The Fall Season

This year has been a hard year.  I feel like every bend I turn ends up with some more bad news about something.  They aren't small life things either- they are life changing, stressful things...

It's amazing what happens in these times of darkness.  The feelings, the people, the situations... it's all very eye opening.  I won't get into detail about what is actually go on for now but I will say that Music and Art have always been the way that I vent. 

So on that note I have been listening to a lot of Radiohead, At the Drive In, Eden, Crywolf and, of course, Twenty One Pilots.

I have been working on Etsy store and posting a lot of new creations.  I am excited because since I have gotten the iPad, I have been creating many prints on it. 
I have found that these drawings reflect on how I am really feeling.  Check out a few below:

So. ya. you can kind of tell how I have been feeling lately. 

 So on another note, there have been some really wonderful times as well:

I got to play in a whole pile of puppies at my friends house.  She has the absolute cutest doggies (except for mine of course...sorry Julie :) )

It's fall- my favorite time of the year...

I still have Chance... my love.  Thankfully things have been going pretty good with his health.  He was one of the main concerns this year... He has had some pretty horrible stomach issues that I thought were going to take him from me too soon.  I think we are on a good path right now... I hope it stays that way. 

I dressed up as a Twenty One Pilot Bandito. I just love the band so much so this year I didn't really do my costume for anyone else but myself.  I kind of felt a little guilty for not going all out like I always do... but I enjoyed the costume so very much so that's what matters!

Also, if you read up about the new album, Trench, and the album Blurryface... you will see that there is a really cool story line behind it... :) Hence the costume... it all goes along with the story :) 

I switched it up for the trick or treaters though- stuck my vampire teeth in and retrieved my handy cape (we had 9 this year- that's more than the last two years!)

I love the fall colors, the leaves, the crisp air.

I got together with my friend Amy and met some of her friends.  She held a craft-ernoon at her house and it was an absolute blast!  She had everything so beautifully set up and organized and we had so much fun!  It truly was a bright spot in my poop year. 

(one of our crafts)

I also got to hang out with my dear friends Nikki and Matt.  We pulled our spirit animal cards and had some drinks as we played games- that is another bright spot- friends can be such a cure for the lost soul.

I hope to get some of those prints up in the shop pretty soon and make some more things before the holiday season.  I am also working on a planner to release on the shop. So hopefully that will be done rather soon as well! 

I will keep updates coming on the blog as best as I can and I hope you all are excited for the upcoming holidays :) Thanks for reading!

Worry Cactus & New Music

 There is something to be said about discovering and falling in love with music.


I am passionate about things. I always have been. I feel so much more strongly about the arts and about nature than a lot of people and I sometimes struggle to find ways to communicate those feelings. The people in my everyday life are amazing people but... I don't have much in common with them (except one or two on certain subjects) but I really have a hard time with this.

One of the things I struggle with most is how much I want to talk about music- and not just talk about it- feel it and have discussions. I want discuss that feeling of falling in love with it. 
To me, music is the only way to feel life sometimes.  It's the only way to communicate feelings and to just be in the moment.  It bridges a gap and I don't know what I would do without it (that's why I studied Audiology in school- so I could help people hear music).

So- this Aurora is one of those musician/artists that I am falling in love with at the moment.  And true to myself, I am doing it passionately.   You see, I go for a period of time where I listen to the same stuff and it's all good but I crave something new.  Not just a new song but a whole album.  Something with emotion and work and just ugh- this was it:

Aurora - All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend 

I linked it above.  

I listened to a song I just happened to come across on YouTube and then I dove into the abyss- I learned about her- where she was from - watched documentaries and fell in love.  I love her style, her view on life and most of all her amazingly wonderful sad but happy music! :) I'm content for the moment.  Until I need more... more music ... new music and that need to fall in love again :) 

Ok- this post was supposed to be about my worry cacti that you can find in my store link in the navigation bar above!  I hand make each one of these out of felt, buttons, glue, thread and a whole love time time and love.  They are not perfect but they are so much fun.  You can set them on your desk at work or at home.  Write down your worries on the paper that is provided (I also have extras you can print from the printables tab above) and place it in your cactus's mouth so they eat your worries before they eat you!  You also get "care" instructions.  

These are my favorites that I have made so far below.  They are one of a kind since I do not use patterns.  I get bored when I use patterns.  Please check out the store as I will be posting more as often as I can :) 

The bottom one I still have some last minute things to do but it has turned out to be my favorite.  It's a shelf you can either hang on the wall (yes it has hooks) or you can set it on your desk and I got some lights that go on the inside to give it a special touch- yep- cactus lights! :) 

Okay-I'm up way too late for a work night- enjoy the music and my cacti I have created! :) Night and thank you for reading! 

My favorite so far... still have to do some finishing touches but I'm pretty pleased! 

Relax

Hello!
If you read my blog you know by now that I have started a project, probably one too big for me right now, but hey, like I always say, "If my plate isn't too full, I'm not happy." Which is a lie. I hate when it's too full but I honestly just can't help it.  
Here is a quick refresher if you have no idea what I'm talking about. I am doing a project with my dog, my best friend - Chance! I've wanted to do a photos series with him for years now and when I bought an oracle deck (kinda like tarot just not as advanced) I was inspired to create my own and saw the opportunity to do this with him.  
So, here we are- third photo of the series! I would like to speed this project up but finding time to shoot and edit is hard- I actually shot this back in August :) I would like to have anywhere between 35-50 photos in the end depending on how I am feeling.  I do not, in anyway, want this to be a task or for it to make me frustrated or unhappy.  I truly believe you should do things that make you happy and that are fun ...cause what's the point if otherwise?  
SIDE NOTE: if you are a book reader, please pick up BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I linked it right there.  If you are searching for a creative life this is the book for you.  I can't begin to tell you just how magical and inspiring and helpful it really is! 

Back on track, sorry. Anyways, I took this at our cottage up north in Conneaut Lake, PA.  I lugged out our old kitchen chair took some photos on the old alley that runs between street and then ran back for chance in hopes that the wind would not knock over my camera.  He was not having it though- he wanted to sniff everything.  Even treats could not convince him to sit still for a photo.  Out of 50 photos, I really only had two to work with of him.  But - it all came together! YAY!


All of the photos in this project are full shots of Chance and I and I am getting a little bored with that (even thought that's how I had the card deck/project in my head). I'm not sure exactly where this is going and I may have to adjust some things when the end of the project comes but I am ready to embark on this project, full steam ahead!  I hope you all enjoy the photos and if you are reading this, thank you! I will have more coming soon!

 Before's and After

 And now...featuring... Mr. I can't sit still:

 Just kidding, I love that we do this together.  He is just excited! :) 

 Chomping on treats!