A Fresh Start...

Happy New Year everyone!  Just like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning...a fresh start is what almost everyone is hopeful for in 2011.  A chance to improve, a chance to be more creative, a chance to expand our horizons with all this new year has to offer.  Time to get rid of the old....and in with the new!  And of course, this does not have to be new "stuff" - but new attitudes, new adventures, new ways of thinking, new ways of sharing, new ways of giving, new ways of being kind and last but never least, new ways to simplify. 

Besides trying to expand my line of mixed media creations in 2011, one of my main goals is to learn how to simplify more.  Learn how to not live such a chaotic lifestyle 24/7.  Since my four girls already provide the chaos for me...as well as my own artistic personality, it is important that I focus on making the rest of our lifestyle as simple as possible.  "Keep it simple".  Three simple words that are not easy to break down when applying them.  I hope to inspire all of those around me and afar to simplify their life this year.  Relax more.  Be better organized.  Give more.  Love more.  Do more...in general.  I wish to do more outside...I live in Florida and now is the PERFECT time of year to be outside...in the summer months...I am so wishing we lived in Colorado!  But...I guess I will have to find a way to hop, skip and jump over those dreadful, hot summer months with more of an upbeat stride this year...making the best of the climate that I live in.  

We are now 3 days into the new year...three of my girls are back to school and the other is lying under my feet while I type.  I am setting goals today.  Writing them down.  Figuring out what my steps are in order to head in the direction of accomplishing them.  I am going to look at them as being "simple" goals.  As long as I break up the steps regarding how to achieve them, and complete each step successfully, then I should do alright!  That is the plan anyway!

Regardless, looking at life as a "fresh start" everyday should be helpful.  As stated, just like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, we have the ability to start fresh everyday - literally.  We have the power to do whatever we put our minds to.  To complete what we wish to complete, little by little each day.  And as we do, we will feel much more connected.  Much more in tune with our passion, our purpose and find our self along the way.

I only hope the best for everyone this year.  But remember, goals do not have to be complicated....a little bit of love, kindness and gratitude goes a long way and can make accomplishing our goals and desires even easier.

Task for the day: Simply think about what YOU want.  And if you are certain, then write it down and keep it in front of you where you can see it everyday.

Live Artfully,

JM 

"Sail Forward"
16x20, acrylic on canvas

Available at Artistree Co-op (Orlando, FL)



Well, yes...it has been a while since my last post.  I know...I know.  I do not have any new excuses to give everyone but the same old, same old.  Chaos, family life, paint all over my hands...do any of those work???

Above is a piece that I created for the back wall of Artistree (for the month of December).  The theme was "joy"...and immediately, exactly what I created is exactly what had popped into my head when I heard the theme...I love it when canvases work out that way!  For some reason I had been wanting to do a sail boat for a long time...and now...here it is!  I love the phrase too! Words to live by...

With joy in your heart and passion in your soul

Sail towards a life filled with

Gratitude, love and kindness

Regardless, it is always fun to post and share although it is far in-between.  I am going to try and challenge myself in 2011 and post once a day...but add a little something to each post so that everyone can learn something new everyday.  My focus/theme is going to be: "Keep it Simple".  I am at a time in my life right now where I am truly trying to simplify how I do things while being a wife, a mom to four girls and creator of many things.  My goal is simple although the journey getting there might not necessarily be.  As I learn how to simplify, I will share ideas, suggestions, etc. with everyone along the way. So I hope that everyone is excited about learning a little more about the "simple" life as I am!  I guess the queen of chaos is a little tired of being so chaotic!  Just a little... 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We all have so much to be thankful for...big and small blessings are all around us on a daily basis.  I for one am very thankful for that first sip of coffee in the morning!  It is like heaven to me!

I need to get back to "life" now.  Back to chasing Curran around the house, dirty dishes, crumbs on the floor and being creative!

Have a wonderfully, artful day!

JM 



Colorful Chaos...

"find your happy place"

10 x10 acrylic on canvas

Ahh...my new favorite!  I am in love with the phrase!

"life's purpose..."

12 x 16 acrylic on canvas

"unleash your soul"

12 x 12 acrylic on canvas

"love hoo you are"

18 x 24 acrylic on canvas

"flourish"

22 x 30 acrylic on canvas

My new bird bookmarks are now

available in my Etsy shop!

Yes...I have not posted in a while!  I have been busy painting, doing a little bit of sewing as well as keeping up with my graphic design clients!  Oh...and 4 kids and homework!  Whew!!!!  That was a mouthful!

Anyway - I wanted to share my latest creations with you!

I hope everyone is having a colorful week!

Live Artfully,

JM



Mom's Night Out Mixed Media Workshop

My next Mom's Night Out Mixed Media Workshop is just around the corner!  It is set for Saturday, October 9th at 5pm!  One of the other moms helped me decide which project to focus on for this workshop and so a whimsical Christmas sign it is!  Of course one does not have to do the same exact sign...but the use of paper, Mod Podge, acrylic paints, gel pens, watercolor crayons, wood, wire and ribbons is a must! One can create an angel, Santa, a snowman, just a tree, you name it!  I will have lots of on-the-spot creativity to offer!

The workshop is $40 per person and ALL SUPPLIES are included!  (Please click on the above image for more details!).  The deadline to register is Friday, October 1st so register soon!

You can register via my website at http://www.jennifermccully.com/ and then go to the events page.

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Live Artfully,

JM

Love HOO you are...

18x18

"love hoo you are"

This canvas was created for a little girl named Sophie!

You can see that her baby stats are written within the leaves on the flower.

Enjoy Sophie!!!  I hope you LOVE IT!

Well...meet my newest product!  Lucy!

Back of Lucy...

The pocket on the back was left unsewn at the top so that it COULD

double as a tooth fairy pillow! (just an extra perk!)

Macie named her Lucy...and she belongs to Macie now so she can call her whatever she wants!

I will be creating a collection of these little owl pillows in all different colors (and sizes) and they will be available in my Etsy shop...and maybe Artistree Co-op.  I will let everyone know once they are available.  You can see that I am getting a chance to mix some of my mixed media techniques/style with fabric!!!  Needless to say, I am really having fun!

Living in creative bliss,

JM

Sew Cute!!!

Over sized Owl Pillow, approx. 24 in. high

Back of Owl Pillow...

I MUST have a sewing bug!  I made this over sized owl pillow over the weekend...my first pillow EVER and I think it came out adorable!  I actually made it for one of my daughter's friends who has a birthday this week!  Of course now that my girls saw this pillow they are determined to have one of their own!  All I can say is...Christmas is coming up!

I am working on a new canvas today...incorporating an owl and an over sized flower...I promise to share when it is done! I am working on some mini sewing projects in between drying time on the canvas too!  Only if they turn out well will I actually share those with you too!  :-)

I hope everyone is having an artful week so far!

JM

Creative Bliss...

  "Unleash your Soul" 16x16

SOLD

This is one of my new favorites! I still cannot get enough color.

I feel like I have so much creativity, color and passion locked up inside

me that I am having a hard time getting it out...

or, I am not getting it out fast enough!

"Lulu" 16x16

Available at Artistree Co-op in College Park

I FINALLY finished my Giraffe!  I started it at

my art camp this year!

Shown are some of the books that I have read recently or

am in the middle of reading!  I am really enjoying them!

Curran...on her way to her buddy Bradley's birthday party last month!

She is such a whimsical diva...

My girls are wearing the FSU tees that I made

out of FSU fabric!

This is a pillowcase that I recently made for a dear friend's

sons birthday.

I made this for "the queen", that is what I call my fabulous mother-in-law!  I did not think she would

be crazy about wearing an tee with a fabric design on it so I was lucky enough to find this

super soft tee nightgown at Target and added my own magic!  I think I might have to go get myself one!

 

Last but never least, I created this for Phil's Aunt Janet.

The leaves have her family member's initials on them and the house

number is her and her husband's anniversary.

Hello all!  Wow!  This is like the least amount of time in-between posts for me!  I dunno know...does anyone care???  I sometimes stress about what the heck I am suppose to do or say on my blog but I decided this week that I should not be stressing...I just need to write what is on my mind.  What I am feeling...what I am creating, etc.  That can't be that hard can it?!?!?

I dove into creating again this week.  A little bit of this, a little bit of that.  I created a new casserole this week using chicken and broccoli.  Let's just say my kids were soooo not into it!  At least Phil and I liked it!  Needless to say, I won't be making THAT again! 

I have also been into reading a lot lately!  I read so much in high school and before kids but now...finding a book that is as chaotic as my life is kinda hard.  I end up reading the first one or two chapters and dropping it.  But lately, certain titles and recommendations have peaked my interest so I decided to pick up a book again.  And, well, I am in the middle of reading 4 right now!  Imagine that!  I also realized the TYPE of books I like to read...hmmm....I guess it should not take 37 years to figure this out but in my case I truly learn something everyday.  I am inspired everyday by all sorts of odds and end things. 

I have also started to sew more lately.  Now, get this....I am NOT a sewer!  My mother is the one that sews...but she bought me a sewing machine in high school or right after high school (I can't remember) and I managed to squeeze only ONE sewing class in about 2 years ago and that was that!  But, I wanted to make something special for my girls this past Valentine's Day...and so I set out to make them each a pillowcase with fabric sewn on it in various shapes...shapes like a guitar, an owl, some hearts and a flower.  They came out awesome!!!  Better than I had expected!  So, that was Valentine's Day and since then, I have gotten my sewing machine back out numerous times since then to create more fabric oriented art!  Who knew my sewing machine would finally have some kind of life after all of these years???

Anyway - enjoy the photos of some of my latest creative projects as well as the one photo of my daughter Lily wearing a not so good smile on her face!  Macie made her mad of course and she just could not get over it for the photo!

Off for now!  Happy Friday!  Happy Creating!  Happy WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING!

JM