I mentioned before that we have recently moved back to the SF Bay Area from Minnesota.  I’m not yet back in my normal routines.  Actually, staying with my sister and her family for now, it feels kind of like vacation mode.  I haven’t really been creating any art or crafty things since we’ve been here.  We did have a “crafternoon” with all the cousins, creating ATCs.  And I made a mixed media painting for my sweet friend’s birthday.

It’s been rainy here, but really the title of this post is about soaking it all in, artfully speaking.  I have high hopes and goals for creating more art and trying lots of new things this year.  My new love is mixed media painting.  I’m excited to do more and try new things.  I also started working with felt a little before we moved (sewing things from recycled wool sweaters and a little needle felting).  I’d like to sew some more bags and purses, and experiment with drawing more in my art journal.  Another thing I really want to learn and experiment with is making hand stamped jewelry.  I see so many beautiful, creative pendants and I’d love to make some.  (Anyone have a good link for me, for a tutorial or basics of getting started?)  

There are so many styles and types of art that I enjoy.  It’s hard to focus on one thing and dive into it 100%.  Since our stuff is in a cold storage unit in Minnesota, and I’m not yet in my own space to get things out and really play, right now I’m reading books, looking at photos on flickr, and spending time on lots of different blogs.  I’m getting inspired and feeling empowered to go for it, whatever I decide “it” is.

One book that I recently purchased is Jill Badonsky’s Awe-manac.  Such a fun daily read for inspiration, quotes, humor and encouragement.  I’m so excited to be a part of her blog tour.  Stay tuned for the interview and a sneak peak of a page in her book!

So while I may not be creating things much right now, I am soaking in the beauty and inspiration of other people’s work, and storing ideas in my head.  I really should be jotting things down in a journal so I don’t forget.  I’ll try to get back to posting more often.  Maybe I’ll do a series of “inspired by…” with links to what other people are doing.  If you’d like to be featured, email me.  I’d really like this to be more than just the jenny show.  I’d love to feature handmade art, crafts and ideas from other creative cats more often!

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