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

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

  

Creativity On The Go

I'm done. 

Done with winter, done with snow, done with cabin fever.

I am ready to pack my bags and go.

Go just about anywhere. A road trip to visit family. A mini vacation to see someplace new. A random park where I can enjoy the sunshine.

Spring is around the corner and I've already started preparing. I've picked my favorite art supplies to entertain me on my travels. A little mixed media selection of goodies.

Travel Art Kit

       Travel Art Kit Contents:

• Copic 5X12 Sketchbook
• Travel Light
• Copic Multiliners
• Tombow Erasers
• Faber Castell Eraser
• Blackwing Long Point Pencil Sharpener
• Short Handled Paint Brushes
• Water Spray Bottle
• Assortment Of Caran d' Arhe Neocolor II Watercolor Crayons
• Assortment Of Caran d' Ache Museum Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils
• Set Of Lyra Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
• Set Of Lyra Pencils
• Set Of Lyra Aquacolor Water Soluble Crayons

 Possible additions depending on current project:

Spray Inks

Additional Sizes of Multiliners

Colorful Pens

Stencils

Glue

Magazine Clippings

Heritage Photos

 ( I collect them from antique stores, so pretty) 

Crayons

( I still love my Crayolas) 

Markers

Colored Pencils

Travel Art Bag

All closes and shrinks down nicely to fit inside of my 14.5 X 10.5 X 6 Brahmin. Excellent and study bag for travels. Full of zippers and pockets. Looks beautiful. And best of all can really load it up.

Hugs,

Anna

Creative Mary Beth Digital Stamp

I literally walked around today with a purse full of Copics. 

I was determined to get my latest illustration colored.

At one point I'm sitting in Starbucks parking lot coloring.

Every time I had a few extra minutes, I'd start digging around for markers.

It wasn't my usual relaxing way to create, but it got things done.

Sometimes you have to be creative with the time you have.

I think it all worked out well. This little Cuddlebug is adorable.

She's cute with a fun style and looks like she's ready to create.

                          

                            Cuddlebug Cuties Mary Beth

Cuddlebug Cuties Mary Beth

If you love this illustration, I also have a To Do List printable here, featuring Mary Beth.

It's great alone or for a ringed planner.

Plus it gives you something to color while you're making you lists :)

Copics:

Skin:    E13, 50, 51, 53

Hair:    E43, 44, 47, 49

Clothes:BG90,93, 96,99

      E41, 42, 43

      E43, 44, 47

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

Hugs,

Anna

Creativity

I have found that the best way to achieve unrealistic goals of productivity and creativity at the same time is to put in all on paper.  Carry a little journal or notebook with you everywhere; and when you come up with an amazing idea, pocket it the book for later. 

Throughout any given day, I think of several dozen things that I want to write, create, and do; but usually by midnight I just fall into my bed with all the wonderful ideas lost in the shuffle. By the time a new day starts I can't remember what inspirational little quote moved me so much the day before, what awe inspiring blog topic I wanted to write about, or which of the hundred pins I added to my Pinterest that I wanted to create. Some days it feels like a starting bell rings and I'm running with my coffee in hand just trying to keep up.

Truth be told, I love it. I don't always have time to photograph and scrap all the joyous moments of my life, but I have found little notes and lists help me work with the time I have. I have a nice purse sized book full of inspiration. Scribbled throughout the beautiful parchment papers are lists of blog topics, inspirational quotes, crafty ideas, hopes for the future, and so much more.  All decorated with  quirky sketches and quick doodles.

It's by far not organized enough to be a planner; not elaborate enough to be a handwritten journal; perhaps, it is a very basic art journal.  It carries some of my thoughts and my pretties.
And even though I am going to share pieces of my book here,  I love that overall it is a private piece of work. It's for my eyes and my heart. It doesn't have to be perfect. I don't have to spend hours trying to make my sketches appear the way they do in my head. I don't have to impress anyone. Simply put, it is my little pocket of inspiration. When I am ready to create a piece of art, it will be there waiting to guide me.

Embossed Leather-bound Inspirational Journal

Never give up on your dreams, you have the ability to make them your reality.

Hugs,
Anna