Sweets with your sweets

HOLA.

I hope that you are all having a great day.

It's April fools day, but I have no tricks up my sleeve today...darn.

Instead...I have a new watercolor that I've been working on. I was on Pinterest and I saw the cutest little bakery cart/car. I knew that I had to paint it. I mean...who doesn't like baked goods? I used Canson paper and Sennelier paints. The paper is cold pressed, so you can see it has a bumpy texture to it. I love this look, but some people do not. You can always pick something hot pressed, so it's smooth. I like to use all types, but it can make things challenging to control. Experiment=have fun with it. This watercolor took me a few days. I like to take breaks away from what ever I'm working on, so I can see it differently every time. Sometimes when you stare at it too long you miss the details. 

It also gives you time to have a lot of fun in your sketch book. I love to go back and forth. You can imagine how many flowers and butterflies are in my sketch book=0)

I CAN'T HELP IT.

I hope you go enjoy a croissant outside today.

They are ZERO calories today.

APRIL FOOL'S DAY=0P

xoxo,

Carol

My other job....

Me-It's Spring break. What do you want to do today?

X-Uhhhh....something fun. VIDEO GAMES.

Me- O  U  T  S  I  D  E

X-Don't make me go to Balboa Park again...PLEASE.

Me-Hahahaha...wanna just get in the car and see what we bump into?

X-That is just WAY too dangerous.

A little twinkle...

I have a little story to tell. It has a lot of things that girls like. Sparkle...accessories/jewelry...

and a butterfly=0) About twenty years ago I was walking around Nordstrom. I couldn't afford anything too fancy, but I loved just looking around. I worked in the mall, so it was super fun to listen to the piano player during my lunch hour. Yes...they had a piano player=0)

So one day I was looking around and a sparkle caught my eye. There were TONS of gorgeous butterfly hair clips/bobby pins on display. I thought I was going to die. The colors were just SOOO

beautiful and I had to have one. I wanted them all, but I could barely afford one. I ended up picking a gorgeous red butterfly clip by Tarina Tarantino and boy did I wear that hair clip. Even after all these years it still looks beautiful and I love to attach it to sweaters and sometimes in my hair. SO, the other day my daughter was looking at it and asking me where I got it and could she have it. I'm not so sure she wouldn't lose it in 2.5 seconds =0/ So, I thought I could just paint one for her room. And she seems to be happy with being able to look at it all the time. A little twinkle goes a long way around my house=0)

Have a great day,

Carol

My other job...

J-Ohhhhh....mama this is so pretty.

Me-Yes, it's beautiful.

J-Can I wear it in my hair?

Me-Not yet honey. Maybe when you are older. I don't think I'd be able to find another one.

J-awwww....okay=0(

Me-One day I promise to give it to you, so don't worry. How about I paint one for your room?

J-OH...oh...that's a good idea. 

Me-GREAT.

J-Please do it right now. Can I watch?

Me-I have too much stuff to do right now, but I'll start soon.

J-awwwww. Don't forget mama. Don't paint other fashion stuff. Do mine first.

Me-I will honey.

J-PINKY PROMISE....please.

Happy LOVEY DAY

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better...~Dr. Seuss

Love GRANDE

Love is in the air.

I have been getting all my goodies in delivery position. All the glitter heart stickers have been added to large bars of chocolate=0)

 I LOVE VALENTINE'S DAY.

I love the flowers everywhere and the excuse to give everyone chocolate LOVE and you won't get the..."I can't".

OHHHH.... we can and we will this 14th.

Use up ALL those hearts. Throw them in the air...whatever=0P

XOXO,

Carol

My other job....

Me-I've got a lot of stuff planned for Valentine's Day.

X-Ummm....what day is that on exactly.

Me-The 14th is on a Friday.

X-That's pizza night.

Me-Pizza is cancelled. How about something like....KING crab legs, red potatoes AND chocolate fondue.

X-I guess that will be okay.

1...2..3...MOVE

Happy Friday=0)

Friends are a big part of my universe...if you haven't noticed. LOL.

You know all those inside jokes and just giving each other THE LOOK.

This week I was in bed and I woke up about four in the morning.

Boooo.

Anyways, this crazy memory popped into my head.

I burst out laughing!

My husband asked me if I was ok. LOL. I told him the crazy memory of one of my great friends that tickled a co-worker. Let me rewind a little. It was halloween and we were dressed up as hula girls. Our co-worker couldn't even look at us. He was not use to seeing girls with coconuts on. LOL.

SO....the funny part is that my friend tickled his sides and BOTH his knee caps crashed into the counter he was writing at. OMG...we all died laughing. He had to run outside because he couldn't control the laughter. So, that's what made me burst out laughing in the middle of the night. So crazy!

I then just started thinking about how many funny things we do at weddings...parties....etc.

This watercolor reminds me of all the crazy. LOL.

You can relate...right?

Have a great weekend,

Carol

My other job...

X-I don't feel so good.

Me-Oh no...you feel really hot. Lets go home and straight to bed.

X-This means I can't play minecraft today.

Me-Just relax in the car and we will see how you feel after you sleep a little.

X-OH MY GOSH...I'M GONNA DIE.

Me-What? No...you're just sick.

X-DO I HAVE CANCER MAMA?

Me-Okay...please just relax and lets not talk on the way home. Please don't think you are going to die. You just feel really yucky and your fever is really high.

X-This means J is going to get all your kisses today...WaaaaHHHHHH.

Me-I'll give you double as soon as you are better. Now p l e a s e  just relax quietly.

X-PLEASE just take me straight to the EMERGENCY ROOM.

What's cook IN'

Happy New YEAR.

It's 2014...HOLY MOLY. How did we get here? LOL.

I'm wishing you all much LOVE and good health this year. I'm just barely recovering from all the holiday festivities and cooking...cooking...cooking. Usually I have two little helpers BUT, THEY'RE ON TO ME. Nobody wants to stick around for that long. HAhahahaa.

We were all so into FROZEN this year. The soundtrack is SO GOOD. Olaf the snowman stole my heart. The movie is SO wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFatVn1hP3o

Disney really did an excellent job and I can not wait until it comes out in dvd. We have already gone FOUR TIMES. There goes my Louis Vuitton wish jar. HA and WAHhhhhh.

I was inspired by all the singing and cooking in the kitchen.

Have a great day,

Carol

My other job....

X-Mama are you teaching art class tomorrow?

Me-YUP.

X-You sound just like Olaf.

Me-YUP;oP

X-What are we going to work on in class?

Me-It's a surprise.

X-Lets do faces.

Me-Ohhhh....well...that will probably happen towards the end of the year.

X-Why?

Me-It's more advanced and I need to get some of the kids more comfortable. Or at least not be as nervous to try it.

X-Like who?

Me-That's my personal private business=0)

X-I'm your assistant, so you can tell me AND I don't go around telling peoples personal private business.

Me-I appreciate that, but I'm going to keep it to myself. Now lets sing In summer by OLAF.

X-Jazz hands too.

Me-YUP.

The RUSH...

HOLA!

How is it that it's almost Christmas?

Okay...so we have plenty of holiday cheer...

cookies...

eggnog...

candies...

decorations...

BUT...I haven't gone shopping yet. I KNOW...I've been trying to catch up with everything around here and still no shopping. I did try for like....40 minutes yesterday=0) It's just so hard when things are flying off the shelves. OH BOY.

Anyways, *fingers crossed* that I get it done by tomorrow. The little ones will be home after that and that's a WHOLE other conversation=0) LOL.

I have finished up all the gifts for our wonderful teachers. THAT'S GOOD. Yay!

I do know a lot of people who are already done with everything and are just sippin' and waitin'

THAT'S ME NEXT YEAR;oP

I just wanted to wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Hope it's stress;o) FREE and just full of JOY.

XOXO,

Carol

My other job....

X-Make sure my list stays safe.

Me-I put it right here with TONs of tape.

X-I honestly don't think I'll get number 1-5, but I had to put it on my list.

Me-Really...you think #11 may be under the tree?

X-Well yeah... and the ninja mask.

Me-Hmmm....It will be interesting to see. I'm sure it can't be wrapped. Well...it would be tough.

X-Mama...it's an electric guitar...double necked.

Me- exactly....

X-What?

Me-Oh nothing...HOPE YOU GET IT=0P

Break out the egg nog

HOLA.

Has the egg nog entered the building yet?

It has over here...especially PUMPKIN egg nog.

Don't blame me if you gain an extra 5 pounds=0P It's just SO good and it's pretty much my responsibility to keep you informed. Hahahaaa.

I've been preparing my SHOP

I've made some really cute charms and sterling silver earrings. 

They are all hand painted watercolor illustrations made with lots of love.

They come gift wrapped in a super cute box.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with MANY friends and family.

XOXO,

Carol

My other job...

X-I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get rotten potatoes in my stocking.

Me-Why? And why rotten potatoes?

X-Isn't that what Santa leaves when you've been bad.

Me-I thought it was coal...and why would you be getting coal?

X-That's just my personal opinion. I think I'm getting coal.

Me-So where did the rotten potatoes come from?

X-I think Tio said that.

Me-That's pretty funny.

X-YOU WANT ME TO GET ROTTEN POTATOES?

Me-No.

X-YOU JUST SAID SO.

Me-No, I just think the whole rotten potatoes instead of coal is FUNNY.

X-THAT'S IT. My own mother thinks I'm getting rotten potatoes and coal in my stocking. I'm doomed.

Quiet

HOLA.

I've started a new painting.

Who doesn't love the sea?

I think I may be starting a new wave of paintings.

The sea...sea...sea...

Hope you get a quiet moment to yourself=0)

XOXO,

Carol

My other job...

X-I can't believe we have eight more months of school.

Me-Yep.

X-Do you know what I have to look forward to this school year?

Me-All the new stuff you're going to learn?

X-NOPE.

Me-I give up.

X-THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

En plein air

HOLA.

It's been too long=0/

Hope you have been well. I had the opportunity to do something different...YES different. Painting en plein air. What does that mean? It means I bought oil paints and painted outside. HA. It was pretty amazing. I never thought I could paint standing up, but it's very nice. How did this all happen?

Well...I was talking with a wonderful watercolor artist Cate Parr. I just LOVE her work. She mentioned an amazing artist named Eric Merrell. He was going to be having a three day workshop in Los Angeles and she told me I HAD TO GO. If she says I have to go...I HAVE TO GO. So, I packed up my stuff and she was kind enough to let me borrow her artist box and umbrella for the three days. YES...THREE DAYS. Just me and my art supplies=0) Lets just say it was AMAZING. I really enjoyed this master class and I met some really nice artists too. Here are a few photos of my trip.

Eric's studio.

Cobb Estate.

Watching him paint is inspiring.

I found a beautiful spot for day two. I was here for EIGHT hours.

On the last day he was helping me set up my sketch just right. He really is a great teacher. I'm always just so excited to start a new painting and this really taught me to SLOW DOWN.

If you are interested in taking one of his workshops or buying some of his art... you can check him out

www.ericmerrell.com

On another note...

I made a new locket for my shop

Dia de los Muertos locket.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Carol

My other job....

X-Mama please don't go.

Me-Come on...I'm super excited about this class. It's always a good idea to keep learning.

X-You already paint great.

Me-Thank you, but I want to learn more. I really love it.

X-THREE DAYS is too much.

Me-It's a wonderful opportunity for me. This artist is really AMAZING. 

X-You are already AMAZING. Seriously mama...stay here with me.

Me-It will be a great time for you and J to spend THREE days ALONE with dad. It's going to be FUN.

X-I still think you should stay.

Me-I know...I know...but I'm gonna go and I WILL BE BACK. I'll have some new cool paintings to show you when I get back.

X-Fine. I sure hope they are good.

He loves me...he loves me not.

HAPPY FRIDAY.

This week I received roses from my husband. 

OH.... HOW I LOVE FLOWERS.

I had a moment and then there was a SONG.

Flowers+Song=inspiration for me.

Let me know if you think I captured the moment=0)

Click here to listen.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Carol

My other job...

J-Why did you get married with Dad?

Me-OHHHH....well, he's very funny and handsome. I really enjoyed spending time with him.

J-You fell in love?

Me-YES.

J-I don't ever want to get married...it's so gross.

Me-Hahahahaaaa...why?

J-ALL THAT KISSING...EWWWWW.

Underground

HEY.

It's Friday.

It feels like I should be jumping on a train...IT'S FRIDAY.

The only train I'll be jumping on is my newest watercolor. I was inspired by a photo that I saw on (@123los)instagram. I just love how she is patiently waiting and looking fabulous at the same time=0)

To watch me painting the red coat click here. 

So, today I will be working on her and dreaming of NYC.

I better go put my name plate on=0)

HAPPY WEEKEND,

Carol

My other job...

X-YOU forgot to buy me the latest Captain Underpants book.

Me-Uh...there is a new one?

X-YESSSSSS...it came out in January 2013. YOU forgot.

Me-I don't ever remember knowing. LOL. You are in luck, we just got our $5.00 coupon for the reading club.

X-Okay mama...now for the important question.

Me-Oh boy. What?

X-Are you paying or am I? Let me just say that I think you should...SINCE YOU TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT.

New paints

I have exciting news...I GOT NEW PAINTS.

Whenever anyone asks me what I'd like as a gift I pretty much ALWAYS ask for art supplies. Most of the time it's paper, but this time I said I'd like some new paints. The funny thing is...NOBODY ever gives me art supplies. LOL. LOL. LOL.

Well this broken record GOT NEW PAINTS.

HOLY RAVIOLI.

I was so shocked and was dying to try these as soon as I opened them up.

I am LOVING these so much that I didn't want to go to bed once I started using them.

Have a great day.

Carol

Thank you notes

TGIF.

I'm super excited that it's Friday.

I'm working on a new card. I've had some requests for a thank you note. I thought I'd mash up a bunch of things and hopefully everyone will love it=0)

Gems+flowers=Thank you

I made a little VINE  (click on vine to see it).

Thumbs up or down? It's just at the starting stages, but I'm thinking it's looking pretty.

HAPPY WEEKEND.

Carol

Beginner.

It's Monday...already.

Remember the last time you started something new. 

The excitement...sweat...maybe even a couple of tears?

That is every day life for a little one. Yet, we expect them to just JUMP IN. Don't be nervous, shy, or even scared.

 I think my tiny ballerina is excited, but still a little shy about her first class. 

I had a lot of fun painting this watercolor. Mostly the skirt part=0)

It's Monday. Maybe you will be inspired to be a beginner at something today.

XOXO,

Carol

My other job....

J-I wanna go home.

Me-We can leave as soon as your class is over.

J-I don't like swimming. And I'm feeling a little bit shy.

Me-You still need to learn how to swim and look how great you are doing. You are okay. 

J-I don't want to swim without my goggles. I don't like it.

Me-He's just trying to show you what it's like. In case you fall into water on accident. He's preparing you...so you know what it's like.

J-(crying...crying...crying)Okay, how many more minutes? 

Me-About 15 minutes.

J-Then I'm never coming back.

Check IT

HOLA.

I just added ten new pieces of jewelry to my shop.

These are all calm pastel colors.

 Usually, I love a good POP of color.

 Lately... I thought maybe others would like me to calm down a little. LOL.

So, these ten are for everyone who would like something lighter.

 Maybe help you keep your inner CHI calm=0)

You can check it  HERE

Please let me know what you think.

Kiss your peeps.

Floating around

Hello.

Last night I started thinking about Spring break. I was inspired to start a new watercolor. Just floating around...not wearing a watch. She does seem extra relaxed...right? 

Hope you have a great day=0)

My other job....

Me-I'm just going to trim your hair.

X-No way. I never want to cut it again!

Me-It's just too long in the front and you keep chewing on it. That can't be good.

X-I don't care.

Me-It also keeps getting tangled in the back.

X-I don't care.

Me-I can't even see your handsome face.

X-I don't care.

Me-You can't play First in Math until AFTER your hair cut.

X-Can you cut it right now?

For the love of color

The other day I went to the store and found some great supplies. I wanted to try some gouache. I got a couple of bright Spring colors. 

Yesterday I made a little sketch and added a little POP of color.

It was really fun=0) I just added a little water to create the lighter areas. It dried pretty fast, so I could add the ink on top for the details pretty quickly. I really recommend having fun with these paints.

I just love how the colors stayed so neon.

Hope you have a bright day.