Monkey Fun

I decided to be my own genie and give myself 20 wishes. One of them is to draw more for no other reason than I like to draw. I got away from it because I didn't think I was very good and I am always pressed for time. But now I don't really care if I'm good or bad - I just feel like I need to do something creative, to put my head in a different place every now and then, to play and have fun. I work a lot - and that's okay, I don't mind, but I want to make sure I have balance. Drawing to me is a way of playing.

The thing that has really surprised me is how much I actually like what's been coming off my pencil. It may not be technically great, but it's not bad.

The monkey's were inspired by an exercise out of Carla Sonheim's book: Drawing Lab I can't say enough great things about this book - fun exercises, delightful artwork, great insights. If you want to try drawing or know someone who does, this is a must.

Try it and I can just about guarantee that you will be surprised and delighted with what comes off your pencil too.

Random Recipe

How to take perfectly healthy snack and turn into a delicious but decidedly not so healthy snack:

Veggie Dip!

1 cup sour cream
1 cut mayo
2 tablespoons (or so) Rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (or so) finely chopped red onion (could probably use green or other onion)
2 teaspoons dill weed (DO NOT use dill seed)

Chill if you have time or just serve.

Ice cream no calories

Perhaps it's not unusual to find ice cream in an ice cream shop... but check out who these are made - they're crocheted! Now that's what I call high art.

A little vistitor

Look who flew off my needles to spend some time with me...
It's a sweet little bird with a whole lot of attitude. The pattern is from one of my favorite designers, a great knitter of all things small and creative: Anna of Mochimochiland. From tiny princesses to tiny toilets, she has got a delightfully off kilter approach to knitting. This little fellow can be knit in the span of a movie -- and the best part is no messy bird droppings!

I am thrilled to report that there will be some sewing going on by the junior set as we have just won a contest by wewilsons for a copy of a new book: Kids Crafternoon Sewing. This is great because my dds have recently begun to get interested in sewing and are looking for projects. I learned to sew as a kid and though I got away from it for awhile, I'm so glad I knew the basics when I wanted to get started again as an adult. The book is on a blog tour so there are more chances to win. The details are on the wewilson's blog and while, you are there make sure to check out her new inchworm!