greenbeanbaby art

with all the advice....

it was heard and much appreciated... i gulped it down as if it was coffee :) hehe...  thank you all so much for sharing your ideas, links, and advice... while i still am not finished with mimi's book, i decided to put that project aside for now... and here is what happened over the weekend...

friday night: i said "skip it" to artwork and played video games with ramel (justice league heroes)

saturday morning: ramel took the kids and made sure they were quiet so i could get some good sleep... and i slept for a nice long time... he even took the kids to einstein bagels to get me a treat.... so when i awoke, there was a big cup of coffee and an asiago bagel with hummus sitting on the table for me... what a sweet husband, eh?!

saturday afternoon: i ate my bagel and drank my coffee... yes, i woke up THAT late... i worked in the attic all day coming up with the papers for custom ordered invitations... i cut out the little girl for the illustration part of the invitation and watched a few dvds...


saturday evening: i took isabella with me to starbucks... there, i cut the ribbons, folded the invitations, glued the ribbon on, and tied the bows.... it must have been a sight! isabella was fussy for a moment so while i was tying the ribbons, i was rocking her in the carseat with my foot... talk about multi-tasking... she fell asleep and i was able to finish up what i wanted before starbucks closed...

sunday afternoon: i cleaned my studio... watched more dvds while cleaning... now, i have seen all these before but forgot how good they were! ramel collects dvds like i collect paper so we always have something to watch of any genre to fit any mood... the photo above is what is currently on my "to watch" list this week... eventually, i broke away from the studio and the movies and the cleaning to browse through a few blogs...

sunday early evening:  i grabbed some maracas... diego had his drum... ramel had a tambourine and another maraca... we played our instruments while dancing around the table to a bit of punk rock...

sunday evening: finished the illustration, uploaded the photos on flickr and am here blogging... soon after, i must get to some emails...

again, thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement and advice... honestly, i've been in an inartistic funk for awhile but thought it'd only last a day or so... that day turned to a couple of weeks... and the guilt of NOT working on anything made me feel pretty lousy... then handfuls of my hair kept falling out and while i knew it wasn't stress related, i was beginning to wonder... thankfully, i read an article that had me convinced that all this hair loss is baby related.... needless to say, drain-o had to be used on the tub recently... hehe... yeah, being a mom changes everything but its worth it :) 

running out of glue...

lately, i've really been struggling to work on art... i'm looking at blogs for inspiration, emailing people, sleeping, drinking coffee- and it's still been hard... i've been unable to blog about anything exciting because there really isn't much exciting going on... you guys don't want to hear about my sleep patterns, do ya?!

over the course of the week, i've been trying hard to get this project underway... i spent two days cutting out parts from thick illustration board for mimi's book (right now, i am keeping her idea secret)... i have a callous on my finger from all the intense cutting..however, today i finally got out of my inartistic funk and was able to create away with paper while isabella slept [for a whopping one hour].... diego was napping away after going to the zoo that morning with his daycare class... i was cutting the paper pieces and gluing a bit here and there... but in the middle of it all, guess what happens?? i run out of glue!!!!

i'm afraid that if i go to michael's to buy glue tonight, i will come home too worn out to work on art... but if i work on art after diego goes to bed, all i can do is cut out the pieces... and you know, that isn't much fun if you can't glue!!!! i'd think a sewing fanatic would feel the same... what's the point of cutting out all the pieces to make a doll if you have no thread to sew it together?!

so now i'm stuck like chuck... there are invitations to work on (with the paper shown above), illustrations to complete, and a paperbag book in dire need of completing...

in the meantime, i would love to know what YOU do when you get in an unartistic funk... aside from the blogs, how do you obtain inspiration and motivation [and a newfound surge of creativity] to create???

rockin' blogger

i must say thanks to jessica and to kim for nominating me for the rockin' blogger award... i'm flattered and honored... especially since i feel like this blog and my inspiration [in general] has lacked luster... but that's a whole other topic, eh?! well, my nominees for the rockin' blogger award goes to:

1. mimi kirchner- right now i'm working on some art for her... her blog is necessary for inspiration and process... she creates the most amazing and unique dolls.... each with a personality... isabella is a proud owner of one of mimi's lovely sweater babes...

2. floresita- she makes some darn lovely embroideries... plus she has a whole separate blog where she shares vintage transfers for others... her blog always gets me itching to do embroidery but sadly, haven't had the time yet...

3.  diane- miss dudadaze always creates beautiful artwork... every single one of her illustrations make me smile!

4. li li- another fellow blogging buddy that makes me smile... she has quite a sweet spirit and one of the first blogging buddies i made overseas! she finds the cutest things too!!!!!

5. and jhoanna... another blogger who creates lovely dolls...unique, bright, and beautiful... she is as sweet as can be and was one of the first bloggers to encourage me about working on art with two kids [and it being manageable...]

and the rule of the game is this:
-place the badge on your blog
-give credit to Roberta (She started the rockin' blogger awards)
-check out the latest list she has on her site
-pick 5 rockin' girls of your choice and tag em'

i really want to nominate a slew of other wonderful people... so many of you really do encourage me and inspire and help me more than i can say... if it wasnt for such a wonderful community of you bloggers, i would not be a creative artist and mother....

okay, and here is a photo for the road.... me and isabella are on the swing... i got to thinking of how i never got to wear my mom's shoes because i had the smallest feet in the family... i never got to wear my sister's shoes either... i am pretty sure isabella will fit mine one day... for now, she has the teeniest feet in the family...

a full plate....

yes, i have been working on art although not as much as i'd like to.... the desire to sleep is stronger than ever.... can someone hand me another cup of coffee, please? well, here's what i've been up to lately

custom artwork...

 
and etsy shop goodies...

 
rotating isabella's clothes... now that she is 3 months, i need to bring out her 3-6 month outfits so she has time to wear them all... she has sooo many outfits that i need to make sure she wears them all at least once.... talk about a blessed li'l lady!!

celebrating 4 yrs of marriage... ramel surprised me with carryout from the resteraunt of our very first date... he also got me the first season of outer limits... ain't he a sweetheart?!

 
figuring out how we are going to celebrate diego's 3rd birthday.... party? chuck e. cheese? state fair? either way, something sweet and simple for my happy, growing diego....

her gal, monday...

isabella turns 3 months on the 17th, being tomorrow... she already enjoys her jumperoo and will bounce herself around until she falls asleep.... but guess what my li'l gal did TODAY???

she flipped over!!!!!!!!!

this is such a mommy-bragging post....

isabella was lying on her back [on her mat]... she always rolls to the side (probably from the weight of her cute chubby cheeks, hahahaha) to play with the hanging toys... i'm finishing the dishes and isabella begins whining... and her whines turns to cries.... i go to check on her (perhaps she has a toy in her face?) and whadda know?! the gal is on her tummy and as angry as can be!!!

but to mention, this girl does NOT like tummy time... isabella always kicks and screams a sweating sticky fit.... she gets so mad that she can move her body all over the mat and onto the carpet... (also known as "scooching"- the precursor to crawling)... a few times before she got thisclose to flipping from her tummy to her back... but ironically, the flip happened from her back to her tummy....

now that i bragged to you about isabella [and mentioned the word tummy and back over a dozen times], i better go and feed the growing sweety...

an interview with a kid named diego...

diego is a hoot... he is talking alot more and asking questions... of course, the kid will be 3 years old in a couple of weeks... there are times when he gets stuck on story... like the one of him and his buddy o'shay at daycare... everyday diego tells me [and demonstrates] of how he and o'shay were play fighting and how he pushed the boy and the boy socked him in the mouth... yes, diego came home with a fat lip that day and all from play fighting.... him and o'shay had to apologize to eachother- but this is something diego will tell me over and over...

due to lack of ideas in blogging these days, i thought diego should be the center of this post's topic... after all, he is quite the charmer and will say hello to everyone and everything (including the cats and his toys and his cup... and during meals, his food play fights (bread vs the fork... chicken nugget vs. half eaten chicken nugget) ...

so what is like it to interview a nearly 3 y ear old boy named diego???

me: hey, diego!

diego: yes????

me: come here! [and he comes running into the room]

me: how are you?

diego: doing good [as he hands me a toy]

me: what's your name?

diego: i diego, mami... what's your name, mami?

me: you know who i am... i'm mami!!!

diego: that's bella, mami

me: yep! it sure is! so, what's your favorite toy?

diego: his name is daddy... [ramel hollers out, i'm not your favorite toy! diego's favorite toy is donatello, ellia... and i holler back, i know that but i am asking diego]

me: diego, no, what's your favorite TOY?

diego: "uhhhhh" [and he walks off into his room]

me: diego come here!

diego: okayyyyyyyy

me: whatcha do yesterday at the park?

diego: i went to park with nana...

me: yesterday? no, that was the other day... whatcha do yesterday at the park?

diego: i went swing... i like to swing! bam bam bam bam [hitting two toys together and pretty much letting me know, this interview is over]

so tuesday, i will interview ananda... i think that one will be just as intriguin [and a wee bit easier]...

don't worry, be happy...

there are days when the brain can only think about bills and how they are piling up and which ones need paying first... it leaves this adult feeling overwhelmed and frustrated... and there are other days when the doctors declare your child hasn't gained weight in 3 months and has low iron and this makes a good mother wanna cry... after all, she thought the kid was growing well and strong but apparently her cooking isn't giving her son the pounds he apparently needs...  to top it all off, there are days when a mother's body refuses to cooperate and needs to go to the doctor for medication... so to counteract these rough moments, this mother focuses on the good things in her life...

1. isabella can nearly turn over from her belly to her back....

2. the other day, diego told me he "had green" and pointed to his eyes... (yeah, this is truly a mother gushin' moment!)

3. isabella can't decide if she wants to suck two fingers on her left hand or her right hand... or if she wants her thumb instead... i think she is going for her thumb now! its quite cute to watch....

4. isabella loves her jumperoo already (pretty early, eh?!)

5. changing a diaper in dim lighting isn't a good idea... especially when you dont know your baby has a diaper rash and you use scented wipes on her tush... (ok, this doesn't make me happy to think about but its a good reminder to turn on the bright lights next time and to not eat so much brocoli while nursing)

6. i enjoy variety  and it displays in all parts of my life including the lullaby i sing to the kids... "if you want to destroy my sweater..." by weezer or a bit of  ace of base ... and an i love lucy song to cap the concerto....

7. a wild moment: ramel had a sketch of a boy's head... diego drew on it and it looked like he made two eyes and a mouth!! NO LIE!! i am not surprised he likes art, but its soooo neat to see him INTO it! (does that make sense?)

8. in 10 days, ramel and i will have been married for 4 years! i almost forgot our anniversary was coming up and i tend to forget which day we married on (the 17th or the 19th?!)

9. my mom has a jewelry box that plays the godfather song (this makes me chuckle)

10. my mom is oh-so-encouraging... we talk on the phone nearly everyday (and live under 20 minutes from eachother) we can fit about 10 different topics in one conversation.... haha...

11. having company around who love your kids so much is such a compliment! yeah,  eric + karen and dan + rebecca really treat my kids so wonderfully!!!!

12. working on art is a great release... especially when there aren't any bugs buzzing about... it's another thing that makes me think "i may not get my kid to gain weight but i sure can make him smile and say "aw, that's nice mummy!"

13.  a good cup of coffee and a calming atmosphere makes for a wonderful afternoon.... good enough to take a nap to

14. lastly, having wonderful blogging and flickr buddies can make any person's day.... i am truly grateful to know so many of you and i don't think i'd create half as much if i didn't know of this wonderful community!

etsy and swap goodness

 
my bloggingness has been going down lately... i find less time to blab to you all and my sincere apologies... but from the last post until now, i've received more lovely birthday gifts, my swap goodies from margaret, and have made items for the etsy shop (the above two items have been sold already!)

 
as stated before, my camera flash isn't working so taking photos has become even more difficult... already, i lack the photographic skill to take amazing pictures... now, between lack of skill and lack of flash, my pictures are turning out quite poor... and well, there could be another reason too... i am taking pictures in my smoldering hot studio at 2:30am, nervous of wasps hiding in the corners, waiting to attack me... while a fan tries to keep me cool, my hands are trying to hold the camera steady while my body fidgets from the fear... its a shame that a grown woman is so terrified of teeny tiny huge giant disgusting venomous wasps...

i've put a few items for sale in the etsy shop too...

   
so lets talk about something swap goodness!!! sweet margaret sent me some lovely goodies for our sweetpea swap... these are handmade earrings that are truly a comfy fit and more beautiful than photographed... she also sent a pouch that fits a diaper and a small box of baby wipes (yes, i carry light!) along with mint chocolates long gone, coffee to be drunk soon, a giant bar of chocolate all the way from denmark (also, long gone)... aren't they just wonderful???? margaret is talented and quite a kind lady!!

 
she made some lovely handmade cards with my initial on it... and she sent a ton of wonderful papers.... oh yes, ribbon too! (but you saw that in the photo, right?)

okay, i think diego is hungry and isabella is too... and i could use a good cup of joe... ramel will be home in a few minutes and i must pretend i have been working hard and not on the computer all day... haha! just kidding (kinda)....

26yrs

as of friday, i'm now 26 years old... and my family made this year a wondrous event... i spent the afternoon with my sister, my niece, and my two kiddos... we went to the mall so that ananda and diego could play in the play area... it was a tad rowdy so we had a bite at auntie annie's... some fresh soft pretzels will make any birthday mama happy! ah, but i also had a nice big cup of gloria jean's coffee... who can go a day without caffeine, eh?!

 
after that, we went to the park nearby where ananda and diego played... then we went to my sister's house for awhile... its usually a relaxing day when diego is happily playing with his cousin.... and of course, a happy diego makes a happy mom... and a happy mom makes a happy home :)

 
later my sister took me home and whadda know?! ramel surprised me with a surprise birthday party!!! and trust me, i hadn't a clue (if i had, i would have not been so casual that morning in my cleaning duties)... my mom and dad were even there! there was my favorite cake too- cookie dough ice cream cake! the food included shrimp, salad, chicken, and soda for us all to enjoy... and ramel surprised me with a few gifts too... he bought me a beautiful stack of paper that i was eying up at target... and of course, chocolate :) and he got me two lovely coach purses! and yes, i can squeeze a diaper in it!
 
my mom went to an estate sale and found some wonderful retro goodies for me! a kitchen tools chefsette... it's brand new set, IN the box! and she only paid 50¢... she also got me a retro teflon electric skillet... this too was brand new and in the box... wonderful birthday gifts from my family, eh?!

yes, i had a grand birthday!! ramel is such a sweetheart and i have the bestest family a mother/wife/ and daughter could ask for... within the last year, i accomplished many things to be proud of... my etsy shop opened up and sold over 130 items... i got pregnant and had isabella... i got a bigger studio (to accomodate the kids)... diego went from a crib to a big boy bed AND was potty trained... the missing piece of siding on our house was replaced (yes, that is a big accomplishment! especially since we would have been cited if it wasn't fixed)...

it was a wonderful year and i look to another wonderful year with my family and friends!