more winter comfort

while the winter temperatures continue to drop outside,

 me and my doodle pencil have been oh-so-happy inside 

channeling lots of goodies on my comfort list.   

for example, a personalized set of "elvie gloves" 

to keep my hands warm….

heading outside wearing

a pair of super cute boots, a beanie, and

 a polka-dot scarf….

wrapping up in a toasty blanket 

while enjoying a bowl of tomato soup and grilled cheese sammie….

wearing a pair of argyle socks and bunny slippers 

while swooning over the intoxicating aroma of 

chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven….

and always, always having a mug of hot chocolate nearby.

(actually, the cookies and hot chocolate goes for any time of the year…!)

it's winter and it's crazy cold outside,

but i'm super happy with so many things that truly warm my heart!

xox

{note:  the only thing i would change about this artwork is the paper.  

this project began as a simple doodle on a piece of textwove paper 

that i randomly pulled out of my drawer.  as i continued to work along,

i really struggled against the softness of the paper and it didn't take

well to erasing at all.  next time i'll definitely grab my favorite

fabriano artistico 140 lb. hot press paper!}

{supplies:  this artwork was created using derwent watercolor and

 inktense pencils and a .3 mechanical pencil on arches textwove paper}

winter comfort

happy new year!
 after experiencing one of the longest creative-dry-spells ever,
i welcome 2016 with my arms stretched up to the sky
and much joy in my voice!
 woo hoo!

but while i've been busy wrestling with a creative-dry-spell,

Mother Nature has been hard at work 

creating a super cold-spell….yikes!

so, me and my doodle-pencil have been hibernating….

and taking full advantage of all the comforts that winter brings!
xox



{this is a work in progress, lots of blank spaces to be filled…stay tuned!}
supplies:  derwent watercolor and Inktense pencils, .3 mechanical pencil}

pleasant spring

over the past several weeks, i've seen lots of gray days…..

i've watched first snowfalls…..

and i've heard the crunch of it beneath my feet.

and as a girl from florida, i'm certainly not an expert on winter...

but i think this surely must mean we're in for a

very pleasant spring, don't you?  :))

{photos taken in the appalachian mountains of north carolina}

inspiration monday

on these insanely cold winter days,
there's nothing like a kind word to warm your heart.

so,  i'm sending you a big hug and a smile….

and i'm wishing you a fabulous week that's filled with creative bliss!  xox


{supplies:  moleskine journal, pan pastel, micron pens, 
watercolor pencils, 2B & 6B graphite pencils} 

soul-warming

when it's cold outside for days on end,
the best thing to warm the soul is the perfect cup of hot chocolate.
 a big dollop of whipped cream on top is nice,
but how about a handful of mini marshmallows instead….
just because they're so much fun to chase around in that sea of cocoa.

and while the bobbing for marshmallows is going on,
don't forget about all that extra chocolate on the side….

 because that's probably the best reason to have the hot chocolate in the first place….
for the extra goodies on the side.

oh yeah….and to warm the soul, too, of course.  :))


{see soul-warming hot chocolate recipe here!}

20 seconds of snowfall

when a florida beachcomber finds herself in the
mountains of north carolina in the middle of winter
…..and it starts snowing…..
well, she gets about as giddy as a schoolgirl!

there wasn't enough on the ground to make a snow angel,
but it was still exciting!!  and now i have a great excuse to stay inside
this weekend and drink lots of hot chocolate.
{as if i needed an excuse to do that….!}

:))

{you can watch this video in larger format here!}

winter's masterpiece

ice.
it's water frozen in time.  
it's white,  it's blue,  it's a million shades of gray. 
it's fun to skate on,  but not to drive on.
when it catches the sun, it sparkles like diamonds.
it's beyond freezing cold 
(like no-feeling-left-in-your-fingers-and-toes kind of cold).
it's winter's crowned jewel.
it's mother nature's masterpiece....

and it's so tremendously beautiful.

winter interrupted

we interrupt this regularly scheduled

winter moment to bring you

an absolutely stunning day!!

happy saturday to you!!!

winter wimp

the temperature gauge in my car gave me polite notice this morning that it was only 30 degrees outside.....and i live in florida!!! now i know that all of my friends who live anywhere north of the georgia/florida state line aren't exactly rushing to play a sad song on their violins.....you peeps up north know what cold really means.....but keep in mind that my floridian skin gets a little nervous when the mercury on the thermometer starts dropping past 50! i'll admit it.....i'm a winter wimp. and i'm oh so thankful for every mug of hot chocolate i can get my hands around (and those mini marshmallows floating around on top sure do make the package complete).

baby, it's beyond COLD outside.....so get out your winter coats, gloves, mittens, long underwear, scarves, ear muffs, those gel handwarmer things that the roving beer and peanuts concession men at football games carry around, electric blankets, and favorite slippers.....make a big pot of hot cocoa.....throw another log of wood on the fire.....plug in your favorite movie....and snuggle up with your sweetie.

being a winter wimp definitely has its advantages!