My Life as a Professional Artist

For the last year I have been gainfully employed as an artist. For a bit longer if you count my jobs as an art teacher.

As a child I always dreamed of being a professional artists when I grew up. And then at some point around middle school reality checked in and told me that there was no way I could support myself and still be a zealous witness and be a professional artists. In fact I still remember being about 9 years old and getting asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said an artist or a writer. I remember the person asking me that laughing in my face and saying that it wasn't very likely I'd be able to make any money as either. So I let that dream slip to being just a hobby.

Remake it Home by Henrietta Thompson

Remake It: Home by Henrietta Thompson
Thames & Hudson (October 12, 2009) 
ISBN-10: 0500514844
ISBN-13: 978-0500514849
272 pages
All ages
My Rating: 2/5

DIY Felted Hangers

When we first moved to the Valley and I was unpacking my clothes, I almost ran out and bought those slim velvet hangers. But then I couldn't justify that frivolous expense on our budget. So I waited.

While I was at Ikea a couple weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice their Bagis slim hangers at $.99 for a 4-pack. This got me thinking that I could use some felt I had at home and make my very own no-slip hangers.

Menu Plan: August 20

Mon: Creamy butter chicken 

Tues: Italian Sausage Potato Roast

Wed: Spicy Southern Chili in Bread Bowls 

Thurs: Balsamic steak with Veggies 

Fri: Creamy Pesto 

Sat: Lemon Garlic Pasta

30 under $500

30 under $500 by mismikado on polyvore.com

Weekly Intentions: August 19

It's a new week already... INSANE! Ok let's recap on how well I did with last week's intentions:

• Redesign my website - I started but it's a pretty ambitious project since it's going to be like 30 different pages O_O Will have to break it down into stages.
• Paint a couple pieces of fabric for pillows - No :( Still want to do this though! I did pre-treat my canvas for it so I am ready to start painting.
• Plot a large scale painting - Nope.
• Finish our cabinet doors - We finished all the painting. Just have to install hardware and re-hang them.
• Solidify my invitation collections and get started on samples - Nope. But I did make an announcement in my shop that I will be limiting my number of sales to afford myself some time to work on this over the next couple months.
• Make door mat  - Nope.
• Make felt hangers - Yes! And I'll be sharing the DIY this week :)

How sad is it that I only completely accomplished one of my intentions? I find that to be the case week after week. But honestly, I am ok with that. I like to set the standard high so that even if I only do one thing creative, it is still more than I probably would have done without pre-planning my projects for the week. And one thing I was super excited about doing that wasn't on this list was making my own bread from scratch this week. I made 2 big loaves and everyone loved and I plan to continue making it every week because it is pretty easy :)
So for this week I intend to:

• Work on my query for the project known as MAR
• Design 3 more pages for my new website

• Make a test strip of all my Photoshop actions {inspiration}

• Design our 2nd anniversary photo book
• Take a instagram photo every single day

• Start writing Luke love letters and little notes as a future anniversary gift {inspiration}

• Get serious about my diet again

The Break-Up Survival Kit

So a very close friend of mine recently went through a very heart wrenching break-up. Unfortunately since I live far away, I can't be there to comfort her. I knew I wanted to comfort her and send a smile her way some how. After some help from Google, I was able to come up with The Break-Up Survival Kit.

Currently

Loving: The new Pinterest app for Android. I was hating having to try and navigate the mobile website everyday from my phone but I love Pinterest too much not to use it. So when I signed on yesterday and I saw a notice to install the app I was over the moon excited. Luke and my mom didn't know what to do with me :) I have repinned so many things today ;)

Shine On Saturdays

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

Fairest by Chanda Hahn

Fairest (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 2) by Chanda Hahn
Chanda Hahn; 1 edition (May 31, 2012)
ISBN: 1478215771
235 pages
Age 12+
Buy Here for $2.99
My Rating: 3/5

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince (Iron Fey) by Julie Kagawa

Harlequin Teen (October 23, 2012)
ISBN-10:0373210574
ISBN-13:978-0373210572
400 Pages
Ages 14+
Pre-order Here for $9.99
My Rating: 5/5

Monstir Fry Recipe

Even though its not Stir Friday we decided to have Monstir Fry tonight ;-)
I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping this week so I decided to shop our pantries. I found some carne al pastor pork in or freezer, a bag of frozen veggies from my aunt, and some top ramen. So a stir fry it was.
I decided to share my recipe because this meal would cost about $7 to buy the ingredients and serves at least 8.

Ingredients:
2 pounds pastor pork
1 bag frozen mixed Asian veggies, steamable
5 top ramen packs
Soy sauce
Teriyaki sauce
2 sliced jalapenos
Olive oil

Heat large wok for 3 minutes. Coat with olive oil. Cook pork until cooked through. Steam veggies in microwave according to package directions. Meanwhile bring large pot of water to boil. Turn of heat and let ramen soak for two minutes until soft. Add veggies and jalapenos to wok and continue to stir fry. Drain and add noodles to wok. Top with teriyaki and mix. Serve in bowls with soy sauce to flavor.

Weekly Intentions: August 12

Well we are home again. We had a nice couple weeks in Dallas catching up with family and friends now it is back to real life. Here are my goals this week...

• Redesign my website
• Paint a couple pieces of fabric for pillows {inspiration}

• Plot a large scale painting
• Finish our cabinet doors
• Solidify my invitation collections and get started on samples
• Make door mat {inspiration}

• Make felt hangers {inspiration}

Financial Goals

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So today we are going to talk about finances again. It has been almost 1 year since Luke quit his full-time job and we both began working as freelancers. In that time we survived strictly because of reliance on Jehovah.

But I do not regret it at all. If only for the fact that we saw Jehovah's hand directly in our lives. But we also learned some pretty cool things along the way and made decisions that really will help us now and in the future.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
HarperCollins; Reprint edition (October 25, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0061726818
ISBN-13: 978-0061726811
496 pages
Ages 14 +
Buy Here for $9.99
My Rating: 1/5

Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale) by Chanda Hahn
Chanda Hahn (December 30, 2011)
ISBN: 1475070306
225 Pages
Age 12 +
Buy Here for Free
My rating: 3.5/5