Danny Gregory

Today, I am going to speak on an author that have discovered over the past year,
Danny Gregory. Everyday Matters, is the first of his books that I read.
I stumbled across it  while keeping myself occupied, in the
University of Washington's library, while Jesse (my boyfriend) was doing research.

The next day at work I read it cover to cover. The book really inspired me.
Everyday Matters is about discovering, or in my case rediscovering, your creativity
and learning to work on your skills everyday with all the things that are around you.
I have always struggled as an artist to work from real life, frankly, it intimates me.
From this book, I started to sketch on a day to day basis but like most
new adventures the excitement faded and so did the sketching.


Recently, I have found another book of his and I bought it. This book is titled
The Creative License and really is more of a teaching manual on how to get
your creativity back in your life.

Mr. Gregory's books really spoke to how I currently feel as an artist.
Drawing is really a skill and the only way to be good is to practice that skill.

Below are my first sketches, my "baby pictures" and
I am not ashamed to share them with you.

For more information on Danny Gregory check out his website, http://dannygregory.com/

top two pictures are courtesy of his website

Afternoon at Wright

Jesse and I spent one of our last summer afternoon at our local park, Wright Park. We grabbed sandwiches and drinks from our local market and headed over to the park. 

The ducks were getting their lunch too. I am glad I had my phone to catch them out of the water. We are so lucky to have such a nice and well maintained park so close to us.

                                          

 Jesse had a little extra fun messing with the seagulls. 

Make sure to visit your parks!

Learning Lessons

I took a week off from my blog for my birthday. It was on August 30th and I turned 27.

I also took a little time off from running (only a couple of days but that makes a difference). I am also struggling with when and how to do my running routine as the seasons change and I lose my light in the morning (Any suggestions are appreciated).   

Last week, I ran once in the afternoon and was left discouraged because the heat lowered my speed and distance.  I tried at night and learned two very valuable lessons: focus and do not push yourself so hard that you get injured. Last Saturday night, I went for a run and was feeling great coming up on 25 minutes I pushed myself to complete the last five and ended up tripping on a raised part of the sidewalk and falling flat on my face. I got three really bad wounds, went to the doctor and have now been unable to run for the last four days and counting. I am very sad girl, lesson learned. 

I saw this pinned on Pinterest today and it had a very different meaning to me.

Although, the message is true, listen to your body and be safe. 

I have not lost my will and drive to run. I can not wait til my injuries heal, however, my motivation can push me to an extreme. One must be aware when they have pushed themselves too far. 

On a positive note, before my birthday, I completed my 8 week program a week or so early and successfully ran 30 minutes straight on multiple runs. 

Mood Board No. 4

Mood Board No. 4
(brought to you by Pinterest)

P.S. Ran 30 minutes straight this morning.

New Home and a Clean Ride

A sneak peak of our new home. Jesse and I downgraded from a two bedroom and one bath apartment to a one bedroom and one bath house. It is technically a garage of a larger home (see the house that has the A bubble on it) that was converted into a rental space. We are excited about living in a more condensed space for many reasons: not connected to anyone else, for our finances  and the lower impact on the environment. I will include interior pictures in a later post and show some space saving ideas that we are using to maximize our new dimensions!

(Thank you Google Maps)

On another note, I wanted to point out that I hand washed my car this weekend. I tried to take a few green steps in this endeavour. I parked in the grass of my parent's house so the soapy water would not be added to the sewer system and I used biodegradable soap. Whatever flows into our storm drains here in Tacoma goes straight (no treatment) into local lakes, rivers, streams and the Puget Sound.  Thanks, Mom, for letting me use your lawn and the idea that is better for the environment!

My car- Doesn't she look great? 

Pinterest is...

                         ...really inspiring me into action! 

Items that I have seen on Pinterest and have now completed! 

(with review)

1. Homemade Cleaners made with simple ingredients-

No more chemicals!

Pinterest ...          

From macheesmo.com

                      

                                

     & Mine    

My Review- I have now used three of the cleaners and can whole-heartedly say that I am hooked.  The antibacterial and the all purpose do great; they clean and maintain with a great smell to boot. The bathroom actually cleans better then store purchased cleaners and gets into the nooks of faucets, etc. and cleans out dirt you did not even know was there.  Awesome!                                                                                                                                  

                                   
                                                                                                                                 

2.  Home made Laundry Detergent

Pinterest...                                  

From whynotsew.blogspot.com

     & Mine
   

My Review- I have only made this one and will give you an update when I use it.  However, very easy to make and I even cut it in half because I do not have a 2 gallon pot believe it or not. 

3. Ball Pendant using string, tacky glue and a kids ball

Pinterest...

    

From craftynest.com              

   

       &  Mine

My Review- As you can see, on this one I changed it up a bit. My boyfriend and I did some cleaning out a bit ago and came up with a entire box full of old electronics cords. Yikes! I took them and re-purposed them. The only change to the directions are to tie the cords end to end and wrap around ball (like a ball of yarn)  and then apply tacky glue all over the cords. I applied 2 coats of tacky glue (ended up using an entire medium bottle of glue) to be on the safe side.  It came out really nice. It's  more flexible but still holds it's shape. Want me to make you one? 

Bonus item:

A painting I completed this weekend, it is the first one completed on my artist's easel that I received for Christmas from my boyfriend. 

This was indirectly inspired by Pinterest. Enjoy!

Veggies & Running

Simple Post today, top photo is some of our harvest from our box at the community garden and bottom photo is of a lovely little pumpkin starting to grow. Both of our pumpkin plants have jumped out of the box. Opps! 

&

runningfreeonline.com

I have started my fifth week of my running program detailed in a previous post. I can now run for 12 mins. together and 28 of the 30 mins. total. 

My inspiration picture of the week~~~~>

And a bit about the picture-

"More research led me to K.V. Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an issued number (Roberta Gibb had run the race the year earlier, 1966, without a number. She had hid behind a bush at the start). By using her initials, Switzer had gone unnoticed as a woman until two miles to race. That's when Race director Will Cloney and official Jock Semple physically tried to remove her from the race."- The Sew Weekly, Vintage clothing piece

Thank you Ms. Switzer for pushing those limits for us women!