the expectations, a mom's job can start to feel like there is no time to, well, ENJOY being a mom.

Last week, my daughter and I spent thirty minutes each day making, drawing or doing something together. It was delightful. We didn't have an agenda. We didn't have expectations. Best of all, we didn't argue. 

We just made stuff together and then talked afterward respectfully about what we made, how each of us might create something different and what we liked about the other person's work. We even collaborated on a project! 

We made some fun stuff but more importantly, we spent focused time together. The realization was in the age of deteriorating attention, being present is paramount in finding joy. Just being together with purpose brought on so much happiness to both of our lives.

So, let's take time out to be together even after Mother's Day is long gone. Get together more frequently, create something, anything, together. Enjoy the moments of happiness and joy that only being together can bring to our lives.

Until soon friends and mamas.

Day 11 Of Finding Empathy.

It's Mother's Day this weekend and Teacher Appreciation Week! Oh, goodness. Let's empathize with the people who give us so much and do something amazing. However, what do we give these selfless people in our lives?  

A stack of gift cards?

A bunch of flowers? 

A mug That says "Best Mom/Teacher Ever?"

We want these darling heroes to feel loved. We want to give a thoughtful gift that says "Hey, thanks for all the crap you deal with!"

Well, here is a quick, fun and unique project that will make any mom or teacher feel super special! This is a project called "art bars." They are so fun and affordable to make. Kids of all ages get excited about making this lovely project.  Here is what will be needed:

Art Bar Present For Mother's Day Or Teacher Appreciation Week

• Alter Eco Chocolate Bar(s)
• 6" x 9" pieces of cotton canvas or paper
• Watercolor pallet, markers, colored pencils etc.
• double stick tape
• ribbon
• "You Color My World Amazing Tag" {click here to download}

Step 1: Paint or draw a masterpiece on the canvas or paper. Let dry.

Step 2: Place two pieces of double stick tape on the back of the chocolate bar. Wrap the masterpiece around the chocolate bar. Tie with a ribbon and add a gift tag.

Voilá! A unique and thoughtful gift under $5.

Enjoy the process and see you soon creative friends!