Calling All Swappers!

Hello my fellow blogger friends.  I have a very special request.  

I have a new design for my business cards and want to get them printed up.  I am willing to trade for my artwork.  So if you know anyone who prints business cards and is in need of some great art or art picture frames.  Send them over to my website to contact me.

Creative Flair Art Designs

  And if you wouldn't mind posting this on your Facebook page or tweeting this post, that would be great.

And if I don't talk to you until after the holidays, have a great holiday season!

Lazy Sunday

Happy Sunday to you.  I'm having a lazy Sunday around here.  We just got back from Chicago and we were busy, busy, busy.  The hustle and bustle of the big city (in freezing conditions) can wear a person out.

So today is a day dedicated to laundry and making these great little magazine trees that Martha had on her site.

Aren't they beautiful?  And they look pretty easy to make. A little time consuming but easy.  Just fold the paper, spray paint them gold and add a little glitter.  I think I'll make one for a hostess gift for a dinner party coming up.

Find the full tutorial here on MarthaStewart.com

and make sure to join the fun at Meg's Mingle Monday

Custom Kicks

Thanksgiving is over and it's that time of the year.  
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
So I been busy with getting the kids stuff in order and custom shoes is where its at this year.  I have been painting these kinds of shoes for about 6 months now.  I really enjoy making them.  They are so much fun.

These are the boots I painted for my niece.  So girly, I love it.  

These Lego Star Wars shoes are for Thing #2.  

He's gonna freak!!

I am still working on the Lego Star Wars shoes for Thing #1.  I am so anxious to finish them.  

If you are looking for shoes, adult or kid versions, 

check out my Etsy shop for other examples.

Creative Flair Art's Etsy Shop

Oh no, It's Christmas Card Season!

It's that time of year where I gather all my pictures together in hopes of creating a good Christmas card.  
Oh no.
I have to admit, it's not my most favorite thing to do.  But I do enjoy seeing pictures and hearing about what is new with family and friends.  
I have gone back in forth in conversations about the need for Christmas cards in today's social networking scene.  You know the one, where a friend tries to convince you that you see enough of people on Facebook so you don't need to see them again in Christmas outfits.  But the truth is, it's TRADITION.  And traditions are nice.  Time- consuming, but nice.
And not all my friends and family are connected via e-mail and social networks.  There are those few that still work the snail mail.  And I like that. 
I like knowing that someone or family sat down and took the time to send a little note.  Is that really so bad once a year.  Crazy as I am, I still like the written thank you card too.  
So here to save the day is Shutterfly.  I have been ordering from Shutterfly for the last 3 years.  They have a great selection of any kind of card or photo gift you can imagine.  
Here is one I am thinking about.  I like having multiple pictures because my boys don't sit still long enough for one good picture.

Or maybe this adorable one. I really like this one.

Sometimes I get a little crazy and write a half page letter update on how the fam is doing.  This card would be perfect for that.  

I like the folded card idea too, in case I have Thing 1 & 2 write something.

But, I am kinda liking this cute card too.  I LOVE these colorful trees.  

You know me and color.

Well, many decisions to make.  I would like to say I have a long time to do these but we have a trip to Chicago at the beginning of the month and what better time to finish them then on the plane.

And of course, I will be ordering the gifts too.  

I make the grandparents calendars every year.

and I might even have to add these cute coffee mugs.

So go on over and take a peek.

Here are the links to make it easy.

HOLIDAY CARDS

CALENDARS

COFFEE MUGS

So, which designs do you like and are you on board with the holiday cards or will a 

holiday e-mail do this year?

Wordless Wednesday- Baja Herons

Poo, Yes, We Actually Had This Conversation

Thing 2:  I'M HUNGRY!!!

Can I have Kettle Korn?

Me: No, It's 10:30 in the morning.  ( I open the fridge)

Thing2: Ooooooo (Covering his mouth) Poo!                                 

Me: Poo??? We don't serve poo here.

Thing 2:  No, BLUE berries.

Me: Oh that's better.  We have those.  

Thing2:  (After eating the first bowl) Can I have some more?

Me: OK, but only a little bit or you'll have green poo.

Thing2:  I'm gonna have green poo?  Cool.

Thing1:  He can actually have green poo? 

Me: Well, more greenish blue.

Thing1: Cool, turquoise!!

Thing2:  What if it was purple or pink. WOW, that would be awesome!

iblog Writing Contest

Well, if you are visiting from the iblog writing contest, I have to admit

I totally goofed.  

It's not my fault really.  I slept in until 9:00am! My kids actually were quiet long enough for me to sleep until 9.

OK. I had earplugs in. 

Anyway, sleeping in until 9 really messed me up and I was not thinking correctly when I entered the past post for the contest.

OK. It is my fault.

But, I've had some coffee now and I am posting the past blog right here on this very page.

So nothing wrong can happen.

It is titled, "My Sweet Boy"

My sweet boy had his first day of summer vacation today and spent the day hanging with mom.  Unfortunately, I have the worst headache today from this head cold.  I tried to make the best of it and he was very sweet to understand.

As we ran our errands this morning, and stopping for some of his favorite hot chocolate, I began telling him about when he was younger ( only 4 short years ago) when he would chat away and of all the words he mispronounced through his toddler vocabulary.  We laughed about it and it made me think of all the little things he does now that one day I will look back on and will make me smile.  So I have thought of a quick little list of the five that always make me smile.

1- The way he will all of a sudden start freak dancing (ANYWHERE) and yell out "Break It Down".

2- In all seriousness, refers to his little brother as Little Rat.  I really do think he means it as an affectionate term. He will say, " You want to go play outside, come on you little rat".

3- Every one of the many dimples around his mouth when he really smiles.

4- How he ALWAYS has a song in his head and is forever singing.  We will sing the same song over and over again until someone tells him to stop. Then he'll change all the lyrics by changing the vowels in the words.

5- The fact that at 6 years old, he has slept with a stuffed animal since the time he was a few months old.  I can still see him rubbing the Pooh bear around in circles on his cheek like when he was 9 months old.

Love you little man!

Also, I am one of the sponsors for this month so if you would like to check out my shop, you can click the link below.  Thanks for visiting!

CreativeFlairArt.etsy

Vows, A Commitment

I finished a new art piece.  It was quite the work in progress.  

I started with the idea of using pages from books for the background.  

Words filled with commitment, love, marriage.

Combine it with a symbolic O'Keefe style flower.

And mix it with fabric, paper and paint.  

And there you go.  

Vows.  

Apple Envy

I have serious Apple Envy.
If you are unaware of the new Macbook Air that Apple has recently released, you really need to check it out.

I am not an Apple user except for my iphone and that alone has made me realize that Apple makes a superior product.  I want this computer.
BAD.

It is simply perfect.  11 in. 3lbs.  Fits my purse, for goodness sake.

Unfortunately,  this wonderful little gadget still has the Apple price tag.

So, if any of you feel like contributing to my Apple computer fund, simply visit my shop and purchase any beautiful artwork you simply can not live without.  ;) 

Thanks.

Free Shipping!

I'm in a really good mood today.

So, for today only, and for only my wonderful readers...

FREE SHIPPING

for any postcard set in my shop.

Click here to shop.

Please enter FREESHIP in the convo to me and I will reimburse your account.

Happy shopping!

New Ideas in the Studio

I have been a busy girl!!

I recently had a MAJOR breakthrough with my artwork.  I have had the pleasure of working with almost every kind of media you can imagine. 

 I've done photography. Spent hours with scrapbooking.  Fiddled with polymer clay.

Made stamped cards and embellished them.  Not to mention the painting and drawing...watercolors, acrylics, oils, gauche, pencils, pastels.

The list goes on and on; and the supplies go on and on.

So, last week we went on a trip to Baja and I went by Borders to pick up a magazine to bring along with me.  I found a copy of Somerset Workshop. Perfect.

While I am reading about all these wonderful artists ( Vanessa Valencia and Pam Carriker) I start thinking, I want to mix up media like this!  I want to mix up EVERYTHING I have been working with over the last 20 years and PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.  

So I sit on the beach and start sketching the ideas that start coming into head and since we returned; well let's just say I haven't slept much.  But I have some photos to share with you.

The set is called Relaxation.  It has words throughout talking about relaxing the mind, soaking your feet, aromatherapy.  The originals are a set of 5 canvases (below) but I use the above three for the prints and postcards.  

These are on the wall in my guest bedroom because that is exactly what I want them to do when they come and visit: RELAX.

So after making these I was feeling pretty fired up and right now I'm working on a larger piece.

This piece is called Vows. Further details about this piece coming soon.

So, of course, let me know what you think and if you want to check out these wonderful artists' sites,

 here you go.

These artists were a great source of inspiration for my decision to take my art to the next level.

Thank you.

Vanessa Valencia

Pam Carriker

New Website for My Art

I would like to extend a personal invitation to all of my lovely followers to take a first glimpse of my new website.  It is still in the works but I like it so far.  Let me know what you think.  Any ideas or suggestions are always appreciated.

Now on to creating!

Wordless Wednesday- Lightning Storm

Mommy the Meanie

That's my new given title from Thing 1 & Thing 2.

Forget that I take them to see a movie.  Forget that I habitually let them have Popsicles in the middle of the day. Forget that I take them to Museums of their choice, play Lego's with them or increase their Pez collection whenever I see one they don't have.

Forget that I feed them, dress them and cuddle them.

Yep forget it all, I am Mommy the Meanie.

I have earned this title because after asking nicely (which of course they don't hear), I TELL them to go clean their room, clean the toilet, put their clothes away, clean up their toys and 

HURRY UP!

Not all at the same time, I spread it out. 

It's come down to Thing 1 not wanting someone to tell him what to do.  And of course, Thing 2 follows.  

We've got loss of privileges going on over here.  

Why can't they just do things when they are asked instead of when they're told?

I over this meanie stuff...when do I become Mommy the Magnificent?

My 100th Post!

100.

I can't believe I have written 100 posts, it seems like just a few.  I truly have enjoyed having a place to store all my recipes, thoughts on my artwork and just general hoopla.  

Well, I want to share a few of my favorite posts with you.  Hope you enjoy them again , or for the first time.

Wordless Wednesday

Every Wednesday I try to post a photo that needs no words.  This is one of my favorite's.  The sunlight was coming through the window and I just watched the wine drip down the glass. 

A friend of mine entitled it Great Legs.

Artichoke and Red Pepper Dip

Unfortunately, I have not taken a picture of this yet, but it is the EASIEST and best appetizer dip ever.

It is best (I think) served over french bread.

http://creativeflairart.blogspot.com/2009/11/artichoke-and-red-pepper-dip.html

Expressionistic Landscapes 

Even though I just posted this last week, it has made a big impact on my art.  I did an art show in college and it was all based on Expressionistic Landscapes.  I haven't painted them since.  So, the other day I decide that I am inspired to do them again and it felt REALLY GOOD!  I keep posting them and I paint them. So, if you missed that post, here it is.

http://creativeflairart.blogspot.com/2010/09/imaginative-landscapes.html

So, thank you all for reading my posts.  I have really enjoyed the interaction with you all.  

Wordless Wednesday -Wildflowers

Imaginative Landscapes

Yes, that is what they are.  Imaginative Landscapes.  In art terms, I call them Expressionistic landscapes.  

Well if you want to get into the nitty gritty, imaginative is more of a "Surreal" term but there is nothing surreal about my paintings.  They are only imaginative because I know what these landscapes look like in real life but I am imagining at the moment.  Depending on my memory, if you will.

But, I digress.

These are some of the "Expressionistic Landscapes" I worked on this weekend.

The giclee prints are now for sale in my Etsy store

Desert Sunset

  

Red Rock

Desert Storm