DOREEN DILGER
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  • ABOUT
    • BIO
    • SHE SHED TOUR
    • BLOG
    • COLLABORATIONS
    • CONTACT
  • CREATIVE SESSIONS
  • VIDEOS
  • PEN PALS
  • MY ETSY SHOP
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She Shed Updates

6/10/2025

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​I have decided to revamp my home studio once again. It’s always a work in progress. Your home and work areas evolve as you do. You remove what isn’t working and add what is functioning.

I have recently been focusing exclusively on my sketchbooks, and it has been a wonderful experience for me. If you read my blog post from two weeks ago, you will understand why I prefer working in sketchbooks. I typically use gouache paints in my sketchbooks because they dry much faster than acrylics.

My husband brought home some boards for me to paint on, and I was so excited because it made me realize how much I miss painting on wood and canvas with my acrylics. I decided to make a bold move by rearranging my studio to create space for painting on both board and canvas.

I had a large easel, but I rarely used it. When I did, I found it difficult to create anything worthwhile with it; it mostly served as a place for my canvas to dry. While watching a YouTube video, I saw someone who had a designated wall space where she could nail boards or hang canvases to work on. I realized that’s exactly what I needed! So, I went into my studio and examined the area to see where I could replicate that setup. There was only one suitable spot, but it would require significant rearranging, decluttering, and reorganizing.

I am in the early stages of doing just that. I have added a few photos, but if you want to watch the video, please visit my YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/@doreendilger.

I will return to provide you with an update. My goal is to have my studio up and running by next week. I know it's an ambitious target, but as long as I don't hurt my back, I am confident that I can achieve it! Wish me luck!
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The photo above shows you the only wall space that I can hang up a board or canvas on the wall.
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Extraordinary

6/5/2025

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Listen on Spotify
I am always grateful to have other people interview me for their podcast but not only that it is simply amazing to be in the company of other extraordinary women. Thank you Martina Caviezel and Christina Sweeney for this amazing opportunity. Please go listen to my session or visit the other extraordinary women they have had as guests.

Everyday Ordinary Extraordinary Women

​Bravo!
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Sketchbook Practice - What I Learned

5/24/2025

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The insights I've gained from my sketchbook routine are remarkable. This practice goes hand in hand with my journaling routine. Each day, I set aside time to journal and engage in creative activities like sketching, painting, drawing, or making marks in one of my sketchbooks. Here are the top ten things I've learned from this practice.

1. I prefer to journal and create in my sketchbook in the morning. That is when my mind is clear, full of imagination and motivation.

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My goal of getting rid of clutter is to have sketchbooks, which is much easier because I can take them with me. So, if I want to draw while taking my grandkids to their activities, watch TV, or sit outside enjoying nature, it is easy to pack up. I also don't have to store bulky canvases. The room the canvases take up is crazy, and even though I have a she-shed, I still want to eliminate excess that I am not utilizing. Plus I can always make a print of my artwork or take the page right out of my sketchbook if I want to frame it. If I end up liking the artwork that is when I will try to recreate it using canvas.

​3. 
My favorite place to create is my kitchen table. I know you read that correctly. Yes, I have this beautiful she-shed filled with inspirational artwork, supplies, and books. I do enjoy working out of there as well, but I always gravitate to my kitchen table.
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4.  I work in a minimum of five sketchbooks at a time, all of various sizes. If I am drawing with pencil, then it is one book, but if I am using gouache, acrylic paint, or even Stabilo pencils, I use several to allow some drying time in between.

5. I have learned that my go-to colors are black, white, pink, and mossy-green.

6. I have learned that my favorite style of painting is abstract mixed-media art. I love its messiness and blurred lines.

7. My artwork's primary focus is a figure, a bird, or a flower.
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8. I now know what materials I prefer: Stabilo pencils and Woody's, gouache paint, acrylic paint pens, and drawing pens.

9. I start a new sketchbook the same way every time. Before I begin creating, I add acrylic or gouache paint to the right-hand pages, going as far as halfway. I don't paint the whole page, but I at least make sure I have something down on each page. It also helps to have a new sketchbook close for when you have leftover acrylic paint and need to use it.

​10. Having a sketchbook practice has given me more confidence to create, and I love sharing my artwork.
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In closing, one of the major things I noticed in creating my artwork is that the more relaxed and looser I paint or draw the better I love how it turns out. Once I start trying to get too tight or worry about the outcome is when I don't like it and need to walk away. It has taken me a little bit of time and practice to get to this point. I am finally comfortable with calling myself an artist. I'll take the win!

What about you? What are your favorite mediums? What do you like to paint or draw? Do you think there is a product or tool I use consider using? Please drop it in the comments. I am always open for suggestions! Thanks for stopping by. See you.
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How is it April already?

4/7/2025

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​Wowza. Where has all the time gone? Life has been hectic since November. I haven’t written a blog or posted a video. Why? Well, here is the short version:

My son-in-law was playing soccer (parents against the kids) when he dropped dead on the field. Thank God for the medically trained coaches because they brought him back from having a cardiac arrest. Did you know that only 4% survive?

My husband was helping his cousin get his vehicle started when a driver traveling way too fast coming off an exit rammed into both cars, totaling both. My husband, who was standing outside his truck, jumped out of the way but was hit. He still is in physical therapy. But he's a fighter, and he's making progress every day. He's a living testament to the strength of the human spirit.

I broke my tooth. I know it sucks, but after the top two events, this was nothing—just inconvenience for me.

We had to put our dog Bailey down in December. She was in kidney failure (her kidney was not fully developed.) I got her the day she came into this world. If you know, you know. This was the most heart-wrenching ever. We quickly new that the energy was off and we decided to get a new dog. Her name is Charlie. I still cry for Bailey.

Then, my husband and I welcomed two new grandchildren. My son had a boy, and his daughter had a girl, giving us a total of nine grandchildren so far. Their arrival brought a new wave of joy and hope into our lives.

I constantly repeat the phrase, life is so short to everyone, and it is so true. You don’t realize it until you experience a situation that can alter your life forever. I even joke with my older grandkids that when I die (which won’t be for a long time), I am coming back to haunt you. I’ll be tapping your nose, yelling in your ear, and making your rooms messy. I hope the humor will lessen the blow. Hopefully, they will all be adults busy when I exit this energy field.

I have been making it a priority to do something creative daily. Some days, it might just be pouring a cup of tea and sitting in silence. I might purge items I no longer need or want on other days. But I mostly spend time journaling, creating art, or enjoying my grandkids. For instance, I've been experimenting with watercolor painting, and it's been a wonderful way to express my emotions and connect with the beauty around me.

Coming from a go-getter, entrepreneurial, and marketing attitude, I find this transition interesting. I find myself listening to my intuition more, stopping and enjoying the beauty around me. This shift has allowed me to appreciate the small moments and find joy in the present. And, of course, allowing myself to get lost in the day creating.

In closing, I wanted to share an interesting observation. Each year, I like to start off the new year by writing down my goals, updating my vision boards, and setting up my planner. This year, I didn’t do any of it. Well, I eventually set up my planner. I am constantly adding to my visual artboards, and as for my goals, the only one I have is to be present as much as possible and enjoy the world around me. This decision reflects my growing understanding of the importance of mindfulness and appreciation in personal growth and happiness.
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My reflections of our recent trip to Hawaii

10/26/2024

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At the end of September, we took a twelve-day trip to Hawaii to see three islands. Our first stop was the Big Island, Waikoloa Beach. Our trip was booked through the timeshare we own, Hilton Grand Vacations. More about that later, but first, let me talk about our flight. We took Hawaiian Airlines out of JFK. JFK was doing some major renovations, so there was a lot of traffic. They had to bus us to the airplane when it was time to board.

The flight was better than I had anticipated, and it was a ten-hour flight. We booked our seats for business comfort. The food was excellent, and the crew was polite. My husband slept on and off throughout the flight; I watched movies. Overall, the flight was good. Of course, I would have loved first class, but I can't justify those prices now. We left at 10:00 am and landed in Hawaii at 3:00 pm. We then had to take another Hawaiian airline flight to The Big Island. People call them puddle jumpers, so I imagined them to be small, but no. Again, the flight was alright. We book our transportation through the Big Island Transportation. They picked us up at the airport, and it took us about 45 minutes to get to the Hilton.

Once there, we had to take a monorail to get to the hotel we were staying at, which was the Grand Islander. We finally got into our room at 6:45. When we stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation Resorts, we generally had a full kitchen, washer, dryer, living room, and bathroom, but we had a hotel this time. They are renovating, so we have got an older but more colossal hotel room. We immediately went to the balcony, taking our breath away to the most awe-inspiring ocean view. The winds were mild, the air was warm, the sun had just set down, and the night sky was incredible. 

The bed faced the ocean view, and we could leave the door open, feel the breeze, and listen to the ocean. We were hungry when we got in, so we ordered pizza from room service. It was $75.00 for a medium pizza with two iced teas. Over the next few days, we both were sticker-shocked as we learned the food prices within the resort were a bit high, but the food was very good.

We did not rent a car because we were only there for four days, and one of those days, we had a portfolio review. A review is when we meet with staff to discuss what we own, if we have any questions, and if we want to upgrade. We have had at least six meetings with HGV staff to learn what we own and all the benefits. We knew our third experience with a woman representative told us things that weren't true, but our latest representative set things straight and was terrific. He upgraded our room to the side that was renovated recently, and the room was incredible. This one had a living room, small kitchen, beautiful bathroom, and bedroom (open concept style - see the photos below.)

The Grand Islander is significant; there is much to see without a vehicle. Plus, you have all the restaurants you need right there, which is why we like to stay at resorts. It wasn't overcrowded, and there weren't many kids, making the pool experience pleasant. We were able to talk with other couples and share our experiences. We are not people who make crazy plans and try to do all the touristy things. We are the opposite. We like to talk to the locals and learn more about the island.

Overall, The Big Island was our favorite. Below are the photos from that experience.

Our second island was Maui. It took twenty minutes with Hawaiian Airlines. Once we landed, we called an Uber, and it took about 30 minutes to get to the Hilton on Kaanapali Beach. The drive-in was less pretty than The Big Island. The homeless community and the aftermath of the fires were a bit depressing. Once we got to our hotel, we were given the most beautiful view on the 12th floor (I think it was my husband's birthday.)  This hotel is enormous, with thirty-seven floors. This time, we had a typical suite (minus the washer and dryer), but there were units on every floor.
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The balcony extended from the living room area all around to the bedroom. We had two sliding glass doors, and the breeze would pick up when it got around 1:00 pm. It was terrific sleeping with both doors open, the breeze, and the sound of the ocean. From the view, you could look right down into the sea. We got to seals, turtles, sting rays, and fish. And again, because we didn't rent a car, we stayed and enjoyed the view and food. There was a restaurant in the hotel where the food was good, and another restaurant a quick walk down at another hotel called the Beach Club was even better. We walked to a surrounding shopping center to shop, get shaved ice, and have breakfast at Slappy Cakes. My husband didn't like it because it was more like a restaurant chain than unique, but I enjoyed the food. We couldn't get over the views and spent hours watching the sea life. We ventured down to the beach and enjoyed the ocean. The waves kicked our ass and tossed us like a salad. It was so much fun. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. The wind whipped sand everywhere, and it took me two days to get it out of my hair. This resort was a lot busier and had a lot of kids. Our server told us that many of the rooms were being rented by people displaced by the fire, which is so sad. The views were incredible, along with the food, but we agree that The Big Island is our favorite.

Our last island was Honolulu, and this was the most populated of all the islands. We grabbed an Uber, and it took about 40 minutes to get to the Hilton. We learned the Hilton staff was on strike, which concerned me a bit. We arrived before our check-in time, so we checked our bags and went to find something to eat at the resort. Once we got into our hotel room, it was beautiful. The hotel room included a kitchen, bath, washer and dryer, living room, and bedroom. This time, to save a bit of money, we went to the local grocery store called ABC store to purchase eggs, bacon, snacks, etc. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep the slider open because of the strikers below yelling. 

The resort was beautiful. There are a lot of stores, restaurants, and access to the beach. You could even venture out to the city and explore, which we did a bit. My husband purchased me a Louis Vuitton wallet to add to my small LV collection. Yes, I am spoiled and extremely grateful. We spent much more time relaxing and enjoying the space in the hotel room. Every time you ventured out, the people on strike wanted to talk and tell you why they were striking. Even though I truly understand their situation, I don't particularly appreciate experiencing it. But overall, the staff there was friendly. 
In closing, overall it was a great experience. Our favorite is The Big Island which we plan on visiting again perhaps as early as next year! 
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Summer Wrap Up!

10/26/2024

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Summer
Summers have become hectic for me because I have my grandkids. I bring them to their activities, and as a family, we try to schedule as many fun things as possible. That includes downtime at Grandma's house. This includes sleepovers, painting sessions, playtime with their toys, cooking together, and so much more. It really is about spending time together and creating memories—something I would not give up for the world!

She Shed
I just got back from an event, and the status of my She Shed could be better. I recently shared the before and after photos on my Instagram feed. I am blessed to afford many craft items and have a family that spoils me with all kinds of goodies all year. I create from my She Shed and work from my kitchen table. I have an area in the living room where I sit, and when it is really late or very cold, I work right from my bed. So, I have many areas in which I work. I can't be the only one.
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Traveling
My husband and I took a trip to Maine in August and then to Hawaii at the end of September and into October 2024. We visited three islands: The Big Island, Maui, and Honolulu. Our favorite out of the three was the Big Island due to the beauty and privacy we felt. It could have been the time frame that we were there, but there were hardly any kids, and when we wanted to sit and enjoy the view, there was plenty to choose from throughout the properties. We could always find the perfect spot. The views alone were well worth the ten-hour plus-hour flight. The breeze was refreshing, and we would leave the slider door open to our hotel room all night to listen to the ocean waves crashing; it was magical. However, the six-hour time difference messed me up for at least two weeks after we returned. But overall, we loved it and plan to return within two years. I will write a more detailed blog post on our experience in Hawaii next.

Planner
I love October. I love the colors, the leaves, and all the spooky vibes. I live for the spookiness of it all. I discovered these incredible stickers from the Washi Tape Shop, and I love them! The Washi Tape Shop has been my go-to place to stock up on stickers. If you know me, I have so many stickers, but the quality, variety, and simple uses beat everything else.
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Celebrations
I celebrated my 60th birthday in June. My husband bought me a Subaru Accent, which seats seven people. I truly love the vehicle, especially the brightness of the headlights at night. It makes driving at night desirable now.

My daughter gave birth to her fourth child (the third boy) on September 6th. Of course, he looks exactly like his siblings. I am extremely blessed to have another healthy grandchild. 


When we returned from our vacation/business trip, we also learned that my son and his girlfriend were expecting a baby in March. I cried. My son has been very adamant about not getting married or having kids, so this was a delightful surprise.


​He then recently proposed, shocking me even more. Life is so interesting. Sometimes, you need to sit back and let your children make their own decisions and support them as much as possible.




Cozy Inspired
​I can't explain it, but every time I see something awe-inspiring, I have to stop, take a picture, and sit with the moment. The moon has been one of my favorite photos to take—so much so that my grandson Aaron, who is three, will always yell out, "The MOON!" each time he sees it. It's adorable. I am grateful that I am mindful of my surroundings and can enjoy the beauty that is right in front of me daily.

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What's Next
​I am working on adding products (art, prints, ephemera packs, sticker packs, etc.) to The Cozy and Charming Traveler website. I have been back and forth about where I should host my products (Etsy-type sites), but I think I am going to keep it simple and just host it on my website. 

​I am also participating in next year's Pickle Fest, which my friend organizes at March Farms. After years of organizing events (big and small), I am currently learning to be a vendor. Each time I attend an event, I learn so much. That said, I am now preparing for that event, which will be in about six months.

I also have a few sponsorship/creator opportunities for 2025 that I am excited about and working on.

​I am also working on my next two books. I have my next children's book already written and am outlining the artwork for it.

My other book is going to be a creatively inspired book. It will be filled with a variety of different things: artwork, short stories, photos, inspiration, and so much more. I am pretty excited about that. More to come on that.
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If you made it to this point, thank you. It means a lot to me that you are here. If you are the type of person who likes to come and read and stay silent behind the screen, thank you; I appreciate you. But if you would like to make people smile, please leave me a comment that would make my day. Please share this blog post on your social media feed if you want to support me. It goes a long way; you never know who you will encourage with your share.
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May Wrap Up

6/6/2024

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She Shed.
This photo is my current view from my she-shed, which I occasionally work from. It is interesting because even though I love my she-shed, I create from various places: my kitchen table, bed, outside, and traveling. It depends on my mood and the project I am working on.

Truth be told, I need to do a major clean-up and purge. I am running out of room. I need a place to put my finished art that is ready to sell and my shipping supplies. It would also be nice to find a place for my tent, furniture, and boxes for when I do markets/fairs. I guess as you grow, you inherit new problems.
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Learning.
I am currently taking a Somatic Yoga Teaching certification class. Somatic yoga is a mindful movement practice that combines yoga, somatic movement, and mindfulness techniques to help you connect more deeply with your body. It focuses on internal awareness and sensation, and can help you release muscular tension and stress. It's another tool to add to this wonderful journey of self awareness and expression I am on. 
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Sketchbook.
My sketchbook is not a book in which all the sketches are perfect; if I did a video, you would see all the pages complete. My sketchbook is a place for me to play, practice, and doodle. It is a place where I make notes and plan. It is a place where I try new art supplies or put down extra paint. Then, there are times when I create something cute and shareable. Creating art has been a daily practice that brings me so much joy.

Junk Journal.
I do a monthly junk journal that is like a scrapbook. I fill it with art and many personal photos and tell what happened during the month. It is a great way to get your photos out of your phone and into something that you can share your story with.

This month, I took a thin notebook that I had lying around and turned it into my May junk journal. I plan on doing a video flip-through soon, so check out my YouTube channel.
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Selling.
I love abstract art if you couldn't tell. Creating these small 5 x 7 items allows me to create some beautiful pieces and makes them affordable for those wanting to purchase them. I am currently working on some larger pieces that I plan on displaying in my home since my husband has requested that I put more artwork in our home. I am genuinely grateful that he supports me in my creative art projects.

I am starting to add more things to my Etsy site, but I am working on a place to set up an area to take flatlay photos. 

Planner.
What would I do without a paper planner? It is an extension of my creativity and personality combined with list-making, which I love so much. It has also helped me retrieve important facts on more occasions than I can count. It's a brain dump and a place to jot down my thoughts and snapshots of each day. At the end of each month of love, I do the highlight list and create my goals for the next month.
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Traveling.
As I prepare to travel next month, one of my favorite travel tips is to have my suitcase packed. When I got back from a trip, I emptied my entire bag. I then ensure clothing items are all cleaned, refresh any personal care items, and repack up my suitcase as I prepare for another trip. My husband has had several next day unexpected trips to go to, and this has been a huge time saver. Of course, I check the suitcase before we leave and add or subtract a few items (depending on the weather), but the only thing really to pack is our backpack with our electronic gear and flight necessities.

Cozy Inspired.
This girl. My only granddaughter, and she lives life in the moment. All kids do, but she loves exploring everything. She wants to do what you are doing. She wants to eat what you are eating. She wants to go wherever you go. She wants to buy everything. She doesn't miss a beat. She is very connected emotionally to things that revolve around her world. She knows what she likes and doesn't like but is fearless in trying a few new things. She is an inspiration and a lesson at the same time. I love her sense of adventure and watching her personality come to life. 

She is only six years old. I don't remember being so advanced at that age. I'm sure our world has a lot to do with it. I am excited to see her grow into an adult. She is going to kick ass in the world, and I couldn't be more proud.
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Reading.
If you know, you know. Big Magic is an excellent book on how to step out of fear and live a creative life. The bottom line is that it comes down to making space for those things that bring you joy and light up your soul.

This book was an easy read for me but delightful. As a retired Manifest Method Coach, the writer talks about the standard things in life, but I love her wisdom and unique perspective. She shares her experiences and other people's perspectives, which comforts me.
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Photographs.
The photos I take help me create those memories that are most near and dear to my heart. This photo of a birdhouse my husband put up for me last year is very high. The door to the house popped open and the family who lived in it left. It broke my heart. During the early spring this year I took Gorilla tape and taped it since I didn't have wood glue. It has held up pretty good and now another bird family has taken residence. This brings me so much joy. Take the time to snap those photos that bring you joy but don't forget to do something with them. Add them to social media, create a junk journal, do a scrapbook of some sort, print them and put them on your fridge - surround yourself with the very things that bring you joy and inspiration.

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Exciting News!
I have some exciting news that I can't wait to share, but I can't talk about it just yet. At least only once the details are final, but it is one of those things that makes me butterflies in my stomach. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I have been making sketches and taking notes. I have even been making a few purchases. This undertaking is a vast project and expense, but I have been thinking about doing it for a long time. I can share the details in September, so keep checking for more information. Until then, I'll be over here sketching and dreaming. : )
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April Wrap Up

5/10/2024

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She Shed.
This is the state of my she shed after having my first vendor event at the Sweet Pete's Pickle Fest at March Farms in Bethlehem. It isn't too bad but I still have some stuff to put away. I need to reorganize in sections like my work area, my products, packing, etc. I do work on it little by little so it doesn't seem overwhelming.

Learning.
Every day I am learning more how to step into living intentionally and mindfully. It's a combination of taking time out continuously throughout my day to speak out loud what I am grateful for. Asking myself what can I do today for my future self and lastly, listening to my body.
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Sketchbook.
The one thing I took away from getting ready for my vendor event is the daily practice of being in my sketchbook. I love the practice of creating art and pushing my boundaries to explore and be free in my drawing. Having the patience and intuition has allowed me to create some pretty awesome artwork.

Junk Journal.
The main common boundaries I follow when doing my monthly junk journals are they need to include; painting or drawing, photos, journaling, and ephemera. But most importantly is to have fun and be child-like. This is about recording memories and telling my story. My life, my rules.
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Selling.
My card art was very popular during my vendor event so I will be adding them to my Etsy site. These are actual art on the cards not reprints. Although, I plan on doing reprints in the future at this time this is mainly flower art directly on 3x5 card stock blank inside.

Also included in this photo is my abstract art which I have truly enjoyed doing. They are mainly on deli paper with a matted frame. I need to work on my display for the next event so people can actually see the artwork.

Planner.
I am a dedicated planner girl. My Wonderland 222 provides me a place to jot down my thoughts and ideas and allows me to have one location for organization. It is a daily practice for me. When it came to helping my daughter with her business I created another planner that does the same thing and helps me to centralize the information I need me most in one book.
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Traveling.
We did no traveling for the month of April except locally. I had a few day trips on the books and got out to explore and wander. Now that spring has blossomed it is nice to travel outside your door and see what has popped up new.

This photo was taken at Nystrom's Park in Thomaston, CT.

Cozy Inspired.
Vintage decor has always found it's way into my decorating. I believe I have something vintage in every part of my house and she shed. I love the cozy cottage vibe I get from repurposing furniture or stuff that has been passed down from past generations like my grandmother's sewing box which I now use as a place to hold ephemera.
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Reading.
I was on a roll reading two books a month but I stalled last month and now back to reading again. I am currently reading The Clackity by Lora Senf. If you don't know I am a young adult paranormal reader. I would much rather read than watch TV however YouTube has taken much more of my time than I would like to admit. What can I say I love to research and what better place than YouTube!

Photographs.
As part of my new business, The Cozy and Charming Traveler, I want to inspire people to embrace a cozy life, tell their stories creatively, and intentionally capture their memories. I am a visual person so taking photos is a daily practice for me. Something that both my husband and I love so much that we will be selling our travel photos.
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Events.
I currently don't have any events that are confirmed as of yet but I am looking at a few smaller events for the fall as well as adding my art work into a few boutique style shops. More information about that to come.
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I did it! A New Habit!

4/6/2024

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My walking pad that I clean weekly as you can see why
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The group of toys that Bailey brings to me while I am walking
Ninety days of consistent walking, drinking a protein shake, and taking my vitamins. I am incredibly proud of myself. I started this journey for several reasons, but one of them was not to lose weight. That statement may be odd. Well, all my life, any time I tried to make a shift in my body change, it was always directed around what I weighed and my measurements. I would then find myself measuring my success around those numbers, and when I didn't get to them fast enough, I would quit. Can anyone relate?

This time, I decided to make a life change and get into a consistent practice of walking. A few factors helped me make this decision: I am about to turn sixty years old, and I was diagnosed with a leaky heart (which explains so much of my childhood) and family hereditary diseases. I decided that I would start by working on helping my heart pump blood better through walking.

All my life, I have had a hard time walking up hills, climbing stairs, doing aerobics, and hiking, and now I know why. I live on a mountain, and driving to locations to work out or walk is not appealing to me. I live in a small house and do not have a room for a treadmill.

A walking pad was my solution. I looked into a walking pad that you can put away after you are done by sliding it under the furniture. The first time I purchased it, I would forget about it once it was put away, so I decided to put it in my kitchen, where it now stays permanently.
Yep, in the way, but my husband doesn't mind, and my grandkids beg to walk on it.

I walk between five and eight a.m.; if I do it later, it throws off my day. I prefer to do it early so I can get some creative time or write before my day officially starts.

Have there been days when I didn't feel like walking? Oh, yes!! Many have been, but I get up and do it anyway. At first, I checked the clock every minute and couldn't wait until it was over, but I quickly shifted to watch my art classes or YouTube. It helps the time go by faster.

As for speed, I keep it between 2.5 and 3.0 and do minute jogs here and there, depending on how I feel. My doctor has advised me to keep my heart rate to 100 to 125 and nothing below or over. I push it some days, but this is about steady, consistent walking. I am not trying to impress anyone.

I haven't weighed or measured myself at all. My body is shifting, but I can tell you I don't feel like I have lost twenty pounds, either. I did not put this weight on overnight; it will only come off fast if I make significant changes, which I am working on slowly. It's not a race; it is about healthy creating habits. 

I plan on continuing, and my goal is to do another 90 days but add another fifteen minutes to walking daily. I also plan on including stretching, somatic yoga, and weights.

This is what I learned during this whole experience. I can do anything I put my mind to; I need to create boundaries and set up the perimeters according to my lifestyle. Once I took the focus off of trying to lose weight and instead put the emphasis on trying to live longer, doing it one day at a time, I was able to create a healthy habit.

Onto the next 90 days! Wish me luck!
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March Wrap Up

4/1/2024

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She Shed.

This is my 10 x 14 shed that has gone through a few transformations over the past ten years. I recently went through it and donated a car full of stuff just from my she shed. I have a YouTube video with full details if you want to take a sneak peak on how I utilize this space. In case you were wondering, it does have electricity and heat. It is not part of my house but its about 10 steps away from it.
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Learning.

I am learning to prioritize my health and wellness. I am learning to take time to do the things that really matter. I am learning to let go of clutter (this is an ongoing and slow process.) I am learning not to worry as much. I am learning new skills. I am learning how to put the coziness and charming elements into travel. I am learning to listen to my intuition quicker. I am learning to honor my decisions. I am learning to live my life intentionally, mindfully, and quietly.
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Sketchbook.

Doing a daily practice of playing in my sketchbook has allowed me to relax and let my intuition lead. This is where I truly find what mediums I like, what I love to draw and paint, and sharpen my skills. It also has led me to explore and not worry about the outcome. If you don't have a daily practice, I highly recommend it. 
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Junk Journal.

I am using a junk journal style for my monthly memory keeping. Yes, I do journal in my planner but I have so many photos! Grandkids, travel and my dog that is what my photos consist of so adding a bit of storytelling to the images is a great creativity release for me. Plus every time my granddaughter comes over she goes through all my books.

Selling.

I am officially completed and have listed on my Etsy page eight individual Vintage Paper & Ephemera bundle. 100 pieces in total with a handmade junk journal made out of Daphne's Diary magazine. Since I am a brand new seller on Etsy I am including a small size 30 piece vintage ephemera to the first six people who purchase as a thank you.
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Planner.

I am loving my Wonderland 222 A5 size planner. It houses my calendar that helps me keep track of my grandchildren's activities I need to drive them to but also my monthly journal and my to do list. Yes, I love list making!

Traveling.

My husband and I went to Kissimmee Florida for an extended weekend to attend the funeral of his Aunt. There really wasn't much time to do any exploring but we did get out to have an authentic Italian dinner. Of course I brought my art sketchbook and got to play daily.
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Inspiration.

I find inspiration all around me. I believe that if something has caught my eye then there must be a reason. I allow myself to explore and I only continue (reading, watching, learning) until I am not learning or receiving inspiration anymore. This has helped me on my journey to recreate the possibilities all while having fun doing it!

This picture of my vision board that I keep in my bedroom.

Events.

My friend Marguerite Case is doing her Annual Sweet Pete's Pickle Fest on May 4th and 5th at March Farm in Bethlehem, CT. There will also be around thirty (and counting) vendor booths. They include your various vendors such as soap, jewelry, holistic, handmade signs and then me. I am finally setting up my own booth to sell my junk journals, vintage paper book pages, painted scrap papers and flower art of card stock and small canvas. If you are local please stop down.
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Reading.

The Turquoise Iris Journal is one of my subscription magazines. It features a variety of makers (artists, writers, photographers, etc.) and it is filled with inspirational stories. What I love about this magazine beside the great stories is that there is no advertisements.

As an artist this is a great magazine to help me try new things, use images for my vision board or my junk journal.
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    Artist, author and creative entrepreneur. Documenting life using my planners, traveler's notebooks, junk journals and a little mixed media art.

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