now.

I know it’s been awhile. my baby boy was born in march, so my days have been filled with loving & caring for him & learning all I can about cloth diapering [my new hobby ‘cause I don’t have enough already!] I love washing his diapers & hanging them outside. it slows the pace of life down… [more to come on cloth diapering!]
sometimes when he naps I head for the studio… I mentioned last post that I was addicted to altering playing cards. well, that was yesterday’s project. more cards!!!=) this deck was awesome because the back was already a stellar design, black & hot pink! so here’s a look at my gypsy deck:::






this was the first project using my new paints! which I love!=)

[more colors coming soon!]
I would love to create custom decks [themed] & sell them in my etsy shop. so I’m thinking some fave authors quotes, & band lyrics. I can also include pictures, like little brag books.
I would love to hear your thoughts!=)

love.

valentine’s day is just next month! the past 2 weeks I have been consumed with creating a collage paper pack that can be used to create cards or do some art journaling with! I think I stumbled upon it!=) check out the listing to the right ----> or here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120911866/valentine-collage-paper-pack
my husband & I played with the collage packs at different times & came up with these stellar valentine’s cards!
 

grungey, rawker card…

   


the important stuff…


the special delivery. =)

back view


the middle schooler…



the middle schooler, back…

the possiblilities are endless! pick up a collage paper pack today & PLAY!=)

framed.

I have this painting… I bought it before I painted my studio turquoise. it blended right in with the walls. my hubs surprised me with a fresh 2x4 this morning, so today was the day to make a frame!

uh, I sorta didn’t comb my hair all day! I got caught up in creativity.
here is the finished frame. not bad for my first frame…

[painting by kelly barton.]

also, on the creativity front… some new “creepy girl” tags will be listed in my etsy shop this week. tell me what you think.

hope your week is amazing & filled with good things! =)

relax.

american culture is so consumed with a fast-paced life. go-go-go until you can’t go anymore. we place unreal expectations on ourselves & those around us to be up to par, but where does this get us? it gets us full of anxiety & worry.
it is okay to relax. take a walk. draw. paint. watch a movie. lay in the hammock. read a book. journal. take a run. play guitar. chat with some friends on the porch. take pictures. journal. get a massage. give a massage. sit in the garden. stare at the stars. cry. laugh. love. enjoy each moment…


two, little artists at work!


the wee one drawing.


my hubs fueling the inspiration with some guitar. <3


my feet & art!

*** a big shout out to vanessa [my massage therapist] for aiding in my relaxation today! =) follow her on pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/vjmoyers/ ***
well, I’m off to shovel cow poo! the things that make me giddy! haha. have a most excellent week, friends.

sparked.

it's been awhile, hasn't it? ;) but here i am, finally!
this past week i have been reflecting on what sparked my creativity as a child. i could write "my family" in here & that would be the truth! but what has stood out to me these last few days, is a green, tin bread box, that was housed in a tin shed. a shed that was located in my back yard. this green tin, was overflowing with tubes of paints! my dad's paints from when he was in art school. i would itch to get my hands on them every time we had to park out bikes in that shed.
i was very intrigued and couldn't wait to have a tin full of my own "real" paints!=)
now, i have a room full of my own paints & supplies, but it is so hugely inspiring & special to recall all those moments i opened that shed & saw those paints & heard them calling my name!!!
the green, tin bead box, is now sitting in my parents' kitchen. high above the cabinets. and every once in a while, when my eyes land on it, i smile inside myself, and remember when it was full of colorful, delightful paints!