~ an extended look at our artist's date to FLAX
~ we make handy color inventory charts
~ I notice the impact of my "everday" drawing on the oldest
~ PITT artist pens in S, F, M, and B
~ I feel scattered and overwhelmed and can't bring myself to look at things behind the counters
~ a brown and cream pigeon?
~ not one, but two creative prompts - one thematic (INDISPENSIBLE creative tool?); one more hands on and concrete (draw a postage stamp)
~ the theme for the APRIL ATC exchange is: "A World in Bloom"
~ an anniversary and a gift of (dip) pen and ink
~ a review of the sequel to Charlotte in Giverny
~ a quick overview of The NEW CREATIVE ARTIST (which is chock full of great information, examples, and activities and ideas)
~ the multi-leaded pencil crops up again
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 8 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Katy Pfaffl ~ Through it All [PMN]
Jon Schmidt ~ I Do [PMN]
Collin Raye ~ All I Can Do Is Love You [PMN]

(For more relevant titles, see the list from Episode 24)

Posted by Amy at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Since sometimes, you want/need to take a break from making art and want, instead, to be inspired, to thumb through wonderful examples, to play voyeur for just a bit, and to have fun seeing what's possible... 1000 Journals Project is a compilation of pages from the 1000 Journals Project - you know the one... where 1000 journals were put into circulation and "finders" asked to contribute to the pages before passing them on/sending them back. The book is relatively new, but it sounds great. The 1000 Journals project is now in its next generation as 1001 Journals. If you like looking as much as you like doing, this is sure to be a treat. (You'll notice, too, that the format of the book is very "journal-like." This is an interesting trend. I was reading last night about Young Guns 5, a collection showcasing "international visual communications" talent (e.g., ad and branding talents, mostly) who are under 30. The editors teamed up with Moleskine to produce the book in Moleskine format because "the small, solid format creates a greater sense of intimacy," says designer Alan Dye. Neat, huh! And, remember, another of my favorites for great looking is Drawing from Life: The Journal as Art.)

Posted by Amy at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. The always amazing and inspiring Cloth, Paper, Scissors. You can't tell from this shot, but highlighted on the cover of this issue is an article on "Creative Sketchbooks."
2. Somerset Studio - and the cover notes there is a profile of Keri Smith in this issue.
3. A special issue of Somerset Memories - I LOVE the collage on the cover (color scheme, shapes/lines, images... fabulous).
4. What's missing here... maybe Home Companion. I used to love one called Artist's Sketchbook, but I think it must not be in print anymore.

Posted by Amy at 9:17 AM | Permalink

~ Linda and Karen's follow-up to the fabulous Visual Chronicles, Journal Revolution, is scheduled for release in September. They've set up a Flickr group called "The Art Army" where you can start sharing your pages now.

~ Keri Smith, author of Live Out Loud!, has a new book coming out soon called Wreck This Journal.
You can find out more about the book on the book-specific blog and in the accompanying "How to Wreck a Journal" Flickr group.

~ I literally ran into a copy of this - I was stocking up on magazines for a road trip (and I'm waiting to crack them open until the trip), and this was tucked away on the shelf: Artist Trading Cards Workshop. It's so, so, so full of beautiful cards and ideas!

~ The Dot and Ish (brought to my attention by Ryan): I've again had these out and have been reading them with the kids. These two never cease to delight me - and Reynold's style (of watercolor and linework) is brilliant.

~ You did know there's a new Magic Tree House book out, right: Magic Tree House: Dragon of the Red Dawn (#37)

~ And, of course, you've preordered your Harry Potter for July, right?

~ More Than Words: Illustrated Letters From The Smithsonian's Archive of American Art

~ Wide Open: Inspiration & Techniques for Art Journaling on the Edge

~ It seems like everywhere I turn these days (from blogs to a parenting magazine), I'm running into mention of Flow. Have you read it?

(*Thanks to Jessica for pointing out the upcoming release of Wreck This Journal.)

Posted by Amy at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

~ the preschool auction has come and gone - find out what we won
~ schedules in flux again, and an increasingly rare trip to the beach - and the kite I watched (and photographed) that day
~ drawing upside down, and a reality check from Danny Gregory's site
~ the fairies return, and with the time change, "me and my shadow" takes on a whole new light (for me)
~ I go "micro" with my ATC for the "A Space of One's Own" exchange
~ a few books: Funky Junk, Book of New Family Traditions, G is for Galaxy
~ spending way too much time at Flickr
~ ATC reminders - and a few rules of etiquette ("backing" template, too)
~ lots of random thoughts (like a draw a listener idea; a journal in red; seeing last year's self portrait) and random tidbits from the creative kid front
~ a new thematic creative prompt ~ connections (thanks to Jessica for sharing a wonderful quote!)
~ inspired by Jessica's Digi-Scrapping Moms group (and weekly challenges)
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 16 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Rachel Fuller ~ Shine [PMN]
Heavy Mellow ~ Oh My God [Magnatune]
Katy Pfaffl ~ Down the River [PMN]

Posted by Amy at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

~ thoughts on Episode 40 - and wouldn't you rather I just write a book?
~ some wet on wet watercolor and a misadventure with masking tape
~ early morning creativity for the boys until the milk gets spilled
~ Justin Roberts' wonderful children's music - especially Meltdown (Justin's site)
~ a new thematic creative prompt ~ M E L T D O W N (thanks to Justin's CD!)
~ a couple of paper crafting books (one on cards; one on collage)
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 53 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
The Egerton Boyz ~ A Kite Song [PMN]
Heavy Mellow ~ St. George Island [Magnatune]
Jan Linder-Koda ~ Just What I Needed [PMN]

Posted by Amy at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Fun things in the CMP store at Cafe Press... and firsts in a series (I think). Of course, these designs may not stick around - depends on what colors and patterns I play with tomorrow.

Posted by Amy at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My calendar (and my heart) knows this is a birthday week for both my brother and my grandfather...

~ I reminisce a bit about my grandfather and my role as the "Middle A" (between him and my brother)
~ I worry about last week's "slumpish" intro
~ a stained glass sketch takes on new meaning in "light" of last week's "light" prompt
~ I do a sketch of a favorite family photo
~ songs as a family thread and songs at weekly Sing-A-Long (including: a Martin Luther King song, a Rosa Parks song, universe and recycling songs, and Each of Us is a Flower)
~ Pluto is no longer a planet - (that really messes up my "My Very Educated Mother..." mnemonic device! - I guess it's now "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos!")
~ two creative prompts this week... first, the thematic prompt: A Favorite Song, and then an added prompt on creatively tackling a loved one who is no longer with us (family/friend/pet)
~ update on ATC Exchange - and reminder that ATC etiquette is a good skill to practice
~ announcing the long-awaited Creative Mom Podcast email group so that you can all get to know each other! You can join the group here
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 5 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Collin Raye ~ Forgotten [PMN]
Joshua Kadison ~ Child of These Roads [PMN]
Ehren Starks ~ Dad's Song [Magnatune]
Josh Woodward - 1000 Words [PNM]

Posted by Amy at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)