Weekly Love October 22

ART:

Still on hiatus. 3rd trimester is full of sleep. Once I start a digital design I can't stop so I haven't found the time to start. But I don't feel bad, I need the rest. 

INSPIRATION:
"Me Centered Nesting" I got crazy with nesting which for me involved organizing all MY stuff so I would be streamlined when baby comes and ordering a bunch of books. No not baby books, I have a ton of those and don't read them! I'll figure it out as I go, right? Books for me. Apparently being an only child really comes out when you have a life change ahead. Books like:

Yummy Mummy Manifesto
Bringing Up Bebe
and more. Reviews/thoughts to come.

FAVORITE THING:

Tea. I'm in love. I'm learning about it. Any suggestions?

FAVORITE QUOTE:
Your hair looks delicious.


Photo credit 1 Photo Credit 2 Photo Credit 3

Self Activism - What am I here for?

On a more serious note, I want to explain a little about why art and this blog are important to me. As a kid I was praised for my creativity -sometimes. Usually I was scolded for doodling in the margins, not paying attention, getting distracted, and on and on.

Well what those parents, teachers and girl scout leaders didn't realize was doodling in the margins was the only way I could pay attention. I have to be doing 2 things at once, to 'calm the mental noise' as I've heard it called.

But no one was there to defend me in that, I just thought I was wrong. I hid my drawings, tried to quit altogether, if I wrote any story or poem I'd destroy it and dreaded parents' birthdays when they'd say "oh, just make me something, you're creative" when every other day of the year I was taught to kill the creativity.

I thought I was wrong in that I couldn't do detail work, so much so I tried to get into accounting in my early professional life. It was my husband who actually explained to me that I'm not wrong or bad (as he tried to console me after a long day at a job that shouldn't have been that stressful) I just wasn't good at that kind of thing.

And that I am good at other things.

Whaa-? I had never heard that before. I'd never even considered a person was allowed to be not good at those things. They were the signs of adulthood and I'd better learn them or fail as a person.

People would say I was a good drawer, but that was exactly the same thing as hearing I was a good mud-pie maker, absolutely no use in the world. I couldn't believe it. My next job wasn't a great job, but it was face paced, people-centered and I love that I was GOOD at it.

So eventually I learned that there really are different character strengths, where one is lacking another shines. That's the whole motivation for me behind New Cardea art and blog, where my drawings and ideas are not hidden, destroyed or lied about. Where I learned about being productive and efficient in my own strengths and where I can share and honor that with others, helping you learn to love yourself for your strengths as well, not for how well you hide them.

photo credit

Weekly Love Oct 13

Art:

Taking a break from any new art right now. Just. So. Tired. 

Inspiration:

I am totally inspired (nesting) by the "ten-item wardrobe" philosophy and various tag along themes. Jennifer L. Scott at Daily Connoisseur is queen of the TIW and she's adorable. Check her out.

Favorite Thing:

Podcasts anyone? I'm in love with them. Right now I can't get enough of :

Even though I'm not a Halloween kind of person, his creepy tales of October are exactly what I'm in the mood for and unlike other people who just really like books, this host has vocal training. In the words of my boo "Don't fast forward the intro, his voice is nice no matter what he says"

So there you go. 

Favorite Text of the Week:

"I mean 'hippy healthy'"

Weekly Bust - October 1

Art:

Inspiration:

The inspiration for the stamps is obviously Fall! The mornings here are cool and everything smells amazing. If only I could get my hands on a case of apples... Pie, applesauce... I even throw some in my mini crocpot with cinnamon and allspice for an all natural air freshener. 

 Also Fall-ish:Grey wool skirts. So Fall. So timeless. Want to hit up every thrift store in the greater bay area, horde and alter to maternity skirts.

Favorite Thing:

Check. This. Out. Coolest thing I've seen on Etsy for a whiles. 

Spiderwood Hollow makes spiderweb decor. I can't explain the coolness if you don't get it. It's.... what you clean up around your house, but with intention looks awesome. What an amazing idea. I hate spiders/webs/halloween, all of it. But this, this is beautiful. They have a shopfull! Check them out.

Favorite Text of the Week:

Well now I know how Rocky ends :(