Category: creative play

Sketchbook Project 2012

January 31st, 2012 · · creative play 45 comments - Tags:

I’ve written about this project many times before but in case you’re just hopping on by, Sketchbook Project is an annual world wide art project. Participants (from serious artists to non-artists like myself) fill up sketchbooks and send them to Brooklyn. They are then archived and taken on tour around the U.S. When they are not touring, the books are available to be checked out at the Brooklyn Art Museum. I had so much fun last year, I thought I’d do it again. True to myself, I did not complete the project til today, the last day it can be postmarked. I posted some of my pages below but you can see the book in its entirety here.



Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 75)

January 13th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob, creative play, silver screen 26 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about our favorite childhood movies.


Youtube Link

What were some of yours? As listed in my video, mine were Mrs. Doubtfire, Princess Bride, and Beethoven.


2.


It was 6 in the evening on Sunday when I found myself with dinner already made (thank you, slow cooker!), the boyfriend gone for another couple of hours, and the dog exhausted and napping. I decided to treat myself to a movie and some alone time on my couch. I rarely get alone time on the couch. I randomly picked HappyThankYouMorePlease from Netflix instant play, and I was so pleasantly surprised. Very uplifting. If you find time this weekend for some couch time, I recommend watching it.

I’m posting the trailer but wait! Before you watch it, maybe don’t spoil the movie and just trust me. I think part of the joy for me was not knowing anything about the movie before seeing it.


Youtube Link


3.


Speaking of movies, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was an amazingly done movie. I left very impressed. Three hours and not once did I want it to stop. I don’t want to recommend it though. Watch if you can stomach sexual violence in movies. The movie made me want to give the book series a second try.


4.


A couple of bloggers gifted me some awesome spreads. I haven’t been to the grocery store this week but I must remember the bread!


The homemade grape jelly and marshmallow fluff were sent to me from the food swap I participated in as a member of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance. The cookie butter was part of a gift box my sweet friend, Danielle sent me. She sent me a loot of journals! I LOVE JOURNALS!

The journal loot and cookie butter as aforementioned:



5.

Sketchbook Project 2012 needs to be postmarked by January 31st. Last year when I did Sketchbook 2011, I had all the pages started on and most of them completed by the first day of the year. It’s now January 12th and I have over twenty blank pages! PANIC! This weekend I strive to start ten pages. Wish me luck. I need it.


A couple of the sparse pages I have done


6.

I taught Bob how to roll over in less than 30 minutes this week! It’s still touch and go though. The next day he rolled over for “sit,” “lay” and “shake.” We’re still reinforcing it every night. Here he is last night.


Youtube Link


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ being treated to a home cooked Korean lunch ♥ a full journal loot from Danielle ♥ warm chocolate cookies while watching a movie ♥ date night ♥ Vietnamese coffee and licking the condensed milk spoon ♥ planning Valentine surprises with girl friends ♥ reading 1984 makes me grateful for my thoughts and books ♥ three day weekend ♥ morning pages ♥ pizza night (no cooking and cleaning!) ♥ using up Groupons before they expire ♥ monthly credit card cycle starting over ♥ getting to know my sister slowly through emails


Question: What are three highlights from your week?

2011 in Review

December 29th, 2011 · · Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, Bob, creative play, holidays, Houston, lists, love, memory, misadventures, silver screen, Stars of my Life, still-frames, the not so single life 29 comments - Tags: , , , , , , ,

I’ve posted yearly recaps since 2008. I’m a stickler for tradition so here’s my recap for 2011.

Previous years: 2008, 2009, 2010

I had a good year.

Note: All links open in a new window.

January

February

  • It snowed.
  • I didn’t see Alan often because of his work.
  • BDF (Best Dudie Friend) visited Austin! This ended up being the only time I saw him this year.
  • BDF surprised me with cookies. His note gets me Google search hits that make me a little sad.
  • Sent out Valentine cards and socks to my girlfriends.


    • Alan and I hanging out

March

  • Alan took me to my first NBA game, Heat vs. Spurs.
  • BFF had cake balls delivered to me at work.
  • My solemate (deliberate misspelling) visited Austin.
  • Went to Austin’s 2nd Annual Bacon Takedown.
  • Went to Sketchbook Project 2011 tour stop in Austin.
  • Hosted my first giveaway on the blog.
  • Attended a free screening and Q&A with director of Meaning of Tea, a fantastic documentary about tea. Really!
  • Alan and I had a two part dinner to celebrate our three year anniversary at Haddington’s and Uchiko (my favorite restaurant).
  • Attended Austin Food Blogger’s Alliance Launch Party and applied for membership.
  • March was a turning point in my life. I faced myself in therapy. I’m still reaping the benefits.


    • At Sketchbook Project event

April

May

  • I got bangs impulsively, changing my do for the first time in 5 years.
  • Took a canoe trip with coworkers, facing a handful of irrational fears very reluctantly. Obviously, I survived.
  • I participated in Leo’s Habit Course and developed a palate for vegetables by eating one serving a day for 30 days.
  • Flew to Boston to see BFF. We drove to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, all three were states I’ve never visited.
  • Read 8 books this month.
  • Totes Awesome Channel was founded.


June

  • Went home to Houston for Father’s Day.
  • Rolled down a hill inside of a ball.
  • I hit a boulder with my car. I always hit non-moving objects. Anyway, this was the start of a chain of bumper problems during the rest of the year.
  • I hemmed my first dress! As part of my new year’s resolutions, I wanted to do 10 learning tasks with sewing. This was my first major lesson.
  • Went to third Annual Cupcake Smackdown

July

  • Met Ashley D, Ashley, and Nicole of Totes Awesome Channel and recorded a vlog.
  • Celebrated my 28th birthday simply with a dinner with Alan and then a movie and drinks with friends.
  • Made my favorite video: 28 Life Lessons from 28 People (for my 28th birthday).
  • I caught up to 2007 and got my first smart phone!
  • My friend, Naz surprised me with a vlog from my dad.
  • I got really cozy with Tennessee Williams and his movies. Cat on Hot Tin Roof is excellent!


    • Celebrating my birthday

August

  • Successfully completed VEDA despite being out of town twice and moving!
  • Met up Hillary and Alex in Dallas for our second girls’ weekend of the year.
  • Moved in with Alan.
  • Used my passport for the first time since renewing it 2007. Alan and I took a vacation to Vancouver, Canada, my new favorite city.
  • Saw the bats in Austin for the first time.


    • In front of the Vancouver Aquarium

September

October

November

  • Posted a blog post everyday in November.
  • Ran two blocks of a 5k for Race for the Cure and raised 460 dollars. Thanks to a lot of you!
  • Went to Texas Renaissance Festival with Brandi and Jessica. It was our third year going and we decided to only do new things. We threw knives, shot bow and arrows, and had our face painted. It was the first time I’ve ever had my face painted!
  • Had my second blogger date with Treavor.
  • Attended a We Are Girls conference with my little. It was incredibly insightful.
  • Had a Thanksgiving picnic with friends at the park. We threw a whole cooler’s worth of ice cubes into an enormous fountain, to create ripples, to help push a soccer ball to a sad toddler across the fountain. We were successful.
  • Had a progressive meal day with Kim, Thomas, and friends.
  • During breaks between eats, we made paper cranes for Kim’s tree.
  • My bumper nearly killed Kim and me and got us murdered in the woods.
  • Made our sparkly tattoos dance.


December

  • I decide to like Christmas. I discovered it took more energy disliking it than it does to give into the cheer.
  • Partcipated in Austin Food Blogger’s food swap.
  • I was without a car the whole time I was in Houston for Christmas (the bumper needed to be replaced) and was touched to have friends pick me up for dates.
  • Sewed couch pillows with help from mom.
  • Hosting a “Never Have We Ever” dinner party tonight. Post to come!


    • Bob hanging out with snowman

In writing this post, I realized this year was really sweet for relationships. It may have a lot to do with my prioritizing close friends over acquaintances and then learning to set boundaries. Recently, I’ve been in a funk about not having a life’s calling but I have to say, I’m really content with my tribe. Word on the street is that it’s the relationships that really matter.

Wishing you a terrific end of year celebration! Lots of love!


Question: What happened this year with you?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 73)

December 23rd, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), creative play 24 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about Christmas.


Youtube Link

I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas but I made positive changes this year. I even made Christmas cookies. It’s kind of fun to see my photo album in December of last year had NO Christmas related photos. This year’s December album ONLY has Christmas related photos.


2.

As part of my Do-It-Yourself December, I made cookies last week! Brandi helped me with piping. You see how far I had come after icing 57 cookies with her.



3.


I drove into Houston Wednesday night to make my Thursday morning appointment at the car body shop. My bumper isn’t fully on and after having a very scary episode driving with it flapping against my tire last month, I thought it’s time I just fix the problem permanently and replace the bumper. I had no idea how long it was going to take (I guessed a day) or how much it would cost (300?). I was so off! They will have my car the entire time I’m in Houston, which is Thursday to Monday and it’s going to cost me 600!

It hurts a lot. Out 600 dollars and no transportation? Luckily, the people I planned on seeing are willing to bear Houston traffic to come get me and drop me off again.


4.

One such friend is Cindy. We exchanged tiny gifts. I kept telling her how my gift was super tiny (literally! I got her mini business cards). She kept telling me, “don’t worry, my gift for you is tiny too.” I don’t think either of us knew the other meant it very literally.

She handed me a blue ball with a note that said:

It was the most fun I’ve ever had unwrapping a gift. She wrapped my entire gift in crepe paper and as I unraveled, one by one tiny little gifts with notes explaining why she thought I was awesome popped out.



5.


I don’t know if you know this about me, but I love me some journals, especially themed journals. I’m really going to start writing in that tiny journal Cindy gifted me. I’ll even share with you my first entry. I can limit each entry to 140 characters!


6.

Last night, I found an old frame in my Houston bedroom and in the spirit of making something everyday for my Do-It-Yourself December, I stuck in pretty paper, stickered the front, and made a Menu Plan wipe board. I don’t have any of my paints with me, but I think when I get back into Austin, I’ll paint out the days of the week. The marker quality in the photo is sub par because I used a decade old Crayola marker instead of an actual dry erase marker.

Now Alan will always know what’s for dinner. Yes, that’s actually the week’s plan once I get back. He’s on his own for most of this coming week.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ unwrapping Cindy’s present ♥ overdue sit down and chat time with Naz ♥ overdue sit down and chat time with Cindy ♥ Mom’s pho ♥ buttery food ♥ my friends picking me up and driving me around in traffic ♥ mom fixing the sewing machine I thought I broke ♥ having an emergency fund to yet again bail me out of car troubles ♥ funny text messages with Brittany ♥ picture texts from Alan of Bob ♥ seeing Christmas lights with Alan and Bob ♥ glitter tattoos ♥ bone marrow


Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday!

Wordless Wednesday: My Sketchbook Project Had a Visitor in Seattle

June 15th, 2011 · · creative play, still-frames 16 comments - Tags: ,

My sketchbook was touring Seattle and Ms. Jennifer paid it a visit. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Click here.

For more Wordless Wednesdays from others, click here.

All in a Day’s Play

April 11th, 2011 · · creative play, new thing(s) of the week, still-frames, VEDA 10 comments - Tags: ,

I had such a fantastic weekend, meeting two of my high school friends in San Angelo, Texas. My Saturday started at noon and ended with a midnight baking session. I was amazed how much we could pack in 12 hours at a leisurely pace. All of the following happened in just one day:


If you missed it, this vlog also happened on Saturday.


Youtube Link


Question: What made you happy this weekend?

Sketchbook Project Tours Austin

March 21st, 2011 · · creative play 15 comments - Tags:

The Sketchbook Project made its first official tour stop last weekend and lucky me, the stop was in my own town of Austin, Texas! Cindy and I gathered up a small troop to reunite with our sketchbooks and also see our friends’ sketchbooks. The event was a little disorganized the first day of operations. It opened 2 hours later than announced and closed an hour earlier. The popularity of the event also limited our time there. We waited in line at least an hour and spent maybe an hour poring over 8 sketchbooks. (We had a party of 4 and each person was allowed to check out 2 books at a time.) Aside from limited time, we were very pleased with the experience in total. Cindy and I both regaled how much fun the process of filling up an sketchbook was, how inspiring it was to pore over the other sketchbooks, and the connection we felt with out of state friends who participated in the same project.

It was a very worthwhile experience and I cannot wait to do it again. Without further ado, here my favorite photos from the viewing:

The Event:

Cindy’s Sketchbook:

I hadn’t seen Cindy’s sketchbook yet so it was a pleasure to see how talented my friend is. Below are the photos I took of her sketchbook:













Jennifer’s Sketchbook:

I didn’t take any photos of the insides because she has a big chunk of them here:


Kym’s Sketchbook:

My solemate (deliberate misspelling) did an entire sketchbook based on one Neil Gaiman quotation.

“Everybody has a secret world inside of them. All of the people of the world, I mean everybody. No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside them they’ve all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds. Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands maybe.”

My Sketchbook:

Click here or here or here to see some pages from my book.

Cody Schibi

I was browsing the Sketchbook Project’s artists when I stumbled on Cody Schibi. I passed on his online profile to Cindy and she was so impressed that she remembered to look him up during the tour. I just noticed that Cody is a fellow Austinite! See below to see his impeccable drawings.












Join in on the fun!

That’s it folks! I recommend this fun communal art project for everyone of all skill levels. Their website is http://sketchbookproject.com and word on the street is that it starts up again in April. I’m definitely going to be doing it again!

Wordless Wednesday: Sketchbook Project in Austin

March 16th, 2011 · · creative play, still-frames 6 comments - Tags: ,

Breaking the rules real quick to give you a quick note. These photos are credited to Cindy‘s boyfriend, Jason who so kindly emailed me these photos he took from his fancy camera. I have a massive lot of photos I took with my simple point and click and an post drafted for a recap. These are a preview to that post, if you will. Also, a plug for the another Wordless Wednesday post (one that isn’t breaking the rules) on the food blog.


I killed a man this week.

February 18th, 2011 · · creative play 9 comments - Tags:

Follows is a transcription of emails and photo attachments that unfolded between Best Dudie Friend and me a couple of days ago. He challenged me to help Cookie Man stay alive. See below to see how I failed miserably.












I feel awful!!

The answer was so obvious, given our shared penchant for Indian Buffets!

Wordless Wednesday: I finished the Sketchbook Project on time!

January 19th, 2011 · · creative play 8 comments - Tags: ,