{creating myself}

sunday funday

I just wrote an entire post and then my computer died and I lost it. It was long. and good. I'm going to try not to get discouraged even though it is my first instinct to throw this thing out the window. just kidding mac baby.

Basically, I feel like I'm out of touch with my blog readers. I blame this mostly on typepad, who refuses to fix my comment issue. I only partly blame myself, since I used to post almost daily and now I post about once a week. I'm not apologizing for this, or asking for forgiveness. One of my resolutions for the new year was to say no more, and this includes letting go.

Let go of the pressure to post daily.
Let go of the expectations of comments.
Let go and remember why I started blogging in the first place-- to share my artwork, journal about life, and make some friends.

and that's that about that.

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In other news...
I've spent most of my time recently just settling into my new apartment, which includes LOTS of unpacking laundry, cleaning laundry, putting away laundry, hanging things, goodwill runs, dumpster runs (who knew one person could accumulate so much TRASH?!) etc.etc.
In the midst of all this, I've been supersick. So throw in a lot of nights with my bankie watching bad TV, pill popping, tea, 3 hour naps in the middle of the day, and supposedly soothing bubble baths.

It's been an up and down kind of month.

PS.... I finished a hugely large project today.... any guesses as to what it is? I'll give you a hint....

giveaway winner!

Congratulations Jeremy!
You've won a free spot in Kara's awesome class. I know you'll be inspired by the prompts.. can't wait to see what you make!
If ya'll haven't checked out Jeremy's blog, you should. He is amazingly creative.

* ps, how often does random.org choose number one? :)

shots from moving day.

it was a pretty good day :)
ps... how blessed am I that I have so many friends & family who care that much about me to spend the day moving ALL my shit down two flights of stairs and up three more? the answer is superblessed.

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pps... last day to sign in for this amazing giveaway! xo

advice for climbing out of an inspiration rut : take a class & GIVEAWAY!

Seriously... classes are my number one way of getting my mojo flowing! You can hit up your local craft or scrapbook store and take a class there, OR you can choose from the myriad of online classes available these days! Ahh, technology.

The best online class I ever took was Summer of Love by Kara Haupt. Kara is the best scrapbooker/art journaler there is, in my humble opinion! She shares techniques, prompts, photos, and pages to get your right brain pumping. Seriously, you can't go wrong with these classes.

Her newest class, Out of the Blue, is a mini class providing several photos and prompts for get this.... $10! but waaait, there's more! Kara is offering one FREE SPOT in her class to one of my lucky readers... how kind is she?!

Leave a comment here with your favorite way to climb out of an inspiration rut and be entered to win a free spot. I will choose a random winner on Monday, March 21.



and THAT'S NOT ALL! order now and SAVE 20% off the cost of the class with the code BLOGLOVIN. Yep, this makes the cost of the class $8. EIGHT DOLLARS! I'm losin my infomercial-pickin' mind over this deal.

I'm also really looking foward to hearing your favorite ways to get inspired :)
xo, amy

advice for climbing out of an inspiration rut : host a crafternoon

or at least plan one :)

My friends and I host a Crafty Potluck monthly where we get together for laughter, good eats, and of course, crafting! For some reason, it doesn't seem like we usually get much crafting done... (we're chatty little gals.) But it's the thought that counts! It's especially inspiring because all of my friends and I participate in local crafting and art shows and we share tips and tricks to have more fun and make more money! We've really become a tight circle of chicas.

Here are some photos from our last Crafty Potluck, where I swear we weren't at all drunk.

















If you're interested in throwing (or planning) a party of your own, check out this post by my friend Hollie.

advice for climbing out of an inspiration rut : copy.

I've been looking for inspiration lately in odd found places, and I really liked the shirt my little sister was wearing :)







Tip #1 for getting out of an inspiration rut... lift of recreate a pretty design. This isn't an "original" design of mine, but it helped to just get the charcoal (paint, markers, pens, whatever..) to paper and make something. Everyone gets a blank right brain at one moment in time, but it's important not to lose momentum :)

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I'll be spending the next few days sharing tips, photos, and maybe even a giveaway, all related to climbing out of an inspiration rut! You can find all related posts here.

[hi!] jacked.

I've always believed in a good prompt pickmeup when I'm in a blogging rut, which I've so obviously been experiencing over the past month or so. It's not that there are a lack of things to post about (at all!) It's just a mixture between being innundated with things to do (mainly the move) and also being overwhelmed with the amount of posting options that turns me off blogging. Enough about that.

The point before I was so insanely sidetracked with disclaimers (ewww I hate disclaimers) was that I jacked this prompt list from Lizzy and will therefore be sharing some personal info with you. & now I feel like it took me way too long to say that.

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praying for: i'm more of a "goal setter and do-er" than a pray-er. But if I were to wish for work towards something, it would be better time management, more creative time, and more energy.
wearing: ripped jeans and an FSU hoodie. it's Sunday!

working on: a new blog layout with Amy

eating: turkey on whole wheat, mmm my fave.

dreaming of: riding a bicycle down a sidestreet in Florence with a Zac Efron look-alike. Did I just type that out loud?

realizing: moving isn't the worst thing in the world. it's like a test of strength.

impatiently waiting: for my new home to be unpacked and cleaned up

anticipating: going on vacation with my friends in may

loving: the view from my apartment terrace at sundown (see past post)

stalking: myself. I promise I'm not on the Charlie Sheen drug, I just like to do self-inventories to assure myself that I'm being the best me.
feeling: sad that my mom left to go back to NY after spending the week with me

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happy 14th birthday to michael & alexa.
you're the sweetest brother and sister a gal could ask for.

something new!

These magnets were so popular at my last show, I decided to add them to the shop. There are 8 different designs to choose from, and will ship for free with code FREESHIP. Whatcha think? :)





Magnets