Twas The Night Before Christmas

Greetings Artsy friends. I'm so happy you've come. I hope you can stay a while, join me for a cup of tea/coffee and maybe an artsy chat. Lets get to know each other this year.
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December is upon us and there is still so much to do. I don't know about you, but personally I love December. Even though I need a nap come January, I adore the hustle and bustle. It really is a special time! From the baking to making the house as festive as can be... I love it all.

So where to begin? Grab a cup of Coco and I'll tell you my December tale thus far.

"Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" 

It started, not with my tree as one might imaging, but with my chalkboard and decorating the front entrance with a gaggle of Santa's. To create my chalkboard art I always begin with a web search of the most interesting and\or appropriate quote, which is usually via Pinterest. I adapted this fun quote to suite the occasion quite nicely. I have to say, adding a chalkboard to our home has been a fun and easy way to change up the seasonal décor, keep track of appointments, or make announcements. For those of you thinking of adding a chalkboard to your home there are wonderful tutorials on line to get you started. And if you don't think you're crafty or artsy enough you can always order printables for a very low price off the net. It really is a fun way to add a splash of personality to your home. I simply LOVE my chalkboard!

My next project was my massive fire place mantel... it's wide and deep. 

As this is our first Christmas in our new home, 

I wasn't quite sure what to do with all that space. 

So, once again I took a gander at some very talented peeps posts 

on Pinterest and dove into my stash of 

Christmas goodies to see what I already had. 

"When, what should my Wandering Eyes Should appear? 

But,,," Tiny Trees, some reindeer, and oodles of candles... 

and my "Reindeer Forest" was born. 

I of course added a few new things to my already fun 

and quirky collection of critters,,, 

as I do every year, and Voilà!

What do you collect? Do you have a certain style? Colour theme? Do you have traditions? Do you bake? Travel? Volunteer? Tell me about your December... Or share your blog.
I'd love to hear all about it.

Here we go, "Walking in A Winter Wonderland"

Outdoor décor and crafting came next of course. Being the new kid on the block I didn't want to offend any of our new neighbours by copying their porch décor. So, what to do? I hatched a plan...  Thus, I began by collecting a large container, some florists blocks, wire, pruning sheers and then started gathering branches and greenery from my own back yard. I stuffed and fluffed some spruce, then wiggled and jiggled the branches, finally tied a big bow and plunked down some rather large Christmas decorations to complete my porchy décor. I'm quite proud of how it turned out, though I'm no Cynthia from next door (she's an Interior Decorator :D ).

 "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"
My second home made project was inspired by my daughter, who thought she didn't have enough room in her wee bedroom to have a small tree this year.

  As she has always had the largest bedroom in the house with
ample room for a full size tree. I felt rather badly that there was
something was missing from her room this year. It dawned on me that she DID have room,,, on her walls. I remembered something
that I had seen, on Pinterest of course, and I got busy.
I found some old necklaces, lace, ribbon, ornaments, scissors
and a large pin cushion frame. Working together with
my daughter we created a lovely tree to hang on the wall...
She loves it!

"It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas"!!

        Carols play and continue playing throughout the house throughout the month which continues to inspire me onward. I move onto decorating the 

tree and then help the kiddies (18 and 15) decorate their bedrooms. On top of that we make a 

batch of cookies and some fudge. YUM! 

"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree"

And here we are, there's not much left to do. Perhaps drink a little eggnog and attend a few parties, sign some cards and mail them away. I may even have time to do a bit of art,,, though I usually take a break from it to make time for the extra crafting and other seasonal activities. (Hopefully you'll come back in January when I get back to my canvas and art journals.)  Of course I'll finish up my Christmas shopping and finally wrap all those goodies for under the tree.

And that's a WRAP. hehe

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
 and a Happy New Year"

See you in 2016

More Doodle Fun

There's just something about creating something out of nothing. Doodling is a soft form or art. It doesn't have to be particularly good, it's purpose is to pass the time and to help get the creative flow going.
When I'm having trouble getting my artistic muse to show her lovely face I get out a pen or pencil and begin a doodle. Some have Zentangle elements, some are more of a sketched doodle, while others are random patterns... but the most fun are when I put all three together and create a large Uber-doodle using the open scribble as my starting point.

 Starting by holding your pencil loosely, move your hand/arm freely and flowingly around the page to create a large flowy design.
Add words, images, designs ~ repeat your patterns and imagery around the page to create flow and balance.
Remember to use Small, Medium and Large elements to make your doodle more interesting.

 I absolutely love Paisley - Fun factoid, Brad Paisley has Paisley designs on all of his guitars... they're beautiful.
Finding a design for paisley or any other design can be as easy as opening your closet, a magazine or checking out packaging on popular products.
What designs are you attracted to?
Are there recurring patterns in your life? What are they? Doodle them.

Adding color is always a blast... I try to keep it to 5 colors or less. But, I often blend a couple colors together OR do light and dark of the same color giving the image of more colors.

Smile ~ Laugh ~ Create ART!

Find your Passion

Today, doing what you love, being grateful and embracing the inner joy associated with the work you love.

"Love what you do and do what you love."
Whether that may be art, music, singing, sports, journalism, stock trades or what have you, the passion for it creates love which in turn makes this World a more beautiful place to live. I suggest that if you are currently in a crap-tacular job that you hate; either quit it right now and find a better one OR start a hobby that will fill you with JOY! When you're filled with a passion  for life and all that you do in it, there comes an energy  from within you, pulsing from you, drawing good things to you. Find it! Recognize it! Cherish it!
My passions are the things I often write about in my art-journals. They inspire me to continue to create and fuel me with their positive energy. If you don't already have something in your life that fuels this passion ask yourself; "What did I love doing when I was 5, 12, 15?" "What does my inner child want to do today?" Be playful and creative and just see what happens next. Write about how you feel during different activities and see if a new hobby is just waiting to happen. (Side note: you can learn almost anything via YouTube) You're never too old, or too young. Nothing is too silly. Above all else, never stand in your own way of being great.

What inspires you to create? What are the things you're passionate about? What gives you energy?

Write 5 things that you're grateful for each day. OR Before falling asleep at night say them to yourself.

"Joy, Love and Happiness are feelings that multiply 3 fold when you share them with others."
Much love to you all. Thank you for sharing in my art journey.

Danine Mroz
Prairie Mroz Art