My Paper Addiction...The Traveler's Notebook

Creative addictions...

I have them, I admit it. 

Paper, it's my not so secret happiness enabler. 

It gives me joy. 

I find bliss in textures, sizes, finishes...it's my creative canvas and it's potential is endless.

My collection grows as the years pass. Journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, planners, even old vintage books that I can repurpose. 

All this being said, there is one book that I love the most.

The Traveler's Notebook.

I adore this little treasure keeper.

I've tried to replace it with other pretties, but they are just not the same. 

I always return.

 

Both the original Midori and faux ones are amazing. 

Choose the size, cover material, and notebooks you love and stuff it full.

Change your books on any given whim. 

Add little pencil pouchs, pen loops, card holders...there is so much to create to make this little set of books uniquely you.

They make great journals, planners, art journals, and so much more.

Mine currently contains; 

Book one: Journal both for thoughts and sketches

Book two: Planner

Book three: Leather zip pouch / card holder.

Book four: Jotter notebook, just for random thoughts, ideas, and events.

This little book has become my carry everywhere notebook.

Until next time, continue to create the precious works within your heart.

Hugs,

Anna

Sitting Pretty

I'm a girl of few words today.

 I'm pretty much just enjoying my time creating little wonders that make me smile. 

Life is good and I'm looking forward to a new day full of new creations.

Sitting Pretty Cuddlebug Cuties

Sitting Pretty Cuddlebug Cuties

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Sitting Pretty, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her, and if you have a moment please feel free to leave a comment letting me know that you stopped by.

Hugs,

Anna

Planner Addict

I've come to realize that I am a paper addict. 

Anything paper...I love it.

I collect it...

I feel it's time to do a little addiction series on my blog. Every few days share a different paper based collection that steals my heart.

Today........Planners 

I love my planner. All of them. Spending time adding touches of creativity inside gives me peace and joy. I switch planners and themes, but I always enjoy each one.

Here's a few favorites; both ones I'm working on and past lovelies. 

This is my newest Heidi Swapp collection. I've ordered a few pieces to complete it, but this is the basic little kit with a camera case that I use as a travel planner case and Betsey Johnson bag that matches perfectly.

Some Christmas goodies to start prettying up this months layout.

And as if carrying one planner wasn't enough, I've added a little month layout one in my Midori. 

Love this one. You can't fit a lot of extras and notes but it is very convenient and lightweight.

Ah...the Filofax. This one is so cute. It's pocket size and I just love playing with it.

Some current Christmas touches.

A little shabby chic with soft colors.

And Kitties!! I love kitties.

Anybody else out there enjoy primping planners?

Hugs,

Anna

Creative Joy

Document everyday with creativity and joy.

This is my current life motto.

I love to create, inspire, and share.

Adding a piece of art to my everyday life brings me tremendous amounts of comfort and joy.

I may not know where my creative path may take me but I am grateful for the healing pleasures it gives me on a daily basis. 

Drawing, coloring, writing, & even adding sparkles to my art planner. 

I let my allotted time and mood choose my creative activity for the day.

I don't plan or push my creative actions.

I simply let them flow and unload onto paper as I feel inspired.

However, this being said, I am inspired a lot.

Finding time is far more difficult than inspiration. 

Within just about any given day, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy a creative lifestyle. It make take a bit of creativity and multitasking just to make it work, but it is well worth it.

Over this past year I have spent nearly everyday with pen, pencil, and paper. 

I now have a very wonderful collection of journals, art journals, sketchbooks, and even pretty planners to look through. They are full of inspiring heartfelt moments from each and everyday.

Love spilled directly onto paper.

I encourage anyone with even the smallest amount of curiosity to take the creative jump. 

One little notebook to fill with all your dreams; creates wonderful memories to smile and look through in the future. 

Here's a little freebie to release you creativity on. 

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Joy, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her, and if you have a moment please feel free to leave a comment letting me know that you stopped by.

 

Joy Cuddlebug Cuties

 

 

Joy Cuddlebug Cuties

Hope everyone has a wonderful joy filled weekend.

Hugs,

Anna

  

A Peek Inside My Creative Mind

If you were to peek inside my mind...

You'd at first be amazed at the organization. 

Perfect lists, major priorities, fun kid friendly activities... 

but dig a little deeper; and it's like looking behind a closed door.

So much rubble is just waiting to tumble the moment it is disturbed. 

Seriously, I have a mind that runs nonstop and seems to collect every detail for later use.

I try my best to somehow let it all spill out onto paper. 

Drawing, journaling, coloring...overall just creating.

Using one memory at a time to fuel my inspiration. 

Some days my desk is a complicated mess of projects. As many as I can fit onto the small tabletop. 

Books, markers, pencils, photos, paint; and a dozen half finished works of art.

This is my current state of mind.

"Get it all down and polish it later."

Here's an inside view of the creative fun.

 An overhead view of my work desk. Contains: Journal, sketchbook, Midori travelers notebook as an art journal, colored digital stamp, and pen & pencil pouch.

Stacked and pretty. A side glace at my must have books and my favorite pencil and utility carrier.(It's actually a wristlet  purse, but works great for art supplies.)

Freedom to Create, colored in Copic markers.

Love this image!

A newly finished art journal page. I think this layout is beautiful. Most definitely my favorite mixed 

 media work yet. 

A nearly finished work in progress. I love this sketch. It's just soft & romantic. A little ink and a bit of color and this Cuddlebug will be ready to go.

A autumn remake. One of my original Cuddlebugs redrawn with bigger eyes, fluffier hair, and sitting pretty on a tree.

Love the pose, love the theme, still working on the bottom half. I'm just not sure of the legs. It's cute with the socks, but a fluffy skirt might be fun too? Still contemplating this Halloween witch Cuddlebug. 

Hope you enjoyed sharing my creative prospects. 

Check out my Instagram for nearly daily works in progress updates.

Hugs,

Anna

Documenting Your Creative Passions In An Art Journal Scrapbook

 It took so much courage to overcome the fear of having an art book that I added color to. Something about giving up the ability to erase my mistakes just stopped me in my tracks. I've realized that the imperfections of a page can make it special. You learn from trying and if you don't jump you limit your possibilities. The joy that comes from having a little journal where you can flip through the pages, by far overrides the blemishes.

The more pages I complete in my little journal, the more inspired I am to continue to add to it. Everyday I feel the need to just spend a little time sketching, painting, or writing. To spill my thoughts and emotions onto the pages.  Determined not to let my days crumble at my feet just to be left behind as a blank and empty spot, that I will likely forget as time passes by. 

This has become my favorite way of documenting my everyday. Each page holds joyful memories and intense passion. A splendid freedom of just letting go and enjoying the moment...

Here's a little freebie to release you creativity on. 

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Sweet Butterflies, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

 

 

Sweet Butterflies Cuddlebug Cuties

 

 

Hugs,

Anna

Hailey Digital Stamp

The recent summer days have been filled with joy and fun.

They've been a bit rainy, but my little and I are not shy about jumping in puddles.

We've added a new pup to our family. She's adorable and completely full of energy. There have been a few sleepless nights; with the new addition; but the endless love and kisses are a total trade off. 

My son and the pup make a great pair. They run and play with one another until they both pretty much fall over. They keep me on my toes, trying to teach both of them not to be too rough with one another. Although, I couldn't help but giggle when I caught her chasing my little man through the house while he's yelling at her, "I'm not a chew toy!"

At the end of a long day they'll cuddle up on the couch and watch cartoons together. His arm around her and her head on his lap. It makes your heart melt.

She sleeps this way all the time

Now that life is starting to settle back down a bit, I've jumped back into the creative life. I find peace in art and I hate to step away for to long. It's a part of me and I feel a little lost without it.

I've spent more days filling up my midori art journal than my sketchbook recently. The freedom of mixing media and layering goodies has just been so appealing. It's fun to expand your creative bliss. 

No worries though, I'm still sketching on every art journal page. There are so many new Cuddlebugs on the way.

Hailey Cuddlebug Cuties

Hailey Cuddlebug Cuties

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Hailey, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

Hugs,

Anna

Just Dance

My creativity has been in over drive lately. 

Which is kinda funny since I haven't posted art in a little while. 

Just seems like my head is completely spilling over with ideas and it's all I can do to get them on paper. I truly have several dozen half finished pieces of work. Everything from line art, that will hopefully be digital stamps soon; to art journal pages that are either full of sketches or full of paint.

I made myself sit down this week and made a little inventory of what I'm working on. Before I start too many more projects I want to finish what I started. (or at least a little bit of what I've started)

I choose to first finish an illustration that I started in April.

I love this cuddlebug's pose. A little reworking of the dress and she became a super fun little piece of art.

Just Dance, cropped, Cuddlebug Cuties

Just Dance Cuddlebug Cuties

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Just Dance, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

Hugs,

Anna

Art Planner Inspiration

Just a little art planner inspiration.

• Digital stamp for a bit of personalized creativity.

Art Planner Cuddlebug Cuties Dashboard

• Vintage cat decorations for this weeks layout.

Art Planner Kittie Cat Weekly Layout

• Stencils and stickers for fun and creative note taking.

Art Planner Fun Decorated Notes Pages

Cuddlebug Cuties, Paw Prints On My Heart

You can find this adorable digital stamp here.

Copics:
Skin: R11, E000, E50, E30, E21, E13, BV20
Hair: E42, E44, E47, E49
Pup: E49, E44, E43, E42, E40
C5, E04, E70, E07
Clothes: E79, E77, E74, E71, E70
E81, E84, E87, E89

Hugs,
Anna

Handmade Happiness

Embellished happiness.

I'm truly beginning to love this term.

When I first began my life as a crafter I was quite sparse with the extra little pretties. I enjoyed letting the main focal point of my work be nearly all of my piece. As time passed I became a bit braver and more eccentric. Instead of saving my treasures for that "special someday" project; I began wanting to use every little bit and bob that I had. 

I've found so much true joy from creating.

Handmade has become a part of who I am.

And anything that I can customize with embellishments brings happiness to unexpected places.

My Filofax art planner and my pink Moleskine journal are two of my daily favorite places to create, embellish, and pour my thoughts into. The pages are full of images that make me smile, favorite memories caught on camera, and powerful thoughts that overload my mind and fuel my imagination. I treasure these little books. 

Filofax Art Planner; weekly layout; kitty themed

Pink Moleskine journal, Legacy Sticky Notes by Mandy Lynne, kawaii ink pen

Pink Moleskine inside pages; soft vintage layout

Don't hold back. Create something today that will inspire and move your soul. Use your pretties and enjoy the process. Keepsakes journals or planners are a great way to start. All you need is a bit of paper and some imagination. 

Hugs,

Anna

Sweet Violet Cuddlebug

It's been a long and trying week, but somehow I finally feel like I came out on top.

Last night was a close call for a bit of a superwoman breakdown.

At 1am I'm rushing into a 24hr animal emergency room begging the poor girl behind the desk to find me a doctor who treated rats... looking back now; her face was quite priceless.

Long story short; when male rats get into a squabble it's bad. Really bad, and stitches are likely. Everything worked out fine. My little furbaby is all fixed and has been spoiled all day. I think he quite likes laying on my drawing desk and getting hand fed little veges one at a time. Did I say spoiled? 

He hasn't move to terribly much but he seemed to enjoy watching me draw and color my latest digi. He'd do his cute purr and his eyes would boggle when I'd talk to him. Every now and then, he'd do a long stretch toward me and give my hand a dozen or so kisses.  It's really been sweet. 

Sad as the entire experience was, bonding with him today has just seemed to make all of the tough moments from the week evaporate. They really didn't have as much weight as I thought they did in the moment. He brought quite a bit of peace to my heart and mind. Big blessing can come in small packages.

Sweet Violet Cuddlebug Cuties

Sweet Violet Cuddlebug Cuties

 Copics:

Skin: E50, 30, 11, 13 R20

Hair: E29, 39, 23, 21

Dress: V09, 6, 12, 01

BG78, 49, 45, 01, G21, Y11

E33, Y35, YR 31, 30

 

Enjoy coloring and crafting with Sweet Violet, but please give me; Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

Hugs,

Anna

Courage in Art Journaling Spread

A brand new art journal.

Crisp, clean ...and blank pages.

Close your eyes. Breathe. Now jump into a new spread and just let yourself go.

Do not fear the empty pages.

This is freedom.

There's no right and no wrong.

No mistakes.

You are the artist. Fill the paper with what's in your heart.

Draw, doodle, scribble, write, stamp, color, and paint with your hearts truest desires.

 * * *

I have found that art journaling is one of the most relaxing and pleasurable forms of art. While I do strive for pretty; I create for me. The art doesn't have to be perfectly polished.  I experiment and create without fear. Unexpected outcomes can be quite pleasant. Taking chances and exploring opportunities is thrilling. 

I have started a brand new art journal illustrating, the courage needed to overcome fear; in my first spread.

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Journal Courage Spread

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Journal Courage Spread and Supplies

Supplies:

Midori blank pages notebook

Gesso

Handmade cloud stencil

Circle stencil

Graphite pencil

Copic multiliner pen

Fineliner pens

Watercolor pencils

Water brush pen

ink pads

Finishing Spray

Hugs,

Anna

Art Planner with the Filofax Malden Pocket

I love using my planner as a way to express my creativity. 

Suddenly a list of chores can make me smile a bit while looking at all the pretties surrounding it.

Fun stickers, post its, die cuts, multicolored pens...

I feel like a bit of a kid...and I love it!

I say anywhere you can make a some joy for yourself; do it.

I recently picked up a little Filofax Malden Pocket Organizer for my on the go travels.

It's a fantastic fit for your purse. There's enough room to write and it's very light weight making it easy to carry with you everywhere. It's full of pockets; it would make a great little organizer / wallet too. 

For the moment I'm filling the pages with adorable kitties and puppies.

Many of the images are vintage. I fell in love with many of the older images and now I am constantly on the look out for more. I love how unique they make my little art planner.

Cuddlebug Cuties Filofax Setup Cat & Dog Themed

Cuddlebug Cuties Filofax Dashboard Cat Sticky Notes & Pretty Clips

Filofax Tab with Vintage Puppies

Filofax Layout Kitty Themed

Filofax Setup Notes Section Kitty Themed

Hugs,

Anna