Owner: French Toast Girl URL:http://www.frenchtoastgirl.com/weblog/blogger.shtml Join Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:31:05 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Art, inspiration, and why life is like french toast. Featuring original artwork by illustrator Elena Nazzaro. Site statistics:Click here
The 3rd Annual Michelangelo Project 2007-03-02 14:31:00 March 6th is Michelangelo
's birthday! To celebrate the birthday of one of the world's most inspiring artists, I invite you to participate in this project.
What you do:
1. Do something creative this Tuesday, March 6th. It can be something you love to do, something you've forgotten how to do, something you've never done and always secretly wanted to try. Here's your excuse! Some ideas are:
- paint/draw/collage
- sculpt (like the master)
- write a poem, a short story
- take a photo
- visit a museum or art gallery
- sew
- cook something exciting you've never made before
- see an art film, foreign film, or movie about an artist
2. Come back here and share your experience!
Post a link to your creation, write about your trip or creative process - share your creative story with others. How creative can we get? (There will be a special post Tuesday for you to post to.)
3. Link back with the above graphic if you've written about it on your site.
4. Have fun, for goodness' sake! T Read more:Annual
, Project
Yoga Mama 2007-03-01 04:18:00
My illustration on an article about prenatal yoga in the latest Kiwi Magazine.
This is way more serene than the yoga I do now, which I call "Combat Yoga" - where each of my children fight over how many of them can fit underneath me in any given pose. Sophie's favorite trick is to do the Downward Dog pose directly under me while I do it, and then Angela rushes and slides in on her tummy under Sophie (unless Peter beats her to it). No matter how precarious the pose or how many times I tell them that if I fall on them, I will squash them, they consider it a personal challenge to be as close to me as humanly possible. And don't even get me started on the fights they have over the bricks.
art vs. design 2007-02-27 14:07:00 I was incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Designed Weblog in the Bloggies this year. When I went to look at all the nominees (for everything, actually), I noticed that there seemed to be a definite division. There were sites that were incredibly crafted, coded out the wazoo, devoted to design
with every last pixel of their being. Sites that had perfect CSS; sites that discuss web design on a regular basis.
And then there's mine.
My code is far from perfect. I talk about art, but not about design (web, graphic, or otherwise, although I am an Art Director at my day job and have to talk about it all day). I talk a lot about being a mom and the struggles to meld art and family without going insane.
Oh, and did I mention that mine looks nothing like the other entries?
I've noticed since the noms came out blogs which mention all the other nominees but me, as if I'm in some different group that doesn't belong there, darling. Not one of us. And then there's people who voted
Guest artist: Sophia Grace 2007-02-26 14:11:00 Sophie is four years old today.
When Sophie was two, she taught herself to read.
When Sophie was three, she started writing.
I can't wait to see what this year will bring. I love her more every day. Especially when she draws me stuff like this:
Read more:Guest
, Sophia
, Grace
Packaging Girlhood 2007-02-20 14:26:00 I just finished the most amazing book: PackagingGirlhood
: Rescuing our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes. I highly recommend this for any mom or teacher (and isn't that what all moms are anyway?) Plain and simple, the authors break down how girls today are targeted by marketers every step of the way, through what they see on TV to what the covers of board games have on them (by the way, not ONE had a girl winning the game.)
In our house, we don't watch commercials, even the ones on PBS. :) Although some of my sitters have been aghast to hear that my kids don't watch Disney films, the only thing my kids have seen is Mary Poppins. (No offense to you if you like them, I think 4 is far too young to pretend your prince needs to rescue you. Not to mention every "princess" in the movies has no mother, who has been conveniently killed off because she interferes with the plot. But I digress.) And while I thought that I was being a little overprotective, after reading this book, I'm gla
All you need is love, love... 2007-02-14 14:51:00
We take the same pic every year. See the kids grow up:
(2005)
(2006)
How we do it 2007-02-13 14:27:00 The following is from a note I wrote to my Walking In This World group, which has a few mamas in it who are trying to make more time for their art in a schedule that's already jam-packed. I figured I would share what we do in the hopes that it helps someone out. Feel free to add your own advice in the comments. :)
..................
LOTS OF UNSOLICITED ADVICE TO FOLLOW - FEEL FREE TO PICK/CHOOSE/IGNORE ;)
Have you considered hiring a sitter for Sunday afternoons? We have sitters (High school girls) come in for 2 hours every night just to help me feed the kids and get them off to bed, b/c my husband teaches music classes every night until 10ish.(I can do it by myself, but it's difficult with the three under 4 and trying to be supermom has gotten me sick many times from exhaustion.)
Anyway, so my kids are familiar with the girls (not to mention Grandma!), so sometimes we have one of them come on a weekend afternoon for a few hours to play with the kiddos while we get our own work d
Illustration Friday: Crash 2007-02-10 01:46:00
Mama said there'd be days like this...
from my Every Day In May extravaganza. I swore last year in June I would never do it again, but now I'm thinking that I'd really like to. So mark your calendars if you want to participate, come May... Read more:Illustration
, Friday
Keep believing, keep pretending 2007-02-09 16:37:00
Faithful readers of this blog know what a hero and inspiration Jim Henson continues to be to me (I lobbied unsuccessfully for each of my kids to have "Henson" as a middle name. Hmpf.) Anyway, I want to share some marvelous wild Henson geniusness I've come across recently:
Jim Henson video collection at the University of Maryland . I am especially excited about watching the "Experimental Films", some of which I have read about many times but never thought I'd get to actually see.
The Cube. Henson's wild film about a man trapped in a cube that others can enter and leave, but he has to figure out how to get out himself. Thanks to my super-wonderful brother, I now have my own copy of this. You can actually download it, it's in the public domain now. Or just watch it. (About an hour long.)
Timepiece. The Oscar-nominated short. Watch Jim Henson paint an elephant lavender, among other things. (About 9 minutes.)
Wilkins Coffee commercials. We've said "A house just isn't a home w Read more:pretending
Crafty 2007-02-08 14:14:00
Everyone's birthday's coming up very soon - Sophie at the end of the month (4) and Petey and Angela at the very beginning of March (3). I asked them if they would like me to make them special rag dolls they could dress up and play with, and they got quite excited. Especially when I told them I'd make each doll look like one of them!
So - here's the big question to those of you out there who make toys on a regular basis - what kinds of materials do you recommend? Did you ever make a doll you could throw in the washer? Do you know of any good (free would be lovely) patterns that are not too complicated?
Petey, Sophie, and Angela have colored about 50 photocopies of those dolls now.... Read more:Crafty
Illustration Friday: Sprout 2007-02-05 03:21:00
An illustration I did a while ago for Bank Securities Journal. (Paul was the model, and no, he doesn't really have that tie.)
Here's the spread:
Read more:Illustration
, Friday
, Sprout
Leaping, part 2 2007-01-31 14:28:00
A while back, I wrote how Keri Smith's article in HOW magazine inspired the heck out of me. One of the things she says is to find something you love and believe in. "It's as simple a letter saying, 'I like what you're doing. Can I be involved somehow? Here's what I do.' "
In that spirit, I contacted a new favorite magazine of mine, Kiwi Magazine. It's for families that are trying to live as healthy and organically as possible. I wrote them a note saying what a fan I was, and that my artwork was exactly what their magazine needed. I pointed out that not only did I make great illustrations, but that I lived the spirit of their magazine and that I would be perfect for them. I sent them over a bunch of links and images, including my old favorite "Balance" that I did for Illustration Friday almost exactly 2 years ago. I sold the heck out of myself, and then I was so excited and nervous, I couldn't get to sleep. But seriously, what was the worst thing that could happen? They alre Read more:Leaping
Illustration Friday: Red 2007-01-29 02:48:00
Marker and coloured pencil. What do you think the fellow on the ground is saying to the other birds?
p.s. to iFri-ers: I'm a finalist in the 2007 Weblog Awards for Best-Designed Weblog! Woo hoo! If you like what you see and want to vote for one of your own, I would be honored. Read more:Illustration
, Friday
2007 Bloggies 2007-01-26 20:01:00 Wowsers! What a delightful surprise to see myself listed as a finalist for Best-Designed Weblog! (Color me quite thrilled! And tickled pink!)
I'm happy to be the splash of color and hand-drawn lines that you see here. The site underwent a massive overhaul this summer, and it finally looks the way I always wanted it to; loose and free and full of paint. And it's amazing that I'm not the only one who noticed!
Hugs and thank yous to everyone who nominated me! If you like what you've been seeing... please vote for French Toast Girl. Voting's open 'till 10PM EST on February 2, the anniversary of the day Paul got down on one knee and proposed (maaaany years ago). Good omen? I'd like to think so! Read more:Bloggies
One afternoon in January 2007-01-23 14:27:00
5 minutes each, dining room table, copy paper, kids' Crayola pan watercolours. Creativity turns up when I least expect it. Read more:January
Waking Life 2007-01-22 14:48:00
Spent a day with three delightful and incredibly talented lads - 'Toine, Craig, and Kevin (two of which are single, ladies!) and finally got to cross a movie off my Big 35 list. Not only was it inspiring, I want to figure out how to make my hair do that. I've been enjoying looking up the animators and reading up on what they're doing now.
ps ~ Guys, this is for you. Read more:Waking Life
Illustration Friday: Superhero 2007-01-19 22:08:00
From an old pad I unearthed, sketched about 3 and a half years ago. Sophie was about 5 months old, and little did I know I was about to get pregnant with the twins. I think the text is readable... one thing that's hard to read on the pedestal are the letters that spell out "SUPAMOM."
As I was suffering from post-partum depression at the time (yes, even then), I am pretty impressed that I had the presence of mind to write, "Extremely large and strong heart." Eternally optimistic, huh? This was part of a bigger sheet with "How Sophie Inspires Me" at the top and lots more handwritten notes as well. I have no idea why I made this list, but I sure am glad I saved it. Read more:Illustration
, Friday
, Superhero
The blanket's in the dryer 2007-01-18 14:28:00 It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear . . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to.
~ Marilyn Ferguson
I remarked in a recent post that things have been a bit rotten lately. I have so many things on my mind and on my shoulders right now - sitters leaving, strained friendships, health issues, power struggles, all sorts of crappy things I have no control over that add up. Every day I've been waiting for another shoe to fall and wondering what new unpleasant surprise I'm going to get.
I was talking it over with my dad last night, who listened and remarked sagely, "Sounds like you're in for a lot of changes." Which sounds painfully obvious, but it made everything so clear to me. Instead of taking things I had no control over as a personal insult, I could see them for what they are - changes. Changes are neutral. Changes are
Walking in This World Starts Tomorrow! 2007-01-13 18:57:00 I'm so excited - we're about to start on an adventure that's going to be eye-opening, soul-opening, and will teach you things about yourself you never knew before. But don't worry, you're not alone -- there are over 20 people who are all making the trek with us!
I have email addresses for most of the partcipants - if you still want to join, or if your name is here (means I have a trucated address or you commented but didn't give me an email - KarenJinks, Paula, and evi), please send me a note. All the participants that I could find an email for have already been sent an email this morning. If you think you should be on that list and aren't, again, please send me an email.
Okay everyone... start walking!
NOTE: as of Tuesday, January 16, I'm not accepting newcomers to the group. If you have the book and want to play along online, that's fine, and I welcome you to comment or join the flickr group. You can also use the badge above. If you wrote to me yesterday, or if your n Read more:Walking
, World
Juicy 2007-01-12 14:21:00
Things around our house have been a bit on the stressful side lately. If a thing can go wrong, it is, all at the same time. I just finished telling a friend how when life throws crap at you, it's a sign that you're on to something good and other forces are trying to pull you in another direction; you have to attend to the mess but keep your eyes on the goal. Right after I said that, I thought, hm, sounds like I need to heed my own advice - since setting my start date for Walking in This World as this Sunday the 14th, everything's been piling on in heaps. Yesterday was particularly rough and at one point I just said a little prayer, "Please, God, if you can send some little good thing my way to cheer me up today, I would really appreciate it."
Within, I kid you not, one hour:
- I got hired to do two new illustrations for a magazine I love (more details to come)
- A package came for me from Snowflake with three SARK books - written on the outside was "To help you on your journe Read more:Juicy
Illustration Friday: Buzz 2007-01-09 14:29:00
And while we're talking about buzz... the 2007 Weblog Awards nominations are open until 10 PM est Thursday, 1/11! (updated!) If you feel so inclined, I'd love it if you wanted to nominate this one. (hee!) So far I think my best bet is "Best Kept Secret" but hey, who knows? :) And don't forget to vote for your other favorites as well! (Like IllustrationFriday
for Best Community Weblog!)
Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2007-01-08 13:45:00 Spirits Unwrapped, which I illustrated last year, is mentioned in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2006: 19th Annual Collection! And holey moley, I am mentioned in it!
Three of the stories received Honorable Mention and it was designed by talented bud Allyson. I am a huge fan of these collections and I'm breathless that my name is even in there.
Excuse me while I squeal:
Sqqqqqqquuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
k, I'm done now. :)
More pics:
Well you know my name is Simon... 2007-01-05 15:10:00
May it inspire you to go get out some chalk and draw - and sing the theme song all day long! Read more:Simon
Walking in This World Update 2007-01-04 14:43:00 We have a starting date, folks!
You will need to have a book in your hands and be ready to start in 2 weeks - January 14 is going to be the start of Week One. So if you have the book, great, please DON'T START YET. If you don't have the book, you will need to get it.
Here are questions I've been asked:
Do I need to get the book?
Ummmm... yes. We're working through the exercises in the book, and there are 12 weeks of the program. You need a copy.
Do I need to do The Artist's Way first?
In WITW, the author says, "Newcomers will need to familiarize themselves with some basic concepts... " and then outlines them. So I think it's okay. I think it's better to take a chance and try than to not do it at all!
Last time we did this, I made an email list for all the participants, and I sent out weekly recaps and encouraged others to do the same.
This time, I'm taking it a little further. I've created a few places online for us to congregate and add information:
http://www.squi Read more:Walking
, World
, Update
Mom to Mom Interview 2007-01-02 13:50:00 I'm thrilled to be featured as January's interview at Mother Rising. Go check it out!
The 3rd Annual Michelangelo Project 2007-03-02 14:31:00 March 6th is Michelangelo
's birthday! To celebrate the birthday of one of the world's most inspiring artists, I invite you to participate in this project.
What you do:
1. Do something creative this Tuesday, March 6th. It can be something you love to do, something you've forgotten how to do, something you've never done and always secretly wanted to try. Here's your excuse! Some ideas are:
- paint/draw/collage
- sculpt (like the master)
- write a poem, a short story
- take a photo
- visit a museum or art gallery
- sew
- cook something exciting you've never made before
- see an art film, foreign film, or movie about an artist
2. Come back here and share your experience!
Post a link to your creation, write about your trip or creative process - share your creative story with others. How creative can we get? (There will be a special post Tuesday for you to post to.)
3. Link back with the above graphic if you've written about it on your site.
4. Have fun, for goodness' sake! T Read more:Annual
, Project
Yoga Mama 2007-03-01 04:18:00
My illustration on an article about prenatal yoga in the latest Kiwi Magazine.
This is way more serene than the yoga I do now, which I call "Combat Yoga" - where each of my children fight over how many of them can fit underneath me in any given pose. Sophie's favorite trick is to do the Downward Dog pose directly under me while I do it, and then Angela rushes and slides in on her tummy under Sophie (unless Peter beats her to it). No matter how precarious the pose or how many times I tell them that if I fall on them, I will squash them, they consider it a personal challenge to be as close to me as humanly possible. And don't even get me started on the fights they have over the bricks.
art vs. design 2007-02-27 14:07:00 I was incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Designed Weblog in the Bloggies this year. When I went to look at all the nominees (for everything, actually), I noticed that there seemed to be a definite division. There were sites that were incredibly crafted, coded out the wazoo, devoted to design
with every last pixel of their being. Sites that had perfect CSS; sites that discuss web design on a regular basis.
And then there's mine.
My code is far from perfect. I talk about art, but not about design (web, graphic, or otherwise, although I am an Art Director at my day job and have to talk about it all day). I talk a lot about being a mom and the struggles to meld art and family without going insane.
Oh, and did I mention that mine looks nothing like the other entries?
I've noticed since the noms came out blogs which mention all the other nominees but me, as if I'm in some different group that doesn't belong there, darling. Not one of us. And then there's people who voted
Guest artist: Sophia Grace 2007-02-26 14:11:00 Sophie is four years old today.
When Sophie was two, she taught herself to read.
When Sophie was three, she started writing.
I can't wait to see what this year will bring. I love her more every day. Especially when she draws me stuff like this:
Read more:Guest
, Sophia
, Grace
Packaging Girlhood 2007-02-20 14:26:00 I just finished the most amazing book: PackagingGirlhood
: Rescuing our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes. I highly recommend this for any mom or teacher (and isn't that what all moms are anyway?) Plain and simple, the authors break down how girls today are targeted by marketers every step of the way, through what they see on TV to what the covers of board games have on them (by the way, not ONE had a girl winning the game.)
In our house, we don't watch commercials, even the ones on PBS. :) Although some of my sitters have been aghast to hear that my kids don't watch Disney films, the only thing my kids have seen is Mary Poppins. (No offense to you if you like them, I think 4 is far too young to pretend your prince needs to rescue you. Not to mention every "princess" in the movies has no mother, who has been conveniently killed off because she interferes with the plot. But I digress.) And while I thought that I was being a little overprotective, after reading this book, I'm gla
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