Ah! The Blank Page. It can be so daunting! Whether your blank page is a sketchbook, an open laptop or a canvas, the "just starting part" can be paralyzing. I think my biggest fear is that I'll waste my precious time and materials on something that won't turn out like I want it to. But, I've learned that I just can’t worry about that. Like anything, just the practice of showing up and doing the work is what it takes to transform us into the ...
Watercolor Projects
Ten Ways Art Helps Me Be A Better Parent
Did you know art makes parenting easier? It really does! And today I'm going to tell you how. Here are ten different ways ART (either appreciating or making) has helped me with parenting and helped my kids with life. Quick Note: Before I start I want to invite you to the Lily and Thistle Resource Library where you will find all kinds of great resources and join our community of Creative, Intentional Moms. If you'd like to include more art ...
Watercolor Basics – A Quick Supply Guide for Beginners
Are you thinking about trying your hand at Watercolor? I'm excited for you! Watercolor is one of my favorite mediums both for the ease of use and for the look of the finished product. You may have noticed that there are thousands of products out there to use and buy. It can be pretty overwhelming! My goal here today is to make it as easy as possible for you to get started and enjoy your process. I believe the best way to learn is to just jump ...
Last Minute Gift Guide for Creative Moms
It's crunch time. And if you're like me, you're just now realizing it's time to get serious about gifts! If you're looking for something that will make your favorite creative mom's heart sing - or thinking about what might make your heart sing ;) I've got you covered! I put together some great budget-friendly ideas that can be to the door (or inbox) just in time for the big day! Online Classes/Subscriptions In my humble opinion, online ...
How to Find More Creative Time: Six Tips From a Busy Mother of Four
Do you long for time to be creative? Maybe even dream of supplementing your family's income using your creative gifts? I often feel that my relationship with deep, uninterrupted creative work is elusive. So close - yet so far away! It's like we are at the same party but on opposite sides of the room. Close enough to make eyes at each other, but all I can do is smile and wave. And if I do finally make it through the maze of needs and ...
Creativity Loves Limits – Good News for Creative Moms
"The enemy of art is the absence of limitation." - Orson Welles Do you need some good news today? Let me tell you about an artist I just discovered on the TED screen. His name is Phil Hansen, and he is pretty dang incredible. As an art student, Phil used a particular pointillist style he’d developed with great success. Tragically, because of the intense hand movements required to make all of those perfect little points, he ...
Nature Journaling For Mom – Why It’s Awesome and How to Get Started
This is one of those subjects that makes me want to find a rooftop and a megaphone. :) Nature journaling is something I fell into when researching the Charlotte Mason method for our homeschool. We are at the end of our fourth year of homeschooling (phew!), and I can say in all honesty that nature journaling has been nothing short of a gift for both my kids and me. Let me tell you why: But first, I wanted to let you ...
8 of The Best Online Art Classes for Creative Moms
There has never been a better time to improve your skill in your favorite art or craft. The internet is bulging with resources! The best part is, you can work on your art at your own pace when it is convenient for you. I love the freedom of finding a teaching style that works for me and going as slow or as fast as I want. Also, being able to rewind or pause when I am trying to master something is a game changer for me. Another huge plus is ...
How Time In Nature Helps Me Be A Better Mom
We all want it. That deep assurance that "today I truly connected with my child". That knowing smile between mother and child; the shared experience carved deep in our hearts and minds. It can be so elusive in our distraction-filled world. But I have found a secret to making those moments happen more often - even daily. The secret is so simple, requires no money and actually very little time. The secret is simply exploring ...
The Art Habit for Moms – My New FREE Course
I hear myself saying to my daughter for what feels like the sixty-fourth time today, "You need to practice. The more you practice, the better you'll get". I stop in my tracks and listen. The voice in my head says, "Dear Hannah, YOU need to take your own advice". Making Art a Priority As moms, we encourage our kids to find what they love and do our best to help make their goals and ambitions a daily priority. We shuttle them to classes and ...
Chronos and Kairos – Measuring Time When the Days are Long
From the Archives January 2012 The twins just had a birthday. Four years old now. I will spare you the "I can't believe they have grown up so fast" commentary because it has gone fast but in a lot of ways it has been slow too. Today I have been thinking about what my life has been these last four years. It's easy to sit here in my quiet studio and reflect when all of my kids are in bed and it is calm. It's easy to feel ...
Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Creative Moms
It's crunch time. Christmas is just around the corner and if you're like me, you're just now realizing it's time to get serious about gifts! If you're looking for something that will make your favorite creative mom's heart sing - or thinking about what might make your heart sing ;) I've got you covered! I put together some great budget-friendly ideas that can be to the door (or inbox) just in time for the big day! Online ...