simply me

 

EDITED : congratulations to post #221, Ida, she wins the Color Me Daisy Kit! Ida just email me (donna@donnadowney.com) with your address and we will send that right out to you!! 

The September kit from Color Me Daisy, “ABC’s & 123’s” features new American Crafts and Jillibean Soup. Bright colors are the main ingredient of this kit making it versatile enough to scrap your end of summer memories, the first day of school and all the other early fall activities that fill your days.   

Each month Color Me Daisy kits are blooming with the best products from the finest companies, their monthly scrapbooking and papercrafting kits include enough goodies to complete several layouts, cards and other papercrafting projects.  They do the work so you can spend your time creating and preserving your memories. You may choose from 3 or 6 month subscriptions, or single kit purchases.  Additionally, each month a variety of add-ons are picked to perfectly coordinate with your kit. Browse through their store and check out the specials for great prices on past kits and add-ons.  And with flat rate U.S. shipping and reasonable international shipping rates, you can load up lots of goodies to get your creativity blooming.

Want to sweeten the deal? Order a new 6 month subscription and receive the Basic Grey Ambrosia Mini Album and Kit for free. Once you have your Color Me Daisy kit, visit the Idea Gallery which blooms with eye candy from the Daisy Girls design team.  Visit the message board to join in monthly challenges.

gotta be in it to win it!

leave your comments today before 10 PM (EST) and your comment just might be picked to win this super cute Color Me Daisy kit!

Whoo hoo! thanks Color Me Daisy!

DON'T FORGET, inspired registration opens tonight at midnight (EST)...class of 2010 see you there!!

lovin' what you do...

i really do!
i got most of what was on my list to do yesterday done (key word "most"), but i feel good and ready for the next ideas i have planned to work on. i have a running list of things i would "like to do" once i finish the things i "needed to do" and now is the time to play with those pencil drawings, sketches and notes i have been compiling in my journal.

one of which i work on some more inspiration journals. i managed to get a few more made and listed up in the shop yesterday and i love seeing how so many of you are using them and making them your own. 
i promise i will make more, i have been getting a lot of color requests and i am working on all of them as we speak!

i've also allotted some time for myself in the next couple weeks to just play, make a mess and create. this is one of the ways i refresh and creatively cleanse (kinda sound silly, "creatively cleanse", but it works)

i will find out more details this weekend when i meet with Cindy and her husband Greg from Scrap n Cube, but my studio redo should be in the works soon and i plan on recording/documenting step-by-step footage of it to share with you as it transforms into the creative space of my dreams.

that said, i am on my way to grants pass, Oregon to get messy and play in my workshops at Krop, Paper, Scissors i may be flying over your house now actually, (insert wave).

have a great weekend and keep the nanny advice coming, i can t tell you how much we appreciate all of your candid responses and bill and i cannot thank you enough.

(tuesday) - 10k run

• time: 1 hour 3min
• distance: 5.65 miles

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! i went out yesterday with your advice in hand and bought the water belt and body glide. i cannot tell you the last time i ran, showered and felt so good. water and anti chafe make all the difference in the world! i though the belt would be really cumbersome, but it really wasn't and i felt so much better hydrated...(DUH, it was so simple).

a note from the universe

at CHA last month, Suze told me about TUT.

this is a free website that sends daily messages of empowerment. Sometimes they are funny, inspirational, witty and sometimes they hit REALLY close to home. They are personalized and designed to remind you that you have, indeed, been given dominion over all things.

here is my message from today...

"It doesn't matter that the road's been rough, that you now have challenges, or that uncertainties loom on the horizon, Donna.

None of these change the fact that for every thought you think today, worlds will come tumbling into existence. For every word you speak, legions will be called into action. And for every step you take, matter will be drawn from the ether."

- The Universe

i love little reminders from the universe.

on another note,
i am in search of a nanny.
i have never had a nanny, and am looking for some good recommendations,
if anyone, has any 1st hand experience, information or really good nanny recommendations i would love to hear them!

i am finishing up about 10 things today (including editing 1st day of school photos, i still have to reconcile the fact that my baby started kindergarten!) before i head out to Krop, Paper, Scissors in Oregon this weekend.

I am also going to see the first prototypes of my new "STUDIO designs" furniture line with Scrap N Cube...SO EXCITED! i will keep you posted

and a HUGE THANK YOU for all the suggestions for the chaffing yesterday! i am going to buy a water belt and that body glide today!

this weeks inspiration wednesday is one i created in my recycled pages journal.

i have been thinking a lot about self image. i think shedding the pounds was easy. it is the keeping them off that is the hard part. the exercising and the eating right just isn't as much fun as the box of candy, cookies or cake.

however my confidence is so closely linked to the weight. now let me be right up front, i am not proud of that, but the truth is, it is linked. i think the practice of telling on myself and positive affirmation is something i have found art journaling helps keep in check. the art journaling helps me keep it real.

i think once i start hiding behind my fears, i then relinquish my power and strength.
so in a nutshell...this weeks inspiration comes from inside. comes from a fear, comes from truth.

here's the how to...

• created a recycled page (download the free video how to here)
• primed it with gesso
• drew in the 2 vertical wavy lines and created small stripes with a sharpie.
• then used the sharpie to draw in a text box to the right
• sketched in a headless me
• used watercolors to color in the page
• added text using sharpie as well

this week think about your fears.
tell on yourself,
and create a piece that reflects your inner truth.
you are the artist so you make the rules!

what did you create this week?
what do we need to see...share your inspirations!

(tuesday) - 6 mile run

• time: 2 hours
• distance: 10.27 miles

 ok this run was hard. i ran it outside and it was a bit too warm.
but i do have a couple running questions for all those in the know...

1. i have been having some wardrobe issues. the chaffing is killer after 7 miles. i found a nike sports bra so far that doesn't rub, but can anyone recommend a running shirt or running knee length spandex style pants? i have mizuno's and nike...i love them, but when i step into the shower after my run my skin is on fire! do i just need to powder my butt first? (whole lot of personal here, i know)
2. COTTON MOUTH! holy hell, yesterday i stopped and got water about mile 6, i was dry and thirsty, but about mile 8, my mouth was gross. i couldn't even spit. what's that all about and how can i prepare for this for the race?

inspired. Artist Workshop 2010 + jewelry giveaway!

EDITED : congratulations to Rita Hudzik, she wins the beautiful Avenue A necklace kit toight! Rita just email me (donna@donnadowney.com) with your address and Angela with send that right out to you!!

learn more about each artist's talents and the collective art, soul and passion

including special guest...
Stacy Julian joins us as an inspired. student and shares her empowering keynote message
 

be inspired.

Inspired. Artist Workshop is a three-day immersion in cross-genre art and crafting. Our featured artist instructors share their vision and technique in an intimate, supportive environment, challenging students to expand their creativity through the exploration of new artistic methods and mediums.

As your host for the event, i hand pick each artist instructor with the goal of sharing what i find inspiring and current in world of art and crafting.

With a focus on artistic process, the core workshop program gives you three hours with each of the featured artists for two-days of horizon-expanding instruction. You will also be able to choose from a variety of mini workshops to fill in the third day of your workshop experience.

Inspired. Artist Workshop is all about the experience of exploring the artist in you, as you step out and broaden your definition of personal creativity. The goal of the workshop is to feed your passion to create and express yourself through multiple mediums. All levels of crafter's are welcome as the event celebrates the unique artistic vision each attendee brings with them.

If the idea of learning a new and inspired process and discovering new artistic methods to give a new platform to your personal artistic voice and vision appeal to you, this is the workshop for you.

registration opens Tuesday, September 1, 2009
limited to only 250 students

(for any questions concerning payment plan, event specifics, or general questions please feel free to call 704.948.4627 or email kandi@donnadowney.com or bill@donnadowney.com)

inspired. Jewelry ARTIST giveaway: Angela Bannatyne

Angela Bannatyne, is giving away one of her custom designed Avenue A jewelry kits today! Learn to make one of Angela's signature designs with this Avenue A Necklace & Earring Kit featuring Black Onyx, Pink Coral, Sterling, & Pewter anchored with Black Suede.  The kit comes with full instructions and a photo to guide you through the process of creating your very own Avenue A original.  This kit is basic enough for beginner's and detailed enough for experienced beaders.  All of the Avenue A kits are limited editions to ensure the unique quality of your piece. 

simply leave your comment by 10 PM (EST) and be entered to win!

and LASTLY...
congratulations to Lisa Maxwell, she is the lucky #1000 poster that wins my box of purge!

NEW "sentiments" ART release + a weeks worth of fun in photos

yesterday afternoon i finished up all the framing of several of my original art pieces i had been selectively adding sentiments to. i have been all about positive sentiment and words that empower lately and i wanted to add these words to some of my art pieces.

once framed i fell in love and have held onto a couple i just can't part with yet.
many have sold since yesterday, but some of my favorites still remain. if you are into the visual empowerment of art and words go check out my "sentiments collection" of framed original artwork.

also finished going through my beach photos.
i promised myself that i would not bring the camera with me everywhere and enjoy the moments instead of trying to capture them all. that said, even only taking the camera with me a couple times i still took 300 photos. about 150 made the cut.

here are some of my favorites of our vacation in myrtle beach, SC. this was our first morning on pawleys island. we only stayed here a night, i could have stayed forever!



then we saw this in the waterway just beyond the back porch

we named him martin. do not be concerned it is not loch ness, it is just your average run of the mill, ALLIGATOR!! holy crap!

all payton wanted to do was go to the aquarium.
so while mckenna and cole swimmed it up in the pool with grandma and pop pop, bill and i made our little girls week.



we also spent some time at barefoot landing "bouncing around".


and spent every single day at the beach!
i love the beach, the sound of the ocean, the smell of salt water, the breeze...so relaxing!
bill thought he was funny snapping this one of me asleep on the beach.

they can't all be pretty people!
and then there was the play and the exhausted little ones at the end of the day!

also the failed kite flying attempt.
don't ask. ha!

an awesome week of play!

INSPIRED UPDATE!
tomorrow i will have an inspired. 2010 update and a special giveaway by one of our Artists!
meet ya here tomorrow!

(sunday) - 6 mile run

• time: 1 hr 9 min
• distance: 6.3 miles

less than a month left to the marathon...i am getting nervous!

this weeks inspiration wednesday just kinda happened. i began painting and dripping washed layers of acrylic color over the page and the brush i was using was really kinda gnarly. when i looked at the bristles they were no longer smooth, but rather clumped and icky. so i stared dipping the tip into some pink paint and created these fuzzy little flowers. then started dipping the brush into other colors to make the centers and the highlights in lighter pinks.  basically just having fun. i really liked the outcome. while it was drying i began searching in a novel for words or groups of words that conveyed some creative sentiment and got a bit giggly when i found these.

there are no such things as coincidences...
that was all meant to be in my mind!
opposing the page is this tag inclusion.
a simple discovery in layered paint play the sentiment is what finished it. it is amazing what you can find in books when you read between the lines!

what did you create this week?
what do we need to see...share your inspirations!

EDITED - congratulations vicki, you win! WAY TO GO! email me (donna@donnadowney.com) your address and we will get those prizes right out to you!
Vicki J. Wade said...

Super cool stamps! I LOVE the dress forms!!

Reply August 18, 2009 at 01:49 PM

ScrapLovers is a dream come true for its founder, Christina Olsen.  After spending more then ten years as a Vice President for Time Warner publishing she was ready to follow her dreams and open her own scrapbook store.  Christina opened her virtual doors in 2001 and hasn't looked back since.  Her passion for crafting and helping her fellow artists find the perfect product for whatever their need gets her excited everyday. 

ScrapLovers provides products for scrapbooking, mixed media and altered artists.  Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Internet at www.scraplovers.com. 

and thanks to the generosity of ScrapLovers, both of these donna downey products can be yours just by leaving your comments today! leave your comment by 10 PM (EST) and be entered to win today!

YEEEAHH, baby!

{myrtle beach - c. 2007}

i do not know what is more exciting, the fact that i am headed to the beach for a week for a family vacation or that i ran 10 miles last night!!

ok the beach with out question, but holy crap i ran 10 miles last night...ON A FRICKIN' TREADMILL!

for the past 10 years we have spent a week of the summer at myrtle beach, sc. it began as just bill and i and as our family grew it has evolved into an extended family vacation, including our family, bill's parents and sister.

i still have not replaced my laptop, so i will have limited blog posting abilities (just my mini laptop that i cannot upload photos to), however, i plan to be twittering and facebooking from the road. since figuring out how to work it all from my phone it is kinda my new toy!

so if you are not my friend on facebook or twitter, go ahead and sign up or be my friend and follow in the fun!

and if you happen to be in the myrtle beach area this weekend stop by, i will be teaching classes at Scrapbooks by the Sea.

DON'T FORGET - 1st year Inspired. (2008) Alumni, pre-registration is open for you tonight (midnight) thru aug. 30th. Look for the email in your in-boxes tonight with the registration links!

(thuresday) - started as a 5 mile run

• time: 1 hr 47 min
• distance: 10.61miles

WHOO HOO! i did it!!

hello, from inside a messy studio