Hello, Creative Friends!
February is here and it’s the month that fills our lives with candy-colored hearts, chocolate-covered everything, and the month that adds a little dash of red-hot heat to the cold days of winter. This means it’s a great time to create something fun for the people in our lives that set our hearts on fire!
Warm Their Heart: Creating a big bunch of these lavender-scented “Heart In A Pocket” Valentine's hearts makes for the sweetest little DIY sewing project. Any Valentine will feel warm and cuddly this winter when they find one or two of these little gems secretly tucked into a pocket on a cold February day.
Nothing Bundt Fondue For Two: Warm your Valentine’s belly with simple and romantic “Fondue For Two” dinner like these fondue dinner ideas from Martha Stewart Living. Fire up the oven and whip up a super moist “Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Bundt Cake” to finish off a romantic night in and make your Valentine swoon.
Poppy Passion: Nothing makes Valentine’s day more beautiful than a big bouquet of red hot roses but skipping the florist can be a win for everyone. Try ordering a flower print like this “Red Poppy Flowers” art print from INPRNT. Frame up the red-hot art and watch your Valentine melt with delight.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will make your Valentine’s Day Hot.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Hello, Creative Friends!
Thankfully we are at the end of January. With the darker days of winter here, we might be bundled up in a warm blanket, sipping a cozy cup of tea and longing for any sign of springtime. If you are a bit like me, you are dreaming of anything other than a stark snowy landscape. That’s why it’s a great time to…
Paperwhite Wonder: It’s always magical to bring garden life inside. By forcing blubs we can create the miracle of nature right in our own homes. Here is a great article from The Spruce on “How To Force Paperwhite Narcissus Indoors” or purchase this Narcissus print from INPRNT to make any wall bloom.
Sketch Up A Bouquet: Picking up the habit of sketching flowers can make creativity bloom! Here is a great tutorial for “Twelve Easy Flower Doodles You Need To Know.” Taking Time to sketch up a few doodles can help make the long winter days beautiful.
Edible Beauty: Did you know some flowers are edible and make lovely decorations for cakes, puddings, and more? Try baking up something beautiful by using this handy guide from King Arthur Baking Company “Creative Ways To Use Edible Flowers” for a creative way to make your house bloom this winter.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will make your house bloom beautifully this winter.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Hello, Creative Friends!
The middle of January can feel like a parade of grey, unnoteworthy days. The holidays are over, winter is in full swing and we are most likely finding ourselves wishing for a touch of springtime. However, it’s a great time of year to find joy in doing something creative, like using something as mundane as a carrot to bring joy to life! Here here are 3 simple creative ideas to…
Carrot Up Colors: Go to the local market and buy a bunch of carrots that still have their frilly tops. Take a moment to notice the colors of the carrots. Are their hats kelly green or evergreen? Is the orange a burnt sunset or a bright sunrise? Are the carrots a rusty purple or the color of cream? Snap a photo and think about those carrots and how much joy color brings to our lives and read about “Why Carrots Are Different Colors And Fun Facts” on Delishably.
Virtue In Veggies: Do something for the joy of it. For example, try a new recipe like this one from the New York Times, “Roasted Carrot Salad” by Melissa Clark. Add to the joy by having a friend over to munch on lunch together.
Wake With Wabi-Sabi: Create peace in imperfection by following the philosophy Wasbi-Sabi. Learn about “5 Teachings From The Japanese Wabi-Sabi Philosophy “by Omar Itani and create joy in the beauty of life even when it seems to be broken or irregular. Like the shape of a carrot no two are alike, they are all a bit wonky, yet each carrot holds so much sweet joy in just one bite.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will use something mundane to create joy in your life in this new year!
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hello, Creative Friends!
We are thirteen days into January and settling into the new year. Last week we talked about the new year being a time to get planning and evaluate goals. However, if you are a bit like me, this week I find myself wanting to do nothing more than slip into a fuzzy pair of slipper socks, flip on Netflix and settle in to hibernate the winter away. Maybe it’s the endless days of rain here in California or the fact the year seems overwhelming either way here are …
Fabulous Fika: Getting coffee has become a morning ritual for many of us but it can be a solitary and quick endeavor. We can find ourselves in an endless cycle of brewing coffee (or tea), drinking a cup, and doing work. However, what if we tried Fika, the Swedish tradition of taking a break to sip up the quality of life? Read more about the art of the Swedish coffee break here on “The Kitchen: What is Fika?” It seems like a great way to stay cozy and make winter joyful.
Hug The Hygge: Hygge is the danish word for getting cozy. What would be a better way to feel nurtured than cooking up something warm and delicious in the kitchen? Try one of these thirteen nurturing recipes from Elle Decor to get a hug from Hygge time. The Morning Porridge recipe looks like a breakfast to snuggle into the day.
Arrange The Day: Bringing the outside in can be a wonderful way to create joy as we settle into the winter. Grab a nice bunch of market flowers and be inspired to create a winter flower arrangement like Better Homes and Gardens “6 Winter Flower Arrangments You Can Make With Store-Bought Blooms.” Creating one of these beautiful arrangements might be just what we need to make any room a welcoming place to settle down and find joy this winter.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will make your hibernation mode more creative.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
Happy New Year! The start of any new year brings the opportunity to evaluate goals and tap into new ideas. If you are a bit like me, getting started on planning a tiny or huge project can be overwhelming. I gave myself two weeks to define my 2023-year goals. Do you know what accomplished in two weeks? I baked a cake, played games with my kids, went for very long walks, and downright avoided planning anything for 2023. With a herculean effort, I did finally focus on the planning for 2023 but it took life hacks and fresh creative thinking. No matter the goal or procrastination level, here are 3 creative ideas to…
Make The Goals S.M.A.R.T: When thinking about goals, it can be easy to get lost. A great way to make progress on a goal is to make it S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, And Time-bound.) More can be read about S.M.A.R.T. goals and why they matter on the Asana Blog.
Sketch The Situation: Not everyone is good with words. Sitting down with a pen and a journal to write down big ideas can turn productive time into a pause. If words overwhelm you, try sketching out what the goals might look like and read this article from Time magazine from the designer Ayse Birsel, “How To Sketch A Life Plan.”
Kale. Exhale. Repeat: Even if you hate eating anything green, just adding a few salads a week can help prioritize any health goals. Kale: some people hate it and some people love it. For what it’s worth, I’m on the fence about kale but this favorite salad from Marathon runner’s Shalane Flanagan “Run Fast Eat Slow” blog looks delicious. I have the “Run Fast Eat Slow” cookbook and it’s full of great recipes to pump up the energy and help us make progress on any 2023 health goals!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and share your new year’s resolutions.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
Doubt. It’s the killer of dreams. It can pop up in an instant like an old leaky pipe or a sneaky house cat ready to pounce. Doubt is a destructive jerk who can stop us from living out the most creative part of our lives. When we start to feel like things aren’t terrific and we are about to give up on our dreams…
Tap Into The New: Poetry generally doesn’t move me but I stumbled upon a beautiful poem from the American Poet Langston Hughes, called “Dreams.” It is beautiful, short, and complicated but inspires us to hold fast to what makes us whole.
Write It Down: Dreams can fade away if we don’t make them concrete. The first step is to push away doubt by writing down dreams. Here is a great way to keep that dream top of mind and make it a part of a daily routine. Download this FREE “Please Dream” Smartphone artwork and fill in one dream with the smartphone photo editor. Save this as your artwork or background with your dream in place. Now every time you view your phone screen you will be reminded to lean into doubt and dream big.
Ask For An Artists Help: Sometimes we get stuck in our own heads and there is nothing more destructive than hearing our own doubts like:
“You can’t do this.”
“You are not talented enough.”
“Why waste your time when you could be making money doing something REAL?”
Artists wrestle with this doubt monster every damn day. That’s why reaching out to an established artist can be helpful for anyone. Find a class an artist offers, follow them on social media to see their process, or email them to ask how they fight doubt when things aren’t terrific. Knowing we are not alone in our doubts can make our creative work better and our dreams a reality.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you lean into doubt.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
As winter bears down, the dark days of January can start to feel bitterly cold even when our heaters are turned up and our softest scarf is parading around our shoulders. These winter days can seem long, dark, and uninspired. We might even start to feel like we can’t tap into our creative side. That’s why…
Hot Bartender: Cold winter nights call for a cozy blanket and a hot drink. Play bartender and whip up my “Hot Toddy” recipe that contains a secret ingredient that will make any fridged night wonderful.
Smash Potatoes: When our stomachs are full we can’t help but feel warm and delighted. If you are a bit like me, potatoes are the perfect comfort food for those dark winter nights. Try a new potato recipe like Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes from Recipe Tin Eats. Whipping up a new recipe is a great way to keep January warm and wonderful.
Look At Art: A good way to escape the winter blues and take our minds off the fridged winds blowing outside is to study art online. The National Gallery of Art has short exhibits and free workshops that can be accessed at any moment right from your computer. What a great way to warm up creative inspiration on a bitter winter day!
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will keep warm and creative this winter.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
It’s the middle of January and if you are a bit like me, the new year might feel like a pair of brand new hiking shoes. The shoes are stiff and feel joyless without the miles of long wandering hikes, muddy trails, and days in the languishing sun. Just like those hiking shoes, the year needs to be broken in with some wandering and creative joy.
Therefore…
Arrange The Day: January can bring on the dark, grey days of winter. To brighten up any space, grab a big bunch of flowers at your local market and try this Skillshare Class: Modern Flowers: Arranging A Stunning Centerpiece.
Sunday Scones: Ah, the scone! It’s too dry to be a muffin and too special to be served on a weekday. However categorized, the scone is the elusive darling of the breakfast table. Since the art of making scones is a bit of a mystery, let’s make Sundays, “Scone Day” and learn to make a delicious buttery scone this new year. For a simple and delicious recipe that breaks down the process, try King Arthur’s Simple Scone Recipe.
Ask For Joy: Do have a mentor, friend, or someone whose talents you admire? They might have a class or a resource they are willing to share to spread their creative joy. This is the case for the amazing illustrator Rebecca Green. Her work and storytelling are absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, she has a blog “My Blank Paper” and Patreon classes where she offers advice and tutorials. Find joy in the new year and creating by reading about her work or someone who you admire. It’s a surefire way to get inspired and reach your 2022 creative goals in a joyful way.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will find joy in creating in 2022.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Hi, Creative Friends-
Happy New Year! Surprise! I’m back in your inbox with more creative ideas for 2022!
If you are a bit like me, the new year is a great time to set specific goals and dream up new ideas. However, January can be tough on our mental well-being. This new year, in particular, feels like we are taking a cat for a walk in the middle of winter, slightly joyful but absolutely confusing! Finding the energy to set resolutions can be daunting. So…
Something Borrowed. Something New: Pick a book or movie that is NOT on the “need to read this list.” A great way to find something new and surprise yourself is to try the app Libby (It’s free!). A public library card, a device, and Libby will get you access to a big range of books, magazines, and cookbooks in moments. It’s a great way to get the creative juices going and support and surprise those New Year’s resolutions.
Mindmap: If the new year is making you feel overwhelmed and need a place to organize your thoughts, try Asana. This organizational software will help calm your mind and organize the year into tangible goals so creativity has time to flow.
Be Inspired By Someone Else: Do have a mentor, friend, or someone whose talents you admire? You might be surprised they offer their teachings for free or at a minimal cost. This is the case for the amazing illustrator Rebecca Green. Her work and storytelling are absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, she has a blog “My Blank Paper” and Patreon classes where she offers advice and tutorials. Suprise your creativity by reading about her work or someone who you admire. It’s a surefire way to get inspired and reach your 2022 creative goals in a surprising way.
Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on and how you will surprise your creativity in 2022.
Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.
If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.
Keep going, creative friends!
xoxo,
Andra
Madam Vice President Kamala Harris will be sworn into office today. She will be the first Black woman, and the first person of Indian descent to be sworn the Vice-President of the United States of America.
To celebrate, I’ve created this Free downloadable coloring page.
You can download it here. Madam Vice President Kamala Harris Coloring Page.
Happy United States Inauguration today everyone!
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
This post contains affiliate links.
// Hello, Friends -
We are now deep into mid-January. Who is currently working toward their New Year's resolutions? Did you power lift into the new year with a lofty set of goals and take over changes in your life like a pirate in an icy snowstorm on the way to a mountain topped with gold?
Nope, me either.
I find making life updates is well, hard.
It’s easier to hurry up vs slow down.
It’s easier to stay put vs move on.
It’s easier to be comfortable in what is known vs. what could be learned.
Sometimes our deepest challenge is making the change we need to in order to expand. It’s within the expansion that we have time to think about what we want. However, change requires slowing down to see the beautiful things the world has to offer and figuring out resources and partners to get us to our goals.
One partner that has helped me on my journey is Skillshare. {affiliate link} It’s a learning platform that does an excellent job of providing a wide range of classes to support positive change. Skillshare has created a fuss-free environment for making life updates and they offer a wide range of classes from design, money management to lifestyle. Here some of my personal favorites:
If you are an illustrator or designer check out top teacher Tom Froese. {affiliate link} He has many well-defined illustration classes that will provide a breath of great insight and learnings. One of my favorites:
If you want to write better content at work, or on your social media posts, check out Matt Bellassai’s: {affiliate link}
He’s cheeky and entertaining with great stories to help the learning process.
If you need a style update, Emily Henderson’s {affiliate link}
is a lovely resource to help understand design and how it can play within your space.
You want to get more creative and don’t know where to start? Check out my Skillshare class:
{affiliate link}
Let’s take a leap, learn something new and create an excellent update for ourselves in 2020!
Until soon dear friends //
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
Image By FTD
// Happy New Year Friends -
Who is working on their New Year’s resolutions?
Making promises to ourselves can feel like we are starting off the year in an Instapot, too much pressure! What happens when we forget to release the pressure valve on our steaming pot of change? We end up scraping disappointment off the walls for weeks!
This year, let’s make things simple. Let’s make a shortlist of items that “need definition.” Here are three areas I want to define in 2020:
1) Bake Great Bread.
2) Don’t Hurry.
3) Be Kind.
Today, I’m tackling “Be Kind,” and I found a great resource to help me rise to my goal. When I am stumped on how to jump into a problem, I look to the internet and I found a great resource from all places FTD.
FTD has created 3 “New Year, New Me” kindness calendars that are versatile for every month of the year.
Image By FTD
Here are their thoughts on New Year Definitions…
The New Year brings a breath of fresh air, new opportunities, and a chance to examine your environment to see if what surrounds you is positive or negative. Whether you see an opportunity to help a friend or contribute to an organization you love, a little scheduling can make a big difference in remembering to pay it forward. Whatever your goals are for the New Year, there are always opportunities to lift others on your way to personal success. By spreading kindness you are more likely to inspire others as well as receive a little love in return.
Each calendar offers different objectives geared at spreading kindness in your free time, at the office, and within your community. These simple reminders will inspire you to be kinder wherever life takes you!
They’ve also provided kindness challenges for you to try!
Image By FTD
Did you know that showing kindness attracts positivity into your life? Keep track of loving those closest to you with a daily reminder from the printable calendar below.
Image By FTD
Learning is a great way to stay sharp and add some fun to your life! Challenge a friend to pick up a new skill or hobby with you to enhance your creativity and create a memory together.
Work can be a large part of your life and you never know how showing random acts of kindness can positively impact someone’s day. Let your resolution inspire others to pay it forward as well!
Image By FTD
Putting yourself first can be one of the most beneficial resolutions you can make. Show yourself some love by expanding your skills or knowledge, caring for your body and fitness goals, or simply cultivating your mental and emotional health.
Give up some of your time and give back to your community. If you love an organization, spend some extra free time signing up for volunteer opportunities or taking on leadership positions.
Image By FTD
Enter the New Year spreading kindness and thinking of others - whether it be towards your family, community or colleagues! Use a “New Year, New Me” mindset to spread compassion and kindness to everyone including yourself!
© 2020 Andra Weber Creative LLC
I hope you find some kindness and definition in the new year, friends! Until soon, Happy New Year! //
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
This post contains an affiliate link.
Day 15. Recipe 15.
Who knew five ingredients could make a fantastic and create a better-for-us breakfast?
Chocolate.
Bananas.
Eggs.
Oats.
Maple Syrup.
Yes!
adapted from the book "100% Real 100 Insanely Good Recipes For Clean Food Made Fresh" By Sam Talbot. {affiliate link}
Step 1: Place the mashed bananas, eggs in a large bowl. Wisk to combine. Add the oats, chocolate, and salt (optional) to the bowl and stir to combine.
Step 2: Heat a large griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place 1/4 cup batter in the griddle or skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side. Cook until the edges seem crisp and bubbles appear in the middle. Flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes or until firm and brown. Repeat until all the batter is gone.
Step 3: Top the pancakes with maple syrup and garnish with whip cream.
There were no "Oh, Barf!" here comments coming from our breakfast table. There was just silent happy munching.
Until tomorrow friends.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Winter A Little More Fun.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Make Valentine’s Day Creative And Thrilling.
Here Are 3 Ideas To Find Wonder In Creating.
Day 12. Recipe 12.
It's fantastic when something simple changes our lives. Take toast. It's just a piece of bread and yet so much can be done with a fundamental slice of crunchiness.
Like, getting kids interested in making something delicious in the kitchen.
Today's recipe was created by my kids. Sure, I helped, but together we developed this tasty treat inspired by today's Super Blue Blood Moon celestial event.
It was mind-altering to see them come up with ideas and thoughts on everything from the ingredients to the angle of the photography. My daughter suggested the lime juice; my son told me to photograph the toast on a black background. They both helped eat the blueberries while we all talked about the workings of outer space, stars, rocket ships and our moon.
So much goodness and learning came out of something so simple!
Serves 4 / 10 min prep time
Step 1: Place the frozen blueberries, lime juice, syrup, and cream cheese in a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Use a 3-inch cup, press the lip of the cup into the middle of the bread to create a circle shape. Insert the bread into a toaster and crisp until golden.
Step 3: Place the toast on a plate and slather the blueberry/cream cheese/lime spread directly on the circle of the toast. Sprinkle with fresh blueberries and repeat the process with the other 3 slices.
Now my kids say "Enjoy the toast and the super blue moon!
Until tomorrow friends.
Day 11. Recipe 11.
Weeknight dinners can be plain, boring and downright dull. Sometimes we get caught in an endless cycle of same old same old. Trying something new seems just too much to handle.
And let's face it, sometimes we are just too chicken to try the new chicken.
Well, this recipe is guaranteed to make us all less of a chicken.
These rice bowls inspired by Ev Eats are pretty easy. The only hard part is the recipe requires three different pots or pans to whip up dinner.
Most of my family loved this recipe. It, however, did receive a one "Oh, barf!" rating. In the future, a little pineapple addition might go a long way to making these bowls delicious for a whole crowd.
Chicken
Black Beans
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Chicken
Step 1: In a blender, combine the ingredients for the chicken marinade. Add the cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper, garlic, orange zest and orange juice, and lime zest and lime juice to the blender. Blend on high until smooth.
Step 2: Add the chicken to a ziptop bag and pour all the marinade over the chicken. Move the ingredients around to coat and allow the chicken to sit for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 3: Heat a large nonstick skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook, 10-12 minutes or until browned all over and fully cooked.
Black Beans
Step 1: Heat the vegetable oil in dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 4 minutes, until soft and golden.
Step 2: Add the black beans and paprika. Cook for 5-10 minutes. Add salt and pepper if desired.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1: Cook the rice according to the package directions. Once the rice is ready, add the lime, cilantro and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Divide the rice, chicken and black beans in bowls, top with avocado, tomatoes, and lime juice.
Let me know how you like the chicken, little chickens.
Until tomorrow friends.
