simply me

how many projects can a person have in progress with no immediate plans to finish?

i'll tell you...

1. fabric album with lollychops inspired crochet edging and my favorite colors (GOLDEN fluid acylics in pthalo blue, quinacridone magenta, quinacridone/nickel azo gold, and green gold) and iron-ons
   
2. add in the flower apron from the other day  
3. these babushka dolls i really want t finish making for the shop!  
4. this canvas  
5. this camera bag  
6. not to mention these...

{small camera bag, prepped and ready canvases in waiting, half complete canvases in progress, canvas tote that originally just waiting to air dry. i am pretty sure it dried like 3 weeks ago}

my goal is to FINISH SOMETHING today.

inspiration wednesday + video

still having problems with my video. set it up today so that i was working right side up, but the vieo does this skipping thing (i advise you turn the volume off) but i wanted to give you the option to view it anyway.

does anyone know any video/mac savvy people? i could really use some help?

Untitled from donna downey on Vimeo.

this is my fabulous new 45 half pan watercolor set! been searching forever for this case/set and i got it for a frickin' steal - $25.09 including shipping from england!

 

have idea must execute...

i woke up out of a sound sleep this morning with my brain moving a mile a minute and this total curiosity, "how would my canvas apron look covered in prima flowers?". for the past 3 hours i have been gluing down happy colored paper flowers and bling centers. however now i know!!

my curiosity stopped there, but this little cutie certainly needs ruffles and ribbons, gonna have to wait for that idea to wake me up!

inspiration wednesday tomorrow.

still havent figured out why the video from last week will not upload. i can watch it on the camera, but it wont upload? we figure i did something to the settings in the camera when i filmed it?

i will hopefully film everything correctly tomorrow!

making a list...(check)

lots to do!

tons of loose ends that need to be tied up...all the stuff i have been putting off.

have been making a bunch of new $5 grab bag kits over the weekend. i had intentions of putting these on the website before inspired but the 100+ i made went within minutes of the events' opening. (not that i am complaining mind you). so i should have 6 new ones by the end of the week!

working on some new art for my portfolio.

here are 2 new art pieces that i finished working on. they are for sale and will be adorning the walls of the studio soon (that is unless they are sold before hand).

 

 

new! new! new!!

lots to see in the shop! check it out!
i love new things!
i am totally the person that walks into the craft+fabric store and asks, "what do you have new?"
well we have a lot NEW in the shop, check out all my new UNITY stamps!
introducing the "she said" set
 
"trust your heart" stamp
 
my absolutely favorite stamp has been resurrected from the dead and made BIGGER! (sometimes size does matter and this stamp is 6 inches of pure joy!)

NEW 8" wood and slide mount unity stamps! (6" is good and 8" is magnificent!)
"pixie sprigs" WOOD or SLIDE mount

"purely entwined" WOOD or SLIDE mount
 

delicate flower WOOD or SLIDE mount

"wayward blooms" WOOD or SLIDE mount

NEW Sport shirts! whether you walk, run or get yourself moving in some way..."believe you can" and that you are not alone in the journey for a healthy lifestyle!

pink v-neck "believe" t-shirts. original artwork + with quotes to inspire

and if you couldn't make it to inspired this year but want to be a part of the forward creative momentum, get your inspired 2010 t-shirt and the first 10 orders get a free inspired koosi! (only a few of these left so better get one fast!)

new inspiration journal and a new PRICE!

whew, that's a lot!

have a great weekend and i am looking forward to a creative weekend and week ahead!!

painting

mckenna was playing paparazzi yesterday and took like 50 photos in 10 minutes (thank god for digital!). she actually is not too bad at capturing images in frame.

i was painting most of the late afternoon. i am loving the piece i am working on and got myself in a creative standstill by allowing self-doubt to penetrate my momentum. the whole idea of "i like it so much i do not want to mess it up" found its way into my mojo.

i had to step away and i plan on coming back to it today with a fresh perspective.

 

bill will be uploading a bunch of new unity products (OMG the 8" wood mount stamps are in the HOUSE!!!!) and new t's and active wear items to the shop today so look for a post later today or early tomorrow with all the new donna downey items!

sponsor spotlight & back on the road...

I'm very excited to feature one of my new sponsors today, Sweet Shoppe Designs. They offer some of the most amazing and highest quality digital goodies I have come across! Their team of designers are so talented. Check out some of the work they have created in their gallery.

Also stop by the shop to see all the cool products they have available. They add new items every week and have some new releases that are available now. 

Now check this out! My new friend Robin from Sweet Shoppe Designs is giving away this totally awesome digital kit that her team of designers created for all my blog readers. Thats right, this digital kit is yours free for just reading my blog today. How cool is that? Just click here and its yours!

Be sure to check out their blog for all the latest and greatest info.

................................................................................................................................

Now that inspired. is over, I'll be back on the road traveling to some really cool shops and teaching some of my favorite workshops. I hope to see you ladies in class!

May 28th & 29th - Chandler, AZ

My first stop will be at The Paper Vineyard in Chadler, AZ for Memorial Day Weekend on May 28 & 29th. This will be the first time I have taught in Arizona and I'm so excited. I will be teaching a workshop on Friday night and 2 workshops on Saturday. Please check out The Paper Vinyard's website for class schedules and to register. You can also contact Adriana at 480-656-2058 to sign up!

The Paper Vinyard
590 N. Alma School Road #31
Chandler, AZ 85224

June 4th - 6th - Thornhill, Ontario

My next stop will be June 4-6th to see all my Canadian friends at Stamping Bella in Thornhill, Ontario. 

I have not been back to Canada in a couple years and I'm so excited to spend the weekend with Emily at Stamping Bella and all my creative canadian friends. Emily has scheduled a full weekend of workshops which will sure to be a great time. 

Please visit their website for the workshop schedule and to sign up for classes!!

Stamping Bella

55 Doncaster Ave. Suite # 130

Thornhill, Ontario

L3T 1L7

1.866.645.2355

ok maybe tomorrow!

had such big hopes for today...
inspiration journal, artwork, creative juices flowing...not so much.
i havent been able to sleep,
my mind is reeling,
thoughts and ideas moving at lighting speed.
inspired always rejuvenates my soul, brings clarity and makes me feel empowered!
promised myself i wouldn't think about inspired 2011, but i am already planning it!
changing it up a bit, possibly adding an extra day, less students, longer core workshops over 3 days.
ideas, ideas, ideas...
(bill, if you find me in the corner rocking and talking to myself please medicate me, lol)

i had to go to ikea and buy this table! (then put it together)
in house studio workshops, i cant wait to start teaching intimate, wine + cheese style workshops.
1,000,000 different ideas!

holy hell!

going to try and escape a little tonight in my home studio after the kids go to bed to work on this piece i began yesterday. i think it is a direct inspiration of my amazing weekend at inspired. it makes me happy!

inspired. is truly amazing!

if i could figure out why my computer will not record from my isight i would be squealing and bursting right through your computer screens right now with excitement over this years Inspired.

of course, i am biased, but it was magical!

no doubt the best, most creative and freeing event yet with the spectacular artist teachers, incredible volunteer assistants, my super hardworking staff and the students, really i have never spent my time with such a group of sincere, joyful and creative woman!

this event is such a gift in s many ways...a million thanks to all of you!

i am in the midst of unpacking and getting several last minute assignments done, before gaining my sense of life's normalcy back in check.

i didnt even take one photo...so i hope paolo has his dvd of all the event photos ready soon so i can relive the weekend all over again!

be back to regular posting tomorrow and maybe i can get the inspiration wed. video uploaded?

inspiration wednesday + video

INSPIRED IS TOMORROW!!!!!

holy hell...crazy busy, a flurry of excitement!

and a bit of inspiration for you today.

still fighting with technology. i made a video, but cant get the f&$#&ing thing to download to upload it!

UUUGGGH! so hold tight i may have a video at some point today!